In the Konoha meeting room, four seats centered around a circular table.
Those seats were reserved for the highest position of political power the village had to offer—the Hokage and three elders.
But on this particular day, one seat remained empty. While the others were occupied by Tsunade and the remaining elders,
A minute of silence washed over the room. Whether it be a recognition of a soul lost—or the fear to speak up one's mind—none could tell.
But a voice broke the silence.
"Rumors say Danzo-kun has perished," Koharu Utatane, former teammate of the Third Hokage, said. Her voice carried a solemn tone. "The perpetrator must be put to justice immediately."
Ignoring his fellow elder's statements, Homura Mitokado decided to add his thoughts.
"The reports say Danzo took his own life." Homura's tone remained level and calm. In the current situation, passing accusations did them no good. But even he knew what would come next.
A scoff escaped Koharu, her facial expression shifting to one of disdain and obvious annoyance.
"You know as well as I do that Danzo wouldn't break so easily. Something must've happened." Her declaration held firm, and even Homura couldn't argue—after all, it was true—Danzo never feared death.
Not having a proper response to his former teammate's claims, Homura switched his stance. His gaze shifted to Tsunade—finger outstretched toward her.
"What do you think, Tsunade? You have been awfully quiet so far."
The current Fifth Hokage, Tsunade Senju, had chosen not to speak thus far. Rather, she observed the interactions between the elders.
She had never been a fan of them. The elders constantly tried to usurp her power and assert dominance. Although she could kill the remaining two easily, it would only lead to Konoha suffering.
"We don't have any proof that Danzo died to external forces," Tsunade's voice remained calm and composed—a stark contrast to her fiery attitude.
"That's preposterous!!" Koharu's fist slammed against the table, a loud thud being created. Her tone filled with anger as a sharp glare pierced Tsunade. "We must begin an investigation immediately!"
Her breaths came in shallow respites. Koharu's breathing had become uneven and lost stability. Danzo was a dear comrade to her—even through their differences—they were family.
"What about that new ninja you recruited, Ren Takumi, was it?" Suspicion plagued Homura's voice as he posed the obvious question. Although he didn't say it directly, the intent was clear—was Ren Takumi the one who killed Danzo?
Koharu's rage reached a new peak. A new suspect had been identified to her—and an outlet for her anger had been discovered.
"We must take him in for questioning immediately!" she barked, veins bulging at the side of her head. "And if found guilty, he should be executed immediately for the crime of killing an elder!"
In the face of Koharu's fierce anger and Homura's surgical accusations, Tsunade could do nothing but laugh.
Just like the other elders, Danzo had been a pain in her side for years, and to be honest—she was glad he was gone.
And for the issue of who killed him, just like the others, she had a strong feeling Ren had done it. But it didn't really make much of a difference. Ren was stronger than her, and in this world—the strong rule.
Stimulated by Tsunade's uncontrollable laughter, Koharu asked,
"And what's so funny to you, Tsunade?"
"The fact that you think we can do anything meaningful in this situation."
Her laughter died down instantly, the tone of the room turning a complete 180. The entire area felt freezing cold under Tsunade's words.
Homura, curious of the meaning behind Tsunade's words, asked,
"What do you mean by that?"
But Tsunade ignored him completely.
"Rest assured, we may be able to fight him—but it would be pointless." The Slug Princess' eyes sharpened. Her words tread on dangerous ground—what she would say next would determine the future of the Leaf.
"But remember this: if the Leaf initiates a war with him—both sides will suffer immense casualties."
….
In a spacious and beautiful mansion, it was home to the "Takumi" clan—or at least that's what the records say.
In truth, it was nothing more than an abode for a single man—Ren Takumi.
The man who had slain Danzō and caused so much unrest within the Leaf.
His back rested casually against the wooden framework of his wall. A cup was held deftly in his fingers as he drank tea, a magazine in the other hand as he read.
Ren's expression remained totally neutral. His gaze fixated on the magazine as he leisurely drank his tea.
But amidst his relaxed posture, a silhouette appeared in his sight—but Ren paid it no mind.
As the silhouette came closer, the sound of their approaching footsteps became ever so loud. But Ren was too concentrated on his book to care.
As the person stood at his front, Ren was forced to acknowledge him. His pupil moved upward ever so slightly—analyzing him.
"Who are you?"
The person, around the age of twenty or thirty, wore the standard green Chūnin flak jacket. The man's features were rather on the rough end, a scar over his right eye—a signal of the consequences of battle.
Refusing to answer, the Chūnin simply tossed a scroll toward Ren. Ren caught the scroll and opened it—the contents explained a grave situation—but Ren simply smirked.
'This is the perfect opportunity.'
"Tell Tsunade I decline." The scroll in Ren's hand erupted in flames, turning to ashes instantly.
The eyes of the Chūnin widened in response. He could feel his own breath quickening as he clutched his heart.
The fire had burned for merely a moment—but the flame was so intense. What insane mastery of the fire element to produce such an effect, even without hand seals.
Despite not knowing how to proceed, the Chūnin merely nodded and went on his way.
In the letter read:
"Ren Takumi, we of the Konoha Council have acknowledged your strength and prowess. We understand that we cannot cross nor anger you, but due to being given the title of a Konoha ninja—we hope you will comply with us. So, as a ninja of this village, I, Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage, am issuing an order. Assist Team Asuma in the battle against the Akatsuki members—Hidan and Kakuzu."
…..
Mere hours later, the death of Asuma Sarutobi is recorded in the village archives. His killer is none other than Hidan—member of the Akatsuki.
Team Asuma eventually returned to the village, the body of their deceased master in tow. The aura around them held a solemn tone, each member holding back tears.
Walking on shaky legs, they managed to drag themselves to the Hokage office to report the mission.
Izumo Kamizuki, a member of Team Asuma, relayed the information to Tsunade.
The enemy used a weird jutsu which acted like a curse, transferring damage dealt to one's own body to another—it was that fatal jutsu that caused Asuma's death.
Midway through the mission briefing, a voice spoke.
"Why didn't we get help?"
All eyes turned to the source of the voice. The speaker had been none other than Shikamaru Nara—the one hit by Asuma's death the most.
His words lingered in the air for multiple seconds, each person considering how to respond.
Tsunade's face visibly darkened, a grimace forming on her face. When Ren refused her orders, she knew something like this would happen.
"Why didn't we get help!!" Seeing no one respond, Shikamaru spoke once more. His voice became more volatile and dangerous—anger seeping with every syllable.
"Why… just why?"
Shikamaru dropped to his knees, tears flowing from his eyes like a broken dam. He had acted strong in front of Ino and Chōji, but now that they had left—he finally broke.
The hand of Kotetsu Hagane, another member of Team Asuma, clenched against his shoulder—trying to comfort him.
Tsunade couldn't bring herself to give a response—even as Shikamaru wallowed on the floor. Could she really bear to tell him that his master died because someone refused orders?
And even if she did, there was no telling the kind of outburst he would have.
"We sent that distress signal hours ago." Shikamaru tried to wipe his tears, but his voice still cracked—his face soaked with tears. "You could've sent anyone… anyone. If you had, maybe—just maybe—Asuma-sensei would be alive. So tell me—why didn't you?"
Against the barrage of questions Shikamaru posed, Tsunade truly had no answer. If she used his anger as a catalyst to provoke Ren—there was no telling what would happen.
So only one choice remained.
"I… I don't know." With no other option, the only thing left to do was take the blame for herself.
Shikamaru's tears began to dry up. His expression began to shift—from a boy who had lost his teacher—to a man disappointed in the system.
"You know, Tsunade-sama. You may be an amazing ninja," Shikamaru began.
"But you have failed as a Hokage."
With that, Shikamaru left the room—Kotetsu trailing not far behind him.
At this point, the only ones left were Tsunade and Izumo, who immediately apologized.
"Please do not blame him, Tsunade-sama. He is merely angered at his own weakness and the situation."
With a designated sigh, Tsunade's fingers pinched the bridge of her nose tightly.
"It's all right. After all, I'm not even sure what to do at this point anyway."
The Hokage's gaze drifted elsewhere, staring through the open window.
'Ren Takumi, just who the hell are you? Should I really have listened to the elders' advice and started a fight with you?'
…..
On that same day, Shikamaru Nara set out on a hunt—a hunt for blood. Using his superior planning skills and battle IQ, he successfully defeated Hidan and avenged his master.
Upon returning to the village, Shikamaru was greeted by his fellow comrades, who praised him for his achievements. Things had de-escalated, and now Asuma could rest in peace.
The next day, Team 7 encountered Kakuzu of the Akatsuki and killed him. Using his newly developed jutsu, Wind Style: Rasenshuriken, Naruto ended the threat himself.
Once all teams had returned, a party was held in celebration of their success. The sounds of joy and happiness resounded in the village as the people partied the day away.
But the true question remained, and a particular Copy Ninja would stop at nothing to get the answer.
In a closed room, two figures lay opposite to each other. Kakashi Hatake and Ren Takumi stood on equal ground—conversation brewing.
"The death of Asuma, Shikamaru's awakening—even Naruto's jutsu and Kakuzu's death. Did you plan it all?" Kakashi asked. The idea seemed preposterous and unfathomable, but the more Kakashi thought about it, the more it made sense.
Ren simply hummed in response.
"And what makes you think that?"
"The events," Kakashi stated. "They all line up too perfectly. The Leaf took losses, but nothing truly substantial. And we gained more than we lost."
"Rest assured that I am not all-knowing, Kakashi. I merely use the tools at my disposal to get the outcome I want." Ren spoke in nothing but facts. He could be called many things—a hypocrite, a schemer—but a liar was not among them.
"Even if that's true, why did you do it?"
Ren took a deep breath. Normally, he wouldn't reveal so much, but indulging the Leaf would only further his own plans.
"That Nara kid—he's never had to truly work for anything in his life. And honestly, I don't blame him. He's never had a real drive. But the death of his master, Asuma, has finally given him a reason to try. Laziness is simply one of his many qualities. He must control it, and not let it control him."
"You speak like you've known him all your life. How do you have so much information?" Kakashi probed for an answer.
Ren opened the exit, preparing to leave.
"Someone I once was had close ties to the Leaf—but that person is dead now. Do with that information as you will."
Before Ren exited, he left one last piece of info.
"My plan was far from foolproof. There were a lot of uncertainties and things that could have gone wrong. But even the best strategists know that sometimes… luck is what separates the good from great."
…
Under the rising sun, signaling the start of a new day, Ren sat cross-legged on the ground. His gaze fixated on the beautiful sight in front of him.
"I am not the one who will bring peace to this world," Ren whispered, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "Peace is a lie told by the weak to feel safe. I am merely the sheath that will protect the sword until it is ready to issue true change. And until the sword is ready, I shall act as a placeholder—but that is all I am—a placeholder."
CHAPTER END