I am Aizen:ch 2

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Aizen Sōsuke, Konoha Village's most famous Chunin, without a doubt. Nearly everyone in the village had heard of this gentle man, known for his love of calligraphy. He was kind to others, always willing to lend a helping hand, and could explain the many truths of life through the Will of Fire, guiding people through their struggles and giving hope to those who had lost it.

Aizen also funded orphanages and adoption facilities in his own name, spending almost all of his mission earnings on these charitable causes. Even when admired by girls or friends, he would always ensure that any gifts or favors were redirected to the poor. To prevent any mishaps, he often delivered these goods personally.

So, even in the midst of this dark rainstorm, a warm aura seemed to surround Aizen.

As he walked along the road, ninjas and civilians alike greeted him warmly, their faces lighting up at the sight of him.

"Hello, Senior Aizen."

"Good afternoon."

"Master Aizen, good afternoon!"

"Good afternoon."

"Aizen Chunin, are you heading to see the Third Hokage?"

"Good afternoon, Jōnin Sato. Yes, I'm on my way to report to Hokage-sama."

"Brother Aizen! Here, take this umbrella!"

"Thank you. But don't forget to take care of your own responsibilities, okay?"

With a smile, Aizen gently patted the blushing girl on the head, then continued walking toward the Hokage's office.

Along the way, many ninjas in vests either nodded or greeted Aizen Sōsuke, the man with white feathers now covered in mud. In all of Konoha Village, there were hardly any who bore hostility toward him. That white haori was a privilege reserved for Aizen alone.

After cleaning the mud from his body and washing up in the Hokage building, Aizen changed into fresh, clean white robes. Still wearing his gentle, indifferent smile, he pushed open the door to the Hokage's office.

"Third Hokage-sama, I'm back."

"…"

The man sitting behind the Hokage's desk, wearing the iconic Hokage hat, quietly gazed out at the black rainstorm. Known as the Professor of Ninjutsu and one of the most respected Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen smoked his pipe, watching the downpour in silence. After a long pause, he finally spoke to Aizen, who stood there respectfully.

"…Sousuke? Help me sort these out. I haven't been keeping up with everything lately, so I could use your help."

"Of course. As you wish, Hokage-sama."

Aizen bowed deeply, acknowledging the Hokage's trust, then stepped forward to organize the various documents and books scattered on the Hokage's desk. The materials, many of which held sensitive information, were left exposed in front of Aizen without any attempt at concealment. Yet, Aizen made no effort to glance at them. Even in the eyes of the cautious Sarutobi Hiruzen, Aizen Sōsuke had no interest in prying into these secrets. He simply sorted the documents in silence.

Numbered files were categorized accordingly, while unnumbered ones were arranged separately, placed neatly where the Hokage could easily access them. After observing Aizen's almost artful organization for a while, Sarutobi slowly shifted his gaze back to the storm outside the window.

"…How is Hatake Kakashi? Still the same?"

"Yes, Third Hokage-sama."

Aizen, dressed in his pristine white haori, adjusted his glasses as he continued organizing the books on the desk. His expression showed a hint of regret as he looked at the Hokage, whose back was turned, his face clouded with a somber look.

"He refuses to open up to me, and avoids communicating with anyone else, trapped in his own anger."

"Yeah…"

"This isn't good, Lord Third. If this continues, those emotions will consume him—just like this rain. He's only a child, and even the ninja regulations shouldn't force him to condemn his own father."

At the mention of the word father, the man smoking his pipe paused, his expression visibly darkening. But when he glanced at Aizen, who continued his work without hesitation, he sighed as if he had given up on some internal struggle.

"Even in front of me, you still hold to your principles. That's what makes you so valuable. You're right, Sōsuke. Did I do something wrong?"

"How could that be, Hokage-sama? You've never made a wrong choice."

Dusting off the documents, carefully categorizing them before placing them back on the desk or shelves, Aizen turned to face the somewhat disheartened Hokage. With a gentle smile, he spoke:

"Everything is for the Will of Fire. Sometimes, necessary sacrifices have to be made. And sometimes, rumors are just misguided good intentions. Sakumo kun didn't understand your decisions. It's a tragedy, but I will ensure that this tragedy doesn't expand further."

"Yes… a tragedy… because I never thought he'd die."

The Hokage gripped his pipe tightly, staring out the window at the rain with a distant, troubled expression.

"Ninjas should prioritize their own tasks, but sometimes, they conflict with the Will of Fire. No matter what choice they make, there will always be public opinion. I could have suppressed this turmoil, but I became numb and let it fester. I never intended to drive him to his death, Sōsuke. I never thought it would end this way."

"I regret Sakumo's death as well, but it was his own decision, and I cannot fault him for it."

Aizen, noticing Hokage's distant gaze, which seemed fixed both on the rain outside and on something deeper within, silently finished organizing the documents on the desk and bookshelves. He then returned to his respectful stance and spoke:

"Kakashi-kun is still young, and I would like to adopt him as my son."

"A foster son? Kakashi?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen pulled his eyes away from the storm and looked at the young man before him, surprised.

"You'll likely face criticism from the village for such a move. You're still very young. Even if you want to protect him, simple guidance would suffice."

"No, I want to be his adoptive father. Though I am not much older than him, the First Hokage-sama once said that children's lives are more important than anything else. I'm simply doing what I can."

Aizen's gaze met Sarutobi's with a firm resolve.

"Even if the leaves are consumed by fire and only ashes remain, that small flame will continue to light the way for others. That's what I believe."

How noble… this man.

This is the true inheritor of the Will of Fire.

No… to some extent, the Will of Fire is merely an extension of his actions.

Watching Aizen, who didn't wear the Konoha forehead protector, but stood as if he embodied the very essence of Konoha itself, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but sigh inwardly. For twenty years, he had observed the growth of this young man. Innocent, kind, responsible, not seeking recognition—Aizen had willingly immersed himself in both Konoha's joys and sorrows, yet his heart had never wavered.

He wasn't the radiant sun that warmed everything around him. Instead, he was like soft moonlight, slipping quietly into the hearts of others when they felt isolated or in pain, becoming a gentle, bright presence that people couldn't help but acknowledge. Even the Hokage himself occasionally questioned. If it came down to choosing, most would likely say that Aizen Sōsuke, not anyone else, truly embodied the Will of Fire. In any disagreement, the people would naturally side with Aizen as the one representing their ideals.

Despite his reputation, Aizen had no ambitions. He remained humble, calm, and grounded. Skilled in calligraphy and painting, he was a master of the finer arts. Even the daimyo treated him with utmost respect. Yet, Aizen's response to such attention was always the same: a kind smile and a quiet return to his self-imposed task of helping others. Changing what he could, within his own reach, was all he sought. That was the core of Aizen Sōsuke.

At just twenty, without great military accolades, simply a Chunin, he had become Konoha Village's "guiding light" through his principles and quiet actions. Could he be a candidate for Hokage? A Chunin promoted to the highest rank? What would the other villages think? And if not… how would Konoha react?

As Hiruzen Sarutobi observed the young man smiling before him, he slowly closed his eyes, reflecting. Compared to the "sun" he had chosen, another possibility was taking shape in his mind.

"You've done well, Sōsuke… I deeply regret what happened to Sakumo."

"You are Hokage, sir. If the Hokage apologizes, we would all be uneasy. Please, there's no need."

"Thank you… I still need your reassurance."

"This is part of my duty, Lord Third. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"Yes, go ahead. I will think more on Kakashi's situation."

The Hokage gestured, allowing Aizen to leave. Unlike other ninjas who might barge through a window or hastily open the door, Aizen respectfully bowed, stepping backward before quietly closing the door behind him.

After Aizen left, a shadow in the corner began to shift. From it emerged a stern, middle-aged man with a grim expression, dressed in armor reminiscent of the Warring States Period. He stood beside the Third Hokage, arms crossed, a sneer playing on his lips as he glanced toward the door.

"Aizen Sōsuke... Hiruzen, you're keeping him here for training? His character is far too naive for the ninja world."

"Don't taint him with your darkness, Danzo," Hiruzen replied, his gaze fixed on the storm outside. He sat in his chair, Hokage hat slightly tilted, and let out a long, weary sigh. "Aizen is a kind soul. The ninja life is too cruel for someone like him. I can't bear the thought of him being dragged into things that would shatter the purity he brings to people's hearts."

"How can anyone grow strong without enduring hardship? If he can't withstand the darkness, how could he ever hope to inherit the Hokage title?"

"I don't intend to make him Hokage."

"...What?"

"Aizen Sōsuke is better suited for a role as an advisor or elder."

"Advisor?" Danzo, an old ally, narrowed his eyes as realization dawned. "So, you're planning to make him a symbol?"

"Yes. A symbol of the Will of Fire. A moral beacon." Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke, his voice steady and resolute as he continued to stare into the rain. "He'll serve as a greater inspiration than I ever could. He'll be a model for everyone to follow, a living embodiment of the ideals we hold dear."

Danzo smirked. "Instead of hesitating, you've chosen to eliminate any doubt. That's just like you, Hiruzen. Well played. But if the day comes when you lose your ability to make these decisions, the Hokage title should go to someone with the strength to lead without wavering."

"Don't show weakness. Don't let the enemy exploit it. Handle things on your end; we can't let them notice anything amiss for now. I'll take care of the situation in the village and create the illusion that Hatake Sakumo's death was faked—a ploy to mislead the other villages."

"Let's proceed with that. Thank you, Danzo. I'll work on calming the other ninjas in the village as well. This was a tragic accident, nothing more."

"Indeed. You are the towering tree, and I am the root that lies in the darkness. Don't forget our oath, Hiruzen."

"I never have."

Hiruzen gave his old friend a long, contemplative look. Danzo, who seemed to have aged ten years but grown more resolute, nodded in satisfaction. With a turn, he disappeared into the shadows.

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Sometime later, in a remote, dark corner of Konoha that no one knew of, a voice emerged from the depths of the darkness.

"...It's the first time we've met under these circumstances, isn't it, Mr. Sakumo? It's truly fortunate that you took your own life."

'...?'

"Otherwise, how could I touch the soul of a top ninja without any risk? It's much safer than testing it on the Hokage."

'Aizen!!!'

"Yes, really... truly fortunate."

Aizen Sōsuke smiled softly, his expression as calm as ever, as he adjusted his glasses. Looking at the light blue soul fragment bound in a glass frame that was about to tear apart, Aizen smiled gently, and pushed his glasses like moonlight 

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This story exists in an alternate universe (AU), as Kakashi's age, the timing of his father's death, and his promotion to Chunin are a bit complicated and inconsistent across different versions of the anime and manga.