The Hokage's office was dim, lit only by the warm glow of paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. Outside, night had fully fallen over Konoha. The trees stood still, as if even the wind refused to interrupt the meeting about to begin.
Tsunade stood by the window, arms crossed. The sound of the door opening made her turn sharply.
Kakashi entered first, his right shoulder bandaged and his uniform torn in several places. Beside him, Naruto walked with a tired expression, his right arm wrapped in thick bandages that couldn't quite hide the involuntary twitch of his fingers. Shikamaru followed last, visibly exhausted, with deep bags under his eyes and dragging steps.
"Welcome," said Tsunade bluntly. "Kakashi, status?"
"Lightly damaged," he replied in his usual uninterested tone. "But functional. Kakuzu's body is already in the morgue. The Research Division should be able to get something useful from it."
"Perfect. Naruto…" The Hokage looked at him intently for a few seconds before frowning. "That arm doesn't look good. I want you to go to the hospital as soon as we finish here. And I want a full report. Understood?"
"Hai, Tsunade-obachan…" Naruto said, slightly ashamed.
Tsunade sighed and turned to Shikamaru.
"And Asuma? Wasn't he supposed to be here too?"
"His wife intercepted him at the entrance and dragged him straight to the hospital. Literally. I had no chance to stop her." Shikamaru shrugged, clearly worn out.
"Kurenai can be very persuasive when she puts her mind to it," added Kakashi with an almost amused tone.
Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the comment. "And the Kumo group?"
"When they heard their comrade Rugen had rescued Yugito, they diverted straight to the hospital to meet with them," Shikamaru explained. "They were pretty relieved, honestly."
Tsunade nodded and walked slowly to her desk.
"I received an official message from Kumo recently. They're willing to pay for the mission their shinobi requested to rescue their fallen comrade. They want to formalize the agreement as soon as possible. Go inform them at the hospital, Shikamaru. They were on your team, after all."
"Great…" Shikamaru responded with no enthusiasm. "Do I have to play errand boy now too?"
"Just inform them," Tsunade said without looking at him. "Then go get some rest. Naruto, go with him and get that arm checked."
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered almost inaudibly—but everyone in the room knew exactly what he said—as he headed toward the door, Naruto trailing behind him.
Silence returned briefly to the room.
"Naruto's Jutsu was a success… his Rasenshuriken… and it seems he's started using a samurai breathing technique… a gift from a certain girl… It played a major role in that battle. We have Hidan captured—he's being processed by the Yamanaka… Akatsuki turned out to be quite the problem… Apparently they have their hands on the forbidden technique Orochimaru stole: Edo Tensei. It's possible we may face Kakuzu again," said Kakashi seriously.
"I want a full report on the abilities you observed from Kakuzu. I'll allow you access to the Scroll of Seals so you can study Edo Tensei and look for a way to stop it—or at least counter those reanimated more effectively. As for the samurai breathing techniques… what can you tell me?" Tsunade asked in a thoughtful tone.
"They seem to be more than just creative uses of chakra to physically reinforce the body… they greatly assist with elemental transformations. By using wind breathing, Naruto's wind Jutsus became stronger and easier to execute in combat, plus he could integrate elemental properties into his taijutsu style. The applications for Ninjutsu that are based on elemental transformations… it's something we've never seen before. I believe it's a game changer," Kakashi reported.
"Very well. You have your orders, Kakashi. Report back if you discover anything… and as for the samurai breathing techniques, we'll see if we can negotiate for some of them with the Land of Iron… discreetly," Tsunade concluded.
The war against Akatsuki had taken its toll. But at least this time… one of them wouldn't be getting back up.
<<<< o >>>>
The east wing of Konoha's hospital was nearly deserted at that hour. Night stretched across the windows like a silent shroud, and the soft hum of medical equipment was the only sound breaking the stillness.
In one of the rooms, Yugito Nii slowly opened her eyes. The lights were dim, and the air smelled of antiseptic and peace. Beside her, seated in a chair with his arms crossed and his head slightly bowed, Rugen was asleep.
Yugito blinked, turned slowly, and whispered in a barely audible voice:
"Rugen...?"
He straightened immediately, as if he'd been waiting for that moment for hours.
"Yugito! You're awake…"
She gave a faint smile. "Looks like it… Are we in Konoha?"
"Yes. We brought you here as soon as everything ended. You're safe."
"Thank you… for not leaving me behind."
Rugen lowered his gaze for a moment, then gently took her hand. "I never would have."
At that moment, the door to the room cracked open, and two figures peeked in awkwardly.
"Sorry… we didn't want to interrupt…" said Kasumi, stepping in shyly with Daizen right behind her.
"We waited a while outside… it was obvious you both needed that moment," added Daizen with a calm smile.
Yugito looked at them with surprise and emotion. "Kasumi… Daizen… you're okay."
"Luckily. Though we don't know for how long if the Raikage finds out how we escaped…" joked Daizen.
"We're not sure what will happen when we go back to Kumo," murmured Kasumi, a bit more serious.
Rugen nodded. "What matters is that we're together. And safe."
Yugito lowered her gaze, her expression shadowed. "The others… my comrades…"
Kasumi walked over and placed a hand on her arm. "We made sure the ones responsible paid for it."
Daizen added, "It wasn't easy. But no one will forget them."
At that moment, light footsteps echoed down the hall, and the door opened fully. Shikamaru Nara stepped in with his usual tired expression, a scroll in hand.
"Sorry for barging in," he said, rubbing the back of his neck, "but I've got news from Kumo."
Everyone tensed instantly, their faces stiff with the possibility of bad news.
"Relax," said Shikamaru, noticing their reaction. "It's good news this time. Apparently, the mission has been officially registered as an operation initiated by active Kumo shinobi… and the village will cover the costs."
"So that means…?" Daizen asked, not quite daring to smile yet.
"That you can go home without trouble."
A collective sigh filled the room. Yugito closed her eyes, letting a few tears fall—not of pain, but of relief.
"Thank you… all of you."
Rugen gently squeezed her hand. "Welcome back."
For a moment, the hospital felt like the warmest place in the world.
And yet, hidden in that warmth, deep within Yugito's body, a dark mark waited patiently for its time to be revealed.
<<<< o >>>>
The temple floated in an almost sacred silence when Hamura gently asked Hanabi to accompany him. Hinata and Hiashi had already departed, leaving them alone in the great chamber, where the energy of the Tenseigan still pulsed faintly from the top of the artificial solar core. It was clear that Hamura's connection to the Tenseigan was growing stronger with each passing moment.
Hanabi approached respectfully, yet without fear. Though she stood before a legendary figure, Hamura's aura did not feel overwhelming but rather warm, serene—like an ancestral beacon that called to her blood and soothed her spirit.
"Thank you for staying, Hanabi," said Hamura in a firm yet compassionate voice. "I wanted to speak with you… because what I saw in you gave me hope. Your gaze… your heart."
Hanabi bowed her head for a moment, then lifted it with determination. "I'll do everything I can to protect the legacy of our family."
Hamura smiled slightly. "That, I've known from the moment I saw you. But I also want to know… what do you desire? Not what others expect of you. What would you like to do with your life, with your power… with your relationship with your sister?"
Hanabi hesitated for a moment. Then, in a sincere tone, she answered: "I want to follow my sister. Not because I feel obligated, but because I admire her. She always walked impossible paths… and made them real. I want to be worthy of walking beside her. And maybe one day, I'll forge my own path in this ever more fantastic world."
Hamura nodded, his empty eyes—and yet his presence—radiating an ancient light.
"Your answer runs deeper than most would give. And for that… I want to offer you part of my legacy. The Tenseigan that now resides in the core of this sun cannot be separated from the moon… but my original eyes are the very heart of that energy. And I can share with you a spiritual connection to them, for the only legacy I can give is the power of choice. And I believe you are worthy."
The young woman stepped forward, surprised. "You're… giving me part of the Tenseigan?"
"It's not something that can be passed on like a simple dōjutsu," Hamura explained. "But I can grant you access to its perception, its wisdom, and its will. It will be your choice how to integrate it into your life. This connection can grow with you—or fade away if you're not ready. But I believe you are."
He extended a hand, and from the center of his forehead emerged a pale light that floated down and settled over Hanabi's chest. In that moment, she felt a network of visions, thoughts, and ancestral memories brush her mind like a soft, luminous wave.
"This… is beautiful…" Hanabi whispered, her eyes slightly wet.
Hamura placed his other hand gently on her head.
"Walk without fear, Hanabi. You are not your sister's shadow… you are her companion on the path."
She nodded, feeling that for the first time, she was not just a witness to change… but an active part of it.