You can read 20 chapters ahead of everyone on patreon.Link:https://www.p@treon.com/Hkj822
Discord: https://discord.gg/HSHVxvdY
====
By the time Jiraiya reached the Chunin exam venue, the sealing formation had already been lifted. Orochimaru and his subordinates were long gone, leaving behind chaos and heartbreak. At the center of it all lay the lifeless body of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
A circle of Anbu and other ninjas surrounded Hiruzen's body, their faces marked with sorrow and disbelief. The once-vibrant leader who had guided Konoha for decades now lay still, his presence reduced to a haunting absence.
Jiraiya approached slowly, his footsteps heavy. When his eyes fell upon Hiruzen, a wave of grief washed over him, but he kept his face stoic. Beneath his calm exterior, his heart ached for the man who had been his teacher, mentor, and, in many ways, a father figure.
"I was too late," Jiraiya muttered under his breath, the regret sharp in his voice.
Hiruzen's body was soon carried away, and word of the Hokage's death spread quickly throughout the village. The news struck like a thunderclap, leaving a pall of sadness over Konoha. For many, the loss of their leader was deeply personal, a symbol of their vulnerability in this time of strife.
Inoiki, however, met the news with quiet neutrality. To him, Hiruzen Sarutobi had always been more of a distant figure than a personal hero. While he didn't feel joy at the Hokage's passing, he couldn't summon the sorrow others felt. His emotions, as always, remained carefully balanced.
Returning home that evening, Inoiki found his father, Inoichi, escorting his younger sister, Ino, back inside. She was visibly shaken by the news, her normally bright demeanor subdued. Their mother quickly took her aside, offering comfort and rest.
Once the house was quiet again, Inoiki turned to his father. "How's the situation?" he asked, his voice steady but curious.
Inoichi sighed, his expression weary but composed. "The situation is under control, thanks in large part to your quick action against the giant snake. Because of that, Konoha avoided catastrophic damage." He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "But the damage we did take is still significant. It'll take months to repair everything."
Inoiki nodded, processing the weight of his father's words.
Inoichi continued, "The Hokage's funeral will likely be held tomorrow. It's going to be a difficult day for the village."
Inoiki said nothing, his mind turning over the events of the day. The battle was over, but the scars it left—both on the village and its people—were only beginning to show.
Inoiki then nodded, unsurprised by his father's report. The events of the day, while grim, had unfolded as expected.
"Alright, I need to attend a meeting," Inoichi said, his tone brisk.
With that, Inoichi left for an emergency high-level Jonin meeting, convened by Konoha's elders to address the aftermath of the attack. The gravity of the situation demanded swift decisions, and the room would undoubtedly be filled with tension.
Left alone, Inoiki retreated to his room, his body aching from the day's battles. Deciding he needed to unwind, he prepared for a steam bath, eager to wash away the fatigue clinging to him. The rest of the night passed without any notable events for Inoiki.
The next morning, the village was shrouded in a solemn atmosphere. Everyone who attended the funeral wore pure black, a symbol of mourning and respect for the fallen. Among those honored was Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Hokage, but the ceremony also paid tribute to the countless ninjas who had given their lives to defend Konoha.
Inoiki, alongside his father Inoichi and his sister Ino, joined the other ninjas gathering at the funeral grounds. Attendance was limited to shinobi; not every civilian had the privilege of being part of this farewell.
The ceremony was somber and dignified. Words were spoken of Hiruzen's wisdom, benevolence, and unwavering dedication to the village. A sense of loss hung heavy in the air as attendees stepped forward one by one, placing flowers in front of Hiruzen's photograph. His image, framed and surrounded by blossoms, stood as a final tribute to a leader who had given his life for Konoha.
When the funeral concluded, the village's focus shifted to the future. An emergency meeting with the Daimyo of the Fire Country was convened, the agenda clear: the selection of the next Hokage.
Though Inoiki knew nothing of the proceedings, one name dominated the discussion—Jiraiya. The legendary Sannin was seen by many as the natural successor to Hiruzen.
Unaware of these high-level deliberations, Inoiki quietly returned home with his family, his thoughts preoccupied by the weight of the day.
----
The next day, the streets of Konoha buzzed with activity as the village worked tirelessly to rebuild.
"Yes, yes, place it right here," a man called out, waving toward Inoiki.
Inoiki, hovering a hefty wooden log with precise control using his psychokinesis, guided it effortlessly through the air. At the man's direction, he lowered the log into a deep hole carved into the ground, its size perfect to hold the pole securely in place.
This was part of a D-rank mission: assisting in the restoration of Konoha's damaged infrastructure. It was a task many Genins had taken on, contributing however they could to the recovery efforts. Inoiki's role was straightforward but essential—placing wooden logs that would serve as poles for electricity or other purposes.
The log thudded into the hole, settling snugly into position. Inoiki's work was done.
"Thank you very much," the supervisor of the team said, his voice full of gratitude.
Inoiki smiled faintly, offering a nod. After receiving confirmation that his mission was complete, he turned to leave.
As he wandered the village, he took in the scene around him. Repair teams worked diligently, patching walls, replacing shattered windows, and clearing rubble from the streets. The scars of the previous day's battle were visible everywhere, but so was the determination of Konoha's people.
Inoiki's gaze lingered on a particular street where the ground had been torn apart. He couldn't help but feel a measure of satisfaction. The destruction was far less severe than it could have been, thanks to his swift intervention in slaying the giant snake. His actions had saved countless lives and minimized the damage to the village.
...
(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)