The sun hung high in the sky.
A warm breeze brushed against Uchiha Kin's clothes as he stood atop a high vantage point, gazing at the distant mountains. The greenery draped over them like a curtain.
His eyes shifted to White Fang, who sat on a nearby rock, staring far into the distance—toward the Land of Lightning. Behind them, faint figures flickered among the trees.
Kin approached.
"The village has issued orders for us to return. What are you still looking at?"
The war was nearing its end. Other villages had already withdrawn their frontline forces, opting to retreat and defend. Konoha's recall order had now reached them.
The coming days would be marked by probing actions—each village assessing the others' losses, searching for wounds to salt. All to gain greater leverage at the negotiation table.
Strength determined spoils.
Though force was the path to peace, negotiations would ultimately end the war. Skirmishes between small squads would likely replace large-scale battles, spreading the conflict wider but reducing casualties. After all, squad-based engagements wouldn't escalate into the massive clashes seen before.
"Nothing," White Fang murmured, shaking his head. "It's just… so many stayed here."
This battlefield had seen the fewest losses. How many more comrades had been left behind on others?
For White Fang, victory mattered less than the lives lost. He had always valued his comrades above all.
Kin, however, couldn't care less. As long as he survived, others' fates were none of his concern.
Seeing Kin's indifferent expression, White Fang abandoned any attempt to discuss the philosophy of war.
"Let's go."
He stood and leaped nimbly onto a tree branch, darting from one tree to the next.
Kin sighed as White Fang charged ahead without a second thought. Just leaving everyone behind, huh?
He raised a hand, signaling the team to move out. Despite being only a chūnin, no one questioned his authority.
The group followed White Fang's trail, while the remaining dozens of ninja stayed behind, tasked with establishing new outposts. Unlike those returning to the village, they would remain to monitor Kumogakure's movements.
Elsewhere, the ninja leaped swiftly between trees, the sound of their movements cutting through the air.
Kin trailed White Fang. While the others wore green flak jackets or armor, his ancient-style robes made him stand out. He carried no visible weapons or pouches.
White Fang slowed slightly.
"Race you back to the village?"
Kin shot him a sidelong glance as he bounded between branches.
"You think I'm as childish as you?"
Who even does that at their age?
White Fang didn't reply. Instead, he surged ahead.
Kin scoffed and accelerated, his movements becoming erratic, as if flickering forward frame by frame.
Well, I'm still young. A little childishness is fine.
The two sped onward, their figures blurring like flashes of light.
White Fang's Shave covered greater distances, but Kin's Flash Step allowed for more frequent bursts. For a time, they vanished from sight.
"Men and their competitiveness," a female jōnin muttered, her eye twitching.
You're leaving the rest of us behind, idiots!
Neither of them was remotely responsible.
"Lord White Fang and Lord Black Demon really get along," a male jōnin remarked.
To these ninja, Uchiha Kin had already risen to White Fang's level. His chūnin rank was temporary—once promoted to jōnin, he'd easily earn the title of elite.
Or so they believed.
"Do they?"
Shino Aburame, ignored by the jōnin, adjusted his sunglasses. The two had long since disappeared from view.
When he'd delivered the news of victory, their dynamic hadn't seemed friendly at all.
Kin pushed his Flash Step to the limit, yet still lagged a step behind White Fang.
Fine, he's stronger overall, but I won't lose in speed!
No matter how hard he tried, the gap remained. Even when he forced an extra burst, White Fang stayed just ahead.
I know his techniques. Why can't I catch up?
"Kin," White Fang called suddenly.
"What?"
Kin had no time for chatter. He refused to accept defeat in speed.
"Do you want to become Hokage?"
The question made Kin skid to a halt on a branch. He looked up at White Fang, silhouetted against the sun.
Darkness spread across the whites of Kin's eyes, sharpening his vision. White Fang's face came into focus.
"Never thought you'd ask me that."
White Fang chose his words carefully.
"I just think… if you were Hokage, Konoha might change for the better."
"Zero interest," Kin snapped.
He craved freedom—not chains binding him to a village. This wasn't his world. He felt no attachment to Konoha.
He wasn't a "village-brain."
Kin couldn't fathom why White Fang would ask such a thing. They might not know each other deeply, but their interactions had made one thing clear: Uchiha Kin had no business with the Hokage title.
Neither his strength nor his achievements qualified him for it.
"Fighting for the bonds of the village… it's not a bad thing."
"Yeah, yeah. Super inspiring."
Kin's reply was dripping with sarcasm.
He knew himself well enough. Fighting for others?
Never.
After days of travel, the village finally came into view.
In that instant, both accelerated.
White Fang shot ahead, only for Kin to flicker past him. Neither would yield, their shoulders colliding as each tried to shove the other aside.
They broke apart.
White Fang's body gleamed with light, his form streaking forward like a white comet.
Kin refused to be outdone. Darkness cloaked his Wood Release as extra limbs sprouted, propelling him forward with explosive speed.
"I'll get there first!" they shouted in unison.
Black and white clashed again, racing toward the gates.
The two special jōnin on guard duty saw the streaks of light and twisted in panic, scrambling to flee—
Too late.
BOOM!!
The gates shattered into splinters.
Kin and White Fang tumbled to the ground in a heap.
...
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(End of Chapter)