Early the next morning, I got up early, casually shook awake the sleeping Shukaku beside me, and took him out for a walk. The village was still mostly quiet, with only a few early risers doing their business.
Shukaku grumbled sleepily, batting at my hand with his tiny paw when I tried to rouse him.
"It's barely dawn... what kind of madman gets up voluntarily at this hour when there's no mission?" he complained, eyes still half-closed.
"Come on, you slept through half of yesterday too," I replied, unmoved by his protests.
Shukaku yawned widely, showing his small fangs. "I was recovering from our ordeal in that humid nightmare they call Kiri. Do you know what constant moisture does to me?"
We strolled through the village, past shops just raising their shutters and street vendors setting up their carts. Birds chirped from the massive trees that gave Konoha its name, and somewhere in the distance, Academy students could be heard beginning their morning training exercises.
We went to the family-owned flower shop and bought two bouquets of white lilies. The Yamanaka Flowers was already open, with Inoichi's wife arranging fresh blossoms in the window display.
"Ryouma! We heard you were back. The usual arrangement?" she asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, two bouquets of white lilies, please. As fresh as you have them," I nodded.
White lilies, symbols of restored innocence after death, of souls returning to peaceful unblemished state. It seemed fitting for those who had fallen in a world where innocence was often the first casualty.
Then, we headed toward the Konoha Cemetery.
The morning breeze blew gently, and Shukaku became more alert. His nose twitched, whiskers vibrating as he caught scents only an animal could detect, likely the lingering traces of those who had visited before us.
"Are we heading to see your father?" He had a pretty good memory, I had brought him here once before.
"Yeah," I replied briefly. Some conversations didn't need elaboration.
One human and one tanuki entered the cemetery.
We passed by two rows of gravestones, and I stopped in front of my father's grave, placing the fresh white lilies there. I lowered my head in silence. Shukaku followed my lead, bowing his head and staying quiet.
After a moment of silence, I sat down on the ground and began my usual habit of recounting recent events. Shukaku settled beside me, his small form leaning slightly against my leg.
"Father, are you doing well in the Pure Land? Some time ago, I volunteered to go to the Kiri battlefield. Don't rush to scold me, I only went after I was sure I had enough strength."
"I killed a lot of Kiri ninjas. The Third Mizukage even issued an order saying any mission could be abandoned if they encountered me, but in reality, those who ran into me on the battlefield rarely escaped, haha. I even blew up their village. But I did at least give them time to evacuate the civilians."
That's something you taught me, that even in war, there are lines that shouldn't be crossed. That civilians aren't combatants, that children shouldn't pay for the ambitions of their leaders.
"Most importantly, I killed the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. If you meet them in the Pure Land, you can proudly tell them that the one who took their lives was..."
I paused here. Shukaku looked at me in confusion. My eyes trembled slightly as I pressed my lips together and continued speaking.
"...your son, Ryouma."
After saying that, I took a deep breath and showed a faint, relieved smile.
I stood up, took out a scroll I had always kept close to me, and spread it out on the ground. Forming hand seals, I released the seal.
Seven uniquely shaped swords appeared and were laid out one by one on the long scroll.
I picked up Samehada, which had been sealed by Shukaku, and reinforced the seal with another set of hand signs. The sword seemed to shudder slightly, even with multiple seals restraining it, something of its sentience remained.
I then planted it into the ground before the grave.
After that, I placed the remaining six ninja swords into the ground in the same way. The weapons formed a semicircle behind the grave.
"Sorry, this offering came too late. I hope you won't mind."
Originally, when I reported to Hiruzen yesterday, I had been prepared to accept some conditions in order to forcibly retain ownership of the Seven Ninja Swords.
Important strategic items seized during wartime were typically handed over to the village, which then decided how to use them.
For example, Ao had surrendered the Byakugan he seized to the Kiri leadership, who later rewarded him by transplanting it. However, Hiruzen hadn't even mentioned what would become of the Seven Ninja Swords.
It wasn't because he didn't want them, they were powerful assets that could strengthen Konoha's foundation. But he knew about my father and understood the personal grudge I held against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
So he could more or less guess my intentions.
Whether it was out of a desire to win me over or simply because he cared about me, in the end, he decisively let me handle the swords as I saw fit.
I quickly formed hand signs. Black, tadpole-like sealing symbols crawled across the area around my father's gravestone, enveloping the seven swords.
"Four Symbols Seal," I whispered.
Then I used the Shadow Seal Manipulation Jutsu to hide the seal. Patting my hands, I nodded. This way, I didn't have to worry about any sticky-fingered thieves trying to take them.
Having paid my respects to my father, I placed the other bouquet of white lilies at my mother's grave…
Her marker stood adjacent to my father's... mother and father together in death as they had been in life, sharing the same patch of earth beneath the same maple tree. I didn't speak aloud to her as I had to my father, but I took a moment to think of her silently before rising to my feet.
Watch over him, Mother. I'll visit again soon.
On the way back to the Senju compound, having fulfilled a long-held wish, I felt light and at ease. It was as if a physical weight had been lifted. I'd forgotten what it felt like to walk without it.
I took a deep breath of the fresh morning air.
I had avenged my father. Now, all that was left was to end the war with Kumo and Iwa. Then, I could finally enjoy a peaceful life with a few close friends.
Fighting for peace, killing for tranquility, destroying to build... The paradox at the heart of the shinobi existence.
"Two more nations, then maybe we can think about retirement," I said to Shukaku as we walked.
"You? Retire? I'll believe it when I see it," Shukaku replied skeptically.
"Maybe I should open a shop? Use the Flying Thunder God to run a delivery service? But doing that... wouldn't it be kind of disrespectful to the Second Hokage?"
Shukaku snorted. "I can see it now: 'Aotsuki Express: There Before You Finish Your Order.'"
"It would be convenient. No one likes cold ramen," I considered, half-seriously.
Forgive me for not having much of a business mind. It seemed I'd be better off staying a ninja and doing missions steadily.
With my abilities, a few high-level missions would earn enough to cover everything Rin and I would need for our own future married life.
Would she chose Obito or Kakashi? I just hope if she chooses Kakashi, Obito won't get all heartbroken and decide to launch some ridiculous "Eye of the Moon Plan" to create a world without Rin...
I laughed at this and hummed a tune as we continued our walk.
"What are you so happy about? I've never heard you hum before," Shukaku asked, glancing up at me with curiosity.
"Haven't I? Hmm. Guess I haven't had much reason to lately," I replied, surprised at myself.
I strolled back leisurely to Tsunade's house.
But currently, I was the only one at home. Tsunade had taken Shizune and Rin to Konoha Hospital.
"Guess they started rounds early today," I said, opening windows to let in the fresh air.
"Perfect. The couch is all mine for once," Shukaku stretched as he headed for his favorite spot.
I did think about dropping by, but since Rin was working, it wouldn't be proper to be trailing her around all day.
I glanced up at the clear, blue sky of the Land of Fire. The sun warmed my face, birds called from nearby trees, and somewhere in the distance, Academy students laughed during their break.
"Days make it all worthwhile, don't they?" I said, breathing deeply.
"Mmm, warm..." Shukaku murmured.
With some free time on my hands, I decided to go visit the Hyūga clan and check on Heiji's situation. Otherwise, in a few days, once Hiruzen's arrangements were made, I'd be busy with my assignment to the Land of Hot Water.
"Coming along, or staying here to nap?" I asked Shukaku.
"What do you think? I have important business," he replied without moving.
By now, more people had filled the streets.
"Ryouma-san, welcome back!" called a vegetable seller whose son's live I'd saved in the battlefield.
"Is it true you defeated the Seven Swordsmen?" whispered a wide-eyed genin as I passed.
"My brother says you're going to be the next Hokage!" shouted a small child before her mother hushed her, apologizing for the outburst.
"Just gossip and exaggeration. You know how stories grow with each telling," I replied, waving politely.
I casually responded to a few villagers who recognized me, then arrived at the Hyūga compound.
A long circle of white walls enclosed the Hyūga clan's destiny, both the main house and the branch house.
The branch house had their lives controlled by the tangible "Caged Bird Seal," while the main house had their freedom limited by the intangible rules of the clan.
Many main house members never stepped outside of Konoha in their entire lives. Their only role was to marry whoever their elders chose, bear children, and ensure the pure bloodline of the Byakugan was preserved.
The Hyūga gatekeepers were very sharp-eyed. From a distance, they already recognized me, and as I approached, the two of them stepped forward to greet me.
"Our clan head gave strict orders, if you come, we must make sure you meet with him."
I had only intended to check in on Heiji and his younger sister, but clearly, I had underestimated what that Byakugan meant to the Hyūga clan.
A Hyūga branch house ninja led me to what was likely a reception room.
In the square courtyard, cherry trees were planted, along with some carefully pruned clusters of wisteria. The Hyūga's attention to detail extended even to their landscaping, each tree and shrub positioned to create perfect aesthetic balance, reflecting their philosophy that order and hierarchy were the foundation of strength or something like that.
Not long after, Hiashi arrived at the reception room with a few attendants. Heiji and a little girl followed behind him.
"My younger brother was under your care on the front lines," he greeted me with formal courtesy.
Having worked with Hizashi for quite some time on the Kiri battlefield, I was already used to the identical way the two brothers spoke.
I responded politely, "It was nothing, really."
Okay, maybe not that politely. But compared to Hiashi, I had someone else I was far more interested in. I stepped forward a few paces and stood in front of a little girl about four or five years old, examining her smooth forehead.
"Heiji, is this your sister Yui? She's so tiny. Can I hold her?"
As I spoke, I turned my hopeful gaze to Heiji.
Naturally, Heiji wouldn't refuse. "Of course, you can—"
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