Chapter 131: A Trail of Longing
With an order from Shimura Danzō, Konoha dispatched its rescuers.
Kakashi, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, and Yūhi Kurenai.
These four were all elite Jōnin of Konoha, each outstanding in strength with their own unique merits. The simultaneous deployment of all four demonstrated the high level of importance Konoha's leadership placed on the incident of the Sprite's release.
"According to the intelligence from the Land of Demons," Danzō's voice echoed in the office, "the culprits who broke the temple seal are likely heading for the Land of Swamps."
"Your mission is to proceed to the Land of Swamps. Once you reach the sealed grounds, your primary objective is to ensure the safety of the Shrine Maiden of the Land of Demons."
Shimura Danzō waved his hand authoritatively, dismissing them.
Since the death of the Third Hokage, Danzō's influence had grown significantly, his presence gradually overshadowing the two veteran advisors, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura. He no longer bothered to conceal his ambition, openly positioning himself as a candidate for the Fifth Hokage.
Unfortunately for him, his ambition was met with widespread opposition. Many harbored deep suspicions about the man who controlled Konoha's dark underbelly and did not believe he was fit to lead the village to recovery.
In contrast, Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, enjoyed overwhelming support. Sadly, the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku was a free spirit with no interest in the trappings of power.
After much deliberation, Konoha decided to split its forces. On one front, they sent the four elite Jōnin—Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai—to aid the Land of Demons.
On another, Jiraiya left Konoha with a promise to the village elders—ostensibly to assist Naruto in his training. His true purpose, however, was to find the other Legendary Sannin, Tsunade.
This Sannin, whom he had not seen in years, was the granddaughter of the First Hokage, possessed the purest Konoha lineage, and was considered the ideal candidate for the Fifth Hokage.
With this goal in mind, Jiraiya departed. But he was not only searching for Tsunade; he was also hunting for another man, one he loathed to the very marrow of his bones.
Aizen Sōsuke!
Even now, Aizen's face was burned into Jiraiya's memory. Aizen's deception had brought catastrophe upon Konoha. Had Jiraiya not intervened in time, Konoha, already reeling from the loss of its Hokage, might have fallen completely to the rampage of the One-Tail.
Jiraiya had fought Aizen firsthand and knew the terrifying extent of his power. Letting Aizen escape was like releasing a tiger back into the mountains. In the future, he would be a calamity not just for Konoha, but for the entire shinobi world.
A monstrous killing intent solidified in Jiraiya's heart. No matter the cost, Aizen Sōsuke had to die.
Beyond Konoha, the Land of Wind had also suffered immense losses.
The Fourth Kazekage was dead, slain by Orochimaru, leaving the once iron-willed nation adrift like sand. More critically, the seal within Gaara had been broken, unleashing the One-Tail's chakra. Even though Shukaku had been re-sealed with Konoha's help, Gaara's ultimate fate remained a mystery.
When the invasion ended, Temari and Kankurō had hurriedly returned to the Land of Wind with Gaara's unconscious body. What became of the boy afterward was unknown to the outside world.
In the outskirts of northern Konoha, at the training grounds once used by Team 8, Yūhi Kurenai stood by the riverbank, a sorrowful expression on her face as she watched the sparkling water, her thoughts as turbulent as the ripples.
Whenever she came here, memories of the past two months would flood her mind. During that time, the former Team 8 had been united, developing an impeccable camaraderie.
Back then, under the setting sun, her heart had been light. Watching the growth of Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyūga Hinata had filled her with pride. And when a dazzling star of tomorrow had appeared within her team—a genius who seemed destined for the future of the shinobi world—Kurenai had been willing to devote her entire being to Team 8.
Aizen Sōsuke.
This was the man to whom Kurenai had devoted all her energy, and for whom she had even developed a trace of affection. And he had betrayed them all in the most shocking way, becoming Konoha's eternal sinner.
He had killed the Third Hokage. He had unleashed the One-Tail.
Everything Aizen did was so earth-shattering. But what Kurenai found most unbelievable was the perfection of his disguise.
She never could have imagined that Aizen, who had seemed so gentle, kind, low-key, and humble, hid such a cold and ruthless heart. The sheer contrast had once left her mind utterly blank.
Kurenai couldn't help but sigh heavily, remembering the sincere smile Aizen had worn that day at the Ichiraku Ramen stand. And when he had revealed a power that even she feared, her shock had been profound.
Yet, despite it all, Kurenai had not completely given up hope for Aizen.
Perhaps it was the two months of daily interaction. Perhaps it was that sincere smile. Perhaps it was the affection she had nurtured. A part of her desperately wanted to find Aizen, to reason with him, to pull him back from the path of ruin.
It was precisely because of this wish that Kurenai had not hesitated to accept Danzō's order and join the rescue force bound for the Land of Demons.
On the day Aizen had left Konoha, Kurenai had used what little clues she had to roughly determine his direction of escape—toward the Land of Earth. Based on the topography, she concluded that Aizen's trail was likely near that region.
The most fortuitous coincidence was that the Land of Demons and the Land of Swamps were both situated near the Land of Earth. This meant Kurenai had a chance of finding Aizen's trail.
It was all perhaps destiny—a pursuit over a thousand miles, to sever these lingering, complicated feelings.
Just as Kurenai was lost in her thoughts, a delicate figure appeared beside her.
This girl had smooth skin, a rosy complexion, and delicate features. Her large, watery eyes, cute dimples, and silky, dark hair framed her face.
Hyūga Hinata.
Hinata watched the pensive Kurenai, her own eyes dimming slightly. She knew Kurenai's thoughts had drifted to Aizen. Ever since his betrayal, she had often seen Kurenai wearing this same longing, troubled expression.
"Kurenai-sensei," Hinata's soft voice broke the silence, "is this mission... dangerous?"
The question pulled Kurenai from her reverie. She started, then offered an awkward chuckle. "This mission is very serious. There will be life-threatening risks." She hesitated before asking, "Why? Do you... want to come along?"
Kurenai's brow furrowed. She did not want to take Hyūga Hinata on this mission. Doing so would increase the risk factor exponentially.
"Yes," Hinata said, her voice soft but her eyes unwavering, filled with a determined longing. "I want to use this opportunity... to find a trace of Aizen... of Aizen-sama."
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