Laiyun's Grief

Hana Inuzuka did not want to speak at all. Right now, she only wanted to vent her emotions, so she buried her entire face in Ye Fan's somewhat broad chest and cried her heart out.

It was quite a while before Hana Inuzuka's emotions gradually stabilized. She raised 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 grave as he asked again what had happened.

After spending so many years with Hana Inuzuka, Ye Fan naturally understood what kind of person she was. She was unquestionably a strong, capable 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 Sister Hana?

The cold glint in Ye Fan's eyes grew increasingly intense. If it was truly as he suspected, then they could not blame him for being ruthless.

Ordinarily, Ye Fan could ignore however the Inuzuka Clan members mocked him. But if they had bullied his family, then they were in for it. Even if it was Konoha's Hokage, he would make them pay the price.

Once her emotions had gradually settled, Hana Inuzuka stopped hiding it and told Ye Fan about Aoi Inuzuka's death. After all, it could not be kept secret.

Upon hearing the news, Ye Fan felt sorrow in his heart, while the fierce light in his eyes faded somewhat. Still worried, he pressed further. "Sister Hana, the clan head's summons wasn't just for this matter, was it?"

If it had only been to inform her of Aoi Inuzuka's death, there would have been no need to send someone specifically to summon Hana Inuzuka.

Hana Inuzuka did not want Ye Fan dragged into the struggles among the upper leadership. Ye Fan could not influence such matters, and 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 press her further. He quickly changed the subject. "Sister Hana, 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, she became even more emotionally drained after hearing the terrible news of Aoi Inuzuka's death. Yet she was not sleepy in the slightest. Scenes of her past with Aoi Inuzuka kept flashing through her mind.

Ye Fan practically dragged Hana Inuzuka into the room and made her sit down, leaving no room for argument. He then brought over some light dishes and, in a rare commanding tone, 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 with pain.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just as Hana Inuzuka's mind was filled with wild thoughts, someone knocked on the door, followed by Ye Fan's voice from outside.

Hana Inuzuka hurriedly wiped away her tears and said, "Come in."

"Sister Hana, this is calming incense I blended myself. It works quite well." Ye Fan entered carrying an incense burner that was already releasing fragrant smoke, with the little ninja hound Shadow following at his feet.

Shadow seemed to have received Ye Fan's orders beforehand. As soon as it entered, it found a spot and lay down.

Hana Inuzuka gave Ye Fan a faint smile, one painful to behold.

"Sister Hana, get some good rest. If you need anything, call for me." Ye Fan did not linger. After setting down the incense burner, he left the room.

However, the little ninja hound Shadow did not leave with him. It remained lying on the floor, occasionally lifting its 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 that something would happen to her, so he had deliberately left Shadow behind.

The incense burner on the table beside the bed slowly released smoke. Whether it was due to the effects of the calming incense or not, Hana Inuzuka gradually fell asleep.

By the time Hana Inuzuka woke up, it was already dark outside. Without realizing it, she had slept for several hours.

Hana Inuzuka had now regained her usual strength and composure. After grief came responsibility. Many matters still awaited her attention. For one thing, figuring out how to calm Laiyun was an urgent concern.

Aoi Inuzuka's death could not, and would not, be hidden 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 hands. A trace of surprise and suspicion 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 work, nor did it appear to have been carried out by any of the other major ninja villages.

"Hokage-sama, the eighth ANBU squad has yet to discover 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 departed.

Alone in the room, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up with a smoking pipe clenched between his lips. Through the window, he looked out over the buildings of Konoha Village.

"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 been plotting something unspeakable in secret.

He had also received word that, in recent days, Danzo appeared to be trying to win over the Inuzuka Clan. A faction led by Inuzuka Goya had already openly chosen to support Danzo.

This was not a good sign!

Beneath the calm surface, no one knew how many storms were brewing.

Aoi Inuzuka's funeral lasted two days.

In this cruel world, ninja died every day. Aoi Inuzuka was merely one of them.

Over the past two days, Hana Inuzuka rarely returned home. She remained at the veterinary hospital, keeping Laiyun company.

Even with Hana Inuzuka by its side, the ninja hound Laiyun's condition worsened by the day. Its mournful cries could often be heard.

Having lost Aoi Inuzuka, Laiyun seemed to have lost all the color in its world!

"Laiyun, you still have me..."

"Laiyun, eat something. How can you get better if you keep going like this?"

"Laiyun, Sister Aoi would not want to see you so despondent from beyond the grave."

Hana Inuzuka comforted Laiyun more than once.

Yet it had no effect.

Laiyun seemed to have lost the 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 its grief.

"Captain Hana, a boy calling himself Inuzuka Ye Fan is looking for you," a team member said as he approached.

"Ye Fan?" Hana Inuzuka was stunned for a moment before saying, "All right, I understand."

A strange thought suddenly arose in her mind:

Perhaps Ye Fan had some way to persuade Laiyun!