Several days had passed since the decisive battle between Konoha and the Rain Village.
After securing victory, Konoha deployed the majority of its forces deep into the core regions of the Rain Country, then sent out negotiation teams to demand war reparations—tasting the fruits of their triumph.
As the defeated side, the Rain Country could only endure the humiliation and agree to the harsh terms imposed by the Land of Fire.
Fortunately, the Rain Country still possessed one of the most terrifying shinobi in the world—Hanzo, the Demigod.
And in the final stage of the war, Hanzo had single-handedly fought against the three disciples of the Third Hokage—displaying his overwhelming strength.
Because of this, Konoha's demands were slightly less severe.
In the end, Hanzo suppressed his humiliation and signed the surrender agreement with Orochimaru, who represented Konoha in the negotiations.
The treaty stated that the Rain Country would compensate the Land of Fire with one billion ryō in war reparations.
Of course, the Rain Country could not possibly afford such an amount.
So instead, they compensated with their land.
The territories bordering the Land of Fire were ceded to it.
The Rain Country.
The citizens looked at the Konoha shinobi standing before them, and at their once-beautiful homeland now filled with smoke and devastation.
Many could no longer hold back their grief and broke down in tears.
In this war—
They had lost their dignity.
Several figures from this war rose to fame across the shinobi world.
Senju Senra, one of the core figures of the Senju clan and overall commander, who personally killed Rain's commander Harada Eiji in the final battle, became renowned.
The three disciples of the Third Hokage—Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya—fought fiercely against Hanzo. Though they were ultimately defeated, they were granted the title of the "Three Ninja of Konoha."
But the most dazzling of all—
Was the magma demon, Yoru.
His terrifying Bloodline Limit and brutal combat style left no intact corpses behind him.
After Konoha's fallen heroes were humiliated, he went alone to a Rain base, unleashing divine punishment and slaughtering five hundred enemies.
This act made him one of the most respected shinobi in Konoha.
The families of those five fallen jōnin were filled with gratitude toward him.
At the same time, Yoru's outstanding performance as the commander of the left wing was revealed.
His terrifying strategic mind had toyed with both the Rain Village and Sunagakure.
It was said that when this information spread, the Rain Village's famed strategist Qiping Zhizi fell into deep despair for unknown reasons.
Some even jokingly listed it as one of the "unsolved mysteries" of the shinobi world.
Because of his brutal fighting style and blood-red magma, Yoru was given a new title across the ninja world—
Konoha's Crimson Demon.
It was said that in the Rain Village, merely mentioning his name was enough to stop children from crying.
To them—
He had become the embodiment of terror.
Konoha Village.
"We won!"
"Lord Yoru is amazing!"
"He's the pride of us civilians!"
"Ah! That line of his—it makes you feel so safe!"
When news of victory reached Konoha, it spread rapidly throughout the village.
The gloom that once hung over it seemed to be pierced by sunlight.
The villagers poured into the streets, celebrating.
Men gathered with friends to drink and revel.
That night—
Konoha did not sleep.
The bustling village was filled with smiles, everyone proud of their home.
A picture of peace.
Kushina's house.
Konan had just returned from outside. She had gone out several times today.
And so, a curious scene unfolded in Konoha's streets—
An angel-like girl, tilting her head slightly, listening to people's conversations.
Whenever someone mentioned Yoru with admiration—
Her face would light up with pride, her eyes filled with longing and anticipation.
"Konan, went out again to listen?" Kushina teased with a playful smile.
Konan's face flushed slightly. She simply missed Yoru too much, so she used this method to ease her longing.
And for some reason—
Hearing others praise him made her heart feel warm.
So she kept going out, wanting to hear more about him.
"But the war is finally over," Mikoto said with a gentle smile. "I believe he'll be back very soon."
Kushina and Konan's eyes sparkled.
They were already imagining that moment—
When Yoru would return.
Boom.
...
The Senju clan celebrated.
They had bet on the most valuable piece—
And won.
The Uchiha clan watched with complicated expressions, the pressure from the clan leadership growing heavier.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's thoughts were conflicted, the word "Senju" echoing repeatedly in his mind.
Danzo.
The Hyuga clan.
Sometimes—
The end of a war was not truly an end.
It was merely the beginning of another war—
One without smoke.
And at this moment—
What was the now-famous Yoru doing?
Step.
Inside a dark cave, Yoru used his Observation Haki to scan his surroundings.
Not long ago, he had sensed a familiar presence—and followed it here.
Whoosh!
A figure suddenly lunged out of the darkness, stabbing toward him with a kunai.
Yoru's right hand instantly transformed into scorching magma, gripping the kunai tightly.
The intense heat caused the blade to glow red-hot.
A lively voice echoed from the darkness.
"Yahiko… you're still so impatient."
Yoru smiled faintly, looking at the figure emerging from the shadows.
"Hahaha…" The figure laughed awkwardly as he stepped forward. "It's just been a while, Yoru bro. I wanted to test you a bit."
It was—
Yahiko, whom he hadn't seen in a long time.
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