"Why did you suddenly make such a huge commotion in the village…"
Hiruzen exhaled a thick cloud of smoke. His gaze was stern, his voice ringing with authority.
"It was to test the village's emergency response on the spot, under the most real and unfiltered conditions, without notices, without reports, without escorts, and without listening to briefings!"
"The Second Great Ninja War may be over, but this is far from the time to lock away our blades and spears."
His voice carried across the training ground. And once he released Iron Skin and stepped closer, the Konoha ninja finally realized it one after another.
Their Hokage looked younger. Stronger. Built like he'd rolled back the years.
Questions naturally followed.
That was exactly the opening Hiruzen wanted.
He needed to make his "miracle" feel reasonable, and at the same time reshape his image and raise his authority.
"Several months ago, Kushina Uzumaki was snatched inside the village by ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village. And Anbu, Foundation, and the guard division didn't react in time. She was brought back only because a newly graduated genin saved her!"
Shinnosuke Sarutobi and Fugaku Uchiha both lowered their heads, their backs going tight.
That was a harsh rebuke from the Hokage.
"But is that only Anbu's and the guard division's fault?"
"In my view, if the village had a problem like that, the first responsibility belongs to me, the Hokage!"
No one expected that.
Hiruzen's tone shifted, and he pulled the blame back onto himself.
Fugaku kept his head lowered, confusion flickering across his face.
Huh? He isn't taking the chance to stomp the Uchiha while he's at it?
If Hiruzen wanted to use that incident to press them down, even Fugaku would've admitted it was justified. They had made a mistake.
"Accountability is to prevent complacency," Hiruzen continued.
"But what matters more is making sure something like this never happens again!"
"So I didn't rush to respond to the Hidden Cloud Village."
"First, as Hokage, as the primary person responsible for the Kushina incident, I needed to ensure that if something like it happened again, I would be the first one leading everyone to charge in."
"And not just charge in."
"We win."
"For that, these past months I've trained in the techniques left behind by Lord First and Lord Second. Some of them were dangerous, but perhaps the previous Hokage were watching over me. I've made some progress."
As the Konoha ninja listened, realization spread through the crowd.
So that was it…
No wonder Hokage-sama hadn't rushed into revenge against the Hidden Cloud Village.
He was preparing to be the spearhead on the battlefield.
"Hokage-sama, you were sick recently. Your fever wouldn't break…" Shikazan Nara, the current head of the Nara Clan, spoke up after exchanging a subtle look with Hiruzen.
"Mm. I used some dangerous forbidden techniques, but it's in the past now." Hiruzen bent his arm and patted his bulging bicep. "Everyone needs to get used to my new look. Otherwise, when you're charging with me, if you follow the wrong guy, that'll be a problem."
In his heart, he also tagged Shikazan as a smart man.
A small joke. Enough to ease the heavy mood without making it sound like he was bragging about sacrifice.
If he emphasized his suffering too hard, it would actually undermine the "I endured silently for the village" image he was building.
The chunin and genin stared at Hiruzen with open admiration.
A Hokage who'd risked his life training forbidden techniques for the village, who'd swallowed his anger and endured criticism for everyone's sake… that image slowly took shape in their minds.
Kakashi jabbed Asuma with an elbow, irritation sharp in his eyes as he muttered, "Hey. What the hell have you guys been saying about him at the academy?"
Asuma's face burned red. He looked like he wanted to slap himself on the spot.
He'd been rebellious. He'd loved running his mouth about how the Hokage was just some useless old man.
"Second," Hiruzen went on, "the Kushina incident exposed systemic problems."
"These months, I've also looked deeply into the village's structure. The guard division, Anbu, and their responsibilities aren't clearly defined. Promotion pathways for jonin. Issues like that."
"I'm going to push hard and implement reforms. Everyone should prepare themselves. But the overall principle is simple."
"The capable ninja, the ones who truly act for the village, will be placed where they belong."
From the corner of his eye, Danzo Shimura saw the two old teammates, and a hint of satisfaction crept onto his face.
"Hmph. Hiruzen still trusts me. He already talked to me about this."
In that moment, Danzo conveniently ignored the fact that these past few days, inside Foundation, he'd been wondering whether Hiruzen was trying to take his power, or whether he truly intended to let Danzo compete for the Hokage seat.
The jonin, meanwhile, lit up.
A village of over ten thousand. Around a hundred jonin. But the number who could actually participate in village decision-making was basically four.
Two advisors, one assistant, and the Hokage.
There were departments for administration, medical, interrogation, intelligence analysis, education, decoding and so on, but because those were specialized, many of those posts ended up in the hands of special jonin.
There was a so-called Jonin Council, but in reality it didn't hold much authority.
The jonin couldn't help feeling expectant.
What was the Third Hokage going to do?
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane exchanged looks.
Institutional reform?
Why hadn't he told them?
But in this setting, with Hiruzen driving the crowd's momentum, the two of them silently chose to keep their mouths shut.
Speaking now would only earn the jonin's resentment.
Hiruzen lifted a hand slightly.
The small, scattered murmurs died immediately.
"Now I'll summarize the results of this emergency test."
"Overall, it was good. Our ninja are still tough, disciplined, and quick to respond…"
"But there were problems."
"Foundation. What happened? Where was your timeliness?"
Hiruzen's tone sharpened as he looked straight at Danzo.
"I didn't pursue Foundation over the Kushina incident because Foundation has produced results in the past, and I can't demand that an intelligence division knows every single movement of our enemies."
Danzo's heart tightened.
Was he about to cut him down?
"This is my responsibility," Danzo said, the bitterness lodged in his throat, unable to be spoken.
Foundation's ninja were… special.
Danzo's training methods had always been indoctrination-heavy. He'd built them like private soldiers.
When Foundation caught intelligence, their standard procedure was to report to him first and then act.
Unlike Anbu, who handled the problem while reporting at the same time.
"You do have responsibility." Hiruzen snorted. "Danzo, even if you've been busy restructuring Foundation and there are objective reasons, that's not an excuse for slack…"
The ninja around them lowered their eyes, faces carefully blank.
This was a power struggle at the highest level of Konoha. Not something they could casually comment on.
But Danzo was a little stunned.
Wait… what was the monkey doing today?
Wasn't he… praising him?
He'd said Foundation had produced results, and he'd also made a point for everyone to hear.
That dissolving Foundation wasn't punishment.
It was a decision the leadership had already agreed upon.
Danzo had been worrying about that lately.
Because if he lost Foundation, people would assume he'd lost the Hokage's trust.
Even if he entered the official succession track, wouldn't he be starting a step behind?
"Please punish me, Hokage-sama." Once he thought it through, Danzo, unusually, didn't toss out any "you'll regret this." He accepted responsibility cleanly.
Koharu and Homura exchanged another look, both of them wearing complicated expressions.
How was Danzo getting handled this smoothly?
"Consider this a chance to redeem yourself," Hiruzen said calmly. "After Foundation is dissolved, you'll serve as Anbu's vice-commander while also acting as my assistant. You need to produce results that satisfy everyone."
"When the village is in danger, the first to charge in will be me, the Hokage."
"And the second should be you, my assistant!"
"If something like this happens again, I will punish you severely. Give me a military pledge."
Danzo's eyes gleamed.
He wasn't being sent away. He was still working in a familiar field…
And that pledge was basically an opportunity to show his face.
Hiruzen. You really did give me a chance. You keep your word.
If that was the case…
Danzo's blood surged. He stepped forward. "If it happens again, you may take my head!"
"Good!" Hiruzen looked momentarily caught off guard, but he quickly steadied his expression. "That's the assistant of Konoha."
With that, a wave of applause went up. Not especially enthusiastic.
But to Danzo's ears, it thundered.
Maybe because no one had ever clapped for him before.
"Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka… Aburame, Kosuke, Sakumo." Hiruzen called out several clans and ninja by name, offering praise.
Then he walked to Hizashi Hyuga.
"Hizashi. Did the Hyuga Clan have some kind of closed clan meeting today?" Hiruzen's mind wasn't that big. He remembered very clearly that one of Konoha's great clans had shown up late.
But his tone toward this branch-house ninja was still relatively mild.
Hizashi lowered his head.
Ever since he'd arrived late, those assessing looks had been burning his face.
But he really had no choice…
Just like Danzo's situation. He had to report to the main house, let them analyze, and then wait for a decision. Of course time was lost.
The Hyuga Clan was practically a "village within the village."
With the Caged Bird Seal, they were famously sealed tight. Water couldn't seep in. Needles couldn't pierce.
They were a thousand-year-old clan. In the eyes of those in power, the clan's continuation would always come before the village's interests.
The Byakugan's value for uniting and controlling forces was extremely high. They had the leverage to think that way.
Hiruzen understood it. If he were the Hyuga main house, he might think similarly.
But the problem was…
He was Hokage.
And as someone in power, he couldn't tolerate a thing like that existing under his rule.
"No," Hizashi said quietly. "Third… Hokage-sama. Today was an accident…"
He couldn't say it was the main house's decision, so he could only dodge with vague half-truths.
He was terrified Hiruzen would press further.
But Hiruzen didn't. Instead, he handed the Hyuga a step to stand on.
"As a clan that's been passed down for a thousand years, I respect the Hyuga's traditions."
"And keeping the Byakugan active at all times inside the village really would have… consequences."
The ninja around them nodded instinctively.
Who didn't have privacy? Especially ninja. Information was the most valuable resource.
Even comrades needed boundaries.
"Thank you for understanding, Hokage-sama," Hizashi breathed out.
"Would you like to join Anbu?" Hiruzen's tone shifted. "The village needs your strength."
In the past, the Third Hokage had brought up the idea of Hyuga joining Anbu more than once. The main house had always brushed it off. Over time, it became an unspoken rule, and no one mentioned it anymore.
Back then, maybe he'd been worried it would harm unity.
Hizashi froze, then blurted it out on instinct. "I'm willing, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen smiled slightly. "Good. Hizashi, I see you…"
He paused, then continued, "And I see the Hyuga Clan's Will of Fire."
Then Hiruzen cleared his throat.
"Lastly, I want to say this to the chunin and genin who came to support us. I'm proud of you."
"Even seeing the intensity of my fight with Orochimaru, you still rushed here immediately, without a trace of hesitation."
"With ninja like you, we will always stand far ahead in the ninja world!"
"You all love the village this deeply, and as Hokage, I promise you this."
"The village will never let your Will of Fire go unrewarded!"
Hiruzen spoke with solemn certainty.
"Guy, did you see? This is the Hokage's youth… the Hokage's ninja way!" Might Duy's eyes brimmed with tears as he forced his voice down.
"You have to get into the ninja academy. For everyone, for the village, you pour out your youth!"
"Father, I'll work even harder!" the little bowl-cut boy sobbed openly. "Father, after this, train with me more!"
Hiruzen caught the two of them in his peripheral vision and smiled to himself.
That oddly styled father and son left a deep impression on him.
"Huh? Why are you here, you little brat? And Shikaku's— no, Sakumo's kid too…" Hiruzen walked over to his eldest son with curiosity, then lifted Asuma and Kakashi up like two little dolls. "You two came to help too?"
"I… I thought you were so tired you fell asleep without pinching out your pipe, and you set our house on fire…"
"So I asked Sister Tsunade and Brother Jiraiya to bring me and Kakashi," Asuma said, eyes red. "Father… I'm sorry."
"I shouldn't have said bad things about you at school!"
That made the ninja laugh warmly.
Hiruzen laughed too. "Brat. We'll settle that when we get home."
Since ancient times, using family stories to close the distance with subordinates had always been a common and incredibly effective method.
"Alright," Hiruzen said. "Everyone, return to your posts."
"Danzo, Homura, Koharu. Tomorrow at nine, Hokage Building. Meeting."
"Sakumo, come here." Hiruzen lowered his voice as he gave instructions. "Take Hizashi and get him into an Anbu uniform…"
Sakumo nodded silently.
Off to the side, Fugaku Uchiha fell into thought.
Was this really the Hiruzen that Clan Head Ichin described, the one who only sat in the Hokage Building and did paperwork?
It didn't feel like it.
"Tsunade, Jiraiya." Hiruzen turned with a genial smile. "Your teacher's wife made dinner. You coming with Orochimaru? Most of it's what he likes, but I'll have her add a couple dishes for you."
Jiraiya nodded hard, then immediately stomped his foot, furious. "Ugh, I'm gonna die mad! Sensei, you're doing it again! You're still playing favorites with Orochimaru!"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "If you ask me, that's fair. Who's going to favor an idiot who wanders around outside the village all the time?"
"What? Tsunade! You too? You're not even defending me!"
Orochimaru watched the bickering with a smile and stepped up beside Hiruzen. "Sensei, Tsunade, let's go. If we keep talking to this idiot, teacher's wife is going to worry…"
"What did you say?!" Jiraiya bounced like a spring and ran up to Orochimaru. "Say it again, you bastard snake! I'll beat you so bad you won't be able to eat!"
"You?" Orochimaru replied leisurely. "Are you saying you're stronger than sensei? Because I'm feeling very ready to eat the meal she made for me."
"Oh?" Hiruzen smoothly joined in, smiling. "Jiraiya, are you saying you want to trade a few blows with this old man too? Then how about tomorrow?"
Jiraiya's vision went black again. "No, sensei, that's not what I meant… I'm not as durable as that bastard snake!"
Listening to her teammates bicker, Tsunade's mood, for the first time in a long while, felt light. She hummed under her breath, her profile soaked in the golden light of the setting sun as she walked toward the Sarutobi home with her hands behind her back.