A monstrous surge of pressure, tinged with murderous intent, slammed into Aizen like a collapsing mountain!
Aizen felt his limbs stiffen, his thoughts turning sluggish, like a mind drowning in a frozen lake. "Hold, Danzo!" boomed a voice. Tsunade, her back to Aizen, unleashed a countervailing aura that matched Danzo's, shielding Aizen from the oppressive force. Tsunade glared icily at Danzo, her knuckles cracking. She was never one to mince words when provoked. Aizen had just declared his desire to become her student, and she felt a spark of protectiveness towards the young Shinobi.
"Tsunade," Danzo said, a faint tremor in his voice as chakra visibly pulsed around his arms. "Merely testing the boy's mettle, to see if he possesses the fortitude to be your apprentice. Nothing more." He couldn't help but notice the steely gazes of Hiruzen and the others watching from afar. Knowing he wouldn't succeed today, Danzo opted for a strategic retreat. As he turned to leave, Danzo shot Aizen a penetrating stare, committing the young Shinobi's face to memory. Here was a prodigy who had just graduated from the Shinobi Academy, a potential recruit that Danzo, a highly respected figure in the Society, had failed to secure.
Needless to say, Danzo seethed with resentment. While his initial offer had reeked of manipulation and ulterior motives, the ever-self-righteous Danzo had already conveniently forgotten that fact. As a certain rogue Shinobi once said, "It is better for me to shoulder the burden of the world's salvation than to allow the world to question my actions." Aizen, keenly aware of Danzo's veiled threat, braced himself for what was to come.The message was clear: "Boy, I haven't forgotten you. Don't think you've slipped through my grasp. I'll find you, and we'll settle this score."
Aizen's expression remained impassive. However, within the hidden chambers of his mind, Aizen had already inscribed a new name onto his mental list of targets. Danzo was now the final entry, following Senju Nawaki. Even after two years of feigning camaraderie, Aizen still harbored thoughts of vengeance against Nawaki. This spoke volumes about the depths of Aizen's… resentment.
Perhaps a more palatable term would be "obsessive retribution." "Don't fret about that relic, Aizen," Tsunade boomed, her back still to him. "You have a teacher now. He wouldn't dare touch you." Tsunade assumed Aizen was shaken by Danzo's parting glare. Aizen, facing Tsunade, paused for a moment before offering a gentle smile. "Fear not, Master Tsunade. I am well, and I thank you for your intervention."
"Master Tsunade, is it?" Tsunade squinted, a hint of disapproval flickering across her face. "Yes, Tsunade-sensei!" Aizen quickly corrected himself, recognizing his misstep. "Well, well," Tsunade smirked, a hint of satisfaction gracing her features. "Seems you possess a keen mind. A bright head is a prerequisite for even basic medical ninjutsu literacy."
"Congratulations, Tsunade! You've snagged yourself a promising student!" boomed Orochimaru, approaching alongside Jiraiya. "Yeah, drinks are on you tonight!" Jiraiya chimed in with a grin. In these days, the future Sannin still enjoyed a strong camaraderie. "Well," Hiruzen chuckled, walking over to join the group. "A bit of a dramatic detour, but a happy resolution nonetheless, and congratulations to you both."
"Tch, it wasn't because of that relic, Danzo," Tsunade scoffed. Hiruzen's face flushed with embarrassment. Danzo's arrogance stemmed largely from Hiruzen's own indulgence. Tsunade, though outwardly criticizing Danzo, was also secretly sending a message to her teacher. Jiraiya and Orochimaru watched, stifling amused snickers. Back then, the position of Hokage wasn't yet firmly established within Konohagakure. Therefore, Hiruzen tolerated minor conflicts and grudges between them. "Alright, alright," Hiruzen sighed helplessly. "I'll have a word with Danzo later. Maybe a gentle reminder about professionalism wouldn't hurt."
Tsunade's words held another layer of meaning. She was pressuring Hiruzen to keep Danzo in check, ensuring Aizen's safety. Seeing Hiruzen agree, Tsunade's demeanor softened considerably. The future Sannin then had brief talks with their respective students. These discussions covered guidance on future team formations, training regimens, and even life planning. Essentially, Tsunade and the others were laying the groundwork for their students' futures.
"Alright, that's enough chit-chat for now," Hiruzen addressed the crowd with a thoughtful smile as the conversations began to wind down. "Remember, today's their graduation ceremony. Soon, they'll be separated and officially become ninjas. Let them have their final moments together."
"As for the B-rank jutsu they earned," he continued, "they'll inform you of their choice, and you can distribute them tomorrow." After a while, Hiruzen noticed the waning enthusiasm for conversation. With a smile, he addressed the crowd. Bidding farewell to Tsunade and the others, Aizen and his classmates, along with Uchiha Fugaku, who had been observing silently, departed the training ground.
"Graduation day!" Senju Nawaki, ever the spender, announced to his classmates. "To celebrate, I'm treating everyone to barbecue! Meet me at the East Street Grill."
Cheers erupted from the group. The East Street Grill was a high-end establishment, rarely frequented even by the likes of Senju Nawaki and Uchiha Fugaku, whose families held considerable wealth. That night, Aizen and his companions enjoyed a lively feast at the East Street Grill. Unbeknownst to Fugaku, they even managed to snag him a few cold beers. Even Namikaze Minato, known for his unwavering adherence to the ninja code since childhood, loosened up and indulged in some meat. The night flowed with conversation. They discussed their hopes for future teams, the missions they might undertake, the kind of ninja they aspired to be, their dreams, and even their romantic interests.
After the party was over, Aizen, feeling a slight buzz, walked the streets of the East District alone. He gazed at the vibrant cityscape, a sense of wonder washing over him. Tonight marked their graduation, their official induction into the world of shinobi. It was the 34th year of Konohagakure. Just like the original timeline, this year saw Namikaze Minato's graduation. Additionally, the future held the birth of Hatake Kakashi, Sarutobi Asuma, Uchiha Obito, Yugao Uzuki, and others.
The wheels of history continued to turn. Tomorrow, Aizen would join the medical division, etching his name into the annals of Konohagakure's legacy.