Description: Deep underneath the Hokage tower lays a secret that will forever impact the great village. The Third decide to only tell of this secret to the one that will succeed him as Hokage. No one but the Hokage knows of the secret under the tower, and the therapeutic properties it has. After all, if it can't talk, you don't have to worry about having a top secret conversation with it. But what happens when that secret starts to react in ways they could never predict? This secret will definitely make a difference lying down.


A Difference Lying Down


Chapter 1


-Lord Fourth-

In an office, located in the Hokage Tower of the Village Hidden in the Leaves, stood three men. One man stood in front of the other two, hands crossed behind his back as he gazed calculatingly at the two Shinobi in front of him.

The office wasn't to decorated; there were the pictures of the three Hokage upon the back wall and bookshelves on both sides of the office. In the back of the room was a large widow that overlooked Konoha and its entire populace.

In front of the window was a desk, with a large rolling office chair. But you could hardly see the desk as it was drowned underneath the demon of all Hokage. Paperwork. There was no winning against the evil piles of white paper and rolled scrolls.

The man standing alone was of an older age, reaching his mid-fifties. He was of a shorter stature then both young men in front of him, but he emitted a silent and easily overlooked strength that demanded respect while emanating an underlying gentleness that showed his protective nature.

He was dressed in the traditional red robes of the Hokage, and wore a white hate that covered most of his face with the kanji for fire upon it.

This aging man was known as Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage. Protector of the Leaf Village and all its inhabitants. Nicknamed The Professor for his excellent deduction skills and extensive knowledge.

The two men in front of him were two promising Shinobi for him to pass his title to. That's right. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was retiring and this was the day that he revealed his successor.

The man standing on his left was a sunny blond whose hair was spiky with two bangs along the side of his face and had a matching sunny disposition to his hair color. He was a man that Hiruzen could definitely trust to care for the people of the village. His blue eyes shinned with kindness that was hidden expertly from his enemies but shared graciously with his allies.

He wore a blue body suit with the standard Jounin vest. There were two bands upon both his arms. One just above his elbow and one just below his wrist. He had wrappings in the middle of his right thigh and a kunai holster just over the wrappings. The ends of his pants were tapped down, as to not ride up his leg and get in his way as he fights. And he wore a pair of standard, black ninja sandals.

He was of a lean build of average height with nicely tanned skin, uncommon among the people of Konoha, and emanated a welcoming aura that drew many people in. His appearance was very deceiving. No one would expect such a kind and carefree looking man to be a seasoned killer, and a certified genius.

He could instantly lock away the friend of the people and appear serious and unapproachable, emitting the aura of a leader unafraid to do whatever he could for his comrades. He could become an experienced killer and then just as easily lock it away and act as if he didn't have the lives of hundreds on his hands.

He was in his mid-twenties, and even if that was young for a candidate for Hokage, he was very promising and the personal choice of the Third Hokage. This young man was the student of his student, Jiraiya, his name was Minato Namikaze.

Standing on the old Hokage's right was a man who seemed to be the exact opposite of the blond.

The man had long, straight black hair with piercing gold eyes that resembled a snake. He was pale white and had purple markings running from the corner of his eyes, along his nose reaching to the bottom of his nose.

His outfit consisted of a black body suit, with a standard, green Jounin vest. His shoes were also the standard, black, ninja sandals. His outfit was meant to be inconspicuous but added to his dangerous aura.

He always emitted an unapproachable aura, and not many people could feel comfortable around him and his piercing eyes.

He was a man ruled by logic and locked out his emotions. The only time he didn't lock his emotions away seemed to be when he is around his Genin teammates, but even that seems to have lessened considerably lately.

He was the student of the Third Hokage, and one of the Legendary Sannin. His name was Orochimaru and he was a man that Hiruzen was nervous about ever becoming Hokage.

It wasn't that he didn't trust his student, or didn't care about him. He was worried about his former student's mental state. His whole family had been killed in battle in the Third Great Shinobi War and ever since, he has grown distant and developed an almost unhealthy obsession with immortality.

Hiruzen was extremely concerned for his student, Orochimaru pursued knowledge just as Hiruzen did, but he could take things to a new level, going as far as to experiment diligently on anything he was allowed.

Hiruzen was beginning to suspect that he even went outside the bounds the village allowed in experimentation. Which is why Hiruzen didn't nominate him for Hokage.

No. The one to nominate Orochimaru was Hiruzen's old teammate, Danzo Shimura.

Hiruzen, no matter how much he cared for his old teammate, knew he could not trust Danzo with the safety of the people of Konoha. Especially since Danzo was often described as an "Old War Hawk". No. He couldn't trust Danzo to think of the people, he only cared for the Village's standing, not what made up the Village.

So here they stood in the Hokage office. Two waiting in anticipation for the old man to speak. And one preparing to announce who was to take up the Hokage mantle and protect the village.


Hiruzen POV

I stood there, looking at the two in front of me. The atmosphere was tense with an underlying anticipation. The tall, strict stances, and calm expressions may not show it, but the two men emanated anticipation and excitement.

I took a deep breath to prepare for what I was about to say, and looked from my student to the student of my student. It was time, time to begin a new era in the Village of Konoha.

Exhaling, I then took another deep breath and began.

"As you both now, I am getting old," I stated and looked between the two, daring them with my eyes to show the slightest confirmation to my confession.

But other than a slight twitch at the corner of Orochimaru's mouth and the tiny gleam of amusement in Minato's eyes, the two men stayed composed.

"And since I am growing old I have decided to step down as Hokage."

I looked both men in the eye as I said my next statement,

"You both were nominated for the position of Fourth Hokage; you both show the qualities of Hokage. You are leaders, you are accomplished in battle, you both are strong, and I believe that both of you would protect this village to the best of your ability."

I paused to take a breath and decided to take a quick observation of the two. Minato was hiding his thoughts well behind an appearance of calm composure, looking straight ahead. But his eyes gleamed with pride, and joy. He was truly happy with just being acknowledged for his eligibility.

I looked over to the man next to him, Orochimaru, and looked into his eyes. His expression was calm, but had a cool composure that the blond only adorned upon the battlefield. And in his eyes held a smaller gleam of pride, but also something that Hiruzen couldn't identify. But it made him want to shiver, and he would have if he were a lesser man.

Finishing my observation I continued, "However, there can only be one acting Hokage, and so I called you both here to announce the Fourth Hokage."

Closing my eyes, I began to think. Here we go. It's time. The new Fire Shadow and protector of the Will of Fire.

Opening my eyes, I looked them both in the eye. The suspense was building, and the room was becoming so thick with it that could cut it with a kunai.

"The man to succeed me will become the new Fire Shadow and carry on the Will of Fire. He will protect the people of Konoha, even at the cost of his own life. The new Hokage is… Minato Namikaze."

There was a pause in the room, as everything went silent, and the two in front of me absorbed this news.

Then two very different, contradicting, reactions erupted in the room. Creating a new and stifling atmosphere and the two feelings warred in the room for dominance.

The room was evenly split between the two men. One was glowing with excitement, pride, disbelief, happiness, and a satisfying sense of achievement.

But the other side of the room was in a whole different spectrum of feelings. There was anger. No, Rage. Disappointment, contempt, and something extremely dangerous and unknown to myself that had me worried about my former pupil's thoughts.

I looked over to my former student, but I couldn't stop this age-old tradition just to check on him.

"Congratulations Minato, your hard work and devotion to Konoha has been recognized by myself, the Council of Elders, and the Fire Daimyo himself. I hope you will make a great Hokage and lead this Village into the future. I trust in your abilities and your commitment to serve this village well as the Fourth Hokage."

Finishing my speech, I walked over to Minato. Once I stood directly across from him, I took off the Hokage's hat and handed it to him.

He graciously accepted the hat, and placed it upon his head. I gave a low bow and said, "Congratulations Lord Fourth Hokage."

And as I lifted myself from my bow, I lifted my eyes to examine his face. His calm exterior had finally cracked. His face was split in an unbelievably wide grin as he beamed down at me. His eyes shining with what seemed to be tears of joy that he was valiantly holding back.

He bowed to me and replied, "Thank you, Lord Third Hokage."

And with that the private ceremony was done. I turned to Orochimaru and opened my mouth, but he was already turned. Walking with angry. Measured steps to the exit of the office. And before I could utter a word he had opened the door and closed it with a loud SNAP!

Minato and I stood there in silence for a minute. Staring at the door where the Sannin had just left. Trying to comprehend what just happened.

Realizing I hadn't closed my mouth when I prepared to speak to Orochimaru, I closed it and turned to Minato.

Minato was turned toward the door. His eyes showing concern and he adorned a troubled expression.

Heaving a silent sigh at my former student's antics, and admiring Minato's concern for even the most distant acquaintance. I cleared my throat to regain Minato's attention.

His head snapped back to me, a slightly startled expression on his face, showing he had been beginning to go into deep thought. He quickly composed himself and prepared to speak before I interrupted him.

"It is alright Minato; I will talk with my student. For now, let us forget about that little incident and continue onto more pressing matters."

And with that, we had forgotten about the incident. Moving onto more important and demanding matters.

Narrator POV


The two men stood in the Hokage office. After the Sannin's abrupt and angry exit, the Third Hokage knew that they needed to move onto more delicate and important matters.

With that in mind, the Third left his thoughts and looked to the blond across from him. There were many delicate and important matters that he had to introduce the blond to.

Taking a deep breath Hiruzen began, "Minato," which regained the blonde's attention and the older man continued,

"There are many issues and important matters I need to make you aware of. First, you will be formally introduced as the Fourth Hokage to the villagers in a week."

This gained and understanding nod from the new Hokage, and his predecessor continued,

"Second, you will not be taking any missions until after your inauguration, in this time I will be teaching you the exact duties of the Hokage."

The Third paused again, and once again, received a nod of confirmation from the Fourth Hokage. With that the Third started once again,

"Third, you will learn the secrets that the Hokage must keep, which means we will be going to the Hokage vault that is underneath the Hokage Tower. Understand?"

The blond didn't look surprised that the Hokage had secrets they kept from the village, including the elders. And with a final nod of confirmation, the Third smiled in a grandfatherly way and said "Good," his tone ringing with approval before motioning the blond over toward his desk.

"Now with the serious business taken care of its time to start training you." Said the Third with a smirk as he and the Fourth walked toward his desk, and the mountain of monstrous paperwork.

Minato had an eager gleam in his eyes that the Third noticed. The Thirds smirk broadened and a sadistic gleam entered his eye as he thought. Finally I can finally pass this horror onto some other poor sap.

When Minato and Hiruzen reached the desk, Hiruzen turned to Minato with that same smirk and gleam of sadistic glee in his eyes and began the introductions, "Minato, meet the bane of all Kages, Paperwork. Paperwork, meet your new victim, the Fourth Hokage."

As Hiruzen finished the instructions, he could see the excitement slowly drain from the Fourth's eyes as realization slowly dawned, before the horror gradually began to take hold.

Cackling with glee Hiruzen dragged Minato back to the desk as he tried to escape out the door of the office. Hiruzen was finally passing the curse on and Minato was not getting away.

In the village, it was early afternoon, and the villagers were going about their daily routines. Pleasant conversation could be heard throughout the whole crowd and a sense of peace and serenity was widespread throughout the village.

But the peace was soon interrupted as a yell of suffering, and torture sounded from the Hokage Tower.

"NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

When the yell finally ended, there was silence went throughout the entire village. The citizens couldn't help but sweat-drop a little. But there was one common thought going through every villagers mind.

That poor soul.


End Chapter 1

AN: Well this is gonna be fun. This is my story that has an idea of where I want to go but no Solid plan. I'm gonna enjoy this. Also, don't expect regular updates, I will try my best, but this is my free-lance side project. XD

Total Word Count: 2,635

Chapter Word Count: 2,477

Sincerely,

Bananarock509