The Choice

The sun sets, its remnants stretching across the horizon.

Light and shadows speckle amidst the foliage, falling onto the ground and onto a few individuals hidden among the trees.

One of them wears a dark blue armor, his hair a silvery gray.

He closes his eyes, concentrating, touching the grass with his index finger.

"There are about twenty enemies nearby." His voice is low but calms the panic among the six people around him.

"We fled here and are still pursued. They should be the elite forces of Kinkaku and Ginkaku in Kumogakure."

A moment later, he opens his eyes, observing the six people in front of him, each with a different level of concern on their faces.

"Second Hokage, let's continue fleeing from the Land of Fire. With your Hiraishin no Jutsu technique, I'm sure we can escape." Says a young man with Sharingan.

Second Hokage Senju Tobirama shakes his head, exhaustion in his voice, "I have very little chakra left. With Hiraishin no Jutsu alone, I can only lead one person to escape from this place, and I can't use it again."

They understand the implications; if they bring one person to escape, it means the remaining five will struggle to escape the pursuit of Kumogakure's forces, and they will likely not survive.

After a moment of silence, a young man with Sharingan stands up, "There is another way." He continues, "We could send one person as bait to delay the enemy pursuit as much as possible. Then maybe the others will have a chance to escape back to the Land of Fire."

Tobirama stands and looks at the darkening sky, a sign of impending danger.

Immediately, he nods and says with a deep voice, "This method can be done."

Tragic atmosphere fills the air after his words are spoken.

Although this method allows others to escape, the person who becomes the bait is destined to die.

A chubby ninja furrows his brow, with a hint of unbearable tone in his voice, "But if you do this, the bait will surely die."

Tobirama doesn't answer immediately; he stares at everyone's faces and slowly says, "As ninjas, since we stepped into this world, we have been prepared to sacrifice on the battlefield."

His eyes scan around again, searching for fighters willing to sacrifice themselves.

At that moment, everyone's breath becomes cautious.

Currently, a black-haired man is half-kneeling on the ground, deep scars carved under the corner of his mouth, evidence of his heroic struggles on the battlefield in the past.

He listens silently to Tobirama's words, tightly gripping his pants with both hands, he makes a decision.

(I'm a ninja, and I've been prepared for something like this for a long time)

He thinks to himself, trying to boost his courage, but as he steps forward, he feels something unseen, making his body tremble slightly.

(What's wrong with me?)

The man is surprised and tries hard to free himself from this restraint, but the force emanates from the depths of his heart, making him unable to resist.

(Say it quickly!) He urges himself, but it seems something is stuck in his throat, preventing him from speaking.

(Say it... I'll be the bait.)

The black-haired man screams in his mind, but his body remains motionless.

At that moment, he finally understands that at this critical moment of life and death, traces of fear of death deep in his heart hinder him from taking action.

This fear shatters his dignity and confidence from the past and prevents him from making decisions at this critical moment.

(Can't you say it?) His heart is full of struggle.

"I'll go."

As the man is still confused, a voice is heard in his ear, making him tremble.

The black-haired man lifts his head slightly and finds the ninja half-kneeling beside him, saying, "I'll be the bait."

The ninja's voice is determined, without a hint of doubt.

"Sarutobi!" Tobirama looks at Hiruzen Sarutobi standing, his eyes full of surprise, but the relief in his eyes is well hidden.

"Hiruzen, you..." The black-haired man looks at Hiruzen, but suddenly anger surges in his heart.

"Why!" The black-haired man asks, "Clearly, I'm the one taking this bait, and I'll tell you! Why are you trying to rob me?"

As these words come out of his mouth, he feels relieved in his heart. If he's not the bait... Then he won't die.

And after returning to Konoha, without Hiruzen as a rival, he might become the next Hokage.

"Danzo, don't be too serious." Hiruzen smiles easily, not taking the boundary between life and death seriously: "Let me go first this time, and it won't be too late for you to catch him next time."

Danzo stares at Hiruzen's smile, stunned.

"Enough." Tobirama waves his hand to interrupt the conversation between the two.

"At the moment, what we need is not quarrel, but unity."

"It's okay for you two to argue normally, but stop arguing at this moment."

He looks around at the six people with fiery eyes, and then his words surprise everyone.

"This time, I'll be the bait."

As soon as this statement is made, everyone is shocked.

Danzo's expression changes: "Hokage-sama, how is this possible! You are the Hokage of Konoha!"

Tobirama looks at him lightly and says firmly, "Precisely because I am the Hokage, I must have that awareness."

He then turns his gaze to Hiruzen, with seriousness in his voice: "Sarutobi."

Hiruzen immediately lifts his head in response. His eyes meet Tobirama's, and he captures the deep meaning of farewell.

"You must protect those who admire the village and trust you." Tobirama's voice is firm, "And you must train them and make them Konoha's pride."

Hiruzen nods.

"Starting tomorrow, you are the Hokage!"

These words are like thunder, exploding in everyone's ears, widening their eyes in disbelief as they look at Tobirama.

Danzo's eyes widen even more, glaring sharply at Hiruzen, with anger and reluctance.

(How! Clearly, I should stand! Why did you choose him!)

(I can also become Hokage!)

At that moment, everyone's figures slowly disappear into the air like mirrors, leaving only Danzo standing there.

"Is this a memory before death?" Danzo mutters to himself, his eyes shining with complex emotions.

"So that's it... Even if I have to repeat it, I won't make this choice."

"I... am truly cowardly."

At that moment, a familiar figure seems to appear before him.

"Sensei..."

"Your choice was indeed correct."