"Boom—!"
What happened to Yagami's body made Kushina freeze on the spot.
She didn't even notice the blood or scattered flesh around them. Her mind went blank as she rushed forward, sprinting straight toward Yagami.
Tears streamed down her face as she threw herself at him.
Almost instinctively, Yagami opened his arms and caught her, pulling her tightly into his embrace.
Warmth—soft, familiar warmth.
The killing intent clinging to Yagami instantly dissipated.
Feeling the softness against his chest, he gently patted Kushina's back, his movements slow and reassuring.
Before, whenever he so much as touched her shoulder, she'd instinctively punch him away.
Yet now…
She had taken the initiative to run straight into his arms.
The realization made Yagami smile faintly.
"I thought… something happened to you…"
Kushina's voice trembled as she spoke, choking back sobs. Her arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if the moment she let go, he might disappear.
"I'm fine," Yagami said softly, patting her back again.
"See? I'm still here."
They stayed like that for a long time—embracing amid the blood-soaked battlefield.
Only when the fear finally drained from Kushina's body did her grip loosen slightly.
Then she realized just how long they'd been holding each other.
Her cheeks flushed red.
Too embarrassed to pull away herself, she buried her face deeper into Yagami's chest instead.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing 14 enemy shinobi and gaining 789 prestige points.]
[Ding! Mission complete: Defeated the Sunagakure advance unit. Reward: 5000 prestige points.]
The system's notifications echoed quietly in Yagami's mind.
His stored prestige had now reached 19,000 points.
Just a little more, and he'd be ready for his second intermediate draw.
"Cough—cough."
Perhaps the smell of blood was too thick.
Kushina suddenly coughed in his arms.
"Let's leave this place first," Yagami said, lightly stroking her hair.
The two finally separated.
Kushina glanced at the mangled ground around them, her expression hardening.
"These Sand shinobi…" she said through clenched teeth.
"They went too far."
She was still shaken by the ferocity of their last stand.
Even at death's door, their counterattack had been terrifying.
"They were heroes of Sunagakure," Yagami said quietly, sheathing his weapon.
Then he took Kushina's hand and began walking forward.
If the situation had been reversed…
Yagami knew he would never have fought to the death for Konoha like that.
So even though he had personally killed those final Sand shinobi, he couldn't help but feel a trace of respect for their resolve.
"They started the war," Kushina replied, her fingers interlacing with his.
"What kind of heroes start a war?"
Her cheeks were still faintly red, but she didn't let go.
Yagami paused, then spoke slowly.
"You can't look at it that simply."
He recalled a line he'd once heard—one that felt strangely fitting.
"We believe we're on the side of justice," he said.
"And they believe the same."
"If either side thought they were wrong… war wouldn't happen."
"In the end, it's all driven by interests."
Kushina frowned deeply at his words.
The two continued walking, hand in hand, finally leaving the blast zone behind.
The stench of blood in the air gradually thinned.
"…Someone's coming."
Yagami suddenly narrowed his eyes.
Through his sensory perception—sharpened almost instinctively—he felt another squad moving rapidly toward them.
Kushina tightened her grip on his hand without realizing it.
After fighting so many enemies, they were both already exhausted.
Yagami focused his perception further.
The figures ahead quickly took shape in his mind.
"It's Kakashi," he said. "And the others."
They were coming from the direction of Kikyō Castle.
Hearing it wasn't the enemy, Kushina finally relaxed.
Earlier—
The rescue squad from Kikyō City had encountered survivors from Rōran along the way.
Thirty shinobi split off and rushed ahead to support Yagami and Kushina.
On the way, Kakashi repeatedly emphasized one thing:
His teacher possessed Kage-level strength.
That only made Yūhi Shinku and the others more uneasy.
If someone with that level of power still hadn't ended the battle…
Then the situation must be serious.
They didn't hesitate.
"Yes—this way!"
Ahead of them, Tekuno panted as he ran beside Yūhi Shinku.
"The traps are still intact! They haven't been destroyed!"
"That means the captain is still fighting up ahead!"
Earlier, Yagami had ordered him to stay behind and protect the 350 civilians of Rōran.
But once Kakashi led the support team out, Tekuno immediately followed without hesitation.
"Hah… good," Yūhi Shinku said between breaths.
"I just hope we're not too late."
They had been pushing their limits ever since leaving Kikyō.
Their stamina was wearing thin—but this wasn't the time to stop.
Fwooo—
A sudden breeze swept toward them.
Along with it came a powerful wave of blood-soaked stench.
"Captain Shinku!"
One of the Konoha shinobi shouted urgently.
The sheer density of the smell made everyone tense.
"Speed up!" Yūhi Shinku barked.
"Move—now!"
He surged forward, sprinting straight toward the source of the bloody wind.
The rest of the squad followed instantly, accelerating to keep up.
Their breathing grew heavier with every step.
For the first time, Yūhi Shinku felt the weight of fatigue drag at his body.
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