March arrived, heralding the flourishing of grass and the blooming of flowers, breathing new life into the Grass Village. Its usual vitality returned with the season's renewal.
Today marked a significant occasion—the graduation season in the village. Akihiko, the leader, decided to take a well-deserved break to attend the ceremony. It was no ordinary event; it was Obito's graduation. Having assumed the mantle of overseer from Madara, Akihiko couldn't afford to miss this pivotal moment.
Accompanying Akihiko were Kushina and Mikoto, each with their own reasons for attending. Kushina, as the wife of Obito's teacher, witnessing his growth over the years, felt pride in witnessing his achievements. As for Mikoto, though initially reluctant, understanding the significance of graduation of the new Uchiha clan leader, she acquiesced and took Sasuke out for a stroll.
However, on this occasion, an unexpected guest made an appearance.
"What are you doing here?" Akihiko glanced at the person beside him, Jiraiya. "And you're already out?"
Jiraiya, with a hint of exasperation, retorted, "I've been out for a while now. And for the last time, I'm not a kidnapper!" His gaze shifted towards the children, catching Kushina's warning gesture, which elicited a sheepish grin from him.
Reflecting on the events of the past month, Jiraiya reclined slightly, his gaze distant and his expression tinged with melancholy. "A month... a whole month! Can you fathom what I endured during that time?"
To be honest, he actually approached the kids with pure intentions. He just simply wanted to converse with Minato's child.
Speaking of which, while confined to the hospital bed, he also delved into Konoha's recent history. What he discovered only fueled his frustration. What had their Sensei been up to? In the short span since his departure, so much had transpired. If Tsunade were to find out... she'd probably… just burst into laughter.
Nevertheless, he harbored no malice, he simply wanted to talk with Minato's child, Naruto. Initially, everything proceeded smoothly. Under his charismatic sway, the two youngsters consented to spend time with him.
Mindful of Naruto's past traumas in Konoha and Kushina's fiery temper, he avoided mentioning the village too much. Instead, he treated Naruto and Sasuke to a day of amusement, guiding them through bumper car ridesand, kiddie attractions, and indulging them with treats. Thus, the atmosphere was very pleasant and harmonious.
As Minato's mentor, he felt a deep connection with Naruto. Witnessing the boy's optimism, buoyancy, and unwavering hope for the future brought him a sense of solace. While waiting for the children to return from the restroom, he contemplated gazing at the clouds and uttering softly, "Minato, rest assured. Your child and Kushina are doing well. Despite his dubious antics, the Grass leader genuinely cares and will ensure their well-being."
As he was thinking of this, suddenly, a familiar contingent of security ninjas encircled him, leveling accusations of child abduction, intimidation, and coercion. And just like that... he found himself back in the confines of a familiar cell. No amount of explanation seemed to sway their judgment. Even dropping the name of the village leader proved futile; they merely instructed him to wait while they conducted their investigation.
Moreover, with the village engrossed in festivities, he languished in confinement for nearly a month. Only after the New Year's fervor subsided did someone recalled his presence and released him. In fact, if it weren't for the fear of being misunderstood, particularly by Kushina, he would have escaped long before.
As for today, he caught wind of the graduation ceremony and decided to attend. During his time in the Grass Village, he had witnessed much and often found himself reminiscing about Konoha, silently lamenting the disparity between the two.
Upon hearing Jiraiya's wailing, Akihiko sighed deeply. "It was an unfortunate mistake. Rest assured, I'll ensure the security department faces appropriate consequences. How could they arrest someone without conducting a thorough investigation?" Then, as if remembering something important, he added, "By the way, do you have any update on when Konoha plans to settle the expenses for its people? It's already March, and we haven't heard anything."
Just a few days prior, Hanzo had sent a message to Akihiko inquiring, "When can we expect Konoha to reimburse the travel expenses?" He even remarked that Danzo had been indulging so much in the Land of Rain that he was on the brink of depleting their resources. If it persisted, they might have to resort to grazing on grass instead. Alternatively, they'd have to impose extra charges.
Jiraiya burst into hearty laughter. "Well, the village has had its hands full lately, especially due to the end of the year. Between all the chaos and the lack of funds, we had to gather what we could. That's why it's taken so long. But rest assured, they should be settling the expenses within the next few days."
Jiraiya appeared to ponder for a moment before inquiring, "The Hokage wanted me to ask you about the Sarutobi clan's treasury..."
"No, absolutely not!" Akihiko interjected before Jiraiya could complete his sentence.
"I haven't even finished asking," Jiraiya's lips twitched, at least let him finish before even denying anything.
"I know what you're going to say, but the Grass Village would never entertain such a notion. We uphold the principles of the Grass Ninja spirit and embody the will of the grass in this new era. See that?" He gestured towards a wall adorned with the words 'Honesty and Integrity'. "These principles guide us unwaveringly."
With a righteous tone, Akihiko continued, "As allies, we deeply sympathize with what Konoha has gone through. And I've also heard rumors of two ancestors appearing from within the Uchiha clan, wielding formidable power. So, It's possible that there are still some hidden elements within Konoha taking advantage of the chaos."
He turned to Jiraiya, sincerity evident in his gaze. "Believe me, our Grass Village doesn't stoop to such levels."
"Perhaps," Jiraiya replied, dismissing Akihiko's words with a wave of his hand. He didn't dwell on the matter further. After all, the message from the Hokage had been quite clear… The village was solely focused on recovery now. Means - No more conflicts.
Moreover, at this juncture, Konoha couldn't afford any further hostilities. Therefore, there was little point in dwelling on it further.
As the ceremony commenced with the distinctive opening speech of the Ninja Village graduation ceremony, it finally got underway. Following the speeches from the principal, the village leaders, and the department heads, it was time for the students to have their moment.
Akihiko chose not to take the stage this time; instead, he observed from below, occasionally glancing at Jiraiya, who was also quietly watching, before redirecting his focus to the stage.
And then, it was time for this year's outstanding graduate to give a speech. To everyone's surprise, Uchiha Obito stepped onto the stage.
Dressed in the green, eco-friendly school uniform of the Grass Ninja Academy, Obito did not display his usual cheeky grin. Instead, his face was serious, exuding a strong and spirited aura.
This development wasn't entirely surprising. While Obito's academic performance might not have been stellar, he had taken his studies very seriously after Madara's departure. His dedication ensured he wasn't far behind his peers. Coupled with his exceptional combat skills, it was no surprise that he emerged as this year's outstanding student.
After all, there were few within the academy who could match Obito's skill—most of the instructors included.
As Obito made his way to the stage, a wave of applause swept through the audience. The reporter from Shinobi Times, who had been eagerly anticipating this moment, swiftly followed suit.
Akihiko recognized the reporter—it was the same gold-medal journalist who had once infiltrated the Uchiha clan. It appeared that the Shinobi Times regarded this graduation ceremony with utmost importance.
Rin had also taken leave to present Obito with a bouquet of flowers, which almost made Obito break into a goofy smile.
As the pivotal moment arrived, the gold-medal reporter, White Zetsu, extended the microphone towards Obito and spoke, "We're reporters from Shinobi Times. Congratulations on your graduation, Obito. Is there anything you'd like to share?"
"Something to say?" Obito was momentarily taken aback by the question. This scenario reminded him of the interview at the Ninja World Tournament, where he had quipped, "Can we have less homework?"
Unexpectedly finding himself in another interview, albeit under different circumstances, Obito pondered for a moment. Graduation meant no more homework—a realization that stirred a surge of emotion within him.
This thought brought a slight reddening to his eyes. "I'd like to express my gratitude to the Land of Grass, its people, and that bas... um, our Grass Ninja Leader..."
As he concluded his speech, another round of applause erupted, filling the air with warmth and celebration.
"Obito has truly matured," Kushina remarked, a mixture of relief and pride evident in her smile as she held Naruto close. "If Minato could see this, he'd be bursting with pride."
Mikoto, standing nearby, couldn't help but smile in agreement. While Obito had only just graduated, her observations over recent times convinced her that he would undoubtedly emerge as an exceptional clan leader, steering the Uchiha clan towards a bright future.
Akihiko's satisfaction was also palpable as he smiled. Years of teaching had evidently borne fruit— the young man had blossomed into a remarkably individual.
Glancing at Jiraiya, whose emotions were also visibly stirred, Akihiko smiled warmly and inquired, "So, how do you find the academy of the Grass Ninja Village?"
However, Jiraiya seemed lost in his thoughts, his lips trembling slightly, his gaze clouded with complexity as he fixated on the former hero of Konoha standing proudly on stage. A cryptic remark escaped his lips, "Perhaps being a ninja... might not suffice to save Konoha..."
Akihiko was taken aback, his expression morphing into one of bewilderment. Had Jiraiya just uttered something of monumental significance?