With the Sound Ninja defeated and the Sand Ninja fleeing, Konoha emerged victorious.
Yet, for those who fought within the village, victory brought no advantage. Instead, it came with heavy casualties and widespread destruction of buildings.
The greatest loss of all was their supreme leader—the Third Hokage had fallen in battle.
Thus, despite their triumph, Konoha's morale plummeted to its lowest.
A shroud of grief and oppression enveloped the entire village.
As the Third Hokage's grandson, Konohamaru was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Uzumaki Naruto, too, stood dazed, tears streaming down his face.
The first person to acknowledge him, the Third Grandpa who loved him most, was gone!
But the heaviest hearts belonged to Konoha's Council of Elders.
"Danzo is dead too. Only one survivor remains from the entire Root organization."
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane faced a grim-faced Jiraiya, no longer the playful figure they knew. He spoke gravely: "According to the sole survivor, a single person accompanied by a group of puppets annihilated Root. That person wore the Akatsuki's uniform, had purple ripple-patterned eyes, and wielded the ability to freely manipulate repulsion and attraction."
"He first killed Danzo, wiped out Root, then infiltrated the Hokage Tower to abduct Yamato and steal the Scroll of Seals along with several other scrolls."
"This person can fly, turn invisible, and his repulsive force can destroy everything, leaving no trace of scent."
"The master of those puppets, however, is confirmed to be Sasori of the Red Sand, who once destroyed a small nation. His puppetry has reached a level where he controls them flawlessly without chakra threads."
"He took advantage of the chaos to steal numerous corpses, likely to craft more puppets."
When Koharu finished, Homura spoke up, his tone accusatory: "Jiraiya, you took a disciple out there—one who possessed the Rinnegan, no less—and failed to report or bring him back. That led him to join the Akatsuki, ally with Orochimaru, and launch the Konoha Crush plan, indirectly causing Hiruzen's and Danzo's deaths. You must take responsibility."
"Hey, hey… don't just splash all the blame on me!"
Jiraiya, who had been serious and lost in thought, now bristled with irritation: "I don't even know if that guy is Yahiko. According to the survivor's sketch, he was covered in black rods—maybe he's just a puppet resembling my old disciple."
"Besides, the Third invited Sunagakure himself. Who could've predicted Orochimaru would disguise himself as the Fourth Kazekage and collaborate with the Akatsuki, which he once joined?"
"Things have already happened. Instead of pointing fingers, you'd better hurry and choose a new Hokage."
At this, Jiraiya's tone turned gleeful: "Danzo, that poor guy, got unlucky. With the old man dead, he, a former Hokage candidate, had another shot at the title. Who'd have thought he'd go down with him? What a pity."
"Shut up, Jiraiya."
Koharu, visibly annoyed, snapped before proposing: "You can't escape responsibility for this. Since Hiruzen and Danzo are gone, you should take up the mantle as the Fifth Hokage."
"No way. I'm not interested in being Hokage," Jiraiya replied, raising a hand to dismiss the idea. He explained, "My investigations show the Akatsuki's true targets are the Tailed Beasts and their Jinchuriki. This time, they invaded Konoha, revealed the Rinnegan's power early, but didn't take Naruto. Instead, they went for the Scroll of Seals and Root. That's just too strange."
"If it really was the Rinnegan, that survivor wouldn't be alive. He must've been deliberately spared. Based on the survivor's information, it seems Danzo and that demigod from the Rain Village plotted something back then, prompting this revenge today."
"If it's just revenge, why reveal that the Akatsuki's base is in the Rain Village?"
Koharu and Homura's eyes gleamed at this. "You're saying it was intentional?"
"Maybe. Or perhaps they genuinely didn't notice the survivor," Jiraiya said, uncertain. "That's why I need to keep investigating. An organization gathering so many S-rank rogue ninja, possibly led by someone with the Rinnegan, is far too dangerous."
"The Anbu can handle investigations," Koharu countered firmly. "Konoha cannot be without a Hokage. Besides you, no one is suited to be the Fifth."
"Who says?" Jiraiya grinned meaningfully. "Isn't there still one more of the Legendary Sannin?"
"You mean…"
Homura and Koharu's eyes widened.
"Yep… that woman's more suited than anyone. After all… she's Konoha's princess."
Jiraiya persuaded the two elders.
---
The next day, dark clouds blanketed the sky, thunder rumbling ominously.
Soon, a light rain began to fall.
Konoha's ninja donned black robes and pants, each holding a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, heading to the memorial service for the fallen.
Even many villagers joined spontaneously.
Tables laden with white chrysanthemums displayed countless portraits, two enlarged ones placed prominently at the forefront.
The rain grew heavier, as if the heavens wept for these heroes.
The atmosphere should have been somber, but as Izayoi offered his white chrysanthemums and saw Danzo Shimura's portrait beside Hiruzen Sarutobi's—now publicly honored in death—he nearly burst out laughing.
Izayoi quickly suppressed the urge, clasping his hands in a gesture of respect, closing his eyes to think: Lord Danzo, rest well. I'll make Root great again!
Then, with a taut face and no expression, he rejoined the ranks.
Raindrops slid down his cheeks, mingling as if with tears.
Many ninja mirrored Izayoi's stoic demeanor.
But more wept softly, cried openly, or shed silent tears…
Most were those touched by the Will of Fire, or younger ninja yet to face the village's darker side.
After half an hour in the rain, the memorial concluded.
It also marked the end of the era ruled by the Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura.
Once the Fifth Hokage took office, Konoha would enter a new age.
As Orochimaru once said, Konoha's windmill, long stalled, would finally spin again.
The higher-ups and the Land of Fire would be swamped next.
Not only must they clean up the aftermath, but they'd also hunt for Orochimaru and the Sound Village, manage relations with the Land of Wind and Sunagakure, and face extensive negotiations.
After all, Sunagakure's One-Tail Jinchuriki, the Kazekage's children, and many elite Sand Ninja were sealed and imprisoned.
Jinchuriki were strategic weapons, and those Sand Ninja involved in the Konoha Crush were Sunagakure's finest.
No matter what, Sunagakure wouldn't abandon them.
Having lost their Kage, neither Konoha nor Sunagakure could afford war. Exposing their weakened forces risked sparking the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Thus, they could only negotiate and settle on a "price."
Izayoi had no interest in such political affairs.
He hadn't even had time to sort through the gains from the Konoha Crush.
Once the rain stopped, he began scouting for a new home's location.
Since his old home was destroyed, Izayoi had no plans to rebuild it.
He aimed to buy land and construct a grand house.
With Lord Danzo gone, and himself a rising star in Konoha, Izayoi no longer feared questions about his wealth's origins.
Without proof, no one dared challenge a top-tier combatant.
Plus, he had the Hyuga sisters as a shield.
"Onii-chan, your house is gone. Where will you live now?"
The Hyuga sisters trailed Izayoi, Hanabi speaking up: "Inns are too small and so expensive. Why not move to Hanabi's house?"
"Yes, Izayoi-kun, come live with us. I'll convince Father," Hinata added softly.
Izayoi felt tempted.
But imagining Hiashi Hyuga's stern face daily, or enduring the Hyuga clan's Byakugan stares, sent chills down his spine, goosebumps rising.
He shook his head, teasing Hinata: "No need. It's not time for a formal visit yet."
Understanding his meaning, Hinata blushed and didn't press further.
Besides, a boy moving into a girl's home—especially a noble heiress—would spark huge gossip, even if he was a promising star.
Though Izayoi often teased her about "keeping" him, Hinata knew his pride wouldn't tolerate such scrutiny.
"Damn Sand and Sound Ninja! My hot spring inn was just built! Only two wells were dug, and it hadn't even opened before it was destroyed. I took loans for this investment, and now I'm done for!"
A wail reached the trio's ears.
Following the sound, they saw a middle-aged man in a black suit, clearly an outsider arriving recently, kneeling before ruins, crying like a child.
Izayoi's eyes lit up at his words.
Under passersby's astonished gazes, Izayoi floated into the air, hovering above the street, inspecting the ruins of the unopened hot spring inn, estimating its size.
Soon, a hint of delight crossed his face.
Drifting back down, he smiled at the stunned man: "Interested in a deal? I'm quite taken with your hot spring inn."
"Yes, yes, yes…"
Staring at this clearly extraordinary youth, the man nodded eagerly, as if grasping a lifeline.
"Hinata, go to Ino's flower shop and ask her for a favor. Have her…"
Izayoi leaned in, whispering instructions.
Hinata listened quietly, then nodded earnestly: "Got it, Izayoi-kun."
After Hinata used Body Flicker to leave, Izayoi grinned at the man: "Let's head to the Hokage Tower."
Konoha, the Land of Fire's military base, operated under a one-country, one-village system.
Land transfers required the village's approval and oversight.
Izayoi didn't know the land's value but refused to be shortchanged, so he planned to involve a Yamanaka clan member to avoid being swindled.
After all, no merchant was ever fully honest, in any world.
"No problem," the man agreed readily, eager to offload this burden.
Even if the village compensated his losses, rebuilding and opening would take time.
Meanwhile, compounding loan interest would far exceed any payout.
Someone willing to take it off his hands was a godsend.
When the trio reached the Hokage Tower, Hinata soon returned.
Beside her was Yamanaka Ino.
"Izayoi, not bad! Buying a hot spring inn? When did you get so rich?" Ino teased.
"Borrowed money. Gotta pay it back later," Izayoi said, glancing at Hinata to create a misimpression.
"I'm jealous of you two. Wonder when I'll have that with Sasuke-kun," Ino sighed, unfazed.
Hinata gave a shy smile, not bursting Ino's bubble.
From her observations, Uchiha Sasuke had zero interest in women.
If he weren't a guy, Hinata might even see him as a rival.
Sometimes, he clung to Izayoi more than she or Hanabi did.
After some chatter, Ino turned to the man: "Uncle Yusuke, please handle it."
"Just a small matter," Yamanaka Yusuke said with a nod and a smile.
Under the gaze of a green-vested ninja, two Byakugan-wielding girls, and their evident status, the man didn't dare cheat. He quickly sold the hot spring inn's land to Izayoi for 66,660,000 ryo.
The land wasn't worth that much; Izayoi was covering some of the man's losses.
After signing the contract and securing the new deed from the village, Izayoi happily offered to treat Ino and Yusuke to dinner.
Yusuke declined, but Ino accepted cheerfully.
The cool weather was perfect for hot pot.
At the hot pot restaurant, while the three girls ordered, Izayoi pulled out a Konoha map, circling the hot spring inn's location, then marking nearby houses.
The inn's size was decent, enough for a house twice as big as his old one, but Izayoi wasn't satisfied.
He wanted a grander home, complete with a hot spring, large courtyard, and mansion.
Over the next few days, he visited households, offering prices they couldn't refuse, successfully buying those properties' lands.
Including the inn, Izayoi's total spending reached 280,000,000 ryo.
Dealing with Konoha's shrewd residents meant bleeding money.
After securing the lands, Izayoi hired a professional team to survey the area and draft designs.
Once he approved the final blueprints, construction could begin.
---
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