Tobirama's Final Mission: The Untold Truth

The sun had nearly set. A cool, subtle breeze swept through the village. The sky was auroral with crimson, blanketing the buildings and the land like a blazing fire. Stood atop a hill, embracing every ounce of peace and calm which had seemed to have been kidnapped recently, was Tobirama Senju. He hadn't been able to ponder this deeply in what seemed like forever.

As he began making his way back to his office, he blandly chuckled at the realisation that the bloody scenes and horror of war adopted the same vicious red as the sunset he had been watching.

"I always knew love and hate were separated by the thinnest of lines. But, who would've thought killing and peace could look so similar."

As he turned the corner, Toka Senju stood waiting by his office door. She had a pile of books under her right arm, all seeming to be notes she had personally written.

"I hope you're not going to lecture me about anything using those books you have."

Toka smirked and automatically responded, "Well I hope Lord Second is doing something productive and not gazing into the horizon."

Tobirama stopped in front of her, glaring into her soul. The smirk on Toka's face vanished, and a line of sweat traversed its way down her face faster than she could gulp.

"I... we need to talk about your mission tomorrow, Lord Second." Toka stuttered.

Tobirama sighed, "I know. I was wondering when you would come to me about this."

They both made their way inside his office, finding themselves walking towards a chair yet refusing to sit down. Toka placed her books onto the table, struggling to look at Tobirama as he gazed outside the window.

"You've come to convince me not to go, haven't you, Toka?"

"Lord Second... with all due respect, I am not in any position to question your decision. But... I just want to ask that you reconsider."

"I am fully aware of what I am about to do, and this village relies on my intuition. I have decided what myself and my squad are to do and that is final."

Beginning to breathe frantically Soka exclaims, "But Lord Second, you can't--"

"Silence! You are certainly right to call me Lord Second, but why don't you act like I am?! I am doing what is best for the village. I am going with my squad tomorrow, and I want you to remain here for your insolence."

"Yes... Lord Second. I understand." As Toka mumbled, she slowly picked up her books and hesitantly tread towards the door. As she placed one foot outside, she halted.

"You will come back, won't you?"

There was a slight delay in response, as the breeze blew between them as if to fill in the gap left by Tobirama's silence.

"Go and get Danzo for me. Bring him to my office, I need to speak to him."

"And if he is with Hiruzen, should I tell him --"

"No! Danzo, and Danzo alone."

As Toka walked away, Tobirama finally turned around. He collapsed tiredly into his chair. A picture of his brother, Hashirama, stole his attention from the corner of his eye.

"Brother. I hope I am making the right decision. I am not going to let you, nor our people down."

As he finished speaking aloud, a knock came at the door.

"Enter!" Yelled Tobirama.

Slowly opening the door, Danzo appeared bright-faced.

Tobirama carried on, "Thank you, Toka. We only need a short while. Please come back when we are done."

Toka nodded and took her leave. As she closed the door behind her, Danzo made his way towards the desk.

"Thank you for having me, Lord Second."

"I admire your commitment to the village, Danzo. It's very encouraging to see a young shinobi take it upon himself to learn in his own time."

"I only wish to follow in your footsteps! Yourself and Lord First have both raised the bar very high; maybe too high for most."

"Take a seat. There's no need for taking notes today. We will be having a mutual discussion."

Surprised at what Tobirama had said, Danzo laggardly placed his pencil onto the table.

"Danzo tell me... what do you think of the Uchiha?"

"Erm... well... they are a very strong people. Their Sharingan abilities are unique. However... power placed into the wrong hands could be devastating."

"Strong... but infuriating. If you were in Hashirama's position, how would you have planned to beat them?"

"I can only go off what I know already, Lord Second. I am not as great as you two, so anything I say would be too painful for you to hear."

"As much as I do hate them, it took immense planning and preparation to face them. The Bringer-of-Darkness technique was created with the sole intention of countering the Sharingan. Did you know that?"

"No... but I do remember Hiruzen mentioning it once."

"That doesn't surprise me. He has taken it upon himself to try and learn every jutsu and technique known within the villages. Having seen him spar Hashirama as a child, and having him spar with me, I could tell he would be an exceptional shinobi like his father."

"Yes, he does exert himself."

"We need more shinobi like him, to prevent any Uchiha from even thinking they can become Hokage."

"If... Madara had defeated Lord First... do you think you could have stopped him?"

"I wish I had the chance to kill him... if it wasn't for my brother I would have slaughtered that exasperating fool. Izuna was easy enough... but Madara would have been the perfect trophy."

"I heard that Madara had such high respect for Lord First, and that he even respected your battle prowess."

"Hashirama and I were able to become so strong because of our experience growing up. He and Madara knew each other from so young. I will never be able to forgive them for the deaths of my younger brothers. It was precisely that which pushed us to create the academy, to ensure everyone is trained and able to defend themselves and the village."

"And what a great idea that was!"

"Although... I can never get my head around how Hashirama died. Who... or what... was able to take him down?"

"Whatever it was, Lord Second, they haven't come for you. You are unmatched, everyone knows how strong you are."

"They haven't come... yet. I'm going to be honest with you. I sense a traitor within the squad."

Silence held the room, as they both stared at each other. Intimidated, unable to withstand Tobirama's piercing gaze, Danzo gulped. Having noticed fear within Danzo's eyes, Tobirama continued.

"I fear that my end might be approaching.  Jealousy is spreading amongst the others. They cannot fathom the fact that the Senju have been able to come together after Hashirama's reign as Hokage. By killing me, chaos will erupt again among the Senju and they will go back to their previous ways of disunity."

"I can't believe it... it can't be true...? If this is the case, what are we meant to do?"

"Our mission tomorrow is to gain intel on a hideout. It has come to me that there are allies of Kinkaku and Ginkaku there. We must capture and interrogate them. We must find out why they attacked us during the formal ceremony. This mission requires a squad of at least 15 people. But... I'm taking 6 of you."

"Lord Second... if that's true then it's suici--"

"I didn't ask for your opinion! The traitor among us will be waiting for an opportunity to strike. By only going as a squad of 7, I have no doubt we will be successful, but we will expend much more chakra than needed. If weak enough, the traitor will use that chance to ambush me... if they are smart. Unluckily for them, I am always a step ahead."

Danzo remained silent in shock, face visibly aghast. Despite the shock of hearing about a traitor close by, he was amazed at Tobirama's thinking and strategy.

"Lord Second... if... for some reason you were to pass... who will continue as the Hokage? Will it be... Hiruzen?"

"Hiruzen, of course, would be the obvious choice. But I know, if the time came for someone to step you voluntarily, he would be too humble to put himself forward. He would rather have me personally designate him as Hokage. And if that happens whilst I am still alive... I would not choose him."

Danzo instantly leaned forward, knowing that he wanted to ask why but couldn't find the words to do so.

Tobirama continued, "The position of Hokage requires someone who can take charge and control of any situation. As strong and talented as Hiruzen is... I know he won't step up and take the title of Hokage by the horns."

"So then... who should take the position of Hokage?"

As soon as Danzo was able to finally conjure words from his mouth, a knock came from the door.

"Lord Second! It's Toka. Are you finished?"

"Yes, come in. Danzo... that is all. Rest well, you have a big day tomorrow."

Danzo stared at the floor with petrified eyes. Any attempt to raise his head felt like it was being weighed down by a mountain. He gingerly made his way towards the door, walking past Toka as if she didn't even exist. As Toka entered, she closed the door behind her. The slamming of the door somewhat startled Danzo, as if waking him up from a dream. He swiftly lunged to the side, being sure to make no noise, and leaned towards the door to listen in.

Toka began, "Lord Sec--"

"SHH! Wait..." Tobirama abruptly silenced her. He closed his eyes and leaned forward as if trying to listen to something outside. After a few seconds, he continued.

"Okay, Toka, I need you to deliver this note to an Uchiha who is highly respected among them. It doesn't matter who. Do not open it. It is for them only. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Lord Second."

"It is vital that you deliver this note whilst I am already on the mission. Not before, and do not wait to deliver it once I return."

"I understand!"

"My days are numbered, Toka. I must entrust the village to someone who can handle such a great responsibility. To not only protect it and advance our future shinobi, but to make the most difficult decisions placed before them. In two days, you must return to this room and collect one more note from my top drawer. That note... is for you."

Toka nodded hesitantly. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Since a young age, Tobirama had always been confident in himself, refusing to back down from challenges. Winning was always the only option. This was the first time she had ever heard him preparing for failure.

As Toka crept towards the door, Danzo backed into bushes along the side of the building. He closely watched Toka as she stepped out, noticing she placed the note for the Uchiha in her pocket. He allowed her to make some distance before climbing out of the bushes to follow her. Before he was able to make up any considerable ground, he noticed a masked figure standing behind some trees.

"Please! Can this wait?!" Danzo remarked, conscious of not making noise loud enough to cause a disturbance.

The masked man called Danzo over with hand gestures, not risking himself by walking into the open. As Danzo got to him, the masked man continued:

"Leave her. We have more important things to take care of. When do we handle the Hokage?"

"He knows about the plan I was thinking of. I knew it! I was so stupid to think he wouldn't work it out. He's expecting an ambush tomorrow from members of the squad, and he's even organised our mission in a way that will tempt us into doing so."

"If he is indeed expecting it, you and Hiruzen will end up dead. Who is to become Hokage after him?"

"He said it should be Hiruzen... but that Hiruzen wouldn't volunteer out of respect, and that the village demands someone who isn't just strong, but takes control. I think... that he's going to choose an Uchiha!"

"WHAT?! No, not Tobirama. He despises their very existence. If he could, he would even burn the very ground they walk on just to remove any trace of them."

"I know, but he's given his cousin a note to take to them. And before she left, he said it's important that he choose someone strong and confident enough to lead the village if he was to pass."

"It would be him to throw such a curveball. But an Uchiha... I find that very hard to believe."

"If not Hiruzen, then I have no idea who it will be."

"Well then... I guess we will take this matter into our own hands. Tomorrow... you won't be alone. We will kill Tobirama Senju."