Southern Konoha, the Sarutobi Clan Compound, the cemetery.
In the end, at Asuma's insistence, everyone except Jiraiya came to the place where Hiruzen's body was buried.
They prepared to summon Hiruzen back using Impure World Reincarnation.
Although his funeral had been held at Konoha's Memorial Stone, Hiruzen's body had been brought back to the clan cemetery for burial afterward.
He guarded his family.
Four members of the Sarutobi Clan silently dug into the earth with shovels, hoping nothing bad would happen.
Ever since the confiscation of their property had ended.
Under a series of blows, including economic collapse and severed trade routes, life had already become very difficult for their clan.
"Asuma, have you really made up your mind?"
"Once the coffin is opened, there will be no turning back!"
A trace of mixed feelings flashed through Tsunade's eyes as she spoke again.
As Hiruzen's student, she had practically watched Asuma grow up, and she knew he had not taken part in the Sarutobi Clan's dealings in the village.
But she had never expected the old man to have sheltered him so well.
He had no views of his own at all.
Could neither her repeated warnings nor Jiraiya's absence wake him up?
Did he really think his father had not done this?
"That's right, Asuma. Think this through. If you refuse now, we can still postpone this."
"If you wait any longer, there won't be time!"
Shikaku Nara came up to the two of them and spoke quietly.
"Enough!"
"None of you need to say anything more. For Konoha's honor, I will never allow anyone to slander my father."
"I believe my father would feel exactly the same way."
Asuma waved a hand, walked over to his clansmen, and picked up a shovel to help dig.
Konoha's skies would