If Konoha was pushed into a desperate situation, Might Dai would unquestionably risk his life for the village. Without hesitation, he would open the Eight Gates Formation—up to the Gate of Death if necessary.
"Alright already. You're just a kid—stop brooding like that."
Aoyama Ryuun patted Yagura Karatachi on the head again.
"You…!"
Not only had they been casually discussing their own subordinates in front of him, now this man had the nerve to treat him like a child.
If a glare could kill, Aoyama Ryuun would have died a hundred times over.
"So, you still plan to keep fighting?"
Ryuun sheathed his massive blade and looked at Yagura with mild surprise. He hadn't expected the young Fourth Mizukage to be this stubbornly bold.
"I—"
Yagura hesitated. Despite his rising anger, despite wanting nothing more than to continue the fight, he wasn't an idiot. To become Mizukage, he had to be anything but foolish.
Continuing the battle now would only drain Kirigakure's remaining strength. Against someone like Aoyama Ryuun, the Mist could no longer contend with Konoha.
"You must be Aoyama Ryuun. I'll remember you."
"Mhm."
Ryuun nodded halfheartedly, completely unfazed. Empty threats meant nothing to him. If mere words could scare him, he might as well give up on life.
"Tch."
Yagura grit his teeth. This man's dismissiveness was infuriating, yet there was nothing he could do.
"…Enough."
Finally, after watching Mist ninja fall one after another, Yagura raised one hand and shouted:
"Stop! End the fighting!"
At his order, the Mist shinobi who had been fighting to the death froze in place.
Only then did they notice: their respected Fourth Mizukage's arm had been severed.
"Lord Mizukage!"
Several clan leaders rushed toward him in alarm.
"It's nothing."
Yagura waved them off, unwilling to show weakness.
"End it here. This war is over."
His simple declaration made every Mist ninja lower their heads.
Those words alone confirmed the truth—Kirigakure had lost the war.
There was resentment, certainly. But also relief. They all understood clearly: as long as Aoyama Ryuun was standing on Konoha's side, continued resistance meant nothing but pointless deaths.
They were not afraid to die. But that never meant they wanted to.
"In this war, we didn't lose to Konoha. We lost to you, Aoyama Ryuun."
Again, Yagura looked back at him.
"Aoyama Ryuun… we lost this time. But next time, I will win."
"Sure. If you live long enough."
Ryuun shrugged as if the entire battle had bored him.
"Tch…"
With a harsh snort, Yagura—clutching the stump of his arm—turned and led the Mist ninja away, defeated and humiliated.
Years of war, only to end like this.
In stark contrast, Konoha exploded into cheers the moment the Mist retreated.
"We won!"
"We finally won!"
"Victory for Konoha!"
"Long live Lord Ryuun!"
"Lord Ryuun is invincible!"
Tears, joy, exhaustion—everything flooded the battlefield. But most eyes fell on Aoyama Ryuun. The man who had secured their victory.
At that moment, Might Dai—who had just closed the Eight Gates back down to the first—stumbled toward Ryuun on shaky legs.
"Lord Ryuun… I didn't let you down, did I?"
His voice cracked. He wasn't worried about being reduced to a mere Genin again. He was terrified that his performance hadn't lived up to Ryuun's expectations.
As a man who lived by youth and conviction, Dai couldn't stand the idea of disappointing the one who had placed trust in him.
"You did well."
Ryuun didn't spare his praise.
"Thank you!"
Might Dai finally let himself relax. The instant that tension dropped, so did he.
He collapsed to the ground.
"Medical squad! Now!"
Ryuun immediately signaled for the medics. Opening the Eight Gates up to the Gate of Shock had shredded Dai's body. His will kept him standing, but the moment he eased up, pain surged through him like a tsunami.
"Remember his name. He is Might Dai."
Ryuun didn't hesitate to honor him. Hot‑blooded fools like Dai and Guy—once they pledged loyalty—never betrayed the person they believed in.
"Senior Dai is amazing!"
"Taijutsu master!"
"So strong…!"
Not long ago, he had been mocked as a forever‑Genin. Now every Konoha ninja looked at him with admiration.
Hearing his name shouted again and again, Dai—on the verge of tears—looked at Ryuun with blurry eyes.
"Lord Ryuun…"
"Focus on healing. I'll need you again before this war ends."
"Yes!"
No matter what the future held, Dai had made up his mind.
If he had to open the Gate of Death for Ryuun and Konoha, he would do it without hesitation.
"Dad!"
From a distance, Might Guy watched, eyes shining with emotion. His father finally had someone who recognized his worth—someone who truly believed in him.
His beliefs, his training, his burning youth… they were not wrong.
Seeing Dai acknowledged filled Guy with even stronger conviction.
"I want to burn my youth too!"
Visit patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters