Chapter 65: Third Hokage’s End! Go!

In the end, Gaara left with Kankurō and Temari, who had arrived to take him back.

Sasuke hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said nothing.

He and Naruto called Sakura and the pug, Pakkun, to return to the village. Along the way, they encountered Shino, who had been rescued by an elderly shinobi.

Back in Konohagakure, Orochimaru had already retreated. The village's Jōnin gathered on the rooftops, surrounding the fallen bodies of the Third Hokage and the two reanimated Hokage. Silence hung over them like a heavy shroud.

No matter what the Third Hokage had done, right or wrong, seeing his passing was still a sorrowful sight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi may not have been a revolutionary leader, but he had always longed for peace.

Having lived through the Warring States period and the great shinobi wars, he cherished the hard-won tranquility of the village. Even if sacrifices had to be made, he never hesitated.

This was the burden of the times, and with his death, an era had ended.

The Next Day

The sky seemed to mourn the Third Hokage as well. Dark clouds loomed over the village. Dressed in black, the shinobi and villagers stood in solemn silence before the mourning hall. No matter what opinions they had of the Third Hokage in life, in this moment, all they could feel was reverence for the fallen leader.

Regardless of any mistakes he had made, in the end, he had died protecting Konoha.

As his body was lowered into the ground, the sky opened up, and rain began to fall.

White chrysanthemums were placed on his grave, a final farewell to his soul.

Then, a single ray of light broke through the storm clouds, illuminating the village.

A generation had come to an end.

Akatsuki's Watchful Eyes

On the outer walls of Konoha, two figures cloaked in black robes adorned with red clouds overlooked the village.

"Although it was spared from total destruction, the damage is still quite severe," one of them commented.

"It's a shame. The village was once so prosperous," the other replied.

The first figure scoffed. "Heh, I didn't expect sentimentality from you. Are you still nostalgic for your hometown, Itachi?"

Itachi Uchiha remained silent for a moment, then said flatly, "No. Not at all."

The wind chime hanging from his hat rang softly in the breeze.

Naruto's Usual Antics

"Hey! Naruto, you little bastard! Are you fishing in someone else's pond again?!"

A guard sprinted after Naruto, who bolted down the street, grinning.

"It's just a little fishing and sunbathing! What's the big deal?!" Naruto shouted back.

"You killed all the koi that Auntie Keiko raised in that pond, you idiot!" the guard yelled in frustration.

"How was I supposed to know there were pet koi in the river?!" Naruto laughed as he disappeared down an alleyway.

"Damn it!" The guard stopped, panting heavily.

Naruto wandered through the streets, hands behind his head.

With the Third Hokage gone, all missions were suspended, and the villagers were busy repairing their homes. Everywhere, the remnants of battle and destruction were visible.

"Man, this is so boring. Another place where I used to zone out is gone." Naruto sighed. "Guess I'll go find Pervy Sage! Hehehe."

With that, he disappeared in a flash.

Jiraiya's Proposition

"Jiraiya, are you still doing such shameless things?" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu appeared behind him as he peeped into the women's bathhouse.

"Eh? It's called research, you know. Very important for a legendary author like me!" Jiraiya smirked, not even turning around. "So, what do the esteemed Hokage advisors need from me?"

"You should already know why we're here," Homura said seriously.

Jiraiya waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it. Being Hokage is too much of a hassle. I'm not the right guy for the job."

"The daimyo has called for an emergency meeting. If even Mount Myōboku's Toad Sage, one of the legendary Sannin, refuses the title, the village will lose faith in its leadership." Koharu insisted.

"Isn't there another Sannin out there?" Jiraiya interrupted. "Tsunade would be a better choice than me."

The two elders exchanged glances. "She is indeed more suitable. However, no one knows where she is."

"Then I'll find her!" Jiraiya declared. "But in return, drop the idea of making me Hokage. Tsunade is far better suited for the role than a free spirit like me."

"Fine, but we're sending three Anbu to accompany you." Homura relented.

Jiraiya grinned. "No need to worry. I won't run away. But I do have a condition—I'm bringing a Genin along. I've found an interesting kid."

Meanwhile…

"Huh? Pervy Sage isn't at the bathhouse?" Naruto grumbled from his hiding spot on the roof. "Whatever, time for some ramen!"

"Hey! Brat! You were peeping again, weren't you?!" the bathhouse guard roared.

"Ahhh, gotta run!" Naruto vanished in a blur.

Ichiraku Ramen

"Uncle Teuchi! One extra-large miso char siu ramen!" Naruto pushed aside the curtain and grinned.

"Yo, Naruto! Got some free time, huh?" Teuchi laughed.

"Can't help it! Everything's been so dull lately!" Naruto sighed.

"Here you go! Enjoy." Teuchi placed the steaming bowl in front of him.

Just as Naruto picked up his chopsticks, the wind chimes at the door jingled.

"Welcome!" Teuchi called out, but no one entered.

Naruto turned his head, a strange feeling creeping over him.

A New Threat

"So, Itachi… you never told me your little brother was the Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki." Kisame Hoshigaki said, amused. "Think we can take him?"

Itachi remained silent, his crimson Sharingan glinting beneath the shadows of his hat.

Elsewhere, Kakashi stood by a small shrine, holding a bouquet.

"Yo, you two seem to be getting along well," he teased as Kurenai and Asuma approached.

"Shut up! I was just helping Anko buy dango and happened to run into him!" Kurenai snapped, though her mind wandered elsewhere.

Asuma chuckled awkwardly. "What are you doing here, Kakashi?"

"Buying offerings. And waiting for someone."

"Who?" Asuma asked.

"Sasuke." Kakashi's gaze remained locked on a nearby teahouse.

Inside, Itachi flexed his fingers, preparing.

Sasuke arrived moments later. "You're early today, Kakashi."

"Just this once," Kakashi muttered, still watching the teahouse.

Outside Konoha, Itachi and Kisame were stopped by Asuma and Kurenai.

"Two outsiders loitering around Konoha… What business do you have here?" Asuma demanded.

Itachi raised his hat slightly. "It's been a while, Asuma, Kurenai."

The chime of his hat's bell rang softly as his Sharingan glowed red.

To Be Continued…

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