That Sakumo Hatake could remain here for over twenty years showed how deep his obsession with Kakashi Hatake ran. Even Ryuji Hyuga could not help but sigh at such will born of fixation.
A person nearly mad like this, if converted into a 'Hollow'…
"Over twenty years?"
Sakumo Hatake's body trembled slightly. Time here had long been confused and distorted, and without Ryuji Hyuga pointing it out, he could not have known how long he had stayed.
Soon, a deeper chill rose from his heart, and even the fire before him could not bring warmth. "Who are you?"
Sakumo Hatake spoke again, his voice drier than before, slowly turning half his face. The firelight outlined a resolute profile marked by endless hardship.
His eyes locked onto the strange figure beside him, filled with instinctive caution and scrutiny honed during his life.
"I know what Kakashi Hatake means to you."
Ryuji Hyuga did not look at his reaction, keeping his gaze on the flickering flames. His tone was calm and unquestionable as he said that Sakumo Hatake wanted to see him.
"You gave up the chance to step into Pure Land and find peace, enduring endless pain and silence here." He said it was because Sakumo Hatake could not let go of his guilt, and because he wanted to confirm one last thing.
"He wanted to know whether the son he left behind as a child was still alive, and whether he lived like a person."
Every word from Ryuji Hyuga cut like a scalpel into the deepest wounds in Sakumo Hatake's heart. Sakumo Hatake's eyes tightened, and the hand on his knee lifted.
Then Ryuji Hyuga's next words made his body stiffen completely.
"I will take you away and return you to Ninja World."
"Of course, this is a declaration, not a request."
Ryuji Hyuga stood up slowly, looking down at the shaken Sakumo Hatake. His voice carried a cruel sense of reality as he said he would erase all of his memories, emotions, and personality, and even make him return to Konoha to kill Kakashi Hatake with his own hands.
He might not truly do so, but he needed Sakumo Hatake's powerful obsession. That obsession would ensure he fought with everything he had in the slaughter of the 'Hollow'.
"You!"
Sakumo Hatake snapped back to himself, his eyes turning sharp and vicious as he instinctively tried to strike. In the next moment, he found his body unable to move, a cold force freezing his soul.
"You have no choice, Sakumo Hatake."
Ryuji Hyuga slowly raised his right hand. Without hand seals or words, the shadow beneath his feet came alive.
This shadow, manifested from the depths of his soul, silently crawled up Sakumo Hatake's ankle before he even noticed.
"Who are you, and what are you planning to do to Kakashi Hatake?!"
The usually calm Sakumo Hatake finally revealed the violence buried in his soul when he heard that this figure intended to act against Kakashi Hatake. His face twisted with fury.
"If you do not want that to happen," Ryuji Hyuga said with a smile forming under the shadow, "then keep struggling and killing in pain and Zetsu Wang."
"Let me see how far you can go."
"Do not disappoint me."
As he spoke, the thick black shadow rapidly spread upward along Sakumo Hatake's legs. It wrapped around him inch by inch, over his knees, waist, chest, silver hair, and face.
The firelight gradually dimmed. At the moment Sakumo Hatake was completely swallowed by darkness, the flame that had burned stubbornly for over twenty years made a soft sound and went out.
Sakumo Hatake vanished without a trace. Ryuji Hyuga withdrew his hand, and his figure dissolved into the darkness like fading ink.
After he disappeared, a faint gaze swept over the area and lingered on the extinguished fire. An aged voice drifted from afar, calm and thoughtful, asking if this was a new change.
As evening fell, the sunset washed the houses of Konoha in a warm orange glow. A breeze moved through the streets, carrying mild warmth and the smell of cooking rice and dishes from every home. One by one, shop lights turned on along the road, casting broken shadows like Madara across the deepening dusk, and most villagers had already gone home to rest.
Yashiro Uchiha led three members of the Uchiha as usual, carrying out a routine patrol for the Konoha Police Force. A few children ran past the alley entrance while chasing each other, their laughter trailing in the wind, and adults stood by the street smiling as they scolded them. Yet walking through this calm and warm scene, the four from the Uchiha felt no sense of belonging at all.
Every brief meeting of eyes with villagers ended in quick avoidance, with caution and distance clearly shown, which only made their already sensitive moods heavier. Inabi Uchiha looked annoyed and opened his mouth, about to ask the person ahead a question. Before he could speak, Yashiro Uchiha raised a hand without turning back and stopped him.
Inabi Uchiha shut his mouth at once and, like the other two clan members, followed Yashiro Uchiha's gaze toward the distance. Under the fading sunlight, a crowd had gathered around a streetlamp that had just been lit, its soft glow spreading outward. At the center stood a figure now known even throughout the Uchiha Clan.
It was Ryuji Hyuga. He was not wearing Ninja combat gear, nor the clothing of the Hyuga Clan, but only simple white casual clothes. One arm was wrapped in thick bandages and hung in front of him, with faint red stains showing through, making it clear his injuries were far from healed.
His face carried a pale, sickly look that only made his Byakugan appear gentle and clear under the light. Villagers crowded around him, speaking all at once with sincere smiles and open gratitude. Their words were full of thanks and respect, with no attempt to hide it.
"Lord Ryuji, how are your injuries now?" "Yes, yes, we heard you captured the commander and the monster from Kumogakure all by yourself." "That's incredible. Without you, who knows how many more would have died in our village." "These fresh fruits are for you. Please take them to recover. They're not worth much, just our feelings." "Wow, big brother, can I touch your sword?"
Some asked after his health, some offered fresh produce, and even children stood on tiptoe, squeezing closer to Ryuji. Ryuji Hyuga answered everyone calmly, his voice gentle and steady, without any hint of pride. A warm and modest smile stayed on his face as he slightly bowed and patiently responded to each person.
When a child said he wanted to see the sword at his waist, Ryuji Hyuga even took it out openly and let everyone look, drawing gasps of admiration. Soft light fell over him, outlining a figure that looked slightly thin yet upright, blending naturally with the concern of the villagers. The scene formed an unusually harmonious and warm picture.
No one noticed that at some point, the eye on the sword guard had opened. The power of "Greed", cognitive domination, activated at that very moment. While smiling and responding to the crowd, Ryuji Hyuga extended his awareness toward the four members of the Uchiha Clan in the distance.
Running into the Uchiha Clan here was a bit of a coincidence, but making some preparations in advance did no harm. The four from the Uchiha stood in the shadows nearby, hands resting on their sword hilts as usual, though their knuckles had turned pale from gripping too hard. They all remembered the cold looks and deliberate avoidance they faced during their own patrols.
Looking at the scene of being surrounded and praised, and listening to those heartfelt compliments, their chests felt stuffed with damp straw. "Hmph, those from the Hyuga really know how to put on a show," muttered Iron Fire from the Uchiha, his words squeezed through clenched teeth with sour resentment.
"Iron Fire." A slightly heavy voice cut him off. Yashiro Uchiha stood in front of the three, and although he felt the same bitterness, he only watched Ryuji in silence.
After a moment, he let out a soft sigh and spoke in a low voice. "At least his achievements in the Land of Moon are real." He spoke of layered plans, controlling artificially formed thunderclouds, killing over a thousand Kumogakure Ninja, and capturing the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
"These merits are worthy of the word 'hero'. They were not acted out, and they were not earned through the Hyuga Clan. In fact, the Hyuga Clan only held him back." Iron Fire was left speechless, the sour feeling in his chest with nowhere to go.
After holding it in for a long time, he could only give a muffled acknowledgment and look at the surrounded figure with complicated eyes, saying nothing more. After finishing with the villagers or perhaps because it had grown late, Ryuji Hyuga bowed again in thanks and gently declined further kindness. He then turned and walked along the path lit by the streetlamps, his steps slightly slow but steady, toward the other end of the street.
The last light of sunset fell on his retreating back, as if tracing him with a faint and dazzling edge of light. "Let's go too," Yashiro Uchiha said as he withdrew his gaze, his voice as steady as ever while leading them to continue their unfinished patrol. It was as if the earlier conversation had never happened.