15 Chapter 15

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Unedited version, will update once it's edited.

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I had no idea how, but Tobirama sensei had saved me, from what I could gather while he carried me away, he had some sort of teletransportation technique with a decent range, each use would take us a few miles away from the demon brothers, giving me a time to breathe. I had survived, albeit barely, no… that was a lie, yes the brothers overpowered me, but that clouded my judgement. I had various skills to help me survive, even that attack Ginkaku shot, but I was afraid, and it almost cost my life.

Had I used Divine shield, I would've survived, "Sorry Tobirama sensei," I muttered, not really knowing why I was apologizing, in the end, even if I prolonged the battle, they would've won, eventually. But somehow my inability to think during that frightful situation, made me feel guilty.

"For what?" Tobirama inquired.

"I was afraid…" I admitted, and he chuckled.

"Fear is a natural reaction when faced with what seems to be imminent doom," Tobirama sighed, patting me in the head, "Had you not been afraid of them… the result would've been different, remember Raiden, feeling anger… fear, or any other emotion its okay, letting them affect you… it's not."

"That's the thing, I let it affect me," I muttered, my head low. "I was too afraid to think properly, and while I managed to survive, I could've done so many things better… but… I couldn't…"

"Perhaps your judgement was clouded by the overwhelming gap between you and them, but you still managed to survive two monsters, alone…" Tobirama smiled, as he dropped me on a tree branch, "Those two… are monsters Raiden, the last time I fought them, I almost died, granted I was alone, but they still managed to push me to the brink of death, an accomplishment not many shinobi have… so, be proud you survived them… and now that I am proud you did,"

I smiled, someway that made me feel better, "Where is the team?"

"A few miles ahead," Tobirama informed me, "We need to tell them about the situation, so let's move," with nothing more to say, Tobirama sensei flickered out of sight, with me following him close behind.

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[Tobirama Senju POV]

Raiden had survived the Gold and Silver Brothers, an accomplishment, very few shinobi could brag about, even if they were playing with him, he had managed to keep them entertained long enough for me to arrive. I was proud of him, of the Shinobi he was becoming.

"Tobirama sensei!" Hiruzen greeted with a smile that conveyed his relief.

"Hey," Raiden waved at Hiruzen, who hugged him without giving him time to process or dodge the sudden attack to his personal space.

"You almost gave me a heart attack," Hiruzen chuckled, "Do you have any idea how many ladies would cry if I died?"

"Zero?" Raiden answered.

"That cuts deep my guy," Hiruzen sighed, "I mean… my mom would cry,"

"Would she though?" Raiden grinned, and Hiruzen chuckled.

A sight to behold laughs amongst comrades, I never thought this one would be my last, "Reunion is over, we have much to discuss,"

"Right," Hiruzen and Raiden nodded.

"Raiden encountered the Ginkaku squad, and killed one of their members," I informed them, "Soon after, Raiden fought the Gold and Silver Brothers,"

"They are still alive aren't they?" Hiruzen inquired, his tone low.

"Yes, the entire area where Raiden was fighting them was surrounded by them, if I have to take an educated guess, it was in case if Raiden managed to escape the brothers, also from what I managed to feel, they had a squad of over twenty shinobis… all with Jounin chakra levels," I nodded, "At the pace, they were following me when I rescued Raiden, they will catch up to us in a few hours at most,"

"A group that big… with those two, our chances of winning are very low," Kagami sighed.

"Which means, one of us has to stay behind to… buy the rest some time," Homura gulped, his hands shaking.

At this, Danzo tensed up… as if he was trying to say something, but once again Hiruzen beat him to the punch, "I will," Hiruzen stated, "I will stay behind, and buy us some time,"

"Hiruzen! I was about to offer myself!" Danzo growled.

Hiruzen and Danzo, always competing, like foolish children, I will miss this, "Nonsense, I will be the decoy obviously," I stated, "You are the young flames that will continue to protect the village with your Will of Fire, and as I long as I breathe I will protect you all,"

"You can't! You're the Hokage!" Danzo shook his head, "There's no greater shinobi in the village than you!"

"You are sacrificing your life, for the mistake of a brat?!" Koharu exclaimed, pointing at Raiden.

I glared at her with enough intensity to make her lower her head, "Raiden performed admirably, and by no means should be blamed for this, the Ginkaku force is most likely after us, which is why they were here, to begin with, even though our intel said they would be at Kiri,"

"Killing us, would not only get rid of the Hokage, but the strongest squad in the leaf, it's very obvious objective when you think about it," Kagami sighed.

"Then… let me stay, if they kill you, I can bring you back… I can hide, and wait for them to leave, and resurrect you," Raiden said, and I smiled.

"I am afraid this is a mission I must complete on my own," I patted Raiden on the head, taking a deep breath I stood up, and looked at Hiruzen, "Saru… Protect those who love the village and those who believe in you. And take care of those whom you will entrust the next generation to. Starting tomorrow, you will become the Hokage,"

Hiruzen took a step back, looking at me in shock, what a foolish child, "I… me?!"

I nodded, "Saru… I'm leaving Konoha to you,"

"Yes, sir!" Hiruzen nodded.

"Before I leave to face the enemy, one last order...." I smiled, looking at Raiden, "For your implacable skill, I, Tobirama Senju, promote you, Raiden Senju, to Jonin,"

"Thanks, Tobirama sensei," Raiden smiled, fighting the tears forming up his eyes.

"Protect Konoha, and nurture the future generation for me," I hugged Raiden, and action that surprised even me, age was really getting to me, when did I become so sentimental, if Hashirama were alive, he would laugh at me and for a good reason, even though he was always the most sentimental of all of us.

"I will," Raiden nodded, and right there, on his eyes, I knew… I had done, somehow, I had managed to ignite the Will of Fire within his heart, good. I can die at peace.

"Goodbye," at this, I teleported to one of my seal markers, waiting for the Ginkaku force to arrive, for my death to arrive, did I have any regrets, no, maybe dying without seeing the peace big brother dreamed about, but that beyond me now, that dream is now in the shoulders of the next generation, I did my part, it's now their turn.

"Ginkaku! Look!" Kinkaku shouted, stopping a few trees ahead of me, "It's the second Hokage!"

"Brilliant observation," I scoffed.

"Dying for your teammates? That's a stupid plan for a man famous for his intelligence," Ginkaku cackled.

"It's what a true shinobi would do," I grinned, getting into position, "Not that is something you can understand,"