The sky was overcast, as though rain was about to fall.
Within the Senju compound, Akira and Tsunade stood behind Mito, staring in disbelief at the group of young shinobi standing before her.
I never even heard anything about peace talks…
So how did Tobirama suddenly leave with the Kage Guard to negotiate with Kumogakure?
Isn’t this supposed to be Tobirama’s destined death?
…This is bad.
Mito’s expression was equally grim as she looked at Hiruzen, Danzo, and the others.
“So you’re telling me…
that as the Kage Guard, you let the Second Hokage remain behind to cover your retreat?” Hiruzen was still far from the composed leader he would one day become.
Mito’s words alone were enough to make his face burn with shame, but he still forced himself to nod.
He carefully recounted everything that had happened during the retreat, emphasizing how he had volunteered to stay behind as the decoy, only to be stopped by Tobirama, who had instead entrusted Konoha to him.
“Mito-sama…
Sensei appointed me the Third Hokage before the battle.
I’ve come today to ask for your support.” Mito sighed softly and waved a hand.
“You have my support.
As for everything else…
handle it yourself.” Relief flickered across Hiruzen’s face.
With Mito’s endorsement, the rest would merely be details on his path to becoming Hokage.
After Hiruzen and the others departed, Tsunade’s eyes turned red as she threw herself into Mito’s embrace.
“Mito-obasan…
will Second Grandpa come back alive?” She knew the odds of survival were slim, yet a tiny sliver of hope still remained.
What if…?
Mito gently stroked Tsunade’s golden hair.
“Little Tsunade…
everyone dies eventually.
The only difference is when.” Akira rolled his eyes.
Worst comfort ever.
He looked at Tsunade and said confidently, “The Second Hokage will come back.
Trust me, Tsunade.” Her tear-filled eyes looked up at him.
“Really?” Akira nodded without hesitation.
“Have I ever lied to you?” She nodded in return, choosing to believe him.
Even so, judging by her expression, she wasn’t truly convinced.
She simply slumped weakly against Mito’s lap.
Akira didn’t mind.
Because he genuinely believed Senju Tobirama wasn’t dead.
Every morning before class, he and Tsunade had a habit of making tiny wagers over random things.
He had never lost once.
When Hiruzen mentioned Tobirama staying behind to cover their escape, Akira had indeed been startled.
The news of the peace negotiations between Konoha and Kumogakure had been kept under such tight wraps that he hadn’t heard the slightest rumor.
Otherwise, he would have warned Tobirama no matter what.
But after the initial shock, he quickly remembered this morning’s little bet.
He had won again.
Which meant…
everything was still fine.
According to Tsunade’s “luck,” every time she won, she lost someone important.
Since she hadn’t won today, there was a very good chance Tobirama was still alive.
It sounded absurdly superstitious…
But Tsunade’s fate had always worked in ridiculously unreasonable ways.
There was something else as well.
During the development of the S-rank forbidden technique, the Yang Seal, Kagami had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Yet Kagami hadn’t returned with Hiruzen’s group.
That meant he had most likely gone to reinforce the Second Hokage.
A Mangekyo Sharingan wielder fighting alongside the Second Hokage should be more than enough to deal with the Gold and Silver Brothers…
Provided Madara didn’t interfere.
At this point in history, Madara had only recently survived death through Izanagi, sacrificing one of his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan in the process.
He was probably hiding somewhere researching how to combine Senju and Uchiha power to achieve true perfection.
His remaining eyes shouldn’t have evolved into the Rinnegan yet.
He wouldn’t have time to meddle in the Ninja World.
The Rinnegan wouldn’t appear in Nagato until after the Second Great Ninja War, still nearly twenty years away.
After thinking everything through, Akira finally relaxed.
Right there in Mito’s courtyard, he quietly resumed his daily training.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ News that Tobirama had stayed behind spread throughout Konoha after Hiruzen’s return, throwing the village into political turmoil.
There were quite a few people during this era who coveted the position of Third Hokage.
Especially the heads of the major clans.
Before anyone could make a move…
Senju Tobirama returned.
Alongside Uchiha Kagami.
The brewing storm ended before it could truly begin.
After returning, Tobirama made it clear that he had no intention of remaining Hokage.
The events of this mission had convinced him that it was time to hand the village over to a younger generation worthy of protecting it.
As for himself…
He intended to spend his time pursuing what truly interested him.
Researching bloodline limits.
Researching ninjutsu.
If Kagami hadn’t risked his life to save him, he never would have returned alive.
The Sharingan truly was extraordinary.
It could elevate an elite jonin to Kage-level combat power with astonishing ease.
That definitely deserves further study.
Thus, the succession of the Third Hokage proceeded as originally planned.
With Tobirama personally overseeing the transition, no one dared voice any objections.
No one in Konoha had any desire to experience the Second Hokage’s methods firsthand.
When Akira heard that Tobirama had returned safely, he breathed a sigh of relief.
As a civilian-born shinobi, he naturally supported the Hokage’s authority.
Besides…
He still intended to marry Tsunade someday.
So having the Second Hokage alive was unquestionably for the best.
Not only was Tobirama a far more reassuring figure than Hiruzen in both strength and political skill…
Even if he did absolutely nothing for the next twenty years…
Who knew how many more forbidden techniques he would invent?
The thought alone was exciting.
Hiruzen soon began preparing to assume the office of Third Hokage.
Meanwhile, Tobirama established a new Technical Research Department, intending to devote himself to it from then on.
He had absolute confidence in Hiruzen’s abilities.
In Tobirama’s eyes, Hiruzen had already acquired the resolve necessary to bear the burden of the Hokage and no longer needed his teacher directing everything from the foreground.
More importantly…
Now that a successor had been chosen, remaining in power himself would only create overlapping authority.
Eventually, such situations often ended with teacher and student turning their blades against one another.
Stepping into the background was the wiser choice.
Only then could Hiruzen establish genuine authority instead of existing as nothing more than a puppet.
Tobirama understood his own strengths better than anyone.
Developing forbidden techniques.
Understanding ninjutsu.
Those were his true talents.
Managing a village had never been his passion.
After transferring several capable personnel into the Technical Research Department, Tobirama drastically reduced his public appearances.
He deliberately refrained from interfering in village politics, hoping to force Hiruzen to mature more quickly into a leader capable of standing on his own.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The day Sarutobi Hiruzen officially became the Third Hokage dawned beneath clear blue skies.
Nearly everyone in Konoha gathered to witness the ceremony.
Before the eyes of the entire village, Hiruzen donned the Hokage cloak.
Standing before him, Tobirama removed the Hokage’s hat and placed it into his student’s hands.
“Monkey…
protect those who admire the village and place their faith in you.
Then nurture them…
so they may carry the next generation.” “Yes, sir!” Sarutobi Hiruzen placed the Hokage’s hat upon his head.
Standing atop the Hokage Office, he looked down over the village below.
The people erupted into thunderous cheers.