Fugaku's body trembled violently, the tomoe in his Sharingan spinning wildly.
Shame, fear, resentment... all these emotions churned across his twisted face, then froze into a bone-deep chill.
He lowered his head deeply, not daring to look at Ryo again. He didn't even dare look at Mikoto. A low whimper escaped his throat like a wounded beast. He staggered backward and squeezed into the stunned crowd, vanishing in disgrace.
The entire episode went unnoticed by most.
Aside from Tsunade, who sensed the brief surge of power and let out a cold snort, and Kushina, who blinked in confusion, only Nawaki, Mikoto, Kaori, the dark-faced Hiruzen in the distance, and the always-attentive Nara Shikashin, along with a few Jōnin with sharp sensory skills, grasped what had really happened.
To the average onlooker, it merely looked like the Uchiha heir had been overwhelmed by Ryo's aura, turned pale, covered his eyes, and ran away in panic.
Kushina had only seen Fugaku's retreating back.
She immediately rushed to Mikoto's side, heart aching at the sight of her friend's pale face. She then turned and glared at the direction Fugaku had vanished. "Mikoto, did that guy bother you again? Ignore him! Are you okay?" She held Mikoto's hand, looking her over anxiously, then lowered her voice. "Are your injuries healing okay? Was the trip back too hard?"
Mikoto shook her head, gently squeezed Kushina's warm hand, and leaned against her. Only then did she feel a rare sense of comfort and safety.
That cold pressure earlier... it had felt like shelter. She exhaled softly, almost without realizing it. Her eyes were drawn once more to Ryo's back.
Hiruzen's gaze paused at that same spot for a few seconds, growing even darker.
The result of trying to suppress the "Asura of Konoha" had only made his presence more dominant. Without lifting a finger, without a word, just a glance, just his aura, he had broken the Uchiha heir.
Wasn't this another kind of loss of control?
"Silence! The welcoming ceremony continues!" Hiruzen pushed down the storm of emotion in his heart. His voice boomed once more through the square, drowning out the momentary awkwardness. He quickly plastered a warm smile back on his face and walked toward Tsunade. "Tsunade, you've all worked hard. Thanks to you and your teammates, the situation in the Land of Rain has finally stabilized. You've earned Konoha's eternal gratitude."
He deliberately emphasized "you and your teammates," his gaze brushing past Tsunade as if trying to fold Ryo, standing several steps behind her, into the collective glory.
Tsunade forced a smile, lips twitching slightly.
That smile was nothing but perfunctory and filled with annoyance.
She knew that old man too well. Hiruzen's tricks, and the schemes of Homura and Koharu, were all just attempts to bury Ryo's brilliance under the name "Konoha's Legendary Sannin."
These political games exhausted her. A war they had almost lost was now being polished up as a triumphant homecoming.
A show for the masses.
As for Ryo, he only tilted his head slightly. He didn't even bother to nod in acknowledgment of the Hokage's praise.
If not for the sake of Mikoto, Nawaki, and Tsunade still being part of this system, he wouldn't have bothered attending this ceremony at all.
Hiruzen's smile froze briefly before snapping back into place.
He turned toward Nawaki's direction, softening his expression with a show of heartfelt concern. "Quick! Get the injured to the hospital immediately! Director Yahara has already prepared the best room!" At his order, the prepared medical-nin moved swiftly, carefully escorting Nawaki's carriage toward Konoha Hospital.
Kaori followed closely behind, chasing after the carriage without hesitation. Her thoughts were still trapped in the memory of Nawaki's pained expression. She couldn't stand to see him hurt again.
Outside Konoha Hospital
Not long after Nawaki was brought into a room...
"Kaori! Kaori! I'm fine, really!" Nawaki lay in bed, face pale but still in decent spirits. He smiled weakly at Kaori, who was sitting beside him, visibly anxious.
"Lie down! Tsunade-nee said you need rest!" Kaori snapped, like a small protective beast. Her voice was sharp but full of worry. Her fingers twisted her sleeve unconsciously. Nawaki's pallor reminded her of how helpless she'd felt when he rescued her in Kusagakure. He had made her feel safe. Now it was her turn to protect him.
Mikoto sat in a chair near the window, watching Kaori fuss. Her lips curved in a faint smile, though weariness lingered in her eyes. Her injuries only required regular dressing, so she had declined to be hospitalized.
Kushina, holding Mikoto's hand, stepped out of the hospital and took a deep breath. "Ah! Even Konoha's air smells better than the Land of Rain's!" She grinned, then suddenly lowered her voice and leaned close to Mikoto's ear. "Hey... did Ryo scare that Fugaku guy earlier? Good for him!"
Mikoto quietly replied with a soft "Mm," not saying more. A few steps later, her pace slowed.
"What's wrong?" Kushina asked.
Mikoto tilted her head slightly. Her eyes seemed to pierce through the noise of the square ahead. "It's not over yet."
Kushina frowned. "Ugh, that old Third is so annoying. Want me to go get Ryo? He'll definitely—"
Mikoto shook her head and held her back. "Wait. It'll be over soon," she said calmly.
Back in the square, the welcoming ceremony was finally nearing its end. The crowd began to disperse. Hiruzen quietly let out a breath, already thinking of how to wrap up this awkward event cleanly.
"Ryo-dono!"
The pale-skinned envoy, now returned with his attendant, cut through the thinning crowd and stepped directly in front of Ryo. His face wore the same flawless, respectful smile, his voice low but clear in the growing silence. "I now represent the Daimyō to bestow upon you—"
The attendant behind him held up an ornate wooden box, lined with flame-patterned silk. Inside, the crimson half-sleeve Hokage robe gleamed brightly in the sunlight.
The crowd that hadn't yet left gasped in unison.
"That's... the Hokage robe?!"
"No way! It really is! Just like Hatake-sama's!"
"It's from the Daimyō?! Another Hokage half-sleeve?!"
Homura and Koharu's faces turned grim at once.
Hiruzen's smile shattered. His pupils contracted. A surge of anger, humiliation, and crushing defeat surged to his head.
Just moments ago, they had used this very ceremony to promote the "Legendary Three," pushing the narrative of collective credit to try and drown out Ryo's individual fame.
And now, in front of all these people, the Daimyō's envoy was offering an even more direct and prestigious symbol to the one they feared most.
Everything they had orchestrated became a complete joke.
The public push. The calculated omission. It all collapsed into farce.
The blow to their pride and the challenge to their authority were undeniable.
Even Tsunade frowned. She was growing tired of these political games. She glanced at Ryo with some concern.
Ryo finally looked at the blazing red robe. That eye-catching color, the ornate design, the formulaic smile of the envoy hiding hidden motives… all of it ruined his mood after reuniting with Kushina.
Annoyance welled up inside him.
Just as the envoy prepared to continue the formal reading of the decree and extend the box forward.
Ryo spoke.
His voice wasn't loud. Still, it was clear.
"Take it away."
The envoy's perfect smile cracked instantly. His hands froze mid-motion. His eyes were filled with disbelief and shock, as if he never expected this answer.
Hiruzen reacted instantly.
The moment Ryo's words landed, Hiruzen's frozen expression melted. He switched to a natural, genial smile, like an elder brushing off a younger's faux pas with tolerant amusement.
He stepped forward smoothly, positioning himself between Ryo and the envoy. His voice boomed with just the right amount of affable apology, as if speaking on behalf of a misunderstood junior.
"Haha, apologies to the envoy. This child, Ryo, has just returned from the most brutal battlefield. He's still mentally and physically exhausted and forgot himself in the moment. He's young and didn't mean offense. Konoha is truly grateful for the Daimyō's generosity!"
He made a quick gesture, half bow, half ushering, to move the envoy aside.
"Please, let's step aside and discuss the details of the commendation in private."
His voice was quick. His movements smooth. In an instant, he'd redefined Ryo's cold words as nothing more than fatigue and youthful ignorance.
(To be continued.)