Naruto: Boruto Returns to Shippuden

Chapter 87 Heavy

After the Konoha Crush plan ended, dark clouds slowly filled the entire sky, as if the sky itself was mourning this catastrophic battle.

Konoha Village, shrouded in dark clouds, was enveloped in a somber atmosphere, casting a shadow over the hearts of both survivors and ordinary villagers.

Many ninjas perished in the battles against the Sand and Sound Ninjas during the Konoha Crush, and these familiar faces disappeared from their sight forever. Even the Third Hokage suffered severe injuries.

At the memorial monument in Konoha Village, ninjas dressed in black gathered together to hold a memorial service for those who died in the battle.

If the Third Hokage hadn't been so badly injured and still unconscious, he probably would have attended this memorial service even while lying on a stretcher.

"Is Kakashi-senpai here to see Obito-san too? If you're always looking for excuses to be late, you might as well come earlier."

Kakashi said calmly, "I came here early this morning, but every time I come here, I can't help but blame my past foolish self."

......

Boruto stood in front of a wooden stake, gazing into the distance, seemingly deep in thought.

After a long while, Boruto turned around and said to Jiraiya, who was standing not far away, "Hey, 18+ Sage."

Jiraiya heard Boruto call him and turned around to reply, "What is it?"

Boruto paused, his expression turning serious, and then said, "I might... have changed history..."

Upon hearing this, Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and gestured slightly for Boruto to continue.

Boruto continued, "According to history, the Third Hokage was supposed to die at Orochimaru's hands in this incident, but I broke the Four Purple Flame Formation and saved him."

Boruto knows that he has altered the original course of history and prevented the sacrifice of his third grandfather, which may cause a butterfly effect.

Jiraiya closed his eyes slightly and remained silent for a moment before asking softly, "So? What do you think about this?"

Boruto clenched his fists, staring at Jiraiya, and said, "I can't do it..."

"Oh?"

“Under those circumstances, I couldn’t just stand by and watch three generations of my grandfathers sacrifice themselves in front of me. I would do whatever I could, and I would try my best even if I couldn’t do it. And I don’t regret it.”

Jiraiya straightened up from the wooden stake he was leaning against and slowly walked away into the distance in the light drizzle.

As Jiraiya walked, he slowly said, "Some things are preordained. Since we've already done it, let's try to do it better."

Boruto stared blankly at Jiraiya's retreating figure, muttering to himself, "Was it better...?"

......

In the Konoha hospital, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly opened his eyes and awoke from his coma.

He felt intense pain all over his body, as if every bone and muscle was protesting, and he felt like his body was about to fall apart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked out the hospital room window at the gloomy sky. A wave of emotion washed over him; he had survived...

After the fierce battle with Orochimaru, he once thought he might never be able to open his eyes again.

Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to get up, he suddenly felt a tearing pain in his lower back, which forced him to lie back down on the bed.

He turned his head to look at the bedside and found someone sleeping soundly next to his hospital bed.

Konohamaru was awakened by the commotion caused by Hiruzen Sarutobi, and he rubbed his sleepy eyes.

Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi had opened his eyes, he immediately smiled with joy and said excitedly, "Grandpa! You're finally awake."

With his bandaged hands, Hiruzen Sarutobi gently stroked Konohamaru's hair, his voice weak as he asked, "Is everything alright in the village? How are those ninjas who invaded Konoha?"

Hearing his grandfather's question, Konohamaru's voice was heavy as he replied, "Those villains have all been driven out, but many people died..."

Upon hearing Konohamaru's reply, Hiruzen Sarutobi muttered to himself, "I see..."

At that moment, Konohamaru suddenly raised his voice: "Grandpa, you're lying to me! Aren't you the strongest Hokage in Konoha? How can you just fall down like that before I defeat you and become Hokage!"

Konohamaru hung his head, his eyes closed, his heart filled with self-reproach.

He only regretted that he was too weak. At the critical moment when the village was facing a crisis, he could only follow the ninja academy teachers and others to take refuge through a hidden passage.

"Hehehe...cough cough...cough" Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but laugh after hearing Konohamaru's words, but at the same time, it aggravated his injuries, and he began to cough violently.

When Konohamaru saw Hiruzen Sarutobi start coughing violently, a worried look immediately appeared on his face, and he hurriedly asked, "Are you alright, Grandpa?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled softly. Although his coughs continued to interrupt him, he tried his best to speak gently to Konohamaru: "Cough... It's alright... Grandpa promises you, I won't fall down easily before you become Hokage."

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's promise, Konohamaru grinned broadly and replied, "Then it's a promise!"

"Hahaha, good, good, good..."

Konohamaru suddenly stood up and was about to run outside when Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately asked him what was wrong: "What's wrong?"

"I need to find Naruto to teach me some powerful ninjutsu to protect you!" With that, Konohamaru ran out the door without looking back.

With Konohamaru gone, only Hiruzen Sarutobi remained in the ward, and even the room became quiet.

After a long while, Hiruzen Sarutobi lay quietly in the hospital room for a moment, then he said softly towards the door, "Since you're here, why don't you come in and sit down, Danzo..."

Danzo walked in from outside, his hands tucked into his sleeves, a serious expression on his face.

Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Hiruzen, I didn't expect that even though you were so badly injured, your senses are still so sharp. I've come to visit you."

Hiruzen Sarutobi joked, "Why didn't you bring any gifts when you came to visit a patient?"

Danzo: ......

After a moment of silence, Danzo looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi and slowly said, "I heard from the medical ninja that your condition is not optimistic, and you may not be able to continue as Hokage. This news is truly heartbreaking..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to look out the window and muttered to himself, "Yes, yes, my body truly cannot continue to serve as Hokage. After so many years in office, it's time for me to step down. However, the future of Konoha cannot stagnate because of this."

"The most qualified person in Konoha right now..." Danzo paused, a deep meaning flashing in his eyes, as if waiting for Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction.