Capítulo 95: Chapter 95: The Death of the Third Hokage
Shukaku's consciousness had barely emerged when it was forcefully suppressed by two absolute powerhouses.
Gaara, still unconscious, was soon awakened by Naruto's door-banging service. However, judging by the bruises all over his face, his condition didn't seem great.
On the battlefield's outskirts, a fully-charged Kakashi twitched his eye.
How on earth did these two grow up like this?!
That was the One-Tailed Jinchūriki of Sunagakure!
The ultimate war machine of the ninja world, on the brink of going berserk, had been subdued by those two like it was child's play.
Originally, Kakashi and Guy had intended to step in themselves. But seeing the sheer scale of the jutsu those two kids unleashed, they quickly reconsidered. They weren't afraid of Shukaku—they were afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
"Kakashi…"
"Your students…"
"They're truly the epitome of Konoha's youthful spirit…"
Although Guy spoke of youth with his usual vigor, even his tone betrayed his bewilderment. Clearly, he was at a loss.
Then, as if reminded of those two kids' daily training, a fire reignited in Guy's eyes.
"It seems my youth isn't burning bright enough! Once this is over, I'm running 100 laps around the village with five trees strapped to my back!"
"My eternal rival, join me for some hellish training!"
Kakashi: …
The spectacle left more than just the duo in awe. Many veteran ninja who had experienced the brutalities of war felt a chill down their spines. To see two kids go toe-to-toe with a rampaging Tailed Beast was nothing short of terrifying.
For those who hadn't witnessed the carnage of a Tailed Beast, perhaps they couldn't grasp its enormity. But the older generation knew—knew all too well. They had fought Shukaku before, seen him flatten battlefields, and watched comrades fall to his unstoppable power. Many of those graves in Konoha's cemetery were the result of his rampages.
Now, seeing these two kids subdue him…
The veterans collectively gasped. Imagining the potential of these two as they continued to grow sent shivers down their spines.
---
Inside the Barrier—
The reanimated First and Second Hokage, under Orochimaru's control, were ruthlessly pummeling the Third Hokage. Outmatched and cornered, Hiruzen Sarutobi leaped backward to create some distance. Amidst the chaos, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of Naruto and Sasuke successfully halting Shukaku's rampage.
A smile of relief spread across his face.
Naruto… this boy…
Though he was often a handful, in critical moments, he was as reliable as Minato.
Hiruzen's gaze lingered on the village, a mix of nostalgia and reluctance flashing through his eyes. His entire life played out in his mind—a life devoted to Konoha. Then, his eyes hardened with resolve as they landed on Orochimaru, the student he had once held in the highest regard.
"Orochimaru!"
"I will not let you continue down this path!"
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Hiruzen planted his staff firmly in front of him and summoned clones. With the clones at his side, he formed a series of hand seals.
"Sarutobi… are you…?"
Enma, the Monkey King, spoke up, his voice filled with shock. The situation, while dire, didn't seem desperate enough to warrant using that forbidden jutsu. Trading his life for Orochimaru's seemed unnecessary.
Hiruzen, however, paid him no mind, his focus unshaken as he completed the seals. Slowly, the spectral figure of the Shinigami emerged behind him. Its chilling presence loomed as Hiruzen's soul became tethered to it.
Orochimaru, oblivious to the danger, couldn't see the spectral figure behind Hiruzen.
With renewed determination, the Third Hokage advanced. Orochimaru's attacks, no matter how fierce, could not deter him. At last, using Enma's help, Hiruzen managed to trap Orochimaru's hands in an unbreakable grip.
The Shinigami raised its blade high, aiming to sever their souls.
The two shadow clones simultaneously restrained the First and Second Hokage, their spectral arms ripping the reanimated souls free.
Realizing the imminent danger, Orochimaru's instincts screamed at him. For the first time in years, he felt fear—genuine, mortal fear.
Desperately, Orochimaru manipulated his chakra to control the grass cutting sword lying on the ground, directing it straight at Hiruzen's heart.
Both men shouted simultaneously.
"It's over!"
"Die!"
The sword pierced Hiruzen's chest, even as the Shinigami swung its blade. The Shinigami didn't care about unfinished tasks—it severed part of Orochimaru's soul and claimed Hiruzen's entirely.
Orochimaru's hands went numb instantly, his body wracked with an indescribable pain.
And yet…
That old man, gripping his hands tightly just moments before, had gone limp. Hiruzen fell lifelessly into Orochimaru's arms, his strength spent.
Thus, the Third Hokage of Konoha perished.
Pushing the body away, Orochimaru signaled his subordinates to dispel the barrier and swiftly retreated from the battlefield.
---
When the barrier fell, the surviving Konoha ninja rushed to check on Hiruzen. Among them, only Naruto and Sasuke lingered in the now-quiet battlefield.
Naruto stood silently, staring at the old man's lifeless body for a full ten minutes. He sighed softly, then conjured a glowing portal, calling out to Sasuke before leaving first.
Sasuke, meanwhile, clenched a crumpled piece of paper thrown at him by a Sound ninja. Just as he was about to discard it, he hesitated, slipping it into his pocket instead.
---
Rain began to fall, as if mourning the Third Hokage's passing. It continued throughout the night and into the next day.
At the funeral, the entire village gathered to pay their respects. Even a certain white-haired hermit, who had briefly fled the village, attended, clutching the old man's crystal ball. Raindrops streaked down his face, indistinguishable from tears.
After a long silence, Jiraiya tilted his head toward the sky, closing his eyes. His voice was barely audible.
"Sorry, old man…"
"I was too late."
The younger ninja cried openly, their grief raw and unrestrained. Meanwhile, the older generation, battle-hardened and accustomed to loss, stood quietly, offering solemn respect.
Among the mourners, Konohamaru knelt before the grave, sobbing uncontrollably. His small hands rummaged through his pockets and pouches, pulling out countless bottles of medicine.
"Grandpa…"
"These are the pills I found in the trash… Please don't forget to take them in the Pure Land…"
Naruto: …
The crowd fell silent, unsure how to respond to Konohamaru's earnest yet inappropriate gesture. No one stopped him, though—his heart was in the right place.
---
As the funeral ended, most people dispersed, leaving only a few behind: Naruto, Konohamaru, and two white-haired men. Naruto, hesitant, lingered. It was his first time at a funeral, and he didn't know what to say or do.
Jiraiya placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice unusually gentle.
"Go ahead."
"Say your final goodbye."
Naruto nodded and approached the grave. Yet, halfway there, he tossed his bouquet aside and drew a gleaming blue sword.
"Naruto…" Kakashi started, worried he might do something rash, but Jiraiya shook his head, stopping him.
Naruto stood before the grave, staring at Hiruzen's smiling portrait. Slowly, his lips curled into a smirk as he raised the sword.
"Old man!"
"My blade has never failed me!"
﹌﹌﹌﹌﹌
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