The moment those words were spoken, the tension wrapped tightly around Mu's body loosened at once. Even with his face hidden beneath bandages, the joy was impossible to conceal.
He truly hadn't expected Konoha to agree to the alliance so readily.
Behind him, Onoki suddenly lifted his head, his eyes filled with surprise and delight. He had never imagined it would go this smoothly.
"Many thanks for your generosity, Lord Hokage!"
Mu could not hide his excitement. He bowed deeply once more, his voice brimming with gratitude.
Arisu raised a hand slightly, signaling him to rise, his expression calm.
"No need to delay. I will not trouble you further, I shall return to the Hidden Stone Village at once to deliver this wonderful news to our Tsuchikage."
"From this day on, may Iwagakure and Konoha remain forever allied and coexist in harmony!", Mu spoke earnestly, his tone full of excitement.
Arisu smiled faintly. "Stay a few more days. Tonight, I'll have my subordinates host you for a 'state banquet.'"
Mu smiled at that. The First Hokage was indeed as gentle and approachable as the rumors said.
"Then I shall gratefully accept!"
With that, he led the still visibly excited Onoki away. After bowing once more, the two of them slowly withdrew from the residence.
Only after their figures had completely disappeared...
Uchiha Madara could no longer hold back. He strode forward, his face full of confusion as he looked at Arisu.
"Great-Grandfather, that Iwagakure is nothing but an obscure and weak village. Konoha far surpasses them in strength... why lower ourselves to form an alliance with such a weak party?"
Arisu looked at Madara, who was still unwilling to accept it, and slowly shook his head. His tone was unhurried, carrying deeper meaning.
"Madara, those who aim to achieve great things must understand how to form alliances and balance relationships."
"If you wish to shoulder the responsibilities of Hokage in the future and lead Konoha, making enemies everywhere won't do."
"It's the same with people... you need to build connections. If you want to become Hokage, ability alone isn't enough. Your circle must be wide as well."
"I understand."
Uchiha Madara pressed his lips together. A trace of hesitation flickered in his eyes, but he nodded.
At that very moment, Arisu... whose breathing had been steady... suddenly turned deathly pale, and his vision went black.
His body swayed violently out of control. His fingers fell limp, and he nearly toppled straight from his chair.
"What's happening?!"
Madara, standing at his side, saw this and his expression changed drastically. Panic surged through him.
Almost instinctively, he rushed forward, catching Arisu's faltering body with both arms.
"Great-Grandfather! What's wrong?!"
Madara's voice was urgent. He then whipped his head toward the door and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Quick! Send for medical ninja immediately! Hurry!!"
———
Inside Arisu's residence, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.
The heads of all Konoha's major clans had gathered.
Every one of them wore a grave expression, standing in silence, hardly daring to breathe. The vast hall was deathly quiet, filled only with the heavy, uneven sound of their breathing.
Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Uchiha Izuna knelt at the very front of the sickbed, their four pairs of eyes fixed anxiously on Arisu, who lay weak upon it.
On the bed, Arisu's eyes were tightly shut. His breathing was so faint it was nearly imperceptible. The kindly expression he once carried was now drained of all color.
Uchiha Izuna clenched his fists tightly and leaned forward, his voice trembling. "How is Great-Grandfather? Speak!"
The medical ninja responsible for his treatment was drenched in sweat. Cold sweat slid down his temples, soaking the front of his clothes.
With a fearful expression, the medical ninja bowed as he replied, his voice filled with helplessness and guilt. "Please forgive us… Lord Hokage… there is no saving him."
"Isn't there any forbidden technique that can extend Lord Hokage's life?"
The Hyuga clan head asked with a heavy expression.
"My lord, the Hokage's lifespan has already reached the limit of a ninja's life. His vital energy and blood have completely run dry. We… truly have no way to reverse this."
The medical ninja spoke helplessly.
The moment those words fell, it was like a thunderclap.
Every clan head present instantly turned pale, their faces ashen, their eyes filled with disbelief and grief.
The atmosphere in the hall dropped to freezing. Suppressed sobs quietly spread through the room.
Just as everyone sank into endless despair...
Arisu, lying on the bed, slowly opened his eyes.
His gaze was dim and weak as it swept across everyone present.
"There is no need… to be sorrowful."
"I have long sensed that my time was near. This day… was bound to come."
His voice was as faint as a flickering candle in the wind.
Arisu drew a shallow breath, gathering the last of his strength. His tone turned solemn and resolute as he entrusted his final words, one by one, "From here on… the future of Konoha… I leave entirely in your hands. I hope all of you will stand united and protect the village we built together…"
Hearing these final words of instruction, every face turned bitter, their hearts filled with confusion and unease.
To be honest, none of them had the confidence to shoulder the future.
In the past, with Arisu there... he had been Konoha's stabilizing pillar, the backbone of them all, the mind guiding everyone.
No matter what difficulties or dangers they faced, as long as Arisu was there, they feared nothing.
Even if they made mistakes, Arisu had never harshly punished them. He had always been tolerant, always sheltering and protecting them.
But now that Arisu was about to leave, they had instantly lost their support, and their hearts were filled with fear.
The next Hokage had yet to be decided.
Whether it was Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, Senju Tobirama, or Uchiha Izuna... none of them possessed Arisu's same steadiness and tolerance.
None of them could give the same sense of security.
They had no way of knowing how the next Hokage would treat the clans, nor what path Konoha's future would take.
What if the new Hokage chose to target them?
Arisu took in the dependence, confusion, and unease in everyone's eyes, understanding it clearly.
He knew it was because he had been too indulgent and protective all this time.
These clan heads had grown somewhat like overgrown children.
They had only ever needed to follow his lead, never having to think or decide on their own.
Now, being forced to bear responsibility and make decisions themselves... it was only natural that it felt overwhelmingly difficult.
Arisu forced himself to hold onto the last thread of strength.
A gentle smile slowly formed at the corner of his lips as his gaze passed over each of them, and he spoke softly in encouragement, "Do not belittle yourselves. You are all the pillars of Konoha, each with your own responsibilities and strength."
"I firmly believe… no difficulty… can defeat you."
Hearing this final, heartfelt encouragement, their hearts surged with overwhelming emotion and reluctance. Their eyes reddened instantly, tears welling up before finally spilling down in streams.
After so many years of standing together, supporting one another... their relationship with Arisu had long since gone beyond that of leader and subordinate.
He had been the elder who sheltered all their clans, the spiritual pillar of all Konoha.
And now, as this elder was about to leave them forever, the piercing grief and reluctance tightened around every heart.
Arisu's gaze gradually grew distant as it slowly turned toward the window.
Then, Arisu gently closed his eyes… A faint breath faded into silence…
"Great-Grandfather!!"
"Lord Hokage!!"