Main World.
Year 24 of Konoha, spring.
Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
Hokage Office.
The cherry blossoms outside the window had bloomed. Pink and white petals drifted gently down in the breeze, tinting all of Konoha a soft pink. Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the window, gazing at the village he protected. His face held no leisurely appreciation of the blossoms, only a heavy weariness weighing on his brow. He held a report that had just arrived from Kumogakure, its cover stamped "Top secret" in red.
Mitokado Homura stood behind him, holding an identical report, his brow furrowed deeply enough to crush a fly. Utatane Koharu sat in a chair to one side, holding a cup of hot tea. The tea had gone cold, but she had not drunk any. Torifu Akimichi leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded, his face expressionless. Shimura Danzō's place was empty. Danzo was dead. His seat had been removed as well. But the emptiness left in that spot was like a scar that would never heal.
"Kumogakure's strength rankings have been confirmed," Mitokado Homura said quietly. "Apprentice ninja, genin, elite genin, chunin, elite chunin, jonin, elite jonin, weak Kage, ordinary Kage, strong Kage, peak Kage, super Kage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned, walked back to his desk, and sat down. He placed the report on the desk and tapped his fingers lightly against the paper.
"Kinkaku and Ginkaku... to think they could come up with such detailed strength rankings."
Utatane Koharu set down her teacup and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Third Hokage, what rank... are you?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment.
"Ordinary Kage."
Mitokado Homura's pupils contracted slightly.
"Ordinary Kage... then Lord Hashirama Senju..."
"Super Kage."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was calm.
"Our teacher, Tobirama Senju, was a peak Kage."
Torifu Akimichi frowned slightly. "Then our Konoha..."