A sea of people gathered before the Hokage Building, the dense crowd stretching all the way to the far end of the street. Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura stood behind the Third Hokage, exchanging grave looks.
"Hiruzen, everyone is here," Utatane Koharu said softly, her gaze sweeping over the crowd below. "Even Uchiha Chuan came in person."
The Third Hokage took a deep draw from his pipe, the curling smoke blurring his weathered face. He slowly turned around, his Hokage robes swaying gently in the breeze. "Mm, I know. Let's go."
The moment the Third Hokage appeared on the rooftop, enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd.
"Lord Third Hokage! We will always support you!"
"The Hokage is the strongest!"
"Konoha needs your leadership!"
The Third Hokage raised a hand in signal, and his gentle smile gradually calmed the restless crowd.
"Thank you all for taking time out of your busy schedules to listen to this old man ramble," he said. His voice was not loud, yet it carried clearly throughout the entire plaza.
"You're not old at all!"
"You're still in your prime!"
The Third Hokage smiled and shook his head, his gaze gradually turning solemn. "Today, the first person I must solemnly apologize to is Kushina."
The entire plaza instantly fell silent. Kushina Uzumaki, standing at the front, abruptly lifted her head, her red hair stirring despite the absence of wind.
"I should not have restricted your freedom, much less prevented you from associating with the Uchiha. My voice is filled with sincere regret. I never expected this to hurt you so deeply that you would even declare war on me."
Kushina's fists clenched unconsciously, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She stared fixedly at the Third Hokage, trying to find even the slightest trace of hypocrisy on