Uchiha Patriarch !

The pain transmitted from his right eye to his brain constantly reminded him of his loss. The darkness that now filled his vision served as a perpetual reminder that he no longer possessed the prize he once took pride in. His eye would never again witness those strange and distant sights.

"Ao."

The door to the hospital room swung open.

Bi, with his gray ninja hat covering his now bald head, walked in briskly.

"Ao, are you okay?"

"Still alive!"

"You idiot!!!"

Bi sighed in relief. Ao still had the energy to joke, which meant the situation wasn't as bad as he had feared.

But when Bi saw the bandages covering Ao's right eye, he felt a tightness in his chest. As comrades who had fought side by side on the battlefield, he might not be as clever as Ao, but he was wise enough to know how much Ao treasured the Byakugan he had captured.

Ao had even spent a great deal of time studying sealing techniques, crafting two charms to protect the Byakugan by wearing them as earrings.

Unfortunately, though those charms still hung from Ao's ears, the Byakugan was no longer his.

"What's with your right eye now?" Bi asked, sitting down on the chair beside the hospital bed.

"They found a prisoner with the same eye color as my left one. They transplanted his right eye to me. According to the doctor, everything should be back to normal in about half a month. Though, honestly, I feel like I could leave now—I'm used to walking with one eye anyway." Ao muttered, touching the bandages on his face. Even as he grumbled, he remembered not to touch the eye directly, as per the doctor's orders.

"Half a month, huh?"

Bi muttered softly. Looking at the seemingly relaxed Ao, he was unsure of what to say next. Should he offer comfort? Would doing so remind Ao of his loss and reopen the emotional wound?

Unsure of how to proceed, he fell silent.

"Bi, have you finished the task Elder Genji gave you?" Ao, knowing his partner's personality well, broke the silence.

"It's done."

Bi nodded.

"I won't be able to take on any missions for a while. If Elder Genji has anything urgent, I'll have to trouble you and Quanbei to handle it." Even lying in bed, Ao's habit of worrying about tasks and actions hadn't changed.

"That's no trouble at all."

Bi shook his head with a slight, helpless smile. But his smile only lasted for a moment. Looking at Ao lying in bed, he hesitated before asking, "Ao, don't you... feel any regret handing over the Byakugan like that?"

"Regret?"

Ao looked up, his good left eye staring at the white ceiling.

"Of course, I regret it!"

That Byakugan was something he had fought and bled for on the battlefield. Now, to silently hand it back to the Konoha ninja—how could he not feel regret?

"But what can I do? We're not strong enough to challenge Konoha. Even Mizukage lost. Aside from surrendering, we have no choice. Giving up the Byakugan... it's for the village. If sacrificing my life could bring the village back to prosperity, I wouldn't hesitate. What's a single Byakugan compared to that?"

Yes,

As long as it was for the village, no price was too high to pay.

That was the thought that echoed in Ao's heart.

---

Reception Room.

Sougen was hosting two distinguished guests. One was naturally Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage and the Three-Tails Jinchūriki. The other was an elder of the village, known as Elder Genji, a man said to have fought alongside the First Mizukage.

"...So, you've already made a decision? I thought it would take another ten days or so to receive a reply," Sougen said with a smile. "So, can I hear your answer?"

Yagura glanced at Elder Genji.

The elder, as immovable as an ancient pine tree weathering countless storms, remained silent.

Reluctantly, Yagura spoke. "The village has decided. We are willing to send reinforcements to support Konoha. Of course, we also hope that Uchiha Clan Leader will consider the great cost we've incurred and ease off the compensation demands for a while..."

"That's fine. Konoha's forces are stretched thin right now, so the more help, the better."

According to the latest information Sougen had received, Konoha's situation was still holding. One of the Sannin, Jiraiya, had returned to the village and seemed intent on staying, which might have caused the spies in Iwa and Kumo to send word back. Both Iwa and Kumo had received news of Jiraiya's return, causing them to momentarily hold off on their movements. 

A person's reputation precedes them. Even though the Sannin were no longer a cohesive unit, no one dared to underestimate any of them.

For now, the war surrounding Konoha hadn't yet broken out.

But no one knew how long Jiraiya's reputation would hold Iwa and Kumo at bay. If the Tsuchikage and Raikage were determined enough, war was inevitable. Konoha had no choice but to station a significant number of troops to guard the northeastern and northwestern borders against a surprise attack from the two villages.

The tension in Konoha wasn't an exaggeration. The village had even cut back on taking mission requests due to the shortage of available ninjas.

"This is the item you requested."

Seeing the conversation between Yagura and Uchiha Sougen come to an end, Elder Genji extended a trembling hand, retrieving a small vial from his sleeve. Inside, floating in a translucent nutrient solution, was a pure white eye.

"Uchiha Clan Leader, we're returning it to you."

Elder Genji pushed the vial toward Sougen.

It was a Byakugan—

Sougen looked at the floating eye, a flicker of crimson light flashing in his eyes as he confirmed that it was the genuine article. Not only that, but it was a perfect Byakugan, unaffected by the Caged Bird Seal. He was slightly surprised that the Mist Ninja had returned it so quickly.

Whether Ao had given it willingly or not, it didn't matter. Sougen now had the Byakugan he needed to placate the Hyūga Clan.

(End of Chapter)