"Edition Three - Hokage Nami Yakamashi Has Been Murdered"

**Hokage Nami Yakamashi Has Been Murdered**

Disgust, disbelief, shock, shame. The Fourth Hokage, Nami Yakamashi has been murdered in cold blood. Kazekage Rintaro Uzumaki used the guise of peace to set up a trap for our beloved Hokage. She is dead, and the whole world cries out in morning for the loss of her bright flame.

Hokage Nami pushed for peace, for reconciliation. The Kazekage knew this. He used this to his advantage and laid a cowardly trap. They were to have a meeting to discuss peace. A neutral area was suggested by The Fourth Hokage, but the Kazekage had other plans. He had it moved into Baron Country where he had prepared a trap for her. Afraid of facing her in a fair fight, he concocted his scheme to ensure he had an overwhelming advantage.

As the day for the meeting came, as agreed, Nami went out quietly with only one other shinobi, a fellow member of the council. As for the Kazekage, he brought a squad of the strongest fighters in Sunagakure. All proven killers who were leagues above their peers. The Fourth Hokage did not have a chance to negotiate. They were on her in an instant as she did her best to shield her friend and ally from the oncoming blows. However, they wanted her ally alive, to let others know what had happened. How they will use any underhanded tactic they can to get what they want.

She returned, and when she told the village what had happened, the sense of loss was almost palpable. Cries of disbelief, shouts of denial rang out. Some were stunned silent, others collapsed to the ground. Tears flooded the streets. The announcement was short, but more was not needed. This ache will live with us for a long while, but do not be afraid. We are all here together, and despite this great blow, we will rise stronger than before.

With the Kazekage threatening Hokage Nami in his acceptance speech when he rose to power, why did Nami trust him to keep his word for a peaceful summit? Because she held to the true will of fire. She held hope that there is good within everyone, that for peace, people are willing to put aside their differences. She was too optimistic and hopeful, she believed in the good soul of the Kazekage, and he did his best to prove her wrong. To prove that he will do anything to further his own personal goals over those of his country, and even the very world we live in.

However, we should not come away from this hating the Kazekage. We should mourn the loss of a great friend and leader of Konohagakure, but we should not throw away her beliefs simply because she is no longer with us. We must strive for peace, to protect the weak, and do everything we can to help those in need. As Hokage Nami strove for, we must rise up as a beacon for the many people places like Sunagakure leave by the wayside. For the world-beaten, the hungry, the poor, the weak, the huddled masses yearning to be free of the boot of tyranny, all have a home and a hope within Konohagakure! We will persevere not because we are the strongest, the bravest, or even the smartest, but because we must. Because someone must stand as a symbol of what life can be when peace and community are given priority over the desires of a mere handful of powerful people.

Mourn this great loss in your own way brave Konohagakure. Just remember, we live as the chamomile. The more they try and trample us down, to silence and destroy us, the stronger we will become. We stand together, and we always will.

Below is a transcription of the letter the Kazekage wrote to the Fourth Hokage.

***"Hokage Nami***

***I have received your request for a summit in Rain. I would respectfully like to suggest moving the locale to the Crossroads in baron Country. I think it would be wise not to involve a third faction in the dealings between our nations. If you are willing to accept such changes I would accept your request and can meet you at Crossroads at your earliest convenience.***

***I remain Sandaime-Kazekage,***

***Uzumaki Rintaro"***