"Hokage-sama, should we go after them?" Kakashi looked at Orochimaru retreating in the distance, then at Tsunade, who appeared visibly shaken, and hesitantly asked.
Tsunade didn't respond. She stood there trembling, her clenched fists shaking with suppressed emotion.
Just as she seemed on the verge of collapsing mentally and physically, Kirito's voice rang out from atop the dome. "Hey, people of Konoha! Your beloved Third Hokage has just died as he wished—at the hands of his most cherished disciple. Now he waits for you to honor him, the 'hero' who sacrificed himself to protect Konoha!"
Kurenai Yuhi looked towards the source of the voice and saw Kirito standing at the edge of the dome. Her crimson eyes lit up instantly. "Kirito!"
Tsunade, on the other hand, kept her head half-lowered, her hair cascading over her face, shadowing her expression. Her clenched fists trembled, her knuckles white as her grip tightened to the point of creaking.
Meanwhile, Pakura, stationed amidst the crowd as planned, raised her voice in protest. "Sarutobi Hiruzen is not our Hokage! He and Danzo killed White Fang and the Fourth Hokage for their own selfish gain, orchestrated the Nine-Tails attack, and caused the deaths of countless families. Now, for the sake of their reputation, they've plunged Konoha into another war. We don't recognize him as our Hokage!"
Hearing this, the gathered people of Konoha were momentarily stunned.
As the saying goes, when the wall crumbles, everyone pushes it. One civilian, who had lost his loved ones during the Nine-Tails Rebellion, hesitated briefly before mustering the courage to raise his voice. "Sarutobi Hiruzen is not our Hokage!"
Humans are social creatures and follow the crowd. After the first voice, there was a second, then a third, and soon, the entire square resounded with the chant: "Sarutobi Hiruzen is not our Hokage!"
Pakura raised her voice again, "Our Hokage is Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage!"
This chant was quickly echoed by the crowd. "Our Hokage is Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage!"
"Down with Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo!" ×2
"Long live the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade!" ×2
Even the hesitant Konoha shinobi eventually joined in the chants, swept up in the fervor of the moment.
Kakashi, watching the fervent crowd, felt a deep pang of guilt for his father's past grievances. At the same time, he couldn't help but rub his temple in frustration. "This is going to be a headache."
Amidst the uproar, Tsunade, who had remained silent up until now, suddenly stomped her foot with enough force to shake the entire square. Her voice boomed over the commotion, "Silence!"
The crowd fell silent in an instant.
The next moment, tears glistening in her eyes, Tsunade launched herself like a cannonball towards Kirito, who was still standing atop the dome. Her voice carried a mix of fury and despair. "Kirito, you bastard!"
Kirito, seeing Tsunade's furious approach, didn't flinch. Instead, he sighed inwardly. I guess pretending to die without telling her was a bit much. I'll let her vent.
As her fist barreled toward him, he didn't dodge but instead used his Armament Haki to shield the spot about to be hit.
Boom!
In front of the astonished crowd, Tsunade's punch sent Kirito flying like a kite with a broken string. He crashed through the roof of the adjacent dome and finally landed in the forest beyond.
Climbing to his feet with apparent difficulty, Kirito weakly said, "You truly live up to the title of Fifth Hokage. To break through my illusions and land such a punch… I, Kirito, acknowledge you as the strongest Hokage after the First. Farewell."
He then threw a smoke bomb to the ground, and when the smoke cleared, Kirito had vanished.
Back on the dome, Tsunade stood motionless, staring at the spot where Kirito had disappeared. A surreal feeling crept over her. Did I really just hit Kirito and send him flying?
Below, the crowd erupted into cheers. "Incredible! Our future Hokage is so strong! She's even acknowledged by the Second Hokage, and she just sent that rebel flying with one punch!"
Might Guy's youthful energy boiled over as he clapped Kakashi on the shoulder. "Kakashi! Did you see that? Lady Tsunade shattered Kirito's illusion and sent him packing with just one punch! She truly is one of the legendary Sannin!"
"Uh…" Kakashi's face, hidden beneath his mask, twitched. "I don't think that's what happened. And…"
He trailed off, his expression turning serious as he glanced at the man in the crowd who had first shouted against Sarutobi Hiruzen. Forming a quick series of seals, Kakashi vanished in a puff of smoke.
Could it be? Kakashi thought as he sped towards his target. Was that person working with Kirito? And if so… what's Lady Tsunade's connection to him?
Outside Konoha
Meanwhile, outside Konoha's gates, Naruto had just won his battle against the rampaging Gaara.
Though the Sand Ninja had withdrawn from the invasion plan, Sasuke, who had learned the Chidori, became overconfident and clashed with Gaara despite Kakashi's warnings.
As in the original timeline, Sasuke was utterly outmatched by Gaara's Tailed Beast Transformation, suffering a humiliating defeat.
Naruto and Sakura arrived just in time. As always, Sakura was immediately taken hostage, pinned against a tree by Gaara's transformed sand claw.
Determined to save both Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto engaged in a fierce battle with Gaara. In Sasuke's envious, horrified gaze, Naruto demonstrated his mastery of the Rasengan, pushing Gaara to the brink.
Gaara ultimately resorted to his full Tailed Beast Transformation, but even then, Naruto prevailed with the help of Gamabunta.
As Gaara lay battered on the ground, he tilted his head towards Naruto, his voice filled with uncertainty. "Why… why would you go so far for others?"
Naruto, tears welling in his eyes, crawled towards Gaara. "Because… we're the same. Being alone… it hurts, doesn't it?"
Naruto's heartfelt words struck a chord with Gaara, who finally began to understand himself.
With the help of Kankuro and Temari, Gaara retreated towards Sunagakure, his expression softer than before.
Meanwhile, Sasuke stood by, watching Naruto's unconscious form with clenched fists. The overwhelming contrast between his strength and Naruto's gnawed at his pride. Gritting his teeth, Sasuke thought, Just how strong are you, Naruto?
(End of Chapter)
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