Konoha, memorial square.
The breeze was gentle, the sun bright, and birds sang amid fragrant flowers.
On this day brimming with spring, the vast majority of Konoha's villagers had dressed in black and come here in response to Lord Hokage's call to attend Danzo's funeral.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood alone before the gravestone, swept his gaze over the crowd, and frowned.
He cast a meaningful glance to the side, and an Anbu member immediately appeared beside him.
"What's going on? The number of attendees isn't right. Far too many are missing... and why are they all men? Are there so few women in the village?"
"Lord Hokage, the Uchiha Clan... hasn't attended."
"Hm? Didn't our people notify them?"
"They did, but they didn't come."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened before he shook his head. "Forget it. If they won't come, so be it..."
He knew why Xia Yu had not come. After all, Xia Yu knew the truth about Danzo.
Otherwise, he could not have attacked Danzo...
Halfway through the funeral rites, after everyone had offered white flowers before Danzo's gravestone, Hiruzen Sarutobi gave two dry coughs, preparing to tell the crowd a few things.
But before he could speak.
A series of explosions suddenly rang out in the nearby sky.
"Boom! Bang!"
"Clang! Crackle..."
Everyone turned toward the sound.
"What's that noise? Has Danzo risen from the dead? Or did lightning strike his grave?"
"No, those are fireworks! Someone's setting off fireworks in the village!"
"Good grief, who's bold enough to set off fireworks on Lord Danzo's death anniversary?"
"Judging by the direction, they seem to be coming from the Uchiha Clan Compound..."
"I remember Lord Danzo was brought down by Xia Yu of the Uchiha Clan. Setting off fireworks at a time like this, tsk, tsk..."
"Savage. Absolutely savage!"