At the Leaf Village Hospital.
An old man's eyes slowly opened. That old man was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He blinked several times, unsure of his surroundings.
As his sheets rustled, the scent of antiseptic and the sight of medical equipment made him understand that he was currently hospitalized.
The last thing he remembered was the Chūnin Exams.
Just then, a nurse entered the room, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of him awake.
"Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, rushing to his side.
After checking his vitals, she then dashed out of the room to call for the doctor.
Hiruzen sat there in an attempt to gather his thoughts. Almost everything felt like a disjointed nightmare—memories involving the Reaper Death Seal and the reanimated versions of past Hokage.
Even now, his body felt oddly foreign to him. It was heavy as if he hadn't moved in ages.
Soon after, instead of a doctor coming in, familiar faces began to fill the room: Homura, Koharu, and Tsunade all entered with mixed expressions.
"Hiruzen-sensei!" Tsunade exclaimed, breaking into a smile.
"Hiruzen!" Koharu repeated. "You're awake! How do you feel?"
"I'm honestly getting too old for this," he chuckled, his laugh sounding more like a cough, "but I suppose death can wait a little longer."
Koharu, trying to maintain a semblance of seriousness, interjected, "That's not funny, Hiruzen. We were all worried sick."
A lighthearted banter exchanged between them as Hiruzen's gaze fell on Tsunade, who wore a look of earnest concern.
"It's good to see you back in the village, Tsunade," he said. He had expected her to be off gambling elsewhere, but seeing her here filled him with gratitude. "I suspect you're the one who helped bring me back to health."
"I helped as much as I could, but I wasn't sure if you would pull through."
"Indeed," Homura added. "We're just thankful you did."
The warmth of their presence enveloped him, pushing back the uncertainty that had plagued his thoughts during that comatose state.
"How long have I been out?" he asked, scanning their faces for answers.
"A few months," Homura replied.
Hiruzen's heart sank at the thought of lost time. "And Orochimaru? What about the Genin who helped me—are they safe?"
"Orochimaru fled after having his arms sealed," Koharu informed. "William and Margaret are no longer Genin—they've been promoted to Chūnin for their efforts in aiding you."
Hiruzen felt grateful at the mention of the two young shinobi. But he also felt troubled by Orochimaru's escape.
"I'm glad to hear they made it through," he said with a faint smile. "What else has happened while I was hospitalized?"
The elders wasted no time explaining the recent developments as he listened. For one, they shared how Tsunade had taken on the mantle of the fifth Hokage, which he had more than approved of upon hearing that news.
"Excellent choice," he said, nodding. "She's the right person for the job after Jiraiya." That named begged Hiruzen to ask, "Speaking of him, is he still in the village?"
"Yes," they chorused.
"He's taken on two students," Tsunade added, "William and Naruto."
Hiruzen's brow raised thoughtfully. Then he felt warmth in his chest at the fact that Naruto had found a relatable mentor. To think it would be Hiruzen's own student and Minato's former teacher.
"These are all good news," he mused. "Of course, I have no intention of returning as the Hokage with Tsunade present."
"Don't try to shirk off on duties of being the village elder," Koharu exclaimed. "Now that you're up, you'll be assisting in rebuilding the village's security."
"Let's at least let the man rest," Homura commented.
While funny, Hiruzen pondered about another event they had mentioned to him.
"You're right on the security," he said. "It makes me worry about Sasuke Uchiha since he's left the village… Itachi won't respond so well after he finds out."
"Itachi Uchiha?!" Tsunade wondered with curiosity. After exchanging a glance with Homura and Koharu, she had to ask, "How does he relate to this situation?"
"We've been meaning to tell you, Tsunade," Koharu slowly said. "It's time we discuss the truth about the Uchiha Massacre that occurred so many years ago."
Clearly there was more to the Uchiha's story than she understood. But before they could delve deeper into that conversation, Hiruzen remembered something.
Or rather, someone.
"Wait, what happened to Arthur Bennett?"
"Arthur…" Koharu began, shifting her tone. "He tried to go after Naruto and the others during a mission some time ago. Thankfully, the boy had help come just in time, and they disposed of Arthur Bennett."
"He died?!" Hiruzen asked.
"Yes," Homura confirmed.
The revelation struck the former Kage, shocking him to his core. So he leaned back against the pillows, struggling to process what he had just heard.
Eyes closed, he could almost see Arthur's serious, emotionless eyes staring directly into his soul as he'd proclaimed himself a villain moments before the invasion.
"I had hoped that if captured," he finally said, "I could have guided him back from that dark path he was."
Tsunade, who had never met Arthur, understood from reports that he had so much potential. Enough, everyone believed, to have been a strong force for good.
Koharu and Homura traded somber glances, recognizing Hiruzen's disappointment.
Before things became more melodramatic, the door burst open as a high sense of energy poured into the room.
"Gramps!" Naruto called out, rushing forward with enthusiasm.
The sound of his voice rang through the hospital, breaking the oppressive mood that had settled over the room.
The elders all turned, only to see Margaret, Alice, William, and Jada accompanying the blonde boy.
"How did you all know he was awake?" Tsunade asked.
Margaret explained, glancing back at Alice, "Mom can sense almost anything happening in the village at any given time when she chooses."
"Mom?" Hiromu said, looking at Alice.
"I'm sorry if it seems like I'm always spying," she defended. "I was just surprised when I sensed lord Third awake."
Koharu looked at Margaret and then back at Alice, astonished. "You mean, you can sense everything? We had no idea about that."
In truth, Alice's sensing ability was limited. For instance, it couldn't always be kept active without chakra. And areas that were sealed off couldn't be seen through.
"That's just what we do," Margaret shrugged.
"Still," Homura interjected. "We would appreciate it if you kept this matter hidden for a while."
"But why?!" Naruto asked.
"Because," Tsunade answered, "we need some time to get Hiruzen up to speed before announcing his recovery to the rest of the village."
Now he understood: in doing what Tsunade explained, it will lift the village's spirits up.
The young group soon began departing the room after confirming their former Kage's well-being. Hiruzen watched them leave with a sense of hope and much gratitude for having helped him during what was supposed to be his demise.
Outside, Alice caught Jada's eye, signaling that they needed to discuss matters privately.
"Will, you need to be there, too," she said, motioning for him to follow.
Naruto, his face scrunching up in confusion, spoke up, "How come every time something important comes up, the four of you secretly go off somewhere?" His tone was more of a playful annoyance as he crossed his arms tightly, pouting. "Are we actually friends?"
"Naruto," giggled Jada, "it's just something you're better off not knowing right now."
"Oh yeah?" he pressed.
"Yeah," Margaret agreed, "we're just working on some projects at home, is all."
"Like what?"
Alice answered, "Maybe it's best if you don't worry too much about it. But you could join us next time. Just not this time." Naruto's eyes widened as if he were about to berate them until she added, "Don't worry! I actually have a job for you."
"What's that?"
"I think it would be safe to let Konohamaru know about Hiruzen. You guys can also hang out together."
As he began to give thought to that, his earlier expression lighted.
Jada, William, and Margaret knew that Naruto and the third Hokage's grandson had never had the proper chance to bond. If they wanted to make sure relationships were the same (if not better) like in the lore, this was a great opportunity.
"Alright," he agreed. "I'll let him know! But you guys better let me in on this project!"