Konoha, Hokage Office Building.
Even as he left the meeting room, Danzo's expression remained one of disbelief.
He subconsciously glanced at the arm covered in Sharingan and gently brushed over the solid seals.
That's right, Izanagi wasn't activated!
If everything before my eyes is not a dream, then why does it feel so real?
The midday sun was a bit dazzling. Danzo up and found the sunlight, which he had initially found extremely irritating, to be warm and comforting once it shone on him.
" Lord Danzo, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, I'm just a little unaccustomed to it. From today onwards, the roots will be bathed in sunlight."
Upon hearing this, the two Root ninjas behind him exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with shock.
" Lord Danzo, could it be that you...?"
"Once the Daimyo gives his approval, we will announce to the other four great ninja nations that I am the Fifth Hokage, and it is time to bring the Root organization, which has been shrouded in shadow, back into the light of day."
The two accompanying Anbu behind him bowed.
" The Fifth Hokage!"
"Hahaha, my long-cherished wish is finally about to be fulfilled, but I must not be careless and must be wary of Uchiha Huayue. He is not an opponent that can be easily defeated."
His eyes flashed coldly; those eyes, brimming with immense pupil power, were always a problem.
Meanwhile, inside the meeting room.
"What secret deal did you make with Danzo? Why did you recommend the culprit who orchestrated the Uchiha Clan Massacre to become the next Hokage? Answer me, Uchiha Huayue."
Utatane Koharu's expression was grave; she couldn't fathom what the being before her intended to do, or whether it would be beneficial or detrimental to Konoha.
"A deal? Heh heh heh, I don't care about such trivial matters, and don't try to guess my thoughts."
"This afternoon is the memorial service for the Third Hokage. You two shouldn't be speculating here. Missing your old friend's memorial service would be a regret for the rest of your lives."
With a gentle smile, Huayue rose and left, leaving behind two elderly men, their minds filled with thoughts, unable to fathom the reason behind it all, and filled with sorrow.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, dark clouds covered the sky, and the air seemed to carry the oppressive feeling unique to Natsuhi.
Konoha, Heroes' Cemetery.
People who had not yet emerged from their grief entered the place, and their undisguised weeping never ceased.
"Waaaaah, Grandpa, you weren't the strongest ninja in the village, so why did you lose to that guy? Why did you die? I haven't even defeated you yet to become the next Hokage!"
The child, unaware of the cruelty of life and death, cried out in anguish, causing many sentimental female ninjas to turn their heads away and fall silent.
" Konohamaru, calm down..."
" Naruto- nii-san, why, why, why do humans die? Why did Grandpa fight even knowing he would die...?"
" The Third Hokage did it to end his bond with Orochimaru and to protect the entire Konoha. Everyone dies eventually."
Tick-tock...
A light drizzle fell to the ground. Naruto looked up at the sky, as if he had expected it, as if it were a common occurrence.
This is war, a war destined to lose everything, a war that can never bring back peace.
As Konohamaru wept, he glanced at the figure not far away, and the sorrow in his eyes gradually turned into resentment.
Amidst the complex expressions of the crowd, he quickly rushed to the side of the man in Black Cloak with a gentle expression.
"I know you. You're a teacher at the Ninja Academy, the one who took down Orochimaru, right? Since you're so strong, why didn't you go and save the Third Hokage? Why!"
In an instant, a series of complex gazes were fixed on that gentle-looking figure.
There may be scrutiny, there may be concern, but there is more confusion and doubt.
"This is a mistake made by the Third Hokage, and he naturally has to take it back himself. It's a pity that over the years, Konoha ninjas have died tragically at Orochimaru's hands because of their momentary mercy."
" The Third Hokage worked diligently throughout his life and made great contributions to Konoha. I am not qualified to judge his actions, but I am against his momentary mercy. After all, he was the 'benevolent father of Konoha ' and the patriarch of Konoha."
Hearing these words, Konohamaru felt a mixture of understanding and disbelief, but mostly he was filled with anger.
"Stop saying things you don't understand! Why don't you come and save Grandpa!"
"Don't understand? Then let me put it simply: take back the mistakes you made. Back then... never mind, it's not the behavior of a person of high moral character to reprimand the other party during a memorial ceremony."
"Mistake? What mistake did Grandpa make? What are you talking about? I've heard that Orochimaru is your teacher, haven't I!"
Under Konohamaru's indignant expression, Huayue nodded calmly and answered with a smile.
"You're right, Orochimaru is indeed my teacher, and I feel a lot like him right now..."
Under Konohamaru's complicated expression, Huayue spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Because I, like him, also killed my own teacher with my own hands. This complex and sorrowful feeling of the passage of time is something children cannot understand, and I hope you will not understand either."
"Even if you are with your comrades day and night, and they die in battle beside you, you must do your best to complete the mission. This is how the world and the nobles define a ninja. Get out of the shadows as soon as possible, Konohamaru."
Amidst Konohamaru's complex expression, Huayue nodded slightly to a few people in the crowd before turning and leaving.
After a long silence, Konohamaru, breathing rapidly, rushed to Naruto's side and asked frantically.
"What is this? What kind of ninja is this? The ninja I admire is definitely not like this! Naruto- nii, answer me! How could a ninja be like this?!"
"Although I am very unhappy with that guy's attitude, it is indeed the case. Even if it means countless sacrifices, we must complete the mission successfully. This is the model of a ninja. Do not disturb this funeral of all the sacrifices, you monkey's grandson."
Danzo with a steady gait. He, who never appeared in the sunlight, unusually brought along members of the Anbu. He gave a slight bow to his old friend and rival of decades.
Startled by Danzo's gaze, Konohamaru had no choice but to hide behind Naruto.
"As an adult, you shouldn't argue with children. Is this the magnanimity of someone in a position of power? The Hokage Advisor..."
Their eyes met, Danzo silent for a long time. He sensed a darkness in those azure eyes that was different from the darkness among ninjas, but rather a deeper and more dangerous presence.
"Just let him have some peace. Disturbing the peace of the deceased is ultimately not a good thing."
Seeing this, Naruto said nothing more, but silently pulled Konohamaru away from the Heroes' Cemetery.
Outside the Heroes' Cemetery, Sasuke, dressed in black with a cold and deep expression, had been waiting for a long time. He stared intently at Huayue for a moment before revealing his purpose.
"Give me the power! I want the same eyes, the same Susanoo, and the same power as Itachi!"