Hana Inuzuka did not want to speak at all. Right now, she only wanted to vent her emotions, so she buried her whole face in Ye Fan's somewhat broad chest and had a good, hard cry.
It took quite a while before Hana Inuzuka gradually calmed down. She lifted her head to look at Ye Fan, her aggrieved expression like that of an injured little bird waiting to be comforted.
Ye Fan's expression turned serious as he asked again what had happened.
After spending so many years with Hana Inuzuka, Ye Fan naturally knew what kind of person she was. She was undeniably a strong woman; unless something especially heartbreaking had happened, she would never have lost control like this.
Could those people from the Inuzuka Clan have done something to Hua?
The chill in Ye Fan's eyes grew stronger and stronger. If it was really as he suspected, then they could not blame him for being ruthless.
Normally, Ye Fan could ignore however the Inuzuka Clan members mocked him. But if they had bullied his family, then sorry— even if it was Konoha's Hokage, he would make them pay the price.
Now that Hana Inuzuka had gradually calmed down, she no longer hid it from him and told Ye Fan about Aoi Inuzuka's death. After all, this was not something she could keep hidden.
Upon hearing the news, Ye Fan felt sorrow in his heart, and the ferocity in his eyes faded somewhat. Still worried, he pressed on, "Hua, the clan head summoned you for more than just this, didn't he?"
If it had only been to inform her of Aoi Inuzuka's sacrifice, there would have been no need to send someone specifically to summon Hana Inuzuka.
Hana Inuzuka did not want Ye Fan dragged into the struggle among the upper leadership. Let alone Ye Fan, who had no power to influence it, even she could not predict what would become of the Inuzuka Clan in the future.
Seeing that Hana Inuzuka was unwilling to say more, Ye Fan did not continue asking. He quickly changed the subject. "Hua, eat something, then get some proper rest. There are still many things waiting for you to handle!"
Hana Inuzuka had no appetite at all. Already exhausted, the terrible news of Aoi Inuzuka's death left her even more haggard. Yet she felt no sleepiness whatsoever, and scenes of her time with Aoi Inuzuka kept flashing through her mind.
Ye Fan practically dragged Hana Inuzuka into the room and made her sit down, then brought over some light dishes. In a rarely commanding tone, he insisted that she eat something.
Hana Inuzuka could see Ye Fan's concern for her. Though she had no appetite, she obediently ate a little. Then, using rest as an excuse, she returned to her room. But no matter how she lay in bed, she could not fall asleep. Tears blurred her eyes once more, and her chest clenched painfully.
Knock, knock, knock!
Just as Hana Inuzuka's mind was filled with wild thoughts, someone knocked on her door, followed by Ye Fan's voice from outside.
Hana Inuzuka hurriedly wiped away the tears in her eyes and said, "Come in!"
"Hua, this is calming incense I personally prepared. It works quite well." Ye Fan entered carrying an incense burner wafting fragrant smoke, while the little Ninja Hound Dark Shadow followed at his feet.
Dark Shadow seemed to have received Ye Fan's orders beforehand. The moment he came in, he found a spot and lay down.
Hana Inuzuka gave Ye Fan a faint smile, one so heartbreaking that it hurt to see.
"Hua, get some good rest. If anything happens, call for me." Ye Fan did not linger. After setting down the incense burner, he left the room.
But the little Ninja Hound Dark Shadow did not leave with him. He remained lying on the floor, occasionally raising his little head to sneak glances at Hana Inuzuka.
Warmth filled Hana Inuzuka's heart. It was not hard for her to guess why; Ye Fan must have been afraid something might happen to her, so he had deliberately left Dark Shadow behind.
The incense burner on the bedside table slowly released smoke. Whether it was the effect of the calming incense or not, Hana Inuzuka gradually fell asleep.
When Hana Inuzuka woke up, the sky outside the window had already darkened. Without realizing it, she had slept for several hours.
Hana Inuzuka had now regained her usual strength and calm. After grief came responsibility. There were still many things waiting for her to handle. For one, how to comfort Laiyun was an urgent matter.
The news of Aoi Inuzuka's death could not and would not be kept from Laiyun. What had to be faced would eventually have to be faced.
The only thing Hana Inuzuka worried about was whether Laiyun's injured body could withstand such a blow.
The next day.
Aoi Inuzuka's body was brought back by an ANBU member using a Sealing Scroll.
Inside the Hokage's Office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, solemnly flipped through the autopsy report in his hand. A trace of surprise and doubt appeared on his age-spotted face.
Judging from the data in the autopsy report, Aoi Inuzuka's death did not seem to be Orochimaru's doing, nor did it seem to be the work of any of the other major ninja villages.
"Lord Hokage, Team 8 of the ANBU has yet to find any trace of Orochimaru. Should Snake Hunt continue?" The speaker was an ANBU ninja wearing a mask.
Hiruzen Sarutobi placed the autopsy report on the desk. His expression shifted uncertainly, and only after a long silence did he speak. "If there are still no leads after three days, cancel the Snake Hunt operation."
"Yes!" Having received his orders, the ANBU ninja turned and left.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the room, a pipe clenched between his lips. He stood and looked through the window at the buildings of Konoha.
"Danzo, I hope you are not behind this one."
Light flickered in Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes. Though he had no evidence, his instincts told him that Danzo had always been plotting something unspeakable in secret.
He had also received word that Danzo appeared to be trying to win over the Inuzuka Clan these past few days. A faction led by Inuzuka Goya had already openly chosen to support Danzo.
This was not a good sign!
Behind the calm surface, no one knew how many storms were brewing.
Aoi Inuzuka's funeral lasted for two days.
In this cruel world, ninja died every day. Aoi Inuzuka was merely one of them.
Over those two days, Hana Inuzuka rarely returned home and stayed at the veterinary hospital with Laiyun.
Even with her by his side, the Ninja Hound Laiyun's condition worsened day by day, and his mournful cries could often be heard.
Having lost Aoi Inuzuka, Laiyun seemed to have lost every color in the world!
"Laiyun, you still have me..."
"Laiyun, eat something. How can you get better if you keep going on like this?"
"Laiyun, Sister Aoi would not want to see you so depressed from heaven."
Hana Inuzuka comforted Laiyun more than once.
However, it had no effect.
Laiyun seemed to have lost his will to live, often lying there without moving at all.
Seeing Laiyun like this made Hana Inuzuka feel terrible.
She did not know how long it would take for Laiyun to emerge from his grief.
"Captain Hana, a boy calling himself 'Inuzuka Ye Fan' is looking for you," a team member came over and said.
"Ye Fan?" Hana Inuzuka was stunned for a moment before saying, "All right, I understand."
A strange thought suddenly came to her mind:
Maybe Ye Fan could find a way to persuade Laiyun!
Before you continue