Later….

"Kurenai! You set me up."

"Wha-what?"

"Why the heck is he here?"

"I-I don't know! I didn't invite him."

It had been a couple of hours since that ramen debacle with Hiruto. And ever since that happened, Anko had spent the remaining time burying herself with everything she could force her mind into. Writing the tapestries that had "WELCOME HOME, ASUMA!" on it. Skillfully using her kunai to drape the ribbons and streamers on the ceiling. Cooking the meanest Yakitori known on that side of the continent. Heck, she even had the gall to volunteer as one of the usherettes for the party. She even wore an emerald kimono and a gentle smile to make the whole thing work. It was working! She finally had Iruka off her mind now she was just happily helping out where she could at the party. But it all came crashing down once she caught a glimpse of that brown haired man with a scar on his face by the mai entrance to the building.

And look who's that girl beside him in the black kimono swaying her hips like she's the talk of the town.

"Kurenai!" Anko pleaded, "Please take care of them, I'll hide in some corner or something." She then started towards one of the exits of the building the Uchiha had lent for the celebration. Only to be stopped by Kurenai grabbing her wrist.

"Calm down, this isn't the end of the world." Kurenai consoled me. "I suggest that you gotta show that bastard who's boss around here, that's all. Show them that you couldn't care less that they got together. Show them that you're stronger than they think, Anko!"

"Wh-wh-wh-at? No! I can't do that, and you know it." Anko whispered. Their entire conversation had been hushed and only heard between each other at the opposite end of the building. Far away from Iruka and Shizune. But that doesn't really work to Anko's advantage because practically everyone was buzzing about the drama that was currently unfolding right now.

Iruka did not even take a second to find Anko in the crowd. And the Academy Teacher felt his gaze on her back causing her to shiver. Further breaking her resolve. Kurenai saw it in the Teacher's eyes and thought that maybe what had suggested was a bad idea.

"Okay, okay. I'll distract them while you go do whatever you do to get away from them." Kurenai acquiesced. Causing a sunny bright smile to appear in Anko's face.

"Thanks Kurenai!" and with that, Anko practically speed walked towards the exit. Finally, she could leave this place. But as she took a twist and turn to avoid her wretched ex, she had accidentally bumped into someone's chest.

"Oof!" Anko exclaimed. Geez, it felt like a freaking brick wall. She thought. What on earth did she hit? She quickly muttered an apology and brought her head up to see who she had hit as she took a step back from the person. And would you know it, a person she didn't expect to see again today.

"Anko?" Hiruzen confusedly blurted out. He, the other Hokages, and Tenten were just there chilling when all of a sudden a random person came around and bumped into him. It was fortunate that he managed to raise his arms to avoid the food he was holding from getting hit by the person. It didn't take long for Hiruzen to figure who the person was as they backed off of him.

"Hiruto? What're you doing here? Hm? Who are you people?" Anko then looked towards the people beside Hiruzen and noticed that there were 3 people she did not know just watching the entire thing unfold with curious (and entertained) expressions to them. There was a fourth person amongst them that she did recognise, so Anko decided to ask them directly.

"Tenten, do you know them?" Anko asked as she pointed at the disguised 3rd Hokage and the others beside him. Her main objective of getting away was forgotten the moment her head hit Hiruzen's chest.

Tenten meanwhile, was drinking some tea when suddenly the whole Anko bumping into Hiruzen happened. The surprise from the event caused the tea to spill into her shirt. After wiping herself off while Hiruzen and Anko were talking, she replied.

"Uh- ehem, excuse me. Yes, I do. We're friends who live in the same apartment." Tenten then waved her hand towards the other 3 Hokage just standing there waiting for her to introduce them. "This is Hachi and Obi" then waved to Hashirama and grunted Tobirama, "they're historians from another town far from here visiting the place. And this is Makoto," then smiled Minato, "he's actually Hiruto's apprentice. They're both blacksmiths who came here to take a break from the hard work."

"You're a blacksmith?" Anko asked curiously. He didn't look the part. But hey, as the saying goes: 'looks can be deceiving'. Actually, that made sense. She barely managed to move Hiruto when she bumped into him earlier. Must explain why he has a strong core.

"Yup!" Hiruzen cheerfully lied, "Born and raised." he lied again. He did read the necessary books and texts while he was in Tenten's apartment. And while his mind captured the basics of smithing as a whole, he would really be hard pressed to answer the more complicated questions real blacksmiths would ask. Oh well, it's not like there is anyone here who could challenge him in that regard anyways.

"Oh, isn't that Umino Iruka?" Anko heard a random guest from behind her ask their friend.

"I heard that he's the future head of T and I once Danzo steps down." the friend said as they looked at the man happily flirting with Shizune at the food stall.

"Well, I heard that he's here to flaunt his trophy girl around after he dumped the lame one." the random guest callously commented.

"Yeah, I never really thought they'd go anywhere with how boring that teacher is. Can't even remember her name. That's how pathetic she was." cruelly said the friend. It caused Anko to feel hurt as she heard that.

Not that they were wrong, Anko thought depressingly. She was a sucker for the sweet type. Once Umino came around the block and started paying even the slightest bit of attention to her, she started to swoon for him. Somehow, someway, they became a couple. Even if Iruka was blatantly flirting at other girls when he thought she wouldn't notice, even if he barely hid the things he was doing with his 'friends', she wouldn't let go of him. She didn't have the strength to do so. Maybe they were right. Maybe she was lame. Maybe she was nothing but a doormat for Iruka to walk all ove-

"Excuse me, but what you just said about Anko was not nice. I suggest that you apologize to her before things get out of hand."

"Hah? Who do you think you are?" turned around the rude stranger and their friend. It was at this moment did Hiruzen realise that may or may not have punched way over his weight. Meaning, he might've screwed himself (and to some extent Tenten and the others beside him).

"Homura, let him go. He's not worth it." Koharu reasoned. But her arrogant scowl was still present as she spoke. The alternate version of Hiruzen's teammate merely scoffed and pressed on with his mudslinging campaign.

"Again, I ask. Who do you think you are?" Homura pressed his finger on Hiruzen's chest. "You don't know what you've set yourself against. I can make sure that you never see the light of day ever again for your insolence." he growled. His rage amplified when Hiruzen merely swatted Homura's finger away.

"All I see is an old man who's being incredibly rude to my friend. I do not care how important you presume yourself to be. But when it comes to the people I have chosen to defend, I will show no mercy to you." Hiruzen then threw the most deadly glare he could ever muster at Homura in an attempt to intimidate him. And it appears that he was not alone in doing so.

"We support you, Hiruto." Hiruzen heard Tobirama call out. He turned around and saw that the three Hokage and Tenten had made a human barricade out of themselves to protect Anko who was behind him. They were all looking like predators just waiting to pounce on the prey that was Homura and Koharu.

Speaking of, Homura and Koharu had the sense to realise that there was something odd about this civilian looking man who had the gall to stand up against them. They were the freaking Regents who guided the village when Kizashi died and Hiruzen was still in a coma from the attack. They had seen death and only faced it with grim determination. But why did they feel afraid when his glare burned right through them? Why do the others who were with him also feel like dangerous people just hiding behind a facade. Who are these people?

"Regent Homura and Koharu. What a pleasant surprise! It's an honour to see you here today." a voice called out from beside them.

Everyone present stopped what they were doing as a freezing chill swept through the building. There alongside the Fifth Hokage was the most feared man amongst students and alumni alike. A man known for his tenacity and his silent intimidation. Everyone knew him as the worst and best thing to ever happen to Konoha's ninja academy. For once he entered the place as its principal, the quality of Konoha's ninja rose exponentially. There were reportedly increased cases of mental illnesses amongst those who had been scouted by him. Which all the more made him the most intimidating person to be around.

"Principal Orochimaru!" Homura greeted with a fake gaiety. "How nice it is to see you here."

"Yes, it is. But I could not help but notice this scuffle you've gotten yourself into with my favourite pupil." Orochimaru said with a plastic smile that gets faker and faker as the conversation goes on.

"Oh-oh, that? It's nothing really. Koharu and I were just commenting on some things and were just minding our own business when suddenly this stranger came around and started insulting us." Homura hastily lied.

"Hm?" Orochimaru said as he looked towards the man who he called Sensei in another world. But before he could say anything else, Koharu had taken the opportunity to exit herself and Homura out of the conversation.

"Oh! Would you look at the time, I have to go home and take care of my grandchildren. Homura, if you would so kindly take me home? I shudder the thought of walking alone at night."

"Why, yes of course Koharu. Now excuse us. We must be on our way." and like animals with their tails between their legs, the two elders left the party. Their pride smothered and battered.

"Sigh… forgive those two. They have not been the same ever since Sarutobi-sensei died. They have not taken the grief all too well. They are good people, I can assure you" Orochimaru apologised with a brief bow to Hiruzen and co.

"Sensei!" Anko happily exclaimed as she gently pushed Hashirama and Minato aside. She was now standing beside Hiruto who was more or less agitated at the sight of his student.

Who knew that someone like Orochimaru could look so normal and human? His skin was pale, but not artificial and snake like. His eyes bore that same kind light that shone when the Orochimaru of the real boy was but a young boy. The last thing Hiruzen noticed was the genuine care and parental affection Orochimaru had when Anko cam up to him. It was moments like this that Hiruzen was exposed to the terrifying power of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

As well as that innate feeling of regret and despair when he remembered his failure in saving the Orochimaru he knew from total damnation.

Anko… my young pupil." Hiruzen heard from the Principal before him, "What those two said we're wrong. That I can assure you. However, you had every right to stand up for yourself there. What happened?" He calmly chastised.

"Sensei… you of all people know that I couldn't do that. I'm not as strong as you or as sharp as Tsunade sama. I- I just-" she was practically bowing her head at this point. She couldnt beat to let her sensei watch her cry because of the shame she's feeling right now. Suddenly, she felt a calm hand on her head. It was at that moment that she brought her head up to see Orochimaru just patting her head in consolation.

"Sigh… It's alright. We all have our moments." Orochimaru comforted, "just let me know if there anythings bothering you, alright? I'll make sure to take care of it for you."

Something in that last part made the hairs of the back of Hiruzen's neck rise up. Looks like some things stay the same even in a parallel world, he thought. He unconsciously straightened up When Orochimaru looked towards Hiruzen and smiled at the disguised man with unhidden gratitude.

"You're name is Hiruto, right? I'd like to thank you for standing up for dear Anko here. Who knows what would've happened if you weren't here to help her out." Orochimaru said as he gently brought Anko to his side and was continuously patting her head much to her complaint. His eyes glowing a tad bit menacing as he spoke that last sentence with a double entendre to it.

"I was just doing the right thing. That's all." Hiruzen said with a chuckle as he watched Anko try and release herself from her sensei's headpats but failed. "It's nothing special, really. When you see someone being talked to like that, you can't help but do something about y'know."

"But for a civilian like yourself to oppose the famed village Regents. The same regents who had resisted the Hyuuga led coup d'etat. Now that's most interesting." Orochimaru said with a glimmer of intrigue to his eyes. "Now tell me, what is your profession?"

"Blacksmith." Briefly answered Hiruzen.

"Oh? Really? I have had smithing as one of my interests for a while now. Tell me, what is the best way to maintain the sharpness of a blade without undermining its durability?"

Meanwhile, as Hiruzen was conversing with Orochimaru, Tsunade had busied herself by re- acquainting herself with the historian brothers she had met this morning. She was pleasantly surprised to see them here. Even more so when she found out that it was Tenten who invited them to this party.

"So you all came to know each other since you all are staying in the same apartment?" Tsunade asked the three disguised Hokaged and Tenten.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade." Tenten answered for the three, "I met Makoto and Hiruto beforehand through a mishap with my groceries. Hachi and Obi had knocked at my door to ask for some help with getting around the village. We bonded due to my book collection back at home."

"Well, it's nice to see that you are getting along with your neighbours, Tenten." Tsunade smiled. She then looked towards the three disguised Hokaged with a suddenly stern expression, "After all, they are nothing but friends to you. Isn't that right?"

Hashirama, Tobirama and Minato knew what Tsunade meant. It definitely looks weird for Tenten to be walking around

with 4 young bachelor's that aren't trying to woo her. And it looks like Tenten figured that out too as she started shaking her head in refusal whilst blushing furiously at the thought.

"W-w-wait, it's not what you think-" Tenten tried to reason but was stopped by Tsunade giggling at the sight of the flustered girl.

"Hahahahah… it's alright, Tenten. I was just kidding with you. Lighten up, will ya? I ain't gonna bite." Tsunade jokingly said.

"Besides, they know their limits." She said a pointed stare at the three Hokages. Hashirama was sweating bullets at the sight of his scary granddaughter, Tobirama was nonplussed, and Minato simply blinked at the insinuation.

"Lady Tsunade!"

The group turned around to see the Rookie nine walk in like they owned the place. They all wore formal wear today. Well, Lee wore his hair in a different way, but other than that he started the same. But that wasn't the only thing Tenten noticed.

Where are Ino and Menma?"