"Kyūsei , how far does your Kagura Mind's Eye reach?"
Originally, Hiruzen Sarutobi had only planned to send the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags via his ninja hawk.
But instead, he personally came to Training Ground No. 3—and immediately asked this question.
"Hmm… about a fifty-kilometer radius centered on myself."
Kyūsei thought for a moment before answering.
"Fifty kilometers…"
Hiruzen glanced at Kaoru , who was still training in the distance, and continued:
"Then… can your Tailed Beast Bomb reach fifty kilometers?"
Yes.
That was exactly what Hiruzen was thinking.
A peace conference?
Peace my ass.
All of them gathering together, right?
Then just blast them with a single Tailed Beast Bomb.
Kyūsei frowned slightly at the question, then after thinking it over, nodded.
"It can."
"…Old man, what are you planning?"
Hiruzen's lips curled into a faint smile after hearing the answer.
Then he explained the contents of Uchiha Hikari's letter.
After listening, Kyūsei frowned.
"Uchiha Hikari never showed herself before."
"But the moment she appeared, Akatsuki was already established."
"Anything you can think of… she can think of too."
"I think this 'peace meeting' is just a distraction."
"They're trying to hide something."
Hiruzen rubbed his temples, trying to clear his muddled thoughts.
"You're right… I was being too naive."
"Then what do you think they're hiding?"
"The Dragon Vein. Obviously."
Kyūsei gave him a strange look.
It was obvious.
Normally this old man was sharp—why ask something like that now?
"…Yes. That's right."
"…I'm getting old."
Hiruzen frowned deeply.
His thoughts felt sluggish and disorganized.
"Old man, are you okay?"
Kyūsei asked, concerned.
Logically, Hiruzen should still be in good condition.
But that was in the original story.
Now he was already old—and not long ago, he had fought on the frontlines and even been injured.
Something going wrong wasn't impossible.
"I'm fine. Keep going."
Hiruzen waved him off.
Seeing how stubborn he was, Kyūsei continued.
"The Dragon Vein is the top priority right now."
"You understand how important it is."
"It connects different worlds—maybe even multiple worlds."
"If they establish cooperation with other worlds first…"
"We'll be at a huge disadvantage."
"And Haruno Sakura is still in their hands."
"So it's possible that…"
Hiruzen's heart sank.
Because of the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki issue, their side had already strained relations with that other Konoha.
Now Sakura was under enemy control.
If Akatsuki manipulated things further, they might turn that Konoha completely against them.
That was something Hiruzen absolutely did not want.
"Then Kyūsei … should we…"
Hiruzen hesitated.
If they returned the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, relations could improve.
"Absolutely not!"
Kyūsei cut him off decisively.
His gaze was firm.
"Old man—Uzumaki Menma has already agreed to help us."
"We can use Flying Thunder God to move the Dragon Vein directly to Konoha."
"Use its power to reshape Konoha."
"And create interdimensional tunnels with sealing techniques."
"Then expand continuously—grow Konoha stronger and stronger!"
Kyūsei frowned, concern flashing in his eyes.
"This is the most critical early stage."
"Every bit of power we have is precious."
"We cannot give up Menma over a small conflict!"
"You need to trust me—trust the power we have!"
But Hiruzen didn't really hear most of it.
His mind was hazy.
Only one phrase stuck:
Grow Konoha stronger.
His eyelids grew heavier.
His body began to sway.
"Old man?"
"Old man?!"
Kyūsei quickly rushed forward and caught him.
"I-I'm fine…"
"Just… tired…"
Hiruzen said weakly.
"I'm taking you to the hospital."
Ignoring his protests, Kyūsei called Kaoru over and immediately rushed him to Konoha Hospital.
—
When Hiruzen regained consciousness, he found himself lying in a hospital room.
And surrounded.
Jiraiya.
Tsunade.
Orochimaru.
Kyūsei .
Kaoru .
Koharu Utatane.
Homura Mitokado.
"Old man, you're awake?!"
"Sensei…"
"Old man…"
"Hiruzen…"
Everyone rushed forward, speaking all at once.
The noise made Hiruzen's head throb even more.
"Enough!"
"Get out!"
Tsunade snapped, immediately clearing the room.
"Uh… alright, but old man, take care of yourself…"
Jiraiya's face was full of concern.
To him, Hiruzen was more than a teacher—he was like a father.
Even though Hiruzen had scolded him harshly in the Land of Grass…
He knew it came from care.
But before he could finish speaking, Orochimaru dragged him out.
"You too, brat—out!"
Tsunade glared at Kyūsei .
"…Alright."
Kyūsei sighed and left.
Soon, the room fell silent.
Only Tsunade remained, sitting by the bedside.
She held Hiruzen's wrinkled hand.
Her eyes grew moist.
"Old man…"
Her voice trembled.
As the greatest medical ninja, she understood his condition better than anyone.
The poison from Chiyo…
Though she had prepared the antidote immediately—
A trace still remained in his body.
If that were all, it would have been manageable.
But afterward—
Hiruzen had gone days without proper rest.
Then personally led troops into Kumogakure again.
The poison had seeped deeper into his bones.
And he was old.
His body could no longer resist like before.
"Tsunade…"
"You're crying…"
Hiruzen looked at her gently.
To Tsunade, he was like a father.
But to Hiruzen—
Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru…
They were all his children.
He had watched them grow.
From young students—
Into pillars of Konoha.
But in the end…
Who could escape it?
Birth. Aging. Sickness. Death.
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