The Hokage succession ceremony came to a successful close, and the thunderous cheers took a long time to gradually die down.
After the ceremony, Tsunade did not relax for even a moment. She immediately summoned Konoha's Jonin Commander, the heads of the major ninja clans, and all the village's elite ninja to the Hokage Building for a high-level meeting.
Undercurrents stirred among the leadership, and reforms were proceeding at full speed.
But the ordinary villagers of Konoha knew nothing about any of it.
At that moment, all of Konoha was basking in the joy of a fresh start.
People came and went along the streets, relaxed, radiant smiles on every face.
Shops large and small took advantage of the mood, offering discounts and special deals to draw in customers. The entire shopping street buzzed with voices and the bustle of everyday life.
Everywhere in Konoha was lively, filled with laughter and cheerful voices.
Only one person seemed utterly out of place amid this peaceful, festive atmosphere.
Sasuke Uchiha walked alone beside the noisy street, his small, solitary figure standing out starkly.
As he looked at the laughing faces around him and listened to the overlapping sounds of laughter, vendors' cries, and playful chatter, he felt not the slightest joy. Instead, a stifled anger inexplicably flared inside him.
Why?
Why did Konoha, guilty of such sins, get to be so peaceful, so happy, so lively?
Why could the village that had destroyed the Uchiha and forced Itachi to sacrifice himself so easily turn the page on its past and celebrate a new beginning?
Overwhelming hurt and hatred clogged his chest, leaving his whole body cold even as rage burned within him.
But he was simply too weak. He could do nothing, change nothing.
All he could do was keep his small