With the defeat of the Sound Ninja and the retreat of the Sand Ninja, the Leaf Village emerged victorious.
However, those who fought within the village, even in victory, gained no real advantage. Instead, they suffered significant casualties and extensive damage to buildings.
Yet, the greatest loss was the death of their highest leader, the Third Hokage.
Thus, even in victory, the morale of the Leaf Village plummeted to its lowest.
The entire village was shrouded in an atmosphere of oppression and sorrow.
Konohamaru, the grandson of the Leaf Village, was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Uzumaki Naruto was also in a daze, tears streaming down his face.
The first person to acknowledge him, and the one who loved him the most, his grandfather, the Third Hokage, was gone!
But the ones feeling the heaviest burden were the elders of the Leaf Village.
"Danzo is also dead, and the entire Root Organization has only one survivor," Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu looked at Jiraiya, who was no longer joking but wore a grave expression. Jiraiya spoke solemnly, "According to the sole survivor, the one who annihilated the Root Organization was a single person accompanied by a group of puppets. This person wore the uniform of the Akatsuki, had eyes with purple ripples, and could endlessly use the abilities of Repulsion and Attraction."
"He first killed Danzo, destroyed the Root Organization, then infiltrated the Hokage Building to capture Tenzo, and stole the Book of Sealing and some Scrolls."
"This person can fly, become invisible, and his Repulsion can destroy everything, leaving no trace of scent."
"However, the master of those puppets can be confirmed to be Sasori of the Red Sand, who once destroyed a small country. His Puppet Technique has reached a level where he can control them freely without the need for Chakra Threads."
"He took the opportunity to steal a large number of corpses, likely to create more puppets."
After Utatane Koharu finished speaking, Mitokado Homura also accused, "Jiraiya, when you took on disciples outside the village, and one of them was the possessor of the Sage Eye, you failed to report it and bring them back. This led to them joining the Akatsuki and collaborating with Orochimaru to launch the Leaf Destruction Plan, indirectly causing the deaths of Hiruzen and Danzo. You need to take responsibility for this."
"Hey, hey... don't just throw all the blame on me," Jiraiya, who had been serious and deep in thought, suddenly had black lines on his forehead as he said, "I don't even know if that guy is Yahiko. According to the portrait provided by the survivor, his body is covered with Black Receivers, so he might just be a puppet, only resembling my former disciple."
"Besides, the Hidden Sand Village was invited by the old man. Who knew Orochimaru would disguise himself as the Fourth Kazekage and cooperate with the Akatsuki, which he once joined."
"Now that everything has happened, instead of shifting blame, you should quickly select a new Hokage."
At this point, Jiraiya suddenly took a gleeful tone, "Danzo was really unlucky. The old man died in battle, and he, a former candidate for Hokage, had a chance to become Hokage again. But unexpectedly, he left with the old man. What a pity."
"Shut up, Jiraiya," Utatane Koharu scolded with black lines on her forehead, then proposed, "This incident is not unrelated to you. Since both Hiruzen and Danzo have sacrificed themselves, you should take on the role of the Fifth Hokage."
"No, I'm not interested in becoming the Hokage," Jiraiya immediately raised his hand to refuse and gave his reason, "According to my investigation, the Akatsuki's true target is actually the Tailed Beasts and Jinchuriki. This time, when they invaded the Leaf Village, they revealed their trump card, the Sage Eye, ahead of time. However, instead of taking Naruto, they focused on the Book of Sealing and the Root Organization. This is extremely suspicious."
"If it really was the Sage Eye, that survivor couldn't have possibly lived. He must have been deliberately left alive by them. Based on the information provided by the survivor, it seems that Danzo and the Demigod from the Hidden Rain Village had plotted something back then, which led to him coming here today for revenge."
"If it's just revenge, then why did he reveal that the Akatsuki's base is in the Hidden Rain Village?"
Hearing this, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura's eyes flashed: "Are you saying he did it on purpose?"
"Perhaps, or maybe he really didn't notice that survivor," Jiraiya said uncertainly. "That's exactly why I need to continue my investigation. This Akatsuki, which has gathered a large number of S-rank missing-nin and is suspected of possessing the Sage Eye, is far too dangerous."
"The investigation can be handed over to the Anbu," Utatane Koharu said solemnly. "The Leaf Village cannot be without a Hokage. Besides you, no one else is suitable to become the Fifth Hokage."
"Who says so?" Jiraiya smiled meaningfully. "Isn't there still one more among the legendary Three Sannin?"
"You mean…"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both widened their eyes.
"Ah… that woman is more suitable than anyone else. After all… she is the princess of the Leaf Village."
Jiraiya had convinced the two elders.
...
The next day, the sky was overcast with dark clouds, and thunder rumbled in the distance.
Soon, a light rain began to fall.
The ninjas of the Leaf Village all wore black long coats and trousers today, holding a bunch of white chrysanthemums as they went to attend the memorial service for the fallen ninjas.
Even many villagers went voluntarily.
On the table filled with white chrysanthemums, there were numerous portraits of the deceased. Among them, two enlarged portraits were placed prominently at the top.
The rain suddenly grew heavier, as if the heavens were weeping for these heroes.
It should have been a sorrowful and heavy atmosphere, but after Izayoi offered his white chrysanthemum, he looked at the portrait of Shimura Danzo, which was placed next to Hiruzen Sarutobi's. Danzo, who had been in the shadows during his life, was now in the light after death. Izayoi almost couldn't help but laugh.
Izayoi quickly suppressed this impulse, clasped his hands in a gesture of prayer, closed his eyes, and silently said, "Lord Danzo, may you rest in peace. I will make the Root Organization great again!"
Then, Izayoi tightened his expression and returned to the line with a blank face.
The rain slid down his face, as if mixed with tears.
Many ninjas had the same expression as Izayoi.
However, more of them were quietly sobbing, or crying out loud, or silently shedding tears…
Most of these people were either deeply influenced by the Will of Fire or were new-generation ninjas and ordinary ninjas who hadn't yet experienced the darkness or seen the dirty side of the village.
After standing in the rain for half an hour, the memorial service finally ended.
At the same time, it marked the official end of the era ruled by the Third Hokage and Shimura Danzo.
Once the Fifth Hokage took office, the Leaf Village would enter a new era.
As Orochimaru had said, the windmill of the Leaf Village, which had been still for many years, was finally about to start turning again.
The higher-ups and the Land of Fire will be extremely busy in the coming days.
Not only will they have to clean up the aftermath, but they will also need to search for traces of Orochimaru and the Sound Ninja Village, as well as handle relations with the Land of Wind and the Hidden Sand Village. There will undoubtedly be a lot of negotiations ahead.
After all, the One-Tail Jinchuriki of the Hidden Sand Village, the children of the Kazekage, and a significant number of Sand Ninjas have been sealed and imprisoned.
Jinchuriki are strategic weapons, and the Sand Ninjas who participated in the Leaf Destruction Plan were all elite ninjas from the Hidden Sand Village.
No matter what, the Hidden Sand Village cannot afford to give up on them.
Both the Leaf Village and the Hidden Sand Village, having lost one of the Five Kage, cannot bear the cost of going to war. Otherwise, their exposed strength could trigger the outbreak of the Fourth Great Ninja War at any moment.
Therefore, they can only resolve this through negotiations and ultimately settle on a 'price.'
Izayoi had no interest in such political affairs.
He didn't even have time to sort through the gains from the Leaf Destruction Plan.
After the rain stopped, he began scouting for a new location for his home. Since his old house was destroyed, Izayoi didn't plan to rebuild it.
He intended to buy a plot of land and build a large house.
With Lord Danzo no longer a threat and himself now recognized as a future star of the Leaf Village, Izayoi wasn't afraid of anyone questioning the source of his wealth.
Without evidence, no one dared to provoke a powerhouse of his caliber.
Moreover, Izayoi had the Hyuga Sisters as his cover.
"Oniichan, where are you planning to live now that the house is gone?" Hanabi, one of the Hyuga Sisters, asked as she followed Izayoi. "Hotels are too small and expensive. Why don't you move in with Hanabi?"
"Yes, Izayoi-kun, you could move in with us. I'll convince Father," Hinata added softly.
Hearing this, Izayoi was somewhat tempted.
But the thought of seeing Hiashi Hyuga's stern face every day and enduring the constant scrutiny of the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan made him shudder, goosebumps rising on his skin.
He shook his head and teased Hinata, "No, it's not the right time for a visit yet."
Understanding what he meant, Hinata's face turned red, and she didn't insist further.
Besides, a young man suddenly moving into a girl's home, especially one from a prestigious family like the Hyugas, would invite significant gossip, even if he was a promising future star.
Though Hinata often joked about wanting to 'sponsor' him, she knew that Izayoi was proud at heart and wouldn't want to endure such judgmental stares.
"Damn those Sand Ninjas and Sound Ninjas! My hot spring resort was just built! I've only dug two wells, and it hasn't even opened yet, and now it's destroyed! I took out a loan for this investment, and now it's all over!"
At that moment, a wailing voice reached the ears of Izayoi and the two sisters.
Following the sound, they saw a middle-aged man in a black suit, clearly someone who had arrived from out of town in the past couple of days, kneeling in front of a pile of ruins, crying like a child.
Hearing his words, Izayoi's eyes lit up.
Then, under the astonished gazes of passersby, Izayoi's figure floated into the air, hovering above the street as he examined the ruins in front of the man, measuring the area of the yet-to-open hot spring resort.
Before long, a hint of joy appeared on Izayoi's face.
Descending from the air and landing in front of the middle-aged man, Izayoi looked at the stunned man and asked with a smile, "Interested in making a deal? I'm quite interested in your hot spring inn."
"Yes, yes, yes…"
Looking at this young man who clearly wasn't ordinary, the middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, as if he had grasped a lifeline.
"Hinata, go to Ino's flower shop and ask her for a favor. Have her…"
Izayoi leaned close to Hinata's ear and whispered his instructions.
Hinata listened quietly, then nodded seriously. "I understand, Izayoi-kun."
After Hinata left using the Body Flicker Technique, Izayoi turned to the middle-aged man with a smile. "Let's head to the Hokage's office."
The Leaf Village was the military base of the Land of Fire, and its relationship with the country followed the "one village, one nation" system.
To transfer land ownership, it was necessary to obtain the village's approval and witness.
Izayoi didn't know the price of this land, but he didn't want to be taken advantage of, so he planned to ask a member of the Yamanaka Clan for help to avoid being scammed by this middle-aged man.
After all, no merchant is completely honest, and this was true in every world.
"No problem," the middle-aged man agreed readily, clearly eager to get rid of this troublesome burden.
Even if his property was damaged, the village would provide some compensation, but repairing and reopening it would take a lot of time.
During that period, the accumulating interest would far exceed the village's compensation.
Now that someone was willing to take it off his hands, the middle-aged man couldn't be happier.
When Izayoi and the others arrived at the Hokage's office, Hinata soon joined them.
By her side was Yamanaka Ino.
"Izayoi, impressive. You're actually planning to buy a hot spring inn? When did you become so wealthy?" Yamanaka Ino teased.
"Borrowed it. I'll have to pay it back later," Izayoi glanced at Hinata, creating a false impression for Ino.
"I'm so envious of your relationship. I wonder when I'll be able to have something like that with Sasuke-kun," Ino sighed softly, not particularly surprised.
Hinata smiled shyly but didn't discourage Ino.
Based on her observations, Uchiha Sasuke had no interest in women at all.
If he weren't a man, Hinata might even feel hostile toward him.
That guy could sometimes be more clingy than her and Hanabi.
After chatting for a bit, Ino turned to the middle-aged man beside her. "Uncle Yusuke, thank you for your help."
"It's nothing," Yamanaka Yusuke nodded with a smile.
Under the watchful eyes of the two Byakugan-wearing girls and the man in the green vest, whose identity was clearly significant, the middle-aged man didn't dare to play any tricks. He quickly transferred the land of the hot spring inn to Izayoi for 66,660,000 ryo.
The land definitely wasn't worth that much, and Izayoi also had to bear part of the middle-aged man's losses.
After signing the contract and obtaining the new land deed from the village, Izayoi happily offered to treat Yamanaka Ino and Yamanaka Yusuke to a meal.
The latter declined, but the former readily agreed.
The weather was cool, perfect for hot pot.
So the four of them went to a hot pot restaurant. While the three girls were ordering, Izayoi took out a map of the Leaf Village, circled the location of the hot spring inn with a pen, and then circled a few nearby houses as well.
The area of the hot spring inn was quite spacious, easily large enough to build a house twice the size of his old home. However, Izayoi was still not satisfied.
He wanted to build an even larger new home, one that not only had a hot spring but also a big courtyard and a spacious house.
So, over the next few days, Izayoi went door to door, offering prices that the owners couldn't refuse, and successfully purchased the land of those houses.
Including the hot spring inn, Izayoi's total expenditure this time amounted to a staggering 280 million ryo.
After all, buying something from the shrewd villagers of the Leaf Village was impossible without paying a hefty price.
Once the land was secured, Izayoi hired a professional team to measure the area and began drafting the design plans.
Once Izayoi was satisfied with the design and finalized it, construction could begin.