Chapter 132

Danzo forced his way into the building.

Wearing a mask can muffle the sound of breathing. Kakashi had been determined to become a ninja since childhood and was meticulous about himself. Even before he became a ninja, he wore a mask.

The original reason for Kakashi's mask was his self-discipline.

But then, his father died. The villagers accused his father of committing suicide because he didn't follow the ninja rules—rules that prioritize the mission above all else.

From that moment, the mask stopped being just a self-imposed standard. It became an obsession, representing the principle of "following the rules."

Later, Obito died in battle. Rin died by his own hand, and his sensei, the one who trained him, also died.

The mask became a symbol that concealed his sadness.

And now, Sarutobi Hiruzen had died—right in front of him—sacrificing himself to protect Konoha.

Kakashi wondered: did his mask have yet another meaning now? He had no idea.

Just like his feelings at this moment—uncertain.

His mood was as heavy as the weight of the mask he wore, so today, for once, he took it off to eat a bowl of ramen.

Soon enough, he had finished the ramen.

Kakashi didn't know if he felt full, but Kazuki, sitting across from him, ordered another bowl without hesitation.

Kakashi looked at Kazuki, who was enjoying his meal, feeling perplexed. Despite everything that had happened, how could Kazuki still eat so cheerfully?

"Huh? Why are you staring at me?"

Noticing Kakashi's gaze, Kazuki, who had eaten half of his noodles, asked.

Kakashi smiled faintly. "I was just wondering how you can have such a good appetite today."

"Huh?" Kazuki looked puzzled. "My appetite's always good! If we hadn't seen so many corpses earlier, I'd probably eat two more bowls."

Konoha was leaderless now. Danzo had stirred things up at the venue, yet no one seemed to care about the bodies left behind.

Tonight, we'll watch the moon as the cold wind blows.

If the souls of the dead still lingered after death, perhaps they'd sit together, talking about who killed whom, regretting,

"If only I didn't have to die."

Yet war takes lives. Thinking about it from this perspective, Sarutobi Hiruzen was a great man. His compromises may have cost Konoha in some ways, but they also spared many lives.

Kakashi smiled, thinking about Kazuki's carefree attitude toward life.

"You've always been like this, haven't you? Since I met you when you were ten, you've seen life differently from most people."

"Life is short, so enjoy the moment. If lying around makes me happy, I'll lie around all day. If working hard makes me happy, I'll work hard all day. Life is free, and so is happiness. If we constantly let worries bother us, life will just be full of troubles."

Kazuki burped after finishing the last of his noodle soup. "This bowl is my reward for protecting Karin. Now we're even."

Kakashi: "..."

Wasn't this ramen free?

Should I thank him in public?

Kakashi had never met anyone so shameless in his life.

"Let's go, Karin. It's been a long day, and I want to hit the bathhouse."

"Huh? A bathhouse, Kazuki-kun? Should I...come along too?"

"There are private rooms, right?"

"Oh…"

Kakashi watched, speechless, as the two discussed their plans.

Sometimes, he wished he could be as free-spirited as Kazuki, living without burdens or responsibilities. But he could never let go of his obligations.

Pulling his mask back on, Kakashi stood up to leave. Just then, he noticed a banknote under Kazuki's bowl. Judging by the corner of the note, it was quite a large sum.

He paused, glancing again in Kazuki's direction, but he was already gone.

...

"Father, are those gold coins in the two bowls?"

"Why would they pay with gold coins? That's what those two ninja paid with!"

"But the amount…"

"What about it?"

"The denomination is a bit…"

"Large?"

"How large?"

"Ten thousand ryō!"

Even as a Jonin squad leader, one would need to complete at least a C-rank or even B-rank mission to earn that amount.

Each bowl had a 10,000-ryō underneath, equivalent to two months of ramen sales—despite their business doing well.

Holding the two banknotes in his hands, the ramen shop owner sighed,

"Those ninja are good people. Only with ninja like them protecting Konoha can we enjoy such peace."

Ayame nodded in agreement. If she had any ninja talent, she too would have wanted to become one to protect Konoha.

...

Night

The Hokage's office was empty, except for the rooms of the two advisors, which were still brightly lit.

With Sarutobi Hiruzen gone, the advisors temporarily assumed the responsibilities of the Hokage.

There were urgent matters that required immediate decisions.

"Summon all the ninja outside the village to return. The Third Hokage has been killed. We need to strengthen our defenses and prevent any opportunists from attacking!"

"All pending missions are suspended until a new Hokage is appointed."

"Current ongoing missions will be canceled. Refund the clients their deposits and double their compensation."

"ANBU teams 1, 2, and 3—search every corner of the village and locate any remaining enemies!"

"Have we learned anything from the captured prisoners?"

"No? Suicide? Useless!"

"Have Morino Ibiki handle the interrogation of the remaining prisoners!"

"Summon all the Jonin in the village for a meeting!"

As the two advisors worked, an old man wearing bandages slowly entered.

"Homura, Koharu, have you made a decision on the new Hokage?"

The two paused, dismissing the ANBU members before turning to Danzo.

"Danzo," Koharu said, "we know what you're aiming for. You want to be Hokage, but you're too old. Even if you become Hokage, you won't be able to serve long. Wouldn't it be better to let someone younger take over?"

"Someone younger? Are you planning to bring the Fourth Hokage back to life?" Danzo sneered.

"Who in Konoha is more suited to be Hokage than me right now? The Root captured a Jinchuriki and thwarted Orochimaru's invasion! Do you know what the villagers are saying? They're all asking who defeated the enemy that killed the Third Hokage!"

Homura Mitokado responded calmly, "Danzo, Jiraiya has returned. He single-handedly repelled the forces of Sunagakure. The villagers respect him far more than they do you."

Danzo frowned. He knew Jiraiya was back, but he never saw him as a rival.

After all, if Jiraiya had wanted to be Hokage, Minato Namikaze would never have been chosen as the Fourth Hokage.

Back then, Jiraiya had far more seniority than Minato Namikaze!

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg