Aoi's Death, Hana's Grief

When Hana Inuzuka returned home again, it was already the next morning.

After working through the entire night, she looked utterly exhausted.

This incident had sounded an alarm for Hana Inuzuka. The veterinary station had many security loopholes, and after discussing matters with the other team members all night, they had made adjustments to several aspects of the station.

At the same time, Laiyun was placed under close protection.

"Hana, you came back at just the right time. I made some breakfast."

Ye Fan was setting the food on the table when he saw Hana Inuzuka enter and hurriedly greeted her.

"You two eat."

Hana Inuzuka had no appetite. Right now, all she wanted was to get some proper sleep.

"Hana, was Laiyun found?"

Although Ye Fan already knew the outcome, he still asked.

For the time being, he did not want Hana Inuzuka to know some of his secrets. That was also why he had suddenly hidden himself last night.

"Mm! Don't worry, Laiyun has been found."

Whenever Hana Inuzuka thought of what had happened yesterday, a dull ache rose in her heart. She understood Laiyun very well.

To the Inuzuka Clan, ninja hounds were important companions.

The bonds formed through countless everyday moments could even surpass life and death.

Laiyun had ignored its own injuries. Even knowing it might die, it had still gone to find its owner, Aoi Inuzuka. That was understandable.

Precisely because she understood, Hana Inuzuka felt so miserable. As a senior and older sister who had cared for Aoi Inuzuka many times, how could she not worry about her?

May the gods bless Sister Aoi and bring her home safely!

"Hana, you don't look well. Are you sick?" Ye Fan put down his bowl and chopsticks and stepped closer.

"I'm fine. I just didn't rest well."

"Then I'll make some soup to calm your mind. Drink a little, Hana, then get some proper rest. Unless there's an important mission, don't go out."

As he spoke, Ye Fan reached out and checked Hana Inuzuka's forehead for a fever.

At last, a faint smile appeared on Hana Inuzuka's weary face.

This younger brother with no blood relation to her always managed to give her warmth at just the right time.

Compared to him, her actual younger brother...

Well.

It was already fortunate enough if he did not make her angry.

"Sis, why is Brother Ye Fan making breakfast today?"

After washing up in the bathroom, Kiba Inuzuka saw Hana Inuzuka standing in the living room and casually asked.

This actual younger brother of hers did not even know that his sister had not come home all night.

"Kiba, come help me."

Ye Fan's voice came from the kitchen. Clearly, he did not want Kiba Inuzuka to pester the exhausted Hana Inuzuka too much.

Hana Inuzuka smiled softly.

However, her smile suddenly froze as she stared out the window.

In the courtyard outside stood a man and a gigantic black ninja hound.

Hana Inuzuka recognized the visitor. After all, they were both members of the Inuzuka Clan. But why had he suddenly come here?

Hana Inuzuka walked out with a suspicious look on her face. The man in the courtyard said coldly, "The clan head summons you!"

"The clan head summons me?"

Hana Inuzuka froze, unable to understand why the clan head wanted to see her.

The current head of the Inuzuka Clan was Inuzuka Goya. Due to certain conflicts, his relationship with Hana Inuzuka's family had been poor over the past year or two.

"Fine. I'll come at once," Hana Inuzuka said in a low voice.

Her mother, Tsume Inuzuka, had gone out on a mission. Otherwise, she might not have been the one summoned this time.

"Hana, are you going out again?"

Ye Fan had only just finished making the soup, yet Hana Inuzuka, who had just returned home, was leaving again.

"Sorry. Don't wait for me. You two eat first!"

Hana Inuzuka gave them a quick word, then followed the man away.

They entered an antique-style estate, the residence of the Inuzuka Clan head.

When she arrived at the reception hall, Hana Inuzuka saw the stern-faced head of the Inuzuka Clan, Inuzuka Goya, seated in the place of honor.

Besides the clan head, there were many clan members with influence in the family. When they saw Hana Inuzuka enter, they all wore strange expressions.

The atmosphere in the entire reception hall was somewhat oppressive.

"Clan head! You wanted to see me?"

Hana Inuzuka swept her gaze over everyone present before finally settling it on Inuzuka Goya.

"Now that everyone is here, I will explain why I summoned you all," Inuzuka Goya suddenly said in a deep voice.

Hana Inuzuka chose a spot and stood there, her mind already turning.

Judging by this gathering, some major announcement was likely coming.

It was more than merely major!

Inuzuka Goya's next sentence directly left Hana Inuzuka rooted to the spot.

"I have just received word that Aoi Inuzuka has died in the line of duty. Her body will be transported back to Konoha Village tomorrow." His voice was unhurried, devoid of any emotion.

Hana Inuzuka felt her head buzz as her vision blurred in an instant. She did not hear another word Inuzuka Goya said afterward.

The thing she had feared most had truly happened!

Sister Aoi had actually...

"...With Lord Danzo's support, our Inuzuka Clan will undergo soaring development and surely become one of Konoha Village's foremost clans..."

Inuzuka Goya's words suddenly drifted into Hana Inuzuka's ears.

Hana Inuzuka had not yet emerged from her grief, but Inuzuka Goya's words shocked her once more.

The "Lord Danzo" Inuzuka Goya spoke of was Shimura Danzo, one of Konoha's higher-ups. He was deeply calculating, and rumors said he had always coveted the position of Hokage. He was an extremely dangerous figure.

"I object!"

Hana Inuzuka suddenly spoke. Though tears filled her eyes, her expression was resolute.

"Hana Inuzuka, you need to understand something." A cold glint flashed through Inuzuka Goya's eyes as he continued, "I am not asking for your opinions. I am informing you of my decision."

Some of those present, like Hana Inuzuka, strongly disliked the idea of having close ties with Danzo. Yet none voiced it, seemingly each harboring their own plans.

By noon, Hana Inuzuka wandered down the street as though she had lost her soul.

Sister Aoi was dead!

Hana Inuzuka's heart hurt as though it were being torn apart.

She did not know how she was supposed to face Laiyun.

She did not even know how to comfort herself!

Her heart was bleeding.

It felt as though something inside her body had been hollowed out.

Scenes of her time with Aoi Inuzuka flashed through her mind like a slideshow.

Aoi Inuzuka's bright laughter and encouraging words echoed so clearly in her ears.

She would never again watch the sunset with Sister Aoi.

She would never again speak of dreams for the future with Sister Aoi.

Never again...

"Hana, what... happened to you?" A concerned young voice suddenly entered Hana Inuzuka's ears.

Hana Inuzuka raised her head and only then realized that she had unknowingly walked back home. Ye Fan stood before her, his face full of concern.

The emotions piled up within her erupted like a mountain flood.

Hana Inuzuka could no longer hold them back. She suddenly threw her arms around Ye Fan and burst into tears.

"Hana, tell me. Who bullied you?" Ye Fan's voice was calm, but a cold gleam flickered in his eyes.