Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 50 The 2nd Generation’s Memorial Day

On this day, the sky over Konoha was overcast, and a light drizzle was falling.

The streets were not as bustling as usual.

All the shops were draped with black curtains.

Today is the anniversary of the death of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

For most villagers in Konoha, he was a hero worthy of remembrance.

He established the Ninja Academy, set up the Anbu, and built the institutional foundation of Konoha.

During the First Shinobi World War, in order to cover the retreat of his juniors, he single-handedly held off the Gold and Silver Brothers' forces, eventually dying from exhaustion.

He is a practitioner of the Will of Fire.

But for some, this day is a day of shame.

Hongshan Street.

[The sweet part].

The atmosphere is particularly oppressive today.

A few Uchiha clan members just came in.

Their expressions showed no sadness.

Only indifference.

Uchiha's feelings toward Tobirama Senju were complex.

There is both awe for the strong and resentment towards being marginalized.

It was Tobirama Senju who single-handedly established the security force, isolating the Uchiha clan from the core of power.

Sending the Uchiha clan, whom he was most wary of, to manage public order was itself a malicious political maneuver.

Therefore, the Uchiha clan does not wish to mourn that man today.

Even the sweet-smelling shop, in today's atmosphere, made them feel a sense of betrayal.

Sousuke walked out of the counter.

He didn't bring up the topic.

That's being tactless.

He took a case of purified water from the shelf.

They also had the old man from the Ministry of Revenue prepare enough desserts.

"Thank you all for your hard work."

"We've been under a lot of pressure regarding public security lately. Please take this water for future use."

"There will be complimentary red bean soup later. It's a small token of our appreciation for your continued support."

The leading Uchiha Chunin fixed his gaze on Sousuke's face.

Sosuke met his gaze calmly and respectfully.

There was no flattery, nor was there any ignorance of "why are you unhappy?"

This is a tacit understanding.

I know you're unhappy, and I won't try to make you happy, but I'll offer you some convenience and respect your dissatisfaction.

Thank you.

The Chunin nodded.

10:00 AM.

The plaza in front of the Hokage Building.

A dense, dark crowd.

The rain was still falling, but no one was holding an umbrella.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, stood on the high platform.

He was wearing the Hokage's robes and a straw hat.

Rainwater dripped down the edge of the straw hat.

He looked very old.

The age spots on her face were particularly noticeable on rainy days, and she had heavy eye bags.

Behind him were two advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.

Next is Danzo Shimura.

He had his eyes half-closed and was leaning on his cane, looking like a cold, somber sculpture.

Behind them were the patriarchs of various families.

Hinata, Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka...

Strict hierarchy.

But there was no Uchiha.

The Uchiha clan was not among the groups participating in the memorial ceremony.

where are they?

At the outermost edge of the square.

In the shadow of those buildings, at the street corner.

Figures in dark blue uniforms stood with their backs to the memorial and their faces turned outwards.

They are on duty.

As the Konoha Police Force, their mission on the anniversary of the Second Hokage's death is to protect the memorial ceremony from being disrupted.

This is clearly a sign of distrust, and even more so, an insult.

To prevent the Uchiha from causing trouble on this day, the Konoha leadership did not allow them to enter the core area of ​​the festival.

Sosuke also came, as one of the representatives of the Takaya Trading Company.

Regardless of their attitude, members of any chamber of commerce must appear on such occasions.

Fellow countrymen.

The Third Hokage's speech began, and its message echoed throughout the plaza.

His voice was hoarse, yet incredibly penetrating.

"Thirty years ago, the Second Hokage sacrificed himself to cover for us and protect the future of Konoha, falling victim to the despicable sneak attack of Kinkaku and Ginkaku..."

The speech began.

It was a standard, textbook-style mobilization order.

First, it recounts history and evokes a sense of tragedy.

Next, it emphasizes the will of fire—where leaves dance, fire will never cease.

Finally, the tone shifted.

"...Now, dark clouds have once again descended upon the ninja world."

"The land of wind and the land of earth are eyeing our rich land with covetous intent."

"They want to take our children away and burn down our homes."

"Can we agree to that?"

"cannot!!!"

The ninjas below the stage roared in unison.

The sound waves shattered the rain curtain.

That was the passion fueled by long-term education, hatred, and a sense of honor.

Sosuke watched this scene unfold.

He remained silent in the crowd.

He could see that on the faces of the common people, besides passion, there was also fear.

That was an instinctive fear of the impending war.

And then there were the Uchiha guards standing on the perimeter.

They didn't shout.

They watched all of this coldly, like outsiders.

The Third Hokage's speech was very inspiring.

But he cannot conceal the fact that Konoha is using the blood and flesh of its young people to fill the deep pit of great power rivalry.

Sosuke's gaze fell on one person.

That was a man standing in the area where the upper echelons of Konoha were located.

He had long black hair, pale skin, and long, golden pupils that exuded a chill even on rainy days.

Orochimaru.

At this time, he had not yet defected.

As one of the Legendary Sannin, he was a hero of Konoha and one of the most promising candidates to succeed as Hokage, aside from Sakumo Hatake.

She seemed to have noticed Sosuke's gaze.

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly.

Those snake-like eyes pierced through the rain and landed precisely on Sosuke's face.

He noticed that Sousuke's eyes were calm, unlike the others who were fanatical.

A meaningful smile curved at the corner of his lips.

Sosuke's back hairs stood on end instantly.

That feeling of being targeted by a top predator.

"Damn it, how could anyone notice this angle...?"

Being noticed by Orochimaru is definitely not a good thing.

Fortunately, Orochimaru quickly looked away.

Sosuke could only console himself that perhaps the other person was just glancing at him casually.

The ceremony in the square is still ongoing.

After the Third Hokage's speech, there was a moment of silence.

The square, which housed tens of thousands of people, was deathly silent.

Only the sound of rain.

Splash!

Rainwater washed over the memorial stone.

Sosuke raised his head and looked at the other side of the square.

There was a line of people from the orphanage standing there.

Nono was dressed in a black nun's habit, followed by dozens of children.

They have no parents, no home.

The anniversary of the death of the second generation is also the anniversary of the death of many parents of war orphans.

Chiba stood beside Nono.

He wore those rather large black-rimmed glasses, tilted his head back, looking at the Hokage on the high platform, and then at Danzo in the shadows beside him.

That look in his eyes didn't seem like a child's.

He was thinking.

Consider the rationality of this system.

Why must there be war? Why must there be sacrifice? If sacrifice is necessary, then who decides who should die?

Sosuke could understand that look in his eyes.

He was amazed by the child's intelligence.

The moment of silence has ended.

The crowd began to disperse.

But it's not going home.

Temporary recruitment posts had already been set up around the square.

"For the Will of Fire!"

"Defend Konoha!"

A huge banner fluttered in the rain.

The young people who had just listened to the inspiring speech, especially those who had just graduated from the Ninja Academy or even those who had not yet graduated, were now lining up and eagerly pressing their fingerprints on the registration form.

The inkpad, dampened by the rain, turned a deep red, like blood.

"I want to sign up too!"

A familiar voice.

Sosuke looked over.

It's Matt Day.

This perennial genin was currently standing in front of the conscription office with his son, Might Guy.

"I want to go to the front lines! I want to burn my youth!"

Dai shouted loudly, completely ignoring the mocking looks from those around him.

"Uncle, you're so old, and you're still a low-ranking ninja. Are you going to the front lines to die?"

The Chunin in charge of registration was getting impatient.

"So what if you're a genin!" Dai waved his fist. "Genin have the power to protect the village too!"

Kai clenched his fist and exclaimed, "Dad's the best!"

Sosuke looked at the father and son.

He did not go up to stop them.

Because he knew this was Dai's destiny.

He could not stop the wheels of history.