A rainy day. Light rain fell steadily.
Jiraiya and Orochimaru stood before two gravestones.
One was engraved with, The Tomb of Shopkeeper Wan, Konoha's Greatest Philanthropist.
The other was engraved with, The Tomb of Kakuzu.
The two had come together to pay their respects.
"Sigh... Orochimaru, I never thought you'd end up working for Danzo..."
Jiraiya looked at Orochimaru with a complicated expression.
Actually, what surprised him wasn't that Orochimaru worked under Danzo.
What he couldn't believe was that Orochimaru had helped Danzo scheme against Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Orochimaru remained expressionless.
"People change..."
"There were things Teacher Sarutobi wouldn't allow me to do. Under him, I might have remained just an ordinary ninja. Maybe after finding out what I'd done, Teacher Sarutobi would have even expelled me from Konoha..."
Orochimaru didn't reveal too many secrets.
He only said this much because Jiraiya was his brother-in-arms.
"What exactly are you doing?", Jiraiya couldn't help asking.
Orochimaru stuck out his long tongue and licked the corner of his mouth.
"The secret of immortality..."
He pointed at the graves of Arisu and Kakuzu.
"Look. Human life is too short... Compared to this long ninja world, it's nothing more than a fleeting bloom..."
Jiraiya frowned deeply but said nothing.
"My adoptive father, Grandpa Kakuzu, Nawaki... they all died young..."
"How long do you and I have to live?", Orochimaru asked in return.
Jiraiya waved his hand casually, "Forget it, forget it. Orochimaru, you've gotten really weird. Want to come peek at pretty girls with me at Konoha's hot springs?"
"Idiot."
Orochimaru felt a little speechless.
There was simply no way to communicate with the thick-headed Jiraiya.
He didn't know whether Jiraiya genuinely didn't understand or was just pretending not to.
———
Meanwhile, on the streets of Konoha, Arisu and Tsunade shared a black umbrella as they walked out of a barbecue restaurant.
Their pace was slow.
Listening to the soft sound of rain tapping against the umbrella, they enjoyed a rare moment of peace.
A smile appeared on Tsunade's face.
She seemed to enjoy this feeling.
At a bulletin board on a street corner, a newspaper was posted.
Arisu's gaze swept over it and paused slightly.
"The Third Kazekage has disappeared..."
Looks like Sasori succeeded.
The name flashed through his mind.
The mysterious disappearance of the Third Kazekage was the signal that the Third Great Ninja War was about to begin.
'Looks like... The Third War is about to start as well.'
"A Kage just disappeared out of thin air?"
Tsunade read the headline as well, obvious surprise in her voice.
She turned to look at Arisu and frowned.
"If I remember correctly, this Third Kazekage was known as the strongest of all Kazekage."
"His strength was probably no less than Teacher Sarutobi's, right?"
"Mm."
Arisu withdrew his gaze and nodded.
He didn't tell Tsunade much more.
Just then, a dark figure appeared in the rain without warning.
The newcomer wore a standard Anbu uniform.
A cat-faced mask hid all expression.
Kneeling on one knee, rainwater slid down from the hood.
"Lord Arisu, the Hokage has urgent business and requests your immediate presence at the Hokage Building for a meeting.", The Anbu's voice came through the mask.
Respectful and emotionless.
"Hm? Why at a time like this? What time is it already?"
Tsunade's brows immediately tightened.
The hand holding Arisu's wrist unconsciously tightened as well.
It hadn't been long since the incident with Sakumo Hatake.
Danzo's ambitions were already obvious.
A sudden emergency meeting at a time like this, who knew what kind of trap might be hidden inside?
Arisu nodded and asked, "Just me?"
The Anbu nodded.
"Yes."
"I understand."
After the Anbu left, Tsunade immediately stepped forward and wrapped both arms tightly around Arisu's waist.
Pressing her cheek against his cool clothing, she spoke with unconcealed worry.
"I'll go with you. What if... what if Danzo tries something again..."
Her body tensed slightly.
"It's alright."
Warmth rose in Arisu's heart.
He gently patted her back, switched the umbrella to his other hand, and pulled her into his arms.
Tsunade was still worried.
A rainy night.
A private meeting.
A summons alone.
The warning signs were practically stacked to the limit.
Was it really fine?
Looking down at her furrowed brows, Arisu couldn't help laughing.
"Don't worry. It'll be fine."
"It's just a meeting. Danzo can't turn the sky upside down."
"Go home first. I'll be back soon."
If Danzo really intended to make a move against him, then he wouldn't mind bringing some changes to Konoha.
Besides, from a practical standpoint, Danzo had no reason to try killing him.
———
[Hokage Building]
Arisu entered the Hokage Building.
Only the Anbu on routine duty occupied the corridors.
The way was completely clear.
Pushing open the office door, he found that the large room indeed contained only Danzo seated at the main position.
"Arisu, you're here. Sit down."
Danzo's face was covered with a deliberately kind smile.
He first spent a long time talking about the overall situation of the ninja world.
Then the conversation suddenly shifted to Kumogakure.
"Recently, Kumogakure has repeatedly crossed the border and provoked us. Rather than staying on the defensive, it's better to strike first."
"I want you to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Kumogakure front and lead the entire army."
Arisu understood perfectly what Danzo was trying to do.
Before Danzo even finished speaking, he casually waved a hand.
"Not going."
The smile on Danzo's face instantly froze.
He clearly hadn't expected Arisu to reject him so directly.
Danzo abruptly stood up.
A trace of gloom flashed through his one eye.
His tone suddenly became heavy, carrying unquestionable authority.
"Arisu. I am the Hokage."
Arisu remained indifferent, lowering his eyes.
"That doesn't change anything. I'm not going."
"I've always opposed war."
Danzo slightly gritted his teeth.
Anger rose in his heart.
But he couldn't do anything to Arisu. In all of Konoha, he could touch anyone... except him.
'This guy is connected to too many people...'
After all, Hiruzen had originally intended for Arisu to become Hokage.
Naturally, he had intentionally and unintentionally arranged many supporters around him.
People like Minato Namikaze, Kushina, Shinnosuke, the Three Sannin, and Sakumo Hatake.
Arisu wasn't becoming Hokage now.
But his influence and support network still existed.
"Very well. I've never forced anyone."
"I only hope that when Konoha needs your strength, you'll lend it."
Danzo took a step back.
His meaning was obvious.
If Konoha faced a crisis, Arisu needed to act.
"If Konoha is in trouble, I'll naturally take action."
Arisu nodded.
Of course, there was a condition attached.
He would only act when it didn't affect the bigger picture.
He wasn't Konoha's sage.
He was the ninja world's sage.
———
By the time Arisu returned home, it was already after midnight.
Pushing open the door, he found Tsunade leaning against the entryway.
"I'm back."
Arisu smiled slightly.
"Thank goodness. I almost went looking for you!"
Seeing that Arisu was unharmed, Tsunade stepped forward and hugged him tightly.
"Alright, go get some sleep.", Arisu spoke gently.
Tsunade looked up.
A trace of red had appeared at the corners of her eyes from staying awake.
Pressing her red lips together, she said, "No. Today's homework still hasn't been made up."
Arisu said helplessly, "Too often isn't good either... How about tomorrow? I'm really tired."
"No.", Tsunade answered firmly.
Arisu sighed, "Fine. I'll go put that on."
But the next second, his wrist was grabbed.
Tsunade's eyes widened.
"Not allowed."