Chapter 196 Hiruzen Falls

Hinata watched as Tatsuya floated effortlessly in the air, untouched by the destruction around him. The tension on her face eased, and she breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

Tatsuya's gaze shifted to Terumi Mei, his expression turning serious. He spoke in a tone that brooked no argument. "Where are those money bags? I've saved them from certain death, but now it's time they pay for their lives—and the damages they've caused."

Terumi Mei, still simmering with anger, huffed and moved into Tatsuya's embrace, her frustration evident but softened by the warmth of his presence. "You're impossible," she muttered, her voice a mix of exasperation and affection.

The onlookers, witnessing the intimate exchange, quickly averted their gazes, embarrassed by the display. Terumi Mei's anger was evident, yet there was an undeniable shyness in her demeanor as she stood so close to her lover. Had this been anywhere but Konoha, it would surely have made for scandalous gossip.

Hinata couldn't help but glance at Terumi Mei, her cheeks flushing slightly at the sight of the two. She briefly wondered what Kurenai would have said if she were here—no doubt, the two would be teasing each other relentlessly by now.

Though the matter with the Ōtsutsuki clan had been settled, Tatsuya suggested that the finals be postponed until tomorrow. The purses had already been safely secured, and continuing the tournament without them would have been pointless in his eyes.

After the chaos surrounding the Ōtsutsuki, Tatsuya now found himself wrapped up in another situation—Terumi Mei's lingering presence. He was exhausted, though the fire of battle still burned within him.

Minato and Sakumo, having completed their respective fights and duties, took their leave, knowing the final battles would take place the following day.

Despite the fierce intensity of the battle, Tatsuya and Terumi Mei hadn't spared each other in terms of ninjutsu, draining their chakra reserves. It was clear that both had given their all.

Meanwhile, Uzumaki Naruto and Kushina waited for Minato to return. Though Naruto had lost the match, Minato was more than pleased with his son's performance. The young boy had fought with determination, and that was enough for Minato to praise him wholeheartedly.

Kushina, however, was a different story. She had gotten into the spirit of things earlier, fighting her own battle with a fierce determination. Now, she turned her attention to Naruto, a mischievous smile on her lips.

"You did well," she said, though her tone carried a promise of something more.

Naruto, sensing the impending "reward," felt a wave of dread. The "creak" of his fingers as he subtly tried to use shadow clone jutsu to escape didn't go unnoticed by Kushina. Her keen eyes caught his every move, and it was clear that escaping her "punishment" was going to be no easy feat.

At this moment, Hiruzen and Orochimaru were still locked in their fierce struggle, though it was clear that the power to extract Orochimaru's soul was waning.

"It seems things aren't going as you planned," Orochimaru sneered, his voice filled with defiance.

The outcome of this prolonged battle was becoming increasingly clear. Hiruzen, having expended nearly all his chakra in the battle, was on the verge of collapse. His energy was running dry, and the Sealing Techniques could no longer be maintained at full strength.

Orochimaru's sword had dealt a cruel blow, forcing Sarutobi to burn through the last of his life force.

"It's a shame I can't take you with me," Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered, releasing Orochimaru from his grip.

As Orochimaru's soul began to return to his body, he briefly allowed himself a moment of triumph. But before he could fully rejoice, the Shinigami's hand descended, slicing through Orochimaru's soul and hands with brutal finality.

"But I will take your ninjutsu, ensuring you can never use them to harm Konoha again," Hiruzen's voice was steady, though the weight of his words carried deep finality.

A seal appeared on Hiruzen's abdomen, the technique fully locking away Orochimaru's power and sealing his hands along with his soul. With the completion of the sealing jutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave his life to ensure that Orochimaru could never again pose a threat to the village.

As Hiruzen's eyelids fluttered shut, he cast one last, sorrowful glance at the man who had once been a promising, brilliant student. He couldn't help but wish to see the pure, talented youth that Orochimaru had once been before the darkness consumed him.

With his hands sealed and his soul shackled, Orochimaru found himself trapped. But his subordinates arrived just in time, whisking him away to safety as Sarutobi's life finally came to an end.

The village would later learn of the full extent of the battle's outcome, and the news would spread quickly throughout Konoha.

The grudge between Orochimaru and Hiruzen, though personal and intense, was not something Tatsuya wished to dwell on. Yet, Hiruzen's death carried a weight that couldn't be ignored, reminding him of the old saying, 'Even in his final moments, Hiruzen believed he died for Konoha, and where the Will of Fire burns, its light will never fade.'

The death of the Third Hokage cast a shadow over the village. Originally, the final matches of the tournament were to take place the next day, but out of respect for the fallen leader, they were postponed for a week.

All factions in Konoha understood the gravity of the situation, and the village was draped in solemnity. Minato, the newly appointed Fifth Hokage, oversaw the burial of Sarutobi Hiruzen, marking the end of an era for the Hidden Leaf Village.

At the funeral, Konohamaru, who had once been at odds with his grandfather, cried uncontrollably, his tears mixing with his sniffles. He had never imagined that his grandfather would leave him so suddenly. Now, Konohamaru found himself alone, having lost not only his father but also the figure he had once looked up to as a guide. It was a heavy blow, especially for a child.

In response, Minato publicly pledged to take responsibility for Konohamaru's well-being, ensuring that the young boy's daily needs and education would be cared for. After all, a child had a long life ahead of him, and Minato wanted to help him navigate through this difficult time.

Meanwhile, Naruto found some solace in his growing family. Having a young brother brought him a sense of joy. He had always been envious of families with more than one child, wishing he could share his parents' attention with others. According to Naruto, the more children there were, the less likely he was to be spanked by his mother and her focus would be divided.

Kushina supported Minato's decision wholeheartedly. She agreed that Konohamaru deserved a stable home and nurturing guidance during such a tragic time.

Seeing his parents' firm stance, Naruto, with his usual enthusiasm, approached his new younger brother. However, despite his best efforts, Konohamaru paid him no attention. The boy, still grieving and overwhelmed by his emotions, continued to cry, completely ignoring Naruto's presence.

Tatsuya also attended the funeral, offering his support for Minato's decision. While he didn't have the same emotional connection to Konohamaru as others, he understood the need to offer stability to the young boy. As for Tatsuya, his life was already complicated enough with the challenges of dealing with Terumi Mei, who had proven to be more than enough to handle in his mansion. Taking in another child would only add to his already full plate.

Tatsuya appreciated straightforwardness in matters of responsibility, and the decision to adopt Konohamaru made sense in his pragmatic world. At this point, in Konoha, few people could challenge his perspective, and he respected Minato's approach to ensuring the boy would be cared for.

The continuation of the finals was postponed for a week, which meant the wealthy patrons had to adjust their plans accordingly. The nobles could afford to remain in Konoha for a few extra days, but the business tycoons—whose time was more valuable than gold—couldn't afford such a lengthy delay. For them, time was money, and spending an extended period in Konoha wasn't an option. They would rather make multiple trips than stay idle for so long.

To show Konoha's sincerity and concern for their visitors, Minato, following Tatsuya's recommendation, arranged for several Chūnin to escort the merchants and nobles back to their respective territories. This move was essential; if any of the wealthy patrons were to experience trouble or delays, it would reflect poorly on Konoha. By ensuring their safe journey, Minato hoped to maintain the trust and goodwill of the business elite, making them more inclined to return to Konoha for future dealings.

Tatsuya's decision was a calculated one, aimed at securing long-term benefits. The primary purpose of the tournament had always been to attract these influential figures, and by providing them with such assurances, Konoha hoped to foster stronger relationships with these key players.

Meanwhile, after Orochimaru's departure, he ceased all contact with Tatsuya. However, Tatsuya's life at his mansion remained as chaotic as ever. Even though he had moved his focus to Hatake Kakashi, the situation didn't improve. He found himself constantly entangled in matters with Terumi Mei, whose persistent presence was becoming more troublesome by the day.

What frustrated Tatsuya the most was Kurenai's unexpected involvement. For reasons he couldn't quite understand, she had joined forces with Terumi Mei, adding another layer of complexity to the already volatile relationship.

---

Get exclusive access to 40 chapters ahead and bonus content from three additional fanfictions — only on P*treon.c*m/Marioni.