Sarutobi compound.
A refined three-story house—this was where Sarutobi Ran lived.
On the second floor, in his study, Ran wore a kimono and held a brush, completely focused on practicing calligraphy.
Moments later—
A character full of murderous aura leapt onto the paper.
"Nin (忍)!"
"This was the first word you taught me, Father. All these years, I have followed your teachings in how I conduct myself.
But from today onward, I don't need to anymore.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke is already dead. From now on, the Sarutobi clan will enter my era.
You and Mother, in the Pure Land, can finally rest in peace."
Ran sighed inwardly.
Looking at the words he had written, his heart was full of emotions.
Yes—he truly admired his father.
Though his father had been a mere Chunin his whole life, in matters of character and conduct, he was worthy of emulation for a lifetime.
Step by step, he had cultivated himself, earned Hiruzen's trust, and eventually climbed to where he stood now.
All of it—was thanks to that one word: 忍 (endurance).
He buried his jealousy, resentment, and unwillingness deep in his heart, wearing a false mask for decades.
Though he hated Shinnosuke and Hiruzen to the core, he had always put on a loyal façade, as if willing to die for them.
And it worked.
Hiruzen trusted and nurtured him. Shinnosuke treated him as a close aide.
But from tonight onward, all of that was unnecessary.
Without Shinnosuke, regardless of Hiruzen's will, the clan could only nurture him as their future pillar.
His goal—achieved!
But then—
Bang!
The study door burst open.
Sarutobi Shunen strode in with a squad of men, killing intent radiating from them.
"Elder Shunen?"
Ran stiffened. "What is the meaning of this? I haven't committed any crime. Shouldn't I deserve an explanation?"
His heart was already thumping.
He wasn't stupid—he could sense something was off from their demeanor.
But since he had been careful tonight, leaving no trace, he steeled himself and spoke coldly.
After all, though Shunen was an elder, Ran was also a man of real power within the clan.
On paper—they were equals.
Yet Shunen's gaze remained icy, his tone flat.
"Sarutobi Ran, the Clan Leader wants to see you. Please."
He stepped aside, gesturing.
Meanwhile, the others closed in, surrounding Ran in a half-circle, giving him no room to run.
Ran's heart dropped.
The Clan Leader wanted to see him?
And with this kind of formation? A very bad feeling gnawed at him.
But after carefully replaying tonight's events, he couldn't think of any mistake he'd made.
Taking a deep breath, he straightened.
"Fine. I understand," Ran said coolly. "I'll see the Clan Leader. But Elder Shunen… I'll remember this."
Shunen, however, didn't even blink.
Having dealt with Hiruzen for so long, he knew this man's ruthlessness. Summoning someone like this in the dead of night, his face black with rage—
Even without knowing the details, he was sure: this was a matter that could shake the heavens.
As for Ran's glare? He didn't believe the youth would leave this place alive tonight.
So he merely repeated, coldly:
"Please."
"Good!" Ran snapped, though inwardly his nerves churned.
Something about Shunen's behavior was deeply wrong.
Had he really slipped somehow?
But even if he had—Shinnosuke was already dead!
As the clan's brightest genius, even if Hiruzen had evidence, wouldn't he hesitate for the sake of the clan's future?
Who else but him could carry the Sarutobi banner now?
With these conflicted thoughts, he followed behind Shunen, escorted by the squad, toward Hiruzen's residence.
Escape never crossed his mind.
First, he believed this was probably more scare than substance.
But more importantly—he couldn't escape.
Even if he was stronger than Shinnosuke, he was still only an elite Jounin.
And now he faced five elite Jounin and twelve regular Jounin.
Even if he broke free of the Sarutobi compound, could he slip past the Barrier Team, the Uchiha Police Force, and Anbu patrols?
And even if he somehow left Konoha—where could he go in the shinobi world? How long could he hide?
So—better to face it.
If it was fate, it couldn't be dodged.
And maybe… just maybe, they only wanted to scare him.
Ten minutes later. Tea room.
Ran stepped inside—and immediately saw Hiruzen, his face iron-dark, his gaze ice-cold.
"Clan Leader," Ran bowed, body trembling slightly. "I don't know what orders you have, I—"
But before he could finish, Hiruzen cut him off.
"Tonight—what business did Homura have with you?"
The Hokage's tone was glacial.
With his son's life uncertain, he had no patience for games.
All he wanted to know was Shinnosuke's fate—alive or dead.
Nothing else mattered.
One sentence, straight to the core.
Ran froze.
His mind blanked.
How could this be? That meeting was supposed to be top secret—yet Hiruzen already knew?
He realized instantly—denial was useless. For Hiruzen to ask so directly meant there was solid proof.
But what excuse could he give?
His mind whirred furiously.
He forced a bow and blurted:
"Clan Leader! Elder Homura tried to recruit me. But I refused him outright. I told him I wouldn't meddle in village affairs, that I only concerned myself with clan matters."
Cold sweat trickled down his brow.
He dared not hesitate, for even a pause might betray him.
But Hiruzen's expression only darkened further.
Lighting his pipe, he drew long and deep, smoke curling around his furrowed face.
At last, his voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade.
"Sarutobi Ran, I will give you one last chance. I won't ask about anything else. Answer me just one thing."
"Is Shinnosuke… still alive?"
To read the full FanFic, head over to Patreon:
patreon.com/WhiteDevil7554