With festive music playing in the background, the bright red banner fluttered proudly in the wind. And standing there, smiling cheerfully, was none other than the Third Hokage of Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Surrounding him were rows of masked shinobi, each clad in distinctive grey flak jackets and tight black uniforms, the Konoha ANBU, the village's elite special ops. It almost felt like… they were being welcomed.
The crowd fell silent, their faces a mix of confusion and disbelief as they stared ahead. These were Konoha's elite forces, usually assigned to covert and high-priority missions. And yet, here they were, gathered at the gate for a ceremonial reception.
This level of honor… It was overwhelming. But what none of them knew was that Hiruzen had never intended for things to turn out this way.
Initially, he had expected the Grass Village to send just a team or two, an ordinary courtesy, a mere formality. But instead, they'd sent the Grass Village Leader himself. The question was, what did this mean? What kind of gesture was this?
A diplomatic visit? Or an implicit threat, meant to pressure Konoha into another lockdown? Honestly, in that moment… Hiruzen couldn't help but regret ever inviting this unpredictable crew in the first place. If they'd just embarrassed themselves a little, that would've been manageable, people would shrug it off. But this? This was quickly spiraling into something far more nerve-wracking.
To prevent any unnecessary drama right at the village gates, Hiruzen made a swift decision, he would personally keep a close eye on this group.
Originally, he had planned to quietly greet them and escort them to a secluded guest compound, far from the village center, just to keep things calm and contained.
After all, it was only supposed to be Uchiha Obito and the Grass Village Leader. Konoha could handle that. As long as everything stayed within expectations, there shouldn't have been any problems.
Just as he was making his way toward the gate, a loud, strange noise suddenly cut through the air. That voice, he instantly recognized it, and it startled him so much that he nearly dropped his pipe. He's here too?
Two of the three troublemakers from the Grass Village had shown up. What on earth were they after? World domination? Hiruzen couldn't help but feel the situation slipping dangerously out of control. Immediately, he dispatched several ANBU squads to the gate, just to be safe.
Without missing a beat, he had the banner unfurled, the music cued up, and ordered everyone to put on their best faces, creating the most welcoming show of Konoha hospitality they could muster.
"Apologies for the wait!" Hiruzen approached with a friendly smile, casually puffing on his pipe as he made his way to Akihiko and Hanzō. "I had to go somewhere urgently for a moment, nature's call, you know?"
"I wanted to personally welcome you all, so I asked the gate staff to hold things up for a bit. I didn't expect it to take this long. My sincerest apologies!" He chuckled lightly as he spoke.
There was something unsettlingly familiar about this situation. Akihiko and Hanzō exchanged a look, their expressions unreadable. Was it just them, or had Konoha changed? This level of hospitality made it hard for them to feel justified in complaining, let alone... starting a fight.
At that moment, Hanzō let out a deep sigh, his gaze sweeping the area before he spoke in a sincere tone. "Where is my old friend Danzō? I've come today only to check in on him." Another sigh followed. "It's been far too long. I've missed him dearly."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into a brief silence, then lifted his eyes with a light chuckle. "Ah, Danzō has fallen ill recently and is currently recovering. He's not in any condition to receive guests at the moment."
Though his words were casual, Hiruzen silently ordered one of his ANBU to inform Danzō to stay holed up in his base for the next few days. Whatever happens, do not come out. Konoha... really couldn't handle any more surprises today.
"Danzō is ill?" Hanzō's expression shifted at once, genuine concern clouding his face. "Is it serious? Is he alright? No, I must go see him myself. As an old friend, I even brought two premium-grade fish, they'll do wonders for his health!"
"N-no need!" Hiruzen quickly waved his hand, his eye twitching just slightly. "Danzō is… very ill. He's in no condition to receive visitors at the moment."
Visit? More like a hostage situation waiting to happen, Hiruzen muttered in his thoughts, silently cursing his past self for inviting this circus.
Desperate to divert the conversation before the so-called Legendary Shinobi escalated things, Hiruzen swiftly turned to Akihiko and said with a courteous smile, "Thank you, Leader Akihiko, for taking time out of your busy schedule to attend the Konoha Chūnin Exams. I'm certain your village's young talents will shine brilliantly in this year's exams."
"Hahaha, Third Hokage, you flatter us far too much!" Akihiko laughed lightly, but soon straightened his posture, clasping his hands behind his back as a more solemn expression took over. His gaze turned distant, colored with nostalgia.
"The bond between the Grass and Konoha stretches all the way back to the early days of the Hidden Villages. Back then, we were like family, standing shoulder to shoulder through war and peace alike."
He sighed, soft and wistful. "I still remember when Konoha was first founded… red armor gleaming, green tunics swaying in the wind… so much youthful vigor. We'd talk for hours, laugh like brothers. Everything was simpler then."
"Ah, yes, truly… such fond memories," Hiruzen echoed, smiling awkwardly as his eye twitched ever so slightly, watching the Grass Leader slip deeper into his sentimental performance.
This could take a while… he thought. The Grass Village was infamous for its speeches, useless, dramatic, and painfully long.
Before Akihiko could dive into chapter two of his historical monologue, Hiruzen cut in with impeccable timing, "Ah, yes! We've yet to be introduced to the promising young shinobi you've brought with you. For the great Leader Akihiko to personally accompany them… they must be exceptional. I'm truly looking forward to seeing them in action."
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Akihiko suddenly turned and glanced at Obito, who was casually scratching his ear like he had all the time in the world. "Let them out."
At those words, Hiruzen's expression shifted ever so slightly. He immediately understood, so that's where the Grass Village contestants had been kept, Kamui space. His gaze fell on Obito, filled with a tangled mix of memories and unspoken regrets.
Once one of Konoha's brightest… What a waste, Hiruzen sighed inwardly. Honestly, if he had the choice, he would've preferred Obito never return to Konoha at all.
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you~" Obito replied lazily, raising a hand. The air before them rippled like disturbed water and then, without warning,
"Are we there yet? Are we there? Hahaha! The great me is finally here!" a loud, overly enthusiastic voice exploded into the air.
Hiruzen's eye twitched violently. Before he could even brace himself, a blur of blond energy shot out from the distortion, grinning from ear to ear and striking a heroic pose.
Uzumaki Naruto? Hiruzen blinked in disbelief. The Grass Village actually sent… But no, something was different. This wasn't quite the same loudmouth troublemaker from before. He'd grown, noticeably, taller, sharper, and more self-confident.
With hands planted proudly on his hips, Naruto looked up at the village walls with a spark in his eye and shouted, "This time, I'm gonna show all those jerks who used to laugh at me just how awesome I really am!"
Even this kid… holds a grudge against Konoha? Hiruzen stared at Naruto, his expression complicated. He opened his mouth, perhaps to say something, when another voice cut in, cold and familiar. "Idiot."
Hiruzen stiffened. That voice… The youngest son of the Uchiha clan head? Uchiha Sasuke? His gaze immediately snapped to Akihiko. So they brought both of them…? His thoughts were interrupted again,
"Uncle Akihiko~!" Naruto and Sasuke called out in perfect unison, their tone casual, cheerful, even affectionate, as they walked right past Hiruzen without so much as a glance.
The Third Hokage's heart grew heavier. He turned back to Naruto, watching him with an almost wistful expression, then murmured quietly under his breath, "…Naruto."
The name slipped from his lips, soft and full of emotion. As soon as the words left his mouth,
"Huh? Old man Third, you're here too?" Naruto blinked in surprise, turning his head. His eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of Hiruzen, who was standing silently with that ever-complicated expression. Then, flashing a wide grin, he added, "Long time no see, old man! You've gotten even older, huh!"
Hiruzen's thoughtful demeanor cracked just a bit at Naruto's playful jab. He really has grown… To look me in the eye like this, without fear, without hesitation…
Letting out a quiet sigh, he softened his gaze and returned the smile. "It's been a while, Naruto. It seems the Grass Village has been good to you." He paused, just briefly. "About the past… I truly am sorry."
Naruto blinked, then waved him off with a big, carefree grin. "Eh, it's fine! It's fine!" he said cheerfully. "Besides, someone already promised they'd give you a good beating anyway!"
That last part caused Hiruzen to freeze."…What?" he asked, brows twitching in confusion.
"N-no, never mind! Haha, just forget I said that!" Naruto chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his head. "I really don't mind anymore, old man Third. I'm doing great in Grass. As for everyone else…" He raised a fist, his grin widening into a confident, almost defiant smile. "If anyone tries bullying me again, I'll knock 'em flat~"
Hiruzen's gaze softened as he listened, the change in Naruto undeniable. This child… He's truly grown.
"Naruto…" The words came out with a quiet sigh. Hearing him speak like this, so unburdened by the past, filled Hiruzen with a sense of both relief and an unexpected heaviness in his heart. So much time lost…
Yet, despite the ache that tugged at him, Hiruzen found it in himself to smile warmly. "Naruto, this will always be your home. No matter when, if you ever choose to return, Konoha will always welcome you."
He paused for a moment, watching Naruto, hoping the words would reach him, but also knowing deep down they never truly would. The boy standing before him, so different from the one he'd known, had already found his own path. A new life, a new future. And no matter how much Hiruzen wished otherwise, that path was no longer Konoha's.
And yet, just when Hiruzen thought Naruto would brush off his words with a cheerful grin, saying he had already found his future, something unexpected happened.
"Really?" Before Hiruzen could even react, Naruto's expression shifted, his usual cheeky grin replaced with an earnest look.
"You mean it? Really, Grandpa Third?" Naruto met Hiruzen's gaze, his eyes filled with sincerity and emotion. "Actually… I've always had a dream."
He tilted his head slightly toward the sky, a soft, determined smile forming. "Actually, I have always wanted to be Hokage one day. Grandpa Third, I've always wanted to come back. Maybe I should return."
The words hung in the air, and for a long moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood frozen, completely caught off guard. His warm, grandfatherly smile, just a moment ago so natural and comforting, was now stuck on his face, unable to move. Wait… Just a moment ago, Naruto had been calling him 'old man,' and now… it was 'Grandpa Third'?
Hiruzen's mind raced, a small laugh bubbling up despite himself. This kid... He sighed internally, his thoughts a little dazed. Why does he sound so much like a Grass Village kid now?