Aoyama Ryuyun nodded lightly, his expression unreadable.
His eyes swept over Nohara Rin — that name alone stirred memories of another future, one steeped in tragedy. The girl who would one day push Uchiha Obito into the abyss of despair and shape the madness that sought to remake the world.
"I heard, Liu Yun-gege, that you're preparing for war!"
Kurenai Yuhi's voice was bright and full of life, untouched by the heaviness of battle. Seeing the movement outside the tent — the gathering of shinobi, the tension in the air — she had come running without hesitation.
"Mm. You'll stay in the camp," Aoyama Ryuyun replied casually.
"No!"
Her answer was immediate, sharp with emotion.
"I'm strong too! I'm no longer a child who can only stand behind others. Even if I die, I want to die by Liu Yun-gege's side!"
Her eyes were clear, fierce, and honest — the kind of resolve that came only from someone who hadn't yet learned what death really looked like.
For a brief moment, Aoyama Ryuyun faltered. There was a strange purity in that defiance, something he hadn't seen in a long time.
Beside her, Nohara Rin observed quietly, the corners of her lips twitching into a small, knowing smile. She understood now — the way Kurenai had spoken of Aoyama Ryuyun all this time wasn't mere admiration. It was devotion.
Before Ryuyun could respond, Hyuga Hiashi entered briskly, his tone formal and steady.
"Liu Yun-sama, everything is ready."
"Mm."
Ryuyun rose to his feet, the room falling silent as he walked toward Kurenai. Meeting her determined gaze, he gave a faint, rare smile and placed a hand on her head.
"Let's go. But no matter what happens, you stay by my side."
"Mm-hmm!"
Her reply was bright and full of energy.
Outside, the camp was already gathered — the last thousand who could still fight. Once, there had been three thousand. Then came the war. Then Jiraiya's departure. Now, barely a third remained.
When Aoyama Ryuyun emerged, every eye turned toward him.
They were soldiers of Konoha — weary, bloodstained, and uncertain — but in that moment, they were united by the presence of a man whose strength had become legend.
Ryuyun's gaze swept over them, calm and unyielding.
"Everyone," he began, his voice cutting through the air, "you already know what we're about to face."
Some men clenched their fists. Others looked down. Fear, exhaustion, defiance — all mixed in the air.
"If you think we'll lose," Ryuyun continued, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade, "then don't concern yourselves. I brought you here only to bear witness. As long as I'm here, Konoha will not lose."
No grand speeches. No false promises. Just that.
And somehow, it was enough.
Without another word, they followed him — through the rocky terrain of the Land of Earth, toward the faint orange glow of the Iwagakure campfires on the horizon.
"Liu Yun-sama," Hyuga Hiashi said after several kilometers, stopping and pointing ahead. "That's Ōnoki's camp."
The field before them was barren — jagged cliffs, stone ridges, and almost no cover.
"Mm," Ryuyun murmured, eyes narrowing.
"Shall we attack now?" Hiashi asked carefully.
It wasn't just him — every shinobi behind them watched Ryuyun in silence, waiting for the order.
"No need."
He smiled faintly.
Those resolute eyes — ready to die if commanded — made him almost sigh. He didn't bother explaining. Instead, he reached over his shoulder and drew his twin blades: Sakura-ju and Kiba.
In an instant, the air changed. The sword light reflected off the steel with a chilling gleam — and with it came a surge of killing intent so sharp it felt like the world itself was being sliced open.
Even the most hardened shinobi took a step back.
"That's Golden Lion-sama…" someone whispered.
"I heard his swordsmanship rivals the White Fang's!"
"I've never seen it with my own eyes until now."
Among them, a silver-haired youth with a mask stood silent — Hatake Kakashi.
"Kakashi," said the boy beside him, pushing up his goggles, "how does Liu Yun-sama's swordsmanship compare to your dad's?"
"Shut up, Obito," Kakashi said flatly.
"Tch."
If not for the tension in the air, Uchiha Obito might've thrown a punch right there. Instead, he turned toward Nohara Rin, his tone softening instantly.
"Rin, don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll protect you."
Rin smiled at him, warm and gentle. "Obito, it's a battlefield. You need to protect yourself too."
Her words made his heart pound.
"Mm-hmm!" he nodded eagerly.
Just that small moment — her voice, her concern — was enough to light a fire in him.
Even if it meant dying here, he would protect her.
Up front, Aoyama Ryuyun raised his blades high.
A storm of chakra gathered around him, roaring to life like a golden hurricane.
"Liu Yun-sama?" Hiashi called softly, eyes narrowing from the pressure.
Aoyama Ryuyun smiled faintly. "Watch closely."
His aura burst forth, and the battlefield — silent moments before — trembled under the weight of his killing intent.
The battle for Iwagakure was about to begin.
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