"What a rare kekkei genkai…"
In a dim underground laboratory, Orochimaru stood beneath the yellow glow of a lantern. On the table before him sat a glass vessel containing a vial of blood—stolen the night before from Gekkō Hayate.
After an entire night of urgent research, Orochimaru had already confirmed the nature of Hayate's kekkei genkai.
Tōton—the ability to render one's body transparent and erase one's presence. Unfortunately, once battle began, the invisibility would dissipate, making it of little use in direct combat. For espionage, however, it was superb.
"Jiraiya, that fool… he'd probably love a kekkei genkai like this."
Thinking of his old teammate who enjoyed sneaking around women's bathhouses, Orochimaru let out a low chuckle before carefully disposing of every trace of Hayate's blood.
At that same time, in Konoha Hospital, Director Nara Shikai wore a grave expression as he handed a report to Gekkō Hoshishi.
"Tōton… is it?"
Hoshishi's initial excitement quickly faded as he read the words. The powerful kekkei genkai he had hoped for turned out to be nothing more than the ability to vanish from sight. The blow was immense.
"Don't be disheartened, Hoshishi," said Nara Shikai. "If mastered properly, Tōton might not be inferior to other kekkei genkai. True, it's not useful in combat, but in gathering intelligence it gives a natural advantage. I believe Hayate could one day become the finest spy in the entire village."
Hoshishi shook his head with a bitter smile. "Lord Nara, Hayate is meant to inherit the Konoha-style Kenjutsu. He is the hope of the Gekkō clan! If his kekkei genkai cannot strengthen him in battle, then…"
Then such a bloodline limit might as well not exist.
Nara Shikai sighed. "I understand. Still, if you ever change your mind, come to me. I can arrange for Hayate to train under the best intelligence operatives we have."
"Thank you, Lord Nara. That will be all for today. Farewell."
Leaving the hospital, Hoshishi lifted his head toward the glaring sun and forced a bitter laugh. It felt as if he had awoken from a beautiful dream, only to find the world still mercilessly cruel.
He walked along the busy streets, yet instead of heading home he turned down a quiet alley, gradually leaving the bustle behind until he reached a grove of trees.
"You came, Hoshishi!"
From the shadows emerged a man in his early thirties—a fellow clansman, Gekkō Arakaze.
"Ah, Arakaze. Thank you for your efforts." Hoshishi gave a weary nod.
Noticing his expression, Arakaze frowned. "Hoshishi… Hayate's kekkei genkai. What is it?"
"Tōton. Invisibility. Of little use," Hoshishi admitted with another bitter smile.
"I see… what a shame. Everyone had such high hopes," Arakaze sighed in disappointment.
"Are the others already gathered?" Hoshishi asked, regaining his composure.
"Yes—ah, right, they're waiting for you. Hurry."
Hoshishi nodded and strode deeper into the grove.
The forest opened into a wide clearing, nearly a hundred meters across. There, over seventy members of the Gekkō clan had assembled. At their head stood Gekkō Hoshino, Samukaze's adoptive father and the current clan head, a seasoned jōnin.
Most gathered were chūnin, though five held the rank of tokubetsu jōnin. Among them was Gekkō Arakaze, who had been on watch outside. As for full jōnin, there were only two besides the clan head himself: Gekkō Hoshishi, who had just arrived.
Together, they formed the backbone of the Gekkō clan.
When Hoshishi stepped into the clearing, the crowd immediately surrounded him, pressing for news of Hayate's kekkei genkai.
Reluctantly, Hoshishi repeated the truth.
"Tōton? Ahh…"
"What a pity. That child has talent—if only his kekkei genkai could complement our Konoha-style swordsmanship."
"More than that, what worries me is the coming war."
"Tomorrow we march to the battlefield. Who knows if any of us will return alive?"
"If we all fall, the Gekkō clan will truly decline."
"Even the mighty Senju have begun to fade. No clan remains strong forever."
"To be honest… have we ever truly been strong?"
"Enough," Hoshino cut them off, stepping forward with a commanding voice. "The war is inevitable. As part of Konoha, the Gekkō clan cannot shirk its duty. But the survival of our family must also be safeguarded."
His gaze swept the crowd before landing respectfully on two elderly men. "Uncles Inoue, Matsushita—you are both advanced in years. This time, remain in the village. Guide the younger generation. Leave the battlefield to us."
The two men, both over sixty and once tokubetsu jōnin, nodded without protest. Their aging bodies could no longer perform at the level required; going to war would only be suicide.
"Very well.""We'll entrust it to you."
Hoshino then turned back to the rest, his face solemn. "The rest of you—tomorrow morning at five, gather at the village gates. We will depart with the main force to the battlefield!"
"Yes!""Yes, sir!!"
When Hoshino returned home, he found his son missing from the house. Stepping into the backyard, he spotted him sneaking clumsily over the fence from Hayate's home next door. From the other side came Hayate's cheerful voice: "See you later, big brother!"
"Samukaze, were you playing with your little brother again?" Hoshino laughed, grabbing his son by the collar and hauling him up.
Samukaze flushed with embarrassment. "That brat begged me to spar, crying until I gave in. What choice did I have?" He wriggled free from his father's grip, then asked casually, "By the way, Dad, did they confirm Hayate's kekkei genkai?"
"Tōton. But… don't mention it again," Hoshino said heavily. Then, softening, he added, "Samukaze, in a few days the Academy term begins. Your mother will take you and Hayate to enroll together. Once you're there, look after him. Understood?"
"Huh?" Samukaze blinked. "Uncle Hoshishi isn't going to take him? Not even you?"
Enrollment was a big deal. For neither father nor uncle to be present felt wrong.
Hoshino tilted his head back, eyes drifting toward the distant sky. With a sigh he murmured, "We all… have our missions."
Samukaze frowned, sensing something off. The atmosphere felt heavy, almost like… last words.
Hands in his pockets, he lowered his head in thought, then suddenly realized.
At the same time, Hoshino reached out with a rough chuckle, ruffling Samukaze's hair until it stuck out like a bird's nest. "Come on, Samukaze. Today at noon, I'll show you your father's cooking skills!"
Samukaze slapped his hand away with a look of disgust, but his mood quickly sank again.
He knew. The Third Great Ninja War was about to begin.
And as the head of the Gekkō clan, his father would soon lead their shinobi to the battlefield.
Watching Hoshino's back as he walked away, Samukaze felt his chest tighten with a pressure he could not name.
End of Chapter