Stepping Down for a Worthy Successor?

After the battle ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi and his group secretly returned to Konoha.

Because they had been gone for only a short time, only a small number of people knew the Hokage had left the village.

And among those who knew Hiruzen Sarutobi had left the village, only a few knew why.

"Haah."

Disguised as he returned to Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a soft sigh as he looked upon the prosperous streets of the village.

With the Third Great Ninja War over, Konoha, as one of the victors, had gained tremendous benefits.

This should have marked the beginning of Konoha's ascent to a new peak, yet uncertainty had emerged because of his mistake.

"Hiruzen, go home and get some proper rest. As long as we're still here, Konoha will continue to prosper and grow strong," Mitokado Homura comforted him.

He could understand Hiruzen Sarutobi's feelings.

The plan to fight Sōsuke had been approved by Hiruzen Sarutobi despite the objections of the other three senior officials. Now that such an accident had occurred, he was surely filled with regret and guilt.

This time had truly been dangerous. If Sōsuke had not chosen to stop, most of them would have died at the border.

If Hiruzen Sarutobi had not lost so miserably, Mitokado Homura would have wanted to criticize him. They had nearly caused an irreparable disaster.

"As long as we're here, Konoha can prosper and grow strong...?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore a complicated expression as he walked toward the Hokage Building.

"It's only just afternoon. How could I have time to rest? I'm going to the Hokage Building to handle official business."

Everyone else was working at this hour. How could someone who had made such a mistake go home and rest?

Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi heading for the Hokage Building, Mitokado