Senju Tobirama's resolve had been solidified the moment he felt the malicious chakras of the Gold and Silver Brothers.
From the start, he had known his life would serve as a bulwark for Konoha's future—a final shield to buy time for his students.
Yet, what he had not anticipated was Hiruzen's courage. He had assumed, even accepted, that Shimura Danzō would rise first in this decisive moment.
But it was Sarutobi Hiruzen, the one who had trained quietly at his side, who leaped into the fray with startling intensity. Hiruzen had learned well.
"When you hesitate, you lose," Tobirama muttered, aware that his strength could buy his protégés the time they needed.
The Gold and Silver Brothers—wielders of the Nine-Tails' chakra and the fabled Six Paths ninja tools—were relentless in their pursuit. Had this been thirty years ago, they'd be nothing more than gnats underfoot.
But time, even for Tobirama, had worn his edge.
"Hiruzen, take them. Lead them back to Konoha!" Tobirama's voice was steady as he turned to face his foes.
Without hesitation, Hiruzen's voice rang out with authority, an echo of Tobirama's own resolve.
"Everyone, move! We won't waste what he's giving us!" The young Sarutobi's eyes were fierce, reflecting his determination, as he herded the group forward through the forest.
Danzō's gaze lingered on Hiruzen, smouldering with unspoken regret. If he'd acted a second sooner, he could have been the one named as Tobirama's successor.
The title of Third Hokage was almost in his grasp, yet Hiruzen had stepped forward, claiming the path before him with a single decisive action. As they fled, the bitter seed of resentment took root in his heart.
"Keep up!" Hiruzen's voice cut through the chaos, his bo staff whirling through the air, a fearsome blur.
He unleashed his Five-Element Style ninjutsu with an intensity the others hadn't seen before, the forest lighting up with waves of deadly chakra.
Cloud shinobi fell before him like wheat to the scythe, blood staining his robes as he cleared a path through the ranks of their enemies.
His pace was relentless; there was no time for hesitation. But upon closer inspection, his clothes bore no wounds from the enemy.
The blood on him was from the Cloud shinobi who had fallen, each one another step along the path of survival he had carved for his comrades.
"This power...Hiruzen's strength... How could it have increased so drastically?" Uchiha Kagami murmured in shock, eyes wide as he watched his friend mow through their attackers.
Danzō, too, was stunned, his eyes tracking Hiruzen's every move. How could his closest friend possess such power? Hiruzen's strength now rivalled Tobirama's own.
Danzō felt the weight of realization settle coldly within him—if Hiruzen had hidden this much, what else had he kept secret?
Soon, under Hiruzen's merciless barrage, they broke through the last of the Cloud shinobi's defences and returned to Konoha's encampment.
As they arrived, the surrounding Konoha shinobi gasped at their haggard state. "What happened? Where's the Second Hokage?"
Danzō, face pale but voice steady, replied, "Cloud's Gold and Silver Brothers betrayed the Raikage and struck him down.
Lord Second stayed behind… to hold them off." His voice was heavy with grief, but his eyes hid a deeper intent.
"Wait… where is Hiruzen?" Uchiha Kagami's eyes searched their surroundings, realizing that Hiruzen was missing.
A Hyuga shinobi nearby activated his Byakugan, searching the forest. When he finally spotted Hiruzen's chakra, his voice quavered.
"H-He's…he's heading back to the battle!"
Shock rippled through the group. "He's what? Going back?" Homura cried out, disbelief flashing across his face.
Danzō, too, was confounded. If Hiruzen had already cemented his claim to the Hokage title, what could compel him to return to that battlefield? Was it possible he wanted to rescue Tobirama?
The idea simmered in Danzō's mind, a dark whisper urging him toward ruthless ambition. If Hiruzen failed to return, he alone would remain the most prominent candidate for Hokage.
The bloodline of Konoha demanded strength, and a true shinobi would do anything to achieve greatness.
In truth, Sarutobi Hiruzen's purpose was shrouded in more calculation than valour.
As he raced through the forest, his mind was sharp, and his eyes gleamed with resolve.
He remembered the details of this encounter: according to the anime, Ginkaku would fall, Kinkaku would be gravely injured, and the Six Paths ninja tools would be left behind.
These artifacts, imbued with the power of the Sage himself, could bolster Konoha's strength—and his own influence—immeasurably.
As he neared the battlefield, Tobirama's figure loomed in the distance, a pillar of strength, even in his final moments.
Hiruzen's pulse quickened as he took in his master's steady stance, a man determined to carve his way into history with every remaining breath.
He saw the way Tobirama's chakra flared, radiant and fierce, as he struck Ginkaku down.