Hearing this, Uzuki Yugao retracted her hand from the Memorial Stone and slowly put on her ANBU mask, her expression cold and resolute.
"Hayate... I will avenge you."
Like Moonlight Hayate, she is also a Tokubetsu Jōnin of Konoha, specializing in covert operations. She is well-versed in Konoha-ryū Kenjutsu—the village's unique sword style—and is proficient in the technique known as the Three Moon Dance (Mikazuki no Mai), a swift and deceptive sword technique also used by Hayate himself.
Yugao and Hayate shared a deep bond. According to ANBU records and statements from those close to them, the two had planned to marry. His death during the Chūnin Exams arc—slain by Baki of Sunagakure—left her devastated. One could imagine the sorrow and fury swirling in her heart now.
A blood debt can only be repaid in blood. And now, the war was nearing its climax.
Explosions, cries, and the clash of steel rang throughout Konoha.
But unlike earlier chaos, the tides of battle had turned. No longer were the Sound and Sand shinobi dominating the battlefield.
All of Konoha's major clans—Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Hyūga, and more—had mobilized, delivering a decisive counterattack.
The cries now echoing through the village came not from Konoha, but from the Oto-nin and Suna-nin. In a short span, Konoha had reasserted control over the battlefield. Victory was within reach.
"The Hyūga clan is the strongest among Konoha's shinobi. Remember this well!"
Back within the Hyūga compound, Hyūga Hiashi, who had swiftly organized the clan's defenses, led his people into the counteroffensive. With his Byakugan fully activated, he stood amidst fallen enemies, his breathing calm.
Suddenly, his focus shifted.
He sensed that his youngest daughter was being restrained.
"My daughter!"
"Hinata?! No... Hanabi!"
Hiashi rushed forward, quickly scanning Hanabi for injuries. Then, his stern gaze shifted to Ye Dou, the boy standing nearby.
He had no fondness for the boy—not only due to his cold demeanor, but also because Hanabi had disobeyed orders, chasing after him alone. She'd returned injured, and naturally, Hiashi blamed Ye Dou.
"I'm fine. Ye Dou saved me," Hanabi said, her voice firm.
"Hmph."
Hiashi grunted. Despite his animosity, as the head of the Hyūga clan, he could not forsake courtesy.
"You may stay in the Hyūga compound. The village is still in a state of crisis."
"No. I'm leaving now."
Ye Dou shook his head and turned, disappearing into the shadows without another word.
"You—!"
Hiashi's brow twitched, veins flaring on his forehead.
He turned to look at Hanabi, questioning her judgment with a silent glare.
"I'm going back now, Father!"
Faced with her father's stern expression, Hanabi immediately slipped away—no doubt in search of her elder sister.
As dusk settled, the war came to an end.
Konoha had won—there was no doubt about that. The alliance between Sunagakure and Otogakure had been broken, and the attackers repelled within a day.
But even in victory, the damage was devastating.
Outside the clan compounds, more than 80% of Konoha had been reduced to rubble due to Orochimaru's schemes and the Sound Four's Four Violet Flames Formation (Shishienjin). Casualties were still uncounted, though the number of corpses littering the streets was staggering.
Worst of all, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, had perished at the hands of his former student Orochimaru, sacrificing his life by using the Reaper Death Seal (Shiki Fūjin) to seal away Orochimaru's arms.
When the barrier finally fell, Konoha's shinobi rushed in, only to find the cold, lifeless body of the Hokage awaiting them.
Days passed.
The skies were heavy with clouds. Konoha, already in ruins, was now draped in mourning.
Today marked the funeral of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen—and of countless others who had fallen during the invasion.
Grief hung in the air like mist. Tears flowed freely.
On the rooftop of the Hokage Building, Ye Dou stood alongside Might Guy, Rock Lee, and others—shoulders squared in solemn silence.
In front of them stood a simple memorial altar, adorned with a portrait of Hiruzen Sarutobi in his prime.
Boom!
Thunder cracked across the sky as light rain began to fall—marking the start of the funeral rites.
Ding... ding... The mournful toll of the bell echoed through the village, bidding farewell to the fallen Hokage.
"Did you hear that, old man? That's the village bell… sending you off."
Jiraiya did not attend the ceremony in person. Standing alone in a clearing under the rain, he stared at Hokage Rock, speaking softly.
He had trained the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and knew that Hiruzen's soul, taken by the Shinigami, could never be returned.
"Dry your tears, Lee."
Might Guy, standing straight in the second row, whispered to his student, who was crying without restraint.
"The Third Hokage was a true shinobi of youth. He gave his life for the village he loved. To shed tears now is to dishonor that spirit!"
"But… if Lord Hokage is dead… what youth is there left to speak of?"
Like a younger version of Guy himself, Rock Lee couldn't understand—his heart heavy with pain.
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