After the battle ended, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his group secretly returned to Konoha.
Because the time was short, only a few people knew that the Hokage had left.
Among those who knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen left the village, only a few knew why he left.
"Sigh."
Looking at the prosperous streets of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen, disguised, sighed softly upon returning.
The Third Shinobi War had ended, and Konoha, as the victor, gained significant benefits.
This should have been the beginning of a new peak for Konoha, but uncertainty arose due to his mistakes.
"Hiruzen, go home and have a good rest. As long as we are here, Konoha will definitely continue to prosper and grow strong," Mitokado Homura consoled him when he saw this.
He could understand Sarutobi Hiruzen's feelings.
The combat plan against Sosuke was decided by Sarutobi Hiruzen despite the opposition from the other three high-level advisors, and it resulted in such unexpected events, surely filled with regret and guilt in his heart.
This time was truly perilous. Had Sosuke not chosen to stop, most of them would have died at the border.
If it weren't for Sarutobi Hiruzen's decisive defeat, Mitokado Homura might have wanted to scold Sarutobi Hiruzen, as they almost made a grave mistake.
"With us, can Konoha really prosper and grow strong...?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen, with a complex expression, walked towards the Hokage Building.
"It's still early afternoon, and there's no time for rest. I'm going to the Hokage Building to handle matters."
At this time, everyone was at work, so how could a person who made mistakes go home to rest?
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen heading to the Hokage Building, Mitokado Homura had no choice but to follow.
If the Hokage himself went to work, how could this advisor go home?
When they reached the floor where the advisor's office was located, they happened to meet Utatane Koharu coming out of the office.
"Homura, Hiruzen, you're back," Utatane Koharu greeted them as usual, not finding anything wrong with them appearing in the Hokage Building.
After all, their departure from the village this time wasn't that troublesome, and there was no need to contact her in advance.
"What's the situation on the Ninja Sect's side? Have they completely fallen out with us because of Sosuke's death?" Utatane Koharu casually asked.
In her view, it was a sure thing for Sarutobi Hiruzen to kill Sosuke, with the only slight concern being whether the Ninja Sect would explode in resentment towards Konoha.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen remain silent, Utatane Koharu was a little puzzled.
"Did something unexpected happen?"
"Ahem, ahem." Seeing Utatane Koharu dancing around the minefield, Mitokado Homura lightly coughed twice to catch Utatane Koharu's attention.
"Koharu, I have something I want to discuss with you. Let's talk in the office."
If Utatane Koharu continued, Mitokado Homura worried that Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't be able to sleep at night.
"Okay." Utatane Koharu nodded.
Even though she didn't know what happened, Utatane Koharu wasn't stupid and could see that something bad occurred.
"Let's talk in my office." Just as Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were about to leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke up.
"I happen to have something to discuss with you both."
Mitokado Homura intended to speak to Utatane Koharu alone, to give Sarutobi Hiruzen some face. But since Sarutobi Hiruzen said as much, he had to nod.
Then, the three of them headed to the Hokage Office together.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was the first to push open the wooden door of the Hokage Office and sat on the sole office chair within, while Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu stood in front of the desk.
Sarutobi Hiruzen took out a pipe, lit it, inhaled deeply, and exhaled a thick white cloud before speaking, "The battle, I lost."
Utatane Koharu displayed an extremely surprised expression, thinking she had heard wrong, and instinctively looked towards Mitokado Homura.
Seeing Mitokado Homura's expression of helplessness nod, Utatane Koharu finally dared to confirm she hadn't heard wrong; it was indeed a fact.
"Hiruzen, it's okay, after all, you're not young anymore, Sosuke has the advantage of youth and strength," Utatane Koharu carefully chose her words to comfort him.
"It has nothing to do with age. Sosuke's strength is formidable, far surpassing mine," Sarutobi Hiruzen shook his head and said.
If he had only narrowly lost, with just a slight difference to Sosuke, perhaps he could have used that excuse to save face.
Unfortunately, the reality was not the case, Sarutobi Hiruzen was practically crushed by Sosuke, not even touching him once.
Therefore, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not want to make excuses to belittle Sosuke. This would not only disrespect Sosuke's ability but also deny himself.
"Koharu, Sosuke is far more extraordinary than you imagine. If you must compare, I'm afraid only the First Hokage himself and Uchiha Madara can surpass him," Mitokado Homura explained.
Utatane Koharu's pupils shrank sharply, instantly realizing the terrifying strength of Sosuke.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara are the only two legendary ninjas acknowledged by the Ninja World. This legend is not something the so-called Sannin could touch; it's truly a legend etched into the history of all nations.
She finally understood why Sarutobi Hiruzen was silent when they were on the other floors.
Teammates thought you won, but you actually lost horribly; how do you explain this?
Not wanting to step on any landmines again, and with Mitokado Homura unsure of what to say, a moment of silence hung in the air.
"I want to pass the position of Hokage to Mokgetsu," Sarutobi Hiruzen said after a moment of silence.
He felt that he was no longer suited to be the Hokage.