Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Such a sad episode. It makes you hate Orochimaru even more now. This chapters basically full of flashbacks in the memory of Sandaime Hokage. I'm sure you all know it already, but I'm still doing this chapter anyway.


"Sarutobi… at least let me pull this sword out of you…" Enma slowly pulled out the sword.

Yet, even as the sword had pierced through Sarutobi, it left no wound in his body as if his body had already died before the sword pierced him.

You ended your life in an honorable way… As expected from someone who mastered the way of the ninja. With that, Enma disappeared.

"My arms… feel like they're burning…" Orochimaru struggled.

"Orochimaru-sama!" one of his men shouted with worry.

"The mission will end here. Release the field. We're going back," Orochimaru ordered.

"Yes, sir! Dispel!" all of them yelled at the same time.

"The field!" Gai stared up.

"It disappeared," Kakashi added.

"How is Hokage-sama doing?" Genma wondered.

Orochimaru managed to escape even thought the Black Ops tried to stop them. Unfortunately, they were all caught in a web with Chakra imbedded in it.


The sand that held Sakura and Kairen in its grasps finally began to loosen and fall uselessly to the ground. Sakura, still unconscious, fell from the tree. Sasuke jumped toward her and caught her before she landed on the ground. He laid her down gently.

"Take care of Sakura," he spoke to Pakkun before jumping away.

Kairen also fell and landed on a branch. Her balance for the moment was terrible, so she nearly collapsed and fell. Sasuke suddenly took a hold of her and helped her to stay balanced.

"Well, it's about time Sassycakes," she pouted. "Too slow!"

"Sorry…" he mumbled.

Kairen stared at him strangely and shook her head.

"Well, I'm fine now. Go help Naruto. I'm going to head over to Mizu," she hopped off the branch.

Naruto was barely able to stand, or even move his arms. But he struggled and wiggled his way toward Gaara with his legs. Gaara lay there tiredly, staring at Naruto.

Why… is he so strong? he thought. My existence will not disappear… It will not! I won't let it disappear!

Images of loneliness flashed through Naruto's mind as he struggled to reach Gaara. An image of Gaara going through the same loneliness also went through his mind.

I am only a relic of the past they want to get rid of. So why do I exist and live? Gaara's voice flashed through Naruto's mind.

And at the time, I thought of myself as… No… I had to think of myself as… And I realized that that was the hardest thing one can feel. The feeling that you are not needed by anyone in this world. Haku's voice echoed in his mind as well.

"D-don't get near me!" Gaara cried out.

"The pain of being alone… is completely out of this world, isn't it?" Naruto stared at Gaara with eyes of empathy. This sudden look had Gaara taken back. "I don't know why, but I understand your feelings so much, it actually hurts…"

Mizu, who had been laying a few feet away from where they landed listened to the whole thing. She noticed the sadness in Naruto's eyes that it slightly hurt her, too. But the sudden change in his eyes as he continued talking slightly stunned her.

"But I… I have people who are important to me now. I won't let you hurt my important people. If you do… I'll stop you… even if I have to kill you!" his eyes weren't lying.

Naruto… Mizu thought.

"Why… Why can you do this for strangers?!" Gaara was left in confusion.

"My loneliness… That hell… They saved me from it, and they acknowledged my existence. They're important to me… That's why."

Love is the spirit of devoting yourself to someone important and close to you. It is expressed by caring for and protecting that person.

"Love… Is that why he's strong?" Gaara uttered to himself.

"You can stop now, Naruto," a voice spoke up next to him.

Naruto looked up to see Sasuke kneeling next to him.

"Sakura and Kairen are fine now. He must be out of Chakra, too. Since the sand holding them had released them."

"Ah… Sokka…" Naruto wearily laid his head down and went unconscious.

At that moment, Temari and Kankuro kneeled near Gaara's side protectively.

"Don't fight them," Gaara's voice was spoken softly, but enough for everyone to hear. "Let's stop."

"Gaara?" Kankuro was a little shocked.

Gaara paid no heed to any of them. He continued to stare at the sky deep in thought.

I've never seen Gaara in such a weakened state before. Kankuro thought. "Okay…"

Mizu clutched the object in her hand and forced herself to stand up.

"It's now… or never, I suppose…" she mumbled.

Someone suddenly helped her up and she glanced at her side to see Kairen smiling at her.

"Kairen!" she was about to say something else, but Kairen shook her head.

"You better hurry. They'll be leaving soon," was the only thing she said as she helped Mizu over to them.

"…It's just not my style… I'm having doubts about doing it," Mizu looked away, slightly embarrassed.

"Oh, okay. I'll do it for you-"

"NO!"

"I won't embarrass you even more!"

"Liar…"

Kankuro slowly put Gaara's arm around him and helped him to stand up. They turned around and faced Naruto and Sasuke momentarily.

"Matte," Mizu spoke up.

She walked away from Kairen's grasp and limped toward them, holding her ribs. All of them looked over as she put up a front and tried not to look weak and tired in front of them.

"Mizu…" Temari whispered.

Mizu said nothing and continued to limp toward them, showing no intentions of wanting to harm them. Kankuro, however, was still slightly cautious.

"What do you want?" he was ready to keep Gaara away.

Awwww… Being a protective brother now? Kairen grinned from the trees as she watched them.

Mizu continued to be silent and stopped in front of Gaara, who stared at her wearily. They both stared at each other for a while, as Temari and Kankuro felt tension in the air. Finally, Mizu closed her eyes and took Gaara's hand and brought it up. She placed something in it and closed his fingers over it, so that Temari and Kankuro could not see what it was.

"Do whatever you want with it," she finally said and used the last of her energy to jump away from their sight.

(Hah. You didn't think she was going to kiss him, did you?).

Gaara said nothing. Kankuro and Temari made sure there were no further interruptions and jumped away. Naruto continued to rest there, and had not budged at all. Sasuke looked down at him only to see that he was smiling peacefully.

"Nice job, Mizu," Kairen gave her a thumbs up.

"…It was you, wasn't it?" Mizu glanced at Kairen.

"Eh?"

"You showed me his memories."

"…I just wanted to point you in the right direction," she smiled.

"…Thanks…"

Temari and Kankuro continued to jump through the trees with Gaara, heading back to their village.

Uzumaki Naruto, eh? One day, will I be able to… Gaara thought.

Gaara… Mizu's image flashed through his mind at the time he had captured her in his tail.

"Temari, Kankuro…" he began.

They both looked at him questioningly.

"I'm sorry…" Gaara clutched the object in his hand.

I'm sorry… were the words she said barely above audio.

This left both Temari and Kankuro even more confused. Gaara has never apologized to anyone. Kankuro stared down at Gaara, hoping for an explanation. But that was all that Gaara said.

"D-don't worry about it," Kankuro had nothing else to say.


Every Jounin and Chuunin had arrived at the location where Orochimaru had fought their Hokage. Silence overcame them as they stared upon their lifeless, smiling Sandaime.


Naruto sat there gloomily, an image of the Hokage in his mind. He looked at the clock and began to get his black shirt to head out. Sakura stepped outside, sadness clearly shown on her face. She stared at the sky as black clouds loomed overhead, thunder quietly roaring. Team seven stood waiting for each other, all dressed entirely in black.

On top of the Hokage building stood everyone from Konoha, dressed in black, and faced the alter with pictures of those that died in the war. At the very middle was a picture that stood higher than the rest was the picture of none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Hokage loved by all.

Many of the children had more expression on their face that held sorrow. As for the adults, they did their best to hide it. Heavy rain suddenly started from the blackened sky.

"Rain," Kurenai glanced up.

"The sky is crying, too," Asuma did not look up as she did.


Mizu stood alone, isolated and made sure there was no one around her. She stood there angrily for some time and faced the ground. Everyone knew the cause of Sandaime's death. Just knowing the cause made her anger grow until she could no longer hold back. She took a deep breath, faced the sky, and opened her mouth. Thunder roared and lightning flashed brightly in the sky for a few seconds. Mizu finally closed her mouth and listened to the footsteps that neared her.

"The rain makes it look like you're crying," the voice of Kairen stood next to her.

"….You didn't have to cover my scream with lightning," Mizu stared at the ground.

Kairen smiled and began to walk away.

"Come on. Akio and Hiyony are waiting for us."

"…Yeah…"


People continued to gather around as the funeral began. The bell rang slowly and sounded like a mournful cry. Kakashi stood by himself, staring at the stone of the K.I.A. The ringing of the bells echoed even to where he stood.

"Alone again?"

"I thought you would be going, too," Kakashi spoke back.

"I can wait," Michiko stood near him and stared down at the stone.


One by one, people placed white flowers on the alter.

Why… Why did old man Hokage have to die? Naruto thought.

He heard the whimpers of Konohamaru and glanced down. Konohamaru could no longer hold back his tears and tried hard not to start bawling.

Why…?

Iruka comforted Konohamaru by slightly hugging him.


A young Iruka stood near the stone of the K.I.A. and shed tears.

"It's been a year," an old voice spoke up.

Iruka stopped his sniffles and glanced behind him to see the Hokage.

"It is not easy to hide your sadness and laugh, is it? I have heard from your teacher that you are always the center of the laughter."

"I'm not sad! It's an honor for a ninja to die during a mission! Dad and mom protected this village from the monster fox with their lives… They're heroes! And I'm the child of those heroes! I'm not sad… even if I'm alone. These tears… are tears of joy-"

"You can stop now," the Hokage interrupted and gently embraced Iruka. "I know that you always hugged your knees. But you are not alone. All the ninjas in Konohagakure have a will of fire."

"A will of fire?"

"The strong will to protect Konoha. As long as they have that will of fire, everyone in this village is family. Iruka, do you have it?"

"…Yeah…" Iruka smiled and ceased crying.


Iruka remembered these words and kindly embraced Konohamaru as the Hokage had done for him in the past.


Both Kakashi and Michiko stood there in the rain for some time. A person quietly stood behind them.

"Is that for Hayate?" Kakashi was the first to speak.

The woman with long purple hair silently walked toward them with a bouquet of white flowers.

"The Third's funeral has already begun," Kakashi fully turned around. "Hurry up."

"Kakashi-senpai, did you come here for Obito-san?" she asked. "You should come here earlier instead of thinking up excuses for being late."

"I do…"

"Early every morning," Michiko added.

Kakashi looked at her wondering how she knew, but did not dwell on it for long.

"Yeah… But when I came here, I feel like punishing my old, foolish self," Kakashi finished.

Jiraiya rested against one of the logs with a smirk.

The pouting face of a young Jiraiya was tied up against the log. A younger Sarutobi tiredly looked back at him.

Jiraiya was now fully leaning back on the log, his eyes shadowed as he stared at a puddle on the ground.


"A ninja mustn't show his emotions in any situation."

"A ninja must prioritize his mission first and must not show any tears."

Shikamaru and Chouji were running hurriedly awake from an angry Hokage. Even as Shikamaru and Chouji were panicking, Chouji held chips in his hands.

Shikamaru and Chouji placed down their white flower.

Ino and Sakura played in a flowery field. As the wind blew flower petals around them, Ino happily picked up flowers.

Ino placed her white flower on the alter.

Ino and Sakura happily ran up to the Hokage and gave him their picked flowers. He accepted them happily.

Sakura closed her eyes and put down her white flower.

Sasuke gave Sandaime a strange, pouting face as Sandaime ruffled his head with a grin on his face. Almost like a grandfather would do to say "I'm proud."

Sasuke paused momentarily and placed his white flower down.

Hiyony was happily holding a new sword and running with it inside the home of Sandaime. He stood there wearily smoking his pipe and watched as the ninjas in his home chased after her.

Hiyony gently placed down her white flower.

Akio stood there at the Hokage's desk and was pointing at pictures in this book as if to shout something. The Hokage sat there with his eyes closed with a small blush on his face tiredly.

Akio stared at the picture for a while and placed down her white flower.

The Hokage stood on top of his own building near the railings and stared happily down at his village. Mizu could not help but stare up at him in slight awe and a tint of happiness.

Mizu placed her white flower down as if it were made of glass.

Kairen sat happily in a small shop and was offering Sandaime one of her dessert drinks. He kindly refused since he shout not be eating sweets at his age.

Kairen placed her white flower down with both hands.

All of team eight, even Akamaru, enjoyed eating dango together with their Sandaime even though he was not eating with them. They enjoyed his company nonetheless.

Kiba, Hinata, and Shino stood in line to also give their white flowers in honor of the Hokage. Naruto was last in line.

Naruto used the Sexy Jutsu against Sandaime and they both got into heated glares. Naruto happily ate a huge bowl of ramen while the Hokage was smiling at the sight. They both stood together on top of Naruto's apartment and stared off at the fading sun.

Naruto placed his white flower down and stared at the image or Sarutobi. After a few seconds, he turned and walked away. The rain slowly began to cease. Naruto stared up at the monument of the Hokages and looked particularly at none other than the cracked face of Sandaime.

"Iruka-sensei," he spoke up. "Why do people risk their lives for others?"

"When one person dies… he disappears… Along with his past, current lifestyle, and his future. Many people die in missions and wars. They die easily and in surprisingly simple ways. Hayate was one of them. Those who die have goals and dreams. But everyone has something as important as those."

Parents, siblings, friends, lovers… People who are important to you. They trust and help each other. The bond between the people important to you ever since birth… and the string that binds them becomes thicker and stronger as time goes by. It's beyond reason. Those bound to you by that string will do that. Because it's important…" Iruka ended his explanation.

"Mm… I think I understand, somewhat, dattebayo," Naruto looked back at the alter. "Demo… it's painful when someone dies…"

"Sandaime didn't die for nothing. He left something important in all of us. You'll find out what eventually," Kakashi added.

"Mm. I think I understand that, too, somewhat, dattebayo," Naruto smirked.

Konohamaru had long stopped crying, but continued to stare at the ground sadly. Iruka smiled comfortingly over him.

"The rain stopped," Hiyony stared up.

Her sisters and a few others did the same. Indeed, the rain had long since then, ceased, and the clouds dispersed to reveal the bright sun. It was as if to say, "The mourning is over. Let us move on and continue with our lives." People soon began to leave.

It seems like the small leaves in Konohagakure have inherited that will of fire you spoke of, Sandaime. The fire on the leaves will eventually burn greater and stronger. It will flash its light and protect this village. Iruka thought happily.


Things would usually end as, even through the deaths, people lived happily ever after. No, that is not the case; it was only the beginning after the damages of Konoha.

"They were able to avoid complete destruction, but it looks like the damage was great," a voice stood on top of the walls of Konoha and stared down.

"The village that prospered like no other… has become pitiful," the voice next to him added.

"That's out of character. So even a person like you has an attachment to his home village?"

"Iya. I don't," the man slowly raised his head to reveal the Sharingan.