*Konoha, the Hyūga Estate.*
Thwack.
Two fists collided, the impact echoing through the air with a sharp crack.
Hyūga Hiashi took several steps back, a look of approval flashing in his eyes. "Not bad. Your progress has been quite significant recently."
For a rigid man like him, this was high praise. It also showed just how pleased he was with Hinata's rapid improvement.
"It is all thanks to your excellent guidance, Father," Hinata replied softly, her head slightly bowed, her expression calm.
"I recall that Hayashi Yuto is your classmate, correct?" Hiashi paused for a moment before continuing, his tone neutral. "You seem… quite close with him?"
Hearing Yuto's name, Hinata stiffened for a second. She lifted her head to face her father. "Is… is there a problem?"
"He is now a wanted criminal across the entire shinobi world. Need I say more?" Hiashi's voice was low and heavy.
He had been aware that Yuto often invited his daughter to his home.
Back then, the boy was shrouded in glory, the Hokage's favorite and a potential future successor. Hiashi had been more than happy to see his daughter grow closer to someone of such stature.
But times had changed. Now, Hayashi Yuto was a traitor of Konoha.
Hinata didn't respond, meeting his words with silence.
"And Neji," Hiashi turned, adding another point. "He is no longer a member of our Hyūga clan."
With that, he walked away, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance.
Hinata stood still, silently watching the setting sun in the sky.
"Sis! So your sweetheart really did take Neji-nii-san with him when he defected?" A shorter figure, Hyūga Hanabi, popped out from a nearby haystack, her face a mask of dramatic astonishment.
"They did not defect. They are pursuing a true ideal," Hinata said softly, reaching out to pat her little sister's head. "Konoha has no soil where such ideals can take root."
"Why not?" Hanabi asked, puzzled.
"Look at our Hyūga clan," Hinata's voice was gentle. "Why must there be a distinction between the Main and Branch families?"
Hanabi thought for a moment before looking up. "If that's the case, why didn't you go with your sweetheart, Sis?"
"Because I still have family here in Konoha," Hinata replied with a lonely smile, turning her gaze back to the setting sun.
_
*Konoha Hospital.*
Yūgao's eyes were tightly shut, beads of sweat dotting her forehead.
In her mind, a female voice roared, "You fool! Say my name!"
"Wh-What?" Yūgao murmured in her confusion.
"My name is—"
"I… I can't hear you."
"Idiot! I'll tell you one more time! My name is—!"
"I really can't hear you!"
"Yūgao? Yūgao!"
Her body was being gently shaken. Yūgao's eyes finally fluttered open to see a worried-looking Shizune leaning over her. "Are you alright? Does your wound still hurt?"
It took Yūgao a long moment to come to her senses. She shook her head. "N-No, I'm fine."
"But you don't look fine," Shizune pressed, hesitating before adding, "Was it… that man again in your dreams?"
"Captain Yuto, he…"
"You still call him Captain? You know what he's done. He's a traitor to Konoha!"
Yūgao fell silent, chastised.
In truth, she felt no hatred for Yuto in her heart. Even after being deceived and hurt, she still saw him in her dreams.
For some reason, Yūgao felt that even when Captain Yuto ran her through with his sword, he had her best interests at heart. It was a strange intuition, one she hadn't shared with anyone.
"Lady Shizune, have you signed up for the punitive force heading to the Land of Waves?" Yūgao changed the subject.
"Yes," Shizune nodded gently. "But I signed up for the medical corp. No need to worry."
"Do you think… we can win?" Yūgao asked next.
"Of course. What a silly question," Shizune glanced at her, her tone matter-of-fact. "The Allied Shinobi Forces from the Five Great Villages number at least a hundred thousand. How could we possibly lose?"
"But Captain Yuto… that man… he must know the Allied Forces are coming for him," Yūgao paused, lowering her voice. "If he truly couldn't handle it, why would he send out those provocative leaflets? Taunting everyone with that 'war criminal list'?"
It was a valid point.
Shizune's face grew pensive, a frown creasing her brow. Yuto was clearly no fool; he was cunning. In the face of the Allied Shinobi Forces' assembly, he hadn't shown the slightest concession. Instead, he'd issued that "list" as a mockery… It was abnormal.
But then again, Shizune truly couldn't fathom how the Allied Shinobi Forces could possibly lose.
*Hokage's Office.*
Konoha had a very special visitor today, prompting Hiruzen Sarutobi to arrive early to receive him.
The door opened, revealing first a head of spiky white hair. The man had the face of a middle-aged man, with two red lines descending from the corners of his eyes.
He was One of the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya!
He was also Hiruzen's former student, who called himself the "Toad Sage."
Usually seen with a carefree, jovial, and often lecherous demeanor, today his face was etched with anger. "I've heard what happened. Is it true? Was Tsunade was killed by her own student?"
"According to Shizune's account, yes," Hiruzen said, understanding the man's mood and skipping any pleasantries. "But we have not found Tsunade's body in Konoha."
"In that case, is it possible she's still alive?" Jiraiya took a sharp breath, his voice low. "Did that student of hers admit to killing her?"
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring, his voice gentle. "Sometimes, it's better not to hope for too much. The fall from disappointment is less painful that way."
Jiraiya fell silent, his head dipping slightly.
"The Allied Shinobi Forces will hold a rally in half a month. You will represent Konoha," Hiruzen said, his gaze earnest.
He was planning to pass the mantle, to install this former student as Hokage.
He was tired.
The incident with Yuto's betrayal had truly left Hiruzen feeling weary.
Most importantly, a significant rift had now formed between Konoha and the nobility of the Land of Fire. He truly had no desire to handle this mess any longer.
"I'm going to the Land of Waves," Jiraiya stated, lifting his head again, his eyes resolute.
"Don't do anything reckless!" Hiruzen's eyes widened, urgently trying to dissuade him. "Hayashi Yuto is no simple character. We've sent over a dozen spy ninja there, and all have vanished without a trace."
"My mind is made up, old man," Jiraiya shook his head, his expression determined. "It's precisely because he's no simple character, we need intelligence from there even more? If I get the chance, I'll bring back Minato's kid, too!"
_____
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