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A steady drizzle fell beneath an overcast sky as Jiraiya and Orochimaru stood before two gravestones, paying their respects.
One read: The Shopkeeper, Konoha's Greatest Philanthropist.
The other bore Kakuzu's name.
"Damn, Orochimaru… I never figured you'd end up working for Danzō." Jiraiya wasn't sure what to make of his old friend anymore.
Serving Danzō was one thing. Helping him undermine Hiruzen was another. That was the part Jiraiya couldn't understand.
"People change." Orochimaru's expression gave nothing away. "There are things Sarutobi-sensei won't let me do. Under him, I'd never be more than another shinobi. If he found out what I've been doing, he might even throw me out of Konoha."
He kept the details to himself. He'd only admitted that much because he and Jiraiya were practically brothers.
"What exactly have you been doing?" Jiraiya asked.
"Searching for the secret to eternal life." Orochimaru ran his long tongue over the corner of his mouth.
"Look at them," he continued, gesturing to the graves. "We get so little time. Against the whole history of the shinobi world, a human life is over in a blink."
Jiraiya frowned but said nothing.
"Our father, Grandpa Kakuzu, Nawaki… None of them had enough time. How much do you think we have left?" Orochimaru asked.
"Alright, enough. You've gotten weird, you know?" Jiraiya waved off the question. "How about we hit the Konoha hot springs and sneak a peek at the women instead?"
"Idiot," Orochimaru muttered.
There was no having a serious conversation with this guy. Either Jiraiya couldn't follow him, or he was playing dumb on purpose.
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Elsewhere in Konoha, Manji and Tsunade strolled beneath a black umbrella. They'd just left the barbecue restaurant and were in no hurry, listening to the rain patter against the fabric. Quiet moments together were rare, and they meant to enjoy this one.
Tsunade wore an easy smile, content to keep walking beside him.
A newspaper pinned to a bulletin board on the corner caught Manji's attention.
Third Kazekage Missing.
So Sasori had pulled it off.
The Third Kazekage's disappearance would set the Third Shinobi World War in motion. Looked like another war was right around the corner.
"A Kage just disappeared?" Tsunade stared at the headline. "Wasn't he supposed to be the strongest Kazekage in history? He should've been at least as strong as Sarutobi-sensei."
"Yeah." Manji nodded, leaving it at that.
An ANBU operative appeared through the rain and knelt before them. He wore standard gear and a cat mask, with water dripping from his hood.
"Lord Manji, Lord Hokage has an urgent matter to discuss. He requests your presence at the Hokage Building immediately." The voice behind the mask was respectful but impersonal.
"Now? Does he know what time it is?" Tsunade tightened her hold on Manji's wrist.
The Sakumo incident was still fresh, and Danzō had made his ambitions clear enough. An emergency meeting at this hour could be another setup.
"Just me?" Manji asked.
"Yes, my lord."
"Understood."
Once the ANBU left, Tsunade wrapped her arms around Manji's waist and rested her cheek against his cool clothes.
"I'm coming with you," she said. "What if… what if Danzō pulls something again?"
"Hey, it's alright." Manji patted her back, touched by her concern. He switched the umbrella to his other hand and drew her closer.
Tsunade still couldn't relax. A rainy night, a private summons, nobody else invited—the red flags were piling up. Was this really going to be okay?
Manji looked down at her worried face and chuckled.
"Don't worry. It's just a meeting. Whatever Danzō tries, I can handle it," he said. "Go home. I'll be back soon."
If Danzō did try something, Manji wouldn't mind making a few changes in Konoha.
Besides, even setting their difference in strength aside, what would Danzō gain by trying to kill him? It made no sense.
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Only the usual ANBU night guards remained in the Hokage Building's corridors. Manji reached the office without trouble and opened the door. Danzō sat alone at his desk.
"Ah, Manji. Come in. Sit." Danzō's smile was a little too eager to be convincing.
He talked around the state of the shinobi world for a while before finally bringing up Kumogakure.
"Kumogakure keeps crossing our borders and provoking us. Rather than wait for them to attack, we should strike first. I'd like you to command the Kumogakure front and take charge of our forces."
"No." Manji waved him off before he could say more.
He knew exactly where Danzō was going with this.
Danzō's smile froze. He hadn't expected such a blunt refusal.
"Manji, I'm the Hokage." Danzō rose from his chair, his tone leaving no doubt that he expected obedience.
"And I'm still not going. I've always been against war." Manji didn't look up.
Danzō swallowed his anger. He could move against anyone else in Konoha, but Manji had too many allies.
Hiruzen had originally intended for Manji to become Hokage. Whether he'd meant to or not, he'd helped build Manji a formidable base of support: Minato, Kushina, Shinnosuke, the Sannin, and Sakumo.
Manji hadn't taken the office, but he still had those allies and all the influence that came with them.
"Fine. I don't force people into things," Danzō said, backing down. "I only hope you'll do your part when you're needed."
The message was clear. If Konoha faced a crisis, he expected Manji to step in.
"If Konoha needs help, I'll help," Manji agreed.
As long as it didn't interfere with the bigger picture. He was the sage of the entire shinobi world, not just Konoha.
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It was past midnight when Manji opened the front door. Tsunade was still waiting in the entryway.
"I'm home." Manji smiled at her.
"Thank god. I almost went out looking for you!" Tsunade hurried over and hugged him.
"Come on. Let's get some sleep," Manji said gently.
"No. You still owe me our nightly workout." Tsunade looked up at him, her eyes tired and red-rimmed.
"We don't have to do it this often, you know. Can't it wait until tomorrow? I'm exhausted," Manji pleaded.
"No."
"Fine. Let me put one on first." Manji sighed.
Before he could move, Tsunade caught his wrist.
"You're not wearing one."
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