What the Three Generations Did
The next morning, heavy rain poured over Konohagakure.
Despite the downpour, the Cemetery of Heroes remained crowded with shinobi. Countless ninja, clad in dark attire and holding black umbrellas, braved the storm to pay their final respects to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Silence filled the air, interrupted only by the sound of raindrops and hushed mourning.
The Third Hokage was neither the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, who founded the village, nor the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who solidified its structure. However, he was the leader who ruled Konohagakure the longest. In the world of shinobi—where the average lifespan rarely exceeded 30 to 40 years—Hiruzen had led through multiple generations, witnessing both prosperity and decline.
During his reign, the Third Hokage guided Konoha to great heights, only for it to slowly descend into an era of political instability and external threats. His death, shocking to many, brought an overwhelming sense of disbelief. As news of his sacrifice spread, countless ninja gathered at the Hero's Cemetery, mourning the loss of a leader who had dedicated his life to the village.
Among those present were not only high-ranking officials from the Land of Fire and Konoha but also shinobi from other villages. Most notably, Sunagakure's representatives stood in solemn contemplation before Hiruzen's grave, their expressions complicated.
They had come to Konoha as allies, only to later realize that the mastermind behind the invasion—the Konoha Crush—was none other than Orochimaru. Their own Kazekage, Rasa, had been murdered by him before the Chūnin Exams had even begun, his corpse desecrated and manipulated. The humiliation of being used as pawns in Orochimaru's scheme still stung, but they had more pressing matters to consider—selecting a new Kazekage and ensuring Sunagakure's position among the Five Great Shinobi Nations.
Meanwhile, within Konoha, the Sarutobi Clan was facing its own turmoil. Some among them had secretly conspired with Orochimaru, believing that aligning with him would bring them greater political power. Yet, in the end, they were left exposed and vulnerable. What truly shattered them, however, was the realization that their own patriarch—Hiruzen Sarutobi—had chosen Konoha over them. His unwavering loyalty to the village had rendered them powerless, turning them into little more than fools in the eyes of the public.
However, it was precisely because of Hiruzen's devotion to the village that the Sarutobi Clan was spared total ruin. The newly appointed Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju, refrained from imprisoning them in Anbu confinement for now. Instead, they remained under strict surveillance. Though their status had diminished, they still fared better than ordinary civilians.
The Funeral Speeches
As the ceremony progressed, the time came for speeches. One by one, Konoha's leaders and prominent shinobi stepped forward, recounting their experiences with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Their words painted a picture of a wise and compassionate leader, a man who had shaped Konoha for decades.
Then came Hatake Kakashi's turn. Standing before the assembled shinobi, he pulled out a written speech and began:
"I deeply mourn the passing of Lord Third. I would like to share my experiences with him over the years…"
His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable weight.
"First, I would like to speak about the demon fox incident. As you all know, six years ago, there was a child labeled a demon fox—Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki."
At the mention of the Nine-Tails, murmurs spread through the crowd.
"That boy was ostracized, called a monster, and mistreated by the village. But in truth, he is the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
Gasps filled the air. The revelation shook many to their core.
To them, Naruto Uzumaki had always been just another orphan—an unfortunate child burdened by the Nine-Tails' rampage. But to learn that he was the son of Minato Namikaze, the very Fourth Hokage who had given his life to save the village? The realization struck hard.
Many felt an overwhelming guilt. They had unfairly resented a boy who had no control over his fate. They had directed their hatred toward the son of a hero.
Yet, Kakashi's next words shifted the weight of responsibility.
"But why was this truth hidden? Why was the identity of the Fourth Hokage's son never revealed? Why did Lord Third keep it a secret?"
The murmurs grew louder. The Sarutobi Clan members stiffened.
Nearby, Jiraiya—one of the Legendary Sannin and Hiruzen's former student—narrowed his eyes. He could see where this was going.
Just as he was about to intervene, a quiet voice stopped him.
"Jiraiya-sensei," said a shadow clone of Naruto Uzumaki, standing beside him. "For Konoha's sake, you shouldn't stop Kakashi-senpai from speaking. Otherwise, Uzu no Kuni will reconsider its alliance with Konoha."
Jiraiya hesitated. "Hiruzen-sensei is already dead. There's no point in tarnishing his name now. Let him rest with some dignity."
Naruto's expression darkened. "This isn't about tarnishing his name. It's about the truth. Or do you plan to ignore the Will of Fire just like he did?"
At those words, Jiraiya froze.
The Second Secret: Orochimaru's Defection
Kakashi continued, his voice unwavering.
"The second matter I want to address is the defection of Orochimaru. Many know that he was conducting inhumane experiments on villagers and shinobi alike. What few know is that Lord Third had a chance to stop him but chose to let him go."
Silence fell upon the cemetery.
"We lost countless lives trying to track down and suppress Orochimaru's actions over the years. Many died in the pursuit of justice. Yet, in the moment of truth, Lord Third hesitated. And because of that, Orochimaru was free to continue his atrocities."
The tension in the air was palpable. Many of the shinobi present had lost comrades—friends, mentors, students—to Orochimaru's twisted experiments. Some had even suffered personally.
Doubt crept into their minds. The image of Hiruzen Sarutobi—a wise and noble leader—was now stained by painful truths.
Yet, despite this, they refrained from outright condemnation. This was still the funeral of their former Hokage. Without concrete evidence, Kakashi's words remained accusations—heavy accusations, but not convictions.
A Funeral, A Reckoning
As the rain continued to pour, so did the weight of unspoken questions.
What did the Third Hokage truly stand for?
Had he protected the village? Or had he, in his hesitations, allowed its suffering?
These thoughts lingered in the hearts of Konoha's shinobi as they mourned not just the death of a leader—but the end of an era.
Subscribe to Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters