After an amount of time Kiseki could not determine, he finally emerged from his daze. He was still struggling to process everything his father had just revealed to him.
He took a deep breath and raised his gaze.
—Yes, Father. I'll do everything in my power to restore the Haruno Clan to its former greatness.
A warm smile appeared on Kizashi's face.
—Well said. That's my son.
However, his expression immediately changed, becoming completely serious.
—But what I'm about to tell you is even more important. Never use your Kekkei Genkai in front of other people. And if you are ever forced to use it… make sure no one is left alive to tell anyone about it.
A chill ran down Kiseki's spine.
—Although Konoha may seem like a safe place, there is a darkness hidden within its shadows that would do anything to obtain power. They would not hesitate to capture children, brainwash them, and turn them into tools.
The moment Kiseki heard those words, he immediately understood who his father was referring to, Danzō Shimura.
Just as Kizashi had said, most people had already forgotten about the Haruno Clan and its Kekkei Genkai. Even so, Kiseki was certain that records of them must still exist somewhere within Konoha's secret archives. And even if no such records remained, simply possessing a bloodline limit would be enough to attract Danzō's attention.
"If he discovers my Shōton… he'll try to turn me into a member of Root."
Kiseki had no doubt about it.
—Do you understand, Kiseki? —Kizashi asked.
The boy nodded firmly.
—Yes, Father. I promise I'll keep this power hidden and only use it when I have no other choice.
He hesitated for a moment.
—But… if I can't use it in front of anyone, how am I supposed to train it?
A faint smile appeared on Kizashi's face.
—With me.
Kiseki's eyes widened slightly.
—Starting tomorrow, we'll train every day. Your bloodline is exceptionally pure, and although I don't possess the talent or power your great-grandfather once had, I can still teach you everything I know.
Kizashi stood and held out his hand to his son.
—Come on, Kiseki. It's time to leave.
Together, they left the hidden sanctuary of the Tree of Crystal Petals and returned to the surface.
Over the following days, Konoha slowly began to rise from the ruins.
Shinobi and civilians worked side by side, clearing away rubble, rebuilding homes, and repairing the walls that had been destroyed during the Nine-Tails' attack.
The village was still wounded, but little by little, it was beginning to breathe again.
Hokage's Office
Inside the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi was meeting with Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzō Shimura to discuss the measures needed to rebuild the village and strengthen its defenses.
The death of the Fourth Hokage had left Konoha more vulnerable than ever.
If any of the Five Great Nations decided to take advantage of that weakness…
The consequences would be disastrous.
Before they could continue the meeting, three knocks echoed from the door.
—Come in.
An ANBU appeared before them, kneeling on one knee.
—Hokage-sama. Urgent information has arrived from the border with Kumogakure.
The atmosphere in the room changed instantly.
—Leave it here.
The ANBU handed over a sealed scroll before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
Hiruzen broke the security seal and began to read.
Little by little, the old man's face hardened. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened, and his expression grew increasingly grim.
Homura was the first to speak.
—What happened, Hiruzen?
Without answering, the Third Hokage handed him the scroll while slowly taking out his pipe.
He then took a long drag.
Homura's eyes widened.
—What…?
Koharu took the scroll from him and read the report.
The first two defensive lines along the border with Kumogakure had fallen.
The third was barely holding.
—How is that possible?! —Homura exclaimed—. It has only been two days since the Nine-Tails' attack. The news should not have reached Kumo this quickly. An assault of this scale should have taken them several days to organize at the very least.
Koharu slowly shook her head.
—Remember that Kumogakure possesses secret techniques capable of transmitting information across great distances. They must have used one of them.
Throughout the entire conversation, Danzō remained completely silent.
After all, during the Fourth Hokage's administration, Root had officially been disbanded, and Danzō had lost all military authority.
Finally, Hiruzen spoke.
—Danzō.
The elderly man raised his gaze.
—You will leave for the front immediately.
Everyone turned to look at him.
—I'll give you five hundred shinobi. I cannot spare any more than that. We are already mobilizing forces throughout the Land of Fire to prevent another village from attempting an invasion.
Danzō remained silent for several seconds before responding.
—Hiruzen… have you forgotten that the Fourth Hokage disbanded Root? I am nothing more than an ordinary adviser now.
Hiruzen looked directly into his eyes.
—I am not in the mood to argue.
His voice was firm.
—Gather your former men. Rebuild Root if necessary.
He struck the table lightly with his hand.
—But go and defend that border.
A smile slowly appeared on Danzō's face.
—That is acceptable.
A cold gleam appeared in his eyes.
—Those Kumogakure bastards dared to set their sights on Konoha…
He rose from his seat.
—I'll make them regret it.
Without another word, Danzō left the office.
Once the door closed behind him, Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance.
—Are you certain about this, Hiruzen? —Homura asked.
The Third Hokage released a long sigh.
—What other choice do I have?
He looked out through the window.
—Neither Jiraiya nor Tsunade has sent a single message.
Homura clicked his tongue.
—Your students always do whatever they please. You should declare them traitors. They are never here when Konoha needs them.
The words had barely left his mouth when an immense pressure flooded the room.
Hiruzen's killing intent forced both Homura and Koharu into silence.
—I would never do that.
His voice was cold.
—They are my students… and two of Konoha's legendary Sannin.
The old man turned his attention back toward the window.
—Besides… even if Jiraiya might not react strongly to something like that, Tsunade would be different.
His expression turned bitter.
—After all, the Senju Clan disappeared under our leadership… and we also failed to help the Uzumaki Clan when they needed us most.
The room fell completely silent.
—The other clans may pretend that nothing happened. But if we declared the last descendant of the Senju Clan a traitor… especially when that person is Princess Tsunade…
He slowly shook his head.
—Konoha would not survive the consequences.
Homura and Koharu immediately understood Hiruzen's point of view.
Finally, Homura spoke.
—I understand. I will handle the logistics and arrange for supplies to be sent to the front.
He stood from his seat.
—I'll take my leave.
Koharu followed his example.
—I will supervise the hospital and the treatment of the wounded.
The two of them left the office.
When the door closed once again, Hiruzen was left completely alone.
He slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke from his pipe.
"I don't understand…"
Only ten years ago, Konoha had stood at the height of its power.
Now, the village seemed to be slowly falling apart.
His thoughts turned to Sakumo Hatake.
He had never wanted things to end that way. He had merely intended to diminish Sakumo's influence by allowing some of Danzō's actions to continue.
He had never imagined that the White Fang would eventually take his own life.
Then he remembered Minato.
The Fourth Hokage had been the perfect successor…
And he was dead as well.
Hiruzen did not consider himself an evil man. Deep down, he still believed that every decision he had made had been for Konoha's sake.
However, without realizing it, that conviction had gradually become intertwined with something far more dangerous over the years.
The desire to hold on to power.
As those thoughts passed through his mind, Hiruzen remained standing before the window, staring toward the distant horizon that stretched in the direction of Kumogakure's border.
He could not help but wonder how much longer he would be able to keep Konoha united before everything finally collapsed.