Here's the last part of my practice fic, Age of the Monkey. It's probably gonna be even worse then the other ones, cause I'm rushing so I can start a new idea of mine for a long fic.

Enjoy

Age 3: Sandaime

People say your life flashes before your eyes when you're about to die. Sadly for Sarutobi, he was far to preoccupied at this moment to let his thoughts wander to memories of his life. He was justified in this however, because it is difficult enough to focus as it is in a Kage-level battle, without having the added pressure of a legendary sword stabbed through your chest, as well as having your former student's soul being dragged through your stomach.

"What are you doing old man?" spat Orochimaru. "I'm not able to move."

"So I notice you have yet to see the Fourth's greatest accomplishment." chuckled the old Kage.

"What are you blabbering about now, sensei?" Orochimaru asked, saying the title as though it gave him a disease. "Have you finally lost it?"

"No, my student. It is you who has lost." Sarutobi said with a grimace "Behold! The Death God, Shinigami! And your doom!"

For the first time, Orochimaru saw the ghostly specter behind Sarutobi. He also saw his soul, almost half out of his body at this point.

For the first time since he had left Akatsuki, Orochimaru felt an emotion he hardly knew.

Fear

"Oro-kun" Sarutobi started "Do you know why I choose Arashi to be my successor as Hokage?"

"Don't you dare call me that!" shouted Orochimaru. "And as for that blond idiot, you chose him because he was weak and foolish, like you!"

"No Oro-kun," laughed Sandaime "He wasn't weak. If he was, he wouldn't have beaten you 10 times in a row while sparring. But what made him truly strong was the Will of the Flame-"

"Oh Kami, not this again…" interrupted Orochimaru, with a hint of exasperation in his voice. "You babbled on enough about your foolish ideologies when I was still your student, and even as you die you continue!!!"

"Let me finish." Sarutobi tried again "Arashi had the Will of the Flame. That's what caused men to follow him. That's what caused him to become the greatest shinobi Konoha has ever known. That's… (A small tear fell from Sarutobi at this point) …that's how he gave up his life to defeat the Kyuubi…"

"And yet he's dead, and I'm here!" Orochimaru proudly stated, "I turned out better without your silly "Will of the Flame."

"Oro-kun" Sarutobi said in a voice you could barely hear. "You still do not see what I mean. The Will of the Flame is in every true Konoha shinobi, and it is strongest in the Hokage. It drives us to fight to save our homes and families. It drives us to stop evil such as you. And Orochimaru…" He leant as close as he was able to towards the Snake-Sannin.

I

(A pebble started to rise)


HAVE

(A rumbling was heard)


IT

(Faint sparks surrounded the pair)


TOO!!!!

…Bellowed the Sandaime. As Sarutobi finished the last syllable, a huge vortex and maelstrom of Chakra surrounded him. However, it was not blue like normal chakra. It was not even the strange orange of the Kyuubi's chakra. It was a deep, rich, fiery, red.

"WITNESS!" shouted Sarutobi "THE TRUE WILL OF THE FLAME!!!"

Orochimaru could only look on in shock.

"Now you pay for your crimes!" said the Hokage in a voice of fierce determination. He was no longer the kindly old man, but instead the Fire Shadow, sworn to protect his home.

"No, stop!" gasped Orochimaru "Please!"

"It is too late for both of us, my foolish pupil" smiled Sarutobi "Let's go to hell together."

"FUUIN!!!" Sandaime shouted.

Anymore pleading Orochimaru made was ignored, as his soul was completely wrenched from his body, and swallowed by the Shinigami.

Sarutobi collapsed, the last of his life leaving his body. He smiled to himself, and now his life began to flash before him. His thoughts stopped on two particular blonds. As his vision faded he thought happily how he would soon see the one, and as for the other, he thought one final thing…

The leaf will never wither…

…under the protection of the future Hokage…

…Uzumaki Naruto.

Yeah, yeah I know. This part is completely different to canon, but I couldn't get it out of my head. Anyway, this was a practice fic, so please leave reviews and advice.

I'm gonna get started on some long stories now.

Cheers for now.

Your friendly neighbourhood Demon-Lord

Beelzeboss