Aoha constantly monitored everyone's direction. When someone looked toward that rock wall direction and exclaimed surprisingly, he immediately tensed, fearing discovery. Simultaneously, his mind raced overtime, contemplating remedies if discovered.
"What happened? Discover something?"
Sure enough, that soft exclamation attracted nearby attention.
Hesitating slightly, that person spoke: "I just seemed to see that rock wall wave like water several times."
"Huh? Such things? Wasn't eyesight playing tricks? How would rock walls move? Let me see."
"Yikes!"
At this critical moment, a sharp scream pierced through!
Attracted by this shriek, all craftsmen turned their heads, discovering Aoha had somehow nearly fallen from the platform, now desperately gripping it with both hands, appearing extremely dangerous.
"No good, rescue quickly!"
"Notify those below, lower the platform immediately!"
Everyone panicked, including the two who'd noticed anomalies.
They forgot to investigate that rock wall. Only after Aoha was safely rescued did they collectively sighin relief.
"Let's head down too. That troublemaker Aoha nearly caused major chaos!"
"But..."
"I looked earlier. The rock wall wasn't moving! You probably drank too much last night, causing eyesight problems."
"...Probably was my eyes."
That person glanced once more toward the rock wall, found nothing abnormal, and thus stopped concerning himself. Together with his companion, he ended work and descended.
Seeing this, safely landed, Aoha breathed a huge relief. Practically failed at the last moment. Truly dangerous!
However, he celebrated too early!
Barely accepting everyone's concern and education, when Yamashita-jisan, hearing the news, arrived spewing at him.
If anything happened, he'd feel guilty forever!
Aoha knew he was at fault. Yamashita-jisan's outburst stemmed from caring concern, so he dared say nothing, simply listening quietly with lowered head.
After scolding, Yamashita-jisan finally calmed. "Since you're fine, head back. Don't come tomorrow either. Practice techniques at home."
"Huh?"
Aoha instantly panicked. If he didn't come tomorrow, how'd he monitor these people? Today succeeded precisely because he was present. Tomorrow, if someone gets curious, he will be completely exposed!
Immediately anxious!
"No way! I won't go up again, alright? Tomorrow's the unveiling. I want to watch."
"Mm, only watching from below. Understand?" Yamashita-jisan was kindhearted after all, barely consenting.
Aoha felt somewhat frustrated. The same tricks wouldn't work again. But without personally observing, he couldn't relax doing other things.
Only this option remained.
The next day, Aoha arrived at Hokage Rock's base early as usual, watching craftsmen conduct final inspections.
That guy nearly caused yesterday's mission failure, and was particularly priority-monitored!
Every time someone approached that relatively smooth rock wall, his heart immediately tensed.
However, yesterday proved truly exceptional. His selected location basically attracted nobody. Observation focus remained on the completed Fourth statue.
That guy seemed genuinely convinced his eyes played tricks, never investigating further.
Thus, good fortune replaced bad, final inspection passed!
Aoha watched a massive red curtain covering the Fourth's statue top to bottom. Finally feeling assured.
Remaining relied on tomorrow's unveiling!
Though...causing such massive trouble, Yamashita-jisan probably couldn't protect him. Could only depend on Hokage-sama's mood.
Speaking of which, Minato had recently been in a good mood, soon becoming a father after all. Shouldn't seriously antagonise a child.
Increasingly anxious approaching the finale, Aoha could only self-console this way.
[This day.]
The Fourth Hokage's statue was completely carved and covered with a red curtain.
Before the scheduled 10 AM, numerous villagers with enthusiastic smiles spontaneously came toward Hokage Rock, preparing to witness this glorious moment.
Though during carving they daily looked up seeing it, the completely finished appearance was a first-time view for them.
Importantly, the atmosphere, this spiritual symbol!
Though fewer than the Fourth's inauguration ceremony, roughly several hundred appeared, including some shinobi with time from completed missions observing too.
Including hot-blooded Gai and Mikawa-jonin, who recently returned from missions.
Among gathered civilians, Mikawa-jonin spotted Aoha nervously peeking around, sighing about something.
Seemingly sensing eyes intensely watching, Aoha glanced around, spotting stern-faced Mikawa-jonin.
Anticipating his impending crazy actions, Aoha already imagined Mikawa-jonin's subsequently pitch-black expression.
After awkwardly dry-laughing twice, he unhesitatingly shrank his body, directly burrowing into the crowd, disappearing.
Somehow, Mikawa-jonin suddenly felt strong bad premonitions.
That bastard isn't causing trouble again, right?
Suddenly, such thoughts emerged, increasingly intense, lingering!
"Stop scaring yourself! Impossible. Just an unveiling ceremony. What could that troublemaker do..."
Mikawa-jonin's sudden tension slightly eased, yet remained surrounded by unease.
"No! I must monitor him!"
However, exactly when Mikawa-jonin decided to find Aoha, thoroughly watching him, unveiling time arrived perfectly.
"Begin!"
Following Yamashita-jisan's command, he led the craftsmen team, powerfully pulling downward!
The massive red cloth instantly fell, revealing the concealed Fourth statue!
Every generation's Hokage statues were truly artistic masterpieces, absolutely lifelike!
Even Mikawa-jonin, preparing immediate action, got attracted by this scene.