"Grandpa!"
Asuma was the first to arrive beside Sarutobi Hiruzen with Konohamaru. Konohamaru supported his grandfather, tears streaming down his face.
On the verge of death, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a sorrowful expression. "Konohamaru, Asuma, I'm sorry. Forgive me for making this decision. As Hokage, I witnessed Konoha's prosperity and decline. Although I was the longest-lived Hokage, I wasn't the most qualified one. I'm sorry to my family, I failed my comrades, and I disappointed the younger generation as well. Biwako, Minato, Kushina... Twelve years ago, I should have been the one to..."
"The Shinigami summoned by the Uzumaki clan is only a puppet. I have a way to eliminate the price brought about by this jutsu."
Gu Sheng slowly withdrew his hand from the phantom of the Shinigami beside him and came to Konohamaru and Asuma's side. Looking at the utterly feeble Third Hokage, he spoke.
"There's no need."
Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head with difficulty. "My life has already been fulfilling enough. It's fine for it to end here. Someone like me shouldn't die of old age in a sickbed!"
"Sarutobi-sensei!!!"
A white figure suddenly appeared atop the viewing platform before quickly arriving in the arena. His gaze swept left and right, moving between Orochimaru, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Gu Sheng. Then he hurried to Sarutobi Hiruzen's side.
"Jiraiya, you're back!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at this disciple with a smile at the corners of his mouth. This disciple clearly had the lowest talent, yet was the one he trusted most. Compared with Orochimaru, who studied forbidden techniques, and Tsunade, whose temperament was excessively stubborn, Jiraiya truly was the one he felt most at ease with. This disciple had originally been the weakest of the three, but he had grown step by step into a powerhouse who even amazed him.
"Orochimaru,