Another month passed in the blink of an eye.
Chinya spent every day glued to Kushina Uzumaki, barely leaving her side.
Kakashi stayed as a guest at Chinya's home for two days before he couldn't take it any longer.
After all, he'd had more than enough of watching couples play lovey-dovey all day long.
This month had been the busiest for Konoha's leadership.
Although they had once fought bitterly—even to the death—the moment the war ended, cooperation resumed and old alliances were reformed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already proposed signing an alliance pact with Sunagakure.
In this war, as the defeated party, Sunagakure had little room to negotiate. Hiruzen offered simple terms: Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, would provide Konoha with a portion of equivalent gold dust as compensation, then sign the alliance contract to complete Fire Country's reparations.
It was practically no compensation at all.
Rasa had no reason to refuse. He immediately signed the alliance pact with Konoha.
...
At the border between Fire Country and Wind Country,
The Ino–Shika–Cho trio—Shikaku of the Nara, Inoichi of the Yamanaka, and Choza of the Akimichi—stood at a cliffside.
On the opposite cliff stood over thirty Rock Ninja.
The group of Rock Ninja looked toward Shikaku with unsettling smiles.
Shikaku pulled out a scroll. "This is a letter from Hokage-sama. Catch!"
He hurled the scroll toward the Rock Ninja.
One ninja caught it.
Shikaku instructed, "Deliver this to Tsuchikage-sama and request his prompt reply."
The ninja who caught it scoffed, "No need to bring it to him—I can answer you right now!"
He raised his hand. Behind him, the other Rock Ninja drew their weapons and prepared for battle.
Just as conflict seemed inevitable, a voice came from another cliff nearby.
"Hold off on fighting for now."
Both the Rock Ninja and Shikaku turned toward the sound.
They discovered a crowd of Sand Ninja gathered there.
The Fourth Kazekage appeared before them all.
The Rock Ninja panicked.
"What?! It's the Fourth Kazekage!"
"Why are the Sand Shinobi here?!"
Arms crossed, Rasa surveyed them haughtily. "This is also Sand Country's border! We won't allow open combat here! When tensions rise, someone has to cool things down."
He stepped forward. "Sunagakure won't just stand around. Understand this before you make your move!"
The Rock Ninja glared gravely at Rasa. Finally, they shouted retreat and withdrew.
Inside Iwagakure's meeting room in Tsuchikage's tower.
Onoki sat at the head seat, staring at the scroll from Hiruzen Sarutobi on the table.
"Will you accept the peace treaty proposal?"
"Obviously refuse, right?"
"Even if Konoha and Sunagakure have joined forces, they still can't match our unity!"
Several high-ranking officials fiercely debated the alliance proposal.
Onoki rumbled, "Silence! I am proud of Iwagakure's unity... but we staked everything before—sending over a thousand shinobi to invade. That plan failed because of those two individuals, Crimson-Eyed Asura and Yellow Flash. That is an undeniable fact.
And, have you forgotten something?"
The Crimson-Eyed Asura went alone to Kiri, devastated the village, and even killed the Third Mizukage!
Upon hearing Onoki's words, the village elders fell silent.
In the end, Onoki agreed to Konoha's request for an alliance.
...
At a dango shop in Konoha,
Kotetsu Hagane, Izumo Kamizuki, Guy, Kurenai Yuhi, and Asuma Sarutobi were eating dango.
Kotetsu said, "I heard we're finally making peace with Iwagakure."
Izumo bit on a bamboo skewer and remarked, "What's a piece of paper really gonna do? Tie someone down?"
Guy nodded in agreement. "Right on."
Kotetsu protested, "You guys should at least think about how hard The Third worked."
Asuma Sarutobi chuckled. "Well, the long war's finally over."
Kurenai raised her dango skewer and cheered, "How about a toast—with dango?"
Guy noticed Kakashi walking from a distance and called out, "Hey, Kakashi! Want to join us for some dango?"
Kakashi simply glanced up at Guy before continuing on without a word.
Watching him walk off, Guy mumbled, "Man, that guy's way too cold."
Izumo gave Kakashi a glance. "Ain't that just how he always acts? Dude's always been kinda cold."
Kotetsu sighed, "It's understandable he keeps his distance. He probably doesn't feel like fooling around right now."
Kurenai looked slightly saddened. "It's still about Obito and Rin... They were practically the only ones he ever called friends."
Asuma nodded. "Yeah, definitely left deep scars."
Walking alone through the streets, Kakashi was haunted by visions of Obito crushed beneath falling rocks, and sudden flashes of Rin's death activating his [Sharingan].
Looking at the smiling faces around him, Kakashi felt deep disgust inside.
To them, his father and friends died for nothing!
Inside the Hokage Tower meeting room,
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado were holding a meeting.
Laid out before Hiruzen was a reply scroll from Onoki.
Homura said to Hiruzen, "Thank you for your efforts."
Koharu added more casually, "In any case, we can finally relax a bit."
Danzo showed dissatisfaction. "You're satisfied with such a treaty? Admitting Iwa's autonomy and waiving compensation rights—it feels like we've lost the war!"
Homura asked, "What are your thoughts, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen explained, "Continuing this war would be fatal for our exhausted Konoha. This compromise was necessary to unify opinions."
Danzo slammed his fist on the table. "We've lost so many comrades—and now you're letting them die for nothing!"
Hiruzen sighed, "The responsibility lies with me as Hokage."
Danzo pressed further, "Then how will you take responsibility?"
Hiruzen decided firmly, "I will resign as Third Hokage and pass the title to the Fourth."
When Hiruzen said that, the slightest hint of satisfaction flickered across Danzo's face.
In Danzo's eyes, only Orochimaru had the qualifications to become Hokage (Village Leader).
Once Orochimaru ascended to the position of Hokage, he, as a ninja belonging to the Root Division, would significantly strengthen his power.
Danzo arrived at Orochimaru's hideout and located him.
Danzo spoke directly to Orochimaru: "Orochimaru, Hiruzen plans to step down. I intend to recommend you as the Fourth Hokage!"
Orochimaru paused for a moment while holding a beaker, then returned to his usual self: "I have no particular interest in being Hokage."
Danzo furrowed his brow and said seriously, "You currently hold the highest prestige in Konoha. It could be said everyone already considers you as the Fourth Hokage. If you become Hokage, the things you want to do won't need to stay hidden anymore. Think carefully about this!"
Orochimaru placed the beaker down and turned to face Danzo: "Whether or not I become Hokage doesn't matter much to me. Either way is fine with me. If it benefits my experiments, then go ahead and recommend me for it."
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