Third Hokage's Funeral

By the time the three rushed back to the village, everything had already been settled.

The Sand Village's Konoha Crush Plan failed, Orochimaru's conspiracy was exposed. The Third Hokage died, using the Reaper Death Seal take away Orochimaru's hands.

Sand, as the party at fault, reached a reconciliation agreement with Konohagakure. The agreement stipulated that Sand would provide war reparations to Konohagakure in the form of Pakura, while Konohagakure would form a friendly alliance with Sand based on the principle of mutual benefit.

Orochimaru, at the cost of losing both hands, killed two village kage and became the MVP of the match.

Naruto and Sakura had just returned to the village with the seriously injured Sasuke when they learned of the Third Hokage's death in battle.

Sakura paused for a moment, while Naruto didn't react much, and quickly urged her on.

"Sakura, Sasuke is almost out of breath."

"Ah!" Sakura suddenly came to her senses and quickly took Sasuke to Konoha Hospital.

Two days later.

As dawn broke, dark clouds hung like ink above the Konohagakure.

Naruto sat up in bed and stared at the bouquet of white chrysanthemums on the table for a while before he remembered that today was the Third Hokage's funeral.

He looked away and stared at the ceiling for a while, not feeling as happy as he had expected.

"The Third Hokage who died was the best Hokage."

A while later, Naruto went into the bathroom to wash up, wearing slippers. After coming out, he changed into black mourning clothes, took a large black umbrella and a white chrysanthemum, put on his tactical boots, and went out.

He wasn't wearing Forehead Protector or leg wraps.

He leisurely went out the door, strolled to Konohagakure Street, and met up with Sakura.

The sky was overcast, with huge, visible dark clouds swirling overhead.

Until a splash of pink appeared at the alley entrance, Sakura, with a worried expression and wearing a black dress, waved to Naruto the moment she saw him.

"Naruto."

"Hmm." Naruto stepped forward and walked alongside Sakura. "How's Sasuke?"

Sakura shook her head and said dejectedly.

"His body was severely damaged, and he is still in a coma. We don't know when he will wake up."

"He's lucky he didn't die after activating the Cursed Seal twice," Naruto said. "He'll be discharged soon, so there's no need to worry too much."

"Thank you, Naruto."

Sakura, walking side by side, lowered her head and bit her lip tightly.

"If you hadn't arrived in time..."

The two walked slowly, their footsteps rustling on the street. Naruto glanced at Sakura out of the corner of his eye.

"There's no need to thank me for this kind of thing; that's how it should be between comrades."

"I know, I'm just a little..." Sakura seemed unable to control her emotions and said in a low voice, "I can never help much, I can only watch you and Sasuke fight desperately."

"Every time... I feel so useless. Maybe I'm just not suited to be a ninja."

With a thud, Naruto stopped.

"No one is more suited to be a ninja than Sakura."

"What?" Sakura's face was streaked with tears.

"Everyone's talent is different, sooner or later. You just haven't found your own ninja way yet. There's absolutely no need to give up on yourself."

"But."

"No buts, let's go, the Third Hokage's funeral is about to begin." Naruto glanced in one direction, where more and more people dressed in black were gathering on the Konohagakure Street.

"Don't say such silly things again."

After saying that, Naruto lifted his foot and walked towards the crowded area.

Sakura stood there stunned for a while before wiping away her tears and following. Her slender, fair legs swayed rapidly beneath her black dress, and after a few quick steps, Sakura merged into the crowd.

The funeral was held in an open-air grandstand, and everyone's face was filled with somber and sorrowful expressions.

On a depressing, rainy day, people began to offer flowers.

Naruto held the slightly wilted white chrysanthemums he had bought a few days in advance, standing in the long line to offer flowers in the rain. When it was his turn, he placed the white chrysanthemums he had prepared beforehand in front of the Third Hokage's flower stand and left silently.

The funeral wasn't long, and after it ended, Nikko pierced through the rain clouds, illuminating the entire village.

The funeral procession dispersed in groups. Sakura had told Naruto beforehand that she had to go home first, and he didn't really have anything to do anyway.

I got soaked in the rain, and my clothes felt sticky against my skin, so I decided to go home and take a shower first.

"Naruto." Ino put a hand on his shoulder and leaned closer to ask, "I heard Sasuke is injured?"

"Yeah, she's still unconscious in the hospital," Naruto said as they walked. "What, do you want to go see Sleeping Beauty?"

"Is it not allowed?" Ino nudged Naruto's shoulder and walked alongside him, saying, "These kinds of opportunities don't come often, it's Sasuke!"

"You think you can just see Young Master Sasuke whenever you want?" Naruto rolled his eyes at Ino. "Kakashi-sensei said the higher-ups issued a protection order, and Sasuke's ward on that floor has been protected by the Anbu."

"Even Sakura from the Medical Unit can't visit you, so you should just give up on that idea."

"What a cruel regulation," Ino said wistfully. "Just thinking about Sasuke lying quietly in his hospital bed, the white walls, the white roses with dew on them by the window..."

"You jerk, your drool is practically dripping onto my face! You pervert, stop drooling!"

"Who are you calling a pervert?! You're asking for it!"

"I'm talking to you! You slut! Don't expose your fetishes in front of strangers, you bastard!"

Naruto pushed Ino away with a look of disgust, Ino angrily grabbed Naruto's collar.

Ino, watching Naruto and Ino playfully bickering Hinata behind, wore a forlorn expression, her lips slightly pursed.

"Hinata!"

"Kiba, Shino!" Hinata turned around hurriedly. "What's wrong?"

"Teacher Kurenai called us over; it seems there's a new mission." Ya laughed and pumped his fist. "Hopefully it's an A-rank Mission, otherwise it's completely pointless!"

"Huh? Rank A." Hinata was a little startled.

"Don't listen to his nonsense." Shino, wearing black round sunglasses, spoke up to defuse the situation. "Teacher Kurenai knows what she's doing and won't take on missions that are too dangerous. After all, we are Sensory Ninja, unlike monsters like Team Seven."

"What happened to Team Seven?" Hinata asked hesitantly.

"The Jonin who was in charge of Team Seven Jonin them to pursue the One-Tail Jinchuriki team from Sunagakure," Shino said. "That was a mission that almost led to their deaths."

"It's Kakashi," Kiba interjected. "I heard my sister say that he was the strongest rookie in the village back then, and he was already carrying out dangerous and classified missions when he was about our age."

"That's wonderful!" Ya exclaimed.

Upon hearing this, Hinata glanced at the crowd with some concern; Naruto and Ino had already disappeared.

"I heard Sasuke-kun is injured," Hinata said softly.

"Yes, he was on the verge of death. He must have used some Forbidden Jutsu," Shino said. "Fighting Tailed Beast under those circumstances, he probably risked his life."

"I heard that the Tailed Beast squad from Sunagakure suffered an even more tragic fate, which is why Sunagakure made compensation to Konohagakure."

Besides.