The dense forest was eerily silent as Hiruzen Sarutobi and his team came to a halt atop a thick tree branch. Their Adam's apples bobbed involuntarily as they stared ahead, tension thick in the air. Moments ago, they had witnessed a tailed beast bomb streaking through the sky, its descent marked by a deafening crash just a few kilometers ahead. Yet strangely, the bomb didn't explode.
Such anomalies only heightened their unease. After all, fear of the unknown often surpassed the terror of what one could see.
Tock. Tock. Tock...
"Hiruzen! Someone's coming," Danzo whispered, his voice taut.
"I know," Hiruzen replied, steeling his nerves. "Prepare for battle."
Whatever lay ahead, they couldn't afford to falter. They were Konoha shinobi, students of the Second Hokage. They would face any challenge head-on.
The six-man team—Hiruzen, Danzo, Akimichi Torifu, and Uchiha Kagami, along with the two remaining members of their squad—stood ready, the tension palpable.
"So…" A calm, almost teasing voice emerged from the shadows. "Have you all lost your ability to sense chakra? Or is this how you greet someone who just saved your lives?"
The figure stepped out of the shadows, his left hand faintly smoking. With a casual flick of his wrist, Kakuzu dispelled the lingering heat from his palm. Internally, he was grumbling.
'Sanbi, you're a joke compared to Kurama. One tailed beast bomb from the Nine-Tails nearly cooked me alive. And they call you equals?'
Despite his annoyance, Kakuzu couldn't help but marvel at Kurama's overwhelming power. There was a reason even Hashirama Senju had acknowledged the Nine-Tails as the mightiest of the Tailed Beasts.
As the six shinobi recognized Kakuzu, relief washed over them. The tension in their shoulders eased slightly, though Hiruzen remained alert.
"Kakuzu-sama…" Hiruzen began, his tone respectful. To him, Kakuzu was more than just a formidable warrior, he was also a mentor figure from their earlier missions. What had just occurred wasn't a village secret, so Hiruzen quickly summarized the situation.
Kakuzu's sharp gaze scanned Hiruzen as he spoke. At only 24, Hiruzen was young, not particularly tall, but already exuding a steady and composed demeanor. Even in the face of Kakuzu's overwhelming presence, the young man maintained his poise. Impressive, for someone so green.
'Not bad,' Kakuzu thought. Though he couldn't help but wonder if the Fire Daimyō would share his sentiments. Would they really entrust the role of Hokage—such a critical position—to someone so young? It wouldn't be surprising if they demanded a village-wide vote for approval.
Still, with Tobirama Senju's prior endorsement and Hiruzen's undeniable talent, Kakuzu figured it was only a matter of time. Give him a year or two to prove himself, and Hiruzen would cement his place as the Third Hokage.
"Hmph. I see," Kakuzu finally said, patting Hiruzen on the shoulder. "Congratulations on becoming the Third Hokage. As your teacher said, head back to Konoha and ensure the flames of the village keep burning strong. I'll handle the situation ahead."
Hiruzen hesitated. He knew the bond between Kakuzu and their teacher, Tobirama, was deeper than he could comprehend. Kakuzu's appearance here couldn't be a coincidence.
"If that's your decision… then we'll leave it to you, Kakuzu-sama," Hiruzen said, his voice firm despite the grief welling inside him. The earlier explosion had left no doubt—their teacher's fate was grim. Yet Hiruzen knew his duty: to return to Konoha with the signed peace treaty from Kumogakure. That was what mattered most.
Danzo, standing beside him, clenched his fists. While mourning Tobirama was difficult enough, it was the realization that his own dreams of becoming Hokage had been crushed that cut even deeper. Kakuzu, noticing Danzo's somber expression, offered a rare moment of comfort.
"Don't brood, Danzo," Kakuzu said. "The position of Third Hokage is set in stone. Your teacher's decision is final. But remember, failure now doesn't mean failure forever."
He smirked faintly. "If you're capable, you might become the Fourth. Or the Fifth. If not the Fifth, well… you'll find your moment eventually."
Danzo's eyes widened. The weight in Kakuzu's words sparked a realization. A single setback didn't define a lifetime. As long as he lived, as long as Konoha endured, there would always be another opportunity to fulfill his ambitions.
"Understood, Kakuzu-sama," Danzo said, his voice resolute. "I will stand beside Hiruzen and protect our village."
Kakuzu nodded, satisfied. Watching both Hiruzen and Danzo steady themselves, he allowed himself a rare moment of optimism. Konoha's future seemed secure, at least for now.
After a brief farewell, Kakuzu turned and vanished into the distance. The team began their journey back to Konoha, their steps heavy yet purposeful.
A stretch of scorched earth lay ahead, smoke curling into the darkening sky. Kakuzu's boots crunched against the charred ground as he approached the scene of devastation.
"You're here." The voice was weak but resolute, as though its owner had been expecting him.
Kakuzu's eyes landed on the sole survivor of the clash: Tobirama Senju. Beside him lay Ginkaku, barely clinging to life.
Kakuzu sat cross-legged before Tobirama Senju, his gaze fixed on the bloodstained face of the man before him. The atmosphere between them was heavy, tinged with a thousand unspoken words. To be honest, both men were awash with complex emotions. Without realizing it, more than a decade had passed since they first crossed paths. They had fought against each other and even stood side by side in battle. Were they friends? Likely not. Were they enemies? Even less so. If one were to define their bond, it could only be described as a relationship that straddled the line between ally and adversary.
Tobirama exhaled slowly. "I know you're here to take my strength."
"Oh? When did you figure out my ability?" Kakuzu's tone was neutral, almost conversational.
A faint smile crept across Tobirama's lips. "Just now. I finally confirmed it."
Kakuzu had always been cautious about revealing the full extent of his abilities. In truth, there was only one person who had ever truly seen through him—Hyuga Tennin. Tobirama, on the other hand, had pieced it together through deduction and observation. It wasn't until Kakuzu's remark moments ago that everything clicked into place. For the first time, he understood the true power of the man who had been both a rival and a comrade for so many years.
"Will you… protect Konoha?" Tobirama's voice began to falter, but even now, the name of the village never left his lips. His unwavering loyalty to Konoha shone through to the very end.
Kakuzu nodded solemnly. "If you remain faithful to Konoha, Konoha will not abandon you."
"In the future, Konoha will continue to be the strongest village in the shinobi world," Kakuzu said, his tone firm and resolute. "It will protect more lives than ever before. The new generation it nurtures will surpass even us."
Kakuzu spoke of the Konoha he remembered, a vision etched deeply into his mind.
"Perhaps, in the end, this shinobi world will be just a little different from what we imagined," he admitted. "But you can rest easy. I'll handle what's left."
"Konoha will thrive." His voice was steady, carrying a conviction that could not be doubted. "Your brother's dream and the ideals of our generation—they will all come to fruition."
Hearing these words, Tobirama's lips parted slightly, his expression softening. He didn't believe Kakuzu was lying to him in his final moments. The confidence and certainty in Kakuzu's voice were unmistakable.
"The future… I leave it to you. Kakuzu… do it."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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