Naruto: Systematic Shinobi Chapter 308 308: A Day In The Life Of A Hokage - 18

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Fuck.

Daiki leaned against the wall of the room prepared for the operation, releasing a deep breath. "Shit," he cursed, lowering his hand to adjust the bulge straining his pants.

It wouldn't do for Tsunade and Lee to arrive and witness the significant tent formed by his arousal. 'Poor Lee would feel inadequate for life, and Tsunade, well, who knows what that temptress might do?' he mused, shaking his head.

He had, after all, seen the Rock Lee and his Ninja Pals series. Poor Lee. Naruto had been utterly crushed after discovering Neji's endowment.

And they couldn't compare.

'If they saw mine, they'd never recover,' Isobu interjected sarcastically. ''Perhaps Naruto would be so demoralized and emasculated, he'd just decide to become Naruko permanently?'

'That was a parody series; the chances of it reflecting reality are extremely slim,' Daiki retorted.

'Like this world being depicted as an anime in some other dimension?' Isobu shot back.

'…' Isobu was momentarily speechless. 'Maybe Rock Lee will decide to become Ty Lee? You always were quite fond of her, weren't you?' he offered weakly.

Hmm.

Daiki crossed his arms, pondering the suggestion. He pictured Ty Lee in his mind, exuberantly shouting about the flames of youth.

'Nope.' He banished the image instantly.

Some concepts were too unholy to even contemplate, even for him.

'Well, putting that aside, you probably ought to say something,' Isobu advised.

Ah, right.

The Anbu agents shadowing him.

They must have had quite the spectacle. He had mostly forgotten their presence.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright, front and center," he snapped his fingers.

From the ceiling, four figures descended, kneeling before him. His gaze fixed upon the squad leader, recognizing his short brown hair.

Yamato.

Or rather, Tenzo, as he was known presently. Or at this moment, Bear, identified by his mask.

"Hokage-sama?" Bear inquired, looking up at him.

"Mmm, it goes without saying, but none of what you witnessed is to be repeated to anyone," Daiki commanded, crossing his arms. "Personally, I don't mind much. There's little to nothing I need to be ashamed of. However, if Sakura were to learn you all saw that, she'd be mortified."

His tone was pleasant, and a smile graced his lips, yet the veiled threat was unmistakable.

"Rest assured, Hokage-sama, nothing of your private affairs will be disclosed," Tenzo replied. "Isn't that correct?"

"Hai Hokage-sama!" the other three confirmed in unison.

"See that it doesn't happen," Daiki nodded. "Return to your posts," he ordered.

Three figures vanished in blurs of speed, disappearing from sight and melting into the room's shadows. Only Tenzo remained stationary.

Daiki raised an eyebrow.

"Apologies, Hokage-sama, but I had to ask," Tenzo stated. "Were you serious about time travel? And that you would soon face something capable of it?"

Ah, yes, he had let that slip, hadn't he?

"Do you doubt me?" Daiki countered.

Tenzo shook his head. "No, Hokage-sama. I would never dare to doubt the word of the Hokage himself, even concerning something as improbable as time travel," he replied.

Daiki rolled his eyes. "Time travel is hardly improbable, remember who you're speaking with," he retorted. "I am merely thirteen years old, yet I can traverse dimensions, high-five Bijuu, retrieve the deceased from the heavens, and conjure a gateway to hell itself to conquer it and enslave its demonic inhabitants if I so chose."

Tenzo stiffened. "…You can create portals to hell?"

Daiki sighed. He really needed to remember that not everyone possessed his depth of knowledge about this world. "Yes, remember those peculiar Rashomon gates Orochimaru summoned when I defeated him? They were originally…"

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"Are you just going to loiter and admire the back of my head all evening?" Hiruzen chuckled, settling into his folding chair, his pipe dangling from his mouth.

He shifted the fishing rod in his hand, placing it in the holder situated between his legs. Just then, bushes rustled behind him, and his old comrade, Danzo, emerged into the clearing he had established as a campsite beside a tranquil river.

It was a familiar spot. He recalled picnicking here with a young Naruto, barely four years old, fishing and enjoying the warmth of a campfire under the starry sky.

"I see you haven't wasted any time enjoying your retirement," Danzo remarked, approaching to stand beside him.

Still clad in that bizarre black robe.

And concealing his 'missing eye' beneath bandages, Hiruzen restrained the impulse to rise and deliver a backhand.

For he was now privy to the secrets hidden beneath those wrappings and within that robe. The revelation from Daiki had ignited a murderous fury within him.

He had been on the verge of dragging his old comrade from his home and executing him for his betrayal.

It had been a narrow escape.

"Have you journeyed here merely to state the obvious, Danzo?" Hiruzen inquired, his gaze fixed on the tranquil, shimmering river, never once looking at his companion as he continued to puff his pipe.

So serene, so ordinary. Yet, the reflection of the moon and stars upon its surface in the darkness possessed a singular beauty.

Danzo remained silent for a moment.

"I have received orders to train a successor for Root," he stated plainly.

A single, bushy grey eyebrow lifted slightly—the sole outward indication that Hiruzen was paying attention.

So, Daiki-kun intended to leverage Root for his own purposes? Well, that was his prerogative as Hokage. His vision for the village differed greatly from Danzo's.

Danzo's overt ambition to provoke Kumo and Iwa into war was ample proof of this. Hiruzen did not approve of the proper re-establishment of Root, preferring it remain disbanded rather than engaging in the clandestine activities Danzo had concealed from him, despite direct orders.

However, Daiki held the position of Hokage, not him. His word was law. And crucially, Hiruzen placed his trust in Daiki; he had been chosen for a reason. Thus, any personal disagreements would remain confined to the chambers of his own mind.

Or at least, in a location where they could not be overheard by others. His public disagreement with Daiki-kun, as the former Hokage, could prove quite detrimental to Daiki's image and the village's morale.

Nevertheless, there could be but one reason behind Daiki's directive for Danzo to train a successor.

"I will not be present this time next year," Danzo declared openly.

Indeed, Hiruzen had deduced as much.

He felt an unexpected pang in his chest. Truly, emotions were often irrational. He had harbored a desire to execute Danzo himself after discovering his actions against the Uchiha and the tragic fate of Shisui-kun…

Yet, the prospect of his old friend's demise conjured a hollowness within him. In truth, feelings were consistently nonsensical.

Even at his advanced age, he struggled to fully grasp the complexities of human emotion.

"As blunt as ever, aren't you, old friend?" Hiruzen remarked, shaking his head and finally meeting Danzo's gaze.

He was surprised to observe a smile gracing Danzo's lips. It was not the sarcastic smirk or the sharp, sneering expression often employed to mask feigned deference during their frequent disputes.

No, this was a subtle, contented expression.

Hiruzen dared to perceive it as warm.

It was a peculiar sight, such a smile upon his weathered countenance. He hadn't witnessed it since their childhood, before the weight of responsibility settled upon their shoulders.

For the first time in decades, Danzo appeared genuinely happy.

"You do not present as a man facing his final moments," Hiruzen observed, averting his eyes.

"Because I am not," Danzo responded. "This is a release. For so long, I have fought relentlessly for this village. You may not have agreed with my aspirations for our home, nor my methods."

He felt Danzo turn his head to face him. "But that is inconsequential now. I am at peace, for the leader this village has always needed and deserved has finally emerged," Danzo declared, puffing out his chest. "I can depart for the Pure Lands with my head held high, face Tobirama-sensei and all our fallen comrades, and proudly proclaim that Konoha will endure. Their sacrifices were not in vain."

"...Yes, I suppose that is true," Hiruzen conceded with a click of his tongue. "And the Uchiha? What will you tell them?"

Danzo let out a dismissive snort. "I have no regard for the sentiments of a clan as inherently wicked as theirs," he retorted. "I played a role in their downfall, it is true. But their own actions led to that outcome. I maintained my distance from them, as promised, until after the Kyuubi attack and the subsequent release of the beast by an Uchiha."

He paused. "Ah, no, I should not refer to the Kyuubi or any Bijuu as mere beasts," his old comrade corrected himself. "They are all esteemed members of the Leaf, or will be soon. Daiki-kun would surely disapprove of calling the bijuu beasts, given his close affiliation with the Sanbi."

Hiruzen turned back, staring at his friend in astonishment. Not solely due to Danzo fully articulating his disdain—

No, it was the sheer intensity of his long-suppressed animosity toward the Uchiha that stunned him. But also…

Daiki-kun!?

Such an intimate address. And spoken with such warmth and fondness. Furthermore, he was retracting his lifelong habit of calling Bijuu 'beasts' simply because Daiki-kun might object?

Who was this man standing beside him? This could not be the Danzo he knew!

He opened his mouth, preparing to speak, but the words eluded him as Danzo continued, "I have merely come to bid farewell in advance. Let this be an opportunity for us to air out any old grievances and lay them to rest," he stated. "However, I will say this. I might perish, but purification may not be my immediate destination."

…What did he mean by that?

Hiruzen regarded him with a peculiar look for a moment, then realization dawned. "Edo Tensei?" he mouthed, utterly aghast.

"Precisely," Danzo's faint smile widened into a full grin, an expression that appeared quite peculiar on his countenance. "Daiki-kun presented me with an offer. Before he takes my head, he will restore my youth and revive me using Edo Tensei, allowing me to continue serving the Leaf Village. Naturally, he will seal my personality, leaving me with no control or independence to act as I please. I am to be assigned to protect Konoha's interests for a century, after which I will be given a choice once more: to serve, or to retire to the afterlife."

"I… I…" Hiruzen was genuinely at a loss for words, dumbfounded by the sheer, horrifying absurdity his friend had just uttered. He could comprehend Daiki employing such a technique on Rasa. Again, he disagreed with the action, but he understood the motive. This, however? "Danzo, I truly will never comprehend you."

"The sentiment is mutual, you cantankerous old ape," Danzo scoffed.

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Danzo had the audacity to scoff, retorting, "I hold no regard for the feelings of those filthy Uchihas."