Rain.
A steady, lingering rain blanketed Konoha.
Ever since Kumogakure returned the body of Tobirama Senju—
The skies had not cleared.
As if even heaven itself mourned him.
—
The Senju clan spared no expense.
A coffin of golden nanmu wood—
Rare.
Luxurious.
Worth a fortune.
Crafted by artisans who traditionally served only the Fire Country's highest nobility.
Daimyō.
Royal blood.
Now—
It held Tobirama.
Though—
By the time it arrived—
His body had already decayed.
Faint traces of death lingered in the air.
—
Under Mito Uzumaki's direction—
The funeral proceeded flawlessly.
When news reached the Fire Daimyō—
Rumors said—
He wept bitterly.
His voice hoarse.
Nearly fainting from grief.
He declared three days of mourning.
Sent his eldest son to Konoha personally.
With heavy offerings.
To honor a hero who had protected the Land of Fire.
Other nobles followed suit.
Lavish condolences.
Generous gifts.
Status demanded it.
—
Days later—
Everything was ready.
Tobirama would finally be laid to rest.
—
At the center of the mourning hall—
The coffin rested in silence.
Before it—
A portrait.
Incense.
Candles.
And offerings—
Foods he once favored.
White wreaths surrounded the space.
A sea of mourning.
—
"Filial heir—break the basin!"
At the front—
Senju Toma stepped forward.
With a sharp motion—
Crash!
The basin shattered.
And with it—
The wailing began.
Since Tobirama had no children—
Toma was the rightful one to perform the rite.
Paper money burned.
Prayers offered.
—
"Lift the coffin!"
Four strong Senju clan members—
Close kin—
Raised it upon their shoulders.
Behind them—
Music echoed.
Drums.
Gongs.
The procession moved through Konoha.
Giving the village one last chance—
To say goodbye.
—
Tobirama's reputation—
Was unmatched.
Cold.
Strict.
But indispensable.
Without him—
There would be no Konoha as it stood today.
Hashirama Senju built the dream—
But Tobirama built the system.
—
The streets were packed.
Villagers stood in silence.
Tears flowing freely.
—
"Sensei… farewell…"
"I will protect Konoha."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood among them.
Eyes red.
Voice trembling.
His life—
Had been exchanged for Tobirama's.
Beside him—
Danzo Shimura.
Also grieving.
Also filled with regret.
They had tried—
To attend properly.
Even volunteered—
To carry the coffin.
But—
They were turned away.
By Toma's orders.
Not even allowed to see Mito.
Bluntly—
If not for them—
Tobirama might have escaped.
That was Toma's belief.
And who were they—
To carry the coffin?
The Senju weren't extinct.
Outsiders had no place here.
—
The procession moved slowly.
Through the village.
To the cemetery.
The coffin was lowered.
Into the prepared grave.
—
Crying rose again.
One by one—
Senju members knelt.
Kowtowed.
Paid respects.
—
Afterward—
Guests approached.
No kneeling required.
Each placed a white flower.
A final farewell.
—
And then—
The final stage.
The feast.
—
A hundred tables were set.
To host everyone.
It was costly—
But insignificant—
Compared to the gifts received.
The coffin alone cost 600,000 ryō.
The entire funeral—
Around 1 million.
But the condolence money—
Reached over 63 million.
Split with Konoha—
The Senju still took over 30 million.
A massive sum.
—
Nearby—
Uchiha Ren was eating happily.
Dish after dish.
No one dared rotate the table while he picked food.
Not unless they wanted trouble.
The chef—
Was excellent.
Comparable to the last high-end banquet he attended.
—
Around him—
Cups clinked.
Voices mingled.
This was more than a funeral.
It was a gathering of power.
Connections formed.
Relationships strengthened.
Even if—
The setting was… inappropriate.
—
After all—
Tobirama's life had value.
And even in death—
He continued to provide.
—
At one table—
The Daimyō's eldest son approached Ren.
Initiating conversation.
Respectfully.
Because Ren—
Was now someone worth investing in.
A powerful Uchiha.
A potential Hokage.
—
Ren responded just as warmly.
The two spoke at length.
Pleasantly.
Smoothly.
Only one person—
Was displeased.
Toma.
—
Because—
Tobirama's era—
Was over.
And Konoha—
Had to move forward.
—
Soon—
The next storm would come.
The question ahead—
Who would become—
The Third Hokage?
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