A grand funeral was being held in the Hidden Leaf Village.
Before the memorial stone honoring the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, and the other shinobi who had perished in the Nine-Tails' attack, nearly every surviving villager had gathered to mourn the heroes who had given their lives for Konoha.
When the moment of silence ended, the Third Hokage announced on the spot that he would temporarily assume the duties of Hokage until the Fifth was appointed.
Off to the side, Asuma stood apart from the crowd, smoking in frustration. He couldn't accept that the battle had ended in such tragedy.
There should have been a better outcome—so many comrades didn't need to die. Uzumaki Kushina didn't need to die. The Fourth Hokage didn't need to die. His friend Yōsuke didn't need to die.
And in Asuma's eyes, the one responsible for all this tragedy was Danzo—and the father who had allowed Danzo's recklessness to fester: Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Uchiha Itachi was also present, silently honoring the dead, but no matter how he searched, he couldn't find any trace of Yōsuke.
Spotting Asuma smoking nearby—and remembering that he was known to be Yōsuke's friend—Itachi approached him.
"Excuse me… you're Asuma-san, correct?"
Looking at the young boy, Asuma recalled Yōsuke once mentioning that he was teaching a child from the Uchiha clan.
"So you're Yōsuke's disciple."
Itachi nodded. "Asuma-san, have you seen my teacher? I went to his inn, but he wasn't there."
Faced with the question, Asuma felt a deep sorrow twist in his chest. He didn't know what to say.
But Itachi was perceptive. From Asuma's expression alone, he understood. He bowed silently and turned away.
"Itachi…"
Asuma called out instinctively, wanting to comfort him, but in the end only managed to say, "My condolences."
Itachi's expression hardened. "Master Yōsuke won't die. So there is no reason for me to grieve."
Like someone possessed, Itachi searched throughout the entire village for Yōsuke. Even when night came, he found nothing.
When he returned to the Uchiha compound, Fugaku summoned him.
Seeing his son exhausted, Fugaku immediately understood—Itachi had spent the entire day searching for Yōsuke.
"Itachi, your teacher died together with the Fourth."
A whole day of fruitless searching had destabilized Itachi's emotions. His pent-up frustration burst forth, making his tone unusually sharp.
"That's impossible! Master is far too strong! There's no way he could have died!"
"Itachi! You are the Uchiha clan's prodigy. You do not have the luxury of wallowing in despair! Ubuyashiki Yōsuke is dead—many people witnessed it. No one can survive an explosion as powerful as the Tailed Beast Bomb. Not even the Fourth Hokage. Do you understand?!"
"…I understand."
Itachi's body trembled, unable to hide his grief.
Yōsuke's death struck him far too deeply. Dazed, he stepped out of Fugaku's room.
He made his way to the mountain where he had trained with Yōsuke. Seeing the scars left on the trees from their sessions, he could no longer hold back and burst into tears.
Amid his overwhelming grief, his eyes began to itch. A strange chakra surged through them, making him involuntarily shut his eyes.
After a moment, the itching faded. When he opened them again, a pair of scarlet Sharingan with a single tomoe gleamed in his pupils.
"Not bad at all. Looks like your clan's Sharingan has finally awakened."
Yōsuke's voice echoed beside his ear.
Itachi turned in disbelief. Leaning casually against a tree, Yōsuke stood there, looking at him with approval.
"Master!"
Itachi rushed toward him and, due to his height, ended up clinging to Yōsuke's leg.
"I knew it! I knew Master wouldn't die…!"
Yōsuke patted his head gently. "Sorry to have worried you, Itachi."
After exchanging a few words, Yōsuke continued, "From today on, I'll be leaving the Leaf. Don't tell anyone I'm still alive.
"And now for the Sun Breathing forms. You told me your clan's Sharingan can observe, copy, and memorize techniques. So tonight I'll demonstrate every form of Sun Breathing. You must engrave them into your mind."
"Yes, Master!"
Yōsuke performed every form of Sun Breathing, holding nothing back.
With his Sharingan, Itachi memorized them all perfectly.
When everything was finished, Yōsuke said, "Alright. It's time I leave Konoha."
"Master, when will we meet again?"
Yōsuke raised his hand. A crow descended and perched on his arm.
"This crow is under my control. If you ever face something you cannot handle, you can use it to contact me."
"And one more thing…"
Yōsuke looked directly into Itachi's eyes, his tone grave.
"Itachi, beneath the Leaf's bright exterior lies filth and darkness. If the day comes when you touch that darkness—and find yourself sinking into it with no escape—don't hesitate. Contact me immediately. I will return to Konoha at once. Understand?"
A warm current swept through Itachi's heart.
"Yes, Master."
After giving his final instructions, Yōsuke left the Leaf.
He wandered aimlessly until he reached the Country of Grass, which bordered the Land of Fire.
He knew the Priest Master had possessed Orochimaru—but had no information on Orochimaru's current whereabouts.
Trying to find a single person in the vast shinobi world with one's own power alone was nearly impossible.
"Looks like it's time to bring them here. It's only been a short while, but… I really miss them."
Nostalgia softened Yōsuke's expression.
"System, construct a Void Passage."
Before him, a crack like a shattered mirror appeared, widening into a spatial rift.
[Void Passage construction complete. Warning: The passage is unstable. It can currently only transport three individuals. After this, at least seven years must pass before another can be created.]
"I understand."
Yōsuke stepped into the Void Passage and returned to his own world.
Breathing in the familiar air, he felt a deep sense of relief wash over him.
Far away, at another location—
Hakuji, Gyūtarō, Koyuki, and Ume all felt his return.
They exchanged a glance, no words needed.
They dropped everything they were doing and headed toward Yōsuke's direction.
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