Seated atop a giant mushroom cap, Hoshita Shūichi studied Uchiha Shisui's three-tomoe Sharingan.
Uchiha Shisui wore a gentle smile, but his voice carried sorrow. "These are cursed, ominous eyes."
Hoshita Shūichi shook his head. "To me, they're eyes that can transform grief into strength."
Uchiha Shisui froze.
Hoshita Shūichi continued, "People die—in war, from illness, or simply of old age."
"Death extinguishes a life, but the sorrow remains with the living."
"The living matter more than the dead. If these eyes can turn grief into power to protect those still here, how can they be called ominous?"
Though his words sounded like platitudes, they held undeniable truth.
To Uchiha Shisui, this perspective struck like lightning, dispelling the shadows in his heart.
He was naturally kind and optimistic, but that didn't mean he lacked sorrow.
Otherwise, Kurama Sanyō's death wouldn't have awakened his Sharingan from one tomoe directly to three.
He simply hid his grief beneath warmth and sunlight.
If his eyes were truly cursed, he refused to let that curse taint others. Instead, he'd use his kindness to combat the darkness.
That was his ninja way!
Now, Hoshita Shūichi's words illuminated his path like a lantern.
For the first time, Uchiha Shisui felt he wasn't stumbling forward blindly.
"You're right, Shūichi," he said, his smile more serene than ever. "Turning sorrow into strength to protect the living—that's the true purpose of the Sharingan!"
Their conversation had soothed Hoshita Shūichi's own heart and reshaped Uchiha Shisui's perspective.
The blisters in his mouth had healed, so Hoshita Shūichi asked, "Shisui, this technique's temperature is too high. Any ideas to avoid burning my mouth?"
Uchiha Shisui countered, "Your chakra control is exceptional. I've never seen anyone surpass your mastery of fire nature and shape transformation—not even my clan's leader."
"So why limit yourself to releasing it through your mouth?"
"Most ninjas use their mouths because the throat is optimal for chakra concentration."
Hoshita Shūichi nodded eagerly.
Uchiha Shisui added, "But with your skills, you can bypass that limitation."
"Take your hands, for example. They'd still face heat issues, but you could layer the chakra—inner and outer."
A spark flashed in Hoshita Shūichi's mind—Pakura's Scorch Release orbs.
Those fireballs had orange-red outer flames with a white-hot core.
If that worked...
Just as he was about to experiment, Namikaze Minato appeared beside them.
"Minato-sensei!"
Both stood immediately.
Relieved to see them unharmed, Namikaze Minato said, "I've sealed Sanyō's body in a scroll."
"The Kusagakure leader did die—at Iwa-nin hands."
"But today's attack suggests traitors within Kusagakure."
Uchiha Shisui mused, "Internal betrayal is Kusagakure's affair. Intervening could spark conflict between villages."
"Though the leader died by Iwa-nin, those attackers bore no Iwa insignia."
"Kusagakure's survival likely depends on ignoring this."
Hoshita Shūichi sneer. "The next leader will probably be pro-Iwa."
Namikaze Minato agreed. "Exactly."
He shared the suspicion.
Hoshita Shūichi then asked, "Minato-sensei, do we keep pursuing the Iwa-nin?"
Namikaze Minato nodded. "I pressured Kusagakure to officially task us with hunting the attackers."
"Using Iwa-nin techniques doesn't prove their origin, but whoever did this will pay."
"So..."
"Move out!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The three vanished with the Body Flicker Technique.
Their pursuit led to the Land of Grass's border, where the Iwa-nin had regrouped—waiting for their rear guard.
Now in full Iwa-nin attire, the five stood at the bridge's head.
Kannabi Bridge!
To Hoshita Shūichi, this bridge was legendary.
A quick survey revealed why it featured prominently in the Third Shinobi War.
The massive structure spanned a raging river flanked by mountains—the very terrain that churned the waters.
Few could Water Walk such torrents, let alone transport supplies across.
While storage scrolls existed, their cost and limited capacity made them impractical for large-scale logistics.
Eyeing the bridge, Hoshita Shūichi fought the urge to destroy it.
But doing so might unite Iwa and Kusa against Konoha—a diplomatic disaster.
"Minato-sensei, they've reclaimed their Iwa identities. Do we engage?" Uchiha Shisui asked.
Namikaze Minato confirmed, "They're still on this side—technically in Grass Country."
"Also, Shisui, capture one alive for Kusagakure."
"Understood!"
"Attack!"
Before the order fully left Namikaze Minato's lips, he'd vanished.
"Ambush!"
The Iwa-nin deflected a hail of kunai, only for Namikaze Minato to materialize behind them, aided by Hoshita Shūichi and Uchiha Shisui's diversion.
Hoshita Shūichi leveled the Ame-no-Murakumo at the five. "You're surrounded. Surrender your weapons, and you'll live."
"Arrogant brat!"
"Die!"
One Iwa-nin lunged, kunai flashing, while another formed hand seals. The remaining three targeted Namikaze Minato.
Battle erupted.
Hoshita Shūichi scoffed, effortlessly blocking kunai before exhaling a white-hot laser that expanded into a colossal fireball.
The charging Iwa-nin leaped clear, only for Uchiha Shisui to intercept his follow-up shuriken midair.
Their eyes met—
The Iwa-nin's pupils dilated, and he plummeted unconscious.
Meanwhile, the sealing Iwa-nin unleashed Rock Gunshots, but the projectiles melted mid-flight.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hoshita Shūichi zigzagged through craters, beheading the sealer before he could react.
Namikaze Minato finished sooner, leaving no enemies standing.
They dumped four corpses into the river and hauled the hypnotized captive back to Kusagakure.
Across the bridge, a hidden Iwa-nin watched helplessly.
By the time he considered aiding his comrades, the fight was over.
Now, he dared not even signal for reinforcements—certain the Konoha trio would slaughter him first.
Self-preservation overrode duty.
Back in Kusagakure, after delivering the prisoner, Muui arranged lunch.
A Kusagakure jōnin soon summoned Namikaze Minato for discussions while requesting Hoshita Shūichi's medical aid.
Though resentful, Hoshita Shūichi agreed—mindful of Karin's mother.
"Shisui, go with Shūichi," Namikaze Minato instructed.
Uchiha Shisui nodded gravely.
The trio split. At the chaotic hospital, Hoshita Shūichi's gaze locked onto a red-haired girl.
Around sixteen, she offered her arm to a wounded Kusa-nin, who bit down greedily.
Found her...
Hoshita Shūichi suppressed a dark thought: Had we found her earlier, could she have saved Sanyō?
But he dismissed it instantly.
Given Kurama Sanyō's injuries, even one bite might have killed the girl.
Sighing inwardly, he focused on treating patients.
Uchiha Shisui noted the redhead too. "Is she... also an Uzumaki?"
By evening, Hoshita Shūichi finished and glimpsed the exhausted girl leaving.
At their quarters, Namikaze Minato had returned. Hoshita Shūichi stated bluntly, "Minato-sensei, I want to take someone from Kusagakure."
Uchiha Shisui guessed, "The red-haired girl?"
Namikaze Minato connected the dots. "Like Kushina?"
Hoshita Shūichi confirmed, "Likely Uzumaki. Her healing is extraordinary—just a bite closes wounds."
"Her lineage and abilities make her invaluable to Konoha."
Namikaze Minato agreed, then probed for details.
This girl was Kushina's age—they might even know each other.
With a childhood friend around, Kushina wouldn't feel so lonely when I'm on missions.
Plus, her Yang Release potential...
Decision made, he declared, "I'll negotiate now."
Hoshita Shūichi pressed, "What if they refuse?"
Namikaze Minato smirked. "They've no grounds to, especially now."
"But if they do... we take her anyway."
He wasn't inflexible.
Given the girl's likely fate here, this was a rescue.
Thirty minutes later, he returned—with a timid redhead in tow.
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