Epilogue 6 (I)

The aftermath of the Third Great Ninja World War was one that would be remembered for decades to come.

In the war, a new alliance between the Sand, Rain, and Konoha was forged, an alliance that basically turned them into a threat to anyone who wished to spark a war.

Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure were all completely devastated by the results, with all of them facing either a decisive defeat or a crushing one.

Onoki and A were sold back to their nations for immense prices, yet both subsequently resigned due to the vast amount of shame that was brought onto their nation by their defeats in a single battle.

Kirigakure was left as a desolate land, with it becoming a Ninja Village in nothing but name, as the Village had no Shinobi that could contend with the more powerful individuals in the world.

Amegakure, with the newfound alliance made by them with Sunagakure and Konohagakure, became the official Sixth Great Nation, with their power under Hanzo boosting them to an unparalleled level.

Sunagakure, under Chiyo, became a strong pillar in the world, as the additions of Pakura, Rasa, and Sasori made the Village reach an unprecedented level of strength in its history.

But the major winner of the Third Great Ninja War was undisputedly Konoha, with them emerging as the dominant force that everyone in the Shinobi World would be absolutely wary of.

From the Blue Beast Might Duy, The Spritwalker Dan Kato, and the Hell's Eye Kenta Uchiha, to the Legendary Sannin and the White Fang, everyone understood that they were people capable of contending against the mightiest of powerhouses, as all of them faced Shinobi on the caliber of Kage and walked away from the battle still alive.

But, a single woman now stood at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World, and she was accepted by the entire world that she was the current 'Shinobi No Kami'.

That woman was Tsunade Senju.

~

Hiruzen sat alone at his desk, with him thinking back on how he would always scold his old friend for barging into his office, yet now he sat wishing that he would enter through the doors one final time.

The two of them had been friends since their first day at the Academy, with them always competing against one another in everything that they did.

From their mastering of the first step of Chakra Control, to them learning their Elemental Affinities and relevant Ninjutsu with it, they each trained with their fathers until their bodies could no longer move.

It was Danzo's teasings about his relationship with Biwako that led to him gaining the nerve to even wish to ask her out on a date.

He stood as the Godfather of his first child, with him wondering how he was supposed to inform Shiminosuke that his Godfather was now dead.

Even if their relationship had growin increasingly complicated over the past few years, he knew that their were very few people that he would have trusted in a battle over his best friend.

'Even when facing Madara Uchiha, you showcased the true spirit that every Konoha Shinobi should possess in the face of death. I will never allow your memory to be forgotten.' Hiruzen thought to himself.

"Heavy is the head that wears the hat. It's a saying that I once heard Hashirama say, and I am sure that you are feeling a similar way right now." Tobirama's voice sounded as he entered the room with his cane, the bandages on him showing that he still had not fully recovered from the battle against Madara, and he likely never would.

"I'm sorry to show you such a disgraceful sight, Sensei." Hiruzen said as he began conceliang his emotions, yet Tobirama raised his hand to the action as he sat across from his student.

"Their is no need. If anyone understands your current heart, it could be no one greater than me. I was forced to remain in the village while my brother faced the threat that was Madara, and it could be argued that it was that battle that led to my brother's decline in his health. So it;s fine to let yourself feel deeply about this issue." Tobirama began.

"But. Danzo would likely look down on you if you didn't treat him the same reaspect that you do to everyone else. Because before you are his friend, brother, or rival, you are his Hokage. Now dignify him in the same way that you do every other Hero of Konoha that falls in battle." Tobirama stated, with Hiruzen closing his eyes to the words that his teacher spoke.

The life of his greatest rival flashed in his mind, with him thinking back to every single good moment that two had shared during their lifetime.

When his eyes opened, Sarutobi Hiruzen no longer lamented the death of his best friend, but the Hokage felt saddened by the fact that one his greatest Shinobi and strategic minds had passed away.

He then placed his hat on his head as he headed to the cemetary, with him having to deliver a speech for all the Shinobi who lost their lives in this war.