Over the next few days, Aoki Yoru remained in the vicinity of the ruined Whirlpool Village.
The sea stretched endlessly before him, waves crashing rhythmically against jagged reefs, their echoes blending with the whispering wind. It was a place filled with both serenity and sorrow—a land that once thrived with life, now reduced to broken remnants and lingering memories.
At that moment, Aoki Yoru sat cross-legged on a reef near the shore.
His eyes were closed.
His breathing was steady.
Within him, spiritual energy began to stir.
Thread by thread, he released it outward, transforming it into countless fine strands that extended into the surrounding space. These threads drifted like invisible silk, spreading toward the roaring sea, the salty breeze, and the fragmented ruins scattered across the land.
They touched the waves, tracing the rhythm of their rise and fall.
They followed the wind, brushing against the rough surface of the rocks.
They even reached into the distant ruins—into the faint remnants of sealing techniques left behind by the once-glorious Uzumaki Clan.
But—
The moment those threads extended too far, they would collapse.
Dissipating instantly.
Unstable.
Uncontrolled.
Aoki Yoru frowned slightly.
He didn't rush.
Instead, he calmed his mind and gathered his scattered energy again and again, compressing it, refining it, stabilizing it. Slowly, patiently, he adjusted the rhythm of his spiritual power, allowing it to resonate with the natural flow of the surroundings.
The tide rose.
The tide fell.
Time passed.
The sun gradually sank below the horizon, dyeing the sky in shades of crimson and gold.
Finally—
"Hoo…"
Aoki Yoru opened his eyes and exhaled deeply.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It's finally stable."
Although he still couldn't manipulate his spiritual energy as naturally as moving his own limbs, it was no longer chaotic or fragile.
For now—
It was enough.
A Quiet Evening
He stood up and brushed the sand off his clothes before heading toward the nearby commercial street.
The small street, though simple, was lively in its own way. Vendors called out their wares, the scent of freshly cooked food filled the air, and the occasional laughter of travelers could be heard.
As soon as he entered—
He spotted Nao.
She was sitting beside an old fortune-teller, her cheeks puffed out as she munched on a pastry. She looked like a small squirrel storing food in her mouth, her eyes wide and sparkling as she listened intently.
The old man was telling her stories—tales of the ninja world, of distant lands and legendary figures.
Nao was completely captivated.
She even forgot to chew.
Aoki Yoru paused for a moment, observing them quietly.
From the very first day he had seen this old man speaking with Nao, he had already recognized something unusual.
Though the man's hair was white and his vitality nearly extinguished, the faint life force within his body carried a distinct signature—
The Uzumaki Clan.
That was why Aoki Yoru had not interfered.
Instead, he allowed Nao to spend time with him.
Perhaps—
This was something she needed.
A Farewell Approaches
"Let's go, Nao. It's time for dinner."
Aoki Yoru stepped forward and called out to her gently.
Nao turned immediately, her face lighting up.
"Brother Yoru!"
She hurried over, still holding her half-eaten pastry.
Aoki Yoru then glanced at the old man and said calmly:
"We're leaving tomorrow."
The old man's expression froze for a brief moment.
The warmth in his eyes dimmed slightly.
"…I see."
His voice was soft.
"It's time."
Aoki Yoru studied him for a moment.
"Your health is failing. Do you want to see a doctor?"
The old man chuckled lightly and shook his head.
"No need."
"Even if I were cured… how much longer could I live?"
His gaze shifted to Nao.
There was tenderness in his eyes.
And something else—
Worry.
The Truth Revealed
Seeing this, Aoki Yoru spoke directly.
"I will take Nao to Konoha."
"With Lady Uzumaki Mito and Kushina's legacy, she will receive proper training."
The old man's pupils shrank.
For a moment, his breathing became uneven.
Then he forced a bitter smile.
"So… you recognized me."
He turned his head, looking toward the ruins in the distance.
The broken walls stood like silent witnesses to a forgotten tragedy.
"My name is Uzumaki Ming."
"I was nothing more than an ordinary Chunin."
His voice trembled slightly.
"That day… when the barrier of our clan was broken…"
"I was afraid."
"I didn't go to help."
"I hid."
Tears streamed down his face.
"I am a coward."
"I don't deserve the name Uzumaki."
A Child's Comfort
"Grandpa, don't cry."
Nao walked over and handed him a piece of candy.
"You'll feel better if you eat something sweet."
The old man froze.
Then he smiled.
A gentle, fragile smile.
He patted her head.
"Good child… Grandpa is just happy."
A Final Gift
He turned back to Aoki Yoru.
"To meet a clansman at the end of my life… I have no regrets."
From his robes, he took out a worn, yellowed scroll.
"This… is a basic sealing technique of the Uzumaki Clan."
"I was never qualified to learn the advanced ones."
"Use it to guide her."
"In Konoha… no one will teach her these things."
"If only… Kushina were still alive…"
Aoki Yoru accepted the scroll solemnly.
"When she grows older, I will pass it on to her."
The old man nodded.
Relieved.
Without another word, he turned and walked toward the ruins.
His steps were slow.
Unsteady.
The End of a Life
Aoki Yoru watched silently.
He understood.
The old man would not live through the night.
For decades, he had carried guilt and regret.
Now—
Having spoken his truth—
His spirit had finally collapsed.
"Let's go, Nao."
Aoki Yoru took her hand.
"It's time to eat."
Nao glanced back.
"Where is Grandpa going?"
"He hasn't packed his stall…"
"He's going to reunite with his family."
Aoki Yoru's voice was calm.
But his eyes…
Held a trace of sadness.
Return to Konoha
Days later—
They arrived at the gates of Konoha.
Aoki Yoru paused.
Looking at the familiar wooden gate, worn by time, he felt a wave of emotion.
It had been over a decade since his transmigration.
And this was the first time he had been away for so long.
All the exhaustion…
All the loneliness…
Seemed to fade.
"Let's go."
He stepped forward.
At the Gates
At the entrance, Izumo Kamizuki and Kotetsu Hagane stood guard.
Aoki Yoru was slightly surprised.
"You two are early today."
He handed over his identification.
"This is an orphan I found."
"She wants to join Konoha."
They checked his documents carefully.
Then nodded.
"Everything is in order."
"But you'll need to report to the Hokage Office."
"I know."
The Hokage's Decision
Inside the Hokage Office—
The Third Hokage smiled warmly.
"I approve."
"The Uzumaki Clan has always been an ally of Konoha."
"We cannot abandon her."
He looked at Nao kindly.
"From today onward… Konoha is your home."
Nao's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Hokage Grandpa!"
Aoki Yoru rolled his eyes slightly.
This old man…
Always knew how to win people over.
But—
It was also beneficial.
With the Hokage's protection, Danzo wouldn't be able to touch her easily.
A New Beginning
"Then, let her live with me," Aoki Yoru said.
The Hokage paused briefly.
Then smiled.
"Very well."
After saying goodbye, Aoki Yoru left with Nao.
Behind them—
The Third Hokage took a slow puff from his pipe.
His gaze lingered on the doorway.
Thoughtful.
Unreadable.
And so—
Their journey ended.
But a new story—
Was just beginning.
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