The sky was gloomy, threatening to rain.
In the Senju compound, An Yan and Tsunade stood behind Mito Uzumaki, looking in disbelief at the young ninja standing before her.
He hadn't heard any news of peace talks. How did Tobirama suddenly end up in a meeting with the Cloud Village with his guards?
Wasn't that where he was fated to die? This was bad.
Mito's face was also grim as she looked at Hiruzen, Danzo, and the others.
"Are you saying that you, the Hokage's guards, let the Second Hokage cover your retreat?"
Hiruzen, still immature at this point, blushed in shame at Mito's words, but he still nodded in response.
He explained the details of their escape, emphasizing how he had volunteered to be the decoy but was stopped by Tobirama, who then entrusted Konoha to him.
"Lady Mito, our teacher appointed me as the Third Hokage in that critical moment. I have come to seek your support."
Mito sighed and waved her hand.
"I support you as Hokage. The rest, you'll have to handle yourself."
Hiruzen was secretly pleased. With Lady Mito's endorsement, the remaining obstacles to becoming Hokage were minor.
After Hiruzen left, Tsunade, with tears in her eyes, threw herself into Mito's arms.
"Grandma Mito, will great-uncle Tobirama come back alive?"
Although she knew the chances were slim to none, Tsunade still held onto a sliver of hope. What if?
Mito stroked Tsunade's blonde hair and said softly, "Little Tsunade, everyone dies eventually. It's just a matter of when."
That's a terrible way to comfort someone, An Yan thought, rolling his eyes. He turned to Tsunade and said, "The Second Hokage will come back. Trust me, Tsunade."
Tsunade looked at him with teary eyes. "Really?"
An Yan nodded firmly. "Trust me. When have I ever lied to you?"
Tsunade nodded, but it was clear she didn't truly believe him. She slumped dejectedly into her grandmother's arms.
An Yan didn't care whether she believed him or not. He genuinely believed Tobirama wasn't dead. He had a habit of making small bets with Tsunade before class every day, and he had never lost.
When Hiruzen said Tobirama was covering their retreat, An Yan had been shocked. The news of the peace talks had been kept so secret that he hadn't heard a word. Otherwise, he would have warned Tobirama.
But An Yan wasn't panicking. He remembered that when he made his bet with Tsunade this morning, he had won as usual. This meant everything was normal.
According to Tsunade's character setting, she always lost someone important whenever she won a bet. Since she hadn't won, there was a high probability that Tobirama wasn't dead.
It was superstitious, but that was just how Tsunade's character was ridiculously set up.
There was another thing. The research on the S-rank forbidden jutsu, the Yang Seal, had led to Kagami Uchiha awakening his Mangekyo. And Kagami hadn't returned with Hiruzen and the others, which meant he had gone to support the Second Hokage.
The Second Hokage plus Kagami's Mangekyo should be enough to handle Kinkaku and Ginkaku, as long as Madara Uchiha didn't intervene.
At this time, Madara had lost one of his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan due to using Izanagi to escape death. He should be hiding somewhere, trying to figure out how to merge all things into one. His eyes shouldn't have evolved into the Rinnegan yet, so he wouldn't be causing trouble in the ninja world.
The Rinnegan appeared in Nagato at the end of the Second Great Ninja War, which was about fifteen to twenty years from now.
After analyzing the situation, An Yan felt reassured. He began his daily training in Mito's courtyard.
The news of Tobirama's last stand brought turmoil to Konoha. Many people, especially the heads of the major clans, coveted the position of Third Hokage.
However, before the clans could make any moves, Tobirama returned with Kagami Uchiha.
The storm subsided as quickly as it had begun.
The returned Tobirama had no intention of continuing as Hokage. After this incident, he had decided to step down and entrust the village to the younger generation, while he pursued his own interests, such as researching bloodlines and ninjutsu.
If it weren't for Kagami Uchiha risking his life to save him, he might not have returned. The Uchiha's Sharingan was truly amazing, easily elevating an elite Jonin to the level of a Kage. It was worth studying.
Thus, the succession of the Third Hokage proceeded as planned. With Tobirama assisting from the side, no one dared to openly object. No one in Konoha wanted to experience Tobirama's methods firsthand.
An Yan was relieved to hear of Tobirama's safe return. As a commoner ninja, he was a firm supporter of the Hokage. And since he wanted to marry Tsunade, it was best for the Second Hokage to be alive.
Not to mention, Tobirama as a pillar of support was far more reassuring than Hiruzen, both in terms of strength and methods. Even if Tobirama did nothing but live for another twenty years, the world would see the creation of countless new forbidden jutsu. It was something to look forward to.
Hiruzen Sarutobi soon began preparations to assume the role of Third Hokage. Tobirama Senju established a new Technology Development Department and planned to spend his time there.
Tobirama had great faith in Hiruzen's abilities. He believed that Hiruzen, having embraced the will of a Hokage, could handle the responsibilities independently without his guidance.
Furthermore, now that a new Hokage had been chosen, stepping down was a wise decision to avoid a power struggle that could lead to conflict between master and student. It would allow Hiruzen to establish his own authority, rather than being a puppet.
Tobirama knew his greatest strengths lay in developing forbidden jutsu and understanding ninjutsu. Village administration was not his passion.
So, after transferring some personnel to the Technology Development Department, Tobirama reduced his public appearances. He deliberately avoided interfering in village affairs, intending to force Hiruzen to mature into a capable leader more quickly.
On the day of Hiruzen's inauguration, the weather was clear and crisp. Almost everyone in the village gathered to watch as Hiruzen donned the Hokage's robe and received the Hokage's hat from Tobirama.
"Monkey, protect the people who admire and love the village. Nurture them, so they can be the ones to whom you entrust the next era."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, put on the hat that symbolized his new role and stood on the roof of the Hokage's office. The villagers below erupted in cheers.
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