Chapter 100: Memorial Stone
In the Anbu Base, in the Fox Squad’s changing area, only Yoru remained.
The empty surroundings made him really wish for Purple Cat.
Yoru created a shadow clone and opened his Sharingan under the mask.
He posed as if for a photoshoot, constantly changing positions.
The shadow clone occasionally changed hand signs to remind Yoru when the Sharingan could be seen and when it would be blocked by the mask.
After testing, when enemies appeared outside the 30-degree angle range of his line of sight, they couldn’t see Yoru’s Sharingan.
Using the Sharingan required extreme caution; unless in a desperate moment, once exposed, it would be a big trouble.
Uzumaki Clan, Senju Clan, and now even the Uchiha Clan had spies planted in Anbu—these three spies were the same person.
His current Sharingan was single tomoe Sharingan, mainly enhancing insight, which was an enhancement in taijutsu.
He wondered if it would develop other abilities like replication or genjutsu after evolving to two tomoe and three tomoe.
A few days later in the morning, Yoru lazed in bed on Qiao Yi’s bed for a while.
Ever since Yoru returned, the izakaya closed early and opened late; Qiao Yi was somewhat indulging in playthings and neglecting duties.
Yoru advised Qiao Yi that even if she wasn’t a ninja anymore, she should still train, otherwise they couldn’t match each other in bed—every time Qiao Yi had to go two-for-one, no woman could endure that.
Speaking of matching each other, Yoru thought of Yuka Uzumaki, who performed the best in this aspect.
After kissing Qiao Yi goodbye, Yoru went out the door.
He bought a few bunches of white flowers and headed to the Memorial Monument.
Behind the Memorial Monument, many new graves had been added.
Yoru stood among the graves, looked left and right—this small place probably wouldn’t hold after this war.
The woods in the distance would likely be cut down.
According to the squad roster, Yoru found the graves of Aries, Yagura, and others, and placed down the white flowers.
Aries, sorry—he had informed the Kiiroinu Captain about him, but he was dead now, so it was written off.
Yagura…
How many Yagura had died? He couldn’t remember clearly, probably the fourth one.
The casualty rate for this mask was too high.
Anbu Ninjas died silently.
They were already marginal people in the village—either marginal figures in ninja clans or marginal loners among civilians with few friends.
If Yoru died, probably only Purple Cat would come to offer flowers.
That would depend on Purple Cat living long enough; after her promotion to squad leader, she could review the previous squad’s data to learn his real name.
After turning around, Yoru saw two women in black clothes ahead in the graveyard.
Senju Hanaki and Princess Tsunade.
Princess Tsunade wore the First Hokage’s Necklace around her neck.
In front of the two was Kato Dan’s tombstone.
The tombstone had a photo of Kato Dan and his name.
When Yoru passed by the two, he couldn’t help but glance extra at Princess Tsunade.
The virtuous woman sobbed; even seeing it stirred pity.
Princess Tsunade’s first half of life was one rise followed by endless falls.
Born with a silver spoon, the granddaughter doted on by the First Hokage.
The family junior given high hopes by the Second Hokage; for her sake, the Second Hokage assigned Hiruzen Sarutobi as Princess Tsunade’s teacher.
With the Second Hokage’s sacrifice, Princess Tsunade’s fate took a sharp downturn.
The Senju Clan carried out the wills of the two Hokages, charging ahead and retreating last in both Ninja Wars, suffering countless casualties, with the clan growing ever weaker.
Her brother Nawaki was blown up and killed, nearly breaking Princess Tsunade.
Such a fierce woman cried for days beside Nawaki’s corpse.
On the night of the Nine-Tails transfer sealing, Princess Tsunade was fighting on the front line and couldn’t return.
The team of Princess Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya was an important arrangement by Hiruzen Sarutobi on the front line.
That night, Princess Tsunade’s grandmother Mito Uzumaki, father Senju Rinki, and mother all died by the Nine-Tails’ hand.
Next was Kato Dan’s death.
Princess Tsunade buried her face in her hands, crying until her shoulders trembled.
Senju Hanaki glanced at the young man passing by nearby, hoping he would leave quickly.
But he was also there to pay respects to relatives and friends, so she couldn’t urge him.
Yoru glanced at Kato Dan’s tombstone and left the Memorial Monument graveyard.
Once Princess Tsunade had cried herself out and her emotions stabilized, Senju Hanaki said:
“Princess Tsunade, I’ve been keeping something from you. In my original plan, you were the bridge of communication between the clan and the village high-ranking officials.
Even in the most extreme situations, as long as you were there, the village high-ranking officials wouldn’t completely break ties with the clan.
Many of the clan’s dark secrets, I only told Dan.
Now that Dan is gone too, the Senju Clan is at its most critical moment; many things can’t be hidden from you anymore.”
Green medical chakra appeared in Princess Tsunade’s hands, healing her swollen eyes and bloodshot veins, restoring her resolute appearance. She said, “Aunt, tell me. I have some guesses too.”
Senju Hanaki connected the Uzumaki Clan Annihilation with the Nine-Tails transfer sealing, speculating that a faction among the high-ranking officials was systematically targeting the Senju Clan ruthlessly.
Princess Tsunade listened silently, then turned with Senju Hanaki to look at the Hokage Rock.
The statues of the First Hokage and Second Hokage gazed down at the village.
“Damn it, they can strike at companions in the village, but we Senju Clan can’t get over that psychological hurdle.” Princess Tsunade thought for a moment, then said:
“Aunt, gradually recall the clan ninjas from the front line battles and train them in medical ninjutsu.
Until the truth is uncovered, we can’t take risks anymore.
Konoha has changed flavor; such a Konoha isn’t worth our blood.
But we can’t abandon our love for the village; the village is the Senju Clan’s heartblood.
Train clansmen to leverage their physique advantage, switch to medical ninjas, and continue contributing to the village.
I’ll find a way to uncover the truth. Aunt, rest assured, I won’t take risks; I know how severe the situation is.
I won’t die; I’ll carry their wills and persist.”
If it followed the original story development, Princess Tsunade would already have hemophobia at this point and be completely despairing of Konoha.
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi’s death, Princess Tsunade never set foot in Konoha again.
At this time, the Senju Clan still had hope; no matter how much pain Princess Tsunade felt, she would pull herself together and continue fighting for the clan.
—
The full moon was like a silver plate, the moonlight like white frost.
Yoru finally waited for the full moon and relaxed completely.
It was truly terrifying; this full moon cycle had Uchiha Madara, Kato Dan, and Danzo—it wasn’t easy.
In the Anbu Base, Kiiroinu came looking for Yoru.
“Fox, there’s a new mission here.
We’ll follow Lord Danzo into the Hidden Rain Village.
Lord Danzo was supposed to negotiate importantly with Hanzo last month, but the mission was delayed a month by Uchiha Madara’s appearance.
From the current intelligence, Hanzo and the Hidden Rain Village’s will to fight isn’t resolute.
Orochimaru and others leading teams in the Land of Rain, the Rain Ninjas haven’t organized a large-scale decisive battle.
Lord Danzo has studied Hanzo; Hanzo can be persuaded to retreat with benefits.
Hanzo declared war on Konoha because Oonoki promised him many benefits.
Konoha is prepared to cede a portion of the Land of Rivers’ mission quota.
In a few days, we’ll go to the Land of Rain, try to contact Hanzo, and probe his stance.”
Yoru nodded, thinking to himself that he’d have to go to the front line again.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was becoming more and more like a politician, increasingly favoring compromise to achieve goals.
In the Ninja World, weakness was the original sin.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other high-ranking officials’ strength didn’t match the First Hokage and Second Hokage; they kept compromising, kept trading Konoha’s interests for situational stability, maintaining Konoha’s false glory.
Several days later, Yoru followed Danzo into the Land of Grass camp and finally saw his squad again.
