The battle had ended several days ago, but a few White Zetsu soldiers still lurked within the village. Therefore, the red alert remained in effect, and Konoha ninja continued their patrols without pause.
For safety reasons, civilians were barred from certain areas, and the curfew remained in effect. However, overall the situation was much better than expected.
Until the all-clear signal, the funerals for fallen ninja would have to be postponed.
The village was still cleaning up the battlefield and searching for the bodies of the victims.
Naruto Uzumaki wandered aimlessly through the village every day, observing everything around him.
Many people had died, but it could've been far worse. Compared to the previous invasions by Otogakure and Sunagakure, this battle had resulted in far fewer casualties.
"I've seen far too many people die," Naruto muttered to himself as he walked through one of the most devastated parts of Konoha, his hands stuffed into his pockets. "So why do I feel angrier this time than when Orochimaru and Itachi invaded?"
"Back then, your mind was clouded by the sealing techniques," the Nine-Tails interjected suddenly. "Afterward, your mental state was unstable—you became emotional, short-tempered. During that time, the only thing you cared about was reconnecting with Danzo. If it hadn't been for the cursed seal he implanted in you during your childhood, you wouldn't have ended up like that."
That was right. The Nine-Tails had actually helped him maintain some clarity back then—maybe because it knew what it was like to be sealed away.
"Also," the fox added, "you might now consider this place your home."
"Huh?"
"Haven't you noticed while walking around these past few days? It's not just the ninja of this village who acknowledge you—everyone here knows what you contributed to the war. The reports you sent back starting from day one weren't exactly secret; they all know you're the one who killed that masked man."
Perhaps even earlier than that, since most of last year had been spent carrying out missions to destroy Otogakure bases across the land, he hadn't made much effort to keep a low profile anymore.
Since the war began, he charged into battle on every front—halting Gaara before he lost control, rescuing Gaara from Nagato, destroying enemy strongholds, opening up the western front, clearing sea routes so Sunagakure ninja could reach the battlefield unimpeded.
Of course, there'd also been the internal battles within Konoha itself—and outside the village, he had killed the one responsible for all this death.
"Are you out of your mind?" Naruto snapped. "What does that matter? I was the only one capable of doing those things. I defeated them—that's what I should've done, what all of us should've done."
"Precisely," the Nine-Tails replied. "As a Konoha ninja, you did exactly what you should. But who else could possibly accomplish all that you have? You've personally taken down four of Akatsuki's top nine threats—and also the one who supported their actions from the beginning. In the Land of Fire alone, you've left behind two legendary scars as proof of your battles. If someone deserves to be called the strongest ninja under the Hokage, who else could it be?"
"Master Jiraiya," Naruto replied solemnly.
"If you still believe he's stronger than you, then you're the one who's lost it."
*Tch.*
As Naruto was walking and chatting with the Nine-Tails, a familiar voice came from the side.
"Could you at least watch your surroundings when you talk with the Nine-Tails?" Tsunade said, sitting on a roadside bench. "If someone hears you, they'll think you've gone mad."
"Granny Tsunade, why are you sitting here?" Naruto walked over and sat beside her.
Ever since the battle ended, Tsunade had been busier than ever, so it was quite surprising to see her here—especially not in her office or hospital.
"This area should still be under watch, right?"
Of course she knew that. She had personally approved the large maps of Konoha posted around the village so villagers could identify safe zones.
"If those White Zetsu idiots think I'm vulnerable because I'm alone, then let them come. I could use some fun to blow off steam."
"Are you still abstaining from alcohol?"
"I swore off it until the war ends. Ugh, what an unbearable life this has become." Tsunade complained, then looked up at Naruto. "Did I tell you? That old man Onoki's nothing but a scheming bastard with no principles. He never knows when to quit."
Hearing Tsunade's angry ranting, Naruto couldn't help laughing. At least she wasn't nagging him about that masked guy's fight.
"Really? I thought all the Kage were friends."
"They definitely aren't. What I just told you is true. I understand why you wanted to attack Amegakure while we had the chance, but he never considered the consequences of Iwagakure's actions." Tsunade said with frustration. "Do you remember when you participated in the Chunin Exams in Sunagakure? You were with me back then, but he pretended like he didn't know you'd taken on two Akatsuki members."
"I could handle it. Gaara helped a lot too, but that was in the past." "Besides, it was you who sent me after them."
"That was because he felt if you got captured or killed, our chances of victory would diminish," Tsunade continued. "Even during this war, he's been trying to recruit other ninja villages. Given the chance, he'd jump at the chaos for personal gain. Having said that, what Jiraiya did to them was truly satisfying, though it's a shame his men died needlessly."
Naruto nodded, showing understanding and agreement.
"As much as I despise that guy, I believe Nagato was right to fight alone rather than send his subordinates to their pointless deaths."
Of course, that was only possible because Nagato had enough power, especially since the ninja from Iwagakure didn't know how to deal with his techniques.
At the mention of Nagato, both fell silent. Occasionally, patrolling ninjas could be seen leaping across distant rooftops, but mostly, all they heard was the quiet of the afternoon.
Tsunade looked at Naruto, gently wrapping her arm around his shoulder and pulling him into a hug.
"You're heading to Amegakure, aren't you?"
"...If I don't go, the tragedy that befell Iwagakure will repeat itself here." Naruto looked at Tsunade seriously. "When the time comes, send me in."
"I can send Jiraiya instead," she tried to convince him. "Damn it, Naruto, do you even realize how close you are to becoming Hokage? I was planning to properly groom you once this was over, and in another five to ten years, you could take over as Hokage. You're the best candidate—no one is more suitable than you right now."
"Master Jiraiya isn't as powerful as he used to be," Naruto replied. He understood how Nagato's abilities worked and how to counter them, but his master didn't possess such insight—especially not with only one arm left. "You know it has to be me. Right now, only I can possibly do this."
Tsunade wanted to strangle the reckless brat on the spot, but he was right. Aside from herself, he was the only one in the village who could possibly defeat Nagato. He truly was Konoha's strongest ninja—next only to Kakashi and Jiraiya—yet somehow always managed to turn the impossible into victory.
Konoha needed Tsunade to remain behind. If she joined the battlefield, even if she survived, her inability to be everywhere at once would likely cost more lives.
In that case, Naruto—who possessed Kage-level strength yet wasn't officially Hokage—had no choice but to face their greatest enemy alone. With him leading the charge, the Konoha ninja would surely fight with unshakable determination.
Besides, a ninja on the verge of becoming Hokage needed to prove himself through action. What better way to prove himself than leading a unit and defeating their most powerful enemy?
"Rest well, kid," Tsunade said, kissing him gently on the cheek before standing up and turning away to prepare for the aftermath of the coming decisive battle.
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