"Sage Art: Blazing Storm!"
Hayato let out a low cry, and the blue-and-white interwoven flames rapidly expanded, sweeping out like a storm. The combined power of fire and wind fiercely lunged at the Eight-Tails.
The surrounding scenery began to violently distort under the high temperature, which almost instantly broke through its limit. Everything became fragile under the assault of the flames.
Every wisp of Heat Wave felt as if it could scorch skin, the dust on the ground was evaporated by the high temperature, and the air was filled with a burning smell, as if the entire world was consumed by this fire.
The Eight-Tails had regained its senses. It instinctively felt danger, but still didn't have enough time to react. It swung its tails, attempting to block, but clearly, this was impossible. The flames followed closely, directly engulfing its body.
The flames were extremely fast; even the Eight-Tails' might couldn't cope with such a sustained attack. Its skin began to blacken, wounds constantly expanded, blood was almost instantly evaporated, and painful howls echoed in the air.
It actively severed its tail, but Hayato knew the characteristics of an ox's tail, and his Ninjutsu covered it without reservation.
With a violent tremor, the Eight-Tails finally couldn't hold on any longer. Its massive body gradually collapsed under the continuous impact, its struggles becoming increasingly weak.
"Damn it—Uchiha brat, I'll remember you!"
The flames and storm together incinerated its life and flesh. Only burning ashes and scattered remains were left, and the silent battlefield seemed as if nothing had ever happened.
Hayato stood in place, calmly watching all of this, without the slightest ripple in his heart.
The battle ended, and the Monferno beside him gradually regained its consciousness, with a hint of bewilderment in its expression.
"That brat can actually use such a powerful move."
"Keep your voice down. He saved Uzushiogakure. Maybe he'll be our superior in the future."
"Weren't we here to capture him and bring him back? And he's an Uchiha."
"Idiot..."
Sakumo's teammates and Umino Ikkaku's team members discussed in low voices.
"He can actually use such powerful Ninjutsu?" Sakumo Hatake sheathed his White Fang, stood in front of Hayato, and said admiringly.
"You saved Uzushiogakure and completed an S-rank mission. Both Konoha and Uzushiogakure should thank you."
His expression became serious. "However, you privately took the Nine-Tailed Jinchuriki, left the Village without permission, and attacked the Anbu. You cannot escape these charges."
"I will report your actions to Hokage-sama truthfully."
Hayato nodded, having already understood in his heart. As long as Kushina and the Uzumaki Family were fine, that was all that mattered.
"Hayato-kun, you truly have opened my eyes..."
With Orochimaru's eyesight, he could naturally see Sage Art. "You haven't mastered Sage Mode, yet you can use Sage Art. It seems you still have many secrets I don't know."
A short while later, Hayato looked at Kushina, who had recovered her spirits, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"Kushina, how are you? Where's Asako now? Have the villagers discussed it?"
As the nominal mission target who was 'captured' and brought back, Hayato was placed alone in a tent, guarded by two of Sakumo's teammates. He also complied with the Village's arrangements; the mission was complete, and the next step was to handle the aftermath.
Uzushiogakure was almost completely destroyed by the battle. Many civilians on the island were killed by Ninja from the two Ninja Villages before they could enter the Village, and many people in the Village were also seriously injured.
Fortunately, the core Family members were at worst seriously injured, and the children were almost unharmed.
However, what should they do next? Should they rebuild their homes on the island, or return with the Konoha Ninja? Everyone had not come up with a clear answer.
Strangely, even though the people of Uzushiogakure were saved, Kushina's expression was not as happy as expected.
She walked forward and punched Hayato heavily, making his chest ache. He didn't use Chakra for defense, and the heavy blow to his body was still very painful.
"Kushina, why aren't you happy?" Hayato looked at her confusedly, his large eyes staring at Kushina, trying to see if there was anything wrong with her face.
Hayato was at a loss, where exactly had he offended her?
Kushina raised her face, her once beautiful face now covered in tears, appearing even more moving.
"I don't want you to take risks anymore. If something happens to you, Hayato, I'd rather not have come here!"
Unbeknownst to her, Hayato had already occupied an important place in her heart. She hadn't even realized that she had placed Hayato in a more important position than the Village.
"Silly Kushina, isn't everyone fine?" Hayato gently wiped away Kushina's tears and said, "Everyone is saved, this should be a good thing."
"Idiot Hayato, you still... haven't noticed?" Kushina sobbed.
"From before, it seems like you've always had something on your mind. Although everyone is happy, it's clear that you've been forcing yourself."
"Why can't you tell me? Aren't we comrades in Konoha?" Kushina's eyes were firm.
"I don't need your protection. I once promised you to come here, but I wanted to come to Uzushiogakure myself. If I die here, it's my own choice."
Her words struck Hayato's heart like a heavy hammer. Uchiha Hayato was annoyed. Had protecting her become his fault?
He wanted to reason with Kushina, but his face was covered by Kushina's hand.
He could feel his tightly furrowed brow being smoothed by Kushina, and heard Kushina's soft whisper.
"I heard Tsunade-nee say that you used your Sharingan to control Xiao Yan. Why is that?" Kushina's eyes were full of tenderness. "You used to love Pokémon so much and would never bear to let them get hurt."
Hayato's body trembled. Yes, when did he become like this?
Was it because of the evolution of his Sharingan, the urgency of Whirlpool Country's destruction, or the Third Hokage's overprotection of him?
He had plenty of time to grow, yet he kept forcing himself, even using his Sharingan to control Monferno.
Although Xiao Yan and he had a deep emotional bond, if he didn't make a change, he was afraid that one day he would become the person he hated.
With only power in his eyes, and no longer any love for his comrades and Pokémon.
He had to apologize to Xiao Yan afterwards, Hayato thought.
Having cleared the frustration in his heart, Hayato no longer felt so heavy, feeling much lighter. He looked at Kushina and said seriously, "I'm sorry, Kushina."
"And, thank you. You truly are my angel."
Kushina broke into a smile through her tears.
"Idiot Hayato..."
"But, I like you best this way!"
The girl stood on her tiptoes, and the temperature in the room quietly rose.