The night was deep, and dawn was still far away.
At the edge of the forest, Yamato regrouped with the Wood Clone he had left behind to protect Kobayashi Ken and Sato Yumi.
The moment the clone confirmed its mission was complete, its body dissolved into a chunk of rotting wood and collapsed to the ground.
"Sensei! Shin!"
The instant they saw the two return safely, especially Kagutsuchi Shin, whose breathing remained steady despite the bloodstains and torn clothing on his body, both Ken and Yumi finally let out sighs of relief.
"Thank goodness… you're alright," Yumi spoke softly.
Her eyes swept over the ripped sleeve on Shin's right arm and the half-dried blood still staining his clothes, unable to hide the lingering fear and concern in her gaze.
Shin glanced over the injuries the two of them had sustained. Without saying much, he walked straight toward them.
"Don't move."
Soft green chakra light gathered around his hands as he placed one hand against the wound at Ken's waist and the other over the cut on Yumi's arm.
"Mystical Palm Technique!."
Warm chakra filled with life force slowly flowed into their wounds.
The pain quickly faded, the bleeding stopped almost immediately, and even the damaged flesh began healing at a visible speed.
Ken and Yumi both stared at Shin in surprise. Neither of them had expected his medical ninjutsu to be this refined.
"Thank you, Shin," Yumi said quietly.
Ken grinned despite the exhaustion on his face. "That's seriously amazing, Shin!"
"Temporary treatment is done." Shin withdrew his hands and dispersed the healing chakra.
Seeing the scene, Yamato finally spoke. "Although we encountered some… unexpected complications midway through, the mission itself can still be considered complete."
He paused briefly before continuing. "For now, let's head back to Hozumi Village and officially conclude the mission first."
"No problem, Sensei." Ken immediately replied.
But after speaking, he hesitated slightly before looking toward Shin again. "Shin… are you really okay? You and Yamato-sensei both seem…"
"I'm fine." Shin interrupted him calmly. "Let's finish the mission first."
Yamato also had no intention of discussing what had happened here. "Let's move."
…
Hozumi Village.
Even though it was already deep into the night, lights still glowed throughout the village.
The terrifying explosions and tremors that had erupted from the distant forest earlier had long since awakened the villagers, leaving no one able to sleep peacefully.
The moment Yamato and the others appeared at the village entrance, the elderly village head and Heikichi, who had clearly been waiting anxiously for a long time, immediately rushed over.
The expressions on their faces were filled with unconcealed awe and nervousness.
"N-Ninja-sama… you've returned!" The village head's voice trembled slightly as his gaze instinctively drifted toward the distant mountains.
"Just now… that terrifying commotion…" Heikichi swallowed hard as he looked over the battle damage on Yamato and Shin. Shock was obvious in his eyes.
That kind of destruction was absolutely not something ordinary bandits could cause.
Yamato answered calmly. "The bandits threatening the village have been eliminated. The mission is complete."
The village head's eyes widened with joy. "That's wonderful! Thank you… Thank you so much!"
He was so emotional that he nearly dropped to his knees before Yamato quickly stopped him.
"You have all worked hard. Since it's already late, please stay in the village tonight and allow us to properly thank you!"
Heikichi hurriedly nodded along. "Yes, yes! The rooms are already prepared! You're all injured as well, so please get some proper rest!"
Yamato glanced at the three Genin beside him. After a brief moment of thought, he nodded. "Then we'll accept your hospitality."
…
Inside the room prepared for them, the oil lamp flickered quietly.
After receiving treatment and finally relaxing, Ken and Yumi had already fallen into a deep sleep from exhaustion.
Only Yamato and Shin remained awake, seated across from one another at a low table.
"Shin." Yamato finally spoke in a low voice. "Regarding what happened tonight… after we return to the Village, I will report everything truthfully to Hokage-sama."
Shin slowly raised his eyes. Under the dim lamplight, his dark gaze remained completely emotionless.
"Report what exactly?" he asked quietly. "We completed the C-Rank Mission successfully and eliminated the bandits. That's all."
Yamato silently watched the coldness hidden deep within Shin's eyes.
For the first time, he felt as though his student had already made some irreversible decision deep inside his heart.
And that realization filled him with unease. For the first time in his life, Yamato truly felt how difficult it was to be a teacher.
After a long silence, he finally sighed softly. "Get some rest. We return to Konoha tomorrow."
Shin did not respond. He simply closed his eyes and sat silently like a monk in meditation.
Outside the window, the night remained dark and still.
Only the lingering destruction hidden deep within the distant forest proved that tonight's battle had truly happened.
…
The next morning, before dawn had fully broken, Team Yamato had already packed up and prepared to leave.
The village Head and Heikichi personally brought several villagers to see them off.
They repeatedly expressed their gratitude while stuffing dry rations and fresh water into their hands.
"Safe travels, Ninja-sama!"
Yamato nodded in acknowledgment before leading his three Disciples onto the road back to Konoha.
Without the burden of escorting a caravan or slowing down for ordinary civilians, the four moved at full speed through the forest.
For Yamato and Shin, this pace was effortless. Even Ken and Yumi managed to barely keep up.
The atmosphere during the return trip was far quieter than before.
Ken occasionally exchanged a few quiet words with Yumi, but Shin remained silent the entire way, while Yamato was clearly lost in thought.
Finally, as the sun began to set, the familiar gates of Konoha appeared before them.
Kotetsu Hagane, one of the gate guards, noticed them first and immediately waved with a grin. "Oh? Team Yamato's back from a mission?"
Izumo Kamizuki, beside him, also nodded in greeting.
"Yeah," Yamato answered simply.
He clearly wasn't in the mood for conversation. After completing the registration procedures, he led the three Genin back into the village.
The moment they stepped onto Konoha's bustling streets and saw the peaceful flow of civilians once again, the tension on Ken and Yumi's faces finally eased completely.
The bloodshed and life-and-death battles from the previous night suddenly felt almost unreal.
"We're finally back…"
Ken stretched his arms happily, only to accidentally pull at the injury near his waist and wince in pain. Even so, his mood was visibly bright.
Yamato stopped walking and looked toward the three Genin. "The mission has been successfully completed. Good work, everyone."
"It's already late today, so the mission report will be postponed until later. Tomorrow is a rest day."
"We regroup at the usual training ground at eight in the morning, the day after tomorrow."
"Yes! Thank you, Sensei!" Ken and Yumi immediately replied in unison. An extra day off after everything they had experienced was naturally welcome news.
Shin also nodded lightly to indicate he understood.
"Dismissed." Yamato waved his hand.
"See you later, Sensei!"
"See you the day after tomorrow, Shin!"
After saying their goodbyes, Ken and Yumi each headed toward their homes, quickly disappearing into the evening crowd.
Shin also gave Yamato a slight nod before turning away.
The setting sun stretched his shadow long across the street, making his lone figure seem strangely distant.
Yamato silently watched his Disciple disappear into the crowd.
His gaze lingered in that direction for a long time before he finally let out a deep sigh.
"…Sigh." Rubbing his aching brow, Yamato finally made up his mind.
Without hesitating any longer, he turned around and quickly headed toward the Hokage Building.
---
Hokage Office
Night had fully fallen outside the window.
The lights throughout Konoha gradually lit up one after another, yet the Hokage Office remained as bright as ever.
White smoke curled upward from the pipe in Hiruzen's hand, partially obscuring the deep wrinkles on his aged face.
Having just finished reviewing another document, he leaned back heavily in his chair, took a slow drag from his pipe, and exhaled tiredly.
The spacious office was completely silent.
Only he remained. His gaze slowly drifted toward the framed family photo resting on the desk.
In the picture, Biwako smiled gently beside him.
Back then, Asuma was still young, wearing that stubborn expression he always carried as a child, while his eldest son stood nearby with a bright and carefree smile.
But things were different now.
Biwako and his eldest son had long since passed away.
Even Asuma… there was always an invisible distance between father and son. That boy would rather wander outside the Village than return to this cold and empty home.
Perhaps… Hiruzen himself was no different.
Compared to returning to that silent mansion filled with painful memories, it was easier to remain here in this office, buried beneath endless paperwork, numbing himself with duty and responsibility to avoid confronting the loneliness and grief buried deep in his heart.
"…Before I realized it, night had fallen again." Hiruzen looked at the countless lights outside the window and muttered softly to himself.
His voice carried the unmistakable exhaustion and loneliness of an old man nearing the end of his life.
At that moment, a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Hiruzen quickly suppressed the emotions on his face. The office door opened, and Yamato stepped inside quietly.
He stopped before the desk, his expression carrying the weariness of someone who had just returned from a difficult mission.
"Hokage-sama."
"Oh? Yamato." A faint smile appeared on Hiruzen's face as he lightly tapped his pipe.
"You've returned from the mission already? Judging by your expression… this trip was far from smooth, wasn't it?"
Yamato's lips moved slightly, as if he were struggling to decide where to begin.
Finally, he lowered his voice. "Hokage-sama… we…"
---
Meanwhile, deep beneath Konoha, inside Root's underground base.
Aburame Torune stepped silently into the darkness and spoke toward the figure leaning upon a cane.
"Danzo-sama. Yamato and his squad, including the target Kagutsuchi Shin, returned to Konoha. They have already entered the Village."
Danzo stood motionless with his back turned. But the hand gripping his cane tightened visibly.
Silence spread throughout the underground chamber. The humiliating failure from the previous night still echoed endlessly in his mind.
Yamanaka Fu's squad had returned in disgrace. And the report they brought back was something even Danzo himself had difficulty accepting.
The Tanuki squad had nearly been wiped out.
One Jonin. Three Chunin.
All lost.
And the one responsible for it…Was Kagutsuchi Shin. The same boy Danzo had once considered already within his grasp.
According to the surviving Root Ninja, Shin was no longer simply a talented Genin.
He was a monster.
A monster with chakra reserves vast enough to rival a tailed beast, overwhelming ninjutsu mastery, and a combat style that was both ruthless and frighteningly cunning.
Alone, he had fought against one Jonin and four elite Root Chunin. Not only had he survived, but he had nearly killed them all.
Had Yamanaka Fu not arrived in time, the entire ambush squad might have been completely annihilated without anyone even discovering what had happened.
This was no longer a simple error in judgment. This was a complete miscalculation.
Such strength. Such terrifying potential. And an equally dangerous personality.
"…That damned brat." Danzo forced the curse through clenched teeth once more.
Ever since he had set his sights on Kagutsuchi Shin, nothing had gone according to plan.
First, he had been humiliated publicly inside the Hokage Office. And now, he had lost an entire elite squad.
The number of times Shin had infuriated him in such a short period was greater than the entirety of the previous year combined.
Shin had become like a poisoned blade lodged deep in his flesh. Every thought of him caused fresh pain.
Aburame Torune remained silent nearby, enduring Danzo's growing fury without speaking.
Finally, Danzo spoke coldly. "From this moment onward… suspend all operations targeting Kagutsuchi Shin."
"Yes." Torune accepted the order immediately before disappearing back into the darkness.
Danzo remained standing alone beneath the shadows.
His cane struck heavily against the ground. He already knew what would happen next. Hiruzen would summon him.
There was no way this incident could be concealed any longer. And Hiruzen's anger was something he would inevitably have to face.
But Danzo had never fought a battle unprepared.
Slowly turning around, he began walking deeper into the corridor. "It is time… to visit Homura and Koharu."
He needed people capable of restraining the Hokage.
Only by bringing the two Elder Advisors to his side and applying pressure together could he force Hiruzen to compromise once again.
…
Back inside the Hokage Office.
After hearing Yamato's full report, Hiruzen's expression had completely darkened.
"Well-trained Ninjas… Yamanaka Clan Ninjutsu…" His voice turned colder with every word. "And their target was specifically Shin."
"Within the Land of Fire… who else would dare do something like this?"
Yamato remained silent. The answer no longer needed to be spoken aloud.
Hiruzen took a deep breath and slowly suppressed the fury rising within him. "…I understand."
He waved his hand tiredly. "Let Shin rest for now. I will handle the rest."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Yamato bowed respectfully before leaving the office.
Hiruzen sat there silently for several moments after the door closed. His expression was grave.
"Someone."
An Anbu appeared instantly. "Summon Danzo, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane to the Hokage Office immediately."
"We will hold an emergency meeting."
"Yes!" The Anbu vanished instantly.
Hiruzen slowly closed his eyes.
His fingertips tapped rhythmically against the desk as countless memories flashed through his mind.
Shin's overwhelming performance at the Ninja Academy. His calmness during the graduation exam. The terrifying combat power he displayed while fighting five elite Root Ninja alone.
And most of all… the near-death situation Yamato had just described.
At the same time, another image repeatedly surfaced in his thoughts.
Danzo.
Again and again.
The pressure placed upon the Uchiha Clan after the Nine-Tails incident.
The role he played in pushing Sakumo Hatake toward ruin.
The countless schemes hidden within Konoha's shadows.
And now… despite repeated warnings, Danzo had actually dared to dispatch an elite assassination squad against one of Konoha's own Genin within the Land of Fire itself.
"For the sake of your twisted ideology…For your obsession with power…Danzo… you have lost every sense of restraint."
"You treat Konoha like your personal property."
"You treat comrades as tools."
"You treat darkness as the only path forward."
Hiruzen's voice grew heavier with every word. "…Are you still truly the comrade I once trusted? The man who once stood beside me while building Konoha?"
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of his fingers striking the desk grew increasingly sharp and forceful.
Then suddenly, the tapping stopped.
Hiruzen's eyes snapped open.
The gentleness usually hidden within them had completely vanished. In its place surged the sharp, overwhelming pressure of the man once hailed as the Professor.
A powerful aura erupted from his aged body, instantly filling the office. Even the air itself seemed to grow heavy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly rose to his feet. His Hokage robes fluttered despite the still air.
"…Danzo."
His voice was low and firm. But unlike before, there was no hesitation left within it.
"This time… I will not allow you to continue acting as you please. Konoha's leaves will never again be devoured by a parasite hiding in the shadows."
At that moment, the final trace of old friendship and lingering compromise inside Hiruzen's heart completely disappeared.
For Konoha's future… For the young leaves growing beneath the sunlight… He would sever the filthy hand that had stretched too far into the darkness.
This time, he would not tolerate it. And he would never compromise again.
Hiruzen picked up a brush, unrolled a blank scroll, and quickly began writing several official orders.
At the bottom of the scroll, he pressed down the Hokage's seal.