Chapter 14: The Departure of the Past Kage

The room fell into a hushed silence after the decision about Obito was made. The tension was still palpable, but there was a shift now. The weight of the Kage's presence in the room was undeniable, and it was clear that the current moment wasn't just about making decisions—it was about preparing for the future.

The revived Kage, as Edo Tensei, had been listening quietly in the background, each one contemplating their place in the world once more. Tsunade, Gaara, Mei, and Onoki were standing in the center, discussing future plans, their voices echoing through the room.

But the time had come for the previous Kage to leave.

Naruto stood tall, facing the departed Hokage, who had been brought back through the forbidden jutsu. The old Hokage—the likes of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze, and the others—had made their presence known once more, but as Edo Tensei, they would not stay for long.

Hiruzen stepped forward, his face showing a mixture of warmth and sorrow. "It seems our time here has come to an end," he said softly, addressing the current Kage and Naruto, who had grown so much since the last time they had seen him.

"There's still so much more to do, so much we must prepare for," Minato added, his usual calm demeanor masking the depth of concern in his eyes. "But our role here, as it stands now, is to guide you, not to remain in the shadows of the past."

The other Kage, each looking at the current leaders, could only nod in agreement. Gaara's expression softened, his usual stoic nature giving way to a sense of respect. "You've all done so much. Now it's up to us to carry the weight. We will not forget what you've done for us."

The previous Kage stood together as one, each with a solemn expression on their faces, but a sense of pride in their hearts. Their time in the physical world had been brief, but their contributions had left an indelible mark. The world had changed, and it was time for the next generation to step up and protect it.

Tsunade stepped forward, her expression serious. "We may not have been able to stop everything that's happened, but you've done more than enough. You've guided the next generation. Now... you can rest."

Minato smiled, the sadness in his eyes fading slightly. "Thank you, Tsunade."

Then, the Edo Tensei seals began to glow. Slowly, one by one, the revived Kage began to dissipate, their forms returning to the realm of the living as their bodies began to disintegrate. It was a somber moment. Each one of them had given their lives for the world they loved, and now they would be allowed to rest once more.

The room was quiet, save for the hum of the chakra in the air. Each of the past Kage nodded their final goodbyes, their time in this world coming to a close.

Mei took a step forward, her voice soft but filled with emotion. "Thank you for everything. You taught us how to lead. You showed us the way."

Onoki, looking frail but strong, gave one last nod. "Take care of this world... it's your turn now." If you're hearing this, then the person creating this audiobook did not obtain permission. This work was created by shredder121

The last to disappear was Hiruzen Sarutobi. He turned to face Naruto with a warm, fatherly smile. "You've grown so much. Protect the future of this world, Naruto. It's in your hands now."

With those final words, the last of the Edo Tensei Kage faded away, leaving only the faintest echo of their presence behind. The room was filled with silence, the weight of their departure settling on the current Kage and the revived Team 7. It was a heavy moment—a realization that the past had done all it could, and now, it was time for the next generation to carry the torch.

Sasuke, who had been quietly watching, glanced over at Naruto. "This is it, huh? The past is behind us. It's our turn now."

Naruto nodded, his gaze focused, but a sense of determination filled his eyes. "Yeah. But I don't think we're alone in this. We've got the future to look after—and whatever comes next, we'll face it together."

Kakashi, standing beside them, gave a small smile. "Well, Naruto, Sasuke... it looks like it's time to make sure the next generation doesn't end up as messed up as we were."

Naruto grinned, turning to face the Kage once more. "Let's do this. We've got a world to protect."

As the last of the previous Kage disappeared into the ether, the group stood in solemn silence. The torch had officially been passed. The world was theirs to protect now.