Outside the flower shop in the mountains, Aoba looked at the crowded crowd and also felt a bit of a headache.
"Aoba!", At this moment, Ino squeezed out from the crowd, adding a touch of gold to the black ocean.
She, like everyone else, wore a black mourning outfit, a style completely different from her usual appearance.
"You're also here to buy flowers, right?", Ino gave a chrysanthemum in her hand to Aoba.
"Thanks," Aoba didn't act pretentious, and accepted it, "Do you want to go with me?"
"Mm-hmm, Mom told me to go with you first," Ino nodded.
"Then let's go."
"Wait a minute…"
Ino pulled Aoba, then turned around to look at the crowded mass of people.
She started getting a bit anxious.
She hadn't brought an umbrella when she came out. If she wanted to go back and get it, she'd have to squeeze through again.
"Let's go together," Aoba moved the umbrella over Ino's way, then pulled her under his umbrella.
"Thank you, Aoba!", Ino leaned over gently and stuck close to Aoba.
The two walked side by side toward the plaza with the memorial stone.
"So many people," Ino's face turned slightly red as she looked around. The streets were full of villagers in mourning clothes, making it seem a bit crowded.
She was already almost nestled into Aoba's arms.
The two soon reached the plaza in front of the memorial stone, already packed with people.
"Aoba!", Tenten and Sakura temporarily left their parents and walked over toward them.
Aoba also nodded toward the two in greeting.
But since it was a special time, the two only glared once at Ino, who was stuck to Aoba.
They didn't cause a scene like they usually would.
To the students of the ninja academy, Sarutobi Hiruzen was like a kind grandfather.
"Aoba-kun," Hinata also came over.
She was still holding little Hanabi in her arms.
"Aoba-oniichan, hug!", Hanabi reached out her arms toward Aoba.
He also naturally took Hanabi from Hinata's arms.
'Looks like sister's in a bit of danger.'
Hanabi thought secretly. Seeing Ino, Tenten, and Sakura again, she felt her sister was under a lot of pressure.
Unfortunately, she was still just a little kid and couldn't help share her sister's burden.
Since it was an important funeral, the group didn't exchange much conversation, just a few brief greetings.
Only when Naruto came over did he cry for a bit.
Then they quietly waited for the funeral to begin.
Aoba also noticed Sasuke, but when he greeted the other boy, Sasuke was like a wooden dummy.
Uchiha Mikoto wasn't in good shape either. It seemed like this period had been overwhelming for her too.
They waited until the funeral started.
There wasn't much noise in front of the memorial stone.
Anbu also maintained order, separating the ninjas and villagers into different formations.
But all around were black mourning clothes, a black mass that felt rather oppressive.
Tsunade also came out, standing before the memorial stone.
Facing the crowd, she began her speech.
First, she introduced the achievements of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Uchiha, then mourned them, and finally shared a vision for the future.
A formulaic speech.
When Tsunade finished reading all the contents, people began lining up to offer flowers.
Aoba also followed behind the crowd and placed a chrysanthemum before the tall memorial stone.
Most people silently placed their flowers and then stepped back.
But quite a few students still studying at the ninja academy couldn't help but cry aloud.
After Aoba placed the chrysanthemum, he quickly returned to his spot, quietly watching the flower-offering line.
All the other kids were crying. He didn't cry, so he felt a bit awkward.
"Hmm?", While watching the crowd, Aoba suddenly furrowed his brows.
At the front of the flower-offering line, there was a young woman with fair skin, delicate features, and a slightly chubby figure. Her long black hair hung down to her waist.
It wasn't that Aoba was attracted to her, but rather, her chakra gave him a cold feeling.
Ever since awakening the Mind's Eye of Kagura, his sense for chakra had become rather sharp.
But after placing the chrysanthemum, the young woman directly left.
A light smile never left her lips, 'The windmill has finally begun to turn again.'
'Teacher, perhaps this kind of ending isn't too bad either.'
The funeral wasn't too long. After it ended, sunlight pierced through the rain clouds and lit up the entire village.
———
[Inside the Hokage's Office.]
The funeral had just ended, and it was already time to prepare for tonight's jōnin vote meeting.
"I just saw Orochimaru," Jiraiya smiled bitterly.
Tsunade's hands, which were sorting documents, paused, "What?"
Jiraiya's expression suddenly turned a bit awkward.
"He's… changed a bit. I almost didn't recognize him. But he probably just came to attend the old man's funeral. He's already left now."
"He already left…? Where did you see him?", Tsunade frowned.
"Right at the place where we used to train with the old man."
"He was standing in front of the wooden post he used to be tied to."
Jiraiya's face showed a nostalgic expression.
Precisely because of these deep memories, even though Orochimaru had turned into a woman, as long as he looked into her eyes, he could recognize him.
"You didn't stop him?"
"Couldn't stop…", Jiraiya's expression looked a bit sad. By the time he chased all the way out of the village, he couldn't find the other person anymore.
"That's expected," Tsunade wasn't too surprised. Among the three, Orochimaru might not be the best at combat, but his escape ability was definitely number one.
Even so, she still called in the Anbu, strengthened the village's alert, and also instructed the Barrier Division to think of ways to reinforce the village's barrier.
She felt like the Konoha barrier was like a sieve now.
After arranging all that, she looked at Jiraiya again, "Are you helping tonight?"
Jiraiya's face darkened slightly at her words, "Tsunade, Naruto's identity…"
"I plan to announce Naruto's true identity, but those two 'advisors' will probably strongly oppose it."
"This…", Jiraiya was slightly stunned, and after hesitating, "I understand!"
———
[Night]
Inside the Hokage building conference room.
It was already packed with dozens of people.
These were all jōnin, representing Konoha's top tier of power.
Notably, Aoba was also among them.
Tsunade was probably the only Hokage who, right after taking office, intended to cultivate the next Hokage.
And no one objected.
However, Aoba sat in a corner. Sitting in the corner with him was Uchiha Mikoto.
She wore a black kimono like during the day, her face haggard, her whole being emitting a… melancholic aura.
Their faces were very close, whispering about something.
Tsunade came in and sat at the head seat.
Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Shimura Danzo, and Jiraiya sat in the first row opposite her.
"Everyone's here."
Tsunade swept her eyes across the crowd, "I'm not someone who likes to talk nonsense. Let's put the jōnin vote aside for now. I have a proposal. Let's all study it together."
Seeing no one speak, she continued casually.
"I plan to cancel the Hokage advisor position and establish a Hokage secretary. Who approves? Who opposes?"
"I oppose!", Utatane Koharu immediately spoke.
BANG!
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