Chapter 94: Practice Makes Perfect

Half a month later.

With the destruction of the Kannabi Bridge by Namikaze Minato's team, Iwagakure announced their withdrawal, signaling the end of the Third Shinobi World War.

Konoha Village.

The villagers spontaneously gathered on the streets to welcome the returning Konoha shinobi from the Iwagakure battlefield.

But unlike before, the atmosphere was somber.

Most of the returning ninja were wrapped in bandages, their faces devoid of any joy of victory. Instead, a chilling and solemn aura emanated from the ranks of Konoha's forces.

Leading the procession was Namikaze Minato, his usual warm smile absent, replaced by a heavy expression. Behind him walked Nohara Rin and Hatake Kakashi, their heads hung low, resembling lifeless shadows.

"Strange, didn't we win the war? Why does everyone look like this?"

"Sigh… I heard it was a pyrrhic victory. The losses Konoha suffered were immense."

"How could it come to this…"

The murmurs of the crowd were interrupted by a sharp scoff from a ninja within their ranks.

"You lot... Have you forgotten the cruelty of war?"

"This outcome is to be expected," the ninja said coldly.

The surrounding villagers froze, then slowly nodded in agreement.

"You're right. I suppose I got carried away. Now that I think about it, if it weren't for Uchiha Mirai-sama, I'd have died long ago on the Kirigakure battlefield."

"Exactly. I was deployed to the Sunagakure front, and it was Mirai-sama's support that allowed us to deal a decisive blow to the Suna shinobi."

"Come to think of it, the same happened at the Kumogakure front. We were suffering heavy casualties until Mirai-sama arrived. Shortly after, we secured an overwhelming victory."

"So… if Mirai-sama hadn't intervened, the other battlefields might've ended up just like the Iwagakure one, right?"

"Even if it sounds harsh, the truth is that the shinobi who perished on the Iwagakure front… were simply unlucky that Mirai-sama couldn't make it in time to help."

The villagers, who had been eagerly awaiting the triumphant return of Namikaze Minato's squad, now began to realize the harsh reality.

There were no true winners in war.

No matter the victor, the cost was always tremendous.

The earlier victories with minimal casualties were only possible because Uchiha Mirai had crushed the enemy with overwhelming power.

As this reality settled in, the celebratory atmosphere faded. Gloom took over, and the crowd dispersed one by one.

By the time Minato's team reached the Hokage's office, only Minato, Kakashi, and Rin remained.

"You two head home first. I need to report to the Hokage," Minato said softly.

He hesitated before adding, "Obito… It's my fault for not getting there in time. Don't blame yourselves."

Rin and Kakashi nodded, their expressions heavy.

If only they had been as strong as Mirai… Obito might not have…

...

Three days later.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky as a light rain fell steadily.

Hundreds of shinobi dressed in black stood in orderly rows in front of the Memorial Stone, each holding a white flower.

Under Hiruzen's lead, the gathered shinobi bowed their heads in silent mourning for three minutes, honoring their fallen comrades from the Third Shinobi World War.

After the moment of silence, Hiruzen stepped forward, his face somber as he began to speak.

"Once again, we have emerged victorious. This is proof that Konoha will never fall!"

"Although our heroes now rest eternally, they have passed down the Will of Fire."

"Where Konoha's leaves dance, the flames of the Will of Fire burn ever brighter!"

"These flames will illuminate the village and nurture the new leaves to grow—"

As Hiruzen's speech continued, Mirai lost interest. Without a word, he turned and walked away.

By the graveyard, he glanced at a nearby tree.

Perched on its branches was a white-haired man who had been silently observing him.

Noticing that he had been discovered, the man grinned widely and called out, "You must be Uchiha Mirai, right? I hear you've awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan! That's some legendary power. I'm jealous!"

"What do you want?" Mirai asked flatly.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Jiraiya, former teammate of Orochimaru."

Mirai tilted his head, his expression unreadable.

"Jiraiya... Orochimaru mentioned you before. Said he doesn't know you well."

"Huh?!"

"That snake! How dare he insult our bond like that? Absolutely unforgivable!"

"Hey, wait! Don't just walk away!"

As Mirai ignored Jiraiya and left, the grin faded from the older man's face.

Just as the rumors said, this Uchiha Mirai was formidable. Even with his aura concealed, Mirai had discovered him with ease.

A Mangekyō Sharingan user, with power to match… Could he be the one—the variable foretold by the Great Toad Sage's dream?

"Mirai! Wait for us!"

Hearing the shouts, Mirai turned to see Rin and Kakashi running toward him, panting heavily.

"You've got some nerve!" Kakashi scolded. "Walking out on the Hokage's speech like that!"

Mirai shrugged. "Correction: I left openly."

"Exactly! That's what makes it so bold!" Kakashi retorted.

Noticing Mirai staring at him intently, Kakashi grew uneasy. He averted his gaze, muttering, "W-Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing," Mirai said calmly. "Just curious about your experience on the Iwagakure battlefield."

Although Obito had still "died," this time Kakashi hadn't lost an eye, and Obito hadn't given him his Sharingan. Mirai was intrigued by how events had played out differently.

Seeing Kakashi remain silent, Rin took the initiative to explain.

"Mirai, let me tell you what happened.

"Our team was ordered to destroy the Kannabi Bridge. Sensei left to support the front lines, so we were on our own for a while.

"Later, I was captured by Iwagakure shinobi and taken to a cave. When I woke up, I was tied up.

"Kakashi and Obito came to rescue me but ended up surrounded.

"In a moment of desperation, I activated the scroll you gave me. Black flames engulfed the Iwa shinobi, just as you described. No matter what they did, the flames wouldn't extinguish.

"In the end, the Iwa shinobi used Earth Release to collapse the cave.

"We were almost out, but Obito… he tripped on a root and was crushed by a falling boulder."

Hearing Rin's explanation, Mirai pieced together the events. Aside from a few details, the outcome wasn't too far from the original story.

"If only I'd been stronger…" Kakashi muttered, his voice full of guilt.

Mirai stopped walking and turned to him.

"What?" Kakashi asked, noticing Mirai's piercing gaze. "If you're planning to comfort me, don't bother—"

"Kakashi."

"...Yeah?"

"If you're weak…" Mirai's tone was calm yet sharp.

"Then train harder."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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