Mizukage's Pokémon Ninja Scroll

Chapter 318 Funeral

Elder Yuan Shi looked at Jian Chuan Ju with eyes full of kindness.

It seems that Tachibana Kenkawa was pleased with the welcome he received today, and he himself was also happy.

As for what Jianchuan Ju said about "the change in the village's style," Elder Yuanshi didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Now that it has been confirmed that Tachibana Kenkawa will be the next Mizukage, the major decisions will naturally be made by the Mizukage.

Upon arriving at the Mizukage's office, Ao did not follow the two inside.

After the frontline troops withdrew, there was still a lot of personnel placement work that he needed to handle.

The other accompanying personnel also went about their business.

In the end, only Jianchuan Ju and Elder Yuanshi remained.

Elder Yuanshi originally intended to discuss with Jianchuan Ju the process of previous peace talks with Konoha, as well as the village's future arrangements.

After all, although we had been in contact by letter, it was never as convenient as communicating face-to-face.

However, as soon as he entered the Mizukage's office, before Elder Yuanshi could speak, Tachibana Kanakawa, who was rubbing her face, suddenly spoke up.

"Why didn't the Mizukage show up today?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Yuan's expression tightened, and he immediately sighed.

When Tachibana asked this question, it wasn't because he was arrogant enough to think that the Third Mizukage had to come out and greet him personally.

Instead, the so-called "Third Mizukage" has always been an imposter, played by Elder Genshi's bodyguard, Gonbei.

Given Elder Yuanshi's personality, the fact that he made such a grand gesture to welcome them today suggests that he couldn't possibly have forgotten to have the Third Mizukage make an appearance.

It's precisely because the Third Mizukage doesn't show up at times like this that people become suspicious.

Elder Yuan's cane trembled slightly as he slowly spoke.

"I have informed all the Jonin in the village of the Third Hokage's death."

Upon hearing this, Tachibana Kanagawa stopped what she was doing and looked at the other person with a puzzled expression.

Why?

Originally, Tachibana Kenkawa hoped to announce the death of the Third Mizukage only after the war ended and he officially succeeded as the Fourth Mizukage.

This also allowed the old man who had been leading Kirigakure to see the Ninja World War through to the end.

For some reason, Elder Yuanshi suddenly announced the news ahead of schedule.

Elder Yuan stared at Jianchuan Ju's face, a somewhat complicated smile on his face, and explained.

"That old man probably also hoped that it would be you who led Kirigakure to victory this time."

Upon hearing this, Jianchuan Ju froze on the spot.

Just as he hoped to attribute the credit for this victory to the Third Mizukage.

Elder Yuan also believed that the old man hoped to leave this victory to pave the way for the future Mizukage, Jianchuan Ju.

Seeing that Jianchuan Ju had fallen silent and remained silent, Elder Yuanshi still spoke up to comfort her.

"Don't put too much pressure on yourself; this victory is yours to begin with."

"Um."

In the end, Tachibana Kenkawa only gave a soft reply and then fell silent.

After a long silence in the room, he finally spoke again.

"Prepare for the funeral."

Elder Yuan, who had been silently accompanying Jianchuan Ju, originally wanted to persuade her to wait a little longer.

After all, the village had just been celebrating its great victory, so holding a funeral right away might be inappropriate.

However, seeing the determined look in Jianchuan Ju's eyes, she didn't say anything more.

He turned around and began to arrange the related matters.

The next morning.

Yesterday's bustling Kirigakure Village is now unusually quiet.

The village, which is already shrouded in fog year-round, was further shrouded in a thick layer of dark clouds today, making the atmosphere in the village even more oppressive.

This funeral was not only held for the Third Mizukage, but also for all the Hidden Mist ninja who sacrificed their lives in this war.

A group of Kirigakure ninja dressed in black stood in neat rows before the memorial stone in the village.

The silence was unsettling.

It seemed that the dark clouds had gathered to a certain extent, and a light rain began to fall from the sky, dripping onto everyone's heads.

Elder Yuanshi stood before the tombstone, calmly reciting the eulogy.

After discussing it with Tachibana yesterday, the two determined that the Third Mizukage's death was due to severe injuries sustained on the battlefield, coupled with overwork and illness.

Perhaps in the eyes of most Kirigakure ninja, the Third Mizukage was more of a figure of authority, or even cruelty.

But perhaps it was influenced by today's atmosphere.

The passing of this elder, whose reign may have lasted longer than the lifespan of most ninjas, still leaves many people somewhat bewildered.

It was as if the old man was meant to stay in that position forever.

Similarly, the Hidden Mist ninjas, who seemed to have become indifferent to life and death in ordinary times.

As I listened to the names, some familiar and some unfamiliar, appear on the death list, I could almost feel the weight of war.

As Elder Yuan finished reciting the final eulogy in his calm voice.

Standing at the very front of the line, Tachibana Kanagawa, also dressed in black, slowly walked forward.

Recalling his promise to the Third Mizukage, he placed a white flower before the memorial stone and quietly stepped aside.

As each ninja holding a white flower stepped forward, they left the flower behind.

Then I thought that these people might have been surrounded by all sorts of flowers just yesterday.

Jianchuan Ju slowly raised her head, her mind blank, and looked at the dark clouds in the sky.

"Ninjas are really a strange group of people."

Fine raindrops slid slowly down Kenkawa Tachibana's cheeks.

Time seemed to slow down at this moment.

After an unknown amount of time, when the last ninja left the cemetery, Tachibana Kanagawa finally came to his senses.

The light drizzle had stopped long ago.

At that moment, a ray of sunlight pierced through the dark clouds in the sky and through the perpetual mist of Kirigakure, shining down on Tachibana Kanagawa.

Upon seeing this ray of sunlight, even Jianchuan Ju herself didn't know why, but a smile suddenly appeared on her face.

Then he casually flicked the raindrops off his hair and strode out of the cemetery.

Two consecutive days of unrestrained celebrations were followed by somber funerals and memorial services.

Most of the people in Kirigakure seemed to have expended too much energy in this back and forth.

For the next ten days or so, the entire Hidden Mist Village remained unusually calm.

It was as if everyone had suddenly returned to the unchanging daily routine they had before the war began.

Tachibana Kanagawa has officially moved into the Mizukage's office and, with the assistance of Elder Genshi and Ao, is handling various affairs within the village.

"Tachibana."

Jianchuan Ju, who had just approved the "Application for Subsidy for Wounded Cruelties", heard Elder Yuan calling her and immediately looked up at him.

Elder Yuan Shi walked in, holding a scroll in his hand, and began to speak.

"The daimyo has replied and would like to invite you to the daimyo prefecture."

Fortunately, I typed quite a bit on the high-speed train today.

I didn't get back to the hotel until 9 p.m., and I almost didn't finish writing two chapters.

(End of this chapter)