Chapter 5: The Hokage's Decree
The ANBU who had healed him offered no further reaction, his expression blank as he gave a slight, formal nod in response to Akatsurugi's thanks.
Without hesitation, Akatsurugi followed the ninja into the command tent. The ANBU bowed respectfully to the figures inside, the green glow on his hand vanishing as he disappeared in a swift Body Flicker.
The atmosphere in the tent was heavy. Seated at the head was a man whose youthful features couldn't mask an air of gathering authority. Akatsurugi recognized him instantly: Hiruzen Sarutobi, the man who would become the Third Hokage.
Five other high-ranking shinobi flanked him. One had wild, white hair and two red marks on his face, his expression serious, bearing no trace of the lethargic pervert he would become. This was a young Jiraiya. Another had messy black hair and two distinctive scar-like markings on his nose—a young, and not yet overtly sinister, Orochimaru.
The others were the pillars of Konoha's leadership: the stern Danzō Shimura, who was at this point still a loyal, if severe, advisor; the sharp-eyed Koharu Utatane; and the composed Homura Mitokado.
All six pairs of eyes fixed upon him. Gathering his courage, Akatsurugi spoke. "My lords, my name is Akatsurugi. The Second Hokage entrusted me with this scroll, instructing me to deliver it to Sarutobi Hiruzen of Konoha." He carefully retrieved the scroll from within his clothes and held it out.
The man in the center spoke. "I am Sarutobi Hiruzen."
His guess confirmed, Akatsurugi stepped forward and respectfully placed the scroll on the table. Hiruzen picked it up, examining the security seal. "It is indeed my teacher's work," he confirmed. He performed a short sequence of hand seals, and the scroll unfurled.
Hiruzen's eyes scanned the contents, his expression growing grimmer with each line. Finally, he looked up at Akatsurugi. "My teacher has asked that you be granted a place in Konoha. Are you willing to join us?"
Akatsurugi hadn't expected the Second Hokage to explicitly state this in the message. He nodded quickly, without a moment's hesitation. The thought was a no-brainer; only Konoha offered any semblance of safety. The smaller, unprotected villages could be wiped off the map at any moment.
To his surprise, Hiruzen then tossed the scroll back to him. Akatsurugi fumbled but caught it, looking up in confusion.
"Those are for you," Hiruzen said. "Two ninjutsu. A gift from my teacher, in thanks for your service. 'Akatsurugi'... an unusual name. Do you not have a clan name?"
Akatsurugi offered a small, non-committal smile. Many in this world had no surname, especially those not born into shinobi clans.
Hiruzen didn't press the matter. "My teacher rarely bestows ninjutsu scrolls personally. I hope you study them well. With dedication, you may yet become an outstanding shinobi of Konoha."
Joy surged within Akatsurugi. His own ninjutsu scrolls! The Second Hokage's generosity had exceeded his hopes.
Hiruzen clapped his hands softly. Another shinobi entered. "Inform Kosuke Maruboshi that he is to escort Akatsurugi back to Konoha. From this day forward, this boy is a citizen of the Leaf."
The ninja bowed and vanished.
Akatsurugi offered his profuse thanks and followed him out, leaving the war council to their grim strategizing. The fate of the village was being decided in that tent, but his own immediate future was now secure.
Outside, Kosuke Maruboshi was waiting, having already received his new orders. "Akatsurugi, is it? Come with me. I will take you to the village."
Akatsurugi smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Brother Kosuke."
Maruboshi simply nodded, then led him out of the camp and onto the road to Konoha. The journey was swift and quiet. When Akatsurugi's stamina inevitably failed, Maruboshi carried him without complaint. Seizing the opportunity, Akatsurugi unsealed the scroll, burning with curiosity about the Hokage's gift.
The front portion of the scroll was blank; Hiruzen had likely erased the sensitive intelligence. The remaining text detailed two techniques. The first was a sword style—the renowned Crescent Moon Dance. Akatsurugi was surprised; he remembered this as the technique used by Hayate Gekkō in the future. He never knew its origins lay with the Second Hokage.
The second technique made his breath catch: the Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu.
There were only these two. Akatsurugi sighed inwardly. For a fleeting moment, he had hoped for something like the Flying Thunder God, but that had been wishful thinking. Still, two techniques, especially one of this caliber, was a tremendous boon in an era where ninjutsu were closely guarded secrets, not the common knowledge they would become decades later.
He committed the scroll's contents to memory, finding, to his surprise, that he could recall every detail after a single, focused reading. The problem was he had no chakra to perform them.
As they traveled, nestled on Maruboshi's back, Akatsurugi saw his chance. "Brother Kosuke, could you teach me how to sense and refine chakra? The Second Hokage gave me these ninjutsu, but he didn't teach me the first step."
Maruboshi was silent for a moment, considering. This boy was now a Konoha citizen, personally vouched for by a Hokage. "Very well," he agreed. "I will teach you when we reach the village."
Akatsurugi's heart swelled with relief. The foundational barrier to his new life was about to be crossed.
After several days of uninterrupted travel, they finally arrived. The Konoha of this era was not yet the sprawling metropolis it would become, but it was a bustling, vibrant settlement, alive with the sounds of commerce and community. It was a sight for sore eyes.
Maruboshi brought him to a small, modest apartment. "Until Lord Second's return and official arrangements are made, you may stay here," he said, handing Akatsurugi a key and a small pouch of ryo. "This should cover your needs. And this," he added, producing a simple, handwritten note, "is the basic method for chakra refinement. I must return to the front lines immediately."
Before Akatsurugi could even form a proper thank you, Maruboshi was gone, leaving him standing alone in the quiet room.
He looked down at the key, the money pouch, and the precious slip of paper in his hands. Kosuke Maruboshi had arranged everything with swift, unceremonious efficiency. He was finally here. He was home. And now, his training could begin.