The scars of war were everywhere.
Blood splattered on the walls and ground.
In this moment, the Hidden Leaf Village was a scene of devastation.
Even though the Sand and Sound ninja hadn't deployed a massive army for this surprise attack, the destruction they wrought upon Konoha was terrifying. A full fifth of the village had been destroyed. The number of dead and injured Konoha ninja was only slightly less than that of the invading forces, and this was only because Jiraiya had appeared at the main gate just in time to stop the invasion of several giant summoned snakes.
Without him, those giant snakes, combined with the Sand and Sound assault troops, would have dealt a devastating blow to Konoha's defenses.
However, because Jiraiya was at the front lines...
He wasn't at the Chunin Exam stadium.
This absence directly led to the death of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. The Hokage's personal ANBU guard and other Konoha ninja suffered nearly a hundred casualties. Not to mention the significant number of civilian deaths and the incalculable economic losses.
They also had Might Guy to thank. He had stalled Shukaku for a critical period and later opened the Seventh Gate—the Gate of Wonder—using "Daytime Tiger" to forcibly defeat the One-Tail before it could unleash its full power. Otherwise, Shukaku would likely have caused even greater destruction. After all, a Tailed Beast is a Tailed Beast; even if the One-Tail isn't the Nine-Tails, its power is beyond what ordinary humans can measure.
Because of this, the Hidden Sand Village became the biggest loser in this scheme.
The Sand ninja selected for the assault force were the elite of their village. More than half were killed or injured, and a significant portion of the survivors were captured. Very few managed to escape.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had been killed before the war even began.
The Sand ninja still didn't know this.
Their greatest asset, the One-Tail Shukaku, was brutally defeated by Might Guy, and its Jinchuriki, Gaara, was easily captured.
Kankurō and Temari were no exception; they were captured as well.
Only Baki managed to force a breakthrough using his personal strength.
It could be said that the Sand Village had gambled away almost all of its assets in this venture.
This was the risk of war.
The Sand should have been used to it, but after this battle, the already weak village was destined to face an even more precarious future.
In short, this was a war with no winners.
The Konoha side was equally heartbroken.
On the roof of the high platform in the stadium...
A group of Konoha ninja gathered. Jiraiya stood at the forefront, looking down at the cold corpse of Hiruzen Sarutobi, now cradled in Asuma's arms. The Toad Sage sighed silently in his heart.
Even though he had harbored some dissatisfaction with his teacher, Hiruzen was still his mentor.
And to die at the hands of Orochimaru—his former close friend and fellow student—was an incredibly tragic end.
However, compared to the death of the Third Hokage, another matter was currently more pressing for Konoha.
"Is it true that Menma killed Genma, knew about his identity... and left with Orochimaru!?"
Jiraiya looked at Kakashi beside him with a grim and shaken expression, asking in a low voice.
Menma Uzumaki.
Solely as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, he was vital to a Konoha that no longer possessed a powerhouse like the First Hokage to suppress threats. On top of that, he was the son of the Fourth Hokage.
Once the news of Menma's defection spread through Konoha and the ninja world, it would undoubtedly cause a massive uproar.
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya."
Kakashi nodded heavily.
Everyone knew that Menma's defection was a heavy blow to Konoha.
But in that situation...
No one could have stopped him.
Leaving aside the fact that Jonin like Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai all had enemies blocking their way... even if they hadn't...
Given the power Menma displayed...
In a one-on-one fight, they couldn't have stopped him. In fact, there was a high probability that Asuma or Kurenai would have been killed by Menma.
Genma's body was still down below, covered by a white cloth.
"To think it would come to this..."
Jiraiya closed his eyes in pain.
He had trusted his teacher to handle everything properly. But the cruel reality had slapped everyone in Konoha across the face.
Menma knew everything.
In this moment, regret eroded Jiraiya's heart. He realized he'd had so many chances to change this outcome.
And now, Jiraiya finally understood why Menma had been so "respectful" during their first meeting.
That wasn't respect; it was a profound alienation and distance.
Because he knew who he was!
"Jiraiya, we need to have a serious talk. For the sake of the village."
At that moment, the two Hokage advisors, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, walked over with solemn expressions. They looked at Jiraiya and spoke in a grave tone.
Beside them, the eyes of Jonin like Kakashi, Kurenai, Raidō Namiashi, and Anko Mitarashi flickered with complex emotions.
"Mhm. I understand."
Knowing that he was now the pillar of the Hidden Leaf, Jiraiya nodded. He took one last look at Hiruzen's body, which Asuma was preparing to move, and then followed Homura and Koharu toward the Hokage Tower.
---
At the same time.
In a dimly lit underground chamber in the eastern part of Konoha.
Danzo sat calmly in the main seat, listening to the intelligence reports from his Root subordinates. When he heard the news of Hiruzen's death, a flicker of sorrow passed through the eyes of the Darkness of Shinobi. But it lasted only a second before his heart was filled with immense joy.
Only with the Third Hokage dead...
Could he finally lay his hands on the Hokage's seat.
Later, hearing that the invading Sand and Sound ninja had been wiped out and the One-Tail Jinchuriki successfully captured...
A faint smile touched the corner of Danzo's mouth.
This outcome matched his perfect expectations from the start.
However, when he heard that Menma, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, had betrayed the village on the spot and left with Orochimaru...
Danzo's eyes snapped open. A chilling look appeared on his face. "What did you say!? The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki defected with Orochimaru!?"
His voice was full of disbelief.
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
"Bastard! Orochimaru!"
After his subordinate confirmed it a second time...
Danzo slammed his hand onto the armrest of his chair, his face contorted with rage.
Just like Hiruzen and Kakashi before him, Danzo didn't believe this was Menma's own choice.
Instead, he assumed it was the result of Orochimaru's manipulation.
Danzo felt he had been played by Orochimaru.
To dare take Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki!?
Danzo could not tolerate such a thing!