Then, as usual, Aoki ran ten kilometers and swung his father's sword a hundred times. This training was not only to strengthen his body but also to keep his mind focused.
After the physical training, Aoki sat quietly for a moment, emptying his mind and beginning to absorb Natural Energy to heal the wounds and fatigue he felt. However, today Aoki did not complete that training fully. There was something more important that Aoki had to do.
After breakfast, Aoki put on black clothing—a symbol of mourning to honor those who had passed away. Aoki glanced at the mirror, ensuring his appearance was neat before leaving the house. With steady steps but a heavy heart, Aoki hurried to Nansa's grave.
Upon arriving at the cemetery, the place was still quiet. Only the rustling of the wind and the patter of rain left over from the previous night accompanied Aoki. Aoki stood there, waiting for the arrival of those who would share the same sorrow, with a heart full of loss.
It didn't take long for Nansa's body to be brought to the cemetery and the burial to begin. People who knew Nansa gathered, including Yono, Sakumo, Kuzan, and several loyal customers from the restaurant that Nansa managed. They all stood in silence, witnessing the burial procession with heavy hearts.
After the burial was completed, one by one, people began to leave the place. Kuzan and Sakumo left with the others, leaving Aoki and Yono still standing in front of the grave. Soon after, Yono also said goodbye, leaving Aoki alone sitting in front of Nansa's grave.
Aoki stared at the tombstone that had just been placed in the still damp earth. Aoki took a deep breath, trying to calm his feelings. "Hey, Aunt Nansa," Aoki said softly, "you know, it rained heavily yesterday. When you were dying and eventually passed away, it felt like the entire Shinobi world mourned your departure." Aoki smiled faintly, a smile filled with melancholy.
"Today is very bright," Aoki continued. "Maybe that's a sign that you are at peace in the Holy Land. Perhaps that's why the sky is shining so brightly today."
Aoki sat there in silence for a moment, feeling the gentle wind brush against his face. Aoki then began to tell Nansa various things, as if his beloved aunt could still hear him. From the mundane details of daily life to Aoki's deep fears of death. "I'm still scared, Aunt," Aoki whispered, "but I will keep trying to become stronger."
As Aoki was speaking at length, he suddenly became aware of someone's presence. A little girl with short black hair, about his age, approached the graveyard alone. The girl watched Aoki intently, hesitating before finally stepping closer to him.
"Um..." the girl said with a confused and slightly shy expression.
Aoki, hearing the voice, immediately turned around. However, when Aoki faced the girl, he suddenly fell silent and froze. Aoki recognized her—the figure he often saw in the future in his memories. The girl was Shizune Kato, the niece of Dan Kato, who would one day become a loyal follower of Tsunade Senju.
"What's wrong?" Aoki asked, his voice filled with curiosity and confusion. Aoki knew that the girl in front of him was Shizune, because her distinctive face, though not prominent, was still easily recognizable to Aoki, who remembered every detail from the future of the Shinobi world.
"Can you help me find my uncle's grave?" the little girl's voice trembled. Her cute face showed genuine fear, making her appear fragile in the midst of the quiet and desolate cemetery.
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