Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
The Will to Go On
Volume 1: The Rise of a Legend
Formation
Even the most wise and strong faces tire eventually. Even I am getting old,thought the Third Hokage as he shut the door behind the newest ninja of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Between perverted techniques, stolen scrolls, and traitorous teachers it had been a long and exhausting day. Placing his pipe in his mouth and adjusting the hat he wore as a symbol of his office, Sarutobi moved to sit behind his dark oaken desk, noticing the many piles of scrolls. Mission requests, Chuunin exam preparations, and reports about a certain blonde ninja's desecration of the village littered the surface of the Professor's desk, while more piles sat on the floor while one particularly large scroll sat propped against the wall. The elegant calligraphy on the walls barely managed to affect the busy atmosphere of the room. There is always more to do, he thought, sighing mentally before sitting up determinedly, but just one more thing today.
"Enter," he called softly.
In response the door to his office made a slight click before opening and admitting a slightly disgruntled ninja. No doubt the shinobi knew the reason for Sarutobi's summons, yet there was no pleasure evident on the ninja's calm face as the lone empty chair in the room was quickly filled.
"It's that time of year again, my friend," Sarutobi began, noticing the sour look on his companion's face.
"What of it?" came the standoffish reply, "I assume you are expecting me to behave differently tomorrow because you called me in here. Unlikely."
"I expect you to stop running and behave like a true shinobi of the leaf. You are not the only one in this village with pain," the Hokage said simply, picking up a set of folders from his desk and looking intently at the ninja over the top of them.
"I know my duty"
"Maybe you do, but you looked like a reminder wouldn't go amiss," the Hokage quipped before tossing the ninja the folders in his hands.
"Why these?" the ninja queried, pouring through the files. The concentrated look on the shinobi's face increasing as the pages turned.
"For starters, they are like you" Sarutobi began, earning him a quirked eyebrow, "Isolation has been a staple of their existence. This assignment was made with you in mind, because you are the only one who can make this succeed," the Hokage paused, allowing his companion's ego to inflate at the praise.
"The files do not look good."
"As a shinobi, I expected you to look 'underneath the underneath,'" the elderly man responded.
"You may be asking the impossible"
The Hokage scoffed, "I expected better from you."
"I have finally seen the day when 'the Professor' has run out of arguments and must resort to guilt."
"I made this choice for a reason," Sarutobi said, sighing tiredly, folding his hands together and resting his chin upon them before continuing, "I have faith in you and in this assignment and I have hope that it will prove beneficial for the future of our village."
"And if I refuse?"
"You have your debts to pay, and I will not let you run from them any longer."
"Fine," the shinobi replied, shifting uncomfortably in front of the Hokage's desk, somehow knowing that 'the Professor' had planned that move all along, "but if I am going to do this, it will be done my way."
"That is acceptable."
"Why are you letting me do this, with no strictures at all?"
"I have my own debts to pay," replied the Hokage, "You are dismissed."
The Hokage stood along with his counterpart, allowing the two shinobi to both respectfully to each other before Sarutobi's subordinate left with a soft click of the door.
Underneath the underneath, Sarutobi thought, we have taught them well.
Author's Note: This is my first story, so I appreciate your comments and feedback, though no flames, please.