On the other side, Sarutobi Hiruzen, temporarily unaware of Jiraiya's predicament, gazed out the window with a melancholic expression. After several days of treatment, he had regained some strength.
Yet, as he observed the desolation that seemed to permeate the village, a sense of frustration welled up within him. Since the conclusion of the Third Great Ninja War, Konoha had struggled to find true peace.
While other major ninja villages were gradually recovering, Konoha seemed to lag behind. The Grass Village, in particular, flourished at an alarming rate. But what of Konoha's progress? The rapid development of the Grass Village only served to highlight their own stagnation.
The series of trials Konoha faced—from the Nine-Tails Incident to subsequent wars and now the Uchiha Rebellion—had taken their toll. Hiruzen couldn't help but wonder why the Uchiha clan persisted in their defiance. Couldn't they simply engage in dialogue rather than resorting to rebellion?
The notion of rebellion itself seemed nonsensical to him. If they're against donation, why not voice their dissent directly? Why couldn't they just decline the request if they were unwilling to comply? Their lack of emotional intelligence baffled him.
And as for the slander propagated by the Shinobi Times, Hiruzen dismissed it with a shake of his head. After all, he had faced similar accusations in the past. Just as he hadn't succumbed to doubt then, he refused to entertain it now. The recent smear against Jiraiya was likely no different—mere sensationalism lacking any substance.
These stubborn Uchiha, why resort to rebellion instead of engaging in dialogue? And to make matters worse, why did they have to capture Danzo? His original intention was for the village to recover swiftly, but now...
Instead of progress, Konoha found itself further in despair. And Danzo... if this persists, even the Root organization will face dissolution due to financial strain.
Speaking of which, Grass Village has really overstepped its bounds this time. They really dare to label Konoha as cursed, when it's evident that the curse lies upon their own village. After all, since aligning with the Grass Village, Konoha's situation has taken a downturn. And those scoundrels... not content with merely abducting individuals, they've even plundered his family, Sarutobi family's coffers.
Furthermore, he couldn't understand why they only targeted Konoha every time, when other villages could provide financial resources as well? The Rock Village, for instance, possessed ample wealth.
Despite their proclamations of kinship and camaraderie, aligning with the Grass Village has brought naught but misfortune upon Konoha.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands shook as he lifted his smoke pipe, drawing a harsh drag before muttering to himself, his eyes slightly reddened, "This... is truly wretched luck."
As he spoke, Mitokado and Koharu, standing beside him, sighed deeply in solemn agreement.
Mitokado seemed to recall something, her expression grave as she turned to Hiruzen and began, "Hiruzen, Uchiha Itachi..."
However, before she could complete her sentence, Hiruzen raised his pipe once more, taking another drag and exhaling a thick cloud of smoke. "We cannot afford any further upheaval. The village cannot withstand it. Let us bring an end to the matter of Uchiha Shisui here. As for the rest... let us set it aside for the time being."
Regrettably, Konoha had only acquired one of Shisui's eyes. Speaking of which, they had hoped that what remained of the Uchiha clan's legacy would aid in the village's recovery, yet it seemed to have brought more hardship instead.
Perhaps the sole stroke of fortune was that, following the end of the Uchiha Rebellion, the other ninja villages were all focused on their own recovery efforts, sparing Konoha from further conflict—for now.
Moreover, As the stigma of 'Cursed Konoha' spread, major ninja villages and clans began to shun Konoha, affecting their missions.
However, for now, Konoha's primary objective was recuperation. Any further turmoil was simply not sustainable. That's why he had dispatched Jiraiya, who had a strong rapport with the Grass Village, to investigate the situation there, aiming to prevent any more mishaps.
Reflecting on all the troubles caused by the Grass Village, Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a heavy sigh. "With Konoha's focus on recovery, we must swiftly secure Danzo's release and appease the discontent among the ninja clans. Once we've recovered..."
He paused briefly, his tone resolute. "We will sever all ties with the Grass Village!"
After all, parting ways with such an unreliable ally seemed like the best course of action.
…
Meanwhile, with a sense of relief washing over her, Kushina emerged from the room, a refreshing expression adorning her face. It was as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders, leaving behind a radiant smile.
Recalling Naruto's initial demeanor upon their arrival, Kushina couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness. The pleading and attention-seeking glint in his eyes had tugged at her heartstrings, igniting a fierce desire to protect him from harm. And she also harbored an intense desire to confront those responsible for her son's distress.
However, the warm reception and reassuring words from Akihiko and the others had worked wonders for Naruto's confidence. Their support had been instrumental in lifting his spirits. Reflecting on this, Kushina couldn't help but feel grateful for their kindness.
As she stretched lazily, Kushina's attention was drawn to Akihiko standing beside her. With an apologetic smile gracing her lips, she flicked her red hair lightly and addressed him, "Thank you so much for everything!"
'Truly worthy of the resilient Uzumaki clan,' Akihiko nodded inwardly, recalling the earlier commotion. Pausing for a moment, he hesitated before continuing, "Inside..."
Kushina intercepted his words with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it's okay," she assured him, understanding his unspoken concern. Her cheeks tinted with a hint of bashfulness as she waved her hand dismissively. "Actually, I didn't hit him very hard."
Akihiko actually didn't care about that. In fact, his only concern was whether it was sufficient. If not, then they would continue until it was. Besides, he knew of Jiraiya's remarkable resilience. Tsunade had once broken several of his ribs, yet he had recovered in a matter of days. Two hours would be nothing for Jiraiya to endure.
Observing her embarrassment, Akihiko opted to drop the subject. After a momentary silence, he checked the time and chuckled lightly. "It's getting late, and the weather is turning chilly. We should head back. Naruto is probably waiting for you. Plus, we need to make preparations for the end of the year and the upcoming graduation ceremony."
As soon as Akihiko finished speaking, Kushina's expression softened with nostalgia. "Obito is finally graduating again!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. Attending Obito's graduation ceremony was an unexpected but welcomed event for her.
Reflecting on how the young boy she once knew had grown into the head of the Uchiha clan, and how Rin had become a highly esteemed medical ninja, visiting him occasionally, stirred emotions within her. With a determined glint in her eyes, she declared, "I've decided. I'll go back later tonight and have a drink."
For years, illness had restricted her from indulging in alcohol. Later, when Naruto came into her life, she refrained due to concerns about being seen by Karin and Naruto himself. Tonight, however, seemed like the perfect opportunity to celebrate.
Grinning mischievously, she added, "It's been too long since I've had a good drink. Tonight, come and join me, Akihiko!"
Before Akihiko could respond, Kushina seized his arm and steered him towards the bar, excitement evident in her demeanor.
…
As time passed, following the Uchiha rebellion, a surprising calm settled over the shinobi world. Konoha, cautious of sparking further conflicts, also refrained from any actions. However, the outstanding travel expenses owed to the Grass Village by Konoha remained unpaid, forcing Danzo to prolong his travels in the Land of Rain.
Meanwhile, throughout this period, the Grass Village remained relatively tranquil. Under Uchiha Obito's leadership and the village's support, the Uchiha clan gradually assimilated into their new environment. On the other hand, Uchiha Mikoto and her son Sasuke found themselves in a delicate position due to Itachi's actions. Though the surviving Uchiha members didn't hold resentment towards them due to Fugaku's final act, some lingering tensions still remained between them.
Therefore, To avoid potential conflicts, Mikoto chose not to reside with her clan. Moved by their shared circumstances, Kushina extended an invitation for Mikoto and Sasuke to live with her, providing a welcoming environment where Sasuke could play freely.
Initially hesitant due to the unusual circumstances, Mikoto eventually accepted Kushina's offer, particularly after her suggestion that Akihiko could better mentor Sasuke If they lived closely. And Sasuke who was eager for training, also readily agreed to this arrangement.
As the days grew colder, the year drew to a close, marking the near end of another prosperous year for the Grass Village.