Chapter 17: The Burden of the Victor

Naruto stood outside Konohamaru's door, dressed in somber black. His left arm was bound tightly in a sling and splint, a testament to the fierce battle that had unfolded days before. Despite his usual energy, his shoulders sagged, and his blue eyes were soft and wet. He took a deep breath and knocked gently.

"Hey," he called softly. "We've gotta go."

The silence stretched, broken only by the faint sound of shuffling from within. Naruto's chest tightened as he waited, his own thoughts swirling. I should've spent more time with the Old Man. And with Konohamaru. I should've checked on him, visited him more. Now it's too late.

He knocked again, louder this time. "Hey, come on—"

The door creaked open, revealing Konohamaru's tear-streaked face. His wide, red-rimmed eyes looked up at Naruto, full of confusion and pain.

"Why did he die, Naruto?" Konohamaru asked, his voice trembling. "He's the Hokage. He's supposed to be the best. The strongest."

Naruto knelt, bringing himself to Konohamaru's eye level. He placed his good hand on the boy's shoulder, his expression soft but serious. "He was the best. And he died all the same."

Konohamaru sniffled, tears threatening to spill over again. "Then what's the point? What's the point of being strong if it doesn't matter?"

Naruto hesitated, the weight of the question settling heavily on his shoulders. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Being a ninja isn't just about strength. It's about protecting the people you care about, no matter what. The Old Man... he gave up his life to save everyone in the village. To save you, Konohamaru, and to save me."

The boy's lips quivered, but he listened intently as Naruto continued.

"That's what it means to be Hokage. It's not just about being strong—it's about carrying the whole village on your back, even if it means giving everything you've got. The Old Man... he didn't lose. He chose to protect us."

Konohamaru wiped at his face with his sleeve. "But it hurts so much."

"I know," Naruto said softly, his voice breaking slightly. "It hurts. And it's okay to cry. But he wouldn't want us to give up. He'd want us to keep moving forward, to protect the people we care about... just like he did."

Konohamaru sniffled again, nodding slowly. "Okay."

Naruto smiled gently, ruffling the boy's hair with his good hand. "Alright, let's go. He wouldn't want us to be late."

The skies hung heavy over the Leaf Village, a curtain of gray reflecting the somber mood of the gathering. The villagers, shinobi, and clan leaders assembled near the Hokage Monument for the funeral of Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. His casket, draped with the Leaf Village symbol, sat at the center of the plaza, surrounded by flowers and incense.

Naruto stood among the mourners, his left arm in a sling and his black funeral attire slightly wrinkled, as though hastily put together. Beside him, Konohamaru clung to his hand, his small frame trembling as tears streaked down his cheeks. The boy's face was pale, his usual mischief and energy replaced by raw grief.

Naruto glanced down at him, his own throat tight. He'd never seen Konohamaru like this. His own chest ached, regret mingling with the sadness. I should've spent more time with the Old Man, he thought bitterly. He always made time for me. Why didn't I...

Nearby, Jiraiya stood silently, his hands clasped in front of him and his expression unreadable. The usual twinkle of humor or mischief in his eyes was gone, replaced by something heavy and solemn. He had lost a mentor, a friend, and a piece of his past.

Naruto and Konohamaru stood together near the front, their eyes fixed on the casket draped in the symbol of the Leaf Village. Naruto's throat tightened as he saw the faces of people he knew—Kakashi, Iruka, and even stoic shinobi like Shino and Neji—tinged with sorrow.

Naruto glanced down at Konohamaru, who gripped his hand tightly. The boy's face was streaked with fresh tears, but there was a quiet strength in his posture now. Naruto squeezed his hand in reassurance.

As the eulogy was read, recounting Hiruzen Sarutobi's life and his unwavering dedication to the village, Naruto's mind drifted. He thought about the Old Man's kindness, his wisdom, and his belief in Naruto when so many others doubted him. The loss felt immeasurable, like a gaping hole in the fabric of the village.

When the ceremony ended, villagers approached the casket one by one to pay their final respects. Naruto stepped forward with Konohamaru, his steps heavy. He knelt briefly, bowing his head.

"Thanks for everything, Old Man," he whispered. "I'll make you proud. I promise."

Konohamaru knelt beside him, his small voice barely audible. "Goodbye, Grandpa."

As Naruto and Konohamaru stepped aside, Jiraiya approached the casket. The Toad Sage's towering figure seemed smaller somehow, his shoulders heavy with the weight of loss. He placed a hand on the casket, his fingers trembling slightly.

"Sensei..." he murmured, his voice low. "You were the one who believed in me when no one else did. Even when I doubted myself, you never gave up on me. I... I wish I could've done more for you. Protected you better."

He closed his eyes, drawing a deep breath. "Rest easy, old man. I'll take care of the brats you left behind. Naruto's got a long way to go, but I'll make sure he gets there. That's a promise."

Jiraiya stepped back, his usual confidence replaced by a quiet, somber dignity. He glanced at Naruto, his gaze softening. "You've got a lot to live up to, kid. Don't waste it."

Naruto nodded, his throat too tight to respond.

As the villagers began to disperse, Naruto lingered near the casket, his gaze fixed on the Hokage Monument. The faces of Konoha's past leaders loomed above him, their carved expressions a silent reminder of the burden they had carried.

Konohamaru tugged on his sleeve, his voice small. "Naruto... do you think I could ever be Hokage, like Grandpa?"

Naruto looked down at him, a soft smile breaking through his sadness. "Of course you can. But you've got to work hard. The Old Man wouldn't want it any other way."

Konohamaru nodded, his eyes still glistening with tears. "I will. I'll make him proud."

Naruto ruffled his hair gently. "Good. You'd better. Otherwise, I'll have to take the title first."

The boy managed a small smile, and the two began to walk away together, the weight of loss still heavy but tempered by a shared determination.

Jiraiya watched them go, his hands in his pockets and his gaze distant. The Third Hokage was gone, but his legacy remained—etched not just in the faces on the mountain, but in the hearts of those who would carry it forward. For now, the village was alive. And that was enough.

The morning after the funeral, the village remained cloaked in a heavy silence. The streets of Konoha, usually bustling with life, were subdued as shinobi and civilians alike mourned the loss of their leader. In the Hokage's office, the village elders convened with Jiraiya, the last of the legendary Sannin still within Konoha's walls.

The room felt stifling as the elders laid out their proposal.

"Jiraiya," Homura Mitokado began, his voice steady but weary. "The village is vulnerable without a leader. With Hiruzen gone, we must act quickly to appoint the Fifth Hokage. You are his student, one of the legendary Sannin. You are the most suitable candidate for the position."

Jiraiya crossed his arms, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not the right person for the job."

"You're more than qualified," Koharu Utatane insisted. "Your strength, your experience—"

Jiraiya raised a hand, cutting her off. "Strength and experience aren't enough to lead a village. Hiruzen was more than a strong shinobi—he was a wise and selfless leader. I'm a wanderer, not a politician. I don't belong behind a desk."

The room fell silent for a moment before Danzo Shimura, seated in the shadows, spoke up. "If not you, then who? The village cannot afford indecision in these times."

Jiraiya's gaze hardened as he met Danzo's piercing eyes. "There is someone else. Someone who's better suited for the job than I am."

Homura frowned. "Who?"

"Tsunade," Jiraiya said simply. "She was also one of the Third's students. Her medical expertise, her strategic mind, and her strength make her the perfect choice to lead Konoha."

The elders exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes.

"Tsunade has been missing from the village for years," Koharu said finally. "Her whereabouts are unknown. How do you propose we find her?"

Jiraiya smirked faintly, his confidence returning. "Leave that to me. I'll find her and bring her back. But I have one condition."

Homura raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

"I'm bringing Naruto Uzumaki with me," Jiraiya declared.

The room tensed at the mention of Naruto.

"Why him?" Danzo asked, his voice sharp. "The boy is volatile, untrained. His connection to the Nine-Tails makes him a risk."

Jiraiya's smirk widened. "Exactly. That's why I'm taking him. He's got potential, and it's about time someone started shaping it. Besides," he added, his tone softening, "the kid deserves a chance to grow. Hiruzen believed in him, and so do I."

After a tense moment, Homura nodded. "Very well. But he is your responsibility, Jiraiya. Ensure his safety—and the village's."

Naruto was crouched on a rooftop, staring out at the village as the sun rose over the mountains. His arm still hung in a sling, and his thoughts were clouded with the events of the past few days. He wanted to do more, to protect the village the way the Third Hokage had. But for now, he felt powerless.

"Lost in thought, kid?"

Naruto turned to see Jiraiya approaching, his usual grin in place.

"Pervy Sage!" Naruto exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "What do you want?"

Jiraiya ignored the nickname, stepping closer. "I've got a proposition for you."

Naruto blinked. "A what?"

"How'd you like to come with me on a little trip?" Jiraiya asked.

Naruto tilted his head, suspicious. "A trip? Where?"

"To find someone important," Jiraiya said cryptically. "Someone who could become the next Hokage."

Naruto's eyes widened. "The next Hokage? Really?"

Jiraiya nodded. "But it won't just be sightseeing. I'll be teaching you a new jutsu while we're at it. Something powerful. Something only you can handle."

Naruto's excitement bubbled over. "A new jutsu? You're serious?!"

"Dead serious," Jiraiya said with a smirk. "But only if you're up for the challenge."

Naruto grinned, his earlier doubts fading. "You bet I am! Let's do it!"

"Good," Jiraiya said, clapping a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Pack your things. We leave at dawn."

As Jiraiya turned to leave, Naruto called after him. "Hey, what's this jutsu you're gonna teach me?"

Jiraiya glanced back, his grin widening. "You'll see."

As Naruto hurried off to prepare, his heart raced with excitement. He didn't know what lay ahead, but he knew one thing for sure: he was ready to prove himself.

And with Jiraiya by his side, the possibilities felt endless.