Chapter 224: Naruto's Abnormality
Uchiha Douhuan took the ring from the box. The ring was in the style of a thumb ring, so Uchiha Douhuan placed it directly on the thumb of his right hand. At the same time, he channeled a bit of chakra into it, effectively registering an account in the Akatsuki's video conference software.
"Mr. Pain is very thoughtful," Uchiha Douhuan said with a nod and a smile.
"It is all for the long-term peace of the ninja world," Nagato said. "Well then, we will set off to return to the Land of Rain tomorrow. Lord Hokage should be very busy these next few days, so we won't disturb you any further."
"Alright. As for that kid Deidara, I'll have to trouble you to take care of him," Uchiha Douhuan said.
The next day, Nagato and Konan, along with the Land of Rain's delegation that had come for the Chunin Exam, returned to the Land of Rain. Uchiha Douhuan, for his part, also began to formally handle the post-conflict affairs of this military incident.
The first order of business was the public memorial service held in front of the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument.
On this morning, Uchiha Douhuan and the Third Hokage both wore specially made black formal attire to attend the ceremony.
As the current reigning Hokage, it was very normal for Uchiha Douhuan to preside over this ceremony. As for the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, everyone had made such a great sacrifice this time precisely to save his grandson, so Sarutobi Hiruzen also very solemnly attended this ceremony with Konohamaru.
At the same time, the clan heads of the village's major ninja clans also changed into black formal suits and came to the scene. Even Naruto, who had shut himself at home and not gone out since Deidara sent him back to the village that day, changed into a black formal suit embroidered with the Uzumaki clan crest early this morning and came to the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument.
At this moment, Naruto's face was grave, with no trace of his usual cheerful demeanor.
Sasuke and Neji, who also came to attend this ceremony in their capacity as the young clan leaders of the Uchiha and Hyuga, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Naruto. For the past two days, Naruto had shut his door and not come out. Forget the two of them going to his house to look for him, even when Hinata looked for Naruto, he gave no response. This had made the two of them very worried. But now, seeing Naruto attend the public memorial service, the two were somewhat relieved.
Although it was clearly not a suitable occasion for conversation, the two just exchanged a look with Naruto, then stood in their proper positions, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Before long, Uchiha Douhuan, wearing a black haori, slowly walked onto the stage. After Uchiha Douhuan went up, he did not rush to speak. The ninjas and civilians below who had come to attend this ceremony, seeing this, also maintained their silence.
After three minutes of silent tribute, Uchiha Douhuan turned his head to look at the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument behind him, and then slowly began to speak:
"Four hundred and seventy-nine names." Uchiha Douhuan's tone was heavy. "This is not a cold number, but four hundred and seventy-nine once-vibrant lives, four hundred and seventy-nine fervent wills to protect Konoha. They were comrades who fought side by side, neighbors who watched over and helped each other, the pillar of some family's father, some child's gentle mother, some old person's proud children and grandchildren... they are the void in the hearts of you, everyone present, that can never be filled."
Uchiha Douhuan's gaze slowly swept across the crowd standing solemnly below, across the faces holding back tears, the clenched fists, and the eyes of children who were懵懂 (měngdǒng - ignorant/innocent) but could feel the sorrow.
"Just three days ago, the Cloud's conspiracy tore apart the tranquility of peace. The flames of war once again mercilessly scorched the peace we cherish. We were forced to take up arms, not for conquest and plunder, but to protect—to protect the future represented by the Will of Fire."
"Fortunately, our Konoha achieved the final victory."
"But for this victory, we have also paid a heavy price. These four hundred and seventy-nine comrades, they used their most precious lives to build an insurmountable wall for Konoha's future! Their blood has dyed the banner of victory! Their souls have become the cornerstone that protects Konoha!"
Uchiha Douhuan's voice was not very loud, but it clearly fell into the ears of every Konoha person present. Naruto raised his head, gazing at the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument behind Uchiha Douhuan, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"The price of victory is too heavy. This weight will forever press on my heart, on the shoulders of all the living. The names of these four hundred and seventy-nine heroes will not only be carved on this cold stone monument, but must also be carved deep into the soul of every one of us who lives! Their sacrifice is the most severe questioning of us: are we worthy of the breathing room they exchanged their lives for? Are we strong enough, united enough, wise enough, to protect everything they defended with their lives?"
"The deceased are gone, but the living must carry on. Endless grief and mourning are our right at this moment. But to indulge in sorrow is the greatest betrayal of the fallen! They fell so that we could continue to move forward, so that the fire of Konoha could burn even brighter!"
"So, stand up! Compatriots of Konoha! Wipe your tears, grip the kunai and the hope in your hands! Inherit their will, shoulder their dreams! Let the light of these four hundred and seventy-nine heroic souls guide our path forward!"
Uchiha Douhuan suddenly turned around, once again facing the memorial monument. He bowed so low his back almost bent in half, and remained so for a long time.
When Uchiha Douhuan straightened up again, his face showed only steel-like resolve.
"In the name of the Fifth Hokage, I hereby declare:
These four hundred and seventy-nine warriors are the heroes of Konoha! Their names and achievements will be eternally recorded in the annals of Konoha! Their souls will forever be with Konoha, with this unquenchable Will of Fire!"
"May the heroic souls rest in peace. Your sacrifice, Konoha remembers! Your will, we shall inherit! Where the leaves of Konoha dance, flames will also burn endlessly! We will continue to illuminate the newborn sprouts and protect this village—until the end of our lives!"
As Uchiha Douhuan's voice fell, the scene once again entered a three-minute silent tribute.
After three minutes, everyone present raised their heads, solemnly gazing at the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument before them.
After finishing his speech, Uchiha Douhuan placed a bouquet of flowers in front of the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument, then bowed again.
Behind him, Sarutobi Hiruzen followed closely with Konohamaru. While bowing and offering flowers, Konohamaru even knelt down directly and performed a kowtow.
After Konohamaru woke up, he also learned what price Konoha had paid to rescue him from the hands of the Cloud. Since that day, the boy seemed to have grown up overnight. As soon as his body had recovered a little, he began to actively ask his grandfather how to become stronger.
Subsequently, the heads of the major ninja clans also came to the front of the monument in turn, bowing and offering flowers.
The civilians who came to attend the ceremony also came forward one after another.
The entire ceremony lasted for a whole morning. It wasn't until noon that the crowd in front of the memorial monument slowly dispersed.
For the villagers, this incident was more or less over. But for Uchiha Douhuan, things were just beginning.
Just now, the court of the Land of Fire had received an official document from the Land of Lightning. The Daimyō of the Land of Lightning, in fierce terms, accused Uchiha Douhuan of disregarding peace and wanting to start a war between the two countries. He demanded that Uchiha Douhuan immediately release the detained Cloud Village ninjas, otherwise, once the two countries went to war, he, Uchiha Douhuan, would be the greatest war criminal who destroyed the peace of the ninja world!
Although the shamelessness of the Land of Lightning's Daimyō and officials was famous throughout the ninja world, after seeing this document, Uchiha Douhuan still couldn't help but laugh in anger. Their Konoha was clearly the victor of this military conflict, on what grounds did these barbarians from the Land of Lightning dare to call him a war criminal!
Of course, the ministers of the Land of Fire would not sit idly by and watch their respected Grand Minister be insulted. They immediately drafted an even more sharply worded document and sent it back.
Uchiha Douhuan also knew that this meaningless war of words between the two sides would probably continue until their A truly woke up, at which point the negotiations for the prisoner exchange would formally begin. However, A was first electrocuted into charcoal by Uchiha Douhuan, then had an arm blown off, and finally had to withstand the damage caused by a wave of the Heavenly Transfer Technique. It was estimated that he wouldn't wake up for at least ten days to half a month.
So, for Uchiha Douhuan, the most urgent matter now was to ensure the condolence payments for the fallen soldiers were properly arranged.
To further strengthen the cohesion of the ninjas within the village in preparation for the upcoming system reforms, Uchiha Douhuan was prepared to personally deliver the condolence payments door-to-door this time. Therefore, for the next period, Uchiha Douhuan would probably be very busy.
...
The people attending the public memorial service gradually dispersed. But at this time, Naruto came to the front of the Konoha Hero Memorial Monument, silently looking at the relief carvings on the stone monument that recorded the various major events since Konoha's founding. From the First Hokage Senju Hashirama establishing Konoha, to the end where his own father sealed the Nine-Tails with his life, and then below these reliefs, were the names of the ninjas who had sacrificed themselves for Konoha, one after another.
Naruto raised his hand and touched these names, feeling the texture of the stone monument, his expression dazed.
Since returning from the battlefield, Naruto's heart had never been calm.
Although his teacher had told him the nature of war since he was young, and the fact that the lives of the people in the Land of Fire had been getting better and better over the years also told him that their Konoha was on the right path, these past few days, there seemed to be a voice in his subconscious constantly telling him that chakra should not be a tool of war, but a bridge for mutual understanding between people. Only in this way could the ninja world achieve true peace.
However, the worldview formed by the education he received from Uchiha Douhuan since he was young made it very difficult for him to accept this point. Therefore, these past few days, Naruto's thoughts had been very chaotic, to the point where he would even be woken up by that voice in his subconscious while sleeping.
(End of chapter)
♧♧♧
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
♧♧♧
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you