"Xiyan, your mission has failed."
"…I'm sorry, Third Hokage."
Standing in the quiet, dimly lit Hokage office, Uzuki Yugao kept her head low, voice soft and respectful. But in her heart, she was tense.
To outsiders, Sarutobi Hiruzen was known as a kindly elder—amiable, wise, like a beloved grandfather. But to the Anbu who served closest to him, the truth was far more complicated.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had not held the title of Hokage for decades through kindness alone. His methods—covert, calculated, and at times ruthless—were more formidable than even Danzo's. In fact, if not for his strength, Danzo would've overtaken him long ago.
A deep puff of smoke curled from the pipe in Hiruzen's hand as he turned his gaze toward the window. The glass fogged slightly from the exhale, and beyond it, the lights of Konoha flickered in the fading evening.
Through the haze of smoke, the peaceful Hidden Leaf seemed distant and unreal. Shadows crept between rooftops. Something was stirring. The Hokage could feel it in his bones.
The upcoming Chūnin Exams were putting the village under enormous pressure. He was already in his seventies, and yet... he still hadn't found a true successor—someone worthy of inheriting the Will of Fire.
The Sarutobi Clan had borne many shinobi, but none capable of carrying the village on their shoulders. His own son, Asuma, was too preoccupied with his affair with Kurenai Yuhi to step up, even though he had the potential to be the next Hokage.
Is the fire of Konoha going to die in my hands?
No, he told himself. The fire must live on.
Turning slowly, Sarutobi Hiruzen gazed at Uzuki Yugao, who knelt before him. His voice softened, but it carried the weight of command.
"You know about Hayate, don't you?"
Yugao flinched slightly. Her fists clenched, her long purple bangs casting a shadow over her eyes.
Yes. Just yesterday, her boyfriend—Gekkou Hayate—was murdered in Konoha after trailing the Sand Ninja. There was no official proof, but both she and the Hokage knew the truth.
The wound on Hayate's body was clear—it was done by someone from the Sand Village.
But…
Sarutobi simply shook his head and said in a cold, firm voice:
"The Fire Nation and the Wind Nation are working to establish peace. I don't want any complications."
"…You may leave."
"…Yes."
Suppressing the grief that gripped her chest, Uzuki Yugao rose to her feet and turned silently. Her footsteps echoed as she exited the room, each one heavier than the last.
Outside, her long purple hair danced slightly in the breeze. The temperature was pleasant, but she felt nothing but cold.
"Where the leaves dance… the fire will never cease…?"
She used to believe in those words. But now?
Now she was only left with bitterness and a chill in her bones—directed not just at the enemy who took Hayate's life, but at the cold-hearted village that let him die in silence.
Moonlight Hayate's death hadn't even caused a ripple. No public mourning. No official statements. Just a quiet burial… and silence.
Uzuki Yugao walked without direction, lost in her sorrow. When she came back to her senses, she realized she was standing before the Memorial Stone—the one engraved with the names of Konoha's fallen heroes.
But heroes… they were dead. And was this stone really a comfort?
Tears finally spilled from her eyes, but not from sadness—no, it was rage. Silent, burning rage.
"…Xiyan… sister…"
A gentle voice interrupted her thoughts.
She turned around in surprise. Standing there, not far behind her, was a boy with bright blue eyes and sun-kissed hair.
Uzumaki Naruto.
How had he come here?
"…Are you in pain?"
Naruto didn't ask for permission or offer explanations. He simply looked into her eyes, his tone calm yet firm.
He knew about Hayate. Ino had told him, rather dramatically, during one of their little dates. The price of that information? A handful of imported candies she had shoved into his mouth.
Women are troublesome, he sighed inwardly. But Ino's figure really is something...
Still, Naruto wasn't here to joke.
"…Are you here to laugh at me?" Yugao asked bitterly, unable to hide her pain.
She didn't expect Naruto to understand. He was just a Genin, a kid. What could he know about losing someone dear?
What could he know about helplessness?
Uzuki Yugao had been alone since childhood. Hayate had been the only one who truly cared for her. And now, he was gone.
They were supposed to get married after the exams…
Now, she was alone again.
The flicker of fire in her heart—the Will of Fire—felt as if it was dying, snuffed out by sorrow and disillusionment.
"…Don't you want to avenge Hayate?"
Her head jerked up. Her eyes met Naruto's, surprise etched across her face.
"…Revenge?"
Of course, she did. But…
What could she do? The Third Hokage had explicitly forbidden retaliation against the Sand Ninja.
Did she have the strength to do it alone?
Whoever killed Hayate had done so without leaving a trace, even in the middle of the Hidden Leaf. That level of skill wasn't something she could confront alone.
She bit her lip, clenched her fists tighter, and let out a bitter laugh.
This is the ninja world—a world where power decides everything.
Naruto, as if reading her mind, stepped forward, his gaze unwavering.
"What if I can help you?"
"…You?" Yugao asked in disbelief.
This was Uzumaki Naruto—the knuckleheaded kid always getting into trouble. The prankster. The orphan.
He was a Genin.
But Hayate had been a seasoned Jōnin.
Whoever killed him must've been on par with—or even beyond—Jōnin level.
She didn't want Naruto to die. Over the years, she had watched him grow, laughed at his antics, worried over his safety.
He had unknowingly become someone important to her.
"…You don't believe me?"
Naruto sighed as he looked at her. Then, without warning, his figure flickered—and in a flash of golden light, he was standing directly in front of her.
Uzuki Yugao gasped.
"Such speed…!"
She hadn't even seen him move!
How did Naruto suddenly become so fast?
Then, she sensed it—the chakra flowing within him, the sheer force behind his movements.
Eight Inner Gates.
That was Might Guy's taijutsu technique—an elite skill that placed incredible strain on the body but granted explosive power.
When did Naruto… learn this?
Naruto gave her a small grin and shrugged as if it were no big deal.
"Trying to eat me now? It's a bit too early."
He chuckled.
"You can eat me after I get your revenge."
Yugao blinked in confusion, then let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
This wasn't the mischievous brat from before.
This was a different Naruto.
Confident. Strong. And serious.
Maybe, just maybe… the fire wasn't out yet.
Maybe it was just waiting—for someone to ignite it again.
And maybe… that someone was standing right in front of her.