The notice called for "wiping away the stigma and rebuilding Konoha's unity." Its earnest wording carried a familiar warmth and optimism.
The names Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzō appeared prominently. The notice declared that they had "made the right choice at Konoha's darkest hour" and that "their contributions to Konoha could never be erased."
Several villagers stood around the noticeboard, pointing and arguing.
"Lord Hokage is right. Let the past stay in the past. The village needs to move forward."
"My dad was killed by Root back then! And we're just supposed to... let it go?"
"Lord Hokage said it was the right choice. How could we fight the Otherworldly Demon without sacrifices?"
"You'd call gouging out your dad's eyes the right choice?"
"Keep your voice down. Don't let the Security Force hear you."
"The right choice, my ass! The Otherworldly Demon is no good, but those two were the lowest of the low!"
"..."
Yongye stood at the edge of the crowd, hands in his pockets. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
The authorities could clean up their reputations all they liked; in private, their names still stank. As long as anyone who had lived through those days remained alive, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo would always be a subject of disgust around Konoha's dinner tables.
He looked away and strolled deeper into the streets. His gaze passed over shop signs and street markers both familiar and strange, and his eyes gradually turned cold.
I kept saying I wouldn't play by their rules, but habit held me back. I never dared to cut loose completely.
"This time, I'll show you what an Otherworldly Demon really is!"
Three days later, in Konoha's central square.
Kurenai silk hung from the rooftops on either side of the street, spreading a sea of