Time flew by in the blink of an eye.
More than a year had passed since Sōkyū Hatake entered the Ryūmyaku.
A great deal had happened during that time.
For instance, after Orochimaru and Tsunade joined the fighting, Iwagakure's offensive had been completely turned around. Konoha had practically beaten Iwagakure into submission and driven them all the way home.
Yes, after paying a devastating price, Iwagakure had ended its war with Konoha.
Although Orochimaru and Tsunade had indeed left without permission, with Tsunade's backing, Danzo and Hiruzen Sarutobi had taken no major action against them.
Of course, there had still been some measures. For instance, after the war with Iwagakure ended, Orochimaru had effectively been placed under house arrest in Konoha.
He spent every day in the laboratory, practically living there.
As for Tsunade, she had gone off traveling again. No one in Konoha, from top to bottom, had any objections to her actions.
Immediately afterward, Konoha had committed more troops to the fighting against Kirigakure and Kumogakure, quickly bringing things to the current standoff.
Of course, thanks to Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo's decisions, everything about Sōkyū Hatake had been downplayed, replaced by publicity for Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja.
Yes, most people had already forgotten.
They had forgotten Konoha's former Thunder God-Sōkyū Hatake-and knew only of a Copy Ninja named Kakashi Hatake!
After the fighting with Iwagakure ended, Hiruzen Sarutobi himself had returned to Konoha, handing frontline command over to others while he went back to handle all government affairs.
A ruler died defending his realm. Hiruzen Sarutobi himself understood that the best arrangement was for him to hold the fort in Konoha, while everyone else could be sent out.
And on this battlefield, the man with the greatest renown now was the Yellow Flash, Minato Namikaze!
After leading