This time, returning to the village, Yaito wanted to learn medical ninjutsu.
This would allow him to heal his injuries without arousing suspicion.
His injuries were too unusual; ordinary methods couldn't have caused them. This was one reason he didn't want anyone to notice. Too much trouble, too hard to explain...
Scanning his surroundings, Yaito quickly buried several bodies using Earth Release.
He placed others near the crater created by Nakagawa's explosive tags, adding a Red Fire Cannon blast to make it look like they'd been killed by the explosion.
Then, he placed the unconscious Nami, Daichi, and Tsuruboi nearby. Using his unique soul abilities, he altered their memories.
After killing the Third Raikage, a few Iwagakure ninjas survived. Yaito altered their memories, erasing his presence.
This wasn't difficult with them unconscious, but it wouldn't work on those awake and resisting.
Altering memories, a power from his cheat, heavily drains his mental energy and can't be used lightly.
In the memories of the surviving Iwagakure ninjas, the Third Raikage had fought thousands of ninjas, protecting Kumogakure's retreat, ultimately dying of exhaustion.
But some clues remained, discovered by Kumogakure, leading the newly appointed Fourth Raikage to investigate.
The ongoing negotiations stem from the Fourth Raikage's suspicion that other villages were involved in the Third Raikage's death. He wants to determine if other villages were involved...
The other villages naturally don't believe this, seeing it as Kumogakure trying to avoid reparations.
Though large-scale warfare has stopped, the shadow of war remains over all the villages...
Satisfied, Yaito found a spot, closed his eyes, and feigned unconsciousness.
"Ugh, what happened? Where are the enemies?" A moment later, Tsuruboi groaned, sitting up, ignoring his pain, scanning the area.
"Yaito! Nami! Daichi!" Seeing the fallen enemies and his team members, Tsuruboi's face changed. He checked their breathing, relieved to find them alive. "It's good you're okay."
But a slight pain in his head made him rub his temples. A memory surfaced...
"It was close. We were hit by the explosive tags. Luckily, the last enemies were killed. But... something feels off..." Tsuruboi rubbed his head. The memory felt real, but strange...
In his memory, they were surrounded by eight or nine enemies, a Jonin and several Chunin. They'd used an explosive tag trap and were knocked unconscious by the blast...
Shaking his head, Tsuruboi didn't think too much about it. Survival was all that mattered!
Yaito opened his eyes, sitting up, pretending to be alert: "Where are the enemies? Are they dead?"
"Ugh..." Daichi and Nami awoke, groaning in pain, their heads throbbing. Seeing their teammates unharmed, they relaxed: "We... we survived..."
"Don't worry, it's safe. The enemies are dead. Rest for a bit," Tsuruboi said, allowing them to recover.
They had emergency medical supplies, and after a short rest, they felt better.
Daichi and Nami still had headaches – a side effect of Yaito's memory alteration...
Memories and souls are complex. Though Yaito only altered parts of their memories, there were side effects. It was only temporary discomfort, not fatal.
Tsuruboi examined the bodies, noting the damage from the "explosive tags": "Nothing useful. They were well-prepared. Were they secretly trained ninjas?"
He found nothing on the bodies, not even their identities. Identifying Jonin is easy within their villages, but outside, it's difficult unless they have unique Kekkei Genkai.
These ninjas were prepared, with no identifying marks. They were likely secretly trained ninjas.
Though most attackers used Lightning Release, many ninjas use it. It's hard to determine their affiliation based on that alone.
Finding nothing, Tsuruboi buried the bodies and reported the attack to higher-ups.
After Daichi and Nami recovered, they packed up and left, as the area was still dangerous.
A few days later, Yaito and his team reached Konoha.
Tsuruboi went to the Hokage's office to report. The others went home.
Daichi and Nami were civilians' children, their parents still alive. Becoming ninjas meant risk, but it also meant higher pay than ordinary jobs.
Many of their classmates had died in the war. They had survived. Large-scale war was over; future conflicts wouldn't be as dangerous...
.....
Hyuga compound, a small house. This was Yaito's home, his parents' legacy. They died during the war or on a mission when he was young. He had no siblings and lived alone.
He wasn't a child when he arrived, so his memories of his parents were limited. He felt regret, but not intense grief.
Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar house, Yaito entered. He'd returned a few times during the war.
After a simple meal, Yaito went to bed. He was exhausted from using Lightning Release, altering memories, and the journey. He slept for two days.
After waking, he decided against cooking and went out. He considered Ichiraku Ramen, but went elsewhere.
He arrived at a house similar to his own, entering without knocking.
He saw a woman in a kimono cooking.
Smiling, Yaito approached: "Aunt Yame."
Yame turned, surprised: "Yaito! When did you return? Are you hurt?"
"Just now. I'm fine. The mission was just border patrol. I came back after completing it." Yaito smiled, looking around: "Aunt, is Tsukiko awake?"
Yame looked inside: "She should be waking up. Go check. Wake her if she's not."
"Okay."
"Yaito, have you eaten?"
"Not yet, I'll trouble you, Aunt Yame."
"Nonsense, child."
"Hehe..."
Yaito chatted with Aunt Yame, passing a training ground, arriving at a room. He knocked, and a girl's voice said, "Yaito? Come in."
He entered. A girl, about his age, with white eyes and long hair in a ponytail, was inside. Her name was Hyuga Tsukiko, his childhood friend and fiancée...
Hyuga marriages are within the clan to maintain blood purity and prevent the Byakugan from spreading. Many Hyuga have arranged marriages before adulthood. Those over eighteen are assigned partners.
Yaito and Tsukiko's engagement was arranged by their parents.
"Why are you sleeping in? That's not like you," Yaito teased.
"I practiced Gentle Fist late last night," Tsukiko replied, activating her Byakugan to examine him: "When did you return? Are you injured?"
Yaito let her check him: "I'm fine."
Tsukiko relaxed. The Byakugan couldn't see his meridian damage.
Yaito smiled: "I worried you and Aunt."
Tsukiko worriedly said, "Even though the war is over, be careful. You're not a medical ninja; you still go to the front lines..."
"Don't worry, large-scale war is over. I shouldn't need to go to the front lines. With Lord Hokage's ascension, other villages shouldn't attack Konoha." Yaito reassured her, checking the time: "Aunt should have breakfast ready. Let's eat."
"Okay, I'll wash up first." Tsukiko went to the bathroom.
"Hurry, we won't wait for you," Yaito said, waiting for her.
Tsukiko smiled and hurried.
They ate breakfast together in a warm atmosphere.
Being able to eat with family after the war was a great happiness. Yaito felt it deeply. Everyone who survived would feel the same.
Yaito felt it especially strongly, as he was an orphan in his past life. This was the first time he experienced family care!
Many who went to war had personality changes. Yaito had become irritable, violent, and withdrawn. He believed it was due to PTSD and the Hollow Mask's side effects.
Aunt Yame and Tsukiko helped him recover. The warm atmosphere and care helped him recover from his rage and stress...
After eating, Yaito went for a walk. It was Minato Namikaze's inauguration as the Fourth Hokage.
Konoha was festive. Almost all ninjas had returned, except those on important missions.
A Hokage's inauguration is a major event, especially after a war.
Villagers discussed the event, showing joy and pride. Minato Namikaze was a powerful ninja; his ascension lifted the shadow of war from Konoha.
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