The next day, gloom hung over Konoha Village. A light rain still fell from the sky, and everyone was in a heavy mood.
Sasuke, Sakura, Neji, Rock Lee, Choji, Shikamaru, Shino, Tenten, Ino, Kiba Inuzuka, and the others all wore black mourning clothes.
Each of them held a bouquet of flowers, standing solemnly and sorrowfully before the memorial monument.
Everyone silently formed a long line, taking turns placing a flower before the memorial monument.
Choji quietly asked from within the crowd, "Why is everyone here except Naruto and Hinata? Where did the two of them go?"
Tenten said, "Maybe they were both injured. After all, the wounded are still lying in the hospital."
Shikamaru thought, If I were the one injured, that would be great. I want to lie in the hospital too...
Sasuke lowered his head, his heart extremely heavy. It was not because of the loss of his comrades' lives. Right now, his mind was filled with Gaara and Naruto.
Sasuke thought, Gaara is a monster, so Naruto is a monster among monsters. I'm nowhere near strong enough. There's no time left to waste—I have to get stronger, faster...
At that thought, Sasuke clenched his fists tightly.
Meanwhile, the people of Konoha Village had all gathered at the cemetery, while Naruto and Hinata quietly arrived before a mysterious residence.
"Naruto, what is this place?" Hinata asked nervously.
Naruto looked at the grand house before him. The residence felt completely unfamiliar, but Danzo Shimura's testimony pointed to this place.
Yesterday, Haku had used the Eight-Foot Magatama Sword to pierce through Danzo Shimura's chest, putting him into a state of suspended death. Together with Naruto's cooperation and a string of misleading words, they had successfully deceived Kabuto.
Haku's technique was highly skilled. Previously, he had put Zabuza Momochi into suspended