The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi… was dead.
The news swept across the entire shinobi world like autumn wind scattering fallen leaves.
The man who once dominated battlefields had finally fallen—
On the very day of Tsunade's wedding.
For decades, Hiruzen had led Konoha with diligence and strategy.
He won the Second Great Ninja War, guided the village into recovery, and during the Third War pushed Konoha to unprecedented heights.
A legend—
Had come to an end.
—
Land of Water
Hidden Mist Village — Mizukage Office
Yagura Karatachi frowned as he read the report in his hand.
At any other time, Hiruzen's death would have been cause for celebration.
But now—
The timing couldn't be worse.
As a member of the "Setting Sun" faction, Yagura clearly understood how powerful Akatsuki had become.
Not long ago, the Sand Village had been attacked—
That should have been an advantage.
But with Hiruzen's death—
That advantage had vanished.
Worse—
With him gone, who would take leadership of the Setting Sun?
Yagura knew it wouldn't be him.
But a nation couldn't function without a leader.
Handled poorly—
This could spiral into disaster.
After a moment of thought, he picked up a pen and began writing.
He analyzed the current situation—
And asked one critical question:
Who would become the next Hokage?
Because whoever became Hokage—
Would also lead the Setting Sun.
Konoha would never allow those roles to be separated.
After reviewing his message, he handed it to his secretary.
Since the war ended—
He hadn't had a moment of rest.
Rebuilding forces.
Training new shinobi.
Still—
He had found promising talents.
Mangetsu of the Hōzuki clan.
A civilian girl—Mei Terumī.
And another civilian prodigy—Zabuza Momochi.
Watching the secretary leave, Yagura sighed.
"Troubled times…"
But precisely because of that—
He had to seize every opportunity.
To restore the Hidden Mist to its former glory.
Knock knock.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Raiga Kurosuki stepped in, urgency clear on his face.
"Mizukage-sama—"
"Reliable intel confirms…"
"The Three-Tails has revived!"
Yagura's eyes lit up instantly.
The loss of the Three-Tails had crippled the village.
And the Six-Tails Jinchūriki was still incomplete.
Mist Village had fallen dangerously low among the great nations.
But now—
A chance.
"Good!"
"Mobilize immediately—capture the Three-Tails!"
He paused.
Then added:
"I'll lead the operation myself."
He had seen the true power of a Tailed Beast.
A perfect Jinchūriki—
Was a gateway to Kage-level strength.
At nearly thirty—
His own growth had slowed.
Better to entrust that power—
To the next generation.
After thinking briefly, he added:
"Summon Mei Terumī."
She was only seven—
But her talent was exceptional.
With enough chakra—
She could become something extraordinary.
"Understood!"
—
Land of Frost
A small country between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Fire.
A strategic corridor.
A battlefield buffer.
Surrounded by major nations—
Yet weakened by constant war.
Even weaker than the perpetually passive Land of Hot Water.
Kyūsei stepped into the snow.
A heavy cloak wrapped around him as cold winds howled.
Snow blanketed everything.
White—
Endless white.
"Is it this way?"
He looked ahead.
Only frozen forest.
Blinding snow.
"It should be."
A soft voice answered from behind.
Nao stepped forward, wrapped in a similar cloak.
Her pale Byakugan shimmered faintly.
"Crescent Valley should be ahead."
While Kaoru focused on mastering the Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags—
Kyūsei and Nao had set out.
To find the Tenseigan.
According to Hyūga records—
This valley was where the traitor vanished.
"Then let's move."
Kyūsei wiped snow from his face.
They entered the forest.
Nao followed, speaking as she walked.
"My father said… this place connects to the sky."
Before she finished—
She bumped into him.
"Ow—why did you stop?"
She rubbed her nose.
Kyūsei crouched.
Pointed at her legs buried in snow.
"Too slow. Get on."
Nao blinked—
Then smiled faintly.
Without hesitation—
She climbed onto his back.
Arms around his neck.
Warmth replacing the cold.
Kyūsei stood, adjusting her weight.
"…Have you gained weight?"
The sweetness vanished instantly.
"…Sorry for being fat."
"Hold tight."
Before she could argue—
He launched upward.
Like a cannon.
They soared.
Wind roared past.
The snow-covered forest spread beneath them.
Beautiful.
Endless.
With golden chakra chains, Kyūsei anchored himself mid-air—
Then launched again.
Faster.
Higher.
Until—
"There!"
Nao pointed.
A valley appeared ahead.
Both activated their abilities.
Her Byakugan—
His Kagura Mind's Eye.
The result—
The same.
Distortion.
A warped space.
A place where perception failed.
A chakra anomaly.
The target.
They arrived quickly.
A hidden cave behind massive rock.
Kyūsei destroyed the entrance effortlessly.
They stepped inside.
A tunnel.
Glowing faint gold-green.
Guiding them forward.
Until—
A pool.
Shimmering.
Distorted.
Impossible to perceive.
Even their senses—
Blocked.
Like static.
But Kyūsei 's attention shifted.
Around the pool—
A massive formation.
Hidden beneath rubble.
He cleared it.
A symbol appeared.
Ancient.
Simple.
He touched it.
"…Found it."
"Do you recognize it?"
He looked at Nao.
"Yes."
"It means 'Rest.'"
"…Rest…"
Kyūsei 's eyes sharpened.
Eight Gates—
Not the physical ones—
But the ancient system.
Open.
Rest.
Life.
Harm.
Delusion.
View.
Shock.
Death.
Another symbol.
"Open."
Nao confirmed.
The structure became clear.
A complete array.
A spatial formation.
Ancient.
Ōtsutsuki.
Yet—
Not unfamiliar.
In fact—
It resembled sealing concepts from the Uzumaki.
And ancient Hyūga knowledge.
Everything aligned.
"This is a teleportation array."
Kyūsei said quietly.
"The other end…"
"…Is somewhere unknown."
His gaze returned to the pool.
The distortion.
The gateway.
The moon.
"Want to go?"
He smiled.
Nao sighed.
"…We've come this far."
But she smiled too.
Because she understood—
This wasn't optional.
And honestly—
She was curious.
After all—
If Hyūga records hinted at it—
Then the truth was undeniable.
The moon—
Was not empty.
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