With the Sound Ninja defeated and the Sand Ninja fleeing, Konoha had achieved victory.
However, those who fought within the village gained no advantage from their victory. Instead, they suffered numerous casualties and damage to many buildings.
But the greatest loss was the death of their highest leader, the Third Hokage.
So even though they had won, Konoha's morale plummeted to its lowest point.
The entire village was shrouded in an atmosphere of oppression and grief.
Konohamaru, as the grandson of the Hokage, was already sobbing uncontrollably.
Naruto Uzumaki was also in a daze, tears streaming down his face.
The first person to acknowledge him, and also the Third Hokage Grandpa who loved him the most, was gone!
But the ones with the heaviest hearts right now were the Konoha elders.
"Lord Danzo is also dead, and there is only one survivor from the entire Root."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane looked at Jiraiya, who was no longer acting like a fool but had a solemn expression. The latter said in a deep voice, "According to the only survivor's description, the one who wiped out Root was just one person and a group of puppets. That person wore the Akatsuki uniform, had eyes with purple ripples, and could infinitely use the abilities of Repulsion and Attraction."
"He first killed Danzo, wiped out Root, then infiltrated the Hokage Building to capture Tenzō, and stole the Sealing Scroll and some scrolls."
"This person can fly and can also become invisible. Repulsion can destroy everything, leaving no trace of scent."
"However, the master of those puppets can be confirmed to be Sasori of the Red Sand, who destroyed a small country back then. His puppetry has reached the point where he can control them freely without Chakra threads."
"He took the opportunity to steal a large number of corpses, probably to make puppets."
After Koharu Utatane finished speaking, Homura Mitokado also opened his mouth to accuse, "Jiraiya, you took in disciples outside back then, and one of them even possessed the Sage Eye, but you didn't report it or bring him back, leading to him joining Akatsuki and launching the Konoha Crush Plan in collaboration with Orochimaru, indirectly causing the deaths of Hiruzen and Danzo. You need to take responsibility for this."
"Hey, hey... don't throw all the dirty water on me."
Jiraiya, who had been looking serious and thinking about something, suddenly had black lines all over his face and said, "I don't even know if that guy is Yahiko. According to the portrait provided by the survivor, his body is covered with black nails, and he might also be a puppet, just similar to my former disciple."
"Besides, the Sand Village was invited by the old man. Who knew Orochimaru would disguise himself as the Fourth Kazekage and cooperate with Akatsuki, which he had joined before."
"Now that things have already happened, instead of shirking responsibility, you should quickly choose a new Hokage."
Speaking of this, Jiraiya suddenly became gloating again, "Danzo that guy is really unlucky. The old man died in battle, and he, a former Hokage candidate, originally had hope of becoming Hokage again, but he didn't expect to leave with the old man, what a pity."
"Shut up, Jiraiya."
Koharu Utatane scolded with black lines all over her face, and then suggested, "This incident is inseparable from you. Since Hiruzen and Danzo have both sacrificed themselves, then you should serve as the Fifth Hokage."
"No way, I'm not interested in the Hokage position." Jiraiya raised his hand to refuse without hesitation, and gave his reasons, "According to my investigation, Akatsuki's goal is actually the Tailed Beast and the Jinchuriki. This time, the invasion of Konoha exposed the Sage Eye's trump card in advance, but instead of taking Naruto away, they set their sights on the Sealing Scroll and Root. This is really too strange."
"If it's really the Sage Eye, that survivor couldn't have survived. He must have been deliberately left alive by the other party. According to the information provided by the survivor, Danzo and that demigod from Rain Hidden Village seemed to have plotted something back then, leading to him coming here for revenge today."
"Since it's just revenge, then why did he say that Akatsuki's territory is in Rain Hidden Village?"
Hearing this, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado's eyes flashed, "You mean to say, he did it on purpose?"
"Maybe, or maybe he really didn't discover that survivor." Jiraiya was not very sure, and said, "That's why I want to continue the investigation. This Akatsuki, which gathers a large number of S-Rank Missing-nin and even suspected of possessing the Sage Eye, is really too dangerous."
"The task of investigation can be handed over to Anbu." Koharu Utatane said in a deep voice, "Konoha cannot be without a Hokage. Apart from you, no one is suitable to serve as the Fifth Hokage."
"Who said that?" Jiraiya smiled meaningfully, "Isn't there still one of the legendary Sannin?"
"What you're saying is..."
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane widened their eyes.
"Ah... that woman is more suitable than anyone else, after all... she is Konoha's princess."
Jiraiya convinced the two elders.
...
The next day, the sky was covered with dark clouds, and muffled thunder rumbled.
Before long, it started to drizzle.
The ninjas of Konoha, all dressed in black long coats and trousers today, holding a bunch of white chrysanthemums, went to attend the memorial service for the fallen ninjas.
Even many villagers went spontaneously.
On the table full of white chrysanthemums, a large number of portraits were placed, two of which were enlarged and placed at the most conspicuous top.
The rain suddenly became heavier, as if the heavens were crying for these heroes.
It should have been a sad and heavy atmosphere, but after Izayoi offered the white chrysanthemum, looking at the portrait of Danzo Shimura, who was placed together with Hiruzen Sarutobi, and who had turned from darkness to light after his death, he almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Izayoi quickly suppressed this impulse, made a gesture of worship with both hands, closed his eyes and said silently: "Lord Danzo, may you rest in peace, I will make Root great again!"
Immediately, Izayoi tightened his face and returned to the team expressionlessly.
Rainwater slid down his face, as if mixed with tears.
There were a large number of ninjas with the same expression as Izayoi.
But more were sobbing in a low voice, or crying loudly, or silently shedding tears...
Most of these people have been baptized by the Will of Fire, or are new generation and ordinary ninjas who have not experienced darkness and have not seen the dirty side of the village.
After being rained on for half an hour, the memorial service came to an end.
At the same time, it also declared the official end of the era ruled by the Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura.
When the Fifth Hokage takes office, Konoha will enter a new era.
In Orochimaru's words, the windmill in Konoha that has been stopped for many years is finally about to turn again.
The higher-ups and the Land of Fire will be very busy next.
Not only to clean up the mess, but also to search for the traces of Orochimaru and the Sound Ninja Village, and deal with the relationship between the Land of Wind and the Sand Village. There will definitely be a lot of negotiations next.
After all, the One-Tailed Jinchuriki of the Sand Village, as well as the children of the Kazekage, and a considerable number of Sand Ninja, were sealed and imprisoned.
The Jinchuriki is a strategic weapon, and the Sand Ninjas who can participate in the Konoha Crush Plan are also elite ninjas of the Sand Hidden Village.
In any case, the Sand Ninja Village cannot give up.
Both Konoha and Sand Hidden Village, who have lost the 'Five Kage' at the same time, cannot afford the cost of war, otherwise their combat power will be exposed, which may trigger the outbreak of the Fourth Shinobi World War at any time.
So they can only finalize the 'price' through negotiation and bargaining.
Izayoi is not interested in this kind of political event.
He didn't even have time to sort out the gains from the Konoha Crush Plan.
After the rain stopped, he began to look for a new home address.
Since his old home was destroyed, Izayoi didn't plan to rebuild the house.
He planned to buy land and build a big house.
Without Lord Danzo as a threat, and with himself becoming Konoha's rising star, Izayoi wasn't afraid of anyone questioning the source of his wealth.
Without evidence, no one would dare to provoke a powerhouse with ace combat strength.
Moreover, Izayoi had the Hyuga sisters as a cover.
"Nii-chan, now that the house is gone, where do you plan to live next?"
The Hyuga sisters followed Izayoi, and Hanabi said, "The hotel is too small and the price is so expensive, why don't you move into Hanabi's house?"
"Yes, Izayoi-kun, why don't you move into my house? I will persuade Father," Hinata softly echoed.
Hearing this, Izayoi was a little tempted.
But thinking that he would see Hiashi Hyuga's zombie face every day, and would be treated with the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan every day, Izayoi suddenly felt a chill, and goosebumps rose all over his body.
He shook his head and teased Hinata, "No need, now is not the time to visit."
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Knowing what he was talking about, Hinata blushed and stopped insisting.
Moreover, a boy suddenly moving into a girl's house, and the other party being a daughter of a wealthy family, even if he was a promising rising star, he would be greatly criticized.
Although he was often teased by Izayoi about whether she wanted to take care of him, Hinata also knew that Izayoi's heart was actually proud, and he definitely didn't want to be subjected to such gazes.
"Damn Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja, my hot spring inn was just built! Only two wells have been dug, and it was destroyed before it opened. This is what I invested in with a loan, I'm done for!"
Just then, a cry of grief reached the ears of Izayoi and the others.
Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw a middle-aged man in a black suit, who had obviously come from out of town in the past two days, kneeling in front of a ruin, crying like a child.
Hearing his words, Izayoi's eyes lit up.
Immediately, under the surprised gazes of passers-by, Izayoi's figure floated into the air, flew into the sky above the street, looked at the ruins in front of the middle-aged man, and measured the area of the hot spring inn that had not yet opened.
After a while, a hint of joy appeared on Izayoi's face.
Falling from the air to the middle-aged man, Izayoi looked at the stunned middle-aged man and asked with a smile, "Are you interested in doing a business deal? I am very interested in your hot spring inn."
"Yes, yes, yes..."
Looking at this young man who didn't look simple, the middle-aged man nodded repeatedly, as if he had caught a life-saving straw.
"Hinata, go to Ino's flower shop, ask Ino for a favor, let her..."
Izayoi leaned close to Hinata's ear and whispered his instructions.
Hinata listened quietly, then nodded seriously, "I understand, Izayoi-kun."
After Hinata left in a Shunshin, Izayoi smiled at the middle-aged man, "Let's go to the Hokage Building."
Konoha is the military base of the Land of Fire, and its relationship with the Land of Fire is a one-country, one-village system.
To transfer land, you must obtain the village's consent and witness.
Izayoi didn't know the price of this land, but he didn't want to be taken advantage of, so he planned to ask a member of the Yamanaka Clan for help to avoid being scammed by this middle-aged man.
After all, no merchant is not cunning, and every world is no exception.
"No problem." The middle-aged man agreed readily, obviously wanting to get rid of this hot potato as soon as possible.
Even if his property is damaged, the village will give a certain amount of compensation, but it will take a lot of time to repair and open.
During this period, the interest on interest will definitely far exceed the village's compensation.
Now that someone is willing to take over, the middle-aged man couldn't be happier.
When Izayoi and the others arrived at the Hokage Building, Hinata also came over quickly.
Beside her was Ino Yamanaka.
"Izayoi, not bad, you actually want to buy a hot spring inn, when did you become so rich?" Ino Yamanaka teased.
"Borrowed, I have to pay it back in the future." Izayoi glanced at Hinata, creating a false impression for Ino Yamanaka.
"I really envy your relationship, I wonder when I can be like Sasuke-kun." Ino Yamanaka was not surprised, just sighed slightly.
Hinata smiled shyly, and did not hit Ino Yamanaka.
According to her observation, Sasuke Uchiha has no interest in women at all.
If he wasn't a man, Hinata would even be hostile to him.
This guy is sometimes more clingy than her and Hanabi.
After chatting for a few words, Ino Yamanaka said to the middle-aged man next to her: "Uncle Yusuke, sorry to trouble you."
"It's just a small matter." Yusuke smiled and nodded.
Under the gaze of people wearing Green Vests, with obvious identities, and two Byakugan girls, the middle-aged man, knowing that these people were of great background, did not dare to cheat at all, and quickly transferred the land of the hot spring inn to Izayoi for a price of 66.66 million taels.
The land is definitely not worth this price, and Izayoi has to bear part of the middle-aged man's losses.
After signing the contract and obtaining the new land deed from the village, Izayoi happily wanted to invite Ino Yamanaka and Yusuke Yamanaka to dinner.
The latter chose to refuse, but the former readily agreed.
The weather is relatively cool now, which is suitable for eating hot pot.
So the four of them came to the hot pot restaurant, and while the three girls were ordering food, Izayoi took out the Konoha map, circled the location of the hot spring inn with a pen, and then circled several houses nearby.
The area of the hot spring inn is good, and it is entirely possible to build a house twice as big as the old house, but Izayoi is still not satisfied.
He wants to build a bigger one, with not only a hot spring, but also a large yard and a large house for a new home.
So in the next few days, Izayoi visited door to door, and successfully bought the land of those houses at a price they could not refuse.
Including the hot spring inn, Izayoi's total expenditure this time cost a full 280 million taels.
After all, if you want to buy things from the Konoha civilians, it is impossible not to bleed a little.
After buying the land, Izayoi went to hire a professional team to help him measure the land area, and then began to draw up design drawings.
Once Izayoi was satisfied with the design drawings and finalized them completely, construction could begin.
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