The final steps went off without a hitch.
The dead were buried right there, and the ninja from Konoha started heading home bit by bit.
Following Young Master Ryo's idea, the leaders split the main group into smaller teams to patrol the borders of the Land of Fire.
And Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Ryo, and others returned as heroes, having earned great honor.
The war had been terrible, leaving many families broken, but finally, a bit of victory shone through.
In a war where one side wins and the other loses, the most important thing is how well the best fighters on each side do.
Having Hatake Sakumo, Sarutobi Ryo, and others became a key part of the Village's strength as the war went on.
Because of this, it was almost certain that Hatake Sakumo would become the Fourth Hokage.
Konoha needed Hatake Sakumo, and so did the Land of Fire.
Everyone's interests could be protected because Hatake Sakumo was there.
To make sure Konoha continued to survive, Hatake Sakumo needed to be in that important role.
So...
The preparations for the Fourth Hokage election started quickly.
---
"Young Master, you're back! Hui and Ruri heard about what you did."
Yamanaka Hui was a bit sad that she couldn't go to the battlefield herself.
And as time passed, Ruri's belly was growing bigger.
Looking at the girl who always seemed calm, her small and slender body, with her pregnant belly, gave off a strange... almost seductive feeling.
Sarutobi Ryo glanced at Ruri and quickly pushed those thoughts away.
But some things are hard to forget.
He walked into the living room and sat down, talking to Yamanaka Hui about what happened during the war, and Yamanaka Hui explained what had been happening in the Village.
"Everyone is saying that Senior Sakumo will be the Fourth Hokage..."
Yamanaka Hui had no doubts about this.
Hearing the recent talk in the Village, Sarutobi Ryo felt relieved.
Finally, he had changed things for the better.
But just to be sure, he still needed to check everything himself.
Also, Han, the one who held the Five Tails, was being held prisoner and watched by the Anbu.
Sarutobi Ryo believed that Han's existence would be a good way to get Konoha and Iwagakure to stop fighting.
Sarutobi Ryo had heard that on the other battlefield, Roshi was in a tough fight with Pakura and others, with neither side winning.
Then, suddenly, the Third Tsuchikage Onoki ordered his troops to retreat.
Roshi was furious.
He knew that Roshi would soon argue with Onoki, cut ties, and leave.
"Hui, I'm going to see Shikaku and the others later... go and tell them."
As the next leader of the Sarutobi Clan, and someone who saw the Ino-Shika-Cho Formation being created, Sarutobi Ryo decided to talk with Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza.
The main topic was the Fourth Hokage election, and voting for Hatake Sakumo.
At that time, the Sarutobi, Ino-Shika-Cho Formation, along with the Hyuga Clan, would have at least five major clans voting for Hatake Sakumo.
And at this important time, it was also worth trying to win over the Uchiha clan.
The leaders of Konoha had originally planned to weaken the Uchiha, tricking many of them into going to the Iwagakure battle lines.
But instead, they got to see how strong Sakumo-sensei and he were.
Sarutobi Ryo believed that convincing them wouldn't be too hard.
With Uchiha Fugaku gone, talking to Yashiro, the second-in-command, shouldn't be a problem.
---
Meanwhile, Nohara Rin didn't rest after getting back to the Village. Instead, she started buying different medicines and supplies.
At first, Obito thought Rin was getting them for the injured.
But he soon realized that Rin didn't seem to be going to the Konoha Hospital.
After buying everything, Nohara Rin turned to Obito and said, "Obito, I'm leaving now."
"Huh? Where are you going?" Obito asked, confused.
Going home?
Nohara Rin wasn't going home. She was planning to go to Sarutobi Ryo's place.
Before, on the battlefield, Young Master Ryo had asked her a question, and she now had an answer.
No matter what, a doctor cares for their patients.
Taking care of the wounded and elderly is what she should be doing...
What she really meant was, Miss Ruri has been pregnant for so long and should have regular check-ups...
"Rin, I've gotten so much stronger lately. Kakashi can't even beat me in a fight anymore."
Obito happily told Nohara Rin about his recent progress.
Ever since Madara saved him and gave him a messy white half-body transplant, his strength had greatly improved.
With the Double Sharingan, beating Kakashi was easy.
Obito now realized how weak he had been in the past.
The current him was the strongest among his friends!
"Is that so... Obito, you've improved so much. You've finally achieved your dream..." Nohara Rin said calmly.
Obito always wanted to beat Kakashi, and now he had done it. But what was next?
There was no next.
Because... she didn't care about those things anymore.
"Rin... let's eat together." Obito gathered his courage and asked her out.
He wanted to spend time alone with Rin, starting with a dinner date.
"No, Obito, I have things to do..." Nohara Rin politely turned him down.
"With great power comes great responsibility, Obito. Now that you've become stronger, you should take on your responsibilities... especially since Senior Fugaku is no longer here. The entire Uchiha clan needs you in many ways..."
"Oh..." Obito was a bit surprised, then nodded.
He felt that Rin was right.
He wasn't a little kid anymore.
Maybe, he would be the next Captain of the Military Police Force.
With Captain Fugaku gone, he should take on the responsibilities of the clan.
"Then, goodbye, Obito."
Nohara Rin turned and left, not wanting to stay any longer.
"Rin..." Obito watched Rin leave.
Rin was as gentle as always.
But... she seemed a bit different lately.
After he was injured, the Ninja World had changed completely.
So had everyone else.
Minato-sensei always seemed worried.
Kakashi had become much more mature.
Rin's words... seemed to be drifting further and further away from him.
Itchy.
His hair was so itchy.
Obito started scratching his head, then his body.
He felt uncomfortable all over.
It was as if small green grass was about to grow out.
The Wood Release Cells in my body... were waking up...
Obito's body trembled, he stumbled, and slowly turned to walk toward home...
"I hope there won't be any problems... it would be terrible if I turned into Tobi and the others..."
*
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[T/N:
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 182 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
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]