At the Hokage office entrance—
The moment he heard himself addressed, Hiruzen straightened reflexively.
Back stiff.
Feet together.
He even removed his Hokage hat respectfully, holding it in both hands.
Face saved.
Respect shown.
At a glance, he didn't look like a villain at all.
…Though, to be fair, he never really was one.
Kai rubbed his chin, decided not to dwell on the odd behavior, and spoke directly.
"In that case, I'll keep this short."
He stepped forward instinctively.
Just one step—
And the Third Hokage visibly trembled.
Behind him was already the office's iron door.
He pressed himself tightly against it and coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… K-Kai-sama… this old man seems to have caught a cold. Best… keep some distance."
Kai blinked.
Was that… pleading?
The Third Hokage… begging?
What even was this situation?
Kai turned instead and walked toward the desk—the symbol of Konoha's highest authority.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each footfall slow and deliberate.
Five seconds later, he stopped before it.
Both hands rested casually on the tabletop as he leaned forward slightly.
"So… this is the seat of Konoha's supreme power."
From here, he could see the village lights.
Tilt his head and he'd spot the towering Hokage Rock.
A position intoxicating enough to drown anyone in ambition.
Kai shook his head.
"I came for only one thing."
His voice wasn't loud—
But the chill in it lowered the room's temperature.
"One thing?"
Hiruzen finally regained some composure.
Still pressed to the door, but at least able to speak normally.
Kai paused.
Then continued—
"If someday Konoha faces a problem… one even you find troublesome…"
His steps resumed.
Soft.
Measured.
The sound echoed clearly across the office.
Hiruzen's heart sank deeper with each step.
Instinctively, he tried to retreat—
But there was nowhere left.
Only the cold iron door behind him.
He watched helplessly as the boy approached.
Then—
Something strange happened.
Kai stepped upward.
As if invisible stairs appeared beneath his feet.
One step.
Another.
Until he stood half a head taller than the Third Hokage.
A faint smile curled at his lips.
Then—
He planted one hand against the door beside Hiruzen's head.
Leaning close.
Like some domineering CEO cornering a nervous heroine.
His voice lowered to a whisper beside the old man's ear.
"…Remember to use the Reaper Death Seal."
"Y-Yes! Yes yes yes!!"
Hiruzen agreed instantly.
Without even thinking.
The decisiveness stunned Kai.
That fast?
Did this old man just casually agree to sacrifice his own life?
Kai had prepared intimidation—
But hadn't expected that level of readiness.
For a moment, he felt like the rookie here.
Meanwhile—
Realization hit Hiruzen a split second later.
His pupils shrank violently.
The Reaper Death Seal—
A forbidden jutsu that traded the caster's soul.
His ultimate trump card.
And the one technique he never wanted to use.
Once used—
Not even the Pure Land awaited him.
But…
How did this boy know he could use it?
He had never performed that jutsu publicly.
No one should know.
Confused, Hiruzen shifted aside slightly, staring at Kai.
Wrinkled lips parted—
But before he could speak—
"Don't look so shocked."
Kai shrugged casually.
"I'm not telling you to use it now."
"I mean… later."
"There'll be troubles someday that only you can resolve personally."
"And that trade…"
"…is worth it, isn't it?"
"W-Worth it?!" Hiruzen finally found his voice.
"I am the Hokage! You're talking about destroying Konoha!"
He tried to reclaim what little Hokage dignity remained.
A Hokage could die for the village—
But not because he was forced to.
Kai tilted his head, smile widening slightly.
"Why?"
He hovered calmly in midair, looking down at Hiruzen.
Disdain flickered openly in his eyes.
"Because I can knead the Nine-Tails like a housecat."
"Because I can make the Raikage and Tsuchikage haul bricks for me."
"Because right now I'm standing above you in the Hokage's office—"
He paused.
Voice softening.
"…And I can't even be bothered to raise a hand against you, Third."
With that, he tapped the iron door behind Hiruzen lightly.
Crack.
A clear fracture spread instantly from his fingertip—
Spiderwebbing across the entire metal surface.
Then he tapped the purple-sandalwood desk.
CRACK!
Another web of fractures raced across the tabletop.
"Let that be enough."
"Make sure you remember my words, Third-sama."
Kai brushed a hand lightly across the door.
Clatter—
The iron door shattered into fragments—
Then vanished completely.
He stepped out.
His figure dissolving into the shadows of the Hokage Tower.
Only his final words lingered in the silent office:
"For Konoha's future… stay alive."
"Oh—and Third-sama…"
"Next time you secretly pass Konoha's defense maps to Kumogakure or Iwagakure…"
"…do try to be more careful."
Thud.
Thud-thud.
Hiruzen had only been slumped moments ago—
But those last words hit like a hammer.
His face drained white.
He staggered back three steps—
Until his spine slammed into the cold window frame.
"H-How… how is that possible?! How could he know?!"
Both hands braced on the windowsill.
Chest heaving.
Breathing rough.
The maps—
He had sent them under the name of the remaining Root faction.
How could anyone trace that back?
In that moment, a familiar figure surfaced in his mind.
Bandaged.
Cane in hand.
"…Old friend… if only you were still here…"
For the first time, Hiruzen realized how much use Danzō had been.
Before, it was just a threat.
Something he hated but could reluctantly endure.
But that final sentence—
Was like being stripped bare and nailed to a cross.
For a man who'd loved Konoha his entire life—
This was the ultimate humiliation.
If the villagers ever learned the truth…
Hiruzen didn't dare imagine it.
He slammed a fist weakly onto the windowsill.
Then sagged against the cold frame.
In that instant, he seemed to age ten years.
The old-man spots on his face looked darker than ever.
All color gone.
At last, he could only nod faintly—
And force the words out of his throat:
"…This… this old man… understands."
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