Part 12 : The Second Hokage's new hope
Peace had returned to the village of Konoha. The enemy had finally been defeated, largely thanks to Tobirama Senju, but also to the rising star, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Today, as the village was recovering from its wounds, it was time to honour the dead. In tribute to the heroes who had sacrificed themselves for the village, and also to the innocent victims of the conflict, the funerals had taken place a few days after the battle, whilst the village was still in the midst of reconstruction.
Before the grieving crowd of villagers lay a vast number of graves. The vast majority were Senju, who had been the enemy's main targets, but there were also a good number of Shimura and Sarutobi, the two clans having fought to the bitter end to save their homeland.
In the centre, a gravestone towered above all the others. It was large, imposing and beautiful.
Β«π·πππ ππππ πππ ππππππππ ππππ πππ π ππππ πππ ππππ ππππ π. πππ πΆππ ππ π½πππππ πππ πππππππ ππ πππ πππππ πππππππ ππ πΊπππππ, π·ππππππππ πππππΒ»
Crowds were mourning their missing friends and family. But the one thing they all had in common was Hashirama. Everyone mourned him. Some loved and admired him more than anything; others feared what would become of them without him; and still others felt lost without their leader, which was undermining their unity.
In the centre of the crowd, directly in front of the grave of the fallen hero, Tsunade was weeping bitterly. Behind her, Hiruzen held her by the shoulder to comfort her.
Mito was right beside them. His gaze was vacant. It was as if his soul had left his body.
Suddenly, a man appeared from behind the gravestones. Dressed entirely in black, in mourning attire like the others, stood Tobirama Senju, the new Hokage following Hashirama's death.
Behind him stood three Shinobi, also dressed in mourning attire. They were his three advisors: Sasuke Sarutobi, Fuyugu Shimura and Himana Hyuga. The three stood firm, holding back their emotions.
Standing before them, Tobirama looked up at the crowd of grieving families. The cries and weeping had ceased. Everyone's eyes were fixed on their new leader, their gazes lost.
Tobirama then slowly opened his mouth:
β They were all heroes. Great ninjas... who fought to the very end. They protected us, risking their lives. Some of them were also... Innocent victims, who did not wish to die, but who defended themselves to the very end in order to survive.Β»e paused, casting a tender glance towards Tsunade. Then he turned, looking out at the crowd with a sympathetic gaze Β«I do not want them to have died in vain. We must honour them. Keep their memory alive.Β»
Tobirama looked out over the crowd. He could see the emotion on their faces. They were all lost and dejected. He had to lift their spirits and make them understand that all was not lost.
β A great hero has died. Probably the greatest hero our world has ever known. Hashirama Senju was a man with a noble heart. He was my brother, and although our views sometimes differed, I can acknowledge that there was no one braver or more loving than him. He had his faults, but he knew how to turn them into strengths. He was a hero, a unifier, an idol to many of you. But today... he is dead.Β»
The final sentence rang out coldly. The villagers' eyes were utterly lost.
β But...Β»
So everyone looked up. That "but" sounded like a new sign of hope, of light.
β We must show our strength. Just because we are weakened does not mean we must be broken for good! Even today... We are the most powerful village in the ninja world; that is an undeniable truth. I will do everything in my power to ensure that this village, which my brother cherished so dearly and which I myself love with all my heart, can weather every storm. Never again shall we suffer such indignities. I will protect you at the risk of my own life, just as I did for my brother! Stand tall, stay strong! And may the village of Konoha rise again and crush adversity! We have not lost, we have triumphed! AND WE WILL ALWAYS TRIUMPH!!!Β»
All this gave the villagers a new lease of life. Everyone now looked up to their new leader and was determined to fight for the survival and happiness of the village.
Hiruzen looked at his master with admiration, a smile playing on his lips. He then patted Tsunade on the head.
β Your uncle is right... We haven't lost. Your family sacrificed themselves for this happiness; there is no more honourable death, believe me.Β»
Tsunade, too, looked at Tobirama with admiration; despite her pain and the tears that kept streaming down her face, she had felt it ever since she was a child β that glimmer of hope that her great-uncle had kindled within her.
But, of all the inhabitants, one remained particularly dejected, as if empty, absent. Mito Uzumaki. Tobirama turned towards her, casting her a pained look, which she either ignored or simply hadn't seen. Had she even been listening to the speech? She seemed⦠as if she, too, were dead.
*****
β You need to stop moping around like that... It won't help.Β»
The Hokage's office was open. Inside, Mito stood facing the new Second Hokage, Tobirama. He looked perplexed, as if troubled by the current situation, whilst she still seemed to be tormented by a persistent sorrow.
β What do you want me to do? Pretend nothing happened? Everyone I loved is dead... There's no cure for that.Β» protested Mito.
β Everyone? Are you sure about that?Β» Tobirama asked her.
β Don't take this the wrong way... But you... It's not quite the same.Β»
β I didn't say that about myself.Β»
Mito looked up and stared at Tobirama, taken aback.
β Your little girl, Tsunade, is still alive. Her parents and her grandfather are dead. She's suffering just as much. Except that sheβ¦ She's not a responsible adult; she's a young child, who's just about to start at the ninja academy. The two of us are the last surviving members of her immediate family. Don't abandon her. She needs youβ¦ It's not me, with my job as Hokage, who'll be able to look after her; I wouldn't have the time. It's up to you to take care of her. Otherwise, what on earth will become of her? Besides... It's not just about her... You're the head of Konoha's medical team. There have been many casualties during this war; they need you more than ever.Β»
Tobirama paused and stared at Minato for a long moment, a hint of empathy in his eyes. She had fallen completely silent, not knowing what to say. Deep down, she knew... he was right.
β I know it's hard for you. Probably much harder than it is for me, I realise that. But... we have to move forward. We've all suffered a great deal, but we must act like responsible adults, to raise a new generation that is strong and resilient. Sometimes you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it... Life isn't always a bed of roses.Β»
Mito looked down again, as if lost in thought.
β At least promise me you'll think about it.Β» Tobirama tried one last time.
Mito looked up and fixed her gaze on Tobirama once more. It wasn't the same look as before. She seemed⦠closer to the Mito Tobirama had known. A fighter, still determined to fulfil her duty. Still, he could still sense that sorrow within her, and it was clear it wouldn't be fading any time soon.
β I've already made my choice.Β» Mito said one last time.
Then she turned away from Tobirama and slowly left the office. Tobirama could sense a surge of energy reigniting within her.
He smiled faintly. It wasn't going to be easy... But perhaps he would manage to turn things around after all. He would save this village from disaster, come what may.
β Well? You look pretty pleased with yourself! Is it working well?!Β»
Tobirama was taken aback and spun round. Himana Hyuga was standing behind him, perched on a ledge high up on the wall, her legs crossed and her head tilted down towards him. She was flashing him a mischievous smile.
β When did you get here?!Β» exclaimed Tobirama, surprised.
β Hmm... I've only just arrived. You would have spotted me otherwise.Β» she replied.
β You really are... incorrigible...Β» sighed Tobirama. Β«So this is the cream of Konoha?!Β»
β Hey! Just so you know, I can hear you over there!Β»
β Pfff... I knew that all along...Β»
β I sometimes find it hard to tell whether you're being serious or not...Β»
β Let's just say that even when I'm joking, I'm likely to keep a straight face for quite a while, given everything that's just happened and all my new responsibilities...Β»
β Hmm... You've always looked so serious. Even when you're laughing. In fact, I don't even know if you've ever not looked that way. Anyway, if it's any consolation, that's part of your charm...Β»
β If you say so...Β»
Himana then stood up and jumped off the low wall, landing next to Tobirama.
β Above all, if you need me for anything... Whether it's to help you with your work or... just to take your mind off things... Don't hesitate. I'll be at the Hyuga Clan's hideout. Β» she said.
β I'll think about it. If I have time to make the trip.Β»
Himana looked down. She eventually smiled, but it was a forced smile.
β All right... Perhaps I'll pop in here on my own, then... If it doesn't interfere with your work, of course... Β»
That last sentence was full of sadness. Himana then left the room, whilst Tobirama continued to stare at her, not knowing what to think.
Tobirama wasn't really sure what had happened. Had he said something wrong? No, he didn't think soβ¦ So what was it? What was the problem? He didn't really know, but he wanted to find out. He had to understandβ¦
β Well... Work comes first.Β» he concluded Β«All that is just trivial stuff... I'll think about it again once I've finished properly rebuilding and fortifying the village.Β»
Tobirama then sat back down in his chair and leaned over his desk, leafing through the stack of papers spread out before him.
β Come on! Let's get to work!Β» he exclaimed.
*****
The village seemed to be gradually getting back on its feet thanks to the new Hokage. Konoha would recover; of that there was no doubt. Even so, the war was still far from over...
*****
BOM !
The ground had just trembled. There was something... underground. Suddenly, a hand shot up, sending gravel flying in all directions. It clung to the loose earth and pulled itself up to the surface.
A man then emerged from the ground. He was badly battered. His naked body was covered in scars and his skin was pale; he looked like... a corpse.
β Sorry for the delay... I had to wait until the village of Konoha let its guard down a little.Β» avoice spoke up from the darkness.
The man who had just emerged from the ground then turned towards him. The one who had just spoken was a creature that was entirely black, impossible to make out in the darkness. All that could be seen were two yellow circles and a broad yellow arc glowing in the darkness, which were probably its eyes and mouth.
β Never mind... Zetsu... After all, it's best to take every possible precaution.Β» the man then replied.
The man was struggling to move; he was trembling. He then reached out his arm towards the man known as Zetsu.
β You can put your arm around me... To help me walk... I can't see a thing...Β»
β Hmm... That's the effect of Izanagi. So you've decided to sacrifice your second pupil in order to be reborn.Β»
β Yeah... I'll have to think about getting pupils from other Uchiha... At least, once I've finally awakened the Rinnegan.Β»
Zetsu was now helping the man along, supporting him by the shoulder. They were making their way out of the village.
β Let me take control of your body...Β» Zetsu asked. Β«I could help you move faster, and that way, you'll be sure to escape Konoha.Β»
β Right... Go on then... And don't forget to fill in my grave. We don't want anyone to know I was ever there. But a stand-in corpse, if it comes to it.Β»
β Very well, I'll give it some thought, Master Madara.Β»
β Huh... Huh... I've finally managed to take out Hashirama and most of those bloody Senju... Just Tobirama left... And then my plan can finally be put into action.Β» Madara Uchiha laughed, a broad smile spreading across his face.
Madara's plan was in motion. And now, more than ever, it seemed achievable. This filled Madara with joy. He was almost thereβ¦ He was about to reach the other sideβ¦
πThe End ???π