Where had that simple, kind-hearted child gone? The one who just wanted to be acknowledged by others? It had only been a few years, yet somehow, he had transformed so quickly.
Hiruzen found himself tuning out Naruto, who continued to chatter away beside him. Lines like, "Grandpa Third, I've always seen you as my real grandpa, I missed you so much!" and "Now that I'm back, can I be the next Hokage?" filled the air. Naruto's enthusiasm was unrelenting. "Don't worry, I'll be an amazing Hokage!"
But Hiruzen didn't pay attention to any of it. Instead, he took a long, contemplative drag from his pipe, the familiar motion grounding him for a moment. When he finally looked up, his gaze shifted toward the group of young shinobi stepping out one by one, nine in total.
It was clear that the Grass Village leader had sent one team each from three different villages. Other than that strange blackened child, most of the others seemed to be fresh Academy graduates. They were young, eager, and ready for what lay ahead, yet their faces still held that innocence, that fresh outlook. They reminded him of how things used to be.
Realizing this, Hiruzen finally allowed himself to breathe a little easier. "So it really is just the Chūnin Exams..." he thought, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly. "Maybe… just maybe, the Grass Village really did come with peaceful intentions."
Sure, two problematic figures had shown up without warning, but things hadn't spiraled into chaos. He could handle this. He'd simply assign a few trusted shinobi to discreetly monitor them. No need to escalate anything. This year, Konoha's only goal was to conduct a smooth, successful Chūnin Exam and formally announce the village's reopening to the rest of the ninja world.
Of course, Danzō would need to be kept under strict surveillance as well. Just in case someone got too sentimental and tried to smuggle him out again… As for everything else, well, they'd deal with it when the time came.
Putting on a calm, composed smile, Hiruzen turned once more to face the Grass Village leader.
"Such excellent children you've brought," Hiruzen said warmly, his voice carrying a genuine appreciation. "Now, allow me to make the necessary arrangements for, "
"Wait a moment!" The Grass Village leader cut in abruptly, turning his gaze to Uchiha Obito. "Where's the last one?"
"They're still packing," Obito replied with a slight frown. "Might take a bit longer."
Hiruzen's brows furrowed once again. More? Was the Grass Village really planning to send a fourth team? He wasn't particularly concerned, though. Most of Konoha's children were from prestigious clans, far more prepared than newly graduated genin. Many of them had already undergone extensive training, and some had even mastered their clan's secret techniques. A few were practically on Chūnin level already.
"There's still more?" Hiruzen said with a cheerful chuckle, trying to mask his growing curiosity. "Let's see them too! I'm sure they'll perform wonderfully in the exam."
Before he could finish his sentence, another familiar figure stepped forward. Rin Nohara? The Three-Tails' Jinchūriki?
Hiruzen froze for a moment. He hadn't expected to see her. Rin gave a polite bow and smiled warmly, "Long time no see, Lord Hokage!"
"So it really is you… Rin Nohara," Hiruzen murmured, his gaze softening, though there was a quiet complexity behind it. After a brief silence, he added, "I'm sorry… for what happened back then."
The sight of another Jinchūriki stirred unease within him, but seeing Rin, alive, healthy, and at peace, also brought a sense of unexpected relief.
Rin, however, shook her head with a smile, as if dismissing the past. "It's alright, Lord Hokage. I've been doing well in Grass Village. I'm proud to be a Grass-nin now."
"That's good… that's very good," Hiruzen sighed softly, relieved by Rin's words. Then, his gaze shifted back to Obito, and he said, "So then… that should be the last of, "
"There's one more!" Akihiko shouted, cutting him off once again.
Just as Hiruzen was about to respond, a familiar voice rang out, "Big sister, it's time to come out!"
"I heard you the first time!" With that, came a loud reply.
Two figures stepped forward, and Hiruzen's pupils immediately contracted. No way… These two? Elders of the Sand Village?
Chiyo, the elderly matriarch of the Sand, gave the village a slow once-over before locking eyes with Hiruzen. "Konoha hasn't changed much, has it?" she mused, her gaze then sharpening as she focused on him. "Long time no see, Lord Hokage. Sorry for the sudden visit. Hmm?"
She tilted her head, her expression sharp with observation. "You alright? You look like your heart's acting up."
"N-no, I'm… I'm fine!" Hiruzen stammered, taking a deep breath and even stretching his chest exaggeratedly, as if to prove he was perfectly healthy.
Fine? How could he possibly feel fine in this situation? Two Jinchūriki, two village leaders, one Uchiha powerhouse, and now two elders from the Sand Village? What exactly was the Grass Village leader trying to pull here? Invade Konoha?
Hiruzen trembled slightly as he forced himself to turn, offering a strained smile. "A-a-are there… any more guests?"
Akihiko's eyes narrowed, a curious expression crossing his face. "Nope, that's everyone. Hokage, what's wrong with you?"
"N-n-no one else?! That's good. That's great, N-n-no, I'm just feeling a little chilly! You know how it is when you get older, autumn's coming, and the cold gets into your bones! Old man problems, hahaha!" Hiruzen's hands trembled as he took a shaky puff from his pipe, forcing another smile to his face. "Well then, e-everyone… please come in!"
With that, he turned and began to lead the way into the village, but as he did, his eyes subtly flicked toward the nearby ANBU. His gaze was urgent, his expression tense. The moment they locked eyes, he gave them a swift, silent signal: 'Hurry! Deploy more ANBU! No, all of them! Get the Konoha Police Force too! And call in Danzo's Root members while you're at it!'
…
Meanwhile, at his production base in the Land of Waves, Danzo was meticulously reviewing sponsorship plans for the upcoming Chūnin Exams when a message from Hiruzen arrived.
"Stay put at the base?" he echoed, his expression darkening with irritation as he listened to the ANBU's report. "All this fuss just because a Grass Village leader and a so-called Uchiha traitor have shown up?" He scoffed, voice laced with contempt. "I am Danzo, Konoha's shadow. Why should I fear them?"
This was Konoha territory, after all. Did they truly believe anyone would be bold enough to attempt something reckless here? Besides, his operations in the Land of Waves had grown rapidly; the base's manufacturing capabilities were now nearly on par with those of the Grass Village. There was nothing to fear.
Just as he finished speaking, the ANBU operative hesitated, lowering his head slightly before adding, "There's also… the leader of the Rain Village. Hanzo is present as well."
Danzo's eyelid twitched involuntarily. Even the hand gripping his cane trembled slightly. What are those three doing here?
He scoffed, quickly dismissing his unease. "Hmph! So what if the leader of the Grass Village and the leader of the Rain Village are here? With both Hiruzen and myself present, what could possibly go wrong?"
The ANBU operative hesitated before speaking again, his voice lower than before. "...And the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki."
Danzo's body stiffened, his eyes narrowing at the mention of the Jinchūriki. For a brief moment, he was frozen.
The ANBU continued, his words heavy with concern. "...Plus, Chiyo and Ebizō, the elders of Sand Village."
Danzo stood motionless, his mouth slightly agape as the weight of the situation sank in. What is going on? His mind raced. Why would the Grass Village bring so many influential figures with them? Are they planning to invade Konoha?
"Danzo-sama! Danzo-sama!" The ANBU operative called out again, lifting his head with a hesitant expression, clearly debating whether to continue. "The Hokage also said… he hopes you'll mobilize Root to assist with, "
Before the sentence could be completed, Danzo suddenly let out a loud cough and turned his back sharply. "Ahem! I just remembered, I have several pressing matters to attend to here at the base," he said with utmost seriousness. "Inform Hiruzen that until the Chūnin Exams conclude, I won't be leaving this facility."
"Y-Yes, Danzo-sama!" the ANBU responded quickly, visibly relieved. Then, recalling something else, he added, "Also, the Hokage requests Root's assistance to, "
"This base hasn't been properly cleaned in years," Danzo interrupted, waving his hand with authority as he looked dramatically into the distance. "Tell Hiruzen that Root is undergoing a full-scale maintenance operation. Not a single operative can be spared at the moment. That's final, go now. I have critical matters to handle. I'm locking the doors."
The ANBU stood frozen in silence, speechless. Weren't you just saying you weren't afraid?
…
Elsewhere, completely unaware that their arrival had sent Konoha into a frenzy, the group from Grass Village cheerfully followed Hiruzen Sarutobi, oblivious to the tension they were unknowingly causing…
That is, until they arrived at a location that felt, well, a bit too familiar. Before them stood the former Uchiha compound. However, the sight that greeted them was unsettling. The area, now home to hastily constructed housing, seemed almost new, built not long ago, yet devoid of life. No other shinobi from the surrounding villages were in sight. It was eerily quiet. Just… them.
And, well, was it just them, or did the walls surrounding this place seem a little too thick? A little too high?
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