"They've all passed away."
Honoka spoke the words calmly, but the quiet sadness in her voice could not be hidden.
The atmosphere suddenly turned heavy.
Kurenai's face immediately turned pale. She hadn't expected such an answer and felt a wave of guilt.
"I'm sorry, Honoka-san," she said hurriedly. "I didn't know."
Honoka simply shook her head gently.
"It's alright," she replied with a faint smile.
"I'm used to it."
Although she said those words casually, everyone present could feel the loneliness hidden behind them.
Seeing this, Rin quickly stepped forward.
"From now on, we're your family, Honoka-san," she said warmly. "If you ever need help, you can come to us anytime."
Shizune nodded in agreement.
"That's right," she added. "Whatever problem you encounter, we'll do everything we can to help you."
Honoka looked at the girls before her.
Their sincere expressions moved her deeply.
"Thank you… all of you."
Her voice trembled slightly.
After spending only a short time with Aomizu and the others, Honoka's impression of Konoha had already begun to change.
Before this, she had always viewed the village with uncertainty.
But now…
Perhaps she should have come to Konoha much earlier.
If she had done so, maybe she would have met Aomizu sooner.
The thought briefly crossed her mind.
Of course, Aomizu had no idea what she was thinking.
After gathering the herbs they needed, he sealed them into scrolls using a Sealing Technique.
Then he led everyone toward the dock.
Soon, the small group boarded a ship and departed.
Behind them, the distant silhouette of Konoha slowly faded from view.
Two days later, Aomizu's group finally returned.
The familiar gates of Konoha stood proudly before them.
Seeing them again made Honoka's heart beat faster.
This place…
Would become her new home.
As they stepped through the village gate, a sudden shout echoed nearby.
"Don't run!"
The group instinctively turned toward the sound.
A strange scene unfolded before them.
A middle-aged man wearing a bright green bodysuit was chasing a fat orange cat down the street.
The man looked extremely enthusiastic.
However, the villagers nearby quickly stepped aside as he passed.
Their expressions were filled with obvious disgust.
It was almost as if the man carried some contagious disease.
No one wanted to get close to him.
Aomizu immediately recognized the man.
It was Might Duy.
He had treated the man once before.
Just by looking at him, Aomizu could tell what was happening.
Might Duy was on a mission.
As the famous "eternal Genin", his reputation in the village was quite unusual.
His eccentric personality and overwhelming enthusiasm often made other ninja uncomfortable.
As a result, almost no one was willing to team up with him.
Because of this, Might Duy was usually assigned the lowest-level missions.
Most of the time, he spent his days doing D-rank tasks like catching runaway pets.
Just like the situation in front of them now.
Aomizu also knew another reason why Duy often ended up injured.
His relentless training constantly pushed his body beyond its limits.
Eventually, the accumulated strain caused serious hidden injuries.
The small rewards from D-rank missions were barely enough to survive, let alone pay for proper medical treatment.
So Duy endured the pain silently.
Yet despite all that, he remained optimistic.
He continued to pursue the burning spirit of youth with unwavering passion.
And one day, he would raise a son who would become one of the most extraordinary ninja in the world.
Might Guy.
Thinking of this, Aomizu couldn't help but admire him.
Without hesitation, Aomizu stretched out his hand.
The fleeing orange cat suddenly stopped mid-run.
It was gently caught by Aomizu's chakra control.
He picked up the cat and handed it over.
Might Duy's eyes widened in surprise.
"Thank you for your help, Lord Aomizu!"
He accepted the cat respectfully.
The difference in status between them was enormous.
In front of someone like Aomizu, even a passionate man like Duy became extremely polite.
"It's nothing," Aomizu replied with a friendly smile.
He showed no disdain toward Duy's Genin rank.
That simple kindness moved Duy deeply.
His face lit up with excitement.
"The flames of youth are still burning brightly!"
He declared passionately.
Seeing this sudden outburst, Honoka instinctively stepped backward.
She quietly hid behind Aomizu.
Meanwhile, Kurenai and the others seemed completely unfazed.
After all, they were classmates with Might Guy, Duy's son.
They had already grown used to this sort of scene.
After finishing the mission, Aomizu turned toward Kurenai's team.
"Alright, the mission is complete," he said.
"You can all go home and rest now."
The girls nodded before leaving.
Then Aomizu brought Honoka to the Hokage Office.
Inside the office, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up from his desk.
"Hokage-sama," Aomizu said.
"This is Honoka of the Uzumaki Clan."
"She wishes to join Konoha."
Honoka bowed respectfully.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen smiled warmly.
"Honoka, is it?"
"Welcome to Konoha."
"From today onward, we are all comrades of the same village."
His tone was gentle and sincere.
Honoka felt a huge weight lift from her heart.
Soon the necessary paperwork was completed.
From that moment onward—
Honoka officially became a Genin of Konoha.
Before leaving, Aomizu spoke again.
"Hokage-sama, there is something else."
"I believe Might Duy deserves a promotion."
"Although he only specializes in taijutsu, his strength is definitely at the level of a Jonin."
Hiruzen listened thoughtfully.
He trusted Aomizu's judgment.
However, this year's Chunin Exams were about to begin.
And they were once again being held jointly with Sunagakure.
After a moment of thought, Hiruzen came up with a plan.
"Then let Might Duy participate in the Chunin Exams."
"He can form a team with Mukai Yuki and Sasaki Ayami."
Both of them had attempted the Chunin Exams several times but had never passed.
They had plenty of experience.
With Minato recently promoted to Jonin, Mikoto's team also needed a replacement member.
Might Duy would fit perfectly.
Aomizu nodded.
With Duy's strength, the only real concern would be the written exam.
Fortunately, Mukai Yuki and Sasaki Ayami could help him.
After discussing this, Hiruzen made another request.
"The remaining stages of the Chunin Exams will be held in Sunagakure."
"I'd like you to serve as the chief supervisor."
Aomizu agreed without hesitation.
Later that day, he brought Honoka to the Senju Clan Compound.
After the destruction caused by the Nine-Tailed Fox, the area had been rebuilt surprisingly quickly.
The efficiency of ninja construction was astonishing.
"This will be your home from now on," Aomizu said.
"Let's go meet Kushina."
As if summoned by the mention of her name, Kushina suddenly appeared.
"Aomizu!"
"You're back!"
Soon Yumiko also returned from Minato's house.
The three Uzumaki girls quickly became friends.
Their shared heritage created an instant bond.
When Tsunade returned from the research base, she also welcomed Honoka warmly.
After all, Tsunade herself possessed Uzumaki blood through her grandmother.
In a sense, she could also be considered part of the clan.
But after greeting Honoka, Tsunade shot Aomizu an annoyed look.
"It was just a D-rank mission."
"And yet you came back with another girl."
She crossed her arms.
"You really know how to attract trouble."
With her experience, Tsunade had immediately noticed the admiration in Honoka's eyes when she looked at Aomizu.
Aomizu simply shrugged innocently.
"Can't help it."
"I'm just that outstanding."
"Being popular is only natural."
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
"What a narcissist."
Yet in her heart, she couldn't help thinking something else.
…But I do like him.
That thought made her determination stronger.
She had to master the Yin Seal and Creation Rebirth as soon as possible.
There was no way she would allow herself to be overshadowed by younger girls.
That evening, everyone held a welcome party for Honoka.
The warm atmosphere made her feel deeply touched.
Following Aomizu to Konoha had truly been the right choice.
For the first time in a long time, she felt like she had found a place to belong.
Meanwhile, in a hidden underground base…
Pain – Hiruko carefully observed the Ultimate Summoned Beast.
After multiple experiments, he concluded that the creature could finally withstand the wings of the Seven-Tailed Beast.
So he began the fusion process once more.
After activating Kiyomi no Jutsu, the Seven-Tailed wings were gradually absorbed into the beast's body.
ROAR!
The fusion caused unimaginable pain.
The monster let out a terrifying scream.
Hiruko's eyes grew serious.
Previous experiments had all failed at this stage.
None of the creatures had survived the overwhelming power.
But this time—
The process continued.
Minutes later…
The fusion was complete.
Hiruko exhaled slowly.
A smile appeared on his face.
"Success."
The Ultimate Summoned Beast had finally merged with the Seven-Tailed wings.
Its body changed dramatically.
A second pair of wings emerged from its back.
Its chakra surged violently.
Even without testing, its strength had clearly increased several times over.
"As expected," Hiruko said quietly.
"You didn't disappoint me."
But suddenly—
The beast's eyes flashed with hostility.
Without warning, it attacked.
A massive black sphere of chakra formed in its mouth.
"A Tailed Beast Ball?"
Hiruko narrowed his eyes.
"No… not quite."
"It's more like a Chakra Cannon."
Before the attack could fire, Hiruko moved.
In an instant he appeared behind the beast using Body Flicker.
Black chakra rods formed in his hand.
He drove them into the creature's body.
These rods disrupted chakra flow.
During the fusion process, the previous control rods had been expelled.
That was why the creature had gone berserk.
In seconds, dozens of rods pinned the monster to the ground.
The forming chakra attack collapsed.
ROAR!
The beast struggled desperately.
But it could not escape.
Eventually it submitted again.
Yet Hiruko's eyes were filled with killing intent.
"I have no need for a summon that would betray its master."
The creature seemed to sense its fate.
Its eyes showed fear.
It begged silently for mercy.
But Hiruko showed no compassion.
A final black rod pierced directly into the creature's brain.
ROAR!
With one last scream—
The Ultimate Summoned Beast died.
Hiruko calmly extracted a piece of its flesh.
He planned to cultivate a new and improved version.
One that would be completely loyal.
As for the corpse…
It would serve as the future summon of the Animal Path.
After all—
Even if it had been rebellious…
Its power was undeniable.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)