Chapter 3: The Funeral of Heroes
The sun timidly rose on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink. The Hidden Leaf Village was silent, a stark contrast to the chaos and destruction that had occurred just a few days before. Today was a day of mourning, a day to honor those who had sacrificed their lives to protect the village.
In the center of the village, a large ceremony was being prepared. Ninjas and civilians gathered around an improvised memorial, where the names of the fallen heroes were engraved on stones. Among them were some well-known characters in the story, such as:
Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, who sacrificed his life to seal the Kyubi inside his newborn son, Naruto.
Kushina Uzumaki, Naruto's mother, who died protecting her son during the attack.
Biwako Sarutobi, wife of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, killed by Tobi during the attack.
Taji, one of the midwives who helped deliver Naruto, also killed by Tobi.
Iruka Umino's father, who died fighting the Kyubi.
Kurenai Yuhi's father, who also died during the attack.
Among many other Anbu and Jonin of Konoha.
Mrs. Haruno was present, holding her grandchildren in her arms. She looked at the memorial with tears in her eyes, remembering the sacrifice of Kakashi Hatake, the young Anbu who had saved her life and that of her grandchildren. He was still recovering at her home, but she knew he would be there in spirit.
As the ceremony proceeded, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took the stage to give a speech. He spoke about the courage and sacrifice of the fallen heroes and how the village would unite to rebuild and honor their memories.
After the speech, Hiruzen met with the elders of Konoha, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and the Hokage's advisor, Danzo Shimura. The meeting was urgent, as the village was in a state of insecurity and chaos. The need for a new Hokage was evident.
Hokage Tower, Meeting with the Former Elders:
Homura: "Hiruzen, the village is in a critical state. We need strong leadership now more than ever."
Koharu: "I agree. The safety of the orphans and the counting of the dead are priorities. We need to ensure that the families of the deceased receive adequate pensions."
Former Advisor Danzo: "Additionally, there is the will of Minato and Kushina. They left detailed instructions about their abilities and training methods. Should we make them public?"
Hiruzen: "No. For now, we will keep this information confidential. Revealing these abilities could cause instability and power struggles. Let's focus on rebuilding and securing the village."
Homura: "Understood. And what about the orders for the village's restoration?"
Hiruzen: "First, we need to ensure the safety of the civilians and orphans. Organize additional patrols and increase surveillance. Then, start rebuilding the most affected areas. Prioritize the hospital and residences. And lastly, prepare for the funeral. We need to honor our heroes in a dignified manner."
After the Meeting:
The elders began to disperse, but Danzo remained in the room. He approached Hiruzen with a serious expression.
Danzo: "Monkey, those two are gone. We need to talk about the situation with Root. We are facing difficulties. We need new blood and resources."
Emblematic pause...
Danzo continued: "You know that Minato was undermining your power. He blocked all my recruitments, denied funds, and halted research and experiments he deemed dubious."
"Minato was an obstacle for me and for Root. This wouldn't have happened otherwise, as I would have kept that damned Uzumaki under control."
"But now that he's gone, we have the opportunity to strengthen Root again. Here is a list of targets of interest for recruitment. We need a budget for this."
Hiruzen looked at the list and sighed. He knew that Danzo always had his own agendas, but the village's security was a priority.
Hiruzen: "I will consider your request, Danzo. But remember, the safety and stability of the village come first."
Danzo nodded, satisfied to have at least gained an opening for his demands.
William's Perspective:
William, now in the body of a baby, observed everything around him with an awakened and curious mind. The sensation of being trapped in such a small and helpless body was frustrating, but he knew he needed to be patient.
It wasn't the time to devise plans, think about Jutsus, or training; that would come later. At this stage, even an insect could bite a baby to death.
Each day brought new discoveries and challenges, and he was eager to learn more about the world of Konoha and find his place in it. He attentively observed the interactions around him, trying to understand the dynamics and relationships between the ninjas and civilians. The determination to rebuild the village and honor the fallen heroes was palpable, and William felt a mix of admiration and responsibility. He knew that despite his current condition, he had a role to play in this new world.