The Challenge Begins

The children did not understand, but seeing the adults cry made their noses sting too.

Grief spread through the crowd like water.

By the end, Sarutobi Ryota's voice had choked up completely:

"But today... Lord Third Hokage's remains can't even come home."

"His body is still there, on enemy soil."

"And all we can do is use a Hokage Robe and a hat... and pretend he's come home."

At last, someone began to sob. Soon the sound of weeping filled the crowd.

Just then.

Sarutobi Ryota suddenly raised his head. His bloodshot eyes swept past the crowd and fixed on Uchiha En.

He spoke quietly, but his voice cut through the weeping like a blade:

"Lord Fifth Hokage."

"Lord Third Hokage's body is in the Land of Rain, on enemy soil!"

"Please give the order at once. Send a Body-Recovery Team to bring him home!"

"Lord Third Hokage was Konoha's Hokage! His remains cannot be left in an enemy country!"

The crowd fell silent in an instant.

Every sob stopped.

Every gaze followed Sarutobi Ryota's to Uchiha En.

Then the mourners in the front rows rose, one after another.

Members of the Mitokado and Utatane clans, along with the former subordinates seated on their knees, turned and bowed to Uchiha En as one.

No one spoke, but the sea of white-clad figures bowing before him said more than words could.

The crowd had quietly divided into three groups.

At the front were the Three Clans and the former subordinates, furious, grieving, and accusing. Like cornered beasts, they watched him with red eyes, ready to spring.

In the middle sat the neutral ninja clans: the Aburame, the Kawakami, and several smaller clans with little say in the matter. Brows furrowed, they neither agreed nor objected, only watched with concern.

They feared