After taking one last look at the devastated Kirigakure, Senmei Asahi placed two fingers together in a practiced motion. In a flash of light, he disappeared with the sound of a sharp whoosh, reappearing beside Sarutobi Asuma.
"Asahi!"
"Asuma! I'm back."
Asuma's eyes widened. "Did you succeed?"
Asahi gave a short nod. "It's done. I released the Three-Tails inside Kirigakure. The village is in ruins, and their forces have taken massive casualties. This war... it's over. Konoha has won."
Asuma's face lit up with relief. "That's... incredible!"
"How are things on your end?" Asahi asked, scanning the nearby terrain, his senses on alert.
Yuhi Kurenai stepped forward, her expression concerned. "Might Guy is seriously injured. He's inside the cave; Rin is tending to his wounds. Kakashi had left earlier—he went out to search for Rin when she was taken. He doesn't know she's back yet."
Asahi exhaled. "Understood. I'll take Rin back to Konoha immediately and report to Hokage-sama. You two stay here and wait for Kakashi to return. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning at 8 sharp."
Without waiting for acknowledgment, Asahi turned toward the cave and called out, "Rin, come out for a moment!"
A few seconds later, Nohara Rin emerged, brushing dust from her sleeves. "Asahi? You're back? Did the plan work?"
"It did." Asahi's tone was steady but intense. "Now we return to Konoha and report everything to Hokage-sama."
"Shouldn't we wait for Kakashi?" she asked hesitantly.
"Asuma and Kurenai will explain everything to him. For now, you must come with me." He reached out, gently taking her hand.
Before she could respond, Asahi activated the Flying Thunder God Technique. A pulse of chakra resonated through the air, and in an instant, the two vanished from sight in a swirl of distorted space.
*Fwoosh!*
The next moment, they were standing inside Asahi's home in Konoha. The sudden shift caused Rin to stumble.
"Ah… This is…" She looked around, startled. "Every time I witness this technique, I'm still amazed. We traveled from the Land of Water to Konoha in an instant…"
"Follow me." Asahi said, already walking toward the Hokage's Tower.
…
Hokage's Office — Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen
"What? Senmei Asahi wants to see me?" The Third Hokage's eyes widened as he paused mid-puff on his pipe. "Let him in immediately."
He stood up from his desk, brushing ash from his robes. 'If Asahi's back… then something significant must've happened in the Land of Water. I hope Asuma is alright…'
Moments later, Asahi entered with Rin at his side. He bowed low.
"Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen stepped around his desk. "Asahi, Rin—why have you returned so suddenly? What happened?"
Despite his inner concern, the Third Hokage's voice was warm. It was the voice of a leader who genuinely cared for his shinobi.
Asahi didn't hesitate. "Hokage-sama… I released the Three-Tails inside Kirigakure."
The pipe nearly fell from Hiruzen's mouth. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What…?!"
"Please allow me to explain everything." Asahi said.
Hiruzen composed himself and nodded. "Go on."
"While in the Land of Water, I overheard a conversation between Kiri-nin. They said the current Three-Tails Jinchūriki was dying, and the village was preparing to transfer the beast into a new host. I dug deeper. Soon after, Rin was kidnapped, and I discovered the truth—Kirigakure intended to seal the Three-Tails into her and release it inside Konoha to destroy us from within."
Hiruzen's expression darkened. "A cowardly tactic…"
"I managed to rescue Rin and the current Jinchūriki. During the escape, I realized I had the opportunity to reverse their plan. So I took the Jinchūriki directly into Kirigakure and released the Three-Tails there."
Rin stepped forward. "It's true, Hokage-sama. I was knocked unconscious during an ambush. When I woke up, I was already in the Kiri's custody. Asahi saved me."
Hiruzen nodded grimly. "Rin, please step outside for a moment."
"Yes, Hokage-sama." She bowed politely and left.
As soon as the door closed, Hiruzen turned back to Asahi. "You do understand what this means. If the world believes Konoha was behind this..."
"I know." Asahi's voice didn't waver. "That's why I made sure Konoha remains untied to this. I acted alone, Hokage-sama. I made sure any words spoken would frame me—not the village. Kirigakure will blame us regardless, but the world doesn't have to."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples. "You've created a storm, Asahi. But it was necessary."
"Exactly. With Kirigakure's forces shattered, they cannot continue fighting. The war is effectively over, and Konoha has emerged victorious."
"But the political cost..."
Asahi stepped forward, resolute. "Let them condemn me. I will take the blame. Let them call me a butcher or warmonger—it doesn't matter. Konoha will survive this storm unscathed."
Hiruzen looked at him for a long moment. "You've already thought this through."
"Yes." Asahi nodded. 'If our strength were in decline—like after the Nine-Tails Riot—I would never have risked this. But right now, Konoha is strong. And more importantly, Konoha must remain righteous. I can be the villain if that's what it takes.'
"And what do you propose next?"
"We should issue a public condemnation immediately. Accuse Kirigakure of planning to weaponize the Three-Tails against our village. Turn the propaganda machine before they can."
Hiruzen took a long, measured breath, then nodded slowly. "I'll summon the advisors—Danzo, Homura, and Koharu. This will require careful planning."
"I understand."
"But, Asahi… you'll face consequences. Whether from our village or the world."
"I know. And I've already accepted that. I have two paths from here—either I'm protected and hidden until the storm passes, or I'll be offered up as a scapegoat."
"And if we choose the latter?" Hiruzen asked softly.
"Then I'll leave." Asahi replied without hesitation. "I did not do this to become a martyr. I did it so Konoha could win."
The Third Hokage studied him carefully, then nodded. "You've grown, Asahi. What you did was reckless… but it may have saved hundreds, perhaps thousands."
"I'm counting on you, Hokage-sama. To protect Konoha, and... to protect the truth."
"You have my word. I'll take care of it."
Asahi bowed. "Then, with your permission, I'll take my leave."
"You have it."
As Asahi turned to leave, Hiruzen moved toward his desk. "Now… to summon Danzo and the others. We must act before Kirigakure begins spreading their version of the truth."
*****
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