Deep within the Sarutobi Clan Grounds stood a quiet courtyard.
Outside, a rumble rolled across the ground like muffled thunder. Fine ripples spread across the water in a teacup.
Konohamaru was locked in battle with a math problem about finding the volume of a cylinder. His pen jerked, leaving a black blot on his homework. He looked up in alarm at the old man who stood with his back to him, calmly taking off his house kimono.
"Grandpa... was that thunder outside?" Konohamaru's voice trembled.
For an instant, the sky had gone dark. The light had returned almost immediately, but the pressure, as though someone had seized his heart, made even breathing difficult.
"Not thunder."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood bare-chested, his thin back covered in scars and age spots. He took a long-stored black combat suit from the rack, moving as though he had worn it only yesterday.
"An old friend has come back. He's making a bit of a racket."
Hiruzen tightened his forehead protector. His clouded old eyes suddenly sharpened, and as he put on his armor, his hunched back straightened inch by inch. The kindly old man who haggled at the market vanished. In his place stood the Third Hokage.
He turned and ruffled Konohamaru's hair.
"Konohamaru, finish your homework. It's all right if you can't solve this problem, but if you put down your pen because you're scared, Naruto will laugh at you."
"But..."
"No buts." Hiruzen walked to the wall and formed hand signs.
Poof!
The smoke cleared. A thick iron staff, black as ink and capped with gold at both ends, appeared in his hand. The Adamantine Staff gave a low hum.
"Grandpa will check your homework when he gets back."
Before his words had faded, the window frame rattled.
Hiruzen was already gone, leaving