Wen Lan held Inuzuka Hana's hand as they strolled along the riverbank.
The water flowed quietly, reflecting the gradually fading sunset at the horizon.
He gently tightened his grip on her hand, feeling its warmth and softness.
A breeze passed by, lifting the hems of their clothes, as if drawing their hearts closer as well.
In the distance, mountains cast mottled shadows under the setting sun—silent sentinels bearing witness to this moment of peace and beauty.
The scent of flowers drifted through the air with the wind, like the quiet overture of fate unfolding, intoxicating and gentle.
Wen Lan turned his head and saw Hana's hair tips dyed gold and crimson by the sunset, like a silhouette stepped out of a dream.
Hana grew shy under his gaze, her face reddening as she lowered her head.
Neither of them spoke. They sat down by the river, and Wen Lan relaxed onto the grass, staring at the clouds burning red in the sky.
Hana leaned lightly against his shoulder, closing her eyes and savoring the calm of the moment.
Wen Lan breathed in her unique fragrance, mixed with the grassy scent carried by the evening breeze, and a deep, indescribable peace welled up inside him.
There were no sweet words between them—only quiet companionship, which felt like the most comfortable state of all.
The last trace of sunset faded from the horizon, and silvery ripples spread across the river's surface, like scattered stars leaping softly.
Hana spoke gently, "If only time could stop right now."
Wen Lan turned to look at her, starlight and her reflection mirrored in his eyes.
"From now on," he said softly, "I'll sit like this with you every dusk."
She smiled faintly without answering, simply tightening her grip on his hand.
Night descended tenderly.
The wind remained light, the river kept flowing, and their hearts quietly fell into the same rhythm.
Early the next morning, everyone in Konoha—including the Uchiha clan—changed into black attire to attend the memorial for the fallen of the war.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on a high platform, gazing solemnly at the sea of black-clad people below.
The morning breeze stirred the candles before the memorial tablets, their flames flickering and reflecting on faces filled with grief.
He slowly began to speak, his voice deep and steady:
"This war took many lives—fathers, mothers, children.
But they are Konoha's heroes, Konoha's pride.
Today, we send off their spirits with the grandest ceremony, praying for their souls to rest in peace.
Every name will be engraved upon the Memorial Stone, remembered for eternity.
This is our promise to the fallen, and our warning to the living—to protect this hard-won peace.
May the wind carry our remembrance.
May the earth bear their achievements.
Konoha will never forget the peace and dignity they brought with their lives.
With their blood, they wrote Konoha's history.
With their lives, they built the village's foundation.
They perfectly inherited the Will of Fire!
Where Konoha's leaves dance, the fire shall burn unceasingly—its light illuminating the village and allowing new leaves to sprout!"
The crowd stood in silence, a wordless sorrow spreading through the air.
Many people carried coffins toward the burial grounds before the Memorial Stone, their steps heavy yet orderly.
Each coffin was draped with a Konoha forehead protector, symbolizing a ninja's final dignity and honor.
Children clutched candles. Parents sobbed softly. The elders closed their eyes in prayer.
The entire ceremony was steeped in solemnity and grief.
White chrysanthemums were placed one by one before the Memorial Stone.
Petals fluttered in the wind, settling between the engraved names.
Hana gently laid a chrysanthemum down, her gaze lingering on those familiar yet unfamiliar names, her heart aching with sorrow.
After the funeral, a fine rain began to fall, as if even the heavens were mourning the dead.
Wen Lan bought grain supplies and headed to Might Duy's home.
Duy lived deep in the mountains, in a small wooden cabin. Rain drizzled softly outside, and a wind chime under the eaves gave off faint sounds.
Wen Lan knocked on the door.
A hoarse voice came from inside. "Come in."
He pushed the door open. The room was dim, lit only by the glow of a stove.
Might Duy was standing on his head beside the stove, one hand behind his back, the other supporting himself with a single finger. Veins bulged on his forehead as sweat streamed down his face.
"Oh! The young man's here!" Duy flipped upright at once, clapping his hands and grinning brightly.
Wen Lan glanced at the bandages on Duy's chest, faintly stained with blood, and said helplessly,
"Senior Duy, can't you just rest properly? If you didn't train like this every day, you'd have healed long ago."
Duy scratched his head and laughed. "I'm used to it! A day without training makes my whole body uncomfortable."
He picked up a kettle from the stove and poured Wen Lan a cup of water.
Wen Lan set down over four hundred jin of grain.
"If it really doesn't work, come live in the Uchiha district. My estate's huge, and I'm the only one there—plenty of space."
"No need," Duy refused again.
This wasn't the first time Wen Lan had suggested it, and Duy had refused every time.
Unsurprised, Wen Lan kicked the grain sack lightly and sat across from him.
"I bought four hundred jin of grain for you and Kai. And over a hundred jin of meat."
"What? No, no—take it back!" Duy waved his hands frantically. "We have food!"
"Food my ass," Wen Lan rolled his eyes.
"You can't take missions right now, and Kai's still a genin—team pay doesn't amount to much.
Taijutsu eats the most food. You want Kai to survive on thin air while doing missions?"
Duy fell silent.
After a moment, he looked at Wen Lan seriously, then suddenly dropped to his knees and kowtowed.
"Thank you! Young man!"
Wen Lan hurriedly helped him up. "Don't do that. I'm not giving it for free anyway—didn't you forget you're teaching me the Eight Gates?"
"Hahaha—true enough!" Duy laughed, scratching his head.
Not long after, Might Guy returned as well.
After attending the funeral, he'd gone straight to training.
Seeing Wen Lan, he froze for a moment, then grinned.
"Wen Lan, this time I really owe it to you!"
Wen Lan looked puzzled. Guy hadn't gone to the Iwagakure frontlines after Kirigakure.
Guy quickly explained, "Because of our actions with you during the Kirigakure operations, several of those missions were classified as S-rank. The appointment came down today—I've been promoted to chūnin!"
"Oh?" Wen Lan was surprised, then felt it made sense.
"Congratulations."
Guy had long possessed chūnin-level strength.
After chatting a bit more, Wen Lan took his leave.
Back at his estate, Yagura sat by the pond, watching the fish swim beneath the surface.
Her fingers lightly stirred the water, sending ripples outward.
Water used so extravagantly—to raise fish—was something unimaginable in Sunagakure.
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