Chapter 34: The Will of Fire Endures

The next day dawned grey and somber, heavy clouds hanging low over Konoha as if the sky itself mourned. A pervasive, sorrowful atmosphere clung to the village, a stark contrast to the usual vibrant energy.

Sasuke was already awake, dressed in a simple black outfit, a shadow of grief and anger darkening his features. He sat at the low table in the living room, head bowed in silent contemplation. Ren sat across from him, stifling yawns and rubbing sleep from his eyes, the emotional weight of the day not yet fully settling on him.

The door slid open to reveal Haruno Sakura, also dressed in black, her expression a mirror of Sasuke's sadness.

"Sasuke..." she began, her voice soft and hesitant.

Sasuke simply raised a hand, cutting her off without looking up. She fell silent, her gaze then shifting to Ren. It was fleeting, but he caught it—a flash of pure, unadulterated disgust before she quickly looked away.

"Let's go," Sasuke said abruptly, standing and walking out without another word.

Once he was gone, Sakura turned her full attention to Ren. This time, she didn't bother to hide her contempt. She looked at him as if he were something unpleasant she'd stepped in.

"Uchiha Ren," she said, her voice cold and sharp. "I don't care if you understand this or not, but stay away from Ino. A useless idiot like you isn't worthy of her. Just... stay away from Sasuke, too." With that final, cutting remark, she turned and hurried after Sasuke.

*Tch. What's her problem?* Ren thought, the old annoyance from his past life bubbling up. *That forehead really is as wide as her attitude. Who does she think she is?*

***

High atop the Hokage Tower, a somber crowd had gathered, all clad in black. A heavy silence was broken only by the soft patter of rain that began to fall. They stood before a long table lined with photographs of the fallen. At the center, larger than the rest, was a portrait of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"It's raining," someone murmured.

"Even the heavens are weeping," Asuma Sarutobi said, his voice thick with grief as he looked up at the weeping sky.

Homura Mitokado, one of the village elders, addressed the assembled shinobi. "This funeral is to honor the Third Hokage, who fell in battle, and all the other victims who died protecting our home." He instructed everyone to step forward and lay their white flowers.

Naruto stood nearby, Konohamaru weeping quietly at his side. "Why?" Naruto whispered, his own eyes stinging. "Why did the Third Hokage have to die like this? Why...?"

He walked forward, placed his flower, and returned to the crowd, turning to Iruka. "Iruka-sensei... why would someone risk their life for others?"

Iruka placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "When a person dies, they are truly gone. Their past, present, and future all vanish. Many die on missions or in war. They die so easily. The Wind... was one of them. Among the dead, there were people with dreams, people who cherished others. Parents, siblings, friends, lovers... people who are irreplaceable. They trust and help each other. From the moment we're born, we're connected to the people most important to us. These bonds only grow stronger with time. It doesn't need a grand reason. Someone who has these bonds will protect them, because they are protecting the people they hold dear."

"I... I think I understand that feeling a little," Naruto said, his voice small. "But... death is so painful."

"The Third Hokage did not die for nothing," Iruka said gently. "He left us something very important. You'll understand it one day."

"Yeah," Naruto nodded, a new resolve hardening through his grief. "I think I'm starting to."

***

While the memorial service continued, Kakashi was not among the crowd. He stood alone in the rain at the Memorial Stone, his head bowed. The sound of footsteps approached from behind. A woman with long, purple hair, Yuugao Uzuki, stood there holding a bouquet of white flowers.

"For Hayate?" Kakashi asked, though he didn't need to turn around to know who it was. "The Third's funeral has already started. We should hurry."

"Kakashi-senpai, you also came to see Obito?" Yuugao said, placing her flowers before the stone and folding her hands in a brief prayer. "Since you're always making excuses for being late, why can't you come earlier?"

"I've been here since early morning," Kakashi replied quietly. "It's just that every time I come here, I can't help but blame myself for being so foolish..." He made to turn and leave.

"Senpai," Yuugao called out, stopping him. "Does the Hokage... have a secret team?"

"A secret team?" Kakashi turned, his visible eye narrowing in curiosity. "I was in ANBU for years. I've never heard of a secret team."

"Oh?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I encountered a strange ANBU operative yesterday while pursuing an enemy. He claimed to be from the Hokage's secret unit."

"Was he... not very tall? Sounded young?"

"You've seen him, senpai?"

"Maybe. I initially thought he was ANBU too. But then I noticed he lacked the ANBU's flame tattoo on his arm. He wasn't one of us."

"Not ANBU? Then who could he be?"

"I don't know. But he didn't seem hostile to Konoha. In fact, he saved a number of our people."

"Is that so?"

"Well, the memorial service is ending. I should go." Without another word, Kakashi turned and walked toward the Hokage Tower, leaving Yuugao alone with her thoughts.

***

The service ended, the clouds parting as if the sky had cried its fill. The Konoha 12 began to disperse. Iruka watched them go, a profound sense of hope swelling in his chest amidst the grief.

*The young saplings of Konoha... Lord Third,* he thought. *It seems they have inherited the Will of Fire you always spoke of. The small flames that have fallen upon the village will one day burn brightly. They will continue to illuminate and protect this village. One day... they will become the new Hokage.*

***

On the road leading away from Konoha toward the Land of Wind, a squad of Sand shinobi, led by Baki, moved with purpose.

"Found it!" a scout reported, appearing before them.

"Lead the way," Baki ordered. They were led to a secluded spot where several badly decomposed corpses lay, all wearing Sand shinobi attire. Among them was a body clad in the Kazekage's robes, the distinctive hat lying nearby.

"They've been dead for a long time," one of the Sand ninja observed grimly. "Probably since before the Chunin Exams even began."

"I see," Baki said, his face a mask of cold fury. "So that's what happened. That bastard Orochimaru... He killed Lord Fourth Kazekage and had himself or that Kabuto impersonate him. I was far too careless."

***

In a dark, hidden laboratory, a different kind of anger festered.

"Damn you, Sarutobi..." Orochimaru hissed, his voice raw with pain and resentment. His arms, their souls sealed away by the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, hung uselessly at his sides.

"To be fair, it wasn't a simple task," Kabuto said smoothly, adjusting his glasses. "Your opponent was, after all, hailed as the strongest Hokage of the Five Great Nations. It is a testament to your power that you managed to strike down two of the five Kage..."

"Don't... patronize me," Orochimaru spat, his serpentine eyes glinting dangerously. "Or I'll kill you." The source of thɪs content is novel_fіre.net

"I meant no offense. Although we failed to capture Konoha, this operation did achieve one of its primary objectives... Sasuke Uchiha. He has now been branded with your mark."

"Hehehe..." Orochimaru's laugh was a dry, rasping thing. "I obtained it at the cost of my arms and all my jutsu. My business with Uchiha Itachi... it was an unfulfilled desire. Because he was stronger than me." A shiver ran through him as the memory of Itachi's cold, overwhelming power flashed in his mind. "That is why... I left that organization."

***

In a cavern hidden deep within the Rain Country, a colossal stone statue stood with ten grotesque fingers outstretched. This was a primary base of the Akatsuki organization. Projected onto the fingers were the holographic forms of its core members—S-rank missing-nin from various villages.

"According to external intelligence," announced the figure on the foremost finger, Pain, his voice echoing in the cavern. His face was pierced with black rods, and his eyes held the distinctive concentric rings of the Rinnegan. "Orochimaru, a former member of our organization, allied with the Sand to attack Konoha. Though ultimately unsuccessful, he inflicted significant casualties. The Third Hokage was killed."

Upon hearing this, Itachi Uchiha, who had been standing silently with his eyes closed, opened them.

"Tch! Just a useless old man who could barely walk," another member, Deidara, scoffed. "This Orochimaru guy is seriously lame. Hey, Zero! Let me go kill the traitor Orochimaru! I'll bring his ring back, too. We can even add a new member to the organization, un!"

"Orochimaru is not a priority for now," Pain stated, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Konoha is rebuilding. They have not yet selected a new Hokage. They are a village without a leader. Their guard will be down. Our organization has been preparing for *that* plan for many years. While we are not yet at full strength, we will use this opportunity as a test. Which of you will go to the Land of Fire and retrieve the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"

"Let me go!" Deidara yelled immediately. "I'll bring back the Jinchuriki for sure! I'll blast anyone who gets in my way to smithereens! It'll be true art!"

"No. This operation requires subtlety. We cannot afford a large commotion," Pain否决.

He turned his gaze to another member. "Kakuzu."

The ancient ninja from Takigakure grunted. "Hmph. I have money to make. I don't have time for such a boring task as kidnapping."

"I will go."

The voice was calm and measured. Every head turned toward Itachi Uchiha, who had spoken.

"You will go?" Pain considered it for a moment. "Acceptable."

"Ah! Perfect. I was getting rusty just standing around here," said Kisame Hoshigaki, Itachi's partner, hefting his massive sword, Samehada. "I'll come with you."

"Then it is decided," Pain declared. With that, his projection flickered and vanished. One by one, the other holograms disappeared, each member returning to their own dark pursuits. The hunt for the Nine-Tails was now underway.

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