Shinku Yuhi nodded.
"Shishio is in the Anbu, responsible for perimeter security this time."
"The eldest brother is on the front lines, he can't make it."
"The fifth brother is training in the rear, the sixth and seventh are on another battle line, and the eighth is still in school."
He counted them off one by one, as if confirming that each was still alive.
Nobunaga listened to those names and suddenly felt something heavy clogging his chest.
He took a deep breath and pushed that feeling down.
"Let's go."
Shinku Yuhi nodded. "Let's go."
They followed the team out of Konoha's main gate.
The sunlight was fierce. The mountain shadows in the distance were indistinct.
The war wasn't over yet.
But they were still alive. That was enough.
The team moved through a valley on the border of Kumogakure.
The sky had already darkened. The cliffs on either side were like two massive walls, squeezing the sky into a narrow slit.
Senju Tobirama walked at the very front of the group. His back was straight, his stride steady, as if this negotiation were just an ordinary mission.
But Nobunaga knew it wasn't.
News of the rebellion by Gold and Silver Brothers had spread throughout the entire Ninja World. That pair of brothers had taken Kumogakure's elite forces and broken away from the Village, roaming this very area.
No one knew where they would appear, and no one knew what they truly wanted.
Nobunaga walked in the middle of the group. Shinku Yuhi was on his right, and Mitarashi Shishio was scouting ahead.
None of the three spoke.
The valley was quiet. Abnormally quiet.
No birdsong, no insect chirps, only the sound of footsteps echoing hollowly against the stone walls.
Nobunaga's hand rested on his sword hilt.
His sensory perception was stretched to its limit, his Chakra spreading outwards like tentacles.
Then he sensed it.
Three miles ahead, atop the cliffs on both sides. There was Chakra.
A lot of Chakra.
Not a regular patrol. An ambush.
His pupils contracted sharply.
"Enemy attack—!"
Before the words finished, Kunai rained down from above.
A dense shower of Kunai fell like rain, each one wrapped with an Explosive Tag, tracing countless arcs of death through the air.
Tobirama instantly formed hand seals. Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
A massive wall of water surged from the ground, blocking most of the Kunai.
Explosive Tags detonated against the water wall. The roar was deafening, water spraying everywhere.
"Counterattack!" Tobirama's voice cut through the thunderous explosions.
Konoha's Ninja immediately scattered, forming a defensive formation.
But there were too many enemies.
From behind the rocks on both cliff faces, countless figures surged forth. Kumogakure forehead protectors glinted in the firelight.
They had come prepared.
Nobunaga drew his sword, cutting down an enemy charging straight at him.
A second slash, a third, a fourth.
He guarded the team's flank. His blade gleamed like snow, each strike claiming a life.
But he knew this couldn't continue.
There were too many enemies, and they didn't seem like an ordinary ambush force.
Their coordination was too seamless, their assault too organized. This wasn't a spontaneous attack; it was a carefully laid trap.
Nobunaga turned his head to look at Tobirama.
Tobirama was locked in combat with three Jonin. His Water Release was still fierce, but his movements weren't as fast as usual.
He wasn't young anymore.
The First Great Ninja War had dragged on for so long. His Chakra reserves were heavily depleted, his stamina far from what it once was.
Just then, Nobunaga sensed another surge of Chakra.
Not from the cliffs above. From behind.
He whipped his head around.
A Kunai shot out from the darkness, aimed straight for Tobirama's back.
Nobunaga didn't think.
He lunged forward, slicing the Kunai in half, placing himself between it and Tobirama.
But he didn't notice. That Kunai was just bait.
The real killing blow came from below.
The ground erupted. A figure burst from the shattered rock.
Golden hair, golden armor, holding the legendary Amber Purifying Pot.
Gold.
Nobunaga's pupils contracted sharply.
He had no time to dodge.
Gold's fist slammed into his chest. He was sent flying, crashing against the cliff wall, rubble cascading down around him.
Excruciating pain in his chest, several ribs broken, the taste of blood flooding his mouth.
But he didn't fall.
He braced against the ground and stood up.
Gold glanced at him, then turned to Tobirama.
"Senju Tobirama. Long time no see."
Tobirama looked at him, his gaze heavy.
"Gold."
"Silver has gone to block your retreat," Gold said with a laugh. "Today, none of you are leaving."
Nobunaga's heart sank.
He looked at Shinku Yuhi.
Shinku Yuhi was also looking at him.
There was no fear in those eyes, only a deep, heavy calm.
It was a look Nobunaga had seen too many times.
Seen in Mei Terumī's eyes during the first simulation.
Seen in Temari and the other two's eyes during the second simulation.
Shinku Yuhi spoke: "Fourth brother, you go."
Nobunaga's pupils contracted sharply.
"Third brother—"
"Listen to me," Shinku Yuhi's voice was calm. "There are too many of them. Someone needs to hold them off. I'll stay."
"No—"
"Fourth brother." Shinku Yuhi looked at him.
In those eyes, a light flickered.
"You promised me. To return alive."
Nobunaga's throat felt clogged.
"I believe world peace will be realized in your hands."
Shinku Yuhi smiled. The smile was faint, but genuine. "Survive. See that dawn for me."
He turned and charged at Gold.
His short sword left its sheath. Red Chakra blazed around him, as piercing as the setting sun.
It was his final Ninjutsu — Crimson Sunset.
Nobunaga stood rooted, watching that back.
The back that had always waited for him on the Training Ground, saved him a seat in the mess hall, listened to his wild tales late into the night.
His eyes burned, but he didn't let the tears fall.
"Go!" Tobirama's voice snapped him back.
Nobunaga turned and followed the team, running out of the valley.
Behind him, the sounds of battle grew distant.
Explosions, battle cries, the clash of blades.
And Shinku Yuhi's voice.
He couldn't make out the words, but the voice kept ringing out.
Kept ringing.
Then, a tremendous explosion.
All sound ceased.
Nobunaga's steps faltered for an instant.
He didn't look back.
He just kept running.
Out of the valley, into the night, into a world without Shinku Yuhi.
The hospital in Konoha smelled of disinfectant.
Nobunaga stood in the corridor, leaning against the wall, clutching something in his hand — Shinku Yuhi's short sword.
The scabbard was engraved with the character for 'red'. The carving was soaked through with blood, now a dark crimson.
He stared at that character, unmoving for a long time.
The door opened.
Tsunade walked out. Her eyes were red, tear stains still on her face.
She looked at Nobunaga. Her lips moved as if to speak, but no words came.
Nobunaga lifted his head. "How is the Second Hokage?"
Tsunade's voice was hoarse. "The injuries are severe."
Nobunaga nodded.
Tsunade looked at the short sword in his hand, and tears flowed again.
"Shinku Yuhi, he—"
Nobunaga said nothing.
He just gripped the sword tighter.
Tsunade walked over and stood before him.
"You're crying."