Chapter 416: Farewell! A cry that resounded through the sky! If you have any extra book tickets, please throw them at me.
Jiraiya-sensei~
Are you leaving?
Not long after the Anbu members left, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato emerged from the dense forest nearby, their eyes filled with apprehension and reluctance.
Did you all hear that? Yes!
Jiraiya-sensei has forgotten that you three have already grown into trustworthy Ninja.
Konan, Yahiko, Nagato!
It's been three years, it's time to part ways~
However, before that, let's have a good feast~ Konan, tonight's dinner is up to you!
Rumble~
In the sky, thunder rolled.
Under the gloomy sky, Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato followed Jiraiya's back closely towards the wooden house... Because the Konoha Anbu members had withdrawn from the mountain range, no one knew what these four master and disciples were discussing on that quiet night... Only, vaguely, Jiraiya's boisterous laughter could be heard.
The next morning, the sky still had no sunlight, only endless dark clouds and muffled thunder.
A torrential downpour suddenly arrived, adding a touch of sadness to this farewell.
Jiraiya-sensei~
Yahiko, Nagato! As men, you must protect Konan well~
Well then, we'll part for now, my beloved disciples~
The light from the raging thunder stretched Jiraiya's figure long.
Until Jiraiya and the Konoha Anbu's figures completely disappeared into the distant horizon, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan could no longer suppress their emotions and burst into tears.
Starting today, they... were orphans again.
Nagato, Konan... pull yourselves together, Jiraiya-sensei is right, we have to walk the rest of the path ourselves.
Perhaps, it's time for us to discuss what to do next.
Under Yahiko's comfort, Nagato and Konan gradually calmed down, but... the sadness in their eyes was clearly not something that could be erased in a short while.
Perhaps, that kind of thing requires the baptism of a long time, just like a person's life.
Heh~ That guy finally left.
The successor of Mount Myōboku, the Third Hokage's disciple, Konoha's Sannin... he's really a sharp fellow.
What should we do? Do we need to add some fuel to these three kids?
Idiot, don't do anything unnecessary. Do you want to be killed by Madara?
We just need to quietly observe their growth, and when the time is right, Madara will naturally inform us...
As Konan, Yahiko, and Nagato returned to the wooden house, a figure resembling a pitcher plant emerged from underground... like a neurotic, they fell into an argument, one speaking after another... Land of Wind, Konoha Camp.
After Sunagakure signed the alliance and delivered the first batch of supplies and money as agreed, the main Konoha forces stationed at the border oasis also began to break camp.
As per the agreement, they had to withdraw from the Land of Wind... However, to prevent Sunagakure from making moves behind their backs, at least... until the war in the Land of Rain ended, Sakumo Hatake would lead several hundred elites to temporarily remain in the northern Land of Rivers to monitor Sunagakure's movements.
As for Fujiwara Tetsuya and Akimichi Torifu... they led the remaining Ninja, wounded, and the supplies delivered by Sunagakure, returning to Konoha first with Danzo.
According to the instructions given by Hiruzen Sarutobi, after Fujiwara Tetsuya, Akimichi Torifu, and the main forces that attacked Sunagakure had a brief rest, they needed to quickly rush to the Land of Rain front line and join the war against Iwagakure.
Well then, Senior Sakumo, we'll part ways here for now.
Don't worry, I'll send the thing you gave me to Kakashi.
Lightly tossing the stone carving in his hand, Fujiwara Tetsuya looked at the distant mountains and then turned to look at Sakumo Hatake's calm expression, a hint of playfulness in his eyes.
It has to be said that Sakumo Hatake, this doting father, had quite good carving skills. Aside from the difference in material and color, the Kakashi stone carving in Fujiwara Tetsuya's hand was no different from the adorable Kakashi figurine from his previous life.
What a guy with bad taste~
You just need to give the thing to Kakashi, no need to say anything else?
Tetsuya, if I hear anything I shouldn't hear from Kakashi's mouth? You should know the consequences.
You two can save whatever you have to say until later, Tetsuya kid... we should set off.
Seeing the familiar relationship between Fujiwara Tetsuya and Sakumo Hatake, Danzo couldn't help but feel a little sour.
As an unspoken ally, why didn't Fujiwara Tetsuya treat him the same way he treated Sakumo Hatake...?
Fortunately, this time there was compensation from Sunagakure to accompany him, so it wouldn't make his mood even worse... Konoha.
The return of Fujiwara Tetsuya, Danzo... and the main forces from the front line once again stirred up endless waves in Konoha.
Countless Konoha Ninja and Villagers rushed into the streets like mad... searching for their family and companions in the dense crowd.
Lord Danzo, would you like to say a few words?
At the front of the team, Fujiwara Tetsuya scanned both sides, those fervent gazes, and seemed to think of something, suddenly stopping... a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth as he turned to look at Danzo.
Speak? Speak what?
Fujiwara Tetsuya's sudden question made Danzo a little confused.
In the past, he would at most be in Root's dark base, or slamming his hand on the table in the Hokage Building... Standing in this sunlight, facing so many people, what was he supposed to say? What should he say?
Hehe~ What do you think they are hoping for, Lord Danzo?
It seems, old man, you've stayed too long in Root's cramped space~
No matter how strong the King of Darkness is, no matter how much power he holds? He can never become the Hokage of Konoha!
The Hokage of Konoha! Symbolizes light, hope... and the future.
If Lord Danzo truly wants to sit in the Hokage's position, then he must learn to adapt... to life in the sunlight.
Because, only the one recognized by all the Villagers can become the Hokage~
Watching Danzo lost in thought, Fujiwara Tetsuya chuckled lightly and slowly walked forward.
Hey! I say, everyone~~~
The moment Fujiwara Tetsuya's clear voice rang out.
The streets on both sides instantly fell silent, and gazes... still fervently stared at Fujiwara Tetsuya.
Everyone! We're back~
We defeated Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Ninja Villages~
But this is just the beginning, not the end. Soon we will also defeat Iwagakure, completely end the war, and win true peace for Konoha.
Where Konoha dances, fire will continue to burn. The Hikari will continue to illuminate the Village, and make new leaves sprout!
The last wishes of our predecessors, the wills of our companions who died fighting to protect Konoha in the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Wind... and your hopes for peace, will be inherited by us, the living... and will continue to be protected by us.
Oh~ Lord Tetsuya~ Long live!!!
Long live Lord Sakumo~
Long live Hokage-sama~
...Has this kid grown in more than just strength?
Not far away, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado, who arrived late, stared blankly at the scene before them, falling silent amidst the deafening cheers.
At this moment, compared to Fujiwara Tetsuya's prominence, Danzo... had already been relegated to the background.