Sarutobi Hiruzen raced through the forest, the weight of Senju Tobirama's lifeless body pressing heavily on his back.
Despite his exhaustion and the wounds, he'd sustained, he pushed forward with every ounce of his strength.
Behind him, the roars and footsteps of pursuing Cloud shinobi faded as he broke free of their encirclement.
His heart thundered in his chest, not just from exertion, but from the magnitude of the moment.
He had risked his life to bring his fallen master home, and now Konoha's future rested squarely on his shoulders.
"Hiruzen, this way!" a familiar voice called.
Uchiha Kagami, his comrade, stepped forward, his hands weaving seals at blinding speed.
With a deep inhale, Kagami unleashed a massive Fire Style jutsu, creating a towering wall of flames that blocked the Cloud shinobi's path, buying Hiruzen precious seconds.
The flames roared, reflecting the fierce determination in Kagami's eyes.
As Hiruzen emerged from the trees with Tobirama's body, Konoha's reinforcements surrounded him, their expressions shifting from relief to grief as they took in the fallen form of their Second Hokage.
Hiruzen's silent, sorrowful return confirmed what they had all feared: Tobirama was gone.
"Hiruzen! How is Lord Second?" someone cried, desperation and hope mingling in their voice.
Hiruzen's eyes remained downcast.
"Bring the medical team!" another voice shouted, but Hiruzen knew it was futile.
He walked to a flat rock near the camp's center, gently laying Tobirama's body down.
As he stepped back, his shoulders slumped with sorrow, and the harsh truth settled over the camp like a dark cloud.
The gathered shinobi collectively inhaled, struck by the solemn sight before them. Senju Tobirama, the pillar of Konoha, lay before them, his once-mighty form now still, his eyes closed in eternal rest.
The heart that had beaten with unyielding resolve had been silenced, and the spirit that had fiercely defended Konoha was gone.
Tears streamed down the faces of many, a poignant reminder of the pain of loss.
Hiruzen removed his forehead protector and placed it on the ground before him, a gesture that was soon followed by every Konoha shinobi present.
They stood in silent homage, heads bowed, honouring the legacy of the man who had led them with unwavering strength and compassion.
Senju Tobirama had been a remarkable leader, a Hokage who brought order and structure to the chaos of the ninja world.
He had solidified Konoha's foundation, creating the Anbu, the academy, and a network of mechanisms that would preserve Konoha's future.
The respect he commanded was absolute, and his influence had extended far beyond Konoha's borders.
His reputation had grown to rival even that of his brother, Hashirama. Now, he would be remembered as one of Konoha's greatest heroes.
Hiruzen's voice, filled with authority and laced with grief, rang out, echoing through the camp.
"We will return to Konoha. We will give the Second Hokage the burial he deserves. As for Cloud, we will settle the score when the time is right."
No one questioned Hiruzen's words; his tone left no room for debate.
To the shinobi present, Hiruzen was already their leader. He had risked everything to bring Tobirama home, and that act alone elevated him in their eyes as the rightful successor.
Slowly, Hiruzen lifted Tobirama's body onto his back once more.
The Konoha shinobi parted, allowing him a path, their expressions sober as they followed.
Many of the younger shinobi, who had trained under Tobirama's guidance, openly wept. The weight of their grief settled like a dense fog over the troops, their morale heavy and subdued.
One person, however, stood apart in silent turmoil—Shimura Danzo.
He watched Hiruzen with a clenched jaw, his heart sinking as he realized the implications of Hiruzen's actions.
Hiruzen's courage and selflessness had earned him the unwavering respect of their comrades.
In that moment, Danzo understood that his own chance at becoming Hokage had grown fainter.
A bitter seed of resentment began to take root, gnawing at his pride.
The death of the Second Hokage and Second Raikage marked the end of the First Shinobi World War.
The toll had been immense, leaving deep scars across the lands and reshaping alliances.
The losses were felt not only in Konoha but in every great village.
The Second Tsuchikage and the Second Mizukage had also fallen in battle, leaving a power vacuum in their respective nations.
Only Sunagakure had managed to escape without losing its leader.
Hiruzen returned to Konoha with Tobirama's body, carrying not just the weight of his fallen master but the heavy expectations of a grieving village.
His own wounds, both physical and emotional, took their toll, and soon after his arrival, he fell into a deep coma.
The Village Hidden in the Leaves mourned, an air of sorrow settling over the Land of Fire.
For days, Tobirama's body lay undisturbed, as Konoha awaited the moment when Hiruzen would awaken and take on his new role.
In the meantime, no one dared to speak of burial, for the title of Hokage was not yet formally transferred.
Even Danzo, as ambitious as he was, held back, respecting the solemnity of the moment and the loyalty Tobirama commanded.
Among the Senju clan, grief struck hard.
News of Tobirama's death had reached Uzumaki Mito, his sister-in-law and widow of the First Hokage.
She held her young granddaughter, Tsunade, who sobbed uncontrollably at the loss of her granduncle, the only other family she'd known besides Mito.
Mito herself could not hold back her tears; the weight of her own sadness etched deeply on her face.
Danzo, along with his comrades Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Uchiha Kagami, sought out Mito for guidance.
As head of the Senju clan, her decision would carry great weight.
"Lady Mito, should we proceed with the burial?" Danzo asked cautiously, his voice respectful, though a glint of ambition flickered in his eyes.
Koharu and Homura, both saddened by the loss of their teacher, awaited her answer in silent anticipation.
Even Uchiha Kagami, usually calm and collected, looked troubled, his gaze full of grief.
Mito looked up at them, her gaze weary but resolute.
"Tobirama appointed a successor before he departed this world," she replied, her voice soft but firm.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen is to be our Third Hokage."
A silence fell over the group as they absorbed her words.
Mito's choice was clear—Hiruzen was the rightful heir to the Hokage's mantle.
Despite his inner turmoil, Danzo kept his expression neutral, knowing he could not challenge Mito's decision, especially not now.
However, the weight of lost opportunity bore down on him, fuelling a quiet resentment.
Mito's gaze shifted to them, her expression softening.
"Until Hiruzen awakens, we will wait. Only then shall we lay Tobirama to rest, as is fitting for a Hokage."
Her words, though gentle, carried an undeniable authority.
Danzo clenched his fists, his frustration mounting as he realized the depth of Hiruzen's support.
Mito's endorsement would solidify Hiruzen's position, making it nearly impossible for anyone to challenge his ascension.
"Then we must preserve his body until Hiruzen awakens," Uchiha Kagami said, breaking the silence. "I'll make arrangements to bring an ice-style shinobi from the Mist Village."
"Good," Mito nodded, her voice steady.
"Tobirama will be laid to rest by his successor, just as he would have wanted."