The funeral continued amid a heavy downpour.
It was the young ninja's third time attending a large funeral. This one differed from the previous two because it had been initiated by Konoha's ninjas.
To quell the anger of Konoha's ninjas, the Fourth Hokage had not buried Uchiha Yuu's body in the central area. Instead, he had chosen a remote corner, hoping his former companion would not be disturbed.
"Yuu's betrayal must have had its reasons."
Nawaki held a black umbrella as he stood beside Hyuga Reiko. He still could not believe what had happened today. It felt like a dream, as though once he woke up, the three of them would still go drinking at the tavern.
"Reasons..."
Looking at the smiling face on the gravestone, Hyuga Reiko felt a wave of sorrow pass through her heart. She sighed softly.
"He's already dead. What good would knowing his reasons do? Even if we uncover the truth, he can't come back to life. Besides, Minato Namikaze has strictly forbidden the villagers from discussing Uchiha Yuu. Before long, everyone will forget that name."
It would be as if he had never existed, but the companions who had once known him would remember Uchiha Yuu.
As the two looked at Uchiha Yuu's black-and-white photograph, a figure approached the gravestone carrying white flowers.
"Teacher Chishu, I didn't expect you to come too."
It was Chishu, who had once taught Uchiha Yuu. Deep wrinkles covered his face. Nearly twenty years had passed, and Chishu, who had once scolded the three of them, had entered middle age.
"I came to see him. If I have time in the future, I'll come clean his grave often."
It was not just Chishu. One companion after another paused briefly before Uchiha Yuu's grave and left behind a flower. Even