Reincarnated as Naruto, Garp template

Page 186

When the time came, Minato Namikaze, as Hokage, gave a speech and then presented a pure white chrysanthemum.

Then came the elders such as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, followed by Jiraiya and the others.

When it was Kazan's turn, he walked to the memorial stone, took off the white chrysanthemum from his chest, and placed it in front of the memorial stone.

"I picked these in the Death Forest this morning."

This was Kazan's first and only sentence.

Kazan didn't recognize most of the names recorded on the monument, but he did recognize some of them.

The person who used to greet me warmly every day has left nothing behind except their name engraved on a stone tablet.

"Lord Kazan!"

"Lord Kazan, we're sure we'll win this war, right?"

"Lord Kazan, this is my child. He'll be a year old soon. I really want to go back and hold him..."

These voices, as if they happened just yesterday, still echo in Kazan's mind.

He squatted down, reached out and stroked the stone tablet, and left without saying a word after a moment.

There are many more people waiting behind...

The funeral was still going on, but Kazan and Jiraiya walked to a tree and watched from a distance.

"This is the second time I've experienced a funeral like this. No matter how many times I experience it, I'm still not used to it."

Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest.

"If you're sad, say something. Say anything. Just don't blame yourself for Kazan. You've done enough. Many ninjas in the village are grateful to you..."

“Don’t comfort others when they’re sad. It makes you look stupid,” Kazan interrupted him, saying, “Savage Sage, you should know that I can hear your thoughts.”

"...Girls will really hate this kind of ability of yours."

Jiraiya laughed loudly, trying to dispel the unpleasant atmosphere.

However, as Kazan said, he was in a terrible mood right now, and the more he laughed, the worse he felt.

If he could, he wished he could never attend such a funeral.

"Don't talk like you're different from Jiraiya, kid. I don't even need your abilities to guess what you're thinking." Tsunade patted Kazan on the shoulder.

"Didn't you say you wanted to become the freest person in the entire ninja world? Don't change yourself because of something like this."

Too many people have changed themselves because of war, even to the point of denying themselves.

Even she, in the past, ultimately chose self-exile.

“Don’t mistake me for a half-baked guy.” Kazan pulled his right hand out of his pocket. “I’m not some naive guy. Every time I throw a punch, the casualties are enormous.”

"It would be hypocritical to feel sad about something like this now. I just think that the profession of ninja is really pitiful sometimes. Life is short, and they have to spend most of it fighting."

Does the world become increasingly turbulent when supernatural powers become readily available?

"Do you think the world would be a better place if there were no chakra and no ninjas?"

"Who can guarantee something like that?"

There are no "what ifs" in life.

Perhaps the world would indeed be different without chakra and ninjas.

Perhaps even without chakra and ninjas, the world wouldn't be any different.

Ultimately, war has never truly ceased throughout history.

Kazan, however, thought it might be possible to do so.

His original world was the same, having experienced thousands of years of war and slaughter, and made countless sacrifices, growing up amidst regret.

Only then can we gradually move towards a civilized society.

The Sage of Six Paths once spread chakra throughout the ninja world, and his thoughts were to use chakra, a renewable energy source, to benefit mankind.

But it has evolved into what it is today.

If the Sage of Six Paths had not spread chakra throughout the world, where would humanity have gone after a thousand years of development?

Kazan even considered having the Dragon Vein find a way to send him back a thousand years to the era when the Sage of Six Paths still existed.

What would happen if you killed the opponent before they established the Ninjutsu?

"Let's forget about it."

Let's not even talk about whether the dragon vein could send him back a thousand years.

The mere existence of the Otsutsuki clan necessitates that this world possess sufficient power to protect itself.

"Shall we go grab a drink?"

"Hmm, let's go grab a drink. Do you want to come, Kazan?"

"Go ahead, and gamble a couple more times while you're at it."

The funeral is over.

People left in an orderly fashion.

Kazan and his two companions didn't want to stay there any longer and left quickly.

"If you're going to drink, how about bringing this old man along too?"

At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi also came over.

After relinquishing his identity as Hokage, he seemed to have become younger.

This reminded Kazan of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

He was once a serious and wise top leader of the navy, but after retiring, he seemed to have been infected by Garp and turned into a goofball.

Of course, Hiruzen Sarutobi has not truly retired yet.

.........

It's still that same izakaya.

This place is not normally open today, but several Konoha bigwigs want to drink, and who would dare to refuse?

The shop was quiet, with only the master and his four apprentices inside.

"Old man, since you've chosen to retire, why not just do it cleanly?"

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped down from the position of Hokage.

However, he has not completely retired; he now commands the entire Dark Division.

"Minato is still young, let's wait a while, I will gradually transfer all the power to him."

Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado—these are people I need to keep in check.

Even though Minato Namikaze now has the support of many ninja clans, the power of the elders is still too great.

"Why think so much when you're all old and frail?"

"Your son, the Hokage, is hoping you can spend more time with him every day."

Kazan, of course, refers to Asma.

It seems that all the second Hokage have a common problem.

She complained because her father was often not around.

Kazan just doesn't understand. You're a second-generation actor now, what do you have to complain about?

"Alright, then you'll choose someone to be the head of the secret service?"

Kazan and his two companions promptly shut up.

"The Forest of Death needs me to watch over it."

"My novel needs to gather material."

"I plan to make some minor reforms to the hospital."

Look at this...

When I ask you to do something, it's either windy or rainy, and then you complain that I'm too old and shouldn't retire completely.

He could only appeal to emotions, saying in a deep voice, "I'm getting old, and one day you'll all need to take on the responsibility!"

The three remained silent, drinking with their heads covered, clearly ignoring his challenge.

No wonder they're all my disciples, they're all the same.

Hiruzen Sarutobi could only shake his head helplessly, and then said, "I came to see you today not because of this matter. I have something I want to talk to you about regarding Orochimaru."

Upon hearing this, the three exchanged glances, each realizing what the other was thinking.

"What's he up to with Danzo this time?"

"There is no direct evidence, but I suspect they have restarted the cell research on the First Generation."

Chapter 184 Orochimaru's Defection

"Crack!"

Tsunade crushed the wine glass in her hand on the spot.

"Old man, is what you're saying true?"

Tsunade knew about the research being conducted on her grandfather's cells.

Unfortunately, I was still young at the time, and my family did not tell me.

Especially since it was her own great-uncle who initiated this research, Tsunade hasn't said anything over the years.

But if what Hiruzen Sarutobi said was true, she absolutely wouldn't allow that to happen!

"There is no direct evidence yet. So I would like your help to investigate."