Chapter 13: Handing Over the Scroll; Showing Affection
Notes:
The Hokage Residence is a large mansion where the Hokage reside during their tenure, located near both the Academy and Hokage Rock.
"Shinobi" is synonymous with ninja.
Over time, Kirigakure became known as the "Village of the Bloody Mist" because at the Kirigakure Academy, graduating students had to fight to the death; only survivors advanced to ninja ranks.
Kumogakure, or Kumo, is the Hidden Village in the Land of Lightning, one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries.
Wearing a white shirt and gold-rimmed glasses, Uchiha Tonan walked quietly down the street, the scroll clenched firmly in his hand. He had barely taken a few steps before an Anbu operative appeared before him.
"Looks like you're safe. An enemy spy has appeared in the village. The situation is urgent—please follow me to the Hokage Residence."
It was rare for an Anbu member to speak so much at once. His gaze involuntarily flickered to the scroll Tonan held. He could guess its contents. For such a young shinobi to have slain a Chūnin, Tonan was truly a prodigy.
The Anbu knew Tonan's value in the eyes of the Hokage. Having now grasped his strength, he softened his tone.
Tonan nodded solemnly. "I was actually looking for Sandaime-sama as well. Thank you for your assistance." He gave a deep, respectful bow.
His courteous demeanor and neat appearance made a good impression. The Anbu nodded in return, then took Tonan's shoulders and disappeared with the Body Flicker Technique.
At the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen's brows were furrowed tightly. A pipe hung from his lips as he paced anxiously, his gaze frequently drifting to the crystal ball showing the situation at Tonan's home.
Earlier, while resting, Hiruzen had received urgent news from the Anbu about an enemy spy infiltrating the Hatake residence with the intent to assassinate Kakashi. The spy hadn't anticipated Sakumo Hatake's early return that evening. Sakumo swiftly severed all four of the assassin's limbs the instant he crossed the threshold.
The Kirigakure spy was rushed to the Konoha interrogation room, where Anbu extracted information through various methods.
When word came that a Chūnin spy was targeting Tonan, one Anbu left immediately for Tonan's home, while another rushed to the Sarutobi clan's territory.
Hiruzen used the crystal ball to monitor Tonan's house, but the vision could only reach the boundary, not inside the residence.
This was why, in his downtime, Hiruzen could only observe from afar…
Even before Hiruzen arrived at the Hokage Residence, Tonan had already left the Uchiha compound and was en route.
"Hokage-sama, Uchiha Tonan has arrived."
As Hiruzen's anxiety peaked, the Anbu's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in, quickly!"
The door to the Hokage's office creaked open. Tonan entered, walking briskly, eyes fixed on Hiruzen with a mixture of reverence and familiarity.
Hiruzen looked him over and sighed with relief, seeing no signs of injury. "My child, are you unharmed?"
It was fortunate such a talented and loyal shinobi was safe. Losing him would have been a grave blow.
Tonan's eyes shone with emotion. "Sandaime-sama, no need to worry. I have already killed the spy. I apologize for disturbing your rest over such a trivial matter."
He bowed deeply and presented the scroll. Hiruzen took it, visibly impressed with the young Uchiha.
Having recently awakened the third tomoe of his Sharingan, Tonan had already slain a Chūnin on his own without prior preparation. His innate talent was exceptional.
A perfect tool.
"How did you manage to kill the Kirigakure Chūnin?" Hiruzen asked casually, setting the scroll on his desk.
"I confused him with genjutsu," Tonan replied succinctly.
Hiruzen nodded. A three-tomoe Sharingan genjutsu was indeed formidable. Tonan's aptitude for it seemed especially high.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to hold his own against a Chūnin so soon after unlocking the third tomoe.
Hiruzen summoned an Anbu and handed over the scroll. Returning to his seat, he gestured for Tonan to sit across from him.
"Since you're unharmed, why not stay here for a while? The Anbu have yet to confirm no other threats remain. I worry for your safety," Hiruzen said, concern etched on his face.
Tonan hesitated. "But Sandaime-sama, it's already late. If you don't get some rest, how will you manage tomorrow?"
Hiruzen laughed and waved him off. "I'm fine. You can rest here on my desk. You have school tomorrow as well."
Tonan shook his head. "No, Sandaime-sama. I've rested enough. I think you should get some rest instead."
"But…" Hiruzen looked at Tonan's serious expression and smiled warmly. "Alright, then. I'll rest a bit. You should rest too."
"Yes," Tonan agreed at last.
Sitting opposite each other with the desk between them, Tonan studied Hiruzen closely. The intensity of his gaze made the Hokage slightly uncomfortable.
Embarrassed, Hiruzen urged him to rest and then rested his head on the desk, pretending to sleep.
After some time, Tonan quietly rose and walked to a shelf. He picked up Hiruzen's Hokage robe and draped it gently over his shoulders.
Returning to his seat with a resolute look, he braced himself as if ready for any threat.
"This little guy's not bad," Hiruzen thought.
Tonan had practiced these small acts of care before—in a past life. And it was effective, at least on Hiruzen.
Two hours later, Hiruzen pretended to wake just as the Anbu returned.
"Reporting, Hokage-sama. Here is the report from the interrogation office."
The Anbu handed over a scroll.
"To extract information even after death… I must be cautious of what he may do in the future."
The mention of this technique made Tonan's mind whirl, but his reverent expression towards Hiruzen never wavered.
The Hokage opened the scroll, scanning it carefully for any other Kirigakure spies in the village.
After confirming none remained, he ordered, "Send Tonan back to rest. Meanwhile, stay and watch over him from the shadows for a while."
"Yes, sir."
Tonan stood and bowed to Hiruzen.
"I will take my leave, Sandaime-sama. Please get some rest as well."
"Yes, yes. I will."
Hiruzen saw Tonan off with a warm smile.
Once Tonan left, the smile faded. Hiruzen walked to the window, staring out into the distance.
"They're even discarding their own spies now… Looks like this war really is coming to an end."
It was already Year 42 in Konoha. Five years had passed since the Second Shinobi War.
Ever since Kumogakure's infiltration to kidnap Uzumaki Kushina, several villages had resumed covert maneuvers.
Many small-scale conflicts erupted in the buffer states between the Five Great Shinobi Countries.
Particularly after Kirigakure implemented the Bloody Mist policy, the entire village seemed frenzied, harassing the buffer states bordering the Land of Fire and the Land of Water.
But after years of strife, it was finally time for Kirigakure to cease hostilities.
Otherwise, sparks would ignite, and the Third Great Shinobi War would soon follow.