Even though Sarutobi Hiruzen found it unsettling to witness his own funeral, he still nodded in acknowledgment. The sheer absurdity of the situation did not escape him—after all, he was still alive, at least in a sense. But there it was, his corpse lying in state, draped in ceremonial robes, surrounded by mourners.
Especially Asuma.
His son stood rigid, sorrow etched deep into his features, eyes clouded with grief. Hiruzen felt a twinge of guilt. If Asuma saw him now, standing here with breath in his lungs and chakra coursing through his body, would he react with joy or horror? Would he believe it was a cruel trick?
A sigh escaped his lips. Death was complicated.
Suddenly, a warm hand clapped onto Souta Kazuki's shoulder. He turned to see Namikaze Minato, his golden hair gleaming under the sunlight, an encouraging smile stretching across his face.
"Souta," Minato said, his voice steady and full of quiet conviction, "Go forward without hesitation. Kushina and I are behind you. We believe in you. Konoha will be different in your hands."
Not far away, Uchiha Fugaku gave a small nod of approval, his expression one of rare openness. It was a sign of trust, and Souta didn't take it lightly.
Uchiha Izuna stretched his arms above his head and yawned. "Finally, some action! I can't wait to test out the Flying Thunder God Technique myself!"
At this, Senju Tobirama's sharp gaze locked onto him. "Hmph! So even a naturally troublesome Uchiha like you can learn my technique. I never expected this much from you."
Izuna blinked in feigned confusion before breaking into a smug grin. "What are you talking about, Senju Tobirama? I don't recall your name being attached to the Flying Thunder God Technique. This is obviously the signature move of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato! In fact, I think we can now call it my Flying Thunder God Technique!"
He grinned wider. "Or better yet, Souta's Flying Thunder God Technique! Hahahahahaha!"
Tobirama's face darkened. "You insufferable Uchiha—!"
"Ha! You Senju are always so quick to anger!"
The two locked eyes, sparks crackling between them.
And then—
Bang!
Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma both stepped in at the same time, striking their respective sons on the head with enough force to make them stagger.
"You two fools! Now is not the time for childish arguments!" Tajima growled.
Butsuma snorted. "Exactly! The situation outside is too interesting to waste time bickering!"
Tobirama and Izuna rubbed their sore heads, exchanging glances. Did their fathers just interrupt them just so they could argue instead?
A short distance away, Might Duy suddenly latched onto Hatake Sakumo like a human leech.
"Sakumo! This moment is the essence of youth!"
Sakumo grimaced, attempting to pry Duy off. "Get off of me, you idiot!"
Meanwhile, Uchiha Shisui stood slightly apart, murmuring to himself. "I have regained my light… I must be the light for Konoha. Where the leaves dance, the fire burns. One to seven… where are you now? Why did you take such an extreme path? The Uchiha clan should never have fallen this way..."
And then—
"I have an idea."
A voice slithered in from behind Souta. A cold shiver ran down his spine before he even turned around.
It was Orochimaru.
His unsettling golden eyes gleamed as his unnaturally long tongue flicked out to wet his lips, the grin stretching his face both sinister and amused.
Souta barely resisted the urge to recoil.
If a beautiful woman did that, he might not mind. But this was Uncle Snake.
"Orochimaru… what idea?" he asked warily.
Orochimaru chuckled, the sound low and almost conspiratorial. "If you wish to claim the title of Fifth Hokage, you must do so in a way that leaves no room for dispute. You need to show the entirety of Konoha your power… and the power of those who stand behind you."
Souta narrowed his eyes. "You're suggesting I summon them?"
"Not just them." Orochimaru's grin widened. "You must summon everyone. Let the village see the truth. Let them see that you hold the support of Konoha's greatest Hokage. Danzo will be the only one standing in opposition. That will make him the obvious enemy of the people.
"Then, during the funeral, you display your strength. Crush him. After that, it will be time to clean up Konoha properly. The elders need to be removed—"
"The Elders?" Souta raised an eyebrow.
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "Oh, yes. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane… You'd be surprised how much they've been pocketing over the years. If you search their families, you will find enough ryo to fund all of Konoha's infrastructure for the next decade.
"And then, of course… we have Root."
A slow, predatory smile spread across Orochimaru's face.
"Danzo has hoarded wealth, information, and power. When you take him down, all of it will belong to you."
Souta's fingers twitched.
Wealth?
I need money.
It was perfect. Danzo, Homura, and Koharu were nothing more than walking ryo bags waiting to be looted.
Just like that, his decision was made.
The outside world—
The funeral had begun.
The Twelve Konoha Genin stood together, faces somber, watching as the Third Hokage's body was honored.
Souta took a deep breath and looked at the people around him. His comrades. His brothers and sisters in arms.
The time had come.
"Everyone," he said quietly.
Naruto turned, blinking curiously. "What's up, Souta?"
"It's time for the plan. We can't let Konoha fall into Danzo's hands." His voice was firm. "Today, I will become the Fifth Hokage."
The fire in his words spread like a spark through dry grass. The others nodded, their expressions sharpening into determination.
And then—
"Psychic Art!"
With a burst of golden light, a magic circle flared beneath his feet, and from it—
Sarutobi Hiruzen emerged once again.
For a moment, everything was silent.
The assembled crowd—grieving, unsuspecting—stared in horror at the impossible sight.
The resurrected Third Hokage.
The younger, healthier version of him.
The very man they were here to mourn.
The Konoha Genin, who had spent the past several minutes listening to speeches about the legacy of the Third Hokage, were now looking at a very alive Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Their faces twisted into expressions of disbelief, confusion, and pure, unfiltered shock.
"Little ones! Hello!"
The silence shattered as Hiruzen greeted them with an easy smile.
"Th-Third Hokage…?"
Naruto gulped. "G-Grandpa Hiruzen?!"
Hiruzen beamed. "Ah! Naruto, my boy! What's wrong? You don't recognize your grandpa now that he's looking younger?"
Naruto shook his head frantically. "No, no! It's just… YOU LOOK SO COOL LIKE THIS!"
Hiruzen blinked. Then, he threw his head back and laughed.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
And just like that—
Konoha's most chaotic day had begun.