"Forget it. I'm done fighting."
Gaara, now back to his original form, collapsed weakly to the ground, clearly overwhelmed by Naruto's Talk-no-Jutsu–infused fists.
By the time Jiraiya arrived, the emotional exchange between the two Jinchuriki had already ended. According to ancient legend from the era of the Sage of Six Paths, chakra had the power to connect people through emotion. What had just transpired could not have been more fitting.
With Orochimaru's identity exposed, the remaining Sand shinobi lost all will to fight. Weapons dropped to the ground as the truth sunk in.
Jonin Maki, representing the Sand, formally surrendered to Konoha. He was exhausted physically, but far more drained mentally. His expression said it all: What the hell were we even here for?
The details of the treaty would have to wait for the Sand Elders to sort out.
Honestly, this entire affair bordered on comedy. The Fourth Kazekage had marched in full of ambition, eager to strike Konoha with Orochimaru. He never even reached the village before becoming the first casualty of the war.
Thus ended the Sand's collapse plan.
After capturing the remaining Sound shinobi and sealing Orochimaru for transport to the prison, the village finally began to settle.
The First and Second Hokage didn't return to the Pure Land right away.
Sarutobi Hiruzen led his two Edo Tensei–resurrected teachers through Konoha's now-bustling streets, including the rapidly developing Ninja Academy district, while explaining his next major plan as the Third Hokage: the Ninja Academy City Project.
Trailing behind were mostly administrative officials, like Iruka, who had the makings of a Hokage ever since he was young. He helped fill in the details during Hiruzen's presentation.
The First Hokage was thoroughly impressed with how far Konoha had come. Despite the recent turmoil, the village was clearly more prosperous than it had been in his time.
Upon hearing about the Ninja Academy City, Hashirama practically beamed. He praised Hiruzen, calling him a worthy successor of both his and Tobirama's will. "Even thought of promoting cultural influence? Genius. Pure genius."
Looking at the Hokage Rock, carved with the faces of himself, his brother, the Monkey, and the young Fourth Hokage, Hashirama sighed with heartfelt admiration.
"It's a shame the Fourth died so young, but you've done a wonderful job, Monkey. You've carried so much. If I'd thought of something back then, maybe things between me and Madara wouldn't have ended the way they did."
Tobirama's expression was more complicated. "You've changed a lot, Monkey."
He noticed something… off.
No sign of Homura, Koharu, Kagami, or Danzo.
There was a detailed briefing about the Hyuga clan's current status, yet no mention at all of the Uchiha.
And Hiruzen's body… far too young.
Not to mention the shady aura clinging to that one particular former student of his.
Something must have happened.
But Tobirama said nothing.
The dead had no right to meddle in the affairs of the living.
Then Hashirama, suddenly curious, asked, "So what about the Uchiha? They haven't given you any trouble, right?"
"…No," Hiruzen replied.
"How are they doing?"
"Uchiha Sasuke is quite popular at the Ninja Academy." Hiruzen's eyes drifted, obviously dodging the real answer.
The cursed legacy of Shimura Danzo still lingered like a bad dream.
But surely, one couldn't blame a kind, gentle old man like Sarutobi Hiruzen, right? Even when Obito, a known mass murderer, tried to brainwash Sasuke and paint Konoha as evil, he didn't even try to blame Hiruzen. He actually called him the only one who tried to help the Uchiha!
Yes, that's it. That would be the argument for the forums tonight.
"Do you remember Danzo, Lord First?"
Hiruzen looked into Hashirama's eyes and decided to begin the tale from Uchiha Shisui.
"And that's how it all happened."
Hashirama sighed. "Tobirama, your student… was far too extreme and narrow-minded."
Tobirama didn't respond immediately. He looked at Hiruzen for a long time before finally speaking.
"Monkey… how could you, as Hokage, let yourself be dragged around by your subordinates?"
No! Not that look, Sensei! Damn you, Danzo, for your endless misdeeds!
"Forget it. You're the Hokage now," Tobirama said after a pause. He had wanted to say more, but in the end, decided against it. After all, Hiruzen had been in power for decades. It was too late to scold him now.
The conversation became awkward. Sensing this, Sarutobi threw out one last bombshell and dismissed everyone else. He lowered his voice and said to his two teachers, "Sensei… Konoha might still need your strength."
He selectively explained parts of what had happened recently.
"I've discovered a strange space. The state I'm in now is connected to it. Maybe…"
Hashirama, true to his nature, was fascinated. Subspace? Otherworld commissions? Navy-themed crossover universes? He was eating it up.
"Monkey, that's enough. It's time for us to go," Tobirama interrupted, cutting Sarutobi off mid-sentence. Whatever it was, the dead shouldn't interfere with the world of the living. As the current Hokage, Sarutobi needed to solve things on his own.
"…Also, Uchiha Madara is still alive."
Tobirama's expression instantly darkened.
The affairs of the living should not concern the dead except when it involved the Uchiha.
Only then did the two previous Hokage finally return to the afterlife.
Standing atop the high platform, facing the Fire Shadow Rock glowing in the evening sun, Hiruzen overlooked the entire village.
"Monkey… you must protect and love this village. You must believe in the people who live in it…"
"And you must raise someone who can inherit the next era…"
"Starting tomorrow… you will be…"
"Hokage," Hiruzen murmured, lost in memory. "Sensei, I'm doing it now."
The sun dipped below the horizon. Night fell.
Sarutobi Hiruzen scrolled through the Hokage Forum, reading threads tearing into him. For once, he didn't bother defending himself.
His own weakness really had played a major role in many tragedies. Had he been just a regular person or even just an average Jonin he might've truly been a kind man.
But he was the Hokage. The leader of Konoha.
He exhaled and gave a like to a post titled: "Sarutobi Hiruzen is the real culprit behind Konoha's tragedies."
He wasn't in the mood to argue anymore.
That was, until he saw this:
"Sarutobi Hiruzen's combat ability is trash. Isn't he just a mini version of Kakuzu?"
Now that crossed a line.
He replied: "How does Orochimaru compare to Kakuzu? He admitted himself he'd be one-shotted by the Third. Kakuzu's just a budget Kakashi. He's not even in the same league."
He was just about to post more receipts, like "The God Tree that took Tobirama going all-out to break? Hiruzen just smashed it with a staff," when
The thread owner deleted his comment.
His blood pressure spiked instantly.
Meanwhile, in a Konoha prison cell, a one-eyed, one-armed Shimura Danzo unfolded the newspaper. Today's issue was especially thick.
Two bold headlines stood out.
"Fourth Kazekage Dead, Sand Seeks Peace, Rogue Orochimaru Captured."
"Hmph. Not bad, Hiruzen."
"Former Hokage Greats Praise Hiruzen, Condemn Shimura Danzo as Radically Narrow-Minded."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, I swear to-!!