There was an error in the previous chapter that I hadn't fixed. It won't affect your reading.
In just two days, the Konoha forces led by the Hokage had returned to the village. Kumogakure's withdrawal meant the war was over for now.
In the Hokage's Office, the Third Hokage gathered with Konoha's three advisors.
"Homura, why did you call us here today?" Danzo asked first.
The Third Hokage looked at Homura thoughtfully. He had a fair idea why.
"I'm resigning as an advisor. Kumogakure's landing in the Land of Fire caused Konoha tremendous losses.
"Senior Mito Uzumaki even died because of it. I bear the primary responsibility. Rather than wait for public opinion in the village to force me out, I'd rather resign now.
"At least I can save some face. If I'm forced to resign, I won't even have that."
The office fell silent.
"You can't take all the blame for Kumogakure's landing," Koharu said. "Konoha has endured one war after another, and our shinobi numbers have fallen dangerously low.
"Given the situation at the time, no one in your position could have done better. You also dealt the invading Cloud shinobi a heavy blow.
"You deserve some credit for Konoha's victory over Kumogakure."
Homura managed a faint smile. "Countless Konoha shinobi are watching how we, the leadership, respond. If we do nothing this time, our system of punishment will be meaningless when another shinobi makes a mistake.
"The authority Konoha's leadership has worked so hard to establish will be lost as well."
Koharu fell silent.
The Hokage nodded. "All right. I accept your resignation. But considering your performance in this campaign, your merits and mistakes cancel each other out."
Homura nodded, as though a weight had lifted from his shoulders.
"Now that we've settled that, I should head