"Sage Art: Blazing Tempest!"
With a low shout, Uchiha Hayato unleashed an explosion of blue-white flames, roaring forth like a raging storm. Fire and wind intertwined, surging toward the Eight-Tails with devastating force.
The battlefield twisted violently under the searing heat, the temperature skyrocketing past its limits in an instant. The very air shimmered, the ground cracked, and every gust of wind carried the burning scent of destruction—as if the entire world was being swallowed by the inferno.
The Eight-Tails, now regaining its senses, felt an instinctive dread—but it was already too late.
It lashed its tails to block the onslaught, but it was futile. The flames chased after it relentlessly, consuming its massive body.
Even a creature of its might couldn't withstand such an unrelenting assault. Its flesh blackened, wounds widened, and every drop of blood that escaped was instantly vaporized. Agonized howls filled the air.
Desperate, it severed its own tail.
But Hayato knew exactly what to expect.
With no hesitation, he ensured his ninjutsu engulfed every fragment, leaving no room for survival.
A tremor rocked the battlefield as the Eight-Tails' colossal form began to collapse, its resistance growing weaker with every passing second.
"Damn you—Uchiha brat! I'll remember this!!"
The flames raged on, the storm howled, and the beast's final cry was drowned out—its flesh and life reduced to ash.
Silence fell over the battlefield. The once-mighty Eight-Tails was no more, and all that remained were scattered embers and charred remains.
Hayato stood still, watching impassively.
The fight was over.
Beside him, Monferno gradually returned to his senses, blinking in confusion.
"That kid... just now... what was that technique?"
"Keep your voice down. He just saved Uzushio. For all we know, he might be our superior one day."
"But weren't we sent here to capture him? He's still an Missing Ninja."
"Idiot."
Low murmurs spread among the Konoha forces—White Fang's squad and the team led by Umino Ikkyaku.
The White Fang, Sakumo Hatake, stepped forward next, his presence commanding immediate attention.
"Hayato."
His voice was calm, yet firm. "You've completed an S-rank mission. You saved an entire village. But you also abandoned your post, took the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki without authorization, and attacked Konoha's ANBU."
His dark eyes bore into Hayato's. "You understand what that means?"
Hayato nodded. "I do."
Sakumo sighed. "You'll be judged accordingly. But for now..."
His hand landed on Hayato's shoulder—not as a restraint, but as acknowledgment. "You did well."
For the first time in a long while, Hayato allowed himself to exhale.
But deep down, he knew this wasn't the end.
There was still an unfinished mission ahead.
And no matter what Konoha decided—
He would not stop here.
As long as Kushina and the Uzumaki survived, nothing else mattered.
"Hayato-kun, you truly continue to surprise me…"
A silky, intrigued voice drifted toward him—Orochimaru.
His golden snake-like eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Using Senjutsu despite not mastering Sage Mode… You must be hiding many secrets."
A while later, Hayato finally saw Kushina—awake and recovering.
She barely had time to react before his voice reached her, calm and gentle.
"Kushina, how are you feeling? What about Asako? What decision did the Uzumaki make?"
As the target of an official capture mission, Hayato had been separated from the others—placed in a tent under guard by White Fang's subordinates.
He complied without resistance.
The mission was over.
Now came the aftermath.
Uzushio was in ruins.
Many civilians—those unable to enter the village in time—had been slaughtered by the enemy forces. Even within the village, there had been numerous casualties.
But at the very least…
The core members of the Uzumaki clan had survived.
Most were gravely injured—but alive. And the children had remained unharmed.
Now… what would they do next?
Would they rebuild on the island?
Or would they follow Konoha's forces and seek refuge?
No one had a clear answer.
Yet, despite their survival, Kushina's expression was far from happy.
She stepped forward—and punched Hayato square in the chest.
Hard.
"Ugh—"
Pain shot through his ribs. He had used no chakra to defend himself—so it hurt.
"Kushina? What's wrong?"
Hayato frowned, puzzled.
Her violet eyes bore into his, filled with frustration and something deeper.
What had he done to upset her?
Kushina tilted her head up, her tear-streaked face achingly beautiful beneath the moonlight.
"I don't want you taking risks like that anymore!" she cried. "If something happened to you, Hayato—I'd rather never have come here at all!"
In her heart, somewhere along the way, Hayato had become more important than even her village.
And she hadn't even realized it until now.
Hayato sighed, rubbing his sore chest.
"Kushina, everyone made it out alive. That's what matters."
"You idiot, Hayato—!"
Kushina sniffled, her voice trembling.
"Can't you see it?!"
"From the very beginning, you've always carried something alone. You act like you're fine, like everything is okay—but we all see it, Hayato."
"You push yourself too hard."
"Why won't you talk to me about it?"
Her voice was firm, unwavering.
"Aren't we your comrades? Isn't Konoha your home?"
"You don't have to protect me."
"I didn't come here because you asked me to. I chose this, Hayato."
"If I had died here today—that would've been my choice too!"
Her words hit him like a hammer to the chest.
Hayato felt a surge of irritation.
Had he been wrong to protect her?
Had he miscalculated everything?
He opened his mouth to argue—but before he could, Kushina's hands covered his face.
Her fingers brushed over his tense brows, gently smoothing out his frown.
Her voice softened.
"I heard from Tsunade-neechan… about your Sharingan."
"Why did you control Monferno?"
Her violet eyes were filled with understanding, not accusation.
"You've always loved Pokémon."
"You'd never hurt them."
"So… why?"
Hayato froze.
She was right.
When had he changed?
Was it when his Sharingan evolved?
Was it the urgency of Uzushio's destruction?
Was it Hiruzen's excessive protection, forcing him to grow faster?
He had time to grow stronger.
So why had he rushed himself?
Why had he forced control over Blaze?
They were partners, not tools.
If this continued…
One day, he might truly become the kind of person he despised.
Someone who only saw power, and forgot the bonds he cherished.
He owed Monferno an apology.
As the fog cleared from his mind, he felt lighter—as if some unseen weight had finally lifted.
He exhaled and met Kushina's gaze.
"I'm sorry, Kushina."
He smiled—genuinely, this time.
"And… thank you."
"You really are my angel."
Kushina blinked in surprise.
Then—she laughed.
Through her tears, through her anger, she laughed.
"You idiot…"
"But… that's the you I like the most!"
She stood on her tiptoes—
And the air between them grew warm.