The next morning.
Konoha Village, central square.
The alarm bells rang out, tearing apart the early morning silence.
Tens of thousands of villagers and shinobi crowded tightly into the square before the Hokage Building. Shock and unease were written across every face.
Everyone understood what the ringing of those bells meant.
Something had happened.
Something enormous.
Uchiha Tobirama, clad in the Hokage's divine robes, stood on the balcony of the Hokage Building. The morning wind tugged at his cloak, and the previously noisy square fell instantly silent.
"Everyone."
His voice, amplified by chakra, echoed clearly across Konoha.
"Last night, an act of rebellion of unprecedented cruelty occurred within the village."
Tobirama's gaze swept coldly over the crowd before he delivered the bombshell.
"The former Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dissatisfied with the transfer of power—"
"After his conspiracy was exposed, he fell into madness. To destroy evidence and practice a forbidden jutsu, he personally slaughtered the entire Sarutobi Clan."
"He also exterminated three other major clans."
Boom!
The square erupted.
"What?! Did I hear that right? Lord Third… slaughtered his own clan?"
"That's impossible! Absolutely impossible! Lord Third was always so kind—how could he do something like this?"
"There must be some misunderstanding! Lord Tobirama, this can't be true!"
Disbelief spread instantly.
For decades, Hiruzen Sarutobi had worn the mask of a benevolent "ninja hero," a kindly elder beloved by the people. That image was deeply ingrained in everyone's hearts.
Tobirama looked down at the questioning crowd, a faint, cold smile forming at the corner of his mouth—just as he had expected.
"You don't believe it?"
"I wish it weren't true as well. After all, he was once the Third Hokage I respected the most."
"But facts speak louder than words."
Tobirama raised a hand.
"Bring the witnesses."
Behind him, several Anbu pushed forward two wheelchairs.
Seated in them were Sarutobi Shinnosuke, wrapped in bandages and barely clinging to life, and the young Asuma Sarutobi, whose injuries were lighter but whose eyes were swollen red and empty.
The moment the crowd recognized them, all noise vanished.
They were Hiruzen Sarutobi's own sons.
Even they had been reduced to this state?
"Shinnosuke. Asuma."
Tobirama stepped behind them, his voice low and heavy with apparent grief.
"Tell everyone what happened last night."
"Don't be afraid. That demon has already fled. Konoha will uphold justice for you."
Shinnosuke raised his head, trembling. Tears burst out instantly.
After awakening from his father's genjutsu, only horrifying images remained in his mind—his mother's death, his brother being beaten, and the massacre of their clan.
That hatred had already been carved into his bones.
"It… it was him!"
"It was Hiruzen Sarutobi! That demon!"
"He went insane! He said we were obstacles to his pursuit of power! He killed Mother with his own hands! He slaughtered all our clansmen!"
"He even wanted to kill me and Asuma… If Lord Tobirama hadn't arrived in time, we'd already be dead!"
Beside him, the young Asuma finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Mom is dead… everyone's dead… wuuuu… I want to kill him! I want to kill that bastard!"
The blood-soaked accusations of his own sons.
This was evidence no one could refute.
The entire square descended into chaos.
Shock turned instantly into rage.
"Monster! He's a monster!"
"Killing his own wife and children—does he even count as human?!"
"I respected him for so many years… I didn't expect him to be a demon wearing human skin!"
"Kill him! That trash must die!"
Public opinion flipped completely in an instant.
Yesterday's ninja hero became today's enemy of all.
Tobirama watched calmly, a trace of satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
Very good.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, your sacrifice was not in vain.
He raised his hand, suppressing the roaring fury of the crowd.
"I hereby announce—"
"From this moment onward, Hiruzen Sarutobi is officially classified as an S-rank missing-nin of Konohagakure."
"He is wanted throughout the Ninja World, with a bounty of fifty million ryo—dead or alive!"
"In addition, Anbu units will conduct a final search and rescue operation within the ruins of the four major clans."
"Even if there is only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, Konoha will not abandon a single comrade."
"Konoha will never allow such darkness to take root again!"
"Lord Tobirama is the true Hokage!"
"Wuu… Lord Tobirama is too kind…"
Thunderous cheers erupted.
Countless eyes gazed up at the figure on the balcony as though at a savior.
Only Tobirama himself knew that the so-called "search and rescue" was merely to confirm whether any survivors remained—and to eliminate them if they did.
An hour later.
Hokage Office.
After the speech, Tobirama returned, unfastened his divine robes, and tossed them over the back of his chair.
On the sofa sat Fūka Koyuki, holding a teacup with trembling hands.
She had witnessed the entire announcement and heard those horrifying truths firsthand.
When Tobirama entered, she hurriedly stood up, awe and faint fear filling her eyes.
"I never imagined… that the man known as a ninja hero was actually such a monster."
"I'd seen his picture in the newspapers before—he always smiled so kindly…"
A chill ran through her entire body.
The Ninja World was truly terrifying.
Tobirama walked over, took the teacup from her hands, and drained it in one gulp.
"Miss Koyuki."
A meaningful smile curved his lips.
"Let me teach you a lesson."
"In this world, what you see with your own eyes is often the most deceptive."
"Don't be too naive."
Fūka Koyuki looked at the handsome face so close to her, her cheeks warming slightly.
The words were cruel, yet coming from him, they carried an irresistible sense of conviction.
Tobirama released her hand and sat back in his chair.
"Alright. Stop dwelling on unnecessary things."
"The matter is settled. Those rat nests have been dealt with."
"The day after tomorrow morning, we depart for the Land of Snow."
"Go pack your things. Bring a few more nice outfits—I prefer looking at things that please the eye."
"Y-yes!"
Blushing, Fūka Koyuki hurriedly left.
For reasons she couldn't explain, alongside fear, she felt a faint sense of anticipation about the coming journey.
…
Two days later.
Konoha's main gate.
Morning sunlight bathed the forest road beyond the village.
There was no ceremony, no farewell crowd—only Tobirama and his two companions.
Tobirama wore casual attire, a black high-collared trench coat outlining his tall frame, a short blade strapped to his back. He looked sharp and capable.
On his left was Pakura, now fully settled into her role after special training.
She wore a modified, form-fitting combat outfit, carried a massive pack on her back, and held a lunch box in her hands—looking every bit the perfect, all-purpose attendant.
On his right stood Fūka Koyuki, wrapped in a thick coat, sunglasses concealing her eyes.
Tobirama glanced at the two women beside him.
One wild and mature, one cold and refined.
The lineup was perfect.
"Ready, Master," Pakura said softly.
"I'm ready too, Hokage-sama," Fūka Koyuki replied nervously, gripping her coat.
"Then let's go."
Tobirama snapped his fingers.
"Destination—Land of Snow."
--------------Author---------------
Read 10 advanced chapters on
👉 patreon.com/Master_fic