Hey guys. Thanks for the ideas, I was seriously torn between having Kirito join Orochimaru or not. But then, you can't please everyone, so, I have decided NOT to have Kirito join Orochimaru.

So yeah, with that, here is the 26th chapter.

XXX

In Amegakure, in the tallest tower in the center of the village, two people were in a room. One was a man with long red hair, while the other was a woman with short blue hair, a paper rose on her head.

The woman asked, "Nagato, are you sure? She's the Kyuubi's Jinchurikii, and possibly your last living relative."

The named Nagato nodded, "When we collect all the Bijuu except the Kyuubi, Konan, I will see what kind of person she is. If she fails to meet our expectations, then I will kill her, if not, well, I can always bring her back with the Rinne Tensei no Jutsu. Besides, I heard she's training under Jiraiya-sensei, so it might be fun to test her."

Konan just sighed, "Fine, I just wanted to remind you about that."

Nagato chuckled, "I know, but regardless, even if we are Uzumaki, I won't let it get in the way of our dream, I swore that to Yahiko after all."

The woman just nodded as they stood there, watching over the village under the rain that pours forever.

Meanwhile, outside the Konoha gates, Hikari, Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune and Tonton were walking towards the gates. Hikari approached the gates where Kotetsu and Izumo were supposedly doing guard duty, AKA sleeping.

The blonde Uzumaki grinned foxily as she leaned in to the two unsuspecting and sleeping men, holding her fuinjutsu supplies.

A while later, the two Chunnin were hanging upside down from the ceiling of the hut, with their chakra and movements sealed with seals. They also looked like clowns, courtesy of Hikari's seals.

The two men just deadpanned at Hikari and Jiraiya who were laughing their asses off and Tsunade and Shizune who were trying extremely hard, but failing, not to laugh. Kotetsu spoke, "So, can you let us down now?"

Jiraiya roared with laughter, "No way! This is just fucking hilarious!"

Izumo just stared at the legendary ninja, "We were just resting our eyes..."

Tsunade shook her head, stifling with laughter, "This oughta teach you kids about sleeping on the job..."

Shizune just kept silent as she struggled not to laugh as Hikari grinned, "Well, we'll be off to the hospital, you guys continue to hang around."

The two Sannin laughed at that before the four people and one pig went off towards the hospital. Kotetsu sighed, "You guys do that... We'll fill in the records later..."

Izumo nodded, "As soon as we get down from this..."

The two never managed to release themselves, at least for a good hour before one Anbu found them and let them down, after laughing his ass off for a whole five minutes. But that's irrelevant.

At the hospital, the group of four were in Hiruzen's room. Tsunade stared at the unconscious form of her teacher, "Sarutobi-sensei..."

She shook her head before she walked over to the side of her bed, "Let's start. Shizune, I'm gonna start diagnosing his state of health, okay?"

Her apprentice nodded as Tsunade activated her jutsu, her palms glowing with green chakra. The woman ran her palms over the old man before she let out a breath.

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya, Hikari and Shizune gravely, "Sorry, his injuries are too deep. Frankly I'm surprised he held on for so long, but his recent battle shortened his life a lot. I can wake him up, but he'll only have a week left, two weeks at most."

Jiraiya sighed, "I see. If we don't wake him?"

The best medic closed her eyes, "A month at most."

Hikari stared at the old man, she still hadn't forgiven him. But seeing him in such a state still pained her, after all, regardless of what he did, Hiruzen had still treated her like a granddaughter.

The girl spoke, "I think we should wake him, I mean, he should live his remaining life to the fullest, instead of just waiting to die here on the bed."

The two Sannin stared at their goddaughter as they realized she was right. Hiruzen was already, literally, on his death bed, so instead of letting him stay in coma for the next one month before he died, he should live his one remaining week to his fullest.

Tsunade nodded, "I see. You're right, Hikari, I'll wake him up now."

But just as the medic could do it, the door opened to reveal Danzo, Koharu and Homura. The warhawk spoke in a pleased voice, "Ah, Tsunade, you're back! Its good to see you."

The woman stared at them, "Can you please leave? I'm busy now."

Danzo replied, his tone not changing, "Its been a long time since we've seen you, don't be so cold now."

The three elders were totally ignoring the fact that Tsunade was in the process of waking the Sandaime Hokage. Koharu spoke up, "Now, Tsunade, since you're back, we want you to be the Godaime Hokage."

Hikari frowned, "But she's waking Hokage-sama up, can you just stop?"

Homura stared at the girl coldly. They didn't care if Hikari was Minato's daughter. But before they could say anything, Jiraiya glared at them, "If you don't leave now, we will make you."

The three elders gulped at the pressure they felt from the Toad sage and nodded before the left the room wordlessly.

Tsunade sighed, "Fucking idiots..."

The woman quickly continued as she channeled chakra into the old man's body. The Hokage's body jerked upwards before Hiruzen's eyes snapped open as he gasped from the shock of Tsunade's chakra restarting his body.

Hiruzen coughed several times before he spoke, "Tsunade?"

The woman grinned, "Good to see you awake, Sensei."

Hiruzen let out a breath, "How long was I out? What happened?"

Jiraiya replied, "You were out for weeks. We went to find Tsunade to heal you."

Hiruzen nodded, "I see. Thank you, Tsunade."

The woman nodded, "But, I didn't fully heal you..."

Hiruzen chuckled, "I know. I don't have much time left, I can feel it, you know?"

The four people stayed silent before Hiruzen asked, "So, how long do I have left?"

This time, it was Hikari who spoke, "One week, two weeks at best. But, we can't just let you stay in coma and die in a month."

Hiruzen laughed, "I see. That's right, I suppose living the one week or two of my remaining life is more worth it compared to rotting on a bed."

The four just stayed quiet before Hiruzen sighed, "I'm not dead yet. Besides, its not as if I'm dying of some disease, its old age! Don't be so down!"

Everyone blinked before Jiraiya chuckled, "Old man's right. Come on, let's get you discharged."

The old man just chuckled as they helped him get up to be discharged. After a brief checkup to check if there was anything life threatening or not of course.

The next day, Hikari stood in front of Hiruzen in the Sarutobi clan compound. The man spoke, "Hikari, I know I made a mistake in hiding your heritage. I-"

He was cut off by the girl, "Hokage-jiisan, I can't really stay that mad at you now, you know?"

Hiruzen stared at the young girl as she spoke, "I know you had your reasons, and yes, I really hated that you did it. But at least you did it with good intentions, right? I don't want to hate my grandfather until he died."

Hiruzen blinked several times before he chuckled, "You really have grown into a mature beautiful young woman, your parents would be proud of you."

Hikari just smiled before her smile faded, "Just so we're clear, you're gonna make it up to me the next few days."

Hiruzen chuckled, "Of course."

Hikari nodded before she asked, "So, was there anything else?"

Hiruzen shook his head, "I just wanted to clear out that little wedge, I missed my surrogate granddaughter."

Hikari sighed and shook her head, "You're talking as if I left. Besides, its your fault you know?"

Hiruzen laughed, "I suppose it is. So, I heard you defeated Orochimaru in a summons' battle."

Hikari sighed, "Jiraiya-sensei told you, didn't he?"

The old Hokage chuckled, "Of course, though I'm impressed. In less than three years, you beat Orochimaru in a boss summons' battle. That little snake wasted years to get Manda to fight with him."

Hikari groaned, "It's not like I defeated him in person. Bahamut-sama did most of the work."

Hiruzen chuckled, "I know what you're thinking. The summon does all the fighting, but the summoner does nothing, so it means its the summon who's strong, not the summoner, yes?"

Hikari nodded as the man continued, "That's true. But there are many styles of combat, take the Suna ninja's puppetry, they are strong because of their puppets. We don't say the puppeteers are weak because the puppets do the work, we say people are strong because they get the job done."

Hiruzen let out a breath, "Besides, remember Hanzo the Salamander? He was strong and feared because of his summons. Hanzo himself was strong, yes, but the true strength, lied in his summons. Hikari, being strong isn't just about using strong jutsu to defeat a strong opponent."

The girl nodded, "I know. But you all make it like relying on a summon to defeat a stronger opponent is something to be proud of."

Hiruzen chuckled, "A summon, is a representation of the summoner, like the Hokage is a representation of our village. The fact that you could summon Bahamut, proves that you are strong, or at least that you have the potential to be strong. That is something to be proud of."

Hikari just nodded before Hiruzen spoke, "Well, that's all I have to say. I believe the others are waiting for you?"

The girl nodded, "Yes, then, I'll be going then."

Hiruzen nodded, "By the way, can you get Tsunade to come here? I have something to tell her. "

Hikari nodded, "Sure, I'll see you later, Hokage-jiisan."

The man nodded as the girl left. As soon as she left, Hiruzen stared out of the window. He had been relieved of his paperwork for the Hokage by Jiraiya and Tsunade to let him spend his time with his family. The old man had also planned to go out with Asuma and Konohamaru, but he needed to get something done, his final job as the Sandaime Hokage.

With Hikari, she was trying her best to ignore the villagers that were calling put to her, putting on a smile as she walked along the streets. The girl had lost count of the fanboys that had came at her before she made several clones to lure them away.

Soon, she reached the Hokage's office where Tsunade and Shizune were working in Hiruzen's place. Jiraiya was probably peeking at some hotsprings, but that man was the furthest thing on her mind.

Hikari entered the office and greeted, "Tsunade-baasan, Shizune-san."

Shizune smiled in response as she worked on the paper work while Sannin replied, "Hey, what do you want?"

Hikari spoke, "Hokage-jiisan wanted you to go meet him, he wanted to tell you something."

The woman nodded, "Sure. Shizune, you can handle these for a while, right?"

Shizune nodded, "Sure, Tsunade-sama."

The Sannin placed the paper down as she headed for the door until Hikari said, "Well, I'll see you later. You're coming over for dinner, right?"

Tsunade nodded, "Sure, you're not coming with me?"

Hikari shook her head, "I'm gonna go find Kirito-kun. Besides, I think he wants to talk to you alone."

The older blonde just nodded as they both left to do their own stuff. The woman wondered what her old teacher wanted. If she remembered correctly, Hiruzen was planning to spend the day with his family.

Tsunade quickly reached the Sarutobi clan compound and she knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal Asuma. The Jounin greeted, "Tsunade-sama, welcome. My father is waiting."

The woman nodded as the son of the Third Hokage led her to Hiruzen's room. Tsunade nodded her thanks to the man before she entered the room.

As soon as she entered, she saw Hiruzen sitting by the window, Hiruzen smiled, "Ah, Tsunade, welcome."

The woman smiled back, "So, what did you want, sensei?"

Hiruzen gestured to the chair, "Have a seat."

Tsunade nodded and sat down as her old teacher spoke, "You know how I have another week and a half at most. I need a successor to act as the Fifth Hokage."

Tsunade nodded, "I know. Jiraiya and Hikari told me about that. But, you know how I feel about that position. It took a lot from me."

Hiruzen nodded, "I know. The hat took away your grandfather, your grand uncle, Minato, Kushina, Dan and Nawaki. But, there isn't anyone else who can take it. Would you rather have Jiraiya do it?"

Tsunade sighed. She knew there wasn't many who could take the hat. They couldn't let Danzo take it especially, and Jiraiya would probably make it where kunoichi must wear skimpy outfits, which would increase the efficiency for seduction missions, but it still wasn't something Tsunade could accept.

Seeing his former student's silence, Hiruzen spoke again, "Just think of this as a man's dying wish. I know you can do it."

Tsunade glared at him lightly, "That's not fair, you know..."

Hiruzen laughed, "I know, but then, when has life ever been fair to you."

Tsunade sighed, "Don't remind me."

The old man chuckled, "Well, think of it this way. You're keeping the seat warm for Hikari to take it. You can also protect her with the position, possibly far better than I ever could."

The woman sighed again, "Fine. I'll take the damn hat. But I'll do things my way, if I see something wrong, no matter who or what it is, I'm fixing it."

Hiruzen smiled, "That's all I ask."

Tsunade nodded, "Got it, anything else?"

Hiruzen shook his head, "Nope, that's all. Now, I'm gonna spend my day with my family."

Tsunade nodded as she headed to the door, "Sure. Have fun sensei."

Hiruzen just nodded as he laughed, walking towards the door with Tsunade.

Meanwhile, with Hikari, she was walking towards Kirito's shop as the Kyuubi spoke to her, "Hikari, about the fourth tail."

The girl replied mentally, 'What about it?'

The Kyuubi said, "Well, I haven't told you much about what you could do in that form, right?"

Hikari nodded, 'So?'

The Kyuubi nodded, "In the fourth form, which is the second version of the chakra cloak, you will be totally covered with my chakra, thus looking like a miniature female version of me. You will be able to do a smaller version of the Bijuudama and if I remember correctly, your physical prowess will increase a hundred times. "

Hikari oh'd, 'I see. That's awesome. But I'm curious, what about your full nine tails?'

The Kyuubi chuckled, "That's gonna be a while before you can reach it. If I was a dark dirty bastard and if you were a loud boy wearing neon orange jumpsuits, I would have you fight me to earn it. But since we are neither, when the time comes, all you need to do is win a game of tug of war with me. "

Hikaru raised an eyebrow, 'Win a game of tug of war?'

The Kyuubi nodded, "Yes. If its any of the other bijuu, they can just let you use it. But my chakra is far powerful compared to their's, even if I am lacking my other half. And especially since I'm lacking my other half, I cannot fully materialise like they can."

Hikari blinked, 'So what do we do?'

The Kyuubi shrugged, "Well you can use the full bijuu form, once you earn it of course, but if I have my full chakra, it would be much better. But since that half of my chakra was sealed into your father's body..."

Hikari then asked, 'So can I just unseal your chakra from my dad's body?'

The bijuu shrugged, "I don't think it'd work that way. But who knows? We'll talk about it later, you're reaching that kid's shop."

Hikari nodded, 'Okay, I'll talk to you later, Kyuubi.'

The bijuu just nodded as he felt the link cut off. He then looked down to see a familiar blonde man wearing a white Hokage robe. The bijuu asked, "So, when are you or Kushina gonna reveal yourselves?"

The man smiled at the beast, "It's not time yet. But I suppose it will be soon."

The bijuu nodded, "Fine. Don't keep her waiting, I mean she doesn't know about the two of you being here, but if you hide it for too long, well, you remember what happened to the boy and the third Hokage."

The man just smiled, "I know. Thanks anyways, Kyuubi."

The bijuu just hmph'd as he started to sleep, the blonde man vanishing from view.

Outside with Hikari, the girl entered her boyfriend's shop to see Klein at the counter.

(Flashback)

Three days after fighting Itachi and Kisame, Kirito was in his shop maintaining Kakashi's tanto. The man had finally bothered to drop by for maintenance and Kirito had wanted to kick the cyclop's ass for doing an abysmal job at taking care of the sword.

As the blacksmith ran a piece of cloth across the blade, he noticed a familiar red haired man enter the shop. Kirito greeted the man, "Hey, what's up?"

The swordsman did not expect the man to bow, "Kiri-no-ji! You're my buddy right? Can I work here?"

Kirito blinked several times before he asked, "Erm, I thought you were against working for me."

Klein spoke, not rising from his bow, "I know! But no one wants me!"

Kirito stared at the sake bottle at Klein's pocket, "I wonder why..."

The man cried, "Please take me in! I'll do whatever job you give me! Clean the shop, advertise your shop, anything!"

Kirito sweat dropped before he sighed, "Sure."

Klein continued to cry, "I know I'm not the best friend but... Wait, what did you say?"

Klein raised his head at that last part as the younger man put down the chakra saber and walked to the man, "Well, you've been jobless for quite a while. Besides, if your performance is good, I might just teach you how to forge weapons."

Klein's face brightened up and he hugged the young man tightly, "THANKS MAN!"

And thus Klein started working for Kirito.

(Flashback end)

Hikari, Asuna, Sinon and Suguha thought Klein was a decent man, if you ignored his drinking habits and loud behavior. So they didn't have much of a problem.

As Hikari entered the shop, Klein greeted, "Ah, Hikari, you here for Kirito?"

Hikari nodded with a smile, "Yeah, Asuna-chan and the others should be training, so I thought Kirito-kun might be free."

Klein nodded and yelled, "Oi boss! Hikari's here!"

Kirito yelled back from the back of his shop, "Tell her to come to the back! And I told you not to call me boss!"

Klein chuckled and looked at the blonde, "Well, you heard the man."

Hikari just sweat dropped and nodded, "Thanks, Klein. I'll see you later."

Klein nodded and went back to watching the shop, cleaning it here and there as he did.

Hikari walked towards the back to see Kirito hammering a piece of metal at the forge. The girl spoke, "Hey, Kirito-kun."

The swordsman replied, not taking his eyes off his work, "Hey, Hikari-chan. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you have a team meeting or something?"

The blonde leaned on one of the tables and played with the red ends of her hair, "Well, Sasuke is probably still brooding somewhere and I have no idea where Sakura is. Besides, Kakashi-sensei didn't mention anything since I came back with Tsunade-baasan."

Kirito chuckled, "Tsunade let's you call her that?"

Hikari nodded, "Yeah, I mean since she is my godmother, I thought calling her that would be appropriate, and she hasn't said anything about not calling her that."

Kirito nodded, "I see."

Hikari then spoke, "By the way, Tsunade-baasan is coming over for dinner tonight, that's okay, right?"

Kirito nodded as he placed the piece of metal into the water, "Of course. After I finish with the sword, we can go get some groceries."

Hikari nodded as she sat there waiting for the blacksmith, having small talk as Kirito forged the blade.

Meanwhile, in the training fields, Asuna, Suguha, Sinon and Yugao were sparring. Right now, Sinon and Yugao were watching Asuna and Suguha spar, both in their sage modes.

The Jounin was quite impressed with her students' growth. They had learnt the equivalent of Jiraiya's sage mode and were coming along nicely. Yugao had absolutely no doubts her students would become monsters in battle in the future. They were frightening enough now already, so when they reached their prime, Yugao just pitied their enemies.

Now, Suguha dodged a stab from Asuna before she spun and delivered a downward slash to the blue haired girl. Asuna swiftly dodged the slash by tilting her body to the side.

Asuna then quickly turned and swung her blade horizontally at the blonde girl. Suguha could only leap away as the blade narrowly passed her nose.

Suguha pouted, "That was dangerous Asuna-chan!"

Asuna just smiled as she charged her sister in all but blood. The girl channeled water chakra into her blade and thrust her rapier at Suguha. The blonde responded by charging her blade with wind chakra and swung her blade upwards.

Right before attacks could collide however, both girls heard Yugao yell, "Stop!"

As soon as the two heard their teacher, they stopped their attacks, the blades just one inch apart before they came into contact. Yugao sighed as she rubbed her temples, "My god, how the hell did you guys become so strong? You're at least Jounin level now!"

Asuna and Suguha just smiled as they let go of the nature chakra, letting their hair revert to their normal colour. Sinon spoke cheekily, "Yugao-sensei is just jealous."

The purple haired woman glared at the brunette lightly, "No I am NOT jealous. I am just surprised."

Yugao sighed, "Seriously, it has not been two years since you three become Gennin."

Suguha grinned, "That just shows how awesome we are."

Asuna nodded in agreement as Yugao shook her head, "You know what... Let's drop it. I'm not complaining anyways..."

The three girls just sweatdropped as they thought in unison, 'She was complaining just now though.'

Yugao then spoke again, "Well, I guess that's all. You girls can go home. I'm gonna go to visit Hayate-kun."

The girls just nodded as they left, knowing that their mentor was still hurting from Hayate's death.

Later at night, in the Namikaze compound, Kirito, Asuna, Hikari, Suguha, Sinon, Jiraiya, Shizune and Tsunade were sitting at the dinner table, having dinner.

Kirito was feeling a biy awkward, having dinner with Tsunade sitting there. He didn't mind Jiraiya, but the blonde busty woman was making him a bit nervous, probably because she had the right to threaten him about Hikari and so on, and probably because he was having a polygamous relationship with her god-daughter.

Asuna, Suguha, Sinon and Hikari were trying hard not to laugh since they knew what Kirito was thinking. Jiraiya just kept silent because he knew if he said one wrong word, its goodbye manhood. As for Shizune, she was just enjoying the food Kirito and Asuna cooked.

Tsunade noticed the awkward atmosphere and spoke up, "So, what's with you guys, especially you, Kirito, was it? I won't bite."

Jiraiya coughed and muttered, "Tsunade won't bite?"

The woman stared at the man and asked calmly with an edge in her voice, "What was that Jiraiya?"

The man yelped, "Nothing!"

The four girls at the table laughed as Kirito just shook his head. Tsunade then stared at the young man, "Ease up. I may be one of the Sannin, but that idiot is also one of us. I'm as human as you are. Besides, we're gonna be family, right?"

Tsunade looked at Hikari at that last part as her goddaughter nodded with a smile. The woman then stared at Kirito with a hard gaze, "To be honest I'm not too happy with your relationships, but Hikari wanted it, so unless you hurt her, we're gonna get along just fine."

Kirito nodded quickly, "Yes ma'am."

The dinner progressed without any problems as they talked and ate like an actual family. But as they ate, Tsunade and Jiraiya noticed the mark on Kirito's neck glow faintly, and while it was faint, the two felt a strange aura from the young man.

A week later, everyone gathered in front of the Hokage's tower. The fact that Hiruzen didn't have much time wasn't a secret, and many people expected a new Hokage to be appointed.

Hiruzen walked onto the balcony of the Hokage tower. It had been awhile since he stood there and it was refreshing. The man channeled chakra into his throat and he spoke aloud, "Good afternoon, all of you. As you all know, my time is coming to an end."

He waited but there was no response, only a somber silence. Hiruzen sighed and yelled, "I may have around a week left, but I'm not dead yet! Don't act like I am dead already!"

Hiruzen let out a breath and spoke again, "I have taken the hat not once but twice. To be honest I should have retired the first time I passed down the hat, but I retook the mantle of Hokage. Now, I am passing it down to the Godaime Hokage. Now do me a favour and applaud as I present to you, Senju Tsunade, our Fifth HOKAGE!"

Tsunade stepped forward as the crowd applauded. The woman nodded at her sensei before turning to the crowd, "Sarutobi-sensei has done an awesome job at being Hokage, and frankly I don't think anyone here wants him to step down. He's also always talking about protecting the village and our Will of Fire, that's why, from here and now on, I WILL PROTECT THE VILLAGE, AS THE FIFTH HOKAGE! "

The crowd roared in approval as they chanted," GODAIME! GODAIME!"

Another week later, everyone was in a room in the hospital, with Hiruzen laid on a bed, an oxygen mask on his face. Throughout the two weeks, his body had gradually grown weaker, to the point that he had to be hospitalised. And by then, everyone knew the Hokage they respected was at the end of his journey.

Hiruzen knew his time was up and he was prepared for it. Tsunade closed her eyes, "Sarutobi-sensei, I'm sorry, for all the trouble we caused."

Hiruzen chuckled weakly, "You three were like monkeys, though it really does seem like it was yesterday when I took you, Jiraiya and Orochimaru as my students."

Jiraiya forced a smile, "Yeah, it was a great honor to have learnt under you."

The old man stared at the Sannin, "The same can be said for me. Out of all three, you came out as the most decent student."

Jiraiya just nodded as Hiruzen looked at Hikari who was standing behind the two Sannin, "Hikari, become stronger, I know you will be Hokage."

Hikari nodded as Hiruzen looked at Konohamaru who was crying. The old Hokage smiled, "Konohamaru, stop crying. I thought Hikari taught you that."

Konohamaru sobbed, "You can't die yet! You're the Professor!"

Hiruzen chuckled, "Death is a part of life, my boy. One day, you will understand."

He looked at Asuma, "Asuma, my son. I don't think I have to tell you much, you have always been fine on your own, I never had to worry much about you."

The man nodded, "I know."

Hiruzen chuckled, "Get a life, a family of your own, and stop smoking. That is my final mission for you."

Asuma chuckled, "I don't think I can stop smoking, but, is that an order?"

Hiruzen laughed weakly, "Yes, it is an order, from your father."

Asuma nodded and smiled. Hiruzen looked out of the window and saw the majority of the village's populace standing there, looking at them. Hiruzen spotted Kirito, Asuna, Sinon and Suguha standing amongst the crowd, he also spotted Kayaba and many other people he knew, Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai, Yugao, Inoichi, Shikaku, Chouza and many more.

The man spoke, "Now, this is a sight to behold."

Hikari spoke, "You are important to all of us after all."

Hiruzen chuckled, "I guess I am. My life wasn't the best one, I've made many many mistakes, but I have no more regrets. Seeing everyone here, haha, its comforting."

His laughs grew weaker as everyone stared at him somberly. Hiruzen thought, 'I never did tell Kirito about his blood, well, I'll just leave it to Akihiko then. My family, my village, may the Will of Fire burn brightly in all of you.'

With those thoughts, Hiruzen's breath grew thin, and the heart rate monitor flattened.

On that day, the village of Konohagakure lost their leader, and the heavens wept for the death of a great man.

XXX

Done! So the next chapter will officially be the start of the 'Rescue Arc'. And Hiruzen is dead, Sajian, I know many fics killed him off but there also quite some fics that kept him alive, or at least I have read quite a number of them.

So yeah, review please. Until the next chapter.