**Chapter 21: Return to the Village!**
Upon hearing the news of the Kazekage's death, even the enraged Chiyo came to her senses. The leader of her village had been assassinated—if she stayed here any longer, Sunagakure would descend into chaos.
"Retreat!" she ordered, her face tight with frustration.
---
"The Sand Ninja retreated?" Orochimaru asked in surprise upon receiving the news. According to their plan, he was to lead the main forces in a head-on confrontation the next day, while Tsunade would lead ninja clans in a surprise attack on the enemy's rear. He hadn't expected to hear of the Sand Ninja's withdrawal so soon.
"Yes," a ninja replied. "Word is that the Kazekage was assassinated… and Shinnosuke-sama and Rie-sama also perished."
With this news, Orochimaru immediately sought out Tsunade. When he arrived at her camp, he found Hatake Sakumo sitting there, his clothes stained with blood.
"Sakumo?" Orochimaru began. "This assassination..."
"It was me," Sakumo answered calmly, cutting off the question.
"And Shinnosuke...?"
"He was exposed during the mission and killed by Sand Ninja. Unfortunately, I couldn't retrieve his or Rie's bodies." Sakumo's expression was somber, though his sadness seemed somewhat strange.
"Tsunade, please tend to Sakumo's injuries. I'll report the news to the village," Orochimaru said, dropping any further inquiries. The truth didn't seem relevant here—he knew all too well about the recent tension between Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Sakumo, how Shinnosuke had slandered Sakumo, blaming him for losses on the battlefield. If Orochimaru were in Sakumo's position, he would have been tempted to let Shinnosuke handle his own mess.
---
After Orochimaru left, Sakumo glanced at Tsunade, his expression surprisingly innocent. Reiki's words rang in his mind: *"If the Senju and other clans have sacrificed so much, why is the Hokage's son any different?"* Fueled by this thought, and with Shinnosuke's previous smear against him fresh in memory, Sakumo had crafted the story he'd just shared.
Reiki, unimpressed, simply shook his head and went back to his training. Sakumo was far too straightforward for scheming.
---
The next day, the triumphant Konoha ninjas returned to the village with pride. At the village gates, the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood with his wife Sarutobi Biwaku, eagerly awaiting the troops.
"Where is Shinnosuke? Where is Rie?" Biwaku immediately approached Sakumo.
"They sacrificed themselves," Sakumo said solemnly. "They willingly attracted the attention of Sunagakure's ninjas. I tried to use the Kazekage's life as leverage to save them, but… Shinnosuke shouted at me, calling me a coward. He reminded me of the importance of completing the mission, even if it meant disregarding companions. In the end, I did as he asked, killed the Kazekage, and ended the war. They were slain by the Sand Ninja."
Sakumo's expression was intense as he spoke, painting Shinnosuke as a hero of the mission. Whether they believed it was up to them.
"We should have prioritized saving our allies!" Obito, standing nearby, shouted angrily. "Uncle Sakumo's actions weren't wrong!"
"What do you know?" chided one of the Sarutobi clan's ninjas. "Shinnosuke-sama is a hero, sacrificing himself for the sake of the war. This is the Will of Fire!"
"Yes, indeed, such bravery is rare. He's an example to us all…" chorused others from the Sarutobi clan, eager to honor the Hokage's son. Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had initially intended to reprimand Sakumo, clenched his teeth. Under these circumstances, he could only swallow his anger and offer praise.
"You did well, Sakumo. Alright, everyone, you're all tired. Let's rest, and we'll discuss everything in a few days." He led his distraught wife away, for she was close to breaking down. After all, Shinnosuke had previously insulted Sakumo, yet now, with Shinnosuke's death, Sarutobi Hiruzen was forced to play the role of the grieving, dignified Hokage.
Watching this, Reiki couldn't help but admire the Hokage's calculating nature. *Even in the face of his son's death, he remains so composed. He truly is a cunning man!*
Just then, Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki, approached her excitedly.
"Sister, you're back! I've decided to leave the battlefield. I want to become a teacher," he declared.
"A teacher?" Tsunade smiled. "That sounds great. Let's go home."
---
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, have you heard about Shinnosuke?"
"I know nothing of the mission details, Hokage-sama," Orochimaru said with a wry smile. "But I did see that Hatake Sakumo returned with serious injuries."
"I see. Very well, you're dismissed. However, prepare yourself—there will be new responsibilities for you," Hiruzen said, hinting at Orochimaru's upcoming promotion.
After all, with Shinnosuke gone, the title of Hokage needed a new candidate. Given his abilities and standing, Orochimaru, Hiruzen's most promising student, was now the first choice. Jiraiya, too brash, lacked the temperament for the role, and Tsunade's attitude toward authority excluded her from consideration. Orochimaru was now his best option.
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