Two days later, on a rainy morning, the funeral for the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, took place atop the Hokage Tower. The elite members of the Konoha Anbu stood in two solemn rows, their expressions somber as they faced the portrait of the late Third Hokage.
Beside Furin, Moegi, who hadn't seen him in quite some time, clutched his sleeve nervously and asked, "Brother Furin, now that Grandpa Third is gone, who will protect us?"
In Moegi's eyes, the Third Hokage had always been the village's strongest protector, and his death left her feeling vulnerable.
Furin gently patted her head and reassured her, "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
"Okay." Moegi's expression softened, and her eyes sparkled with happiness as she looked up at him.
Furin then bit his finger, forming hand signs before pressing his palm against the rain-soaked ground. With a puff of smoke, the massive form of the Monkey King, Enma, appeared before Hiruzen's portrait.
"Young Sarutobi..." Enma's eyes reflected a deep sadness. While Hiruzen wasn't his first summoner, they had shared the longest bond. After all, Hiruzen had lived an exceptionally long life.
"Thank you, Furin," Enma said, before solemnly stepping back to the rear of the gathering.
As Furin summoned Enma, a cloaked figure standing nearby raised his head slightly. "So, Sarutobi's summoning contract has been passed on to him?"
The figure's withered skin, bandaged eye, and his entire aura revealed his identity.
"Danzo..." Furin narrowed his eyes, recognizing the man wrapped in shadows, the leader of the mysterious Konoha Root organization. "So, now that Sarutobi is dead, Danzo has finally shown himself?"
Furin harbored no particular feelings toward the Third Hokage, and his disdain for Danzo—who was steeped in corruption—was even stronger.
"But what really caught my eye is that Sharingan of his..." Furin thought, his gaze sharpening as he focused on Danzo. Despite his current strength, which had reached a half-Kage level, he knew he was still vulnerable to Kotoamatsukami, the ultimate genjutsu cast by Shisui Uchiha's stolen eye.
"Is there any way to quickly improve my genjutsu resistance?" Furin pondered, and then a sudden thought lit up his eyes. There was indeed a way to enhance his genjutsu skills quickly—by seeking out someone within Konoha.
"The Kurama Clan!"
After the funeral concluded, Furin sensed Danzo's continued surveillance, feeling his presence looming closer.
Danzo approached cautiously, as if still concealed in the shadows of his loyal Root operatives. Furin couldn't help but think, "Even within Konoha, he's still so paranoid..."
Danzo's paranoia was notorious. He always had Root members trailing him, even in the village, ready to protect him.
"Tsukiyo Furin, son of Konoha chunin Tsukiyo Roka and kunoichi Tsukiyo Ushinami. Both your parents died in the wars," Danzo said, lowering his hood and revealing his face. "Join us, and become one of the Roots that supports Konoha from the shadows."
Danzo extended his hand, using his usual manipulative tone to try to recruit Furin into his secretive organization.
Furin narrowed his eyes, calculating how to reject Danzo's offer without raising suspicion. But just as he was about to respond, Jiraiya suddenly appeared, stepping between Furin and Danzo.
Jiraiya had been absent from the funeral. He had been on a mission, following orders to strike at the Sound Village strongholds during the Konoha Crush plan. He had hoped to confront Orochimaru but instead discovered that Orochimaru had already killed the Fourth Kazekage. Witnessing the betrayal between his former student and master had left Jiraiya deeply saddened. He was grateful that Furin had been there to help the Third Hokage in his final moments.
"Jiraiya..." Danzo muttered, his eyes narrowing with hidden intent.
With the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, had become one of the top candidates to succeed as the Fifth Hokage.
On the day Sarutobi had died, Danzo had already spoken with Konoha's other two elders, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. Their responses had been vague, indicating that there was more at play. Danzo knew that if he wanted to become the next Hokage, Jiraiya was a major obstacle.
Recognizing the situation, Danzo made the wise choice not to engage further with Jiraiya. He quickly turned away, leaving Furin and Jiraiya alone.
As soon as Danzo left, Jiraiya's usual carefree persona returned. He turned to Furin with a mischievous grin and asked, "Furin, want to come with me to check out the women's bathhouse today?"
Furin replied flatly, "…Not interested."
"Ah, well, suit yourself then," Jiraiya said, walking away. Before leaving, he turned and added, "Watch out for that guy."
Watching Jiraiya's retreating figure, Furin's thoughts grew serious. He knew that Danzo would require constant vigilance.
"I need to quickly neutralize the threat of Kotoamatsukami... perhaps the Kurama Clan's genjutsu techniques could help resist it?"
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T/N:
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