This year's winter in the Land of Whirlpools was longer than previous years.
It was already mid February now, but a thin layer of white snow still accumulated outside.
Perhaps the snow outside was only a faint, hazy bit left, but compared to the snow that melted by early February in previous years, this year's snow still had not melted yet.
After the New Year celebrations in January and the grand festival of the Land of Whirlpools ended, everyone began to settle their minds and return to work.
After these years of abduc... ahem, saving the common people of the ninja world, the population of the Land of Whirlpools had now reached an incredibly large size. Therefore, even though the recent land reclamation actions had expanded the territory of the Land of Whirlpools, the average land per person was still somewhat tight.
So, to have enough housing, two or three story villas began to decrease, and large high rise buildings gradually rose up.
As for the land reclamation action...
It was still ongoing.
"How has Old Man Madara been recently?" Uzumaki Jun asked, stretching his neck and loosening his body as he looked at Mikoto, who was soothing the child beside him. "Is his health any better?"
Since the end of that evening party, Old Man Madara had stayed inside his house and never came out for a walk.
Perhaps the farthest he had gone recently was his closed balcony. According to Mikoto, Old Man Madara would often stare out the window in a daze, and then...
Unknowingly fall asleep.
Although Mikoto would occasionally bring some high concentration life potion to Old Man Madara, it seemed it no longer had any effect.
Birth, aging, illness, and death are the normal state for ordinary people in the ninja world. Unless one merges with the Ten Tails to break the limits of life, otherwise...
Even the Sage of the Six Paths only has his chakra wandering the ninja world.
So...
Old Man Madara was old. His life had been set on a path of no return ever since he was fooled by that naive Hashirama's smooth talk. He fought for peace in the ninja world for most of his life, only to finally discover that the dream he persisted in was wrong. One could say, from that moment on, Old Man Madara had already...
Become lost.
Perhaps even becoming a teacher was just to see if the Land of Whirlpools' Redism could help him realize his dream.
It could be said...
The latter half of Old Man Madara's life might have been bleak, ridiculous, and tragic, but...
At least this ending was a good one.
From how he would occasionally scold his students harshly, or other times hold Itachi and stare blankly, one could tell...
Old Man Madara had long accepted this reality.
He...
Probably just wanted to see Hashirama one more time in his heart, and then mock him fiercely...
"I, Uchiha Madara, am also loved by someone!"
"And, Hashirama, you idiot..."
"You were wrong, I was wrong too..."
"But..."
"In the end, it was still..."
"Me who won..."
Ban had always been worried about Hashirama in his heart, as evidenced by the mark on Hashirama's chest...
Perhaps there was an element of jealousy in this...
Jealous...
Why was Hashirama liked by children in Konoha, while he, Uchiha Madara, would scare children just by helping one up?
Why did everyone in the village believe Hashirama was right, while no one believed Uchiha Madara?
Why...
In the end...
Even his best friend Hashirama...
Did not believe him...
"Is there really no way for Grandpa Ban?" Mikoto hugged Itachi and looked at the snow outside the window, a faint smile on her lips as she murmured, "Although Grandpa Ban has a bad temper, a stern face, doesn't like to smile, and often gives others a hard look for no reason, but..."
"I know..."
"That's only because Grandpa Ban is very lonely inside. Actually, he is a..."
"Very, very good... Grandpa Ban."
She lifted Itachi, looking at the giggling child wriggling in her arms, her eyes unconsciously moistening...
"Itachi, don't you think Mommy is right? Grandpa Ban likes you very much!"
But Uzumaki Jun just watched Mikoto quietly, sighed inwardly, and said nothing...
There was indeed a way...
A few days ago, he had secretly gone alone to see Old Man Madara and told him about the Rinne Rebirth technique. They just needed to find an unlucky person to perform it.
But...
Old Man Madara refused.
"Is Hashirama here?"
That was what Old Man Madara said, staring coldly at him...
He even threatened Jun not to disturb him again. After he died, the Rinnegan would be for the Land of Whirlpools to handle. For now...
He still wanted to use these eyes to see this ninja world, so that later...
He could mock Hashirama fiercely!
So...
Old Man Madara had lived long enough. Probably everyone from his generation was gone, except for Kakuzu, that pseudo-God of the Ninja World who could fight anyone to a draw. Even his best, most hated friend was gone, and also...
The dream he had persistently held onto was false...
Why should he remain here all alone?
Finally...
He said he would have Tobi leave the Land of Whirlpools, and hoped Uzumaki Jun would let Tobi go...
Although Uzumaki Jun had never really thought about killing Tobi, seeing the hidden plea in Old Man Madara's eyes...
He still smiled and nodded, saying nothing more...
"This winter is so long!" Mikoto wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and looked at Jun. "I will take Itachi to see Grandpa Ban this afternoon. Do you want to come?"
"I won't." Uzumaki Jun smiled and shook his head. "Recently, Old Man Madara said he doesn't want to see me."
He sighed inwardly...
"Better not be a bother."
This was the agreement he had personally made with Old Man Madara...
He would not appear until after Tobi had left the Land of Whirlpools...
Uzumaki Jun looked out the window and murmured, "Actually, I've always been a good person!!"
Why was Old Man Madara so distrustful of him?
He shook his head and smiled wryly...
"You take Itachi and go. Just say hello for me."
Uzumaki Jun smiled at Mikoto...
"Old Man Madara's students will probably visit during this time too. I won't crowd them."
"Okay." Mikoto nodded gently. "I will tell Grandpa Ban."
Although she was curious about what had happened between Grandpa Ban and Jun, as a wife...
She knew not to interfere in men's affairs.
"The sunlight is quite strong today!" Mikoto looked out the window and said with a smile. "Perhaps winter is ending. Grandpa Ban should feel more comfortable then." Then, she looked down at Itachi. "Itachi, don't you think Mommy is ri..."
Before she could finish...
"Ring ring, ring ring..."
Uzumaki Jun took out his phone, looked at the number on the screen, was stunned for a moment, seemed to think of something, and sighed inwardly...
Tobi...
He's finally here, isn't he...
He answered the call, took a deep breath...
"Hello?"
"Lord Jun..."
"I have already left..."
...
Konoha...
"What do you think of my proposal?" Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up, took a puff of his cigarette, placed his hands behind his back, and said, "Redeem Orochimaru and let him succeed the Hokage position."
The village's dissatisfaction with him was growing increasingly serious. Furthermore, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, due to his consecutive defeats, had begun to doubt his abilities. If the Hokage was not changed soon, the Daimyo would cut off aid to Konoha...
So...
It was time for a change.
Although his preferred candidate was Jiraiya, especially after the victory in this war, the village also highly approved of Jiraiya, but since the war ended...
Jiraiya's whereabouts were unknown!
Therefore, among the three candidates...
Orochimaru was also a good choice...
"I am already old." Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a gratified smile, looked out the window, and said with emotion. "In the place where the leaves dance, the fire also burns endlessly. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the village and allow new leaves to sprout."
"It is time..."
"To give the opportunity to the younger generation."
As soon as he finished speaking...
Danzo, who had been listening to Hiruzen's speech with his eyes narrowed, suddenly slammed the table and stood up...
"I do not approve!!"
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