Several days had passed since the fire at the Hoshino clan.
Most of the clan had perished—
Even the clan head had been burned alive.
To the villagers—
It was nothing more than a tragic accident.
They sighed at fate—
And warned their children not to play with fire.
Only the ruins—
Silently hinted that something far more sinister had taken place.
And when even those ruins were cleared away—
The truth was buried forever.
…
As the sun set—
Hoshino Yoru finally received orders from Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At dawn tomorrow—
He would depart with a supply unit—
For the Land of Rain frontlines.
…
After hearing the news—
Uchiha Mikoto and Uzumaki Kushina came to help him pack.
"Mikoto-nee, take this too!"
"And this! And this one!"
Kushina bustled around energetically—
Stuffing more and more into Yoru's bag.
Yoru could only smile helplessly—
As the bundle grew larger.
Meanwhile—
Mikoto quietly helped—
Her beautiful face filled with worry.
"Alright, alright…"
Yoru finally couldn't take it anymore.
"If you keep going, I won't even be able to carry it."
Kushina froze instantly—
Like she'd been hit with a paralysis jutsu.
Mikoto also stopped—
Kneeling silently.
"Yoru!"
Kushina suddenly shouted—
Her eyes red.
"Why do you have to go to war?!"
"Our classmates are only doing patrol missions!"
Mikoto looked at him too—
Her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.
"Because…"
Yoru gazed at them gently.
"I have to fulfill my promise to you."
"…Promise?"
They looked at him in confusion.
"I told you, didn't I, Kushina?"
Yoru looked at her softly.
"I'll let you live in a world without war or bloodshed."
"The ninja world right now is full of conflict."
"If we want true, lasting peace—"
"We need overwhelming strength."
"I'll show you."
"You won't have to experience war again."
By the time he finished—
Kushina was already crying uncontrollably.
"Idiot Yoru! Stupid Yoru!"
She pounded his chest with her fists through tears.
"If you're not there…"
"Then peace would be more cruel to me than war."
She stared straight at him.
"…Promise me."
"Come back safely."
"…Yeah."
Yoru smiled reassuringly.
"Even the Third Hokage said it—"
"No one in this world can harm me."
He gently comforted her.
…
"Mikoto."
Yoru turned to her.
"I'm going to make a name for myself on the battlefield."
"Wait for me."
"…I will."
Mikoto nodded seriously.
"I'll be waiting."
"But you must come back safely."
"Haha! Of course!"
Yoru laughed confidently.
"I'll definitely return."
…
Night fell.
Senju Clan compound.
"Who's there?!"
A guard shouted into the darkness.
"It's me."
Yoru stepped out.
"Ah, Yoru-sama!"
The guard relaxed.
"What brings you here so late?"
"Is Tsunade here?"
"I wanted to talk to her."
"Yes, she should still be awake."
"Alright, I'll find her myself."
"Please, go ahead."
…
Knock knock—
"Who is it?"
A pleasant voice came from inside.
"It's me, Tsunade-nee."
"Oh, Yoru. Come in."
Tsunade opened the door with a smile.
She was dressed casually—
In home attire.
Yoru glanced instinctively—
And silently sighed in admiration.
"You brat!"
Tsunade laughed, lightly scolding him.
"Where are you looking?!"
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