[Konoha, Era of the Second Hokage]
The delegation heading to the Land of Lightning for peace talks stopped in the forest.
Senju Tobirama looked up at the Sky Screen, a rare flicker of emotion appearing on his normally composed face.
Behind him in the team, the young Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō also heard the voice from the Sky Screen.
Tobirama's heart sank.
The information was true—at least the part about Hiruzen becoming the Hokage.
He had indeed been training Hiruzen as his successor, valuing the young man's steady character, exceptional ninjutsu talent, and natural leadership within a team.
But he had never revealed this decision to anyone—including Hiruzen himself.
And now, the Sky Screen had made it public for all to see.
Tobirama quickly scanned the reactions of his disciples.
His six disciples—Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Uchiha Kagami, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Akimichi Torifu—each wore a different expression.
After the initial shock, Hiruzen quickly regained his composure. He simply gripped his kunai tighter, his gaze becoming even more resolute.
Meanwhile, Danzo's face was already twisted, his heart roaring frantically.
'Damn it! Damn it!! Why is the Third Hokage Hiruzen and not me! Where am I inferior to him?!'
Although he said nothing, the barely-contained resentment and jealousy were palpable to everyone present.
Kagami looked lost in thought. Homura and Koharu exchanged a glance, while Torifu simply patted his belly and muttered softly:
"Ah... looks like I'll have to work harder from now on. The Hokage's classmate can't be too mediocre, huh."
"Tobirama-sensei."
Hiruzen took a step forward, his voice calm.
"Regardless of what the Sky Screen shows, we should focus on the mission at hand. The peace talks are imminent. Please allow me to continue serving as the advance scout."
Danzō's head snapped up.
"Hiruzen! You—"
"Danzō."
Tobirama cut him off, his voice cold and stern.
"Mind your position and the situation."
Danzō's body trembled, and he lowered his head, but his shaking shoulders betrayed the turmoil inside.
Tobirama sighed inwardly.
'Danzō... you still haven't noticed the difference, have you? Hiruzen's first reaction was the mission and responsibility, while you only see status and power.'
But he couldn't say that out loud.
As a teacher—and as the Second Hokage—he had to give every student a chance.
"Continue moving forward."
Tobirama gave the order.
"We will discuss the matter of the Sky Screen after reaching the Land of Lightning. For now, focus on the mission."
The team set off again, but the atmosphere now was completely different.
Everyone was thinking about the same question:
"How would you evaluate the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Why "evaluate"?
Why not "introduce" or "praise"?
The word "how" carried an unmistakable tone of judgment—as if this future Third Hokage had done something during his tenure that needed to be evaluated and discussed.
Tobirama quickened his pace, his silver hair fluttering in the wind.
He had to complete the peace talks as soon as possible and return to Konoha.
The impact brought by the Sky Screen might be more dangerous than any enemy.
---
[Konoha, Early Era of the Third Hokage]
The First Great Ninja War had ended. And Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had only recently assumed the position of Hokage, stood by the window, looking at the Sky Screen. He let out a long, deep breath.
After the Kumogakure peace talk incident, he had been appointed in a time of crisis to succeed his teacher as the Third Hokage, facing internal distrust and external predatory glares.
During this time, he had barely closed his eyes, dealing with a mountain of paperwork and the complex situation within the Village.
But now, the Sky Screen had appeared.
And it spoke of "the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
What did this mean?
It meant that his position as Hokage had received some form of "validation."
Regardless of where this validation came from or what its purpose was, at least in the eyes of the civilians and most Shinobis, Sarutobi Hiruzen was the "destined" Third Hokage.
This would quiet the dissenting voices, make the implementation of his policies easier, and allow the recently turbulent Konoha to stabilize faster.
"But..."
Hiruzen lit his pipe and took a deep draw.
"'How would you evaluate', this way of phrasing..."
He remembered what his teacher, Senju Tobirama, had once said to him:
"Hiruzen, being the Hokage means you will have to make many difficult decisions."
"Some decisions may only be proven right or wrong long after they are made."
"And some may never have a correct answer at all."
At the time, he hadn't fully grasped the depth of those words. But now, looking at the judgment-laden question on the Sky Screen, he was beginning to understand.
Every decision a Hokage made would be scrutinized under a spotlight.
Protecting the village might mean sacrificing some individuals. Maintaining peace might mean compromise and concession. Nurturing the future might mean tolerating mistakes...
"I will do everything I can."
Hiruzen said softly looking at the Sky Screen.
"No matter how I am judged, I will make the choice that is best for Konoha."
In a quiet house within Konoha.
Uzumaki Mito, the wife of the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, and the renowned Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, also felt a sense of relief.
It seemed that "monkey" wouldn't be needing her help for now.
As long as Konoha remained stable, that was enough. She would certainly help Hashirama watch over the village.
---
[Year 60 of Konoha, Naruto's Era]
"Old man Third is definitely a great Hokage!"
Naruto said without hesitation, his voice loud and firm.
He stood on the streets of Konoha, hands on his hips, looking up at the Sky Screen with undisguised admiration on his face.
Beside him, Sakura nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, Lord Third has always looked after us. Even though he's the Hokage, he doesn't put on airs at all."
Sasuke, with his hands in his pockets, said plainly, "He did give a lot to Konoha."
Though his voice was calm, those who knew him well could detect the acknowledgment beneath it.
Only Kakashi remained silent.
He leaned against the wall, his exposed right eye watching the Sky Screen with a complex gaze.
Many things came to mind.
His father, the White Fang of Konoha, taking his own life. Obito's death. Rin's fate. The annihilation of the Uchiha clan...
What role had the Third Hokage played in those events?
What choices had he made?
Were those choices right or wrong?
Kakashi didn't know.
All he knew was that sitting in the Hokage's seat often meant choosing between bad and worse.
And no matter which side you chose, someone would get hurt.
"Kakashi-sensei, why aren't you saying anything?"
Naruto turned his head and asked in confusion.
"Do you think Old Man Third isn't good?"
Kakashi shook his head and reached out to ruffle Naruto's hair.
"No, he's an excellent Hokage. It's just... that the word 'Hokage' itself carries a lot of weight."
Naruto didn't fully understand, but he didn't press further. He simply continued looking up at the Sky Screen, waiting for what would come next.
---
Meanwhile, across the ninja world. The Sannin's reactions.
Mount Myōboku.
Jiraiya stood before the Toad Oil Waterfall, watching the image of the Sky Screen reflected in the water. The roar of the waterfall was loud, but it couldn't drown out the voice inside his heart.
"Old man..."
He murmured to himself, thinking of the elderly man who always smoked a pipe, always nagged, and always scolded him after he caused trouble—yet always cleaned up his messes.
He thought of Orochimaru's defection, and of Tsunade's departure.
"You must be tired, old man."
Jiraiya said softly.
"Once I bring back the Child of Prophecy, you can finally rest."
---
Tanzaku Quarter.
Tsunade downed her cup of sake in one gulp, then slammed it heavily onto the table.
Shizune looked at her worriedly, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"How would you evaluate..."
Tsunade let out a cold laugh. Her expression complex, but in the end, she said nothing.
---
Otogakure.
Orochimaru stood in his laboratory, watching the Sky Screen's image projected onto the wall via a jutsu.
"Sensei..."
He extended his tongue and licked his lips.
"Soon... very soon!"
"I'll make sure you get a proper 'final judgment'!"
His voice echoed through the shadows of the laboratory, carrying an indescribable tone.