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For a full three days, apart from communication between allied villages, there were no further conflicts between the hostile forces of Konoha and Iwagakure.
The war seemed to have been indefinitely halted by a mutual, unspoken agreement between the two sides.
The entire ninja world's conflicts came to an abrupt standstill, sudden yet somehow inevitable.
To this day, all the ninjas who participated in the events of that night have remained tight-lipped about what happened, treating it as a deeply guarded secret.
However, this has done little to stop the ninjas from speculating about the events of that night.
After all, on that night, every ninja in Konoha Village could clearly see the terrifying lightning that lit up the night sky and the violent storms that ravaged everything in their path!
Everyone vividly remembers the apocalyptic, godlike spectacle that unfolded!
In just three days, Konoha Village was quickly rebuilt with the help of Nawaki's Wood Release.
The civilians, who had been sheltered in safe zones and unaware of what had transpired outside, were overjoyed to see the newly constructed buildings.
Meanwhile, in the royal capital of the Land of Fire, a major incident was unfolding.
"What!? Say that again!!"
In the central courtyard of the Shiji clan's estate within the royal capital, an elderly voice rang out in shock.
As the words fell, a family-trained guard knelt in the courtyard, sweat dripping from his forehead as he reported,
"My lord... Lady Yuko... has disappeared!"
"Clang..."
Hearing this, the portly old man standing in the courtyard was stunned. The delicate jade ornament he had been holding slipped from his hand and shattered on the ground.
His expression then shifted through a range of emotions, and his aged face, which rarely showed anger, now contorted with fury as he shouted,
"Find her!"
"Send everyone out! You must find Yuko!"
Hearing this, the kneeling guard quickly lowered his head, nodded vigorously, and then vanished from the courtyard.
The servants and maids nearby were frozen in fear, having never seen the usually amiable lord so enraged.
The old man was none other than Shiji Yoshino, one of the daimyos of the Land of Fire.
And the Yuko he referred to was Shiji Yuko, who had unified the forces of the Midai and Shiji clans, making her the most powerful daimyo in the land!
Night had fallen, but the Shiji estate was still brightly lit.
Shiji Yoshino was too anxious to rest, sitting in the center of the main hall with a troubled expression. Beside him were several of his sons.
"Father, please don't worry... Lady Yuko... she will surely be fine..."
At this moment, a well-mannered young man stepped forward, his face filled with concern as he addressed Shiji Yoshino.
Hearing this, Shiji Yoshino waved his hand, sighed, and said softly,
"I fear that what happened to the Midai clan all those years ago might happen to Yuko now... Sigh... She's had such a hard life all these years. It's my fault... I failed her..."
For many years, Shiji Yuko had remained unmarried, and Shiji Yoshino had always felt a deep sense of guilt toward his daughter.
If he hadn't insisted on marrying her into the Midai clan back then, she wouldn't have been left alone for so many years.
Her younger brothers were now fathers themselves, but his most accomplished daughter still had no children to keep her company.
At the thought of this, Yoshino couldn't help but feel sorrow for his daughter, his face filled with grief.
Just then, led by a servant, several of the Land of Fire's guardian ninjas arrived at the estate.
Seeing them, Yoshino's face immediately showed urgency as he asked,
"Well? Have you found any trace of Yuko!?"
Hearing this, the guardian ninjas exchanged glances, and one stepped forward, his expression somewhat strange as he said,
"Lord Shiji, we have been to Lady Yuko's residence, but... we found no signs of a struggle. It seems... Lady Yuko left on her own..."
His words left everyone present stunned, and Yoshino's face darkened as he said,
"How is that possible!?"
The guardian ninjas also wore bitter expressions, and the one who had spoken continued softly,
"According to the information, Lady Yuko's swordsmanship is unparalleled. With her skills, it's unlikely she could have been captured without a fight. Moreover, the most important thing is that I received news that Lady Yuko's intelligence organization was disbanded just a few days ago... and it was her own order..."
Hearing this, Yoshino was also taken aback. Although he found it hard to believe, he couldn't help but acknowledge the logic of the explanation.
After all, Yuko's intelligence organization could only be commanded by Yuko herself.
If she had ordered its disbandment, it would align with her decision to leave quietly on her own.
But what could have driven a daimyo like Yuko to make such a choice...? Everyone present was deeply puzzled.
As the people at the Shiji estate were lost in thought...
In a lush forest near Amegakure, under the night sky, a woman in red armor with pale, flawless skin walked quietly along a forest path.
Her long black hair was tied up with a hairpin, yet it still cascaded like silk down to her waist.
From her profile, one could see her sharp chin, her pale complexion, and her beautiful, calm, and deep eyes, which were both clear and profound.
However, the bright red armor she wore added a touch of eeriness to her cold demeanor, like a flawless jade soaked in blood, exuding a chilling aura.
At that moment...
"Swish!" "Swish!" "Swish!"
Rapid sounds of movement came from the trees high above behind her, but the woman paid no attention to the commotion behind her.
Her cold, pale face remained expressionless as she continued walking forward calmly.
"Swish!"
Suddenly, a black figure appeared in front of her, blocking her path.
Seeing the figure kneeling before her, the woman's face remained calm and composed, as if nothing could disturb her emotions.
Her eyes lowered slightly, and she glanced at the person before her, saying,
"Oni, I've already told you that I no longer need your services. The intelligence group at the daimyo's estate has been disbanded. You may leave."
Her voice was cold and clear, like a spring in the forest, yet it carried an undeniable tone of authority.
Hearing her words, the kneeling Oni looked up at her, his voice filled with complexity as he said,
"But Lady Yuko, the intelligence has been confirmed... Aizen is dead..."
"Crash—"
Before he could finish speaking, Yuko's pale hand had already reached for the hilt of the sword at her waist, and in an instant, she drew the blade and slashed downward from above!
"Whoosh—"
As the trees behind Oni were cleanly severed, a gust of wind rushed past his side!
His hair was blown into disarray, and a thin line of blood slowly trickled down his pale cheek.
In front of him, Yuko stared coldly at him, her red lips slightly pursed, her delicate brows furrowed in a mix of unyielding determination and heart-wrenching sorrow.
Contrasting emotions played out on Yuko's exquisite, pale face, creating a unique and captivating impression.
"Haah... haah..."
She breathed lightly, slowly sheathing her slender blade, her voice icy as she said,
"Remember, he is fine, and he will remain fine! If this had happened to anyone else, I might have believed they were dead. But for him... I am certain this is just another part of his plan. Nothing more."
With that, Yuko continued walking forward, step by step, her footsteps calm and resolute.
"If you lack the courage to defy fate, even the greatest strength will eventually be crushed by destiny, leaving no trace behind. I'm glad you possess such courage, Yuko... Keep holding onto it. I will do everything in my power to help you. Since you've made your decision, follow your heart and do as you see fit."
As Yuko walked forward, the words that had supported her countless times echoed in her ears once more.
Recalling these words, her face paled slightly, and her lips pressed together tightly.
The man who saved me from that despair... how could he possibly be dead?
You taught me to break free from the shackles of fate...
You told me you wanted to change this world...
Your strength, your confidence, your composure—they are etched deep into my bones and blood!
I refuse to believe... I refuse to believe you are gone...
At this thought, her eyes, now slightly misty, still flashed with determination. Her lips pressed together firmly as she murmured,
"Wait for me... I will find you, Aizen... When I find you, I will never stand behind you again..."
As her soft words drifted away on the night breeze, Yuko's petite yet upright figure gradually disappeared into the depths of the forest.