The morning sun filtered through the window, casting golden warmth over Sarutobi Hiruzen as he opened his eyes, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
With a relaxed stretch, he greeted the day with a chuckle.
"Fell asleep, didn't I?" he murmured to himself, unbothered. He was used to pushing his body to its limits—sometimes, even a Hokage-to-be needed a nap.
Outside, the familiar hum of Konoha's early morning activities floated in, reminding him of why he'd fought so hard to get here.
"Well, there's no point in dwelling on what's behind me," he muttered, his gaze shifting to the distant Hokage Mountain through the window.
The sight filled him with a confident, almost playful resolve.
"Let's see what the day has planned for me."
His hand moved to the thin hospital gown he wore, and he raised an eyebrow, amused.
"Not exactly Hokage material," he chuckled, brushing off the minor inconvenience with a carefree shrug.
The door creaked open, and a young shinobi stepped in, his eyes widening when he saw Hiruzen awake. The poor boy looked as if he'd been delivered a miracle.
"Lord Hiruzen!" the young ninja exclaimed, half in awe, half in shock.
Hiruzen waved his hand casually, taking the bundle of clothes from the shinobi with a smirk.
"No need for the formality, now. I'm only just waking up!"
But the shinobi bolted, his voice booming down the corridor with an urgency that Hiruzen found amusing.
"Tell Mito-sama—Lord Hiruzen has awakened!"
Hiruzen laughed under his breath, watching the young ninja rush away.
*The village sure knows how to fuss,* he thought, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
He dressed quickly, feeling the familiar weight of his robe settle onto his shoulders like a mantle he was born to wear.
Moments later, another shinobi appeared, his face a mix of relief and apprehension.
"Lord Hiruzen, the council is waiting, and Konoha needs direction."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, his usual easy-going air giving way to the sharp intelligence and ruthlessness that had carried him through countless battles.
"What's the situation?" he asked, his voice calm but commanding.
The shinobi swallowed, glancing away.
"Second Hokage's body… Mito-sama insisted it not be buried until you were present."
A smirk tugged at Hiruzen's lips.
'Mito's a clever one.'
It was a wise, strategic move, showing her faith in him as the village's next Hokage.
With the Senju backing him, his position was secured beyond challenge.
'Smart play, Mito. She knows how to pick the winning side.'
The thought left him feeling invincible.
He could feel the weight of Tobirama-sensei's legacy settling onto his shoulders, but it didn't faze him.
If anything, it exhilarated him.
"If she trusts me with this, then I'll carry it with pride."
Without wasting time, he made his way to the Senju compound.
He strolled through the village streets, calm and unfazed, his mind as sharp as ever.
Even with the civilians carrying the weight of Tobirama's death, Hiruzen's presence seemed to offer reassurance, as if his quiet confidence alone could steady the village's resolve.
Soon, he reached the Senju grounds, where the clan members greeted him with solemnity. Hiruzen gave them a nod, unfazed by the sorrow around him.
A shinobi led him to Mito-sama's quarters, and after a knock, her calm voice called him inside.
As Hiruzen entered, he met Mito's steady gaze, her striking red hair framing her face like a crown of fire.
In her lap, Tsunade slept peacefully, her golden hair a bright contrast against Mito's.
Hiruzen's gaze softened, a hint of warmth flickering across his face before he turned his attention back to Mito.
The sun shone gently over Konoha as Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed, his voice carrying a tone of genuine regret.
"Sorry, Mito-sama." He inclined his head, his expression sincere.
Though Hiruzen was now resolute in his path, he couldn't shake the feeling of owing something profound to the Senju.
After all, Tobirama-sensei had sacrificed everything to save him and his team.
This debt weighed on him, and the need to repay it drove his determination.
Mito, her gaze softening but filled with hidden depths, looked upon him kindly.
"It was Tobirama's choice, Hiruzen. I understand his feelings. You don't need to carry guilt."
A faint smile curved her lips as she continued, her voice unflinching.
"Thank you for bringing him back. This will not be forgotten by the Senju."
Hiruzen nodded, accepting her words with an unspoken understanding.
The acknowledgment from Mito meant everything in Konoha; it was a silent proclamation that the Senju supported his leadership.
And from what he'd heard from Danzo, the Senju clan now recognized the weight of what he had done, fighting through the Cloud Shinobi's encirclement, carrying his fallen teacher back to their village.
It wasn't just a duty—it was loyalty that Konoha had rarely seen, and Mito was shrewd enough to make sure the clan knew it.
"You should preside over Tobirama's funeral," Mito said, her voice thick with emotion.
"He appointed you as Third Hokage, and you carried him back here. That honor belongs to you."
Hiruzen caught a slight movement—Tsunade's small hand twitching as if sensing the sorrow in her grandmother's voice.
He glanced back at Mito, a flicker of something uncharacteristic sparking within him.
"Yes," he replied thoughtfully.
But then, almost as an afterthought, he paused, remembering his sensei's last wish.
"Mito-sama," he began, choosing his words carefully,
"The teacher asked me to mentor Tsunade—to guide her on the path to become a true shinobi."
He offered her a subtle smile, one part humble, two parts confident.
"Unless, of course, you'd prefer to teach her yourself. If that's the case, I'd be honored to leave her in your care."
Mito's expression wavered.
A glint of recognition sparked in her eyes, her gaze turning introspective.
In that instant, she grasped the full scope of Tobirama's plan.
He had done more than just assign Hiruzen to Tsunade's training—he had bound Hiruzen's fate to the Senju clan.
As Tsunade's teacher, Hiruzen would not only protect her but, by extension, protect the Senju clan's interests.
Tobirama had left no detail uncalculated, ensuring the clan's place within Konoha.
After a brief moment, Mito nodded, a faint smile appearing as she stroked Tsunade's back.
"Since it was Tobirama's last wish, so be it. When Tsunade is ready, she will learn from you."
Hiruzen nodded, his expression softening as he watched the tiny Senju sleeping.
"Thank you, Mito-sama. I'll prepare for the funeral now."
Bidding farewell, he turned and stepped through the door, his demeanor shifting as he set his focus on the task at hand.
Mito watched him leave, a look of contemplation passing over her face before a single tear slipped down her cheek.
The Senju clan would endure, but she would mourn Tobirama's absence quietly, in private, for the sake of their reputation.
---
As Hiruzen made his way to the Hokage's office, his thoughts settled into a comfortable, ruthless calm.
He knew what Konoha needed, and as he crossed the threshold of the office, he was ready to lead.
But the scene inside stopped him in his tracks.
Sitting in the Hokage's chair, leaning over a stack of paperwork, was Danzo.
Hiruzen arched a brow, amusement flickering across his face as he took in the sight.
''So eager, Danzo?''
The other shinobi—Utatane Koharu, Mitokado Homura, and Uchiha Kagami—watched the scene unfold, a hint of restrained mirth in their eyes.
Danzo's casual confidence as he sat there, as though the Hokage position was his birthright, struck them all as audacious, if not foolish.
When Danzo looked up and met Hiruzen's gaze, he froze, his face colouring.
Hiruzen's grin widened as he approached, each step carrying a bit of playful menace.
"Danzo," Hiruzen greeted casually, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes.
"Didn't realize you'd warmed to the Hokage chair so quickly."
Danzo, visibly flustered, jumped up, stepping aside with an awkward smile.
"Ah, Hiruzen! I thought you were still recuperating… just handling some documents to keep things in order."
Without missing a beat, Hiruzen offered a smile that could've charmed a snake.
"Of course, Danzo. I know how you love taking responsibility."
He turned to the others, flashing a grin that was both friendly and laden with hidden sharpness.
"Perhaps I should announce that you're ready to take over officially?"
The room went still.
Uchiha Kagami, Koharu, and Homura stifled grins, relishing Danzo's discomfort.
Danzo managed a stiff smile, waving his hand dismissively.
"No, no… that won't be necessary. You were Tobirama-sensei's choice to lead us forward."
Hiruzen watched as Danzo sat down next to Uchiha Kagami, his pride hurt but masked by his stoic expression.
Even so, a flicker of longing lingered in his eyes, something dark and unresolved, but Hiruzen saw it all.
He'd play this game with Danzo for now; it was useful to keep friends close—and ambitious ones even closer.
With a composed sigh, Hiruzen took his place in the Hokage's chair, his demeanor shifting to one of intense command.
"We'll hold Tobirama's funeral with Konoha's highest honours," he announced, his voice echoing with steely resolve.
"I expect every able shinobi to attend. Any who refuse to come… will be expelled from the village."
The room fell silent, his words sinking in.
They all knew this was Hiruzen's first order as Hokage, a decisive statement to remind them that Konoha, even in mourning, would remain unyielding.
It was a message to Konoha, to the clans, to the world.
The Leaf was unbreakable. And under Hiruzen's watch, it always would be.