Will of embers

Chapter 31

"Ding!!! For completing the quest, you are rewarded with a random genjutsu. Ding!!!"

-Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana

It wasn't the first time Hiruzen looked disappointed at the word "random" in his reward. Hiruzen expected something more from stopping Danzo. And even though the Temple of Nirvana Technique was quite a good genjutsu, Hiruzen didn't think it would help him very much in the future. At best, it could only put genin and civilians to sleep; everyone else who knew even a little bit about genjutsu would easily break out of it.

Hiruzen only woke up a few minutes ago, and he was already despairing. One thing was clear from his fight with Danzo: He was lucky. He was lucky that Orochimaru changed his heart and that Danzo freed Orochimaru before and not after killing Hiruzen. Luck has saved him quite a lot, but for how long will it last?

What will happen when he has to face Akatsuki? Obito was someone Hiruzen didn't imagine being able to defeat, no matter how much luck he had. And he wasn't the only enemy. What about the Fourth Raikage? He wasn't someone who would miss an opportunity to strike if he knew that Hiruzen got weak, and Onoki was the same.

Hiruzen had many people who would want his head. Hiruzen didn't think he could become any stronger any time soon. He lacked the experience and opportunity to learn like the other shinobi. He now realized that any skill that didn't kill his enemies instantly was useless against an experienced shinobi. What he needed was something to use to end the fight before it even began. So he was happy to see some rays of hope with his next reward.

"Ding!!! For completing a quest, please accept your reward. Ding!!!"

Reward: S-rank ninjutsu and random taijutsu.

Ninjutsu- Kirin

Taijutsu- Chakra Enhanced Strength (Novice level)

Hiruzen looked at his rewards for the first time and let out a relieved sigh. Kirin was something he really needed. He thought about learning it by himself, but he lacked the knowledge of ninjutsu to do so, and since it was a jutsu that hadn't yet appeared in this world, there was no record of it. And Chakra Enhanced Strength was something only the Senju clan knew, that is, only Tsunade knew of it, so even Hiruzen didn't have access to it, so it was impossible to learn.

"I am glad you look healthy, but if you move anymore, I will put you down myself," Hiruzen stopped from getting up from his bed as he heard Tsunade's voice. "You lost too much blood. And you own an explanation of what the hell happened to you and why Danzo is dead."

And there it was. The reality of the situation. Danzo's death might not seem a big deal to most populace of Konoha, but for the council and Daimyo, it was. Hiruzen told Tsunade the truth, but he asked her to keep it a secret. He could trust Tsunade, and Jiraiya probably also deserved the truth, but unfortunately, only they would know the truth.

"He doesn't deserve it," Tsunade said after hearing Hiruzen's intention.

"I don't know about that," Hiruzen replied truthfully. "I can't forgive him for betraying and trying to kill me, but in the end, he was a man who wanted the best for Konoha and dedicated all his life to the village."

"He was a traitor, and you want to reward him with the title of the hero? That is not fair, especially after what Orochimaru has done."

"Nothing is as it seems to be. I am glad that Orochimaru finally started to see his wrongdoings, but it doesn't forgive him for his crimes. One good deed doesn't wash out all his wrongdoings, and neither one bad deed washes out all of Danzo's work for the village."

"Bad deed?" Tsunade was bad at hiding her anger, as Hiruzen could hear her bones creak under the pressure of her muscles tensing up. "He tried to kill you!"

"And yet he did this for the village," Hiruzen replied, trying to sound like how the old Hiruzen would. "It doesn't matter what you think. I can't have one of the students of the village founders be a traitor. He was respected, and his words carried too much weight. He was killed by Orochimaru while trying to protect me, and that is how he will be remembered. Because that is the only way we can have our citizens and shinobi not lose faith in us and the shinobi system."

"Fine, I don't even care about it."

In the end, it was politics, and it would be best for all parties if Danzo was portrayed as a hero and Orochimaru as the villain, as the truth didn't serve anyone. But part of it was Hiruzen's empathy for Danzo. His last words to Hiruzen sounded true, and his action of handing down the ROOT to Hiruzen proved it. So, part of Hiruzen felt he owned a bit for Danzo; of course, it was a little part of him. Very little.

…

"Today, we are gathered to send off one of our greatest shinobi, Danzo Shimura," Hiruzen spoke to people gathered at Danzo's funeral. "He had lent me his fire many times. Always supporting the village and doing what was necessary for its safety. His sacrifice is painful not only for me but for the whole village. But it wasn't meaningless, as his fire will continue to burn in each of our hearts. He may rest, for we who remain will not let his fire fade."

There weren't many people. Most of them were older shinobi who had retired because of injury or old age. Hiruzen didn't recognize them, but he assumed they were old war comrades at least once. Shimura clan was long since gone; since the start of the First Shinobi World War, most of the clan members died, and the rest declined soon after, leaving only Danzo without any heirs.

"Danzo was the Darkness of the shinobi world," Shikaku Nara said after Hiruzen's closing speech. "He had no fire as far as I could see. So, tell me what really happened."

"Your senses are keen as always, Shikaku," Hiruzen replied, not bothered by Shikaku's inquiry. "But you are mistaken. Danzo did possess the will of fire, even if it was dark as night and cold as ice. Yet it was still a fire that protected our village."

"If you say so," Shikaku still was skeptical, and he knew that Hiruzen's story was bullshit, but he didn't push it further. "As you requested, I have called Fugaku Uchiha. He should be waiting at your office."

"Good," Hiruzen replied. "Tomorrow will be busy, so rest well for today."

There was much work to do. Even one day was too much for the Hokage to be gone from his desk, and Hiruzen had to rest for two days and spend another day for the funeral and ironing out the story he made about Danzo's death. And now he had to start handing out the ROOT to Fugaku, and since he would be busy with his new duties, Hiruzen also needed to reorganize the police forces of Konoha.

…

Looking at the stacks of paperwork he will have to go through, Hiruzen wasn't very pleased. The worst was that he knew what most of these documents were about. It was about the prison that he pretty much destroyed. Danzo also had broken multiple high and ancient seals to free Orochimaru, and it would be a long time before they would be recreated.

"It was too soon," Fugaku said as Hiruzen took his seat. "I am not ready to take the position of the leader of the ROOT."

"Nothing goes as planned," Hiruzen replied. "You should know that by now. Still, I understand your concerns. I think the best action right now would be to downsize the ROOT. I will take half of the members to the ANBU, and you will replace them with the shinobi of your clan. I will have the Hyuga clan to supplement the police force as the replacement."

"It will take time, and the change of order will not come without some protest. My clan won't like the Hyuga ordering them."

"I will handle it. For now, let's focus on what is in front of us," Hiruzen dismissed Fugaku afterward.

There was too much work right now to think about others' feelings and concerns. Organizations would need to be reorganized, people moved, and money allocated. Just as Hiruzen was about to fill out some documents, he felt dizziness engulf him, and his vision became blurry. It was hard to focus and think. Tiredness was catching up to him.

"You know, the father I remember would have already caught up to my presence," Looking up, Hiruzen saw his son standing before him. He had no idea how long he had been here. "I never was able to hide from you, and yet I stand before you, and you are barely able to see me."

"Kazuki, I am a bit busy right now."

"Too busy to rest? You look like shit, Dad," Kazuki said, taking a seat at the table. "Auntie Tsunade told me to check on you, and she was right as always. You have lost a lot of blood, and your injuries just healed up. Your body needs to rest, and I don't think your mind is up to the work, either."

"I will manage somehow," Hiruzen said. "Village won't run by itself, and I am already behind the schedule."

"You never were home," Hiruzen stopped writing as Kazuki spoke. "But I never was angry at you like Asuma is. However, I was a bit ashamed that I couldn't reach the expectations people set on me as your heir. I didn't care much about others, but I wanted to be as strong as you so I could help you carry your burden. Others might see you as a powerful God of shinobi, but I have seen how you had to drag your tired body to bed after countless sleepless nights. I remember when you retired, how happy you were to leave the village to someone else and spend more time with us. And now I am even more ashamed that I don't qualify to take on your burden and have to see this part of you again."

"I am sorry that I worried you, Kazuki, but I will be fine."

"You are a terrible liar," Kazuki said. "Do your work, I won't trouble you. I just didn't want to lose you too, Dad. I still need you to look after me and Asuma, now more than ever."

Hiruzen took off his hat as Kazuki left his office. He looked out through the window, seeing that the sun was already setting. He realized at that moment why he was so desperate to go back to his work. It wasn't that he was behind the schedule or that he feared the work would pile up. It was because he didn't want to think about anything. And here Kazuki woke him to the reality.

It was easier to hide under his work and exhaust himself completely before repeating the process. Hiruzen wasn't afraid of death; he knew that as he had faced it when Danzo almost got him. But now that he was back, he felt fear deeper than anything else. He was afraid of losing his family and the people around him. Tsunade, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and many more are connected to him right now.

These bonds were scary. Especially when he knew they were built over a lie. And yet, they were real, and he didn't want to lose them. So, rather than confronting those thoughts, he was more inclined to bury himself under the work. But what was the hurry? He was Hiruzen, fucking, Sarutobi. He can handle all of it later; now, he should take some well-deserved rest.

And just as he thought of inviting his son for a bowl of ramen, his office was invaded by Kakashi and his team. Hiruzen heard they would be returning soon, so it didn't surprise him. What caught him off guard was a child on Kakashi's back. At first glance, the kid looked like a three or maybe four-year-old girl, but his insight told him it was a boy and a familiar boy.

"I did not hear any reports of you bringing children, Kakashi," Hiruzen said and looked at the rest of the team for an explanation, but they stayed silent, not daring to look at Hiruzen's eyes. "I hope it is not yours, as even if by that age you were a shinobi and considered adult, I will still have strong words with the woman who would have dared to touch you."

"What? No! It is complicated and best kept a secret. That's why I didn't report it in writing, as I feared them to be intercepted."

"Very well, explain."

Kakashi did explain. Part of Hiruzen wished it was Kakashi's kid, as he really didn't want to deal with it right now. He still felt lightheaded, and now he just wanted to take a nap. Still, he could not fault Kakashi for his actions, as truthfully, Haku's fate wasn't pretty, and it didn't sit well with him to let a child suffer that way. So, he would have done the same in Kakashi's position.

"It probably isn't just talent," Hiruzen said after he heard about Haku's ability to wield chakra already. "It is probably his Kekkei Genkai getting awakened. You were right to keep the existence of the child a secret."

"What will you do with him now?" Kakashi asked as he pointed at still sleeping and probably completely exhausted child.

"Me?" Hiruzen chuckled. "Nothing. You find him, you will keep him. Good luck. He is now your responsibility."

Hiruzen left his office with these words. He didn't need or want more children to look after. He still felt quite weird about having two sons suddenly, and there was still Yamato; he had his hands full already. But he still couldn't leave Haku with just anyone, so Kakashi would have to take responsibility by himself. Hiruzen had dinner to catch up with his family and not make the same mistakes the original had made.

A.N. Hello there. I just wanted to thank all of those who are still supporting me on Patreon with their donations. Those hundred or so euros do help me a lot. Especially after a hard week, being able to buy some tasty food or a game makes all the difference. Not much is left; there are only two months until the end of my service in the military, so thanks for your support and patience.