[Open] The Seventeenth Hokage Natsuki, Takeo Laid to Rest

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The sun sat high in the sky. Its warm rays casting down upon the large village of Konohagakure. A light breeze carried through the village, its warm weather blessing those in the village with a cool summer day. Most paradoxical weather to the somber silence the befell the village. Everyone dressed in drab clothing as they took to the streets standing on either side of the street. Some heads bowed silently praying, others watching intently, and children attempting to stand on boxes to catch a glimpse at what was going on. Too young to understand the gravity of the event, but enough to quietly stand and watch. Some quiet sobbing cut through the silence as those closest to the troubled gave reassuring hugs and words. Leaning on one another was just a regular occurrence within the village, but at this time everyone needed one another.

Clan leaders, shinobi families, political leaders, and the Fire Country Daimyo all attended outside of the Hokage's chambers. Allied villages and their political leaders also in attendance. Gathered all before a closed casket with the 17th Hokage's Robes draped over. It was Natsuki, Takeo's funeral. His family residing by the coffin as members came up offering consolation, aid, and kind words in regards to the husband, father, leader, and man that Takeo was. Aina holding strong with clear red skin around her milky white eyes. Her strong demeanor now betraying the nights spent coming to terms with the mortality of the man she loves. Similarly her children Takeshi and Kaori standing beside somberly shaking hands. Kaori too still wrestling with the loss almost seeming unreal to her. Their adopted children Hanako and Kotaro alongside their siblings. Despite adopted the family acted whole, blood or not, they were the Natsuki family. Despite this an empty chair resided where Yozei should've been.

Visitation was open, the grounds open to close family and friends. To commune with one another, remember good times, and respect the spirit of Takeo. A last celebration to let memories flow and possess those at the procession so those can once again find his spirit. For in many of the villagers eyes, he was not dead as his fire still ablaze in the heart of everyone here. A funeral was not a goodbye, but rather a passing of the torch. His flames onto the many others in the village, friends, allies, and rivals alike. To remember him and embody the characteristics of a true leader. To be bold as Takeo was. To be as brave as Takeo was. To love with all their heart as Takeo did. To fight with as much heart as Takeo did. To live true to oneself like Takeo did. To carry the Will of Fire forward as a true shinobi would.

---

The Awai meandered around the Hokage's office. Now his, he had a few days to make it his own, but felt it soil the reputation of Takeo if he had moved anything before they had laid him to rest. A tobacco pipe lay across the head of the desk, well used with nicks and scratches it was something to remember him by. A selfish gesture as Fanho pocketed the pipe a small pinch of the tobacco, but unselfish meaning in wait. His hands traced the pipe feeling every scar embedded in the wood, as he turned the pipe in his pocket. Oddly it even had the faint chakra signature of the late Hokage. A small trace that brought a brief smirk of respite to the Awai's face.

Fanho let the pipe lie as he gazed out the glass double doors to the Hokage's balcony looking over at the procession. He himself was dressed in the same black garb as everyone else in the village. A simple black shirt tied at the waist with a red sash, and black pants cinched just at the ankle. He had agreed to say something at the procession, lead the event not just as the Hokage, but as Takeo's successor and friend. He felt a bit under-prepared. He worried if he would give Takeo the proper respect in the address, would his words carry the weight they needed to reach everyone, or would it just be false platitudes and the 'hope' spiel Taiga himself said wouldn't work on everyone. The Awai scratched his eye as it began to itch, his anxiety while to everyone else he would be calm and reserved, inside he could feel it bubble up. The weight of the village placed on his shoulders.

He never thought to trivialize the position, he knew how much of a burden he who weareth the crown bare, but the reality stared him down through those double doors of the Hokage's office. The entirety of the village his eye could see depended on him, leaned on him, expected of him, and more importantly needed of him words that reached their hearts. He thought carefully of his words, he wondered what words would best resonate with people, if he should sound prim and proper, or if he should commanding like that of a leader. Fanho frowned as he looked out among the streets lined with villagers. Those ideas sounded superficial, they didn't sound like him. Taiga had a point, Fanho knew that much, but perhaps he didn't have to tame the hope speech. Rather speak from his own heart, say the words he believed, and those that heard them would follow suit. For if he couldn't believe in himself then they couldn't believe in him either.

With a gaze towards the portrait of Takeo, Fanho looked towards it as if for last minute guidance. However the silence of the office struck him. There would be no guidance, no chastising, no help in this path forward from Takeo. He briefly reminisced on memories, and what Takeo had said in his spar with Taiga for the Hokage hat. Fanho's own eyes traced up towards the haori and hat hung on the door leading out. Not just his new uniform and expected attire for this event and many more to come, but a symbol of the position he held. A smile graced his face as he chuckled to himself in this quiet office. "I guess you felt confident in leaving this in my hands. About time I demonstrate that confidence was well placed."

---

Fanho patted the Hokage hat as he forewent the tradition. Following regulations, honorifics, and the likes weren't his style. It'd be a betrayal of his character if he started now. The Awai walked the halls of the Hokage's quarters as ANBU stood guard around protecting the grounds and people at the procession. Everyone now outside taking a seat waiting for Fanho to appear for his speech, much to everyone's surprise as Fanho appeared at the ground floor next to Aina as stepped down towards the coffin giving his own respects. He had let time pass, enough for everyone else to get their fill of tokens and remembrance. With a bow and quick prayer, Fanho would give a warm hug to the Natsuki family as he went down the line. "No matter the relation, no matter the situation, no matter the trouble. We are family." With a final tender squeeze Fanho stepped before the procession at ground level, putting himself the same as everyone else. No Hokage garb, no titles, no honorifics. Just Fanho himself and the people of Konoha before him.

"Before we get started here. I want to tell you all a few stories of Takeo. Let me ground you the larger than life ladies man he was." The Awai chuckled to himself as he took a deep breath before letting it all out. Putting himself before everyone else as bare as he could be, wearing his emotions and personality on his sleeve. "A kind caring father to a healthy, loving, and large family. Takeo is family to all of us. To me an important mentor that helped build where I am today. He actually broke my back in a training session one day, crazy stuff." The Awai chuckled as he brought himself back to remembering Takeo. "However, that's Takeo for you. The type of man to push you to the edge and give you that nudge you need to surpass your limits. Push you to heights you didn't think you were capable of. Roles you felt unprepared for. He had a belief that each and everyone of us we're capable of greatness. Through thick, thin, lows, and highs the impossible was that much more possible with him by your side. I share that belief. His fire burns on within me, within you, and all of us here. For death isn't an end, but the beginning of a new era."

The Awai paced the isles of the procession as he knelt and laid a gentle hand of ally-ship on those attendee's shoulders. His voice rang out throughout the village, reaching every corner aided by the help of ninjutsu. He wanted these words to be heard far and wide. "The wolfman Hokage resides here. Deep in my heart. A place that can't be shook, a place where bravery thrives and hope flourishes." Fanho walked past as he laid his hands upon Yoru's shoulder's squeezing the man in a friendly manner as he grinned towards the vermilion haired shinobi. "A heart that embraces healthy competition and harnesses deep shared bonds that connect all of us." The Awai passed Hayate as he slugged the Kage in the shoulder playfully nodding towards the village once more. "A heart that builds friendships afar and near. Making what was thought to be a far cry a reality." Fanho walked up towards Taiga as he ruffled his friends hair. "A heart that recognizes the value everyone brings, and that we all need each other. Lest we miss the forest for the trees." He then walked towards Saigo off to the side as he gave the man a handshake and a sturdy shoulder pat. "A heart that believes in people and their efforts to change to make a better future." A respectful bow towards a shared mentor that had not just trained one but two Hokage's now, Hayashi. "A heart that knows mentors really do know what they're talking about. That there's always something to learn, and to take time to listen."

The Awai returned his post at the front of the procession as he breathed deep nodding towards those watching his every move.

"A heart that grew and understood these things better all because of the man Natsuki, Takeo. I remember these lessons. I remember these tender moments. I remember Takeo. Take these words into your heart, let them be etched deep within the fire that burns in everyone of you. For Takeo is not gone, his will is etched in our fires, and inside the Will of Fire burns bright. I'm not one for tradition, and since Takeo is not gone I will not say goodbye. I will simply leave with this. Thank you Takeo. For all you've done. Know your fire burns bright, I see it within everyone here. This village, this country, these friends, this family. It burns brighter than anyone could have imagined."

With a final bow to the coffin Fanho put his hands together to say one more final prayer and thank you to Takeo. The Hokage lifted his head as the pallbearers gathered to take Takeo to his final resting place in Konoha's Fire Garden of Remembrance to bury him in a reserved area to remind everyone who he was and what he stood for.

[Texas]

Drab black kimono's indeed. Tenzin stood amongst the crowd wearing his black kimono like the rest of the people. On days like today, rain is better suited. Not because it increases the sadness, but because it hides the tears pretty well. In these conditions, Tenzin stood plain faced and stared at the old Hokage's casket along with the new Hokage as he spoke. Everything that was said was true. It was important for the community to not only mourn, but on the other side of the coin, remember the good and greatness that came with the name Takeo. The mix of memories, although the silver haired shinobi only had a few, allowed him to grieve in the moment.

Tenzin's inner dialogue of guilt and depression regarding recent events have almost completely left his mind and caused the shinobi to fall in a state of depravity. This manifested change in personality had created a colder shinobi, yet, within this very moment he truly felt saddened seeing the man who had been Hokage for so long be sent over to the Fire Garden of Remembrance. When the casket lifted and was sent to the location, Tenzin mirrored the Awai Hokage and put his head down for only a mere couple of seconds before lifting it back up. A sad day, but a day that would create a brand new chapter for not just the Village of Konoha or the Fire Country, but for the entire world.

[Izanagi]

It had all been so much to process, and even now as Takeshi stood alongside his family, the reality hadn’t fully set in. His father, brother and even his ‘uncle’ Masuru were all dead. And not only that but his best friend Noeru had also fallen in the same series of battles. At times it felt too much to bare. The guilt and regret. That he had returned to train in Kumo while the others had fought in Wind country. He had celebrated his birthday with each of them, laughed and drank during the Iron Banner festival. But it didn’t feel even close to enough. There was still so much more he wanted to say, more memories to share.

More than anything Takeshi felt bitter and angry. He blamed Iwagakure for their war-mongering and he blamed Sunagakure for their weakness. Konoha shinobi should never have even been in those barren lands in the first place. And it had all been for nothing, they had failed in their mission and Konoha was severely weakened for it.

Squeezing his mother’s hand to his left and his twin sisters’ hand on his right, Takeshi fought back tears, but his eyes were red and his face twisted in pain and grief. He was the man of the household now, 18 years old and a Special Jounin. He was not a child any longer, and he needed to be strong for his mother and his sisters. Trembling, he listened to Fanho’s words, freeing his hands to give the man a firm hug as he approached each member of the family. He nodded at the words, that Fanho was their family too. “Thank you” he gasped, nodding slowly. Fanho was right. Takeshi didn’t have to shoulder everything himself. There was a new Hokage, one even stronger than his father had ever been. There was still hope and an entire village to support one another.

Regaining some composure, the tall and muscular Hyuuga steadied his breathing, standing proud as he recalled his own memories of his father. His childhood had been spent camping and hunting, practicing taijutsu and exercising with his dad. He had wanted nothing more than to be half the man Takeo was. To be able to connect with others and inspire like the beloved Hokage, his father. But war had caused a rift and a growing resentment. Takeshi had felt abandoned when both Takeo and Yozei had left the village for months or in Yozei’s case years at a time in order to fight in distant lands. And ultimately Takeshi and his sister had witnessed the death of their grandfather fighting to defend them when Kirigakure invaded. Paired with the betrayal and then re-integration of his ‘uncle’ Yoru and the death of ‘aunt’ Masami and Takeshi had found himself feeling distant and angry for the better part of his shinobi career. He had never got to fight alongside his father or brother as he had always dreamed of, nor truly felt like they were proud of how strong he had become. He had felt the wounds beginning to heal during the recent festival. A week of time where life felt simple, and he was able to reconnect with his family. And now they were ripped away from him forever.

He would fight on and remember everything they had taught him. The moments of compassion and kindness they had each showed him. They were bright, burning spirits that embodied the will of fire. But Takeshi knew his heart would never be so warm. He would take comfort in whatever friendships he had left and trust in Fanho to guide them. But his heart would devote itself to vengeance against Iwagakure and Kirigakure. His path to power was to embrace his hate and use that to protect the village that he loved at any cost. ‘Goodbye Dad, Yozei, Noeru, Masuru. I wont ever forget you. And I wont rest until you’re avenged’ he vowed.

[King of Cats]

From his window Shiroyasha could see the crowd forming in the streets. It was the day of the 17th Hokage's funeral. Shiroyasha was taking care of some paperwork for a mission he had recently done. He had to fill in various descriptions on what he had done, what had happened and things like that. He wasn't happy to be doing the work, he would have rather been at the passed Hokage's funeral.

Shiroyasha had grown up under the rule of Takeo. The day his mother, Mikoto, introduced him to the beautiful light of the Awai Shiroyasha became a part of the Will of Fire. As many generations had done before her, Mikoto inspired greatness in her son by passing Konoha shinobi ideals. Part of these ideals were the adoration of the Hokage. Shiroyasha had two heroes growing up, his father Shikayasha and Takeo Natsuki. The exploits of the 17th Hokage were talked of often by Shiro's father. The Nara was incredibly fascinated by the way he pushed the lines of war and passed on the fascination to his son. Shiroyasha was inspired to take up combat arts by Takeo.

Deeper than the adoration Shiroyasha had for the skills of the Hokage in combat was his love for the Hokgae's honest dealings with other countries. Thanks to Takeo Shiroyasha was able to ride on trains and travel the world without breaking his back. By the time he was twelve Shiroyasha had been to Sunagakure and that was pretty amazing. Shiroyasha grew up spending hours wondering what kind of experiences brought such worldly wisdom to the Hokage. Shiroyasha wondered if he would ever compare to him. He considered himself smart like the Hokage, and talented. But Takeo had experiences that Shiroyasha might never compare to.

With the way the world was going though, Shiroyasha would get his fair share of combat experience. He would certainly get to travel the world. He always dreamed of it, and even sitting in his room filling out paper work, lamenting over his heroes passing Shiroyasha still found himself yearning to share the glory of Takeo Natsuki. He set his pen down and stood up. Shiroyasha figured he deserved a little smoke, and his parents were at the funeral so he wouldn't get yelled at for smoking on the roof. Shiroyasha grabbed a cigarette and a pack of matches. He walked over to his window and crawled out.

Standing on the roof shirtless Shiroyasha had his cigarette and matchbook in his mouth. He performed a few quick hand seals and stilled the air around him. He lit his match easily and took a deep inhale on his cigarette. Shiroyasha typically didn't break the law, but he picked up smoking from his mentor Kazu Awai and ever since he had been hooked. He could get a few packs from Kazu once a week at Hiton training sessions, and the Nara always made sure to pay him a thank you tax. The wind around Shiroyasha picked back up and all the smoke that had collected around him in the stale air blew off. He stood on the roof smoking, thinking about Takeo.

"Guess I'll come after Fanho.." Shiroyasha thought to himself. He always dreamed about becoming the Hokage. Growing up as a mixed blood he wanted to change the village. There were some people who saw mixed clans as an affront to civility, and Shiroyasha believed love ran deeper than that. He wanted to be the voice of love, he wanted to shape the world for cast aways to be appreciated. That was why Shiroyasha grew in the pursuit of power. He trained Shadow Manipulation for hours every day to be a stand out member of the Nara clan, while also honing his visual prowess with the Shining Eye dojutsu he was born with. Shiroyasha was lucky to be blessed by the heavens and have a mixed family, he was an outstanding ninja thanks to his mixed family. A family that flourished thanks to the Hokage's lead against organized crime.

Growing up Shiroyasha sometime sheard his mother and father complain of others who discriminated their relationship. People were free to believe what they would, and sometimes that meant others would lash out against the mixed family. Shiroyasha had an oath. He swore he would one day have the might to lead his family out of those dark hours. He would be mighty like Takeo.

Shiroyasha was done smoking his cigarette and found himself with a tear in his eye. He had worked himself up thinking about his past. Takeo had always been there for himas the Hokage, and now he was left wondering who would fill that void. Fanho seemed to be a good enough man. Shiroyasha respected his style, his skill with Jikukan was pretty well known throughout the village. Shiroyasha wasn't sure if he would fill the hole Takeo's death left though. Fanho seemed to hold a lot of weight on his shoulders and Shiroyasha wondered if he had the strength to shoulder it all. Of course that made him wonder if he was fit to as well, and his tears faded away. Shiroyasha was quickly sobered up.

"I'll be watching you Hokage." Shiroyasha said to himself and crawled back into his room through the window. He had work to finish. He was hoping he could get it done quick and make it to see Takeo. Shiroyasha hated dead bodies but he had only ever seen Takeo so many times, he didn't want to miss the last time. He filled out the document real fast, making a couple mistakes, and got himself dressed. He put on a black long sleeve t shirt and his red jacket. Shiroyasha was dressed in mostly black but he had to wear his jacket. He just wasn't himself without his fancy jacket, not to mention all of the pockets he had was where he kept his valuables.

Once he was ready Shiroyasha stepped into the streets to find where the people were paying their last respects to the 17th Hokage. Unfortunately the streets were absolutely bonkers and Shiroyasha got caught in a mourning party. He decided to roll with them, singing the Will of Fire as they rang bells throughout the streets. It was obvious he was never going to get where he was going and Shiroyasha was just happy to take part in the passing of Takeo's soul.

Once the hot sun had cooled off and evening began to pass people were beginning to retire to their homes and Shiroyasha's party disbanded. He had spent quite a bit of time singing, and crying, so he was thoroughly exhausted. Shiroyasha headed home to meet with his parents. They had been at Fanho's speech and were absolutely buzzing. They weren't filled with grief liek other people. Shiro's parents were always progressive and different. They saw Takeo's passing as a celebration and Fanho's dedication was a passing gift to their once strong hero. Shiroyasha sat at the table eating his soup as he listened to his parents prattle on. They really liked the way Fanho held his respect for the late Hokage, they felt like he would be a good Hokage. Shiroyasha was glad to hear their opinion and finished his soup slowly. It was cold when he put it all down, but the meal was satisfactory.

After another smoke Shiroyasha went to bed thinking about his day. He wondered if the Leaf would change, if Fanho would become his new hero, and most importantly he wondered how he would do in Fanho's position. Would people come home from his speeches buzzing? Shiroyasha sat on that thought for a long ten minutes before passing into the dreamland.

[Kabu]

Hajime stood silently a short distance from Takeshi and his family as the crowd gathered for Takeo's funeral, some part of him feeling an urge to just run and hide but he knew there was no escaping reality... He had been informed his parents had been killed only for the news of several more deaths to come only a short time later. Honestly in some ways he was still in shock and trying to process it all. Death was an inevitability, he knew that but even still he couldn't help but wish that this was all a nightmare and that he would wake up any moment now in his mother's arms.

And yet time would instead march on, the clearest evidence of such being their new Hokage appearing before the crowd. The man began his speech and the boy listened intently, tears pooling in his eyes as he did. It took only a moment before he was overwhelmed, tears overflowing as he loudly sobbed. "It's just not fair! " he screamed into the void, not caring about any looks he would get. The sudden surge of emotion was just so painful, he instinctively knew that he was feeling heartbreak for the very first time, the first of possibly many.

Just as soon as the tears came however they largely came to a stop, the boy simply sniffling as he swiped at the remaining tears. "It just hurts so much but why? Why does it hurt like this?" he muttered quietly to himself, his gaze wandering around at the members of the crowd, noting all their different reactions. Everyone showed it differently but it was clear that they all shared in their pain. And somehow that was just the smallest bit comforting.

"We'll make it through this, I know we will... Mom, Dad, Takeo... I'll miss you all so very much. It'll be hard but... with everyone's help I think I'll be okay..."

[Taiga]

On his way into the procession Hayate had nodded to Tenzin. Said his peace to the others. To the kids of Takeo. Even that little shit Taiga. The village hidden in the leaves had seen so much trauma from the end of the great war and into this new act of violence on the fragile peace that had been left in it's wake. Where most held feelings of sorrow, Hayate held only feelings of regret.

He had failed to make it to the battle site in time to fight Tatsuo and aid Takeo. As he made his way to the honored row where state dignitary's and other high ranking officials were to sit, he made note of the scene amongst them. Taking his seat, his hands dug into his legs squeezing his knees before he let loose his left hand and raised it to tilting his Raikage down and drop into a bow to the alter where the casket of Takeo laid.

He knew there was nothing in there. Nothing but the small scraps left. He wasn't sure he'd ever have the heart to share that with anyone else though.

As various folks spoke and said their piece the Raikage's mind drifted off to that day. To the battle. If he had just used lethal force sooner. If he had prioritized a quick end to the fight rather than attempting to take prisoners... if he had played the game differently perhaps Takeo wouldn't be the one in the casket. It'd be some other bannin. Some other soul lost in the battle, but at least Takeo would be there to give the speech that rallied the nation.


It had been nearly 13 years since Hayate had "kicked down the doors" to Konohagakure ending centuries of isolationist state. Despite his crude way of diplomacy, Takeo had warmly accepted him as a guest. Showed him the lands. 10 years since Konohagakure began the construction of trains, joining in a shared dream of Hayate's to unite the world through economics. To break borders down and give people the mobility they needed to enjoy the world. 7 years since the pair fought a massive lizard destroying countries- always a pair to show up at each others request.

It had been 5 years since Konohagakure fell to Kirigakure in the Great War. Takeo swiftly called back their forces, and even the expedition forces of Kumogakure landed at the coast to aid in the siege to retake the village.

Hayate looked at Fanho as he stepped up to give his speech. His theatrics as he worked the crowd. The room. Made everyone feel as one. It had been 3 years since he did Takeo a favor and threw that brat off the mountain tops into the icy waters to teach him a thing or two.

The corners of the Raikage's lips curled into a smile, as a quiet stream of tears flowed down his cheeks.

Takeo had been more than a staunch economic and military ally. He'd been a friend. The first one Hayate made out of the village.

He'd shown him that a greater peace and power could be achieved between nations. His tears dried, and he chuckled at the memories of the man that was Takeo, and with a deep breath, he reset himself. He'd lay back- though Takeo was a great friend to him, this procession was for the people of the leaf... not him.

Man- those casket thingies are odd. Woulda thought the land of fire burnt their people like everyone else the Raikage mused from his corner of the procession.

599

[Taiga]

Yet another war he'd been left out of.

He didn't know how Fanho could stomach knowing that while their brothers were getting killed by Iwagakure down to their damn beloved Hokage, the two of them were back here in the village picking their noses. If they had been there for the battle... he was confident Iwagakure wouldn't be on the map anymore.

He took a deep breath as he took his place in the procession line as his mind wandered, attempting to collect his thoughts on the extremely nuanced human experience that was loss. His mind lingered on a question. Had Takeo known he would perish? Not even minutes after Taiga had forfeited the battle for Hokage to Fanho, Takeo made them both promise they'd stay put in the village. He'd rushed the selection of a replacement too, leading up to it all.

Perhaps the Great War and well over a decade of service had tired the man out. Or perhaps he had just gotten too tired of being a father and decided it was easier to peace out. Or maybe the wolf man of Konohagakure somehow was able to smell it coming- like some sort of ninken or something.

Stepping continuously forward in the ever-long line the Bannin pulled his hair back tight behind his head, procuring a band from his kimono and tying it off. With is unruly long grey hair out of his face it revealed how gaunt he had become. How deep the wrinkles of his face or bags under his eyes had become. The nights of long work. The paper work. All the things he had been doing to support Fanho in his new role of... some... sort of special advisor to the Hokage?

Taking stock of the family members off near the casket of Takeo, Taiga paid particular notice to Takeshi. Like himself, Takeshi was a large critic of his father. The two felt similar, though Taiga had learned to bury his hatched and give up on the resentment he had towards Takeo. He could tell that still, the news and the funeral had taken it's toll on the young man. Takeo was asfter all his father. His blood. And worse, Noeru, Yozei, Zakuro, and the others were presumed MIA- announced KIA by the unreliable source that was Iwagakure.

That thought was best not to linger on as it brought only rage to the bannin.

Iwagakure had broken the peace accords. Sunagakure had been utterly useless. How much blood did they shed while they friendly-fired allied forces and Konoha lost a bannin, a Senju, several ANBU members, and their Hokage- even if he was technically retired. There was nothing Taiga could even dream of spinning that up as other than an utter failure.

Before Taiga could seethe much further however Fanho squeezed his soulder, his attention and speech focused on him. Taiga had mostly drowned it out, but he could tell by the reactions of everyone around them Fanho's speech was well received. It wasn't a surprise to Taiga- after all he had given up his candidacy for Hokage when he realized even if he could beat Fanho in a fight, even if he could out strategize him, it meant nothing against a man who could link the hearts of a nation.

Nodding back to Fanho and giving him acknowledgement for a brief moment, Taiga soon retreated back into his own head space. For the majority of attendees they were here to mourn. To grieve. To honor. Taiga however was passed that. He instead had questions. Fears. His mind was too busy with putting plans in motion to secure Konohagakure's future than to worry about the death of a leader who had already retired- as sad as it was.

As Fanho addressed Takeo's kids, Taiga couldn't help but yet again be pulled back into the happenings of the scene at hand. His eyes however fell on Takeshi with an immense interest as he deeply looked the young man up and down, analyznig things. He could tell there was a painful mix of emotions bubbling up inside the boy. Resentment. Sadness. Pain. A desire for revenge. In many ways Taigas felt looking at Takeshi he was looking into a mirror...

He could empathize with the boy. And he could only imagine, based on his own feelings, Takeshi cursed Sunagakure for their weakness. He wanted the blood of Kirigakure. And more than ever, that of Iwagakure. Taiga couldn't blame him if he ever confirmed his theories on Takeshi's thoughts, because he felt the same. Hell, his mind had played through the moment his hand would rip out that Akari bastards heart hundreds of times already.

But, with his maturity, Taiga also knew the hole in Takeshi- one he had partially made bigger in the past.. was a dangerous one. A hole easily manipulated by those who pulled the marionette strings behind the scene. Taiga was sure Takeshi would far surpass Aina. Takeo. Even Yozei. And if he couldn't solve his traumas Taiga feared what such a powerful shinobi would become.

He made a mental note he'd make more of an effort to mentor the boy- harness his anger, pain, and resentment into something constructive for the village- though he was sure Tenzin probably already had a finger on the pulse of that situation. As his mind continued through this thought, Taiga soon found himself at the front of the procession line. Though he'd never admit it, perhaps his final talk with Takeo had influenced him more than he'd ever know... in a heart-grew-three-times-that-day sort of way.

It was his turn now.

He bowed his head and clapped his hands twice, lighting an incense stick and standing it up in the sand outside the coffin- the smell of the incense wafting around. His prayer was short- he only asked that Takeo and the ancestors guide their actions in the coming months, and with nothing more than nods to the others, he'd make his way to the other side and slink away into the shadows.

Mourning and respect could not occupy too much of his time. Not when their was so much yet to do. The final question linger on his mind as he left the funeral was: What are we going to do about this village that has been entrusted to us, Fanho?

1062

[Tsedas]

The air was palpable with the grief and anguish that floated through the crowd, yet right above it, adorned in almost monk like attire rested a figured garbed in a mix of black and grey with a green infinity scarf wrapped around his neck. Not the typical attire of Takamori Saigo but it was appropriate given the situation. He watched from a distance, he scanned the crowds, he maintained an air of chilling silence behind his mask, spiral patterns closing in around his right eye. That singular eye glowing green as it gazed out upon the assembled masses. Amidst the crowd inside, Saigo was present for Fanho's speech and was even included into it to a small degree which almost cracked his facade beneath the mask. Once pallbearers started to take up the coffin of the former Hokage, Natuski Takeo, Saigo vanished silently in a puff of smoke. The experiences the shadow clone shared were returned to Saigo as well as a portion of his chakra, making him waver his gaze for a moment as he stared off into space in reflection for but a moment.

Snapping back to reality, his focus returned and hardened itself as he saw the procession started to move, he kept pace, watching it and the surrounding area from a distance as he kept silent sentry over all that was transpiring. He cared not if he was seen or unseen, subtle or of overt made no difference in this escort detail. He wasn't even tasked with performing this duty but he had trust issues sometimes and he wouldn't entrust the last worldly moments of a man he'd considered a friend to someone else. He most definitely wouldn't give the task of ensuring the safety of the passed on's family and friends to someone else.

When they approached the Fire Garden of Remembrance, he started to accelerate and reached it before the steady pace of those bearing the recently deceased Hokage's body to it's final resting place. As he arrived, Saigo shared glances with the security on site and got reassuring nods from bleary eyed men and women that the place was secure and ready. Letting his shoulders lose some of their tension, he went back to the entrance of the Fire Garden and awaited everyone's arrival. When they came close, his hand would raise up to cup the bottom of the mask before pulling it off of his head and slipping it into a pouch on his waist. His surprisingly youthful features on full display that would trick one into believing he was far younger than he seemed.

As they approached, Saigo would ensure he was stood to one side as he kept a rather neutral expression, seemingly no emotion escaping him in that moment. A stark contrast to the somber and emotional faces that made up the crowd to be sure. ' So this is to be the last goodbye then? I'll never understand the fragility of humanity... But I doubt there is a true cure for death in this world, and I certainly wouldn't want to live in that world. We all have our time in the sun, it's what makes us special. Who can claim to have the right to take that away when all it would do is turn that Flame of Hope Konoha carries into a smoldering cinder... I suppose that's the last question I'll never get to ask him. Right, Takeo?'

[Trusted Grader]

Kitsui wasn't sure what to feel about the loss of their leader, he had never personally spoken to the man, he had seen him live a couple of times and knew of his heritage to the Inuzuka clan, he was after all 'The Fangless Hound', which he found quite intriguing though nevertheless he it still annoyed him, half breeds seemed to be far more prominent in his village then he cared to admit for.

The main issue was that Kitsui was raised to believe that purebred animals were better, they were somehow cleaner, Shiroyasha was one of them that forced him to think otherwise, and the fact that his parents forced him to come to this funeral meant that he had to take it seriously.

The black-dressed Inuzuka would nod to the people he knew but would mostly stay staring up into the sky. I wonder, will people come to my funeral or will I just be a forgotten tombstone? I guess that's the inevitability of life, sooner or later everyone forgets you.

Kitsui stared at the mural and then at all the former Hogake's face on the wall, it served as a reminder of those who were, so at least Takeo wouldn't be forgotten, unlike all the other soldiers who were raised to protect his good name and then one-day parish and become dust in the wind, it almost seemed unfair.

Awai, Fanho, the new Hokage, was another man who was elected to lead but a man he knew little about, Kitsui was sure that he had done some good for the village but for the life of him he had no idea, but at least he wasn't a halfbreed. Tss, I can smell the half-breed from here... Good to pay your respect isn't it Shiroyasha? Kitsui bit the bottom of his lips, he was only mean whenever he felt emotional, he didn't really mean any of the bad stuff he said, nor did he mistrust the new kage, it was just all too overwhelming for him to take it to the chin, for it made him have to question his own validity and mortality, if men such as them could be slain then what could a kid like him do?

Maybe ninjas were just destined to die? But then what was it all worth? Did they really live a better life in Konoha compared to a random farmer out in say Dragon Country? Did they not have their families, their jobs? Were they raised as children to kill others for the sake of someone on top? What was this all for? Kitsui shook his head as he knew that the endless questions would just do his head in, he knew that no matter how many times he questioned it he wouldn't get the answers, at least not here, maybe in due time.

Kitsui looked over at the ninjas that had gathered here and quickly realized how few people he actually recognized for he kept mostly to himself and his dogs, so when the time was right he just shrugged, hugged his parents, and then began to make his way home, it was pointless to say anything to anyone he knew little off except. "You did good Fangless Hound." This was his way of acknowledging that maybe he wasn't right about purebreds and half-breeds.

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