Chapter 4: The Blacksmith.
Updated on 11-19-2018.
Today was the day. The day the very future of Konohagakure would be determined. Would it remain in Hiruzen's capable hands until such a time as Naruto had grown to an appropriate age to rule. Or would it instead fall into the hands of Danzo. Only time would tell.
As the two elite ANBU level ninja (Kage) entered the battle arena both men knew what was at stake. Both of them were wearing there respective clans battle armor that was typical of the warring clans era that had ended only a generation before. Hiruzen already had his personal bo staff in hand. Danzo held his katana in his. Hiruzen could clearly see the Root insignia on it's grip. "I see you still have your army of slaves Danzo". Hiruzen yelled at his old teammate his rage clear in his voice. "The village needs a true leader one who is willing to do what must be done, what should have been done long ago". Danzo replied calmly as he prepared himself for the up coming battle. Seeing that the time for talk was now done Hiruzen propelled himself at Danzo at a high rate of speed. Danzo casually blocked the in coming attack before he began his own assault. This in turn forced Hiruzen to raise his bo staff in defense. The sound of metal on metal filled the air. Hiruzen quickly pulled out a kunai and attempted to stab Danzo in the gut. But Danzo again blocked the attack before kicking the hokage away. "Is that it Hiruzen, is this the extent of your skill and power"? Danzo said sounding in no small part disappointed with his old teammate. "No my old friend i'm just getting started". Hiruzen replied before the air was ionized. Danzo knew that the fight for hokage had now truly begun. Nevertheless he couldn't help but feel some sense of joy in this battle. He hadn't been pushed this hard in years. Not since the dark days of the second great ninja world war
Kakashi meanwhile was busy training Naruto and Naruko in there small clan compound. He could tell that both children had felt the sudden shift in the air. He had felt such power only once before in his life and that was a night he would sooner like to forget. It was still far too painful even years later. "Focus on the task at hand". Kakashi ordered and soon after both of them resumed their training regime. He had tried to keep his mind on their training but he just couldn't help this feeling of dread he had been feeling for the past few hours. He wasn't a superstitious man by any means. But he sure as log wasn't liking the quickly darkening sky that was now forming over the village. "That's a bad omen no matter who you are". Kakashi muttered to himself. "You say something Kakashi-sensei". Naruto asked. "No, just keep working you two". Kakashi said absentmindedly.
Meanwhile back inside the battle arena both men were currently locked in a heated battle. Earth Style: Earthen Wave. Hiruzen called out causing the ground to shift from under Danzo. This caused Danzo to temporarily lose his balance. Upon seeing the opportunity Hiruzen quickly kicked Danzo hard in the gut. The kick sending him backwards by several feet. It was only due to his instincts he had managed to block most of that kick. Nevertheless his clans battle armor was now next to useless. "Not bad, but let's see how you fare with this". Danzo said as he bit into his finger before going through a long series of seals ending with of all things the monkey seal. Soon a massive cloud of smoke appeared making it next to impossible to see what was happening. However once the summoned creature walked into view Hiruzen was completely and totally speechless. For what now stood in front of him was none other than the Uzumaki's greatest summons. Some how Danzo had gotten his hands on one of the legendary summoning scrolls. But this wasn't just any creature. This was a dragon. This was the king of dragons. This was Algone. Once Hiruzen regained the use of his voice he made use of it. "YOU SON OF A B". Was as far as he could get before the dragon flicked him across the arena like an unwanted fly. That was quickly followed up with a series of kunai knives and ninja stars to his arms and legs. Hiruzen could taste the iron and copper that was now pooling inside his mouth. The sickening taste making the man nearly gag. But he wasn't about to let Danzo win, not completely at any rate. So using the last bit of power he still had he called out a small monkey. Danzo upon seeing this quickly made his way across the arena. But just as he was about to kill the small primate it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. "What have you done you old monkey"?. Danzo yelled. "I have sealed your fate Danzo". Hiruzen said before his eyes lost focus and his heart stalled.
Meanwhile far to the north in the Land Of Iron lived a blacksmith who was hard at work forging a sword for one of the many samurai that called the Land Of Iron there home. He was just about done with it when the sound of a summons made the man slowly turn. "A monkey"? The man said to himself. The man quickly began looking for his summons book upon realizing what this meant. The monkey as if understanding simply waited until the man was ready only than did it start talking. It took the man some time but the message was clear. He was needed in the Land Of Fire. He was needed in Konohagakure.
In a small resort town far from the Land Of Fire one could find two-thirds of a legendary trio. "For the 1000th time I'm not going back to that damnable village". Tsunade told her perverted teammate. Just as Jiraiya was about to reply the very same monkey appeared in a cloud of smoke. However unlike the blacksmith both could understand what the small primate was saying. Mostly anyway. Soon after it had left the air suddenly drop by several degrees. Jiraiya wasn't sure if it was the wind that was blowing or something far less pleasant. But if how his female teammate was shaking was any indication he would have to guess it was the latter. Jiraiya eyed his female teammate with concern. "Did you know"? She asked her tone cold and distant. "Minato was one of my students...so yes I knew". Jiraiya replied carefully. You knew all this time and didn't say anything". Her tone grew ever colder and ever more distant. If such a thing was at all possible. "No never it was just that...will you never let me say why... as soon as I would start you would always cut me off". Jiraiya replied to the buxom beauty next to him.
For a time nothing was said nor a sound made. It was as if the world had stopped in all it's actions and activities. Tsunade finally at long last turned to face her teammate. "I'll return but only for them, am I clear"! Tsunade said in a way that left no room for misunderstanding. "Yes I understand". Jiraiya said before both ninja began the long trek home. A trek that would take the better part of the week.
Meanwhile in the village council chambers stood Danzo. All the assembled knew what this meant. Even if many of them would have loved for Hiruzen to be the man making the speech. However his severed head was undeniable proof that was now and forever more an impossibility. I, Danzo Shimura clan head of the Shimura and now fifth hokage of Konohagakure henceforth call this meeting adjourned. As the many clan heads began to slowly file out Danzo couldn't help but feel no small part of joy at his most recent accomplishment. But he would soon find that his rule would be an admittedly short one.
