Oni Of The West Pt 1

Oni of the West Pt 1

Hello Author-Dono here! I hope you enjoy your stay at this fanfiction, and don't forget to give this poor author some love and support, my pet space butterfly was diagnosed with the selfish disease, and I am too poor in good manners to support him. Thank you!

Talking ""

Thinking Small thing ''

(Judgmental Dog ) Cool ass Pic

.

.================================================================

.

His hand quickly took hold of one kunai, and his other fist parred the other one; he saw Nawaki jump to the left while Yunmi opened her umbrella, parrying the kunai.

Before he could breathe, three shurikens were upon him. He parried one with his stolen kunai and dodged the other two; then, he felt pain in his left thigh. "The first lesson is always to watch out for wires."

Billy grunted in pain; he looked up at Danzo, attacking Nawaki with his sword. Suddenly Danzo kicked Nawaki behind Billy and jumped after him.

He watched Danzo spin mid-air, dodging Yunmi's kunai; when he was in Billy's reach, he bent down and kicked his hand, then he pulled his wire and tripped Billy.

Without looking, Danzo sent two shurikens at Yunmi, who dodged the first one but got hit with the second one when Danzo pulled a wire.

Billy looked around; he and his team were all on the floor, while Danzo was relaxed with his sword on his shoulder. "Guys, we need to get out of here and go to an open space." He heard Nawaki command them using the mind transfer.

Billy nodded and pulled on the wire that was embedded in him, which made Danzo cut the wire. "Yunmi, pull your wire; Nawaki, try to attack him when she pulls," Billy spoke while dodging another jagged senbon with wires attached to it.

When Danzo cut the second wire, He dodged Nawaki's attack with ease; he pulled back and looked at Billy, who was standing up. "Acceptable try, but you need to do better." He moved his hand with frightening speed and spat smoke from his mouth.

Nawaki screamed at them. "MOVE!" they all jumped away from the smoke, Nawaki and Yunmi hanging from the tiles while Billy jumped back and landed on the ground.

Billy looked around for any sign of Danzo, but when he found nothing. "Guys, we need to run. We can't bait him out; he will haunt us."

Yunmi nodded. "Nawaki and I will stay on the walls while you stay on the ground; I remember an exit on the south side."

Nawaki was about to replay, but he jumped away, and in his place were five shurikens embedded into the tiles. "He is attacking us from the shadows; we need to move now!"

Billy turned and ran. "He will try to separate us, do not let him do that. And watch out for genjutsu."

Billy, Nawaki, and Yunmi ran to the south side; for every step they took, one of them had to dodge an attack, and for every turn, there was a trap waiting for them.

The warehouse did not help them, it had a lot of hiding places where one could ambush people, and they could not use any strong attacks because they would fail if they did so.

The tiles reached up to the sky, covering the corridor they were using in shadows. For every object they passed, they had to watch out for attacks, and Danzo was not known for leniency.

When they reached the southern door, they all had some damage on them; their minds were on full alert.

Yunmi quickly threw a Kunai at the door, which triggered a trap; kunai and shuriken flew towards the door. In less than two seconds, the whole door was covered in Kunai and shurikens. Yunmi sighed in relief. "I think we are clear."

Nawaki nodded. "it seems so, but be careful; I bet he trapped the other end as well." Nawaki quickly pulled a small patch and attached it to his cut wounds, he grimaced for a second, but the bleeding stopped.

Billy looked around while they talked, and he saw a large shipment of lumber. He walked up to it and took a ten-foot-tall log. "Make way!" He screamed at his teammates.

Both his teammates' eyes widened, and they dodged quickly; Billy channeled chakra to his legs and upper body; he bent back and launched the projectile at the door, cracking it.

Instantly when the door was opened, several clouds of smoke emerged, and from them, they heard metal grinding upon metal; the log started jumping from the shock of the attack.

All of them stilled, and when the smoke blew away from the air, they saw the whole area covered with different weapons. Billy smirked and looked at his teammates. "Now, this is how you clear traps."

Nawaki turned his head and looked at Billy. "Damnit, Billy, you should have said something, we all co." Billy instantly jumped away when he saw Nawaki's face change; he heard the air getting sliced by a sword.

When he landed, he saw Yunmi and Nawaki surrounding him, while the spot he was on was covered with kunai that his team threw. "He was there, wasn't he?" Billy asked.

Yunmi nodded. "Yup, and guys, we really need to move out."

Nawaki exhaled. "Billy, you are at the back while Yunmi and I will lead. There is a forested training ground near us. But I really doubt he did not plan for that, so expect traps."

They all got into formation, using Billy's size to defend their back while they moved. They jumped over the log and dodged a couple of kunai. "Don't look back, move!" Nawaki screamed at them.

They began running towards the training ground, their tension was at an all-time high, and they could feel someone watching them in the shadows. After ten minutes of running, with no attack, Yunmi asked. "Why is he not attacking?"

Billy looked around, trying to find Danzo. "I don't know, but it can't be good."

Nawaki nodded. "I don't think he will stop; I bet he will change tactics."

Billy looked in Infront of them, and he warned his team. "Living area 12 a clock, we can't run here."

They all slowed down and started walking normally while looking for their attacker. When nothing happened after a while, Nawaki voiced his opinion. "I think he moved up. Because he cannot attack while civilians are around."

The team continued walking, but with a more relaxed demeanor, they saw a bunch of shops nearby. Some were selling food and drink; others were celebrating nearby.

Billy saw an incoming crowd. "Guys, we could hide with the crowd." He smiled.

They all moved inside the crowd, who were celebrating a kid's birthday on the street. Billy saw a drunk wobbling near him, and he tried to move out of the way. 'Damn drunk, I really don't want to get stained while I am in the middle of a damn test!' When he moved his eyes for a moment, the hair at the back of his neck stood still, he tried to dodge, but he was surrounded.

Billy moved his steel-plated gloves and felt a small chink hitting his armor; he looked down and found a small needle. "Guys."

Yunmi looked at Billy. "Hmm?"

"I think we are in a trap… I just got attacked by a drunk.... a skillful drunk." Billy showed his Steel-plated gloves that were grazed with scratch marks.

All of them looked around a child holding a lollypop, an old woman with a stick, lovers walking together, a carpenter with his supplies. Billy sighed. "Get ready things are about to become ugly." The civilians narrowed their eyes at the group.

.

.

.

After five minutes of walking, dodging attacks, and parring them, they finally exited the district to the forested training ground. They looked at the area that is filled with trees on all sides, with a large river at the back; in the middle, there are three freshly cut tree stumps.

Yunmi, who was currently removing a senbon, complained. "Ow, ow, ow, I hate these things." She pulled the last one from her elbow.

Billy kneeled in front of her after bandaging himself. "Here, let me fix that for you." Billy quickly applied some alcohol to the wound; then, he closed it with a bandaid seal he had developed.

The seal prevents air or germs from attacking the wound while being comfortable on the skin and the wound.

Nawaki, on the other hand, was looking at the training ground with suspicion, trying to find Danzo. "That was a bad move on our part back there." He said that while throwing a stone into the training field, which exploded. "And now he is using explosives."

Billy ignored the explosion and continued the bandaging. "You need some bandages, Nawaki?" Nawaki shook his head.

He took out a spray bottle from his bag and cleaned the wounds. "It's gonna sting Yunmi." He pulled another bottle of alcohol and moved to her right foot.

After a while, he stood up and looked down at Yunmi. "Everything good?" She nodded at him. Billy turned around and looked at the field. "I have a feeling if we step inside, he will show up… I mean, he let us heal up and catch a breather."

Yunmi rolled her eyes. "How nice of him." Then she opened her umbrella and blocked the sun.

Nawaki took a deep breath. "Ready to go, guys?" Billy and Yunmi walked next to Nawaki.

"Yup."

"Mm-hmm."

Nawaki hearing them, walked forward; as soon as his foot touched the grass, three kunai embedded in the front of their path, and Danzo appeared out of thin air.

He squatted on the middle stump, his sword drawn and getting cleaned by him; in his mouth was a Kiseru (Japanese pipe) that was spewing smoke; under the stumps were three boxes.

He took a long inhale, and while he was exhaling, he spoke even though he was not looking at them. "I congratulate you lot…" he exhaled the smoke and continued oiling his sword. "Many have failed before you…." he took another puff and withdrew his sword to his back. "But let us see if you pass the last step." He exhaled and finally looked at them.

He pointed at Billy. "I have one traitor amongst you." Then he pointed at Nawaki. "With the traitor is a key that can open these boxes." He smiled at them and finally pointed at Yunmi while looking at her wounds. "I have poisoned two of you, except the traitor."

He stood up and walked to a nearby tree; then, he unsealed a tea set. "I recommend you find the key quickly… you only have ten minutes." They saw him do a quick one-handed sign, and they saw the water beginning to boil in the kettle.

Billy looked at Nawaki, who was looking at Yunmi with suspicion; he looked at Yunmi, who was looking at him with apprehension. He tried to talk, but he felt the link disappear from his mind.

.

================================================================

.

(Danzo's POV!)

Danzo took a long puff of his pipe, enjoying the smooth and mild taste it brought him; he slowly stirred the tea. 'They seem promising, but no one has passed my test so far; if they don't, I think this will be my last trial.'

He slowly lowered his hands and took hold of the green tea. He raised his hands up and enjoyed the heat; then, he took a long sip. He looked across the field. 'Hmm, I only took them because Hiruzen kept insisting on it and because I will be teaching Hashirama-Sama and Tobirama-Sama's grandson.'

Danzo looked at Yunmi. 'She has potential; if she fails this test, I think I will recruit her in the future division that Hiruzen promised me.'

He sighed and took another sip; then he looked at Billy, who was signing to his teammates. 'This one needs to graduate no matter what; he will be a boon on the battlefield.'

Danzo took a puff from his pipe and saw Billy opening his bag and searching them; then he saw the rest of the team doing the same; when they found no keys, the Yamanaka started pointing at Billy and accusing him. "You think I didn't notice Billy! You are the one who directed us into the crowd of civilians, and you are the one who treated our wounds; maybe you are the one who injected us with the poison!"

He saw Nawaki give Billy an uncertain look, then he turned and talked to Yunmi. "You were in our heads the entire time; what if you were playing with our senses?"

She took offense to that and pointed at him with her umbrella. "How dare you! I swore an oath as a Yamanaka! I would never do any of that to allies… That is if you are my ally."

Danzo took another puff from his pipe and looked at Billy, who stood still the entire time; he noticed that Billy seemed to be thinking about something. Then he saw him walk over the boxes.

He watched as his teammate stopped their shouting match and looked at Billy. "Billy, what are you doing?" Asked Nawaki.

Billy did not answer them, but he picked up one of the boxes. He started turning it around and banging on it, and with one swift motion, he pried the box open with his hands.

At that moment, Danzo smiled. 'He figured it out; there was no key… But will he figure out my next step?"

When Billy opened the box, there was nothing inside; he threw it behind him and opened another, which turned out empty.

Finally, he opened the last box, and inside of it, there was a small clear vial. He picked it up and turned around to his teammates; he showed them the vial. "There is only one vial."

They all stared at the small vial with the clear liquid. He could hear the tension from his seat under the tree, then he took a long puff and smiled.

He watched Nawaki step back and hold his kunai. "I am sorry, Billy, but you know my dream… There is next year for you."

Danzo frowned. 'Hmm, I remember his dream was to be Hokage… They will never let him become one if this is his attitude, but maybe I could use him.'

Yunmi looked shocked at Nawaki. "How dare you, Nawaki! He is your friend!"

Nawaki turned to her with tears in his eyes. "You think I don't know that you witch!?" He took a deep breath. "Billy knows… I will sacrifice everything for my dream!"

He looked at the children arguing. 'It seems history repeats itself… Now Tsuyoi {Billy} will be the bigger person and gives the vial to Nawaki.'

Danzo sighed and took a deep puff of smoke. Then he heard a small chuckle; then the chuckle turned into a burst of tight waves of laughter, then it turned into a deep laugh.

He saw Billy's teammate giving him a weird look. "You can change your voice?!" asked the orange-haired girl.

Billy laughed more and fell on the ground holding his belly laughing. "I. I just figured it out! HAHAHAHA!"

The girl, still confused, asked him. "You just figured out how to change your voice?"

Billy, still on the ground, crossed his legs while placing his hand on his right knee. "No, I figured out how to change my voice… and." Billy smiled and looked at Danzo.

Danzo could see the mask stretch, and he saw the small dark gray eyes peeking at him; he saw the red gums with the white teeth snickering at him. 'What a scary sight… If only I did not see scarier."

Billy pointed at Danzo. "I figured out your test… Old man." And he laughed more.

Danzo looked down at his body. 'What is he talking about… I am 35.' He decided to humor him. "And what did you figure out?"

Billy slowly stopped laughing and brought out the vial, and while looking at Danzo, he smashed it. "This!"

He saw his teammates stop dead in their tracks, and he watched Billy's smile grow more and more. 'What an unnatural smile.'

He brought his hands up and took the last sip of his tea; then, he slowly stood up while hearing the children scream at Billy. He slowly moved towards them and released a small amount of killing intent. 'There that should stop them from talking…' he noticed Billy still giving him that smile. 'Hmm curious, he does not seem to be fazed at all… something to think about later.'

.

================================================================

.

(Billy's POV!)

Billy's smile widened. "There was never a cure!" he opened his hand to let the rest of the liquid fall off.

Nawaki gets hold of his balance. "What are you talking about?"

Billy stood up and dusted his hands. "At first, I was confused… Why would he tell us that he poisoned us? What would he gain from that?" He walked to the log and placed his right foot on top. "Then it came to me… he never did, we simply listen to him, because he was the authority… and you being a Senju helped with that."

Danzo looked at Billy. "Why is he being a Senju matter? Do you really think I would hesitate?"

Billy smiled. "Oh, I know you won't, but what gave you away was the key, there was no key, and you know it. Which encouraged us to fight, and if someone opened the box, there would be one vial, and I bet there was poison in it."

Billy looked at Nawaki. "And what made the impossibility of you poisoning us was the Senju name." He turned and looked Danzo in the eyes. "Would you truly risk even the thought of poisoning one of the last Senju's in the village?" Billy shook his head. "It made me think, and I knew it was a test after that.

Danzo gave him a frown. "What makes you so sure that I placed a poison in the vial?"

Billy looked at him in the eyes. "Would you let a shinobi who obviously betrayed his comrade graduate?"

Danzo's frown remained on his face. "I would kill them before they took a single sip of the poison… it is a waste of good poison." He turned around and walked near the river. "Congratulation's you just passed my test."

The team began to celebrate, but Danzo stopped them. "I never said you two passed the test." He pointed at Nawaki and Yunmi.

Nawaki grew frustrated. "What do you mean."

Danzo walked back to his tree and sat down. "Only Billy figured out the test while you both fought each other." He started brewing. "You Nawaki were ready to betray your friend."

At this, Nawaki lowered his head in shame. Danzo poured more water. "While you Yunmi were ready to accuse both Billy and Nawaki because they are old friends." Yunmi looked down in shame.

Danzo started mixing the tea. "But there is a chance for you yet."

Both Nawaki and Yunmi looked up at him. "There are two documents that I want." He looked up at them. "The first one is in the TI, and the second one is in the research and development section."

Danzo brought a new cup and placed it in front of him. "Both of them have a kunai seal on them; bring them to me."

Nawaki and Yunmi nodded. "All right, let's get the TI one first, then…" Nawaki was stopped from speaking.

"Both of you will go alone, you will not receive help from your teammates, and Billy is not allowed to assist." Nawaki and Yunmi bristled but started walking away.

Billy looked at them. 'Fucking Danzo.' He took in a deep breath. "Oi Nawaki!"

Nawaki and Yunmi turned around. Billy tapped his head. "You will never be Hokage."

Billy smiled and walked towards Danzo, who watched the exchange; he sat down and looked at the offered tea that Danzo had made.

Danzo poured the tea and brought it to Billy. "Drink it slowly and enjoy the flavor."

Billy nodded and took the bowl; he slowly brought it up to his slit and drank the tea. "This is great, sensei."

Danzo shook his head silently and drank. "Why did you kick Nawaki while he was down, Tsuyoi?"

Billy lowered the tea. "Because he needs encouragement."

"Hmm… and what did you think of the test Tsuyoi?"

"It is a brutal test."

"Oh, really now… You know I was asked to lower it every time someone fails my test?"

Billy smiled and showed his white teeth. "And how many students did you fail?"

"One hundred fifty… Or one hundred fifty-two today." Danzo lit up his pipe.

Billy's smile disappeared. "What makes you say that they will fail your test?"

Danzo exhaled the smoke on Billy's face, who did not even flinch. "Because they will need to enter into the most restricted areas in the village, and find the correct Scrolls that are surrounded with similar scrolls, and I did not even tell them that the scroll I want will have an open seal."

Billy's face turned into a frown. "That is a vindictive move on your part, sensei."

Danzo took a puff from his pipe. "Why do you think I gave them this second chance? I wish for them to feel defeated."

Billy grew a confused look. "Why would you do that? What purpose does it serve?"

"When they tasted defeat, it is much easier to mold them. Into better shinobi." He revealed with a gentle smile.

Billy's confused look turned into a hateful glare; then it slowly changed to a wide smile. "Would you like to bet? As a way to pass the time?" Billy's tongue slowly slathered his blood-red gums.

Danzo gave Billy a curious look. "You have a nasty smile, Tsuyoi." Danzo replayed with a smile. "You, an academy student who never tasted blood, have courage."

He slowly brought his tea to his mouth. "Useless courage, I would say." Then he took a sip. "What are your terms."

Billy's smile grew to an unhealthy stretch; he extended his hand to shake. "If they pass the test, I will gain a single favor from you. If they don't, I will owe you a favor in the future."

Danzo gave Billy a suspicious look; then he sent his chakra out of his body. Billy's eyes grew wide with anticipation. "Testing the waters, old man?" He could feel the pressure that Danzo expelled, and he felt it reaching further away from them, akin to a sonar.

Danzo frowned at Billy. "I am no old man Tsuyoi… and a shinobi can never be too paranoid." After a while, he slowly raised his hand to Billy's. "Fine, I could always use a favor." He shook Billy's much bigger hand.

.

.

In the distance, two academy students breathed a sigh of relief. "That could have been close!" Screamed Yunmi.

Nawaki nodded while looking at the distance they ran from the chakra wave. "Thankfully, Billy warned us about the wave."

Yunmi nodded. "How did you know he wanted his mind to be connected?"

Nawaki stood up and dusted himself. "Because if Billy wanted to encourage someone, he would beat them up first then use his words, this time he used his words.… and he tapped his head."

They started walking. "What, that's it?! That does not make sense!"

Nawaki smiled. "And I know Billy will never belittle my dream… So, I understood what he wanted the second he started insulting."

Yunmi sighed in defeat. "Fine, so are we ignoring his demand?"

"Damn right we are… No one can infiltrate the TI and Research department alone; even ANBU need partners in this."

So, the pair walked together toward their destination.

.

.================================================================

.

Billy smiled and moved a shogi piece. "I think it is my win." He leaned back.

Danzo looked at the board and hummed. "Let me give you a piece of advice… The best way to kill a shinobi is to make them feel secured." He moved his piece. "I think this is my win." He smiled and took a puff from his pipe.

Billy frowned and leaned on top of the board. "Damn… you are good."

Danzo frowned. "You think I would lose to an up jumped upstart like you… you have much to learn."

Billy sighed and took a sip of the (hot tea); he smelled the soft breeze passing from the slow river nearby. The shade of the tree gave him and Danzo a great spot to play and talk.

He lowered the tea. "Another game?"

Danzo shook his head. "No, I can feel them coming. Get ready for the Favor I am about to ask."

Billy smiled and stood up. "Don't get hasty old man… You seem to be so 'Secured' in your victory, sensei." Billy laughed.

Danzo stood up and looked at Billy suspiciously. "Hmm… You didn't cheat, perhaps, did you?"

Billy gave him a shocked look. "How could I cheat a master like you, sensei? After all, I was here with you the whole time." Billy heard footsteps coming nearby. "And would you look at that… they just arrived."

Billy and Danzo watched as Nawaki and Yunmi returned, tired and drained. They approached Danzo, and both brought a scroll with an open seal of a kunai.

Danzo took the scrolls and opened them up; he slowly read them while humming, then he closed the scrolls. "It seems I was lured into safety… Congratulations, you passed."

Billy smiled and gave a thumbs up to Nawaki and Yunmi, while Danzo turned around and brought his teapot with four bowls.

Danzo walked to the middle tree stump and poured the hot steaming tea into the four bowls; Billy could see the steam slowly rising, he could feel the soft breeze of the wind, and he could hear the soothing sound of the river.

Danzo beckoned them to him. "All of you, take a bowl." He stated while raising his own bowl.

All of them raised their bowls. "From now on, you are my team; you are my responsibility, you may hate me, you may despise me for what I will put you all through, but always remember this oath."

He raised his bowl to the middle of the stump. "I, Danzo, will make you shinobi that I can promise you." Danzo's cup clashed with the team, and he drank it all.

Billy raised his and drank it, Nawaki raised his and drank it, and finally, Yunmi drank hers.

Yunmi gave a quiet smile, Nawaki sprouted a proud smile, while Billy gave a bleeding smile.

Danzo reached into his bag and pulled out a tattered old fuined scroll. He looked at it for a while, contemplating something, then he said in a quiet, soft voice. "I never thought I would use these… But it seems Hiruzen was right."

He unsealed the scroll, and from it, he produced three dull metallic plates. He brought a kunai and began itching the Konoha mark upon them.

When he was done, he gave each Iron plate to each team member. "This marks you as a shinobi of the hidden leaf… Wear it with pride… wear it with strength… wear it with conviction, and never dishonor the leaf."

Billy gave Danzo a confused look. 'Did you grow bitter with age, Danzo?' Billy thought while looking at his new iron mark; it was thick, dull, and matted in color.

Yunmi and Nawaki bowed to Danzo. "Thank you, sensei! We will make you proud."

Danzo gave them a soft smile, but then he turned to Billy expectingly. Billy looked at him and shrugged. "I do not bow easily." He raised his back straighter and looked down on all of them; he only bowed to one person in his life. Yamazaki-Oyabun, and he only did it out of respect.

Billy will never bow to anyone; it is a sign of submission.

Nawaki stood up and punched Billy's right thigh. "Stop being difficult!"

Billy bristled. "WANNA GO?! HUH?" He held his fist up to Nawaki.

Yunmi sighed while Danzo shook his head. "No fighting… You all can go and rest a week and prepare because, after a week of rest, you will start your training."

When they were about to go, Danzo stopped Billy. "Not you, Tsuyoi… I have to talk to you."

Billy stopped and returned to Danzo; they waited for a moment when the coast was clear. "What do you need, sensei?"

Danzo looked at Billy and gave him a glare. "You think me a fool, don't you?"

Billy swallowed. "What are you talking about, sensei?"

He gave Billy his back and looked at the river. "You think I don't know what you were planning with your stunt?"

Billy stood still, his nerves were wreaking him, and after a while, he took a breath. "Which stunt?"

Danzo turned and looked at Billy while leaking killing intent. "Do you truly think I did not sense the Yamanaka link?"

He started his pipe again, and he took a big puff. Then, he slowly exhaled the smoke which covered his right eye. "Be grateful that I allowed it to continue… But this is not why I stopped you."

Billy, who was sweating, relaxed a little bit. "What was the reason then, sensei?"

Danzo took another puff. "I am a man of my word… although I know that you tried to tip the scale into your favor, I still betted a favor."

He started to walk away from Billy. "Still, you had faith in them… and they succeeded; I owe you a favor, Billy. Use it wisely."

Billy gulped from the implication. He turned and looked at the softly flowing river, trying to calm himself, but then he heard Danzo again. "Oh, and next time when you try to lie… Do not be nervous; I had a suspicion, but you confirmed it, work on your acting, boy."

Billy watched his sensei walk away slowly from him. 'What a terrifying man… I can see the beginning of his bitter old self all ready.'

He looked down at his Konoha plate; he turned it around, checking every rigid surface. 'Hmm old fashioned, even by today's standards.'

Billy placed the Hitai plate into his side bag and walked back to the village, but just as he was about to leave, he saw something in the middle of the area.

He walked to it and saw a small pole sticking out, with writing on top. "Spot reserved for a memorial."

Scratching his mask, he turned around and looked at the river, then the three tree stumps, then he looked around, and it finally clicked. "No fucking way… this is where Naruto had his test… Fuck."

He placed his hands inside of his pockets and walked away while laughing. "Fate… you are a fucking bitch."

.

================================================================

.

(Hiruzen/Hokage POV)

Hiruzen pinched his nose and took a long breath. In front of him, stacks of papers were stacked high, full of numbers detailing the war efforts. 'I need to get another council to handle the food shortage, maybe get another one to gain more political favors.'

He brought his pipe and started smoking. 'I can't wait until the end of this week; then I can go and relax with Orichi's club… although the man has never been the same since his last son died.'

He remembers the day Orichi came to him and tried to remove the court order placed upon him. 'His son was so vindictive that he pulled a restraining order against his father.'

Hiruzen was about to sign another paper when he heard the door opening. He saw his old friend Danzo walking in. 'Hmm, I think he is done with his test… it took more than usual.'

He took a long puff. "Danzo."

Danzo nodded at him. "Hiruzen."

Hiruzen smiled. "Sit and stop being so stiff; tell me about the test. Did you fail them?"

Danzo pulled a scroll from his bag and handed it to Hiruzen. "You gave me this scroll eight years ago, now. As promised, this will be my final test, and I am returning it to you."

Hiruzen took the scroll and inspected the damage on it, then he looked at Danzo and sighed. "I really wished for you to gain a team… but you and I know that there is nothing that could convince you to reconsider… after all, you told me this will be your final test."

Danzo raised one of his eyebrows. "What are you talking about?"

Hiruzen grew confused. "What are you talking about?" he pointed at his old friend with the scroll.

Danzo pointed at the scroll. "You gave me the scroll; I am simply returning the scroll."

Hiruzen grew a little bit agitated. "And what is inside of the scroll, my friend? The three Hitai plates that the first Hokage gave you when you studied under him."

{Author's note, Before you go "Akuchually" on me, This is not the canon timeline! I have magical fuzzy creatures in chapter 4.}

Danzo looked at the stacks of papers. "It seems the paperwork has slowly drained your sanity; I am simply returning the scroll… the plates were given to my team that passed."

Stunned, Hiruzen looked at the scroll and then at Danzo. "You actually passed a team?"

Danzo sighed in defeat. "Why is it so hard for you to understand that I passed a team?"

"Well, it is just a little bit jarring considering that you failed one hundred and fifty students."

"I passed a team; can we move on now?"

Hiruzen looked at the stack of papers. "Why don't we go have some fresh air and talk."

Danzo nodded, and they both walked to the roof; they watched the expanding village and the people walking peacefully. "Danzo, as you know, the war will start picking up again."

Danzo looked at the village; then he looked west. "I gathered from the whispers of the shinobi."

Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzo. "I began peace talks with Suna."

"Suna? I thought they would never side with us."

"That was true two weeks ago, but apparently that Iwa started gathering near their border."

Danzo scratched his scar. "That is good. We need more allies but be careful. It may be a ploy. What about Kumo and Kiri?"

Hiruzen sighed. "Kumo is gathering to the north next to Iwa, which is scary; they may have joined together."

He turned and looked to the east. "Kiri, on the other hand, are as secretive as ever. But we feel that they may attack us first since the Uzumaki were weekend."

Danzo inhaled some of the fresh air. "This is going to be ugly... I feel that this next push would be the last; our resources are at a limit now, and I doubt that the other villages are doing better than us on that front."

"Indeed, my friend. I feel that there will be three battlefields."

"Let me guess Amegakure (Rain), Yugakure (Hot water), and Uzushiogakure (W hirlpool). Right?"

Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzo. "Ame and Yugakure are confirmed, but it seems Kiri is focusing on Kumo, which gives us a breathing room from the east."

Danzo started scratching his head, then he looked at the Hokage mountain, looking at his senseis face. "We are not ready, Hiruzen… No matter how much we like to think we are strong, we are facing a four-front war."

Hiruzen took a long puff from his pipe. "You are right, Danzo… and I think we need your help more than ever."

Danzo gave him a surprised look. "But? But I thought you stopped me from ever talking about the project."

"That is true… In my naivety, I thought I could do what the first did… simply talk, but it seems the other nations are not willing to listen. Now we will be dragged back to war."

Hiruzen turned and looked at Danzo's eyes; they seemed to be full of rage and regret. "Sensei died fighting Madara, Tobirama-Sama died for us to live, and we gained some respite from the war. But it seems we have to dirty our hands, Hiruzen."

Hiruzen took a deep puff from his pipe. 'It's not or never, do I doom my best friend to a life of darkness, or let the village suffer more?'

When Hiruzen exhaled the smoke from his lung, he gave the command. "From now on, you will be the darkness of the fire; from now on, you will protect the tree; you will be the root, Danzo. You have my full permission to commence."

Danzo turned his head and looked at his Sensei's stone face. "Thank you, Hiruzen. I will not disappoint you, and I am sorry, sensei… it seems I won't be like you."

With that, Hiruzen felt a shift in chakra, and his friend disappeared. "I wish you were with me, Tobirama sensei… Did I do the right thing?"