Chapter 5: The End of a Nightmare

Two days had passed since Sarutobi's speech. As expected, although they were surprised by the change in Sarutobi's appearance and the fact that he seemed to have rejuvenated, this news was indeed received with warm applause. Moreover, upon learning that the Hokage had returned and was more than healthy, normality began to reestablish itself, and the dark tension previously imposed by Danzo dissipated as if it had never existed. Even a positive synergy formed, making the days brighter and full of optimistic expectations for the future.

"I still find it hard to believe."

In the tranquility of her home, Kushina, who had once again received a portion of the Kyuubi's chakra, watched Sarutobi in front of her and let out a sigh.

"Is it really so hard to believe that I changed so much upon awakening a Kekkei Genkai?" Sarutobi sported a smile, clearly amused by the variations in Kushina's expressions.

"Yes, when I first saw you like this, I thought..." She hesitated, completing in thought: 'I thought you were Minato...'

She sighed again.

Then, to change the subject, she said: "By the way, Lord Third, thank you for coming here and, well, you know."

"There's no need to thank me," Sarutobi replied with a welcoming smile. "To me, you are like a daughter, just as Minato was. It's more than my duty to help. Remember, you can always count on me. If you need anything, just look for me, okay?"

'Father, huh...' She shook her head slightly, allowing herself a smile: "I understand, thank you."

"Mm." Instinctively, he reached out and patted Kushina's head.

Noticing her embarrassment, he laughed, a bit embarrassed for acting without permission: "Sorry, it was a reflex. After all, that's how I treat my son, haha."

"I-I know, dattebane..." Kushina stammered, blushing as she realized that her catchphrase had slipped out unintentionally.

Sarutobi laughed once more before saying goodbye.

Outside, Sarutobi reflected: 'It seems she followed my advice and is taking better care of herself. She doesn't seem to cry as much as before. That's good.'

Walking casually, with his hands behind his head, he continued on his way.

"Good morning, Hokage-sama."

"Good morning, Lord Hokage!"

Along the way, many greeted him.

"Good morning," he replied to everyone with a smile.

Despite the initial surprise at the Hokage's transformation, adaptation was quick, and his new appearance was readily accepted.

'Is it just me, or are the greetings warmer than before?' On his way, he began to reflect, noticing a particular enthusiasm from the housewives.

However, he didn't dwell on it much and soon arrived at the building where his office was located.

-

-

Normally, the role of Hokage came with a sea of paperwork to be processed. However, Sarutobi, who not only lived two lives but also recalled a third after his metamorphosis — the life of Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, who died sealing away his disciple's arms and was later revived by a sinister technique by the same disciple years later — found a simple solution for this.

The creation of shadow clones greatly facilitated the task. With ten clones working simultaneously and the memory of having performed these same bureaucratic tasks before — even considering some changes — the paperwork was quickly dispatched.

The reason why he recalled a previous life of the body's former owner seems to be, in fact, due to the objects he received from the Shinigami, as well as a part of this being's essence.

Of course, there may be other variables at play, but this was the hypothesis he formulated and decided not to dwell too much on the causes that made him experience what the future life of Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose place he transmigrated and occupied before these events occurred, would be like.

In any case, this experience turned out to be advantageous for him. The information acquired revealed his own responsibility in the death of 'his' wife.

He concluded that the Kyuubi's attack was directly linked to Minato, as he suspected. Despite feeling a surge of anger, he understood that Minato had also been a victim. And, not being the authentic Hiruzen Sarutobi, his emotional reaction to that discovery was not as profound.

When he dispersed the shadow clones, he also received information from other clones he had sent to different villages to collect data.

'Two women from the Uzumaki Clan in the Hidden Grass Village, an adult and her daughter aged 1 to 2 years; a couple with two children in the Stone Village; another survivor, already in his teens, in the Hidden Rain Village...'

The condition of the mother and daughter particularly caught his attention. The Uzumaki woman was forced to let the ninjas of the Hidden Grass Village bite parts of her body to heal themselves, being used as a healing tool devoid of any feelings. It seemed that their claws were dangerously close to the woman's daughter, indicating that it was only a matter of time until the mother could no longer bear it and, consequently...

Upon becoming aware of this situation, Sarutobi kept his expression impartial, though his gaze deepened in intensity.

He then generated several shadow clones, disguising them as members of the Anbu, one of the shadow clones received a medallion from him, and he leaned back in his chair as he settled in again while the shadow clones exited through the window.

Away from curious eyes, outside the village, Sarutobi's shadow clones changed their appearance once again, this time taking the form of natives of the Hidden Grass Village, whom he had observed in previous investigations. These ninjas, tasked with low-level missions, were neutralized by a Sarutobi clone and detained in a temporary prison he established underground near the Hidden Grass Village.

Adopting the identities of these ninjas, Sarutobi's shadow clones successfully infiltrated the Hidden Grass Village.

Noteworthy was Sarutobi's skill level in transformation, achieving such precision that no one noticed any discrepancy, allowing him to infiltrate the Hidden Grass Village without arousing suspicion.

Among the clones, three were disguised as if they were severely injured.

"You there, seek out that woman to heal yourselves," ordered a ninja upon seeing their condition.

"Yes," the three replied in unison.

Meanwhile, the other clones proceeded to 'deliver' the assigned mission.

Inside a tent made of canvas, there was a woman with short-cut scarlet red hair, a shade that immediately reminded one of Kushina's hair color.

The woman cast a stoic look at the three who entered the tent. Silently, she extended her arms without uttering a single word.

Slowly, two of them approached.

However, one of them feigned biting her neck, which didn't surprise her much, considering the various situations she had been through since her arrival. She knew some had peculiar fetishes, desiring to bite not only her neck but also her feet, thighs, and hands.

But, instead of the familiar pain of a bite, she felt only the man's breath near her ear as he whispered, "I am the Hokage of Konoha. I've come to take you and your daughter to my village. Do you accept? If yes, nod your head twice."

Slightly surprised, the woman's eyes widened as she fixed her gaze on the ninja who had spoken such words. She felt suspicious. She suspected it might be a test, and if she agreed, she feared the consequences that might follow. Although she was prepared to face torture for herself, the concern for her daughter weighed on her heart.

"I understand your hesitation, but I have something that proves my identity." He didn't give her time to ponder too much and whispered again.

The next moment, he revealed to her an object that symbolized the alliance between the Uzumaki and the Leaf Village.

Seeing such a symbol, any Uzumaki who had experienced the glory days of the clan would recognize its authenticity. Although the possibility of it being another test persisted, deep down, she wanted to believe. It might have been a naive dream, but she knew that, if things continued as they were, her death was inevitable, especially with the village on the brink of an imminent conflict with another.

"A wise decision," he murmured softly. "Don't worry, we can leave soon..."

He had barely finished speaking when an uproar erupted outside.

"Enemy attack!!"

The Hidden Grass Village was abruptly plunged into chaos. Masked ninjas, disguised as ninjas from the village itself, launched a devastating surprise attack from all directions. With powerful offensives, they created a situation of panic and widespread confusion, forcing the village's ninjas to disperse into three distinct fronts to counter the imminent threat.

In the midst of the chaos, Sarutobi, waiting for this moment, acted. With the defenders of the village's attention turned to the 'surprise attack,' he quickly headed to the cabin where the Uzumaki woman's daughter was hiding.

"Mommy?" The little girl with scarlet red hair looked up at her mother, her innocent eyes brimming with confusion.

"I'm here, darling, I'm here." The Uzumaki woman promptly approached and hugged the girl tightly.

Still confused, the girl wrapped her little arms around her mother's neck as she returned the hug: "Don't cry, mommy, don't cry..." The girl's childlike voice sounded, trying to comfort.

"Mm, it's okay, mommy won't cry anymore." The woman tried to assure, although tears continued to roll down her face.

Sarutobi, reluctant to interrupt this moment between mother and daughter, found himself forced to intervene: "We need to go now."

"Yes, of course!" The woman, who was kneeling next to her daughter's straw bed, agreed promptly.

Rising with her daughter in her arms, she approached the disguised clone and stated, "We're ready."

Guided by Sarutobi, they moved cautiously, taking advantage of the confusion to avoid being noticed by the village's ninjas in combat.

"You there..."

When they were spotted by a ninja, Sarutobi acted instantly, moving at a surprising speed and executing a precise cut on the opponent's neck with a swift motion of his hand.

"Silence!"

The ninja's head was launched into the air while his body remained standing for a brief moment, spewing blood from the neck, before falling with a muffled sound.

The woman, surprised, covered her daughter's eyes with her hand. Although she was not completely convinced that this man was indeed the Hokage of Konoha, the demonstration of strength made it clear that he was, without a doubt, a powerful ninja.

As they proceeded with caution, the rumble of battles and the ruin left behind resonated, while they occasionally encountered ninjas who were promptly neutralized by Sarutobi.

Upon reaching the edge of the village, the woman let out a sigh of relief.

However, Sarutobi promptly warned, "Don't let your guard down; we are not out of danger yet. As soon as they realize your escape, they will send ninjas after you and your daughter."

Her utility had become invaluable to them. Where else would they find someone capable of healing just by being bitten? And, should she come to die, there would still be the daughter, and potentially future descendants...

With a trembling voice, she nodded, "I understand."

Sarutobi then lifted her into his arms.

"It's too late," he announced. "They've noticed the escape, and ninjas are on their way."

"Yes," she agreed, fearfully, holding Sarutobi by the neck with one hand and protecting her daughter with the other.

In the meantime, the girl watched with wide curious eyes.

"We'll take care of them," declared one of the clones following closely.

Then, he quickly formed hand seals and exclaimed, "Water Style: Water Wall Formation!"

In a fraction of a second, the clone released a vast amount of water, raising an imposing water barrier.

And another clone also sprang into action: "Earth Style: Mud Wall!"

A solid mud wall emerged behind the water barrier, reinforcing the defense.

The Sarutobi clone, carrying the mother and daughter in his arms, immediately used Wind Style to enhance his speed, launching forward with staggering quickness.

"Ahhhh!"

The cry of the mother and daughter echoed, filled with surprise and nervousness. The speed was so intense that it was challenging to remain calm.

However, why did the little girl's scream sound slightly excited?

Sarutobi didn't pay much attention to the detail, focusing on enveloping them with his chakra to protect them from the impact of the high speed. Thus, he advanced for miles, quickly widening the distance that separated them from the ninjas of the Hidden Grass Village, leaving them behind.

"Incredible!" Exclaimed the girl, a few minutes later, with the innocence of her childlike voice still perceptible despite the excitement.