After Yukio accepted the advice that Sayuri told him, he sat on a nearby tree trunk, while the ghosts still attempted to comfort him. He noticed the sunset behind the forest's trees.

Yukio sighed, and looked at the ghosts around him.

So Sayuri really can't see these ghosts either, but they were well aware of her. I wonder why they were acting like that?

"Man, am I still overthinking this?" Yukio said to himself.

Alright, one thing at a time. First, I'm going to find out what these ghosts want, and how they can leave.

"Why are you still here?" Yukio asked the ghosts.

"We must ensure your safety..." One of the ghosts said, Yukio wasn't able to recognize them because they had bullet wounds covering their body.

"But I'm perfectly fine." Yukio said.

The ghost approached him, and hugged him. Yukio noticed that she started to fade away while still in the hug, until she fully disappeared.

"Whoa! That's...it?" Yukio was confused by how he solved this problem.

He looked at the remaining ghosts, and prepared himself. He then hugged every ghost there, and told them that he was fine. While he hugged each ghost, he said their name and the cause of death. He apologized to each one, and thanked them for their concern.

Eventually, They all disappeared. Leaving Yukio by himself.

For some reason, Yukio felt bittersweet about the moment. "To think that those ghosts were stuck here...just to make sure that I was safe..." Yukio said, now alone. "At least now they can finally rest in peace."

And I feared them...because they reminded me of my failures...

Yukio decided to go back to the hotel. On his way there, he happened across the festival grounds where Sayuri held the festival's beginning ceremony.

"Whoa..." Yukio was astonished when he saw the grounds filled with concession stands, and bright lights that shone from every corner of the streets.

Along the streets were many ghosts of past Shinobi that Yukio didn't recognize. They were enjoying the festival that happened all around Yukio. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of all the Shinobi ghosts having fun.

This place...is a paradise of an afterlife. Maybe Sayuri isn't a bad person for starting this festival...still, there must be an ulterior motive behind this.

For now, Yukio forgot about the suspicion of the festival, and enjoyed the scenery. The ghosts were eating festival food, playing festival games, and winning some interesting festival prizes.

Yukio stayed there for an hour or two before a wave of exhaustion took over him, and he continued towards the hotel.

When he arrived, he saw Hibari. Her face was teary-eyed as she entered the hotel.

"Huh? Hey, Hibari!" Yukio entered the hotel and called out to her.

"O-Oh, Yukio." Hibari said, she attempted to hold back her tears."

"Are you ok, Hibari? What happened?" Yukio asked.

"Nothing happened, it's just...Yumi's group seems so happy to be with their grandpa." Hibari said.

"Huh? How did you know that?" Yukio asked.

"I was observing a conversation between them and Sayuri. Yumi's group was asking to not be a part of the festival." Hibari stated.

"What?!" Yukio exclaimed.

Why would they...oh, it's because of her grandpa. If they participated, the festival would end sooner, and would force them to say goodbye to Kurokage...again.

"The only one who wanted to participate was Yumi herself." Hibari continued.

"Yumi asked to take part, huh..." Yukio responded.

"I know we would eventually have to go back home, but having them say goodbye to him..." Hibari's voice started to break, as she tried her best to hold back her tears.

"It's ok, Hibari. I know how you feel." Yukio said, as he hugged her.

Hibari is such a kind person, she worries about other people's problems...I hope that I've been trying to be like that too.

Yukio let go of Hibari, and she wiped the rest of her tears away.

"Thanks for listening to that, Yukio. I'm sorry if I bothered you." Hibari bowed.

"It's fine, I asked because I was worried, Hibari. I admire that you care so much about others." Yukio said, as he placed his hand on her head.

"T-Thanks, Yukio. I've got to go now." Hibari said, slightly flustered, as she walked up to her room.

Yumi...you're also sad about leaving your grandpa, just like your teammates are. It's because you're the leader that you can't show your tears...even if you're hurting the most.

Yukio walked back out to the beach, and looked at the ghosts again. They were all different ghosts than the ones at the festival grounds, and they all relaxed under the star sky on the beach.

Yukio continued until he found the ghost he wanted to talk to.

"Kurokage." Yukio called out to him.

The ghost turned towards Yukio, and greeted him. "Do you need something, Yukio?"

"Just your input on something." Yukio responded.

"Ask away then." Kurokage gestured, as they both sat down on the sand.

"So I heard that Yumi asked to take part in the Shinobi Bon Dance." Yukio said, he looked at Kurokage for a reaction, but he didn't change his initial serious expression.
"They're joining, even if they have to say goodbye to you...again."

Kurakage let out a sigh, but Yukio couldn't tell what he was thinking. "You're concerned because you don't want to see them cry, am I right?"

"I...yes, I know that's impossible given what you mean to them, it's just-" Yukio wanted to justify his feelings, but Kurokage interrupted him.

"I'm thankful, Yukio. We have mutual agreement." Kurokage said.

"Huh?" Yukio was confused by his statement. "You agree with me?"

"Yes, the last thing I want is for these girls to cry over my departure. However, I'm afraid that would be impossible due to how much I've impacted their lives." Kurokage said.

Yukio nodded. "Yet they know that they can't stay here forever. They have their goal...your goal, to fulfill." Yukio stated.

"Yukio..." Kurokage didn't know how to respond to him.

"You were a great Shinobi, Kurokage. That I can say for sure, even if I didn't agree with some of your morals." Yukio said.

"I don't blame you. You're an upstanding young man, Yukio. Great things will come to you one day, I guarantee it." Kurokage responded, which made Yukio go silent.

Great things, huh...

"Thank you, I'll pray that you'll get a farewell with Yumi that you will never regret." Yukio said.

They both stared into the ocean's reflection of the starry sky above them.

"Well, it's been a pleasure. Kurokage." Yukio stood up, and dusted the sand off his butt.

"Oh, one last thing, Yukio." Kurokage got his attention. "I've been meaning to tell you this since I've met you."

"What is it?" Yukio asked.

"They will need a shoulder to cry on, when I leave. Please, be that shoulder for them." Kurokage said, as he walked away.

Yukio smiled and nodded. "Of course." He then walked back towards the hotel.

Yumi and her teammates, they aren't the only ones who have this type of situation...Miyabi and her mom, the twins and Ryoki, maybe even those shrine brats and that girl they're looking for. Some of these girls are going to say goodbye to their loved ones for a second time...and it's going to be tough to watch it.

Yukio entered the hotel, and went up to his room. He laid on his bed, and thought more about the ending of this festival.

If all of those girls would ask for a shoulder to cry on...would I even be helpful, since I don't want to see any of these girls cry...

Yukio shook his head to forget about his negative thoughts, and went to sleep.

To be continued...