The moon hung in the night sky.
Countless dark figures flickered among the buildings.
Outside a dim windowsill.
A small figure swayed faintly in the candlelight.
Suddenly, a pained roar rang out. In the reflection, the boy's figure abruptly changed.
Roars like those of a savage beast filled the entire room.
More figures appeared.
They all gathered outside the boy's window.
A thin stream of sand trickled through a gap and silently wrapped around everyone's ankles.
"Ah!"
Blood burst forth, with not a trace of their bodies left.
Only the blood remained, faintly testifying to what had just happened there.
"Kumogakure signed the ceasefire agreement?"
Konoha.
Inside the Hokage Office.
A ninja wearing a white fox mask handed Minato a scroll.
"A year of war has finally ended."
"It was only minor skirmishing, but why do I keep getting this strange feeling?"
Just then, a violent explosion suddenly erupted in the village's northeastern corner.
Minato rose to his feet.
Before he could give any orders, a figure in the office had already leaped through the window.
Looking toward the figure who had already darted outside the village nearby, a child was clamped beneath their arm.
Behind them, a white-robed man followed closely. As Liumu drew nearer.
Only then did he discover that the man was Hyuga Hiashi of the Hyuga Clan.
"What happened?"
"Someone abducted a member of my clan."
"Who?"
"Hinata!"
Hyuga Hiashi recognized Liumu.
But the situation was urgent, leaving him no time to explain further.
Liumu gave a sharp shout and pushed off with both feet.
The enormous tree beneath him exploded, while Liumu shot forward like lightning.
Squelch!
Blood splattered.
A blood-coated fist slowly withdrew from the abductor's body.
The arm loosened.
As the girl screamed in terror, Hyuga Hiashi, who had followed close behind,