Night descended.
Konoha once again returned to its usual calm.
The spring night breeze drifting through the streets felt especially pleasant.
Hakken and Anko walked side by side in silence. Only their tightly intertwined fingers spoke for them, quietly expressing what neither needed to say.
There was no need for words of comfort or concern. They could have spoken—but it wasn't necessary.
They already understood each other's hearts.
It was a bond that could never be severed.
From a distance, the slender figure of a girl stood waiting anxiously at the entrance of the Mitarashi residence.
Konoha had its pride to maintain.
So no matter how foolish someone might be, no one would publicly admit what had happened at the ANBU base, let alone criticize Hakken for it.
Danzō might have considered it, but after Minato's indirect warning, he wouldn't dare act—at least, not for now.
Because as of today, Hakken had officially become a member of ANBU.
The ANBU, directly under the Hokage, and Root, were fundamentally different.
In truth, Root was little more than Danzō's private army.
It was said to exist to cultivate elite ANBU operatives, yet aside from Yamato, not a single exceptional ninja had ever come out of it.
An organization that contributed nothing to Konoha had no reason to exist in the first place.
Hiruzen Sarutobi might have tolerated it, but future Hokage certainly wouldn't.
Minato was still young, but given enough time, he could very well change that.
If Danzō had any sense, he would have kept a low profile—hidden himself away and continued doing what he did best from the shadows.
Unfortunately, he was far too foolish.
As the head of such an unreasonable organization, he just couldn't stop stepping into the light to prove his existence.
Utterly idiotic behavior.
And people seemed to forget—Orochimaru, the traitor who had fled the village, was still technically a member of Root.
"You're finally back."
As the two approached, Kurenai Yūhi let out a long sigh of relief.
Ever since Hakken had charged toward the ANBU base with his sword drawn, her worry had never truly subsided.
But now, thankfully, they were safe.
"Sorry for worrying you," Anko said sheepishly. "You probably haven't eaten yet. Come on, let's grab some dango—my treat."
"You two go ahead. I'm a little tired."
Hakken shook his head. He really was exhausted.
During the escort mission, he'd been fighting almost nonstop. Itachi had ended up carrying him home, and after returning, he'd rushed straight to the ANBU base. The toll on his small body had been heavy.
For all his strength, he was still only six years old.
"I'm so jealous you have a brother like him. You should've seen how crazy he went when he heard the news," Kurenai said with a faint smile.
Watching Hakken disappear through the doorway, a light blush crept across her face.
"My brother's amazing, isn't he?"
Kurenai and Anko were close enough to have no secrets between them. Sometimes, a single glance was enough to understand what the other was thinking.
"Mhm."
But this time, Kurenai was a little caught off guard by Anko's words.
Of course he was exceptional.
Hakken Yoru hadn't been in the spotlight long, but every event connected to him was far from ordinary.
He'd shattered the Ninja Academy's graduation record.
His very first mission was classified as C-rank, yet he returned completely unscathed—and rumor had it that it was later reclassified as a B-rank mission.
And most astonishing of all, he had actually succeeded in bringing Anko out of ANBU.
He had really done it.
Kurenai didn't know what her friend had gone through inside ANBU, but being taken away for interrogation was no small thing.
Still, that image of him—charging out with his blade, fearless and unhesitating—was something she would never forget.
There wasn't a woman alive who wouldn't admire a man like that.
And there wasn't a woman who wouldn't yearn for a moment like that.
If someone could fight that desperately for her...
Perhaps then she'd understand what it truly meant to be moved—that indescribable, stirring emotion.
"Got something on your mind?"
When they arrived at the dango shop, it was a relief to find it still open. Sitting down, Anko suddenly blurted out a question that seemed completely out of nowhere.
"What do you mean?"
Kurenai's hand, holding a skewer of dango, trembled slightly.
"Exactly what it sounds like."
Anko blinked mischievously. "My dear best friend, don't you want to become family?"
"He's just a kid! Can you not try to make him grow up before his time?"
Seriously? She's already trying to sell off her little brother?
Kurenai rolled her eyes.
"It's not like he won't grow up eventually. And honestly, you're not that much older than him. Just look at that flat chest—you're developing so slow."
Anko flicked her own ample chest proudly.
On that front, she had every reason to mock her tall friend. As she spoke, she reached out casually while the shop owner stepped out to tidy the display boards.
"Hey! Where do you think you're touching?"
...
"Feeling better now?"
Meanwhile, back at the Mitarashi residence—in Hakken Yoru's room.
The boy sitting properly in his chair stared straight at him, unblinking. Hakken yawned.
"Now that you're back, Ken-san, I do feel relieved."
"But somehow... I can't feel happy about it."
Arms crossed, Itachi under the moonlight looked every bit like a resentful lover who'd been abandoned.
But the moment Hakken's finger poked him sharply on the forehead, that gloom vanished.
"Next time, Itachi."
"There'll come a day when I'll take you to cut Konoha down."