Chapter 102: The Moon God's Name Is...

Yuto lay idly in Tsunade's home, the scent of medicinal herbs lingering around him.

The blonde woman was quite skilled at caring for patients. She listed out all of Yuto's hidden injuries, treated them while explaining each step as a lesson.

This "one-on-one tutoring by a female sensei" was highly efficient. If not for these days of careful treatment, Yuto wouldn't have realized he had so many hidden injuries.

Despite only staying in the Land of Hot Water for just over ten days, Yuto's battles had doubled, and the frequency of encountering experts and traps had also increased. The still-dangerous "A" had lost an eye, and if not for Killer B being confined in Thundercloud Gorge for training, Yuto's injuries would have been even more severe.

The impact of Orochimaru's departure was becoming apparent. Previously, as a commander, Orochimaru would actively fight against enemy experts, but now, many combat tasks had to be shared among the remaining top ninjas.

A few days ago, Shisui Uchiha and the others visited him. The boy with the Sharingan mentioned it casually, "Obito mentioned in his letter to the clan that the front line is getting tougher. They used to be able to take turns resting, but now there's no time to catch their breath."

Jiraiya was transferred by Konoha to the Land of Hot Water front line to take over Orochimaru's duties. But taking Jiraiya away from one front to reinforce another left the Land of Rain front line with only Minato Namikaze.

It's now the 57th year of Konoha, and the center of the war storm has shifted from the east to the west of the world.

To be precise, it's the unlucky Land of Rain once again.

Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure were entangled in a three-way battle in the Land of Rain, fiercer than in the Land of Hot Water. After Jiraiya took over Orochimaru's position, Minato was promoted to commander, gaining a reputation as the top ninja below the Hokage. His power and status rose, and so did his responsibilities. Minato was risking his life on the battlefield every day, using his Flying Thunder God Technique, trying to split himself into eight parts to be everywhere at once.

Orochimaru's departure created a significant void. Fortunately, Hiruzen had managed to kill Yagura, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was also unable to fight. Otherwise, Konoha, stretched thin on two fronts, could have easily faltered.

During the time Yuto was recovering at Tsunade's house, a rumor began to spread in the village.

"Yuto Hyuga is going to be transferred to the western front to assist Minato Namikaze as Vice commander!"

This piece of gossip was brought to him by Ruri. Yuto thought about it and felt it might not be just a rumor.

That day, he used Creation Rebirth and the Mutual Multiplying Explosive Tags to fight against eight enemies at once, blowing up two members of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist." Despite appearing miserable, in the eyes of the major ninja villages, Yuto was already a top expert capable of influencing the battlefield. The name "Lone Lion" was becoming more renowned.

At this point, sending him as deputy commander to the most intense battlefront to share Minato's burden was quite reasonable.

Some keen observers even sensed that Hiruzen seemed to be building a team for Minato. Whether in the Land of Hot Water or the Land of Rain, the "Lone Lion" was a direct subordinate of the "Yellow Flash." This hinted at a deep battlefield camaraderie. After Orochimaru, the "first heir to the Hokage," left, this action carried significant meaning.

Yuto didn't mind this. He had stayed in Konoha for over half a year, and his bloodline experiments had stalled. He was also running out of materials for the God's Mask and urgently needed to replenish them. However, it was difficult to find opportunities to eliminate targets in the village. If he was sent to the battlefield, it would actually be a good thing.

However, if he were to be a vice commander, he might not have as many opportunities to act alone. How he should operate would require more thought.

As days passed, although Tsunade initially set a half-month recovery period, by the time Yuto was fully healed, a month had already passed.

In the spacious house of the Senju clan, Tsunade tapped her disciple's chest and said with satisfaction.

"You have some strong muscles, young man."

"It's all thanks to you, sensei."

"Haha..." The blonde woman laughed heartily, waving her hand:

"From now on, you need to pay special attention to your health. As my disciple, if you still have hidden injuries, it would be a disgrace to the 'Slug Princess.'"

"Yes, sensei."

"Also, the old man sent the Anbu just now. We need to go to the Hokage's office."

The transfer order finally arrived? Yuto thought to himself and nodded in agreement.

To see the Hokage, one couldn't wear casual clothes. Yuto put on his standard Jonin high-collar armor and left the Senju clan with his sensei, heading to the Hokage building.

Entering the office, Yuto was slightly taken aback.

There were more people than he expected.

Not only Hiruzen Sarutobi, but also Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzo Shimura, the three elder advisors, were present. Danzo looked particularly haggard, indicating he had been having a tough time recently.

Besides the four of them, Hiashi Hyuga, Fugaku Uchiha, and the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio were also there.

Seeing Yuto enter, Homura glanced at Hiruzen.

The Third Hokage nodded slightly without saying anything. After killing Yagura, his prestige had reached its peak, so Homura didn't say much either.

Yuto assumed he was going to be promoted to the front line's vice commander, so it was only natural for the village's high-ranking officials to witness this moment. He didn't think much of it, calmly saluted Hiruzen Sarutobi, and then stood beside Tsunade.

However, Hiruzen's first words left Yuto bewildered.

"Hiashi, I apologize." The Third Hokage said softly.

Then, his figure vanished from the spot and punched towards the Hyuga clan leader.

Bang!

Hiashi Hyuga was also an expert. He instinctively countered, raising his arms to block Hiruzen's punch firmly.

"Hokage-sama! What are you..." Hiashi shouted anxiously, not daring to fight back, his voice trembling.

The others in the room were shocked, especially Fugaku Uchiha, whose eyes widened.

However, after delivering the punch, Hiruzen didn't pursue further. He just stepped back and sighed:

"Hiashi, did you notice anything?"

Hiashi was stunned and then thoughtfully looked at Hiruzen's fist.

"That attack just now resembled the starting move of Gentle Fist... But it was only similar in the movement... The actual difference was significant. Rather than saying it looked like Gentle Fist, it would be more accurate to say..."

"It would be more accurate to say it was [an instinctive use of the most familiar skill]." Hiruzen finished the sentence for him, then paused and said calmly:

"This was a punch Aizen Sōsuke threw when fighting me. I thought about it for many days, carefully pondering, and repeatedly analyzing in my mind until I finally confirmed it."

"The stance, face, and voice can be disguised. Ninjutsu can also use an entirely new set of techniques. But the Gentle Fist, honed day and night from a young age, is engraved in one's bones. It can't be forgotten or shaken off."

"Moon God... Aizen Sōsuke... Wearing a mask, going to great lengths to conceal his identity, but in the end, he still slipped up."

The people in the office couldn't help but exclaim softly, and cold sweat broke out on Yuto's forehead.

Hiashi was so shocked he lost control of his expression.

"Hokage-sama, that Aizen Sōsuke's real identity is..."

Hiruzen took out his pipe, tapped it, and amidst the swirling white smoke, his voice was steady and powerful.

"A very clever trick. The enemy used our blind spots in thinking, making it impossible for us to suspect him... He is indeed a formidable guy."

"Today, gathering you all here, the answer is actually quite obvious."

'Incredible, truly Incredible. What a setup, Hiruzen!'

Yuto sighed inwardly.

'Well then, this day was bound to come sooner or later. Don't think I will surrender easily. For freedom and dignity, I will fight to the last drop of my blood.'

'Then, come, my final glorious battle.'

'Lion's Fang...'

"No one would suspect a dead person, especially when his eyes appear at the bounty station."

'... Bite... What?'

"Someone very familiar with everything about Konoha, capable of learning the secrets of the First Hokage and Orochimaru, could only be a direct descendant of an established family with deep roots in the village."

"Silently killing the main family and elite branch guards, with no trace left behind. But if you think carefully, perhaps the battle wasn't that intense. When the one being protected turns their blade on the protectors, everything becomes easy."

"Digging out the eyes, only to reattach them."

"Not wanting others to know his identity means that many people recognize him."

"Meeting all these criteria, it can only be that person who is supposed to be dead."

"Shinosuke.... Hyuga"

TN: They're using their brains to run, but in the wrong direction lol.

(End of Chapter)

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