Funeral

Three days later, a grand funeral was held in the center of Konoha, and almost all the people of Konoha came to attend.

Compared to the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, who swept across Konoha's political scene like a shooting star, leaving almost no trace of himself in just one year—except for the statue on the Hokage Rock.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was appointed by Tobirama Senju Konoha 16 and effectively held the highest power in Konoha for forty years until his Hiruzen Sarutobi during the Danzo Rebellion in Konoha 56, profoundly changed Konoha and far influenced generations of Konoha people.

Even now, those at the funeral still seem unable to believe that this old man, who seemed to have become the symbol of Hokage, would leave Konoha so suddenly in this way...

"Teacher Sarutobi... why did you do this..." In a corner far from the funeral, watching countless villagers dressed in black silently mourning Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya sighed softly. This was the only thing he could do—to allow Hiruzen Sarutobi to depart with dignity as the Third Hokage...

After several days of investigation, Jiraiya had almost confirmed that Setsuna Uchiha's words were true: Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō had indeed attacked the Uchiha Clan. Although he couldn't accept it, Jiraiya could no longer convince himself to stand on Hiruzen Sarutobi's side and avenge him...

A fierce battle erupted within the village, with the Hokage fighting against a local clan. Not only did he fail, but he was also killed by the opposing clan...

When has anything like this ever happened in the Shinobi World...?

Perhaps he shouldn't have come back, shouldn't have gotten involved in this mess...

"This is the best possible outcome... isn't it?" After presiding over the funeral, Setsuna Uchiha quietly appeared beside Jiraiya. His brows were slightly furrowed, as if the joy of the successful Uchiha Clan coup had not lasted long, and instead, he seemed to have some worries.

Looking at Jiraiya, Setsuna Uchiha paused for a moment before slowly speaking, "Jiraiya, I hope you can put aside your resentment and stay in the village..."

"Setsuna, I can refrain from being your enemy because the Uchiha Clan was forced into this situation, but to ask me to become your Uchiha Clan is a bit too much of a stretch!"

Jiraiya, who had little affection for Setsuna Uchiha, rejected his offer without hesitation. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi was wrong, he was still Jiraiya's teacher. Jiraiya could choose not to seek revenge for Hiruzen Sarutobi's mistakes, but to ask him to serve the Uchiha Clan was simply wishful thinking...

"Among the elders of Konoha, there is one of you..."

Jiraiya, in your opinion, who is currently in charge of Konoha?

Setsuna Uchiha's voice was slightly low. Orochimaru and Kato Osamu were not only the biggest contributors to the Uchiha Clan's successful coup, but their strength also far surpassed that of any other Uchiha Clan. Whether he truly deserved the title of Fifth Hokage remained to be seen...

Although these two seemed to have no interest in Konoha's politics...

"Elder Setsuna, do you know what you're saying?" Jiraiya was unaware of the details of Orochimaru's alliance with the Uchiha Clan, but upon hearing Setsuna Uchiha's words, Jiraiya was slightly taken aback, countless possibilities flashing through his mind...

"When the birds are all gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbit is dead, the hunting dog is cooked?" But what right does the Uchiha Clan and his Orochimaru are probably powerless against them...

"Who Orochimaru is, I don't think I need to tell you. With him and his disciple Kato Osamu in Konoha, I, the Fifth Hokage..." Setsuna Uchiha didn't finish his sentence, only shaking his head slightly. But Jiraiya instantly understood his meaning, his gaze narrowing slightly...

"You want me to be used as a bargaining chip to balance this situation?"

"It's not a bargaining chip. Jiraiya, don't you want to see Konoha revitalized? And that kid Minato Namikaze..."

"Naruto..." This was not only the last surviving son of his beloved disciple Minato Namikaze, but also the child of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Jiraiya's gaze flickered slightly, his heart seemingly wavering somewhat. However, he still shook his head slightly; he had more important things to do...

"Furthermore, as far as I know, Orochimaru's disciple, Kato Osamu, is a member of the Akatsuki..."

Jiraiya, who had initially wavered, widened his eyes inexplicably upon hearing Setsuna Uchiha's words. Over the years, he had discovered a mysterious organization hidden within the Shinobi World, possessing extraordinary strength and operating in secrecy, seemingly harboring ambitions to overthrow the Shinobi World. He had been investigating these clues relentlessly, but he hadn't expected them to have already begun their operation? Furthermore, their influence had extended into Konoha, interfering in the Konoha's political upheaval...

"The Akatsuki... Obito Uchiha... Kato Osamu... what are they planning to do?!"

Startled, Jiraiya sensed a conspiracy looming over Konoha. He could no longer stand idly by, especially since the Akatsuki, for which he had been searching for clues, was right beside him...

"I will keep a close eye on Orochimaru and Kato Osamu, and I will not allow them to run rampant in Konoha! Moreover, I will investigate Akatsuki's conspiracy to the very end!"

"Of course, I will also keep an eye on the Uchiha Clan. Konoha is not a place where you can do as you please!" Having made up his mind, Jiraiya no longer hesitated and immediately headed towards the outskirts of Konoha...

"Jiraiya, what's going on?" Seeing Jiraiya agree to stay, Setsuna Uchiha was overjoyed, but Jiraiya inexplicably headed towards the edge of the village, seemingly about to leave, which puzzled him...

"I'll be back in a month, or a few days... But right now, one of me isn't enough..." By the time these words reached Setsuna Uchiha's ears, Jiraiya had already vanished, heading off in a certain direction...

In an instant, Setsuna Uchiha's mind conjured up the image of a certain blond gambling tycoon...

"Tsunade... Now, Konoha Sannin are back..."

"Yes, they're all back..." A strange voice suddenly rang out. Jiraiya seemed completely unaware that there was a third person present!

Kato Osamu slowly walked out of the alley, glanced at Setsuna Uchiha, and the two smiled at each other.

The funeral for the Third continued, with the heads of various families offering white flowers in turn, seemingly in gratitude for the 'generous gift' he had presented...

As for what happened on the night of the massacre, although Setsuna Uchiha did not consider it a taboo, all those who knew about it seemed to have unanimously kept silent. Whether they participated actively or passively, they all seemed satisfied with the outcome...

Danzo took the blame for all the crimes, thus preserving the Third's reputation in the end.

The Uchiha Clan lost one of its leaders in battle, but in return, they gained control of Konoha.

The various families not only avoided the depletion of their clansmen, but also acquired a considerable amount of land and high-quality industries that originally belonged to the Sarutobi and Shimura Clan. Furthermore, they gained the right to participate in government affairs and make decisions and votes—although this has not yet been verified.

With Orochimaru Kato Osamu returning, the village's high-end combat power has also increased.

It seemed as if the dark clouds hanging over Konoha had vanished in an instant?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's merits and demerits, his rights and wrongs, are now history. His departure seems to have breathed new life into Konoha once more...