Even if they were unwilling, the remaining enemies still had to retreat. In fact, they withdrew in a quick and decisive manner—failing at the last moment and retreating in disgrace.
The elite Anbu from Konoha, who had been waiting patiently, were already near the Land of Whirlpools. Due to the earlier barrier blocking his perception, Haseo couldn't pinpoint exactly when Konoha's reinforcements would arrive. Yet if they hadn't shown up by the time the barrier was released, there could only be two possible explanations:
First, the Third Hokage intended to abandon the remaining Uzumaki clansmen, thus issuing no order for assistance; second, the Anbu ninja had neglected their duties.
Since Mito Uzumaki remained in Konoha, the first possibility wouldn't happen. And because the first was impossible, so too was the second.
Over thirty Anbu arrived at Haseo's location the moment the barrier lifted.
The enemies had withdrawn just moments earlier, but neither Haseo nor the Uzumaki shinobi attempted to stop them.
"Haseo,"
One Anbu approached him. Clearly the mission leader, he stepped forward.
"Everyone, form up into positions immediately. First priority: secure the sea route between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Fire. Make sure the enemies don't return. If they attempt to bypass our defenses and infiltrate the Land of Fire, our people won't be able to endure such a relentless pursuit," Haseo said to the group.
Although considering the current state of the enemy, such a scenario was unlikely, it was still better to prepare for the worst.
"Haseo... I believe our primary objective right now should be to pursue the retreating foes, wiping out every remaining invader completely. Secondary objectives include securing the area and rescuing any possible survivors. Only as a last priority should we adopt the kind of conservative approach you suggested.
If this barrier had been removed earlier, your comrades wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses, and we could've trapped the enemy in time," the Anbu ninja replied.
"Conservative?" Haseo frowned.
Although Anbu usually acted with cold indifference while on missions, this ninja's words went far beyond simple dispassion—they clearly amounted to criticism of Haseo's and the Uzumaki's decisions.
"I see. So it's all about killing enemies first.
It seems even Anbu wanted to hog the spotlight. Either this ninja didn't understand the true purpose of this operation, or he considered the Uzumaki clan as expendable bargaining chips—or maybe he just enjoyed the violence."
Haseo's calm demeanor vanished instantly, replaced instead by a chilling gaze.
He waved Samehada in his hand slightly before tossing it casually behind him. Then, his now-free hand lightly rested on the hilt of his sword.
"If we had opened the barrier prematurely, as you suggest, what would become of the remaining Uzumaki still evacuating by sea? Don't boast about your protective capabilities. Compared to the powerful barrier we previously had, your protection is barely worth trusting.
Also… are you really an Anbu?"
Haseo found the Anbu far too talkative. Talkative Anbu rarely made good operatives, especially during active missions.
Perhaps he was a spy sent from another village? Was that even possible?
The ninja naturally sensed the chilling emotion radiating from Haseo—it was something he had believed he could resist, but in truth, there was no way to oppose it at all.
"...Yes, Lord Haseo. I joined Anbu five years ago."
Being in Anbu for five years meant this man was now at least a squad leader. Being entrusted with such a mission indicated his capability was trusted.
"Did you come from Root?"
Haseo's speech grew terser by the moment... and this was definitely not a good sign.
"No."
As he spoke, he shifted his shoulders sideways, revealing a simple flame-shaped tattoo outlined in basic lines. The presence of just this symbol without any other markings indicated he hadn't been part of Root.
"Then tell me, what mission did the Third Hokage assign to your team?"
"To ensure the evacuation of the Uzumaki clan."
Undoubtedly, that was the kind of order only the Third Hokage would issue.
"And who holds actual command authority here—me or you?"
This was the more important question—one that would determine if Haseo had authority to punish disobedient subordinates. After all, he was no longer an Anbu ninja, and Kagenami didn't technically fall under Anbu command.
"With Lord Haseo."
"So then, do you have any other questions?"
"...None."
"Good. Then carry out my orders."
After saying this, Haseo slightly lowered his eyelids, his sharp gaze fixed solely on the other man's feet. What followed next would either be this Anbu ninja turning around to execute Haseo's command—or he'd simply turn his head.
If he refused to obey Haseo's orders, there would be no returning to Konoha for him.
Fortunately… he turned around.
Thus, the chill Haseo carried forth from the night either dissipated or was reined back in.
Haseo eased his grip on his sword as the Anbu ninja moved to secure the coastal passage. He himself led the remaining Uzumaki shinobi back into the village to search for any survivors left behind.
And to finish off those enemies still breathing yet unable to escape in time.
There were eleven Uzumaki shinobi left here, including the clan leader.
...
The village continued burning.
Haseo approached a corpse and picked up another broad cleaver. He stared at the large circle engraved near the tip of the broad blade before tossing it back beside the corpse.
Junk metal.
"How many did you kill?"
Haseo asked Sakumo Hatake beside him.
"They're all dead, although I only finished off four." Sakumo replied.
"You took four, I took one. Clearly you're more efficient than me. The remaining two died during the chaos… Not much to write home about this time. Let's see how the next round turns out."
As he spoke, Haseo told Sakumo Hatake to make sure the finishing blows were clean before heading down the smoke-choked street himself.
The Uzumaki Shinobi were less concerned with searching for and rescuing possible survivors than they were with organizing and recovering the bodies of their fallen comrades. In fact, some couldn't even retrieve entire corpses anymore—Haseo had lost an arm. The previous battle could only be described as brutal.
This was especially true for the Uzumaki Shinobi who specialized in support during combat.
After walking a certain distance, Haseo arrived at the entrance of the Uzumaki Clan's ancestral shrine. This was exactly where he had first met Uzumaki Jiusenxiang. Now, however, he saw only the Uzumaki clan leader, who had returned ahead of him.
"Clan Leader, is there anything particularly important left to recover here?"
The old clan leader shook his head. "There's nothing left. All valuable items were taken to Konoha when the relocation plan began. What remains now are just old wooden structures that have stood for many years."
Originally, the shrine had preserved many secret techniques of the Uzumaki Clan. But since those things were important enough, they were moved away as soon as the relocation started. Now the shrine was already emptied; naturally, there was nothing left that Haseo would consider valuable.
All of this wasn't particularly important to Haseo. Yet there were things deeply significant to the old clan leader, which was why he had come back one last time.
He dropped his cane, then slowly bent down, clearing away the debris surrounding the collapsed doorway. Soon, a heavy, ancient plaque buried beneath became visible.
It was a very old item. Even the characters carved on it—Uzumaki—had become somewhat blurred over time.
Then, the old clan leader lifted it up and hoisted it onto his shoulder.
"Let's go. This is the last item we need to bring to Konoha."
The old clan leader stood straight-backed, speaking with unusual strength in his voice. He didn't look like someone who'd just fought all night long.
Haseo blinked and thought, *If you've got the strength for this, why bother using a cane?*
Yet people were emotional beings. No matter how frail or aged he seemed, the burden that was meant for him—he would always find a way to carry it.
Haseo understood this well, so he never presumptuously stepped in to help.
Soon after, the Uzumaki completed their search, and Hatake made sure every wounded enemy was put down for good. It was time for them to leave the Land of Whirlpools.
"Have all the ones needing killing been dealt with?" Haseo asked Hatake.
"Of course."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure. You don't need to make me swear on my bloodline again—I'm really sure this time."
Sakumo Hatake had finally figured out Haseo's pattern.
Haseo nodded. He fully trusted Hatake. I mean, if someone couldn't even handle finishing off a few wounded foes properly, then honestly, back in his old life, he probably had it coming.
Hatake and Haseo walked at the rear of the group. At the front, the old clan leader carried the plaque on his shoulder, while the remaining Uzumaki Shinobi guarded him closely on either side. Their expressions were solemn, as though participating in some sacred ceremony.
A rolling sea stretched before them, while flames devoured the village behind. For these Uzumaki, the time ahead flowed endless as water—long and full of hope. The time gone by burned fierce as fire—blazing and worth remembering.
"Cough... cough... cough..."
After the Uzumaki clan had evacuated from the burning village, a suppressed, nearly imperceptible voice emerged.
A blood-covered hand reached out, feeling around before gripping the handle of a massive sword. Using it as support, he managed to stand with great effort.
Covered in wounds, his entire body was like a tapestry of blood.
Nobody understands why he's still alive despite injuries this severe—not even himself.
In short, Haseo's flickering [Wind Release] chakra mode failed to kill him. Hatake Sakumo's finishing blow, meant to ensure the next generation's safety, either missed entirely or didn't finish the job.
For him, this battle was filled with regret. Had it not been for his reckless impulsiveness, many things might have turned out differently.
Surviving—perhaps its only purpose was to preserve these regrets.
Back then, what was his name?
Even he himself no longer remembers clearly. But now, his name is Pye. Later, it will become Omicron. And one day...
Who can say what distant days may bring?
In the Uzumaki village, the final survivor ended up being someone who didn't originally belong there.
What he carried in his hands felt very heavy. His awareness of his battered body was even heavier. Yet heavier still was the weight in his heart.
The young ninja reeked of blood—a stench not even smoke could mask. Leaning on a heavy metal crutch, he limped step by step into the burning ruins of the village.
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