"Lord Hokage would like you to come up."
The ANBU soon returned and, with his head lowered, led Team 7 upstairs.
Unlike Naruto and Karin, who often dropped by the Hokage Building, Hinata and Sasuke, heirs to two great Kekkei Genkai clans, had visited it very few times.
So when they saw the long staircase and the door to the Hokage Office, curiosity showed in their eyes.
Knock, knock, knock.
The somewhat loud knocking rang out, followed by Sarutobi's call to come in. Naruto pushed the exceptionally sturdy door open with a bang.
"Grandpa Third, what did you want me for?"
Naruto strolled in with his hands behind his head.
Sarutobi put down his documents and looked at the swaggering Naruto and his sister. The corner of his mouth twitched, and he straightened up helplessly.
"Naruto, you should be able to guess."
Sarutobi glanced at Sasuke and Hinata out of the corner of his eye. He could tell that these two children were still very polite. At least, they were much better behaved than the Uzumaki siblings, who had their ancestor backing them up.
Sasuke: Just wait until my Mangekyō can use Susanoo. Then we'll see how well behaved I am.
"Was it that snake-like guy? My dad's teacher's junior fellow disciple, Orochimaru, one of the former Sannin?"
Naruto's expression grew serious as he spoke slowly.
"Yes, him. He was once the student I was proudest of, but... sigh, talking about it only brings tears."
Sarutobi's eyes held deep emotion for his dead student. How had he ended up dying?
His death settled the matter. Now that Orochimaru was dead, history would judge his rights and wrongs.
He had indeed made many contributions to Konoha throughout his life, but he had also done many wrong things.
Perhaps his death now