Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 241 The Raikage's Corpse, the Hokage's Last Touch of Warmth

When Hiruzen Sarutobi reappeared on the flagship's deck, after a brief silence, the entire fleet was instantly engulfed by an unprecedented wave of fervor.

"The Hokage is back—!"

This shout, transmitted through layers of people, was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating towering waves.

"Ha ha ha ha--"

"We've won!!"

On the deck, in the cabin, and in the watchtower, all the eyes of the Konoha ninja were focused on the figure slowly walking onto the deck.

Their cheers converged into a torrent that pierced the sky, making even the waves tremble.

The overwhelming fervor brought the morale of the entire fleet to an unprecedented peak.

Hiruzen Sarutobi simply nodded calmly at the cheering crowd.

The cheers that were loud enough to shake the ocean miraculously subsided within seconds.

"..."

All eyes were fixed on that figure, filled with awe and fervor.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not give any speech; his gaze swept across the crowd and landed on a corner of the deck.

There, several members of the Uchiha security force were monitoring a group of dejected Cloud Village ninja.

Leading the group was none other than Tsuchishiro, the Third Raikage's adjutant.

Fugaku Uchiha stood at the very front, his posture upright, his three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotating, alert to any unusual movement.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a step and slowly walked over.

"Tap tap—"

The crowd automatically parted to make way for each other.

Tsuchishiro sensed the approaching presence, and his body involuntarily tensed up.

He looked up and saw the man walking slowly towards him, the man who had personally ended the legend of their Hidden Cloud Village as the strongest.

Despair, humiliation, and a little bit of unspeakable fear intertwined in his heart.

Tsuchishiro opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something.

But when the words reached his lips, they turned into a bitter silence.

What did you say?

They are the defeated, the invaders, and they have no right to talk about conditions now.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi simply walked up to him calmly, without revealing any murderous intent or judgmental attitude.

He took out the scroll that sealed the corpse of the Third Raikage from his pocket.

Tsuchishiro's heart clenched.

Is this... meant to be publicly humiliated?

Hiruzen Sarutobi handed over the scroll.

"This is the Raikage's corpse."

The simple eight words clearly reached Tsuchishiro's ears.

Tsuchishiro was completely stunned. He stared blankly at the scroll handed to him, his mind a complete blank.

I can't understand it at all.

He thought he would be humiliated.

They thought that the body of their most beloved Raikage would be used as a war achievement by Konoha, or hung on the bow of Konoha's ships.

Why...

Tsuchishiro subconsciously raised his head and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.

There was no mockery, no pity, only pure calm on the other person's face.

The Hokage of Konoha actually returned the Raikage's body to him intact.

"....."

A surge of intense heat rushed to his eyes, and Tsuchishiro's body trembled violently.

He reached out his trembling hands and respectfully accepted the scroll.

The reel was very light, but in his hands it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

That was once the backbone of their Hidden Cloud Village.

"Lord Hokage..."

Tsuchishiro's voice was thick with nasal tone. He suddenly bent down and gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a deep bow at a ninety-degree angle.

"Thank you... thank you, Hokage-sama!"

"Thanks!"

His voice was hoarse and nasal as he repeated his thanks over and over again.

The Cloud Village ninjas behind them were all stunned.

Then, as if they understood something, they lowered their heads one by one, and the hatred and resentment in their eyes were gradually replaced by a complex emotion.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said nothing more and turned to leave.

Fugaku Uchiha witnessed this scene, and his young mind was deeply shaken.

They may not be able to fully understand the Hokage's profound meaning, but they can sense that their Hokage's magnanimity is even broader than this ocean.

We must not only defeat the enemy with swift and decisive measures, but also win them over with a tolerant demeanor.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's image in their hearts was once again elevated to an unprecedented level.

……

Silent all night.

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight bathed the sea, the shadow of war in the Land of Whirlpools was finally completely dispelled.

After a night of rest and cleaning up the battlefield, Konoha's main fleet slowly set sail.

Along with them set sail were dozens of antique-style boats with spiral patterns carved all over their hulls.

That was the fleet of the Whirlpool Clan.

The two massive fleets merged on the sea, forming an unprecedentedly large combined fleet. With banners waving, they embarked on their return journey in a grand and imposing manner.

At the bow of the flagship, the sea breeze ruffled the robes of two figures.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Ninth Generation Uzumaki stood side by side, gazing in the direction of their home.

"Hokage-sama, regarding the specifics of my clan's incorporation into Konoha..."

The Ninth Generation Uzumaki turned his head to the side, his azure eyes filled with gratitude and admiration.

"I have followed your suggestion and divided the clansmen into three parts. The able-bodied young men who are proficient in combat sealing techniques will be directly incorporated into Konoha's combat ranks to form an independent sealing technique unit."

"Clan members skilled in barrier and life-related sealing techniques will join Lord Danzo's construction team, responsible for upgrading the village's defensive barriers and maintaining civilian facilities."

"As for the elderly and children, they will be temporarily housed in the new residential area you have planned for us."

The arrangements made by the Ninth Generation Uzumaki were well-organized and clearly the result of careful consideration.

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction.

"Very good. At Konoha Hospital, Tsunade has prepared a special medical team to conduct a comprehensive physical examination on all the villagers of Uzushio Village to ensure that everyone can adapt to life on the mainland as soon as possible."

"In addition, the Ninja Academy will also offer a special course on sealing techniques. I hope that the Ninth Village Chief—no, I should now call him the Ninth Minister—can personally serve as the first guest lecturer."

"This...this is my honor!" Uzumaki Kyudai excitedly replied.

It would be a very fulfilling thing to be able to spread the legacy of the Uzumaki clan across the wider land of Konoha and to his future hometown.

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi's profile and sighed sincerely.

"Lord Hokage, to be honest, even now, I still find it somewhat unbelievable."

"From the moment you sent Lord Kagami and Lord Danzo to the Land of Whirlpools to lay a trap, to the moment you personally led your army to defeat the combined fleet head-on... everything seems to be part of your script."

"Your foresight and the strength of Konoha have far exceeded my expectations."

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

"In the future, Konoha will be a peaceful family, a community that unites together for common prosperity."

"And Konoha and Uzushio Village will be the pioneers of this new era."

The incorporation of the Uzumaki clan is just the beginning.

This marks a solid first step for Konoha's structure towards becoming a larger and more inclusive community.

His gaze fell upon the fleet behind him.

There, the ninjas of Konoha and the villagers of the Uzumaki clan were curiously sizing each other up and trying to communicate.

Although they were still a little unfamiliar with each other, their faces were filled with longing for peace and the future.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips.

He turned to look at Tsunade beside him.

"Tsunade."

"Yes, teacher!"

Tsunade immediately stood up straight.

Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed in the direction of his home in the distance, his voice calm yet powerful.

"Pass down the order: the fleet is to advance at full speed."

"Tell everyone, we..."

"go home!"