Tobirama Senju: The Hokage Sacrificed Himself to Cover the Retreat? That's Crazy! (1st update, 6.5K)

The Light Screen footage switched back to the interior of the Four Violet Flames Formation.

Shimura Danzo, who had been taking blow after blow, stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose ferocious intensity, resolute eyes, and unavoidable sorrow filled his vision. He clenched his teeth, brimming with resentment and fury.

At that moment, the footage slowed, and Shimura Danzo's inner voice rang out.

"Again and again..."

"Again and again..."

"Hiruzen, why? Why did I lose to you every single time...?"

"Back when we were children, I was clearly the better one..."

The scene shifted, revealing Shimura Danzo's memories—showing Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo as children.

At the dawn of Konoha's founding, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Shimura Danzo had already been together. The two little boys had been friends since childhood, childhood playmates.

Later, they enrolled in the newly established Konoha school. Hiruzen Sarutobi caused trouble around the school like a little monkey, lively and energetic, with none of the composure one would expect from the future Third Hokage.

In contrast, Shimura Danzo had been more composed and more outstanding at school even as a child—the kind of kid every other family wished they had.

And in terms of looks, the young Shimura Danzo utterly crushed Hiruzen Sarutobi. Hiruzen Sarutobi truly looked like a little monkey as a child, while Shimura Danzo had undoubtedly been a handsome little boy.

Thinking of what the man looked like after passing middle age, one could only sigh that time truly was a butcher's knife.

Then, the footage switched back to the present, continuing to show Shimura Danzo trying to resist, only to be struck hard enough by a staff to cough up blood.

His inner voice rang out again.

"When did you start becoming more and more exceptional than me?"

"Those memories should have been blurry, but