Will of embers

Chapter 8

Hiruzen looked at the steaming cup of ramen and then back to his youngest son. He didn't know if he should be depressed that his dinner consisted of ramen in a cup or that his son proclaimed that he wanted to join the Twelve Guardians. With his memories of Asuma, it was quite hard to accept, but he knew it wasn't his decision to make.

"If that's what you want, I have no objections," Hiruzen said, as he looked at the ramen was getting colder. "But you are just a chunin, and even though I don't doubt your skills, the Twelve guardians are all strong individuals, far more experienced than you and far more skilled than you. Everyone could be considered a Jonin in strength, even if not all of them are shinobi."

"The Daimyo of the Land recruited me himself," Asuma replied, pride clear in his voice. "And I am not kid, father. I know my limits. I only agreed to join the twelve guardians once I was promoted to a Jonin."

"You want to take the exam?" Hiruzen asked, a bit relieved that Asuma wasn't full of himself.

"In three months, I am working on new jutsu, and I think I will be ready in three months," Hiruzen smiled as he saw Asuma getting cold feet for a moment and his bravado falling. "I don't want you to worry about me, but I must do it. I want to find my ninja way; otherwise, I will always feel trapped."

"If your mother were still alive, she would beat me up for agreeing to it," Part of Hiruzen hated having the memories of his family, as with those memories came the pain of losing a loved one. "Only fifteen and already eager to leave the home."

"You think Mother would be proud of me choosing this path?"

"Oh, she would be more than proud," Hiruzen smiled as images of his wife's smile emerged as Asuma graduated from the academy and passed the chunin exam. "She would go around the village telling how her son was chosen as one of the Twelve Guardians and served the fire Daimyo. But she also would be sad to see you leave home and worry herself every moment if you were fine. If you aren't injured, or if you are eating well, or if the Daimyo isn't pushing you too much."

"I am sorry for saying all the stuff about you for not being around for me," Asuma bowed his head in sincere apology.

"You were angry, and sorrow has consumed you," Hiruzen replied, not taking it personally. "And it wasn't wrong. I have failed you and your brother in many ways, but I have always believed in your potential. But I have to warn you, not as a father but as Hokage, that the path you are taking now isn't easy. When you are ready, come and take the exam."

"Thank you, father," Asuma said with a relieved smile.

Before the noodles got too soggy, Hiruzen dug in his ramen. He was starving as he spent all day reviewing the reports Danzo dropped on him. Danzo pushed him hard to accept his proposal and lessen the requirements to join the Genin Corps. But Hiruzen refused it again and again. He couldn't see these kids get themselves killed because the village was a bit in a bad spot.

It wasn't right. Hiruzen knew he might be thinking idealistically and naively, but sending children on missions they weren't prepared for was not right. He didn't think he would be able to handle seeing their corpses returning to the village. He would have to see their families and friends cry for them. It would be too much for him to handle.

What Hiruzen was most scared of was that he might start not feeling anything. He might start believing in Danzo's beliefs that shinobi were nothing but tools for the village. Then it would be easier. It would be much easier to run the village, but would he be a human then? Hiruzen wasn't a real Hokage; he was only pretending to be one, and at moments like these, it truly showed how little he understood.

…

Today was one of the more peaceful days. Work went smoothly. There wasn't anyone coming to Hiruzen to meet him. No emergencies that needed him. He even finished his work on time. That is why Hiruzen was worried. Nothing good ever comes to him without a price. He was waiting for someone to burst into his office and tell him that Kumogakure was attacking or something along those lines.

But as the day ended, nothing of the sort happened. Instead, Hiruzen was enjoying his afternoon tea in peace. If he didn't know that shinobi were watching him in the shadows of his office, he might have enjoyed his free time more. But at least with the Negative Emotions Sensing seal, he could tell that nobody was harboring any evil intentions to him.

No negative emotions are coming from anyone within the vicinity towards him. So, at least, he could rest easy, knowing that nobody hated him or was angry at him. And most importantly nobody was trying to kill him. It meant that every ANBU operative believed him to be real Hiruzen.

Well, to think that somebody possessed the body of their Hokage and then started working for the betterment of the village was quite a stretch. So, even if he wanted to praise his acting skills, Hiruzen knew that he should be fine as long as he didn't do anything that the real Hiruzen wouldn't do. All he needed to do was to keep a calm mind and not get into a fight where he would show his lack of fighting skills.

"I am back!" And there went the peaceful day down the drain. "The great Jiraiya has accomplished his missions and presents the Slug Princess, Tsunade Senju."

"Would you shut up?" A beautiful and busty blond woman entered the office. "Why not go around the village yelling that you brought me back?"

"Good idea, then I will be going," Jiraiya replied and jumped out of the window.

Hiruzen could only sigh at his pupil's display of childishness. But Jiraiya's actions also left Hiruzen alone with Tsunade. If Hiruzen weren't her teacher and didn't need to play as a wise old man, he wouldn't be able to resist looking at Tsunade's figure. The woman was in her late Thirties, but her smooth skin and curvaceous figure made her look no older than someone in their mid-twenties. If only he weren't Hiruzen but some random guy in this world. At least then, he might have a chance with Tsunade.

"Are you going to keep quiet after sending that annoying guy to force me to return?" Hiruzen didn't need a Negative Emotions Sensing seal to feel her animosity towards him.

"I was just appreciating your return," Hiruzen replied, trying to act as her teacher while not knowing how he should act. "It has been a while. I was worried."

"Stop with the bullshit," Tsunade said, taking a seat before Hiruzen's table. "You never cared about me before, but now you need me, so you send Jiraiya to force me back. Just tell me what you want and be done with it. I don't want to stay there longer than I need."

"Where?" Hiruzen asked, putting his cup of tea back on the table. "Where would you leave to? To gambling and drinking your days until your death? Or maybe you found a boy toy to play with. Or girl, I won't judge you."

Tsunade's punch quickly destroyed Hiruzen's table. And there went his tea, which he had enjoyed a few moments ago. The killing intent was unmistakable. And Hiruzen knew he shouldn't have said what he said, but her words pushed a bit too much. He, who was torn from his home, left without a family and friends and forced to take the role of Hiruzen Sarutobi, had worked his ass off every day. So, when she sounded like the victim in this situation, Hiruzen was a bit angry.

"I have given you time to wallow in your grief," Hiruzen said, not raising his voice, but anyone could hear silent rage within his tone. "I thought that it was better to leave you alone. I thought you would return on your own one day, but you didn't. I was fine with it. Maybe you found another purpose or wanted to live out your new life. Yet, what have you accomplished in all this time?"

"What do you know about me? It was because of you that they have died. Nawaki should have never been on that battlefield. He was just a kid, but because of you, because of this damn village, he was forced to fight a war he had no say in. And even after Dan sacrificed his life for this village, it wouldn't even care about these last wishes. All he wanted was for medical shinobi to be assigned to every squad, but you couldn't even do that. So, I should ask you, what have you accomplished all this time? Nothing, like always."

"You right," It wasn't fair; he wasn't the real Hiruzen; he didn't know these things. He shouldn't be supposed to take upon this responsibility and then be blamed for it. It was already hard. Every day was a struggle. If it weren't the village, it would be the Konoha Council, Danzo, Orochimaru, or someone or something else. It never ended. "I am a failure, aren't I? I couldn't protect the village. I can't even help my pupils. I am no good."

"What are you getting at, old man?" Tsunade calmed down at Hiruzen's words.

"I called you back because I need you," Hiruzen said as he stood up and walked up to the window to oversee the village. "It is selfish and not fair. I know I have no right to ask you for anything. But what am I supposed to do? The village needs you, Tsunade. Hate me, despise me, curse me to death. I won't ask forgiveness for letting you down. I can only beg you."

"This isn't like you, old man," Tsunade said, her anger was now replaced with concern. "You have Orochimaru and Jiraiya, even if he is a fool. Danzo is there, too. Why would you even ask me for help when you know I can't do anything."

"You have been gone far too long," Hiruzen chuckled at Tsunade's words. "Orochimaru and Danzo are one of my concerns now. The former is stuck in his research, doing who knows what. While the latter is doing everything in his power to undermine me and push his own agendas, no matter how clouded they are. I only have Jiraiya, who doesn't want to do anything to do with politics."

"Damn you! Why are you acting so damn pathetic all of a sudden?" How was Hiruzen supposed to answer that?

"I can't force you, but please, at least, reconsider and stay in the village, even if it is for a few days," Hiruzen said; he really would appreciate the help Tsunade could provide him. But maybe he was too selfish and unappreciative.

"Well, I am already here, so I as well visit my home," Tsunade replied. Any negative emotions she displayed toward Hiruzen were now gone. "It's probably all dusty and dirty. I should at least clean it up before I leave again."

Hiruzen nodded his thanks as Tsunade left. What was he thinking of trying to manipulate Tsunade in the first place? How could he understand what she was going through? Maybe it was a mistake to call her back. It only added another person he would need to be careful around. But he couldn't let Danzo have his way with the village politics or let Orochimaru do as he wished. He needed help to stop these two.

A.N. As always, If you want more, up to seven advanced chapters, you can support me on pa treon. com \ ironwolf852. And if you have any requests for stories, I will only take them on my pa treon.