Team Sandaime
Her teacher was the longest surviving Hokage, mastering hundreds of jutsu. He was her grandfather's best student, Konoha's most knowledgeable shinobi.
They were Konoha's most powerful team, marking the beginning of a new era. Their reputation is known throughout the shinobi world.
Sanin.
Sanin means three.
Tsunade, Jiraiya, Orochimaru.
Or they were supposed to be.
The four of them were supposed to be master and students, not enemies fighting each other to death.
A student is not supposed to kill his teacher.
Like Orochimaru.
A team-mate is not supposed to fight someone he had grown up with, had loved like a brother.
Jiraiya did.
She was the jewel of her family, a princess.
She was not supposed to be forced to watch her team being ripped apart.
Ripped apart, just for the sake of power.
Now, as Hokage, she must protect everyone in the village. The fate of Konoha rests on her shoulders, as she has to appease to the demands of both the villagers and the Council, masking her emotions in doing so.
Protect Konoha.
Protect Naruto.
Protect, by giving up on the last member of her team.
Yet, she still has to face the accusations of a blonde ninja for just letting Jiraiya die.
She did not attempt to defend herself, for it is the truth.
What is left when everyday you are tormented by guilt of being alive when everyone else on your team is not?
A hole in your heart, already fractured by age.
A once-beautiful face, now pale and gaunt.
A restless and tormented soul.
Death may have come as a blessing for ninja, when everything important to them were taken away.
Yet she must live.
For the future of Konoha.
For the legacy of the Fourth Hokage.
For all those who sacrificed.
So.
Outside her office, just for this moment, she lets her mask drop.
Just for this moment.
Drops of water glittered in the twilight as they fell.
"Hi," a white-haired boy smiled. "My name is Jiraiya, you can send me a love letter later."
"Che. You wish," she retorted as she kicked him.
"OW!"
Orochimaru looked away. "Idiots," he muttered.
"Hey," Sarutobi intercepted. "This is just the first day. Be nice to each other."
His students ignored him.
Sighing, he put a head on his forehead.I knew nothing well would come from teaching three six-year-olds, he thought.
"Sensei," Jiraiya looked at him innocently, head tilted at an angle. "You face is green."
"Haha, very funny Jiraiya," his teacher sniffed. He rummaged in his pouch and drew out two bells.
"Let us start," he told them seriously. "And I know which one of you will fail."
"Him?" Jiraiya pointed to Orochimaru hopefully.
"You, you idiot," Orochimaru told him flatly. His yellow eyes glared.
"Don't call me an idiot!" Jiraiya yelled back. "I am going to beat you. Then Tsunade will go out with me!!"
"Tsunade-sama," a voice said behind her, interrupting her memories.
"What is it now, Shizune?" she turned around, face composed once more.
"Come," her assistant replied, and then turned back the way she had come.
More paperwork, she sighed.
"Keep trying, bastard," the young Tsunade whispered dangerously as she punched Jiraiya in the face, sending him flying.
Sweeping her hair back with one hand, she smiled.
"Damn," she cursed. "Damn it all."
She clasped her hands under her chin and stared at the ceiling of her office.
Shizune closed the door quietly, leaving the Hokage alone.
There will be a lot of sake consumption tonight.
Damn those who think a shinobi's life is all fun and glory. Damn those who envied her for her power.
Had she had the choice, she would have preferred the life of a civilian.
Just to be spared from this sense of loneliness, of being left behind.
Next chapter- Team Jiraiya.
Jiraiya reflect on the times he had spent with his students.
Thank you for reading. Comments welcome.