Diejian woke a little before sunrise.
So he wouldn't wake Tsunade and Nawaki, who were snoring healthily, he quietly slipped out of the house.
With a fairly large pack on his back, he strode down the road.
Beneath the dim sky, he took a deep breath of the crisp air.
The morning air filling his lungs cooled his body.
As he walked along the familiar road to the gate, Diejian's thoughts drifted to his newly made coat.
It was a purple coat his parents and Teacher Tobirama had given him to celebrate his promotion to Jonin. On its back were the two characters "Senju," a mark of honor.
When Diejian reached his destination, the "A" Gate, he still hadn't seen the people he was supposed to meet.
Only the gate guards on shift stood watch over the dim road.
Noticing Diejian, one of the guards gave an exaggerated salute.
Diejian imitated him and returned the salute.
"Well, if it isn't the young master. I've heard so much about you."
"Long time no see, sir."
"Indeed. You've grown into such a fine young man. You're practically the spitting image of the previous Hokage."
This was the very gate guard who had seen Diejian off on the day he lost his deadly fight against Kakuzu.
He had served as a gate guard for many years, seeing people leave the village and welcoming them back.
He had seen those who left and never returned, as well as those who came back cold and lifeless.
Watching Diejian, once a mischievous little brat, grow into such a fine young man, the guard smiled at him in his "Senju coat."
He'd heard that Diejian had wrecked the Training Ground recently and caused an uproar throughout the village, but that was a lively sort of news, at least.
Diejian chatted with the guard for a while before a man appeared.
His name was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Oh, Diejian. Looks like you're the first one here."
"Good morning, Monkey. Where'd your beard go?"
"Ah, well, Biwako said that if I was going as an escort, I had to dress properly, and she practically forced me to..."
"Oh, so your sister made you."
At the sight of Hiruzen, Diejian quickly wrapped up his conversation with the gate guard.
His beard had been shaved clean off, and with a little makeup around his eyes, he looked quite a bit younger than usual.
Hiruzen seemed to have a bit of a baby face.
Biwako had probably made him shave his beard for more than just the reason Hiruzen had given.
Though Diejian and Sakumo had described Hiruzen's beard as "distinguished," some of the women had complained that it made him look "scruffy" and that it was "such a shame."
Having inherited his father's position, Hiruzen was now one of the village's highest-ranking officials.
Perhaps he'd grown a beard to project an air of authority befitting his position.
But judging by this, his fiancée, Biwako, seemed to share the other women's opinion.
"Oh, Diejian. Is that the coat Lord Tobirama gave you?"
Seeing Diejian in his coat, Hiruzen let out an admiring "Hmm."
He saw the figure of the previous Hokage, Senju Hashirama, in it, and felt that same longing he had always carried.
Besides, Hiruzen had known Diejian ever since the boy used to run around the Hokage residence.
He was like a much younger brother.
Seeing the troublesome junior student he'd watched grow up since childhood turn out so well stirred the emotional Hiruzen's tear ducts.
"Wah... Lord First, can you see this?"
"Hey, Monkey. What do you think? Does it fit? I really like the 'Senju' on the back."
Pressing a hand to the corner of his eye, Hiruzen spoke to Kage Rock.
But Diejian spun around like he was dancing, turned his back to Hiruzen, and pointed his thumb at the two characters on his coat.
Diejian's exuberant antics were enough to ruin Hiruzen's heartfelt moment.
He lowered his hand from his eye and scratched his head awkwardly.
Diejian had matured on the outside, but not much seemed to have changed inside.
Still, seeing his junior student unchanged in this one reassuring way brought a smile to Hiruzen's face.
Come to think of it, Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"I heard you've been causing trouble again."
"Living life to the fullest and having fun—that's my ninja way."
"Honestly, you never learn. I never thought I'd hear Orochimaru say something like, 'Teacher Sarutobi is great.'"
Orochimaru's words seemed to have made him quite happy.
Hiruzen wore a bright smile that seemed to glow with a halo, and Diejian found it a little blinding.
"Heh—Orochimaru said that? He's pretty fond of you, huh? Looks like the guy has a surprisingly sweet side."
"Yes. It's a blessing as a teacher."
"If that's the case, you and Orochimaru must get along really well."
Diejian's heart burned with the hope that one day someone would say the same about him as a teacher.
At least, although Diejian respected Tobirama, he didn't think he could say, "It has to be Tobirama."
His feelings were complicated.
"Sarutobi and Diejian... are you two the only ones here?"
"Danzo."
"Good morning, Mr. Danzo."
The ninja who appeared before them was named Shimura Danzo.
With a cross-shaped scar on his chin, he was one of the skilled men among the Second's trusted followers, having studied under Tobirama alongside Hiruzen.
His strength was on par with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Konoha's greatest fighting force.
In response to Diejian's greeting, Danzo merely gave a curt "Oh," then leaned against a nearby wall and closed his eyes to rest.
Shimura Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen had been childhood friends.
Diejian had also noticed that Danzo seemed to feel a fierce need to compete with Hiruzen.
Diejian's manner toward Hiruzen always seemed very casual, but that was his way of being affectionate, born of his understanding of Hiruzen's open-hearted nature. Deep down, he was quite close to Hiruzen.
Was that why, or was he like this with everyone? Danzo didn't seem eager to deal with Diejian.
But it wasn't that he disliked Diejian.
Diejian didn't dislike Danzo, either.
He simply thought Danzo might be difficult to get along with, so he didn't want to get too involved.
The atmosphere wasn't exactly hostile, but it wasn't friendly, either. Then another ninja joined them.
She was a beautiful young woman named Utatane Koharu.
Koharu was the only woman among the ninjas promoted to Tobirama's trusted inner circle.
Though she was a woman, her physical strength rivaled a man's. She was a kunoichi, but contrary to her competitive appearance, she was actually quite gentle.
She was a kind and composed woman, the sort Diejian had never had around him before.
As he spent time with Koharu, Diejian was once again forced to realize just how many of the women around him had forceful personalities.
Tsunade, Ina, Juri—the only gentle woman was his grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, who had a beast hidden inside her. It was enough to make him stop and think.
One after another, more presences joined them.
Torifu Akimichi and Kagami Uchiha were renowned figures even in Konoha.
Compared with them, Diejian was still just a junior.
He didn't dare forget to show them respect, and stepped back to face his seniors.
"Honored seniors, I'd be grateful for any guidance you can offer."
They were all prominent figures.
Every one of them was an elite personally chosen by the Second, Tobirama.
They were young inheritors of the Will of Fire, permitted to stand by Tobirama and watch over the new era about to begin, and worthy of guiding the next generation.
Diejian was the least among them.
His emergency promotion to Jonin a few days ago had also been preparation for this.
"Something's strange, Hiruzen. This isn't Diejian, is it?"
"Yeah, Kagami. I was just thinking the same thing."
Perhaps Diejian's respectful manner had startled them. Hiruzen and Kagami stared at him as if he were some rare curiosity.
Compared with Diejian's usual attitude toward Kagami and Hiruzen, he was being far too formal.
It wasn't that there was anything wrong with that. They were just thinking, "Could you show us some respect, too?"
They didn't mean it seriously, but they'd never once received the kind of respect Diejian showed Koharu and Torifu.
"What's wrong, Hiruzen? Isn't this a good thing?"
"Please don't tease me, Teacher, Big Brother Hiruzen."
Diejian looked troubled, as though he wanted to hide behind Koharu.
That little brat—Hiruzen's fist trembled.
"Here, here! Good, looks like I made it in time!"
"Ina, what's wrong? It's so early."
While the lively group chatted merrily, a woman came running up to them.
She had bangs and short, swaying blonde hair. Her name was Yamanaka Ina.
Unlike Diejian, who had become a Jonin and was counted among the "elite," she had stayed in the village with Sakumo while he recuperated.
Tobirama's intention was to have Sakumo and Ina serve as symbols of the village, while Diejian became a pillar in the political sphere.
"I haven't seen you lately, have I?"
"No, you haven't."
"You're going to be away from the village for a while again, right? So I thought I'd at least come see you off."
"Oh, I see. Thanks. I'm really glad."
Surprised by the unexpected arrival, Diejian blinked, but he still welcomed Ina.
Seeing Diejian's cheeks relax a little, Hiruzen watched him with a grin.
Sensing the wicked gaze, Diejian glared fiercely at Hiruzen in warning.
Perhaps getting back at him for all the times before, Hiruzen merely shrugged comically.
The quick-witted one was Utatane Koharu.
She seemed to sense something from Ina's expression as she saw Diejian off. Grabbing Hiruzen by the ear, she dragged him over to Danzo.
It was the heart of a woman seeing a man off on an expedition—her firm declaration that no one was allowed to interrupt.
Perhaps intimidated by Koharu's actions, the adults began leaving one after another.
As she left, Koharu winked at Ina.
Ina nodded gently to Koharu, then turned to face Diejian.
"Did you bring a handkerchief?"
"I did. I brought clotting pills, too."
"I see... What about ninja tools? Military ration pills, scrolls, things like that?"
"I brought a few. But this trip abroad is just to form an alliance with Kumogakure. I don't think there'll be any fighting."
"You can't let your guard down. This is why you still haven't earned Menkyo Kaiden from Lord Hokage. A ninja must never relax their vigilance."
"W-well, but..."
"Enough. Your reputation is Lord Hokage's reputation. And that, in turn, reflects on Konohagakure. Now that you're a Jonin, you can't forget things like that."
"Y-yes, that's true..."
"No arguing! When you get back, you'll apologize to Sakumo properly for what happened at the Training Ground, too, all right? Leave Juri to me. I've talked to Mr. Kagami once, and I think it'll be fine. Understand?"
"Yes."
Ina kept lecturing the cowering Diejian.
She had become a Jonin before Diejian, right after Sakumo.
Compared with Sakumo, who was treated as a symbol, and Diejian, who was about to become the symbol of a "clan," she seemed to have a stronger sense of what it meant to be a Jonin.
"Don't be rude to Lord Raikage, either. I don't think you'll have any problems with that. And that coat..."
"Oh, this is new—"
"Your collar's crooked. Fix it."
"Yes."
As Ina straightened his collar, Diejian could only lower his head and let her fuss over him.
He'd wanted to show off his new coat.
"Um, Diejian, this..."
"Hm? What's this?"
"W-wait! Don't shake it!"
Ina let go of Diejian's collar and handed him a slightly large pouch tied to her waist.
It had a pleasant, weighty heft to it.
A warmth passed through it.
Diejian took it and looked puzzled, then gave it a gentle shake.
Ina looked a little flustered by his actions and stopped him.
"I made you a bento. I thought you might like something to eat..."
Ina lowered her head, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks.
Seeing Ina act so uncharacteristically shy made Diejian feel a little bashful, too.
He thanked her and tied the small bag containing his bento around his waist.
It was packed with changes of clothes and other things he would need during the trip, so he was grateful for her thoughtfulness.
Ina smiled happily at Diejian's thanks.
"I won't let you off if you have any left over." Her slight teasing was meant to hide her embarrassment.
But right after that, Ina's expression turned a little lonely.
They had only just managed to see each other, and now they would have to go a long time without meeting again.
Of course it would hurt.
Once the thought came to him, he couldn't stop. Seeing Ina's spirits sink as she lowered her head, Diejian gently brushed her cheek with his palm.
He tenderly swept the hair away from her eyes and looked into them as her long lashes trembled.
Diejian's eyes softened.
"Ina, thank you for everything. I've kept you waiting a long time, but I thought that once I became a Jonin—yes, that's what I had in mind."
"D-Diejian..."
"If this alliance is forged, Grandfather's long-held wish will come true. And then—"
"—It's time. Let's go."
Diejian's words cut off abruptly.
Dry footsteps echoed through the now-quiet street, accompanied by the metallic scrape of armor drawing closer.
A man strode past the stunned, stiffened Ina and Diejian. The back of his fluttering cloak bore the words "Second."
The long-held wish of First Senju Hashirama and First Raikage A—to forge an alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure—was finally about to come true.
Tobirama was going to Kumogakure for the final meeting.
He had instructed Diejian, newly promoted to Jonin, to accompany him as his new aide, joining Hiruzen and the others at the meeting.
Diejian's assignment was to "carry the bags" for Tobirama, but its true purpose was "learning."
His real duty was to witness the Second Tobirama's diplomatic skill firsthand and broaden his horizons by seeing the "Kage" of other villages.
It was much the same as letting him experience a turning point in history.
"S-Second..."
"Hmm...? What is it?"
Tobirama tilted his head in confusion at Hiruzen, who was smiling wryly.
Diejian and Ina's shoulders slumped at once.
Koharu and Kagami smiled helplessly.
Torifu and Homura shrugged, while Danzo gave a snort.
"Well, I'm off."
There was no way he could continue under the circumstances.
After this mission, once he returned to the village, he would bring up "that matter" again. Diejian smiled apologetically.
But Ina only nodded happily, accepting it.
Diejian turned his back to her and walked toward his companions waiting outside the gate.
His cloak fluttered in the wind.
"Hey, Diejian! That outfit looks great on you!"
Ina's words brimmed with feeling.
With his back to her, Diejian waved in reply.
"Lord Hokage, welcome. It fills me with emotion to see the long-held wish of our First finally fulfilled."
"Yes, Lord Raikage. Konoha is sincerely pleased by this alliance as well."
Kumogakure, the Raikage Mansion.
It was a huge, egg-shaped building that rose among enormous, rugged rocks.
In one of its rooms, Tobirama and the Second Raikage were holding a meeting.
Though they were very different types, both had inherited the title of "Kage" from the idealistic First and made their mark primarily in politics.
Each had served as the right hand of his village's First Kage, protecting and assisting him.
They had much in common, and not merely because they both bore the title of Second.
The two "Kage" sat facing each other across a long table.
Second A sat at the far end of the room, with the character for "thunder" hanging behind him.
Tobirama sat with his back to the entrance, Hiruzen and Diejian at his side.
Tobirama glanced at Diejian.
When they had first arrived in Kumogakure, Diejian had been a little restless at the unfamiliar surroundings of another village.
Even Tobirama had been slightly concerned, but now Diejian stood at his side as Tobirama's guard, conducting himself with proper decorum.
Seeing that his education in character had borne fruit, Tobirama felt relieved.
A military alliance forged on equal terms—there was no need to rush.
Slowly, but surely, they were working through the final confirmation of the key points in the alliance between Konoha and Kumogakure.
"Lord Hokage, that shinobi over there is Senju Diejian, isn't he? I've heard about him from Dodai. He said the boy had astonishing skill for someone so young. No wonder, as a direct descendant of Lord Hashirama and a pupil of Lord Hokage."
"Hmph... This fellow is still inexperienced. In the last war, the two over there—the famed 'Cloud's Twin Lights'—made a name for themselves even in Konoha."
But every so often, the conversation wandered off course.
Sometimes they spoke of the recent Chunin Ninja Exams, sometimes of their predecessors' lives, and sometimes of the wars of the past.
Perhaps they were also testing each other.
Even though the alliance had already been decided, Tobirama showed no intention of making any real concessions.
In particular, during the recent Chunin Ninja Exams, Diejian had seriously injured Kumogakure's strongest Genin and forced him to withdraw.
Though he felt somewhat awkward, Diejian showed nothing on his face. He stood silently at Tobirama's side and glanced at the two burly men standing beside the Raikage.
They were men with long hair, distinctive headpieces, and three whisker-like marks carved into their cheeks.
The Gold and Silver Brothers were renowned as Kumogakure's proudest and mightiest fighters.
There were countless stories about them, beginning with the legend that they had challenged the Nine-Tails before Diejian's grandmother, Mito Uzumaki, sealed it. Everyone had thought the beast swallowed them whole, but they survived by eating the flesh inside its stomach and eventually made it out alive.
During the First Shinobi World War, on the front between Konoha and Kumogakure, they had wielded the Nine-Tails Chakra they'd seized to slaughter many Senju Clan members fighting on the front lines.
Tobirama's partner had also died in that battle.
Though Diejian had still been a baby at the time, he had heard the stories. Hiruzen, who knew the battlefield firsthand, was also deeply tense as he listened to Tobirama and A.
They knew full well that neither man was so foolish as to let personal grudges bind him and destroy the alliance. But that was another matter.
The unpredictability of human hearts was precisely why war had continued to this day.
—Or perhaps this was a test.
A chance to let their hatred collide on the eve of the alliance, then build a firmer bond through mutual understanding.
A demonstration of the resolute will to endure, despite knowing they harbored hatred for one another, for the sake of the next generation and their children.
A heartfelt plea for a truly peaceful world.
Diejian was reminded that he still had so much to learn.
He decided he would ask Tobirama for guidance once the meeting was over.
He closed his eyes and thought of his late grandfather.
Diejian was a child who knew no war.
He knew the pain of losing someone dear, but he did not understand the scars war left behind.
Even so, he knew the fervent wish his grandfather, Hashirama, and his teacher, Tobirama, had carried in their hearts.
The end of the sorrow called war had begun—Senju Tobirama was the hero who had stood at the forefront, blazed a trail, and finally brought them here.
Diejian was proud to be his pupil.
Though he would never say so to Tobirama.
"...Huh?"
—An explosion.
The view from the Raikage Mansion's window: part of Kumogakure had exploded and vanished.
In the instant he froze, a figure attacked from the ceiling.
The scrape of metal—Diejian was able to react in an instant thanks to Tobirama's rigorous training.
He blocked the surprise attack from above with the kunai in his reverse grip, but the attacker's added weight from gravity made the blow impossible to withstand completely.
Diejian was flung away, forced to separate from Tobirama.
"Monkey, are you all right?!"
"Second! Damn it, Diejian, I'm counting on you!"
Hiruzen shouted.
There were two shinobi attacking Hiruzen, one more than there were attacking Diejian.
They seemed to be quite skilled. Hiruzen was also sent flying and crashed through the window glass.
Hiruzen adjusted his position in midair, trying to return to Tobirama's side, but another surprise attack poured down from the roof and stopped him. He fell helplessly.
"Lord Hokage! What's going on? Who—"
Diejian used the Shadow Clone Technique, sending a clone forward as though to protect him.
Behind Diejian, the clone formed the hand seals for Wood Release, and its body gradually became covered in wooden armor.
While fighting the attackers, Diejian sent a Shadow Clone to Tobirama's side.
There were three attackers inside the room.
Diejian dealt with one, leaving two in effect.
If each of the Gold and Silver Brothers handled one, they could break through.
Just as he thought that—while the Raikage was trying to assess the situation and call for help—his voice was cut off.
"Guh—"
Then came Tobirama's strained voice.
Diejian's Shadow Clone vanished.
A sinister, evil Chakra filled the room.
Even without being a sensor, Diejian could feel the vicious killing intent against his skin.
A mass of hatred bore down on his mind.
But Diejian wasn't weak enough to cower from it.
He turned his arm to wood and punched the shinobi in front of him. Thin branches sprouted, entered through the shinobi's nostrils and mouth, and pierced through the back of his head.
After a brief spasm, all strength left the attacker's body.
Without meaning to, Diejian ended up holding the attacker's body. Over the man's shoulder, he glimpsed something that shouldn't have existed.
"—!!"
A monstrous arm wrapped in a red fox's Chakra Cloak pierced Tobirama's abdomen.
Diejian could hold back no longer. He swung his arm and flung the attacker's corpse away.
He roared in fury, shouting.
Diejian couldn't understand how things had come to this.
This day was supposed to be one to remember, and he couldn't stop the regret surging inside him.
Even so, what Diejian had to do now was save the Second and protect him.
Seeing Tobirama, his teacher, spitting blood and grimacing in pain, filled Diejian with such violent emotion that he trembled.
The only reason he managed to restrain himself was that he understood why the Gold and Silver Brothers hadn't fought back.
He had seen the sinister smile on Silver Horn's face beside the blood-soaked Raikage, splattered with the Raikage's blood.
Tobirama had indeed grown old.
He was over sixty, past his prime.
Besides, he had retired from combat almost twenty years ago. His senses must have dulled compared to the days when he raced across the battlefield.
Even so, Tobirama was the Hokage.
He was the head of the Senju Clan.
He couldn't possibly lose to an ordinary shinobi.
But the Gold and Silver Brothers were no ordinary shinobi.
The Nine-Tails Chakra was fully unleashed through Complete Tailed Beast Transformation, and the attack had come completely out of the blue.
On top of that, Tobirama had been caught off guard while defeating the two attackers in the room, leaving him unable to counter the surprise attack.
But Tobirama was no pushover.
He drew his kunai and stabbed through the arm that had pierced him.
At the same time, he struck it with his knee, breaking the bones in the arm.
Tobirama freed himself from its grasp and pulled away. Diejian ran to his side.
Diejian moved close and asked, "Are you all right?" His face was full of concern as he reached to treat the wound.
But Tobirama stopped him with a hand and fixed a sharp gaze on the monster.
"So that's the Nine-Tails' power. It's nowhere near the real thing."
"So that's the Nine-Tails...?"
The monster—Kinkaku—laughed at Tobirama, who had delivered his taunt while struggling to remain calm.
The red Chakra Cloak was proof of Tailed Beast Transformation.
Its Chakra was nowhere near as powerful as the real Nine-Tails', but its attacks were undoubtedly those of a Tailed Beast Transformation.
In fact, the wounds Tobirama had inflicted seemed to have already healed, and the arm that should have been broken moved without the slightest hindrance.
Diejian swallowed hard.
—Sorry, everyone. This may be the end for us.
The Nine-Tails, the strongest Tailed Beast, once controlled by Madara and sealed by Hashirama.
What stood before him now was indeed a monster worthy of its name, wrapped in an oppressive aura.
To say he was still a cut below the real thing was hardly something to laugh about—but Diejian was Tobirama's bodyguard.
Even if it was only in name, Diejian was happy.
He was happy to be recognized as one of Tobirama's trusted men, on equal footing with Hiruzen and Kagami.
So even if it cost him his life, he would fulfill his duty as a shinobi.
It was because this was Diejian's way of the ninja that he had been able to endure the grueling training.
They were already in the enemy's ranks. It would be difficult to survive.
He thought of Tsunade's smiling face, and Ina's smiling face.
Juri's puffed-up cheeks, and Sakumo's dumbfounded expression.
The happy days they had shared.
So he wanted to die in a way that wouldn't let everyone down.
The instant Diejian stepped in front of Tobirama, ready to face death—
"I'm truly sorry things turned out this way, Lord Hokage."
The ear-splitting crash of earthen walls being blown apart, the thunderous rumble of the floor collapsing.
Ginkaku, struck across the face, crashed through a wall and flew outside. Kinkaku, struck from above, plunged through the floor and slammed into the first floor below.
Through the dust emerged the Second Raikage, A, covered in blood.
"I didn't even have time to feel ashamed for failing to see this coup coming. But, Lord Hokage, if I let you die here, I couldn't face my predecessor. Please, go. I'll hold off Kinkaku and Ginkaku."
"—I'm deeply sorry."
Tobirama and Diejian made their decision quickly.
Tobirama nodded and leaped away. Diejian followed close behind.
Just after they left, Kinkaku sprang up from the ground and tried to stop Tobirama from escaping, but the Second Raikage tackled him and held him back.
Watching the Kumogakure hero disappear amid the chaos, Diejian lowered his eyes, his expression grave.
He worried about Hiruzen, who had stayed behind.
"Diejian, don't worry about Monkey. He's the most 'capable' shinobi I know. He won't die that easily."
Tobirama hid the pain of his wounds, encouraging Diejian as though that, too, were a Hokage's duty.
"Let's get out of Kumogakure first. Diejian, send a clone to Danzo and the others. We'll meet outside the village."
Diejian nodded and used Wood Clone to scatter his clones.
He didn't use Shadow Clone because they needed to deliver messages.
It would be a problem if they disappeared too soon.
He formed a summoning seal and called forth Katsuyu, letting her cling to Tobirama.
With all this vigorous movement, her treatment would probably only provide first aid, but it was better than nothing.
As they raced through the air toward the outskirts of the village, Diejian spotted a one-eyed shinobi on the ground.
That distinctive technique was recognizable even from a distance. It was almost certainly Dodai, the man he had fought during the Chunin Ninja Exams.
He had hoped for a chance to meet him in peacetime.
He faced the man who had once pushed him to the brink, with respect.
He had also thought it might be nice to see the sights in Kumogakure.
Diejian cast every thought aside and kept running.
Right now, he had to survive and return to Konoha.
He didn't look back again.
They raced through the gaps between branches in a lush forest.
Diejian glanced at Tobirama, whose breathing had grown ragged.
Was Katsuyu's healing not keeping up, or—
"Uncle, that wound..."
"Mm... It's probably the Nine-Tails Chakra."
The Nine-Tails Chakra was madness itself, steeped in boundless hatred and killing intent.
To a human body, it could only be poison.
That was why the Gold and Silver Brothers were celebrated.
They had supposedly controlled the Nine-Tails Chakra.
The only people in the world who could handle the Nine-Tails Chakra were Jinchuriki, or Hashirama, who had once wielded Wood Release.
After they had run for a while, Tobirama told Diejian to stop for a moment, and the two of them dropped to the ground.
Tobirama was purely a sensory-type shinobi.
He sensed the presence of their companions nearby and intended to use this spot as their meeting point.
Tobirama steadied his breathing and composed himself.
Katsuyu and Diejian channeled Chakra into his wound to treat it.
Diejian studied Tobirama's expression.
Tobirama was silent, and Diejian couldn't tell what he was thinking.
There was still one sure way to survive.
The Flying Thunder God Technique—a Space-Time Ninjutsu that could cross distances and move someone instantly from here to Konohagakure.
In his prime, Tobirama had been powerful enough to return with the entire elite unit and still have strength to spare.
But now that he was old, he could teleport at most two or three people with him.
Considering the amount of Chakra required to use the Flying Thunder God Technique, making a round trip would be difficult. It would be hard for everyone to survive.
On top of that, he was injured and being consumed by the Nine-Tails Chakra. Even teleporting "two or three people" was questionable.
But Tobirama was the Hokage.
He was an indispensable symbol of the village.
Even if the elite unit, Diejian included, were all wiped out, Tobirama had to—
"Second, are you all right?"
"Monkey. You made it back."
"Lord Kagami!"
"Second, Diejian..."
Hiruzen arrived at Tobirama's side. He was smeared with blood and mud, but looked full of energy.
Then Kagami, Torifu, and Danzo arrived, followed shortly by Koharu and Homura.
It was largely thanks to Diejian's efforts that the scattered elite unit managed to regroup.
The Wood Clones were connected to one another. Though their experiences couldn't be transmitted back and accumulated by the original, they could constantly share information.
It was a unique ability of Wood Clones, similar to the shared awareness and communication Katsuyu possessed in Shikkotsu Forest.
The Wood Clones Diejian had sent to each person had guided them here.
"We're surrounded..."
Tobirama closed his eyes and touched the ground with his fingertips.
He gathered Chakra and sensed the presence of those around them.
Diejian didn't know what to do, so he held his breath and waited.
He urged himself to say it quickly.
Tell Tobirama that he hoped the Hokage would be the only one to return.
The quiet forest only made him more restless.
His hands trembled.
He was afraid of dying.
But he had made it through the Chunin Ninja Exams.
The fear Diejian felt now wasn't fear of death itself.
—He had told Ina there was something he wanted to say to her.
He had asked her to wait, and promised he would come back.
"Enemies... Twenty of them. Judging by their tracking ability, they're Kumogakure shinobi—elite ones. Kinkaku's Unit, perhaps?"
"If it's Kinkaku, then that means—"
The Second Raikage was already—
Diejian couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.
Tobirama nodded silently.
Though injured, he was still the shinobi who had killed the Second Raikage.
It may have been a surprise attack, but the enemy had still been strong enough to injure Tobirama.
"There are eight of us, including the Second. We can't fight them head-on."
"Homura! Don't be so disheartened. The enemy hasn't clearly pinpointed our location yet. We should set an ambush here and catch them off guard, then break through and escape—"
"That won't work, Koharu. In this situation, one of us has to draw their attention away."
"A decoy mission... It's basically a death sentence. So, who..."
Silence fell. Not a sound could be heard.
Tobirama watched everyone, as though he were waiting for something.
Diejian studied their expressions, too.
Their anxious, lowered heads made it seem as if they were afraid.
Only Hiruzen briefly closed his eyes before turning a gaze full of conviction toward Tobirama.
Diejian closed his eyes, too.
This was surely a turning point for him.
Even if he couldn't say it aloud, Diejian could feel it.
There was nothing wrong with running away now.
It would only change the way Diejian thought.
From then on, he would put himself before the village.
Before being a shinobi, he would live as a person, for Ina.
That wouldn't be a bad thing.
Ina would happily tell him, "I'm so glad you made it back alive."
If Hashirama were still alive, he would surely say the same thing.
But Diejian's heart wouldn't allow it.
If he backed down now because he regretted putting himself on the line, then even if Diejian survived, he would be as good as dead.
His spirit would be broken.
As a shinobi of Konoha, Diejian wanted to live and die with dignity.
If he couldn't show that resolve now, he could never reach his "dream for the future"—
Diejian took a deep breath and spoke quietly, but clearly:
"I'll go."
Two voices overlapped.
Diejian and Hiruzen looked at each other, then frowned.
"Hiruzen, Diejian!"
Kagami's voice was full of reproach.
"Don't worry. Despite appearances, I think I'm the most capable of all of you. I won't die. So, Diejian, you should—"
"Ha, big brother. Our enemy is Kinkaku—the monster with the Nine-Tails Chakra. The only thing that can stand against a Tailed Beast is Wood Release. I'm the right person for the job. Besides, I have the Body Flicker Technique. Once everyone's escaped, I can catch up right away."
Watching Hiruzen's wry smile and Diejian's shrug, Danzo's face twisted.
Danzo was afraid.
He was afraid to go alone as a decoy. He believed it was only natural for a shinobi to die in the line of duty, but he couldn't bring himself to act.
Words of encouragement kept circling in his mind, while the desire deep inside him—not to die—held him back.
With death looming right before him, Danzo had faltered.
Danzo was a proud shinobi.
He revered the village, and trusted and respected Tobirama as the Hokage.
Despite that, he felt relieved to be escaping death.
Somewhere inside, he was glad his friends and juniors would die in his place.
"I don't have to die." He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling safe.
Danzo knew it was shameful.
His pride as a shinobi condemned him for not being the one to volunteer.
Danzo couldn't forgive himself for being such a coward.
"Shut up, Hiruzen, Diejian! I—I was going to volunteer! But you two—!"
"Danzo, you..."
"..."
As if trying to shake something off, or hold something back, Danzo raised his voice, his face twisting in pain.
At Danzo's flustered state, Hiruzen looked bewildered, not knowing what to do.
But Diejian seemed to understand Danzo's feelings, at least a little.
Hiruzen had volunteered to die for his comrades from the bottom of his heart.
He had shown true courage by overcoming his fear, and the Will of Fire that should be passed down: a willingness to sacrifice himself to protect his comrades.
Diejian was a little different.
Diejian was actually just like Danzo.
If he had hesitated for even a moment, he too would have been driven by self-reproach, suffering just like Danzo.
Because until just now, Diejian had also been troubled and hesitant.
Diejian hadn't stepped forward because of anything like that.
It wasn't that he didn't feel that way, but that wasn't the deciding factor.
It was because he thought it was cooler.
Rather than constantly blaming himself for running away out of fear.
Rather than being trapped by the thought that he'd be condemned for backing down.
Diejian had a vague feeling that this was surely the way he was meant to live as a shinobi.
To live as himself, worthy of the name Senju and someone his friends could be proud of—
The difference between Danzo, Diejian, and Hiruzen.
What was it?
Was it the unshakable resolve that a shinobi "ought to act this way"?
Or the fervent desire to "act this way"?
Was it the strength of spirit to uphold and protect their own pride?
—No, that wasn't it.
The difference between Danzo, Diejian, and Hiruzen.
It was Senju Hashirama's "Will of Fire."
Hashirama was an idealist, but he loved the village more than anyone.
Tobirama was a realist, but he valued the village more than anyone.
Because Hashirama loved the village, he sincerely hoped that everyone would love it too.
Because Tobirama valued the village, his first order was to protect it.
The most important thing to a shinobi was the "heart."
At the critical moment when their life was in danger, what ultimately decided whether they lived or died was, no matter what, the "heart."
Certainly, Hashirama's way might seem unreliable in practical terms.
But Tobirama's way of thinking could leave them lagging in spirit.
That was why the Senju Brothers had made their way forward by supporting each other.
The alliance, the end of the war, the rise of the village—many of the paths Hashirama had walked could never have been achieved without Tobirama's practical methods.
But what was needed for that final step, after all, was Hashirama's "kind heart."
Danzo was young—given a few more years, perhaps he too would choose to lay down his life for his comrades.
Danzo was an excellent shinobi.
He was a talent Tobirama had taken a particular interest in.
Surely, in just a few more years, he would be able to reach the same heights as Hiruzen through his own efforts.
Hiruzen had known Hashirama.
He had directly inherited the original "Will of Fire."
So had Diejian.
He understood both love for the village (Hashirama) and the rules of the shinobi (Tobirama).
It was only natural that there was a gap between them at the moment.
What was unfortunate was that this very moment—"this instant"—had arrived.
And so Danzo could only turn his back on the heart trembling with fear, could only rouse himself by shouting.
"Self-sacrifice is a shinobi's duty. My father and grandfather both died on the battlefield as shinobi. So—"
"—Of course I'll be the decoy. You are the young inheritors of the Will of Fire, who will protect the village from now on."
The one who interrupted Danzo was Tobirama, with his declaration.
Danzo's eyes widened. Diejian and Hiruzen drew sharp breaths.
"No, you can't! You're the Hokage! There's no shinobi in the village more capable than you!"
"Danzo. No matter what it is, you always have to compete with Monkey. But this is a time for comrades to stand together. Don't bring your personal disputes into it."
Those were Tobirama's calm words, spoken after seeing through Danzo's heart.
An overwhelmingly correct statement could sometimes leave a person with nowhere to turn.
Danzo trembled with frustration and lowered his head.
Hiruzen watched him with concern.
That, too, gnawed at Danzo's heart.
"It's true that you hesitated. First, examine yourself and understand yourself without losing your composure. If things continue like this, you'll only put your comrades in danger."
"—I agree with Mr. Danzo. Uncle, I think you have to live."
"Diejian..."
Danzo, still looking down, stared at Diejian in surprise.
Diejian stood firm, facing Tobirama.
Tobirama met his student's gaze.
Looking back, his mischievous student had always avoided meeting Tobirama face-to-face.
Tobirama was glad that, at this final moment, he could finally face him.
On the other hand, it seemed he had to let the boy witness a teacher's "final lesson."
It was a hundred years too soon for him to talk back to his teacher.
"I told you to call me Second-sama."
Tobirama smiled faintly, but in the next instant, his gaze sharpened.
"Diejian. You're the same way—you talk back to me no matter what. You've been an insolent student right to the very end. But considering what you've 'kept hidden,' I suppose that's only natural."
His words had suddenly struck at the very heart of Diejian.
Diejian faltered and drew a sharp breath.
He trembled because he'd been found out.
He trembled because Tobirama had seen through him, yet still treated him with the same severity—and because of Tobirama's passion, both stern and kind.
It was a different feeling from when Hashirama had acknowledged him.
A searing, roiling emotion enveloped Diejian.
"Diejian, walk the path you believe in—the path you ought to take. Bear the Senju name and show them the new 'hand' you're meant to extend—I'm entrusting it to you."
—I'm entrusting it to you.
That was what Tobirama had said.
The shinobi Diejian respected most had entrusted him with the "future."
Even if it meant the end of something, Diejian trembled with passion.
He had always hated Tobirama.
He had always respected Tobirama.
He had chased after that towering figure, so utterly different from Hashirama.
He had thought that one day he would surpass him and make him take notice.
But Tobirama had acknowledged Diejian long ago.
He believed Diejian had the strength to move forward, overcoming that "hidden danger."
If that wasn't something to be happy about, what was?
A glimmer appeared at the corners of Diejian's eyes. His shoulders trembled as he lowered his head.
There was nothing more Tobirama needed to say to Diejian.
He poured all his feelings into those words.
Surely, they had reached him.
If they hadn't, that would only mean Tobirama had been a poor judge of character.
Then there was nothing to worry about.
What Tobirama entrusted to Diejian concerned the Senju and the Uchiha.
Diejian was still too young to be entrusted with the village.
Perhaps in a few years he would have the caliber to bear the responsibilities of the Third Hokage, but now—
And so Tobirama entrusted everything else to the young man here, now—the one with the strongest heart.
"Anyway, Danzo, Monkey, Diejian. You're all too young to rush. That moment will come sooner or later. Until then, keep yourselves alive."
There was no time left. Tobirama stood up.
Diejian and Danzo could only watch in silence.
They could feel Tobirama's solemn resolve and steadfast will.
As Hokage, his first priority was to pass the Will of Fire on to the next generation.
From the start, the idea of abandoning the elite unit and letting one person survive was never going to work.
Tobirama was not such a small-minded man.
"Monkey."
Tobirama spoke softly.
Hiruzen looked up at him, somewhat surprised.
"Protect the people who admire the village and trust you. Then raise them. Raise people worthy of carrying the era ahead. Starting tomorrow, you'll be the—Hokage."
—I'm counting on you to look after Konoha.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Hiruzen, the one declared the next Hokage, was especially stunned and speechless, but he was, after all, "the most dependable shinobi."
In the next instant, he had shouldered the weight of those words.
He accepted them respectfully and bowed his head.
Of the elite Tobirama had assembled, Hiruzen was the most considerate of his comrades and the quickest to make decisions. Tobirama entrusted everything that came after to him.
There was still much left unfinished, but Kagami, Diejian, Hiruzen, and Danzo—if they worked together, things would surely go well.
Tobirama believed that.
With nothing more to say, Tobirama turned away.
This would be their final farewell in this life.
Hiruzen led the others in giving Tobirama's back a formal salute.
Hiruzen leaped away first.
Torifu and Danzo followed close behind.
After stopping Koharu, who had wanted to speak to the motionless Diejian, the three of them—including Homura and Kagami—disappeared from view.
Diejian stood up.
If he lingered here, he would trample on Tobirama's trust.
That was the one thing Diejian could not do.
So Diejian turned his back on Tobirama.
Then, with his back still turned, he offered his words, his heart brimming with emotion.
"Second-sama. My great teacher. Thank you for everything. May fortune favor you in battle."
"—Diejian. You can just call me 'Uncle' there."
Diejian still couldn't beat Tobirama, even at the very end.
Pretending not to notice the heat streaming uncontrollably down his cheeks, he leaped away.
Left alone, Tobirama wore a faint smile.
With Hiruzen at the front and Diejian bringing up the rear, the elite unit raced onward.
Once they crossed the border of the Land of Fire, they would be safe for a while.
They didn't know how long the wounded Tobirama could hold out, and right now, every second was precious.
So "that" was inevitable.
A black "something" hurtled toward the middle of the elite unit at an astonishing speed.
Without Kagami, with his Sharingan, they likely wouldn't have been able to respond.
Kagami deflected it with a Kunai and broke away from the unit. Koharu, right behind him, ran toward Kagami.
To stop the black "something" from chasing after them, Diejian charged out and unleashed Wood Release.
Seeing the black "something" come to a halt, pierced through by a tree, Diejian felt every hair on his body stand on end.
"This is—"
Now he understood.
It was strange, certainly, but it made sense.
Besides the Gold and Silver Brothers, Kumogakure had other powerful shinobi.
Rumor had it they also had a hulking man who could cover his entire body with Lightning Armor and wield incredible power—
No matter how formidable the Gold and Silver Brothers were, it would have been difficult to gather enough people to fight the Hokage and Raikage, their guards, and all of Kumogakure's shinobi at the same time.
He should have realized it, then.
"You—are you still alive!?"
Behind the Gold and Silver, who had arranged their forces like pieces on a board, there was another "piece."
"That's my line. I thought I'd killed you, but you're tougher than you look."
The hidden presence of the "horn."
Before you continue