Chapter 27: A Funeral, and Other Rites

Chapter Summary: The Third Hokage's funeral is held, as the Villagers move on with their lvies.

Words: 2,318

Published: 8/19/23

Guest, Chapter 4: Please put modern au in the description. It's a turn off for some people.

It's not much more modern than canon, besides the really old-timey cars. I mean, it's like they're from the year 1900 or thereabouts.

Guest, Chapter 3: Cutting the length wouldn't make the chapters better. But seriously how Americanized are you gonna make this? How much more Christian shit are you gonna force?

Christians, famous for being the only people who believe in God. Wait, what?

Guest, Chapter 2: I like so far that Mizuki isn't an evil guy….kinda getting annoyed by the God/Americanization of everything else tho.

[cont.] Beside that little annoyance, it's a great story.

You're the same guy! I'm pulling my sleeves up in lieu, CM Punk said your arms are too short to box with God! :P

Guest: Sooner than later Sakura should realize that theres something wrong with Naruto and notice his behaviour is slowly changing over time because not only the mark orchimaru gave him but also because of kurama even though she doesn't know about him having the nine tails yet but even she should realize there's something wrong with him and the Naruto she knows and loves that she's been talking to him isn't the real him and should definitely try to help him and eventually realize just how much he's really suffering right now and the jealously he's feeling towards her and Sauske and should definitely fix it and bring back the Naruto she knows and loves Naruto should tell Sakura what he's really been feeling and not keep it all bottled up like that also for her to realize she's been hurting him without even actually realizing it

I might have rushed it but she was told about the nine tails back in chapter 16, along with Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara (because Naruto knew that they knew) and Team Dosu (because Naruto is a little too faithful). I definitely agree that these children need to understand each other's suffering! I just want Naruto to deal with taking accountability. After all, two wrongs don't make a right! And who knows, Naruto just might open up to Sakura soon... No promises!

khaeild02: Good chapter I love Naruto and Sasuke's interaction

I'm glad you liked it. I thought it was a nice way to work in their hospital fight.

Cemetery

The streets of the Village were alive with a vibrant energy, a testament to the remarkable life of the Third Hokage. As the sun bathed the village in its warm embrace, a colorful procession made its way towards the grave placed among those of civilians, transformed into a tapestry of joyous memories. The village was gathered not to mourn, but to celebrate the life of a man who had faithfully dedicated the best and worst years of his life to his constituents.

Laughter mingled with earnest reflection as shinobi, villagers, and dignitaries converged. The traditional black attire that was expected had spontaneously been replaced with a spectrum of colors—vibrant blues, cheerful yellows, and vivid greens—that spoke to the diversity of Sarutobi's connections.

Thousands of villagers had appeared, filling up the graveyard and the streets nearby, despite the fact that it was a Tuesday morning, and anyone who would normally be busy on other Tuesdays was the same way on that day.

At the heart of the stone, an ornate platform had been adorned with flowers, incense, and tokens of appreciation. Sarutobi's former students, Jiraiya and Tsunade, stood and spoke to everyone proudly, a symbol of the legacy he had shaped. Instead of somber expressions, their faces bore the joy of shared memories and a profound sense of gratitude.

The air was alive with a sense of celebration, as if the very elements of nature had conspired to honor their fallen leader.

Amid the festivities, the eulogies were filled with anything but despair. Friends and comrades shared tales of Sarutobi's kindness, his wisdom, and the countless times he had stood as a beacon of hope. Their words painted a portrait of a man who had not only shaped the village's destiny but had also nurtured the bonds that held it together.

As the sun continued to beat the people with its warmth, the crowd united in a final, resounding applause. The platform was transformed into a canvas as villagers young and old stepped forward, reciting their own prayers as tokens of remembrance. The sight of so many hands reaching out in unity was a testament to the legacy of a man who had inspired generations.

Amidst the celebratory atmosphere of the Third Hokage's vibrant funeral, Naruto's keen eyes caught a glimpse of familiar figures standing together in the crowd. Sakura's vibrant pink hair and Sasuke's stoic presence were unmistakable, surrounded by their friends and fellow villagers. However, Naruto himself hung back, a noticeable distance away from the group.

His gaze lingered on them, a mix of emotions swirling within him. What should have been an opportunity for camaraderie was now a tableau he observed from a distance. The shadow of his recent fight with Sasuke, as well as Sakura's subsequent scolding, loomed large, casting an invisible barrier between him and his team.

I can't just go up to them, not now. Not after how I acted this morning.

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides, his heart torn between wanting to join them, and his feeling held back by his shame and regret. The memory of his actions echoed in his mind, a reminder of the harsh words he had spoken, the rudeness he had exhibited, and the utter disappointment in Sakura's eyes after the whole ordeal. The hurt ran deep, and though his desire to mend things was strong, his shame held him back, stubbornly refusing to give in.

As the ceremony continued, Naruto found himself drifting closer, drawn by the desire to forge a stronger bond as Team 7. Yet, just as he approached, doubt and anxiety gripped him. He hesitated, a silent struggle playing out within him.

Would they welcome me so easily? Or have I caused some sort of irreparable fracture in whatever we could've been?

From his vantage point, he watched as Sakura laughed, exchanged stories, and paid her respects. He watched as Sasuke stayed by Shisui's side, engaging in formalities with starry-eyed journalists, bureaucrats, and commoners. The distance felt like an abyss, and Naruto's inner turmoil intensified. The battle between hopelessness and the longing for connection waged within him, leaving him rooted in place.

As the funeral rites came to a close, Naruto made the decision to avoid his teammates, succumbing to his inner fear.

They don't wanna see me, anyway. I'd just sour the mood. I gotta accept that I need to be alone, for my sake and theirs.

.

.

.

Tsunade's Office

Just as he had been ordered to that morning, Naruto made a beeline for Tsunade's office once the funeral was formally over. His quick exit had allowed him to be the first one to enter the room, so he was left to his own devices.

The chair of the hokage - which, to Naruto, was more akin to a throne - called out to him. Thoughts of the Village's reverence, a sense of responsibility, and power entered his mind, making the chair that much more attractive. It was as if the chair was speaking to him, a physical manifestation of what he believed to be his calling.

I mean, I can sit in it for just one minute, can't I...?

Every step he took towards the chair felt heavier and heavier than the last. He knew and understood that the chair itself was just an object, a material thing, but he also understood that what it stood for was something that he was unworthy of.

What right do I have to put my stupid ass in that seat? I certainly haven't earned it.

Nonetheless, he felt drawn to the chair, and continued making his way towards it, before he walked right into the desk.

As he took a step back in surprise, the trance he was unaware of had worn off.

I didn't even notice the desk...! Oh, man, what am I doing? What's wrong with me? Can't I just be normal? What kind of an idiot...

Thoroughly ashamed, the boy retreated to a seat facing the Hokage's chair.

I gotta talk to Kimiko about my mood swings.

As he waited for others to arrive, boredom crept into his mind. It wandered from place to place, drifting aimlessly, devoid of direction. It had come in quick, and he had succumbed to it just as easily. With no one around and nothing to do, he slumped back into the chair and began twiddling his fingers.

He sat through a few more minutes of this before the door to the office opened.

He jumped out of the chair and stood at attention, watching as Tsunade walked into the room with his team and Team 10.

She greeted, "Oh, there you are, Naruto. We can get the initiation started, now."

Naruto mindlessly followed suit as the genin stood in the center of the room. He saw Sakura in her wheelchair from the corner of his eye, but lowered his gaze in shame. In the meantime, Tsunade stood behind the chair Naruto had been sitting in.

Shizune, Ebisu, and a few chunin walked into the room with a camera attached to a tripod, with wires pooling out of the camera. Shizune turned on the bulky computer on Tsunade's desk, and attached the wires appropriately, before then attaching the computer to another room attached to the office - in whom the others had gone - to send the processed live broadcast from the camera to the TV to the broadcasting room, where it would be edited before the final product was physically copied and sent to news stations.

After all was set up, Shizune set up the camera at an angle that showed the genin from the front without having all of Tsunade's back to the lens.

Once broadcasting began, Tsunade waited for her cue, and began to speak to the genin.

"Today, I have the honor of facing you, as your hokage, to celebrate your promotion to the rank of chunin. Although not all of you are being promoted today, those of you who are will be setting an example for your teammates, whether or not they are promoted alongside you. As shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, we are not only beholden to our tasks and benefits, but also to our fellow citizens, regardless of class, sex, rank, or any other characteristic outside of merit and attitude. You will carry your rank with faith, honor, pride, and kindness, without delving into blindness, foolishness, arrogance, or submission."

As Tsunade's words drew to a close, she fixed her gaze on the genin in front of her, her eyes carrying a weight of expectation. "Sasuke Uchiha, Shikamaru Nara, Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki," she began, her voice firm. "In recognition of your growth, your determination, and your commitment to the village, it is my honor to promote you to the rank of chunin. Please step forward."

A ripple of applause swept through the remainder of Team 10 as the significance of the moment settled in with the now-chunin's steps. Naruto's eyes shone with a mixture of unease and curiosity. His journey from the boy who had once struggled to be recognized had now been affirmed, but it had happened at a time in which he was more unsure of his station than ever.

Despite the quarrels of the morning, and Kakashi's passing, Sakura's smile reflected her dedication and the dreams she had held onto since her days as a young academy student. Sasuke's expression remained stoic, but a glimmer of acknowledgement hinted at the weight of the moment for him as well. Shikamaru, who always seemed disinterested, let a small smile form on his face.

Tsunade stepped forward, placing headbands onto each of their heads. As they wore their new headbands with pride, it symbolized not only their ranks but also the trust that the village placed in them.

"You have a legacy to uphold," Tsunade's voice carried a note of gravitas as she addressed the chunin. "The legacy of your team, the legacy of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, and the legacy of Hiruzen Sarutobi as well as myself. Carry forward his teachings, his determination, and his spirit. Stand united, and never forget the bonds that tie you together."

The camera then cut, and was carried away.

Tsunade added, "You'll notice that your chunin headbands are black, and that the metal plates are thinner than your genin bands. As chunin, you reserve the right to place the metal plates on whatever material you desire, so long as the Leaf symbol remains uncovered, and the back of the plate is completely covered. Your choice of material to hold the plate includes fabric, leather, et cetera, of any color. "

Sakura smiled and held her chin up high. "I'm going to make it nice and red!"

Sasuke simply spoke, "This is fine."

Shikamaru complained, "What a drag... I'll just put it on my arm."

Naruto tightened his headband. "I'll just wear it like this."

Tsunade dismissed shinobi.

.

.

.

Naruto's Apartment

Upon returning home, Naruto decided to turn on the TV, catching a final mention on the news of the chunin initiations. The scrolling bar on the bottom read 'HERO UCHIHA'S SENSEI MARTYRED; ENTIRE TEAM PROMOTED'.

Naruto scoffed.

Hero? He couldn't save a fish from drowning. Who even told anyone that he did anything at all? I don't think he'd be so bold. And Sakura's not the kind of person to lie about something this important, unless... Maybe it was her, and someone told her to lie. I don't wanna think badly of her, but what if it was Granny? She did tell me about the whole politicking aspect of her job. Being that Sasuke is the heir to one of this village's oldest and most powerful clans, it might be a point of contention if rumor spread that he was the only one in our team who wasn't there during the fight with Gaara. Then again, Sakura wasn't really there, either, but her body was. I guess, as far as any witness might have seen, especially since we were a little far, it must've looked like I was fighting Gaara with Kakashi-Sensei and Sakura, and reports of Sasuke are just some sort of bias. Either way, why does he get all the credit? Couldn't they have mentioned me, or Sakura, or Kakashi-Sensei by name? Stupid journalists...

Naruto felt tension flaring up in his heart as he thought more about the ordeal, filling him with resentment against the people who had ignored him.

But at the same time, he knew that he wasn't completely ignored, based on the people he'd dealt with in the morning. He began to wonder if he'd always be second fiddle to Sasuke in these matters, whether anything he himself did would really matter as long as Sasuke was there, too.

To take his mind off of it, he changed the channel and decided to whip up lunch for himself - this time, a meal Kimiko would approve of.

He returned to the couch a few minutes later in a T-shirt and boxers, chomping down on his meal as he watched the TV.

It was reruns of an old cartoon, simmering nostalgia in the boy.

I used to watch this show with Anko every few weeks or whatever. It was always a nice break from being on my own the rest of the time... Ugh, it still sucked being a pariah in my own home, though. I wouldn't go back for all the money in the world. If only I could get Anko back...

As his mind drifted once again, he began thinking of what he could do to that end.