"You're back."
Seeing her husband return, Biwako stood up to greet him, her voice as gentle as ever.
But when the light illuminated his ashen face, the smile on her lips vanished.
"What's wrong? What happened?" She stepped forward and took his arm. His touch was icy cold.
"Nothing," Hiruzen shook his head and forced an awkward smile. "Just chatted a bit longer with the Daimyo."
"Is that so?" Biwako didn't press further.
Having been married for many years, she understood her husband well.
His current expression clearly meant something major had happened, just like the time when the budget was cut.
"I'll go warm up your food," she said softly and turned to leave.
"Biwako," Hiruzen suddenly called out.
"Hmm?"
"Tomorrow, organize all the clan's account books," his voice was dry and strained. "Also, inventory everything in the storeroom."
"What should be distributed, give it to the younger members of the clan."
Biwako froze, then abruptly turned back, staring at her husband. "Are you… making final arrangements?"
Hiruzen avoided her gaze and said calmly, "What are you thinking? I'm just going on a long trip."
"To the Land of Hot Water, to escort those prisoners."
"It's a long journey, so I want to get things at home sorted first, to save you from doing it alone."
The explanation was painfully flimsy.
"Escorting prisoners?" Biwako stepped closer, her hand gently touching his cheek. "Does something like this require a retired old man like you to go personally?"
"Is Minato dead?"
"Are all the people in the village dead?"
Faced with her sharp questions, Hiruzen remained silent.
"The Daimyo ordered it, didn't he?" Her voice turned cold. "He's the one sending you."
"He's making you bear another burden for him, isn't he?"
"Answer me, Hiruzen!"
"What sin is that man trying to push onto you this time?"
"Don't talk nonsense!" Hiruzen's body trembled, his voice sharp yet hollow.
Biwako gave a desolate laugh.
"I'm talking nonsense?"
"Hiruzen, I've lived with you for half my life. Every time you wear that expression, something big is about to happen."
"From the day you became Hokage, you stopped being just mine."
"You were Konoha's Hokage."
"You carried the burden of the entire village."
"I accepted that."
"But now you're retired, why are they still making you carry things you shouldn't have to bear?"
"What benefit did he promise you?"
"Or did he threaten you with something?"
Looking at his wife's tear-reddened eyes, Hiruzen felt his chest tighten.
He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
He couldn't speak.
Not a single word.
This sin, he would bear alone.
"Alright, that's enough," he said, gently pushing her hand away. "I'm tired. I want to be alone for a while."
"Hiruzen!" Biwako shouted behind him.
But he didn't look back.
He was afraid that if he did, all the resolve he had gathered would crumble in an instant.
He entered the study and closed the door.
Her voice was cut off.
Hiruzen leaned against the door, slowly sliding down until he sat weakly on the floor.
In the dark study, he buried his head and closed his eyes.
After a long while, he lifted his head again. The usual kindness in his eyes was gone.
Only cold determination remained.
He stood up and walked to the back of the study, pushing aside a row of bookshelves.
Behind them was a hidden compartment he thought he would never open again.
Inside lay a dust-covered wooden box.
He opened it.
Within was a set of old, blood-stained armor and a white mask carved with a monkey face.
The armor was what he wore when he fought as the Second Hokage's disciple.
The mask was what he wore when he personally buried countless shadows as the first Anbu captain.
That was how the name "Monkey" came about.
His hands trembled as he touched the mask. The cold surface brought him back to that age of iron and blood.
He never thought he would need these again in his old age.
Hiruzen gazed at the mask, then slowly put it on.
Ninja Hero, indeed.
Outside the door, Biwako stood blankly on the porch until the study door creaked open.
Hiruzen appeared.
She took two steps forward, wanting to ask for an explanation.
But when she saw the mask, she stopped.
All her questions and worries froze in her throat.
Under the dim yellow light, the white monkey-faced mask looked chillingly pale.
She didn't speak again.
She didn't ask a single thing.
After so many years of marriage, she knew exactly what that mask meant.
Hiruzen said nothing either, simply standing there, letting her look at him.
That silent moment.
It was their farewell as husband and wife.
After a long silence, Biwako slowly approached him.
She didn't try to remove the mask, nor did she touch the cold armor.
She only reached up and straightened his wrinkled collar.
Her movements were gentle, slow.
As if she wished this moment could last forever.
"Go."
After another deep look at her husband, Biwako finally spoke.
Hiruzen's lips trembled. He would have preferred if she cried, questioned, or even cursed him.
Anything would have been better than this calm acceptance.
"You…" he said softly, "Take good care of the home, and handle the clan's affairs."
"I know," she replied quietly. "Don't worry."
"Mm."
Hiruzen nodded, took one last look at his wife, then turned away.
His steps were heavy.
Behind him, there was no sound.
Biwako stood under the flickering lamp, watching his back disappear into the night.
Until he was gone.
The door was left open.
The wind blew in, making the lamplight flicker.
The Hokage Building was still brightly lit.
Minato was swamped with work when a knock came at his office door.
"Come in."
The door opened.
When he saw who it was, Minato instantly stood, his hand instinctively reaching for the kunai under his desk.
The person wore old armor and a monkey-faced mask, radiating a chilling aura.
"Third Hokage… Sir?" Minato asked uncertainly.
"Hahaha!"
Hiruzen removed the mask, revealing his familiar face, and laughed. "What, you don't recognize this old man anymore?"
The familiar smile made Minato sigh in relief. He glanced at him up and down. "Third Hokage-sama, you are…"
"Oh, this?" Hiruzen patted his armor, chuckling. "Don't you think it's intimidating?"
"It might scare those Kumo brats enough to behave on the road."
The explanation was absurd, but with his lighthearted tone, it almost seemed reasonable.
"Sir, is it really necessary for you to go?" Minato asked again. "The Land of Hot Water is far, it's too arduous. I should be the one to go…"
"No, no," Hiruzen waved his hand, his tone serious. "You are Konoha's Fourth Hokage, the backbone of the village."
"With all the troubles inside and outside the village, how can you leave?"
"This kind of errand suits a retired old man like me."
"It's a way for me to contribute my remaining strength to Konoha."
His words were filled with care and devotion to the village, moving Minato deeply.
Hiruzen walked to the map and pointed at the route. "I came to discuss the escort team with you."
"Yes, Sir!" Minato immediately followed, filled with admiration.
Hiruzen said, "Prepare five hundred for the escort team."
"Five hundred? Isn't that too few?"
"Not at all. As long as all prisoners are sealed with a proper jutsu, there will be no problem."
"Oh, and have Hiashi send ten Hyuga clan members to assist."
"With them, it will be foolproof."
Minato nodded quickly. "I'll arrange it immediately."
"Good. Go ahead," Hiruzen said as he put the mask back on. "I should also prepare."
Watching his retreating figure, Minato felt both admiration and concern.
The Third Hokage truly dedicated himself to Konoha.
Yet he never noticed the determination hidden beneath that mask.
(To be continued.)