Three days later, on a gloomy morning, the sky was overcast, with leaden-gray clouds hanging low, creating an oppressive atmosphere that made it hard to breathe.
The fine rain fell silently, enveloping the entire Konoha in a hazy mist, as if heaven and earth were weeping for the fallen heroes.
Memorial Stone, a large, dark crowd stood in silent silence.
From highly respected ninjas to ordinary villagers, from the elderly to bewildered children, almost the entire village came.
Dressed in dark clothes, holding white or pale yellow flowers in their hands, their faces no longer held the jubilation of Victory Day, but only heavy sorrow and solemnity.
The rain soaked people's hair and clothes, but no one wiped them or made a sound.
The only sounds were the soft patter of raindrops falling to the ground and the occasional, suppressed, low sobs.
On the Memorial Stone, the newly engraved names stood out clearly under the rain. Each name represented the passing of a vibrant life, the breaking up of a family, and a life that came to an abrupt end for the sake of Konoha's Mirai.
Chiyo Uchiha stood at the front of the crowd, surrounded by the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Shimura Danzō, and other Konoha High Command, as well as the Clan Leader of various clans.
Today, he was dressed in a solemn black suit. Rainwater slid down his angular face. His gaze was calmly fixed on the cold Stone Tablet, revealing little emotion, only a deep respect and mourning that permeated the air.
When the appointed time arrived, the memorial service officially began.
There were no complicated procedures, only the most direct remembrance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi forward and walked to the simple platform in front of the Memorial Stone.
He seemed to have aged considerably overnight, and the wrinkles on his face appeared even more pronounced in the rainy weather.
He took a deep breath of the damp, cold air, his voice somber and slow, yet carrying a power that pierced the heart.
"Today, we stand here..."
His voice started off a little hoarse, but quickly became firm.
"Standing in the rain, standing before the monument that bears the spirits of countless of our comrades, is not to weep, but to remember."
Rainwater streamed down his graying temples, but he didn't seem to care.
"The war... we won, yes, a glorious victory unlike any other."
Konoha's reputation resounded throughout the Shinobi World, and Mirai peace seemed within reach. But...
He paused, his gaze sweeping over every sorrowful face below the stage before finally settling on the Memorial Stone.
"But this victory, this peace, did not come out of thin air."
Its price is etched on this Stone Tablet before us, and in every name we know or don't know!
These are the brave children, these reliable companions, the pillars of these families...
It was they who, with their blood and lives, gave us the standing we have today, and the future sun of Konoha!
His voice gradually rose, filled with barely suppressed emotion.
"Among them, some may dream of becoming Hokage, some only want to protect their comrades, some look forward to the end of the war to go home and see their newborn children, and some just want to live a peaceful life..."
But when the village needed them, when peace was threatened, they did not back down!
They took up arms and rushed to the battlefield, fighting until their last drop of blood was shed!
They've left us, leaving behind endless longing and sorrow. But what can we do?
We can do more than just grieve!
We must remember why they fought and why they died!
We must carry on their will, protect this village they gave their lives for, and safeguard every child, every family, and every hope for the Mirai here!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice choked with emotion. He paused for a moment, then forcefully wiped the rain and any traces of tears from his face.
Where Konoha dance in the air, Fire Will Keep Burning.
The Hokage will continue to illuminate the village and cause New Leaves Sprout...
The younger generation of ninjas are the Mirai of the village, while the older generation of ninjas must be trusted and protected.
The will of the fallen heroes will be inherited by us!
Their spirit will live on forever in the Mirai of Konoha!
The aged voice echoed through the rain, carrying endless sorrow and unwavering faith, striking heavily into everyone's heart.
From below the stage, suppressed sobs could no longer be contained, and many people lowered their heads, their shoulders trembling slightly.
Many others had tears in their eyes, clutching the flowers tightly in their hands, but their gazes became even more resolute.
Hiruzen Sarutobi bowed deeply and remained seated for a long time.
The scene was shrouded in a deep and tragic atmosphere.
After a long while, the flower offering began.
People lined up and slowly walked forward, gently placing the flowers in their hands in Memorial Stone Tablet and bowing deeply to it.
Chiyo was among the first to step forward and offer flowers.
Holding a bouquet of pure white chrysanthemums, he walked to the monument, bowed slightly, and solemnly placed the bouquet on the waterlogged base, alongside the bouquets from other high-rise buildings.
The rain soaked the pure white petals, adding to the desolate atmosphere.
The flower offering lasted for a long time, with the crowd moving slowly and orderly. The flowers in Memorial Stone gradually piled up like a mountain, forming a striking yet vibrant white and yellow landscape under the gloomy rainy sky.
The memorial service ended in a somber atmosphere, and the crowd gradually dispersed, but the sorrow and reflection remained deeply imprinted in everyone's hearts.
Chiyo did not leave immediately. He stood in the drizzle for a while longer until a figure walked up to him.
"Senior Chiyo, is there something you need?"
Minato Namikaze's voice came through, carrying a hint of weariness and heaviness.
His golden hair was wet from the rain, clinging softly to his forehead, and his blue eyes were filled with sorrow.
Chiyo turned her head and looked at the Yellow Flash.
" Minato."
"The words of the Third Hokage elders always resonate with people's hearts."
The Minato faces the Memorial Stone.
"It all strengthens our resolve to protect the village."
Chiyo nodded, his gaze sweeping over the gradually thinning crowd around him, and suddenly said.
"Shall we find somewhere to talk? There are some things I think you should know."
Minato paused slightly, then, seeing Chiyo's somewhat solemn expression, knew that something important must be on his mind, and nodded.
"Good."
Instead of going to the Hokage Building, the two went to a quiet Tea Room nearby.
We requested a quiet private room and ordered two cups of hot tea.
The rising heat temporarily dispelled the chill from my body.
Chiyo didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to the point.
Mikoto selectively told Minato about what she had learned from Mikoto's investigation into Obito mysterious person he encountered, and how she deduced that the person was likely Madara Uchiha.
He omitted the specific details about Infinite Tsukuyomi and the Stone Tablet, only emphasizing the danger posed by the other party, their understanding of the Uchiha, and their possible intention to target Obito and those around him.
"... That being's strength is unfathomable, its purpose is unclear, but it is definitely not benevolent."
Obito was one of his targets, and as Obito's teacher and you...
Chiyo looked at Minato's face, which had instantly become incredibly serious.
"And those around you could be drawn into great danger as a result."
In Mirai missions, we must remain vigilant, especially when dealing with unusual intelligence or special Genjutsu.
Upon hearing Minato Namikaze frowned deeply, his fingers tightening slightly as he gripped his teacup.
The name Madara Uchiha has a tremendous impact; he is almost a legendary, mythical figure.
Thinking back to the reports the three people had given him, saying that he had encountered a fake version of himself...
" Madara Uchiha... he's actually still alive?"
He murmured, his voice filled with disbelief.
But seeing the absolute seriousness in Chiyo's eyes, he could only accept this astonishing fact.
"I understand, Senior Chiyo."
Minato nodded solemnly, his blue eyes flashing with a sharp light, devoid of his usual gentleness, replaced by the calmness and sharpness of a top-tier ninja.
"Thank you for telling me this. I will immediately reassess the safety level of Obito's team, especially Kakashi, Obito, and Rin."
As for others, I will also increase vigilance. Any unusual activity will be dealt with and reported immediately.
He knew Chiyo wouldn't speak without reason; the importance of this news far exceeded his expectations.
"There's no need to be overly nervous, but you must remain vigilant at all times."
Chiyo took a sip of tea.
"His modus operandi is secretive, and direct conflict is unlikely at the moment. He is more likely to be spying and looking for opportunities in the shadows."
"I see."
"Minato," Shuimen said in a deep voice.
"Faced with such an opponent, any oversight could be fatal."
"Thank you again, Senior Chiyo. This information... is of utmost importance."
The two then exchanged a few more words about some details and possible solutions.
Minato demonstrated his excellent analytical skills and adaptability, making Chiyo feel that telling him this was the right choice.
And also...
Minato Namikaze has successfully mastered the Rasengan.
It also proposed an innovative attribute for the Rasengan, extending its Rasengan.
Aside from being a bit Minato Namikaze, Minato Namikaze's ninja talent was indeed off the charts.
The conversation ended, but the rain outside the window continued to drizzle.
The heavy topic made the atmosphere somewhat tense.
Minato a sigh of relief, trying to lighten the mood.
"We've been talking for so long, I'm getting a little hungry. Chiyo, there's a pretty good ramen shop nearby, wanna go try it together?"
Chiyo glanced at him and nodded.
"Good."
So, the two put aside their heavy topic of legends and conspiracies and walked side by side into the rain toward the small ramen shop.
The steaming hot ramen was served quickly, and the rich aroma of the soup dispelled the damp chill brought by the rain.
The two ate their noodles quietly, separated by steam, as if they were just two ordinary ninjas having a simple meal together after completing a mission.
After finishing their noodles, the two parted ways at the shop entrance.
Each merged into the rain curtain, heading in different directions.
Chiyo glanced back at the direction of the Memorial Stone, where the flowers were still blooming silently in the rain.
The deceased are gone, the living must move forward.
But the storm lurking in the shadows may have only just begun to brew.