Yuichi raised his head and looked at the others apologetically.
Seeing him like this, the ninjas who had been wary of him couldn't help but shake their heads and smile faintly.
"Yuichi, it's fine. We know you didn't mean it."
"We can understand your anger."
Their words of comfort only made Yuichi feel more uncomfortable and regretful.
But deep down, he was smiling.
For the first time, he realized that being young actually had its advantages.
If an adult had made the same mistake, forgiveness would not have come so easily.
Yuichi raised his hand and clapped lightly.
The massive Wood Style construct before him began to shift, and the corpse of the Third Hokage was revealed.
Several wooden pillars gently carried Sarutobi's body upward, presenting it before everyone's eyes.
The gathered shinobi fell silent, their expressions heavy with sorrow.
The Third Hokage's body lay exposed before them, the pheasant sword still embedded in his chest. Its blade gleamed with a chilling light. Many in the crowd recognized it instantly.
Orochimaru's sword.
"Shikaku, what do we do now?" Akimichi Chōza asked.
It was only natural to look to Nara Shikaku, the Hokage's strategist, for guidance.
Shikaku sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a brief moment. The death of the Third Hokage was not something he could accept easily.
But he did not allow the others to wait long.
"We must finish off the remaining enemies quickly and tend to Konoha's people," Shikaku said firmly.
"Master Shikaku," one of the ninja reported, "many members of our clans have already been captured by Sand shinobi. They're clearly targeting the secret arts of Konoha's families."
Shikaku had anticipated this long ago.
"They can't reach Sunagakure immediately. Even if they've taken captives, it will take days to cross the Land of Wind. I'll dispatch pursuit squads at once."
He analyzed calmly, "The enemy didn't retreat as one group—they've scattered. That will slow them down, but it also means even if only a few manage to return, they might obtain one of our secret techniques. We cannot allow that."
Everyone understood the gravity of his words. For shinobi, ninjutsu was life itself. And the clan techniques of the villages were their deepest sources of power. Allowing Sunagakure to seize even one was unthinkable.
"Moonlight Hayate, you'll lead a team. Mitarashi Anko, are you in condition to move?"
"No problem," Anko replied immediately.
"Good. You'll take another squad. Chōza, you'll also be dispatched."
Shikaku continued calling out names, forming five or six pursuit teams.
At the end, his eyes fell on the Hyūga clan.
Hyūga Hinata, the eldest daughter, had been taken. This was no trivial matter. Given the clan's prestige, the decision on who would lead her rescue could not be made without Hiashi's input.
"Lord Hiashi," Shikaku said, "do you have someone in mind for Hinata's retrieval? If not, I will—"
"If possible," Hiashi interrupted, "I want Genin Nagano Yuichi to carry out the mission and bring my daughter back."
The Hyūga clan head fixed his gaze on Yuichi. For once, his stern demeanor softened, and his tone carried rare sincerity.
Even a trace of pleading.
Shikaku wasn't surprised by the name. Yuichi was officially just a genin, but anyone who treated him as such would be a fool. This was a boy who wielded strength on par with a Kage. Entrusting Hinata's rescue to him was, in truth, placing their strongest card on the table.
Shikaku turned to him.
"Yuichi, will you accept this mission—to pursue the Sand shinobi and rescue Hyūga Hinata?"
Yuichi weighed the decision. Saving Hinata would earn him the Hyūga clan's gratitude. A favor might not always repay itself at a critical time, but as someone who aimed for the Hokage's seat, even the absence of opposition from such a powerful clan could prove invaluable.
He opened his mouth to answer—when suddenly the familiar system interface appeared.
[Character Development Line: Hyūga Hinata unlocked]
[Please choose]
[1. Accept the mission to rescue Hinata – Reward: Physical Enhancement]
[2. Refuse the mission – Reward: Chakra Enhancement]
Yuichi blinked. "So even this kind of choice counts? Not just direct interactions with characters, but anything tied to them?"
As he hesitated, Shikaku began to feel uneasy. Would Yuichi actually reject the mission? That didn't seem right.
But then—
"Leave it to me. I'll bring Hinata back safely."
Shikaku nodded. "Good. Then it's in your hands."
[Congratulations! Host has gained Physical Enhancement.]
[Checking host's bloodline… Special Physique Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) detected. Enhancement unlocked: Shikotsumyaku +20%. Current status: 40%.]
Joy flickered in Yuichi's eyes before he quickly suppressed it.
'Strengthen!' he commanded inwardly.
[Special Bloodline: Shikotsumyaku strengthening… Complete. Current status: 40%.]
A surge of warmth coursed through him. His very bones shifted and reshaped, a sensation so intoxicating it bordered on addictive. But just as quickly as it came, the feeling faded.
At that moment, Hiashi spoke again.
"Yuichi, my clansmen are on their way. I'll send one to accompany you. With the Byakugan, we'll be able to locate Hinata faster."
Though Yuichi didn't need the assistance, he did not refuse.
BOOM!!
The ground shook violently, a tremor that left everyone stunned.
"What was that?"
"Didn't the enemy retreat with only a handful left? How could they cause such destruction?"
Before anyone could answer, a monstrous roar echoed through the air.
"Finally! My uncle is free again!"
The shinobi whipped their heads toward the village gates.
There, a colossal silhouette loomed.
Shikaku stepped forward, eyes narrowing in disbelief.
"That… that's—"
"A tailed beast! From Sunagakure!"
"One-Tail…" Shikaku's voice trembled. "They actually unleashed it?"
Murmurs of outrage erupted.
"Sand shinobi even brought out the Tailed Beast? Do they mean to destroy Konoha entirely?"
"They signed a treaty with us, and yet they do this…"
"They killed the Third Hokage, and now they want to annihilate us? How vicious can their hearts be!"