"I'm really sorry, our shop is full."
The snack stall owner wore a perfectly polite, perfectly fake smile as he waved Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō away.
This was already the fourth place.
At least this owner still had manners. The previous one had cursed them outright—and even spat at their feet. If Hiruzen hadn't dragged him away in time, Danzō would've already started a fight.
"There are clearly empty seats over there!"
Danzō snapped, pointing angrily at a vacant table.
A dignified Konoha jōnin.
A former Hokage's personal guard.
And now he couldn't even sit down for a meal?
Even clay figures had three parts fire in them—let alone him. He was supporting business, damn it. In times like these, only ninja could afford to eat out occasionally. Ordinary civilians were lucky just to fill their stomachs.
"Those seats are reserved. The guests will arrive shortly."
The owner's patience was clearly wearing thin.
To him, these two men had abandoned the Hokage, leading directly to his death. Cowards. Deserters. Unworthy of calling themselves Konoha shinobi.
Eat here?
Eat shit.
"Then I'll wait right here and see when your 'guests' arrive!"
Danzō shoved aside Hiruzen, determined to demand an explanation.
"That's enough! Do you really want me to spell it out?"
"I don't want your business!"
"You're deserters! Cowards! Not fit to be Konoha ninja!"
"You're the ones who got the Hokage killed!"
"Get the hell out!!"
The stall owner finally snapped and shouted outright.
"What did you say?!"
"I'll teach you a lesson today!"
Danzō exploded with rage.
These civilians—who lived safely under Konoha's protection—had no idea how dangerous the situation back then had been. They didn't understand the greatness of Tobirama-sensei's Will of Fire!
Hiruzen hurriedly grabbed Danzō.
Konoha had rules: shinobi were forbidden from attacking civilians. Break them, and you'd be invited to the Uchiha Military Police Force for "tea."
And the Uchiha weren't exactly gentle.
You didn't leave without shedding skin.
Especially now—at this sensitive moment. Once you stepped into Uchiha territory, you might not come out at all.
Hiruzen couldn't let Danzō lose control.
"Oh? You want to hit someone?"
The stall owner raised his voice deliberately.
By now, Hiruzen and Danzō were far too conspicuous. People nearby had already been watching—and instantly, a crowd gathered.
Angry villagers began hurling accusations.
Cowards.
Traitors.
Deserters.
The words bombarded them nonstop. Some even dragged their parents and clans into it—secure in numbers, fearless of Danzō's fury.
After all, the Uchiha had already made things clear.
If these people dared lay a hand on civilians, they'd be arrested on the spot. Once inside the Military Police Force, they'd never get out.
No need to worry about retaliation afterward.
Danzō's eyes turned bloodshot. He was so furious he could kill.
Hiruzen wasn't doing much better—his face was iron-dark—but he still retained reason.
Clashing with villagers now would accomplish nothing. It would only put Uzumaki Mito in an awkward position—and lower his standing in her eyes.
They were just villagers manipulated by public opinion. Not worth it.
Hiruzen gripped Danzō's arm tightly, terrified he'd snap and unleash Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets on the crowd.
"Let's go, Danzō," Hiruzen said quietly. "Don't get tangled up with them."
He dragged Danzō out of the crowd at a jog, until they reached an open area.
"Damn it—damn it!!"
"These wretched civilians!!"
Danzō grabbed a branch and whipped it violently against the grass, venting his rage. Only after dozens of strikes did he finally calm down.
"Hiruzen," he demanded, breathing hard. "Aren't you angry?"
He stared at Hiruzen.
Back there, Hiruzen had endured every insult in silence—taking it all without a word. Danzō alone had fought back verbally, only to lose decisively.
Angry?
Of course he was.
Anyone would be, being cursed to their face—parents and clan included.
But anger was useless.
The more you explained, the more excited they became. They wanted to see you lose control.
Hiruzen wasn't foolish.
Uzumaki Mito had already warned him—the Uchiha would use public opinion to crush him.
Knowing that, he wouldn't let ignorant villagers bait him into falling straight into their trap.
For all he knew, Uchiha ninja were already hiding nearby, waiting for an excuse to drag them into the Military Police Force.
And in this—
Hiruzen was absolutely right.
The Uchiha were watching him.
Not just them, either.
The Senju.
The Hyūga.
The Ino–Shika–Chō clans.
Everyone had eyes on him.
"Now isn't the time to get angry," Hiruzen said calmly.
"I have more important things to do. A Hokage won't be brought down by something like this."
He had already begun disciplining himself with a Hokage's mindset.
If he wanted to become a true Hokage, he had to think like one.
Mere insults?
Even being spat on and wiping it off himself—he'd accept it gladly, if it meant becoming Hokage.
Danzō stared at Hiruzen's confident posture, and a nameless fire ignited in his chest.
Had the gap between them already grown this large?
A gap in strength could be overcome through training.
But a gap in mentality and vision—
That wasn't something effort alone could bridge.
Between Shimura Danzō and Sarutobi Hiruzen now stood a thick, tragic wall.
Hiruzen… I won't lose to you.
Watching his closest friend pull so far ahead in perspective, Danzō refused to concede defeat.
In his heart, he still believed himself no weaker than Hiruzen.
What he lacked was merely an opportunity.
If Tobirama-sama had chosen him—
He would not have been inferior.
Regret and resentment churned in his chest.
"Danzō," Hiruzen said suddenly, "let's train."
"It's a good time. We shouldn't waste it."
He hadn't forgotten Uzumaki Mito's advice.
She could help him deal with the Uchiha—but Senju Tōma was still waiting.
He had to grow stronger during this window of time. Mito was buying him time, but once Tobirama-sama's body was returned to Konoha—
The real trial would begin.
I won't disappoint you, sensei.
Hiruzen made a silent vow.
At that very moment—
A young man stood before Konoha's gates.
Black-haired. Handsome.
His appearance bore a striking resemblance—seven or eight parts—to Senju Hashirama himself.
Senju Tōma gazed at the village entrance.
What should have been a joyful return was instead filled with unease—as though some terrible disaster had struck Konoha.
What could have happened…
For Mother to summon him back so urgently?
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