In the heart of the Land of Fire, deep within Konoha’s central district, stood an ancient Japanese-style estate.
Its walls were constructed from aged dark timber resting atop gray stone foundations, while rows of deep slate-colored roof tiles lined the rooftops above.
Small bronze bells hung from the corners of the eaves, swaying gently in the wind and producing only the faintest chimes.
The residence possessed none of the ostentatious grandeur associated with nobility.
Yet it carried something far more imposing—
The weight of decades.
The weight of history.
The weight of authority.
Even passing shinobi instinctively lowered their voices and softened their footsteps whenever they approached the estate, unwilling to disturb its tranquility.
Deep within the residence, inside a quiet meditation chamber, a woman sat cross-legged upon a plain cushion.
Her long crimson hair was elegantly gathered into a high bun.
She wore a traditional kimono of understated elegance.
From the hairpins on either side of her head hung strips of paper covered in intricate sealing formulas.
At the center of her forehead rested a diamond-shaped mark, shining like a crimson gemstone.
Her eyes were closed as she quietly meditated.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside.
“Come in.”
Before the visitor could knock, she spoke first.
Clearly, she had sensed their presence long ago.
“Yes, Lady Mito.”
A respectful female voice answered from beyond the door.
The paper sliding door opened softly.
A young attendant with bright red hair and a pale-colored kimono stepped inside and bowed deeply.
“Has there been any news from the battlefield?”
The woman slowly opened her eyes.
Those calm yet profound eyes settled upon the attendant below.
She was none other than Uzumaki Mito.
Ever since news of Tobirama Senju’s disappearance reached Konoha, a strange atmosphere had settled over the village.
Fear.
Anxiety.
Uncertainty.
All of it lingered in the air.
After all, Konoha had originally been founded around the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha clans.
Following Madara Uchiha’s defection, the Senju brothers had become the unquestioned leaders of the village—both politically and spiritually.
Even after Hashirama passed away due to his accumulated injuries, there had still been Tobirama Senju to carry the burden.
Compared to his elder brother’s kindness and compassion, Tobirama inspired a very different kind of confidence.
Or perhaps fear.
His ruthless efficiency.
His cold pragmatism.
His endless arsenal of bizarre and dangerous techniques.
Those qualities made people wary of him in a way Hashirama never could.
And that was precisely why Tobirama had been able to suppress the powerful veteran clans born during the Warring States Era and keep the other Great Nations in check.
Because—
If Hashirama Senju got angry, the worst outcome was usually getting beaten senseless and thrown into prison.
But if Tobirama Senju got angry…
There was a very real possibility that he would revive your ancestors with the Reanimation Technique and send them charging at you with endless Explosive Tags strapped to their bodies.
In that regard, Tobirama’s reputation had always been remarkably consistent.
Anyone who doubted it only needed to ask the Uchiha.
Now, however…
The man who had stood as Konoha’s shield and deterrent for so many years had suddenly vanished.
And with his disappearance, the entire village had begun to tremble beneath the surface.
With Tobirama’s disappearance, the shadow of the Warring States Era once again loomed over every villager in Konoha.
People could not help but wonder:
After losing two Hokage in succession, did Konoha still possess the strength to withstand the ambitions of its enemies?
And beyond that…
Another issue occupied everyone’s thoughts.
The position of the Third Hokage.
If Tobirama truly perished, who would inherit the mantle?
Would the next Hokage once again be selected from the Senju clan?
Or would the position be opened for public selection among Konoha’s elite shinobi?
These questions became the center of countless discussions.
In many ways, Tobirama’s disappearance was like a boulder crashing into a tranquil lake.
The resulting waves exposed ambitions that had long been hidden beneath the surface.
Fortunately, Uzumaki Mito still remained.
Without her suppressing the unrest, the village would likely have descended into complete chaos by now.
At that thought, a trace of fatigue flashed through Mito’s eyes.
The old foxes who had survived since the Warring States Era were not easy opponents.
Every one of them was experienced, cunning, and patient.
But the emotion vanished almost as quickly as it appeared.
As Hashirama Senju’s widow…
As the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki…
She had a duty to continue protecting the village her husband had built with his own hands.
“Lady Mito, a report from the front lines.”
The red-haired attendant lowered her head respectfully.
“The Second Hokage chose to remain behind alone in order to secure the village’s future and hold back Kinkaku’s elite forces.”
“Before departing, he entrusted the position of Hokage to his disciple, Shimura Danzō.”
“This is a handwritten letter sent through his summoning beast.”
Kneeling formally on the floor, the attendant carefully presented the letter.
The flickering candlelight danced across Mito’s face as she accepted it.
She carefully examined the handwriting.
Then she verified the chakra signature attached to it.
Only after a long silence did she close the letter.
“So he chose to stay behind…”
A faint sigh escaped her lips.
“It was both unexpected…”
“And exactly what I should have expected.”
A trace of sorrow appeared in her eyes.
No one understood Tobirama better than she did.
To outsiders, he appeared cold, calculating, and ruthless.
But beneath that harsh exterior, he had inherited Hashirama’s Will of Fire just as completely.
Even when he knew that his own survival would benefit the village more…
He had still chosen to place his hopes in the next generation.
Just as his brother once had.
However…
One thing surprised her.
Danzō.
The final choice had been Danzō.
Mito’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.
She had discussed this topic with Tobirama before.
Although he never stated it outright, she had always sensed that he leaned more toward Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor.
Hiruzen’s balanced abilities.
His steady temperament.
His ability to unite people.
All of those qualities made him seem like the safer choice.
Otherwise, Tobirama would never have accepted Tsunade as his personal student.
Yet in the end…
The one he chose was Danzō.
Had something happened on the battlefield?
Mito couldn’t help but wonder.
Still, she would never question Tobirama’s judgment.
If he had made that decision, then there must have been a reason.
Looking toward the attendant, she asked calmly,
“Where is Danzō now?”
The attendant lowered her head even further.
“After separating from Lord Hokage, Danzō led his team to rescue Senior Senju Bu and the forces surrounded by Cloud rebel shinobi.”
“He also killed the Giant Insect Ninja, Kakui.”
“He has already returned to the Land of Fire and successfully made contact with the border defense forces.”
“Oh?”
For the first time, genuine surprise appeared on Mito’s face.
She hadn’t expected that young man to be capable of such a feat.
Of course, from her perspective as the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, such accomplishments were not particularly extraordinary.
A shinobi like Kakui…
She could crush with one hand.
But under the current circumstances, the significance was completely different.
Daring to break through an enemy encirclement.
Rescuing trapped comrades.
Killing a renowned Cloud commander.
Those actions proved something important.
The man chosen as the Third Hokage was no ordinary mediocrity.
He was a shinobi who had inherited the Will of Fire.
A worthy successor.
“Then release the news.”
Mito narrowed her eyes slightly.
Her voice remained calm, but it carried unmistakable authority.
“Tell them all…”
“That no matter how dark the times become, Konoha will never lack heroes willing to step forward.”
The attendant bowed even deeper.
As someone who had served Mito for many years, she understood exactly what those words meant.
The rumors and political maneuvering spreading throughout the village recently…
Had truly angered her.
And when Uzumaki Mito became angry…
Few people in Konoha could withstand the consequences.
Before long, under the guidance of influential figures within the village, stories of Danzō’s deeds spread throughout Konoha.
His rescue of the trapped forces.
His victory against Kakui.
His courageous breakout through enemy lines.
And most importantly—
The news that Tobirama Senju had personally designated him as the next Hokage.
Soon, everyone knew his name.
The entire village turned its attention toward the young Hokage candidate.
As Konoha stood at the crossroads of uncertainty and war, people could not help but wonder—
What path would this future Hokage choose?
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