Tobirama placed his hands in front of him.
"If we can't even deal with these invaders, there's no point in Konoha continuing to exist."
Ban closed his eyes.
"Don't make a sound."
"Go by yourself if you want to."
Hashirama remained silent.
The four of them lay on the wooden rattan rocking chairs, completely detached from the situation.
The tavern's front hall remains open as usual.
There were still people playing cards in the card room.
The hot pot restaurant was also open.
While war rages through Konoha, the Undead Tavern remains peaceful.
The afternoon sun shone through the gaps in the leaves.
Ban was startled awake by the shaking.
He raised his hand to block the light and squinted slightly.
Zhang Yu glanced at him, then casually took out a pair of black sunglasses and tossed them over.
"Then."
Ban raised his hand and grabbed it.
He looked at it twice, then put it directly on his face.
"This is somewhat useful."
Hashirama immediately sat up.
"Boss, where's mine?"
Zhang Yu tossed another one over.
After Hashirama, Hashirama turned to look at Tobirama.
"How about it?"
Tobirama glanced at him.
"Not very good."
"You're just jealous."
"I don't need it."
Zhang Yu put one on himself as well.
The three of them lay down again.
Tobirama sat alone to the side, and after a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Boss."
Is there anything else?
"No."
"..."
Hashirama took off his sunglasses and handed them to Tobirama.
"Can I borrow it for a while?"
"No need."
Tobirama closed his eyes and turned his face to the other side.
A gentle breeze blew through the backyard.
The four rocking chairs swayed gently.
Zhang Yu only intended to rest for a short while, but soon he felt sleepy.
Madara and Hashirama remained silent.
Only the sound of clashing blades remained in the courtyard.
When Zhang Yu opened his eyes again, it was already close to evening.
Someone gently touched his arm.
" Lord Zhang Yu."
Zhang Yu took off his sunglasses and saw Yugao standing next to the rocking chair.
She had just finished training.
Her long purple hair clung to the side of her face, and her training clothes were soaked with sweat.
Xiang also stood beside her.
Her condition was more obvious than Yugao's.
My forehead, neck, and arms were covered in sweat, and my breathing wasn't completely steady yet.
What time is it?
It's already dinnertime.
Yugao said, "Mr. Izuna asked me to come and call you."
Zhang Yu sat up.
Madara and Hashirama, who were nearby, also woke up.
Tobirama had already left the rocking chair and was now standing in the corridor organizing documents.
Zhang Yu looked at Yugao and Xiang.
"You guys go take a shower first."
"Come to the restaurant after you've changed your clothes."
Yugao nodded.
"Yes."
Xiang agreed.
I'll be back soon.
The two returned to the apartment together.
Zhang Yu stretched his shoulders and led Madara and Hashirama to the restaurant.
Dinner is already set out.
Izuna brought out the last dish from the kitchen.
"Boss, it's ready to eat."
As soon as everyone sat down, Tobirama came to Zhang Yu's side with a stack of documents.
"This is the battle report that Danzo just finished compiling."
Zhang Yu took the document.
"Has the Konoha Crush Plan ended?"
It's over.
Tobirama said, "The main forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure have withdrawn from Konoha."
"The remaining personnel were either captured or died in the fighting."
Konoha also lost many ninja.
Zhang Yu casually flipped through two pages.
" The Sunagakure has been defeated."
Hiruzen Sarutobi in action.
" Orochimaru successfully escaped."
"These should be the three main results."
Tobirama stopped moving.
"You've already read the battle report?"
"No."
Zhang Yu placed the documents on the table.
Tobirama glanced down.
Zhang Yu had only flipped through the first two pages.
The deaths of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the escape of Orochimaru are recorded later.
How did you know?
"Just a guess."
"This can't be guessed."
Tobirama picked up the battle report and checked it again.
"After Hiruzen used the Reaper Death Seal, he was unable to completely seal Orochimaru."
"Although Orochimaru was injured, he was eventually taken away by the Sound Ninja."
"This information was just delivered from the Hokage."
Hashirama put down his chopsticks.
" Hiruzen is dead?"
Tobirama nodded.
"The price of the Reaper Death Seal is the caster's soul."
"When he chose this technique, the outcome was already decided."
Hashirama remained silent for a moment, then asked no further questions.
Ban then looked at Zhang Yu.
"You even predicted that Orochimaru would escape?"
Is it difficult?
Zhang Yu picked up his chopsticks.
" Orochimaru has been preparing for so many years; he can't be without a way out."
"Let's eat first."
Tobirama glanced at him for a few seconds, then finally put away the battle report.
After taking a bath, Yugao and Xiang quickly arrived at the restaurant.
After dinner, everyone returned to their rooms to rest.
For the next three days, Konoha dealt with post-war affairs.
Repairs to the damaged building have begun.
The injured ninja was taken to the hospital.
The prisoners left behind by Sunagakure and Otogakure were also interrogated in batches.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's memorial service ended on the third day.
A large number of Konoha Ninja and villagers attended the funeral.
White flowers are scattered beneath the Hokage Rock.
After the memorial service, the village gradually returned to normal.
The shops have reopened.
There were more pedestrians on the streets.
The final battle of the Chunin Ninja Exams was forced to be interrupted.
The advancement results will have to be renegotiated.
Sasuke hasn't left the house these past few days.
Chunin Ninja Exams, he witnessed Naruto's strength firsthand.
Naruto, whom he had always considered a loser, was now able to chase Gaara head-on.
The gap between the two sides is narrowing.
For the first time, Sasuke seriously assessed his own strength.
With my current abilities, I can't even suppress Naruto, let alone kill Itachi.
His mindset also changed as a result.
That night, just as Sasuke reached his front door, a figure appeared from the alleyway.
Orochimaru.
Sasuke instantly drew his Kunai.
Orochimaru changed back to his original form.
His face was somewhat pale, and he still bore the marks of battle.
Don't be so tense.
I didn't come here to kill you.
Sasuke stared at him.
"You still dare to stay in Konoha?"
" Konoha can't afford to worry about me right now."
Orochimaru looked Sasuke up and down.
I had high hopes for you.
"Unfortunately, your body is too weak right now."
"With such a physique, you are not yet qualified to be my vessel."
Sasuke gripped his Kunai.
What are you saying?
You'll understand later.
Orochimaru stretched out his neck and bit down on Sasuke's shoulder.
Sasuke didn't have time to dodge.
Three black Tomoe appeared around the wound.
A sharp pain instantly spread throughout my body.
The Kunai in his hand fell to the ground, and he knelt down.
What did you do to me?
"Something that can give you power."
Orochimaru's body transformed into a white phosphorus snake and disappeared into the shadows.
Sasuke braced himself against the ground with both hands.
The Cursed Seal spread rapidly.
Black lines crept up his shoulders and neck.
He gritted his teeth, but finally succumbed to the excruciating pain and collapsed in front of his house.
A week passed quickly.
Konoha has fully recovered.
The number of customers at the Undead Tavern and the hot pot and barbecue restaurant next door has also stabilized.
The tavern is in charge of drinks.
The hot pot restaurant serves main meals.
Both sides bring tourists to each other.
After deducting the cost of ingredients, wages, and daily losses, the two stores can achieve a daily net profit of 200,000 taels.