Aoki Yoru returned home.
After fighting continuously for an entire day and night, both his body and mind were exhausted. Even with his enhanced vitality, fatigue still seeped into his bones.
He needed rest.
As for Nao—
He had already arranged for her to stay temporarily at Grandma Chiki's house.
It was safer.
And quieter.
The night deepened.
A bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale silver glow over Konoha.
The village, which had been bustling during the day, now lay silent.
Too silent.
"…Hmm?"
Aoki Yoru's eyes snapped open.
A faint sound.
Subtle.
But distinct.
In the next instant—
His spiritual perception expanded outward.
Like an invisible net—
It spread across the surroundings.
Everything within range—
Became clear.
"…Oh?"
A hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.
"I almost forgot about this…"
The scene formed clearly in his mind.
Gekkō Hayate.
Facing—
Baki.
Aoki Yoru's brows lifted slightly.
"…So close?"
The location—
Was only five hundred meters from his house.
After a moment—
He understood.
In the original timeline, their battle had been brief.
But—
Not silent.
For shinobi with keen perception—
Even a short clash—
Would be noticeable.
If they had fought in the center of the village—
Or near the commercial district—
They would have been discovered instantly.
Only here—
Near the West Gate—
Where civilians lived…
Where patrol routes were spaced apart…
Was there a chance—
To remain unnoticed.
"…Makes sense."
That was likely why Hayate hadn't called for help.
Aoki Yoru didn't hesitate.
His figure—
Vanished.
On a rooftop—
Gekkō Hayate moved first.
Despite his frail condition—
His swordsmanship—
Was sharp.
In just a few steps—
He crossed the rooftop—
Closing the distance.
Then—
Three figures appeared.
Afterimages.
Crisscrossing.
Confusing.
Before Baki could react—
The real Hayate—
Appeared above him.
"Konoha-Style Kenjutsu…"
"Dance of the Crescent Moon!"
Clang—!
The blade struck.
But—
Something was wrong.
It cut through skin—
Through flesh—
But then—
Stopped.
As if gripped by something invisible.
No matter how hard Hayate pulled—
The blade wouldn't move.
"…!"
Baki smiled faintly.
"Not bad."
His left hand—
Gripped the blade embedded in his shoulder.
His right hand—
Formed chakra.
A wind blade condensed.
Sharp.
Deadly.
Hayate's pupils shrank.
He couldn't escape.
He couldn't pull back.
He couldn't defend.
Death—
Was seconds away.
Then—
Swish—!
Two slashes—
Cut through the air.
Fast.
Precise.
The first—
Struck the wind blade.
Boom—!
It shattered instantly.
The second—
Aimed straight at Baki.
His expression changed.
He twisted his body—
Barely dodging.
The blade passed by his neck—
Leaving a thin line of blood.
"…Who?!"
Baki looked up sharply.
From the shadows—
A figure emerged.
Calm.
Unhurried.
A blade rested lightly against his arm.
"Aoki Yoru…"
Baki's voice turned cold.
"…Thunder Prison Kirin."
His eyes burned with resentment.
If not for this man—
Gaara wouldn't have been exposed.
Their plans—
Wouldn't have been complicated.
Even the Kazekage—
Had issued reprimands because of this.
Behind him—
Hayate exhaled heavily.
Relief washed over him.
"…Jonin Aoki…"
"Be careful…"
"This man…"
"…is dangerous…"
Aoki Yoru gave a small nod.
But his gaze remained on Baki.
Calm.
Uninterested.
Baki understood instantly.
This situation—
Was bad.
If the battle dragged on—
Konoha reinforcements would arrive.
And then—
Escape would be impossible.
His eyes hardened.
If he couldn't leave—
Then—
He would take someone with him.
Aoki Yoru.
This rising star.
Too dangerous to be left alive.
"…Another Minato…"
He wouldn't allow it.
Even if it meant dying.
His chakra surged.
Violent.
Unrestrained.
He formed seals rapidly.
"Wind Release—"
"Great Sickle Weasel Tornado!"
A massive tornado erupted.
Wind blades filled its core—
Spinning wildly.
Everything in its path—
Was shredded.
It surged forward—
Toward Aoki Yoru.
"…Impressive."
Aoki Yoru didn't move.
His tone—
Almost appreciative.
"As expected of a veteran Jonin."
"But…"
"That's all."
He reached into his pocket.
A coin.
Held between his fingers.
Lightning—
Exploded around him.
Crackling.
Violent.
His arm extended.
Flick—
"Lightning Release—"
"Super Electromagnetic Cannon!"
The coin—
Disappeared.
In its place—
A beam of white lightning.
Blazing.
Overwhelming.
It pierced forward.
Straight through—
The tornado.
BOOM—!!
The cyclone collapsed instantly.
Disintegrated.
The lightning continued—
Unstoppable—
Toward Baki.
"…!"
He twisted—
Desperately.
But—
Too late.
BOOM—!
The wall behind him—
Exploded.
Dust filled the air.
When it cleared—
Baki knelt—
Clutching his shoulder.
A hole—
Burned straight through it.
Charred.
Smoking.
"…Tch…"
He breathed heavily.
"…Fast…"
Aoki Yoru stepped forward.
"…Good reaction speed."
Lightning flickered.
He vanished.
Reappeared—
In front of Baki.
Sword raised.
Baki blocked.
Kunai—
Raised.
Rip—!
The blade—
Cut through it instantly.
Like paper.
Then—
Across his chest.
Deep.
Bone visible.
Blood—
Sprayed.
Baki collapsed.
His strength—
Gone.
The battle—
Over.
Aoki Yoru glanced at his sword.
"…Not bad."
Satisfied.
Then—
He turned.
And left.
No hesitation.
No follow-up.
"…Too troublesome."
If the Anbu arrived—
He'd be dragged into reports.
Interrogations.
Meetings.
"…Not worth it."
Behind him—
Gekkō Hayate stared.
At the departing figure.
And for the first time—
He understood.
Just how terrifying—
That man truly was.
Under the silent moon—
The shadow before the Chunin Exams—
Deepened.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)