In the Hokage's office in Konoha.
"Hey, Hiruzen! The one who died was your own son, my good nephew!"
Tanzō slapped the table hard and roared at Hiruzen, disappointed at his indecision.
"Just because of that crappy excuse from Kiri, 'The Mizukage was controlled by a villain', you're letting them off easy?"
"I don't understand! I really don't understand!"
Hiruzen's hands trembled as he nervously puffed on his pipe. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked extremely haggard.
"In war, people always die."
"It's true that Nagare was my son, but he was also an Anbu (Konoha's covert special operations unit) ninja. It is his duty to die for Konoha."
Hiruzen took a few deep puffs on his pipe and said in a complicated tone.
"Have you ever thought about how many people in Konoha would die if there were another Great Ninja World War? Nagare's life is precious. But so are the lives of others, aren't they?"
"If they sacrifice themselves, won't their parents be heart - broken? I don't want to transfer my pain to others!"
Hiruzen's words were firm and powerful.
Tanzō stared at Hiruzen's determined face and was stunned for a moment.
In the past, he thought Hiruzen avoided war just because he was a coward and unfit to be the Hokage.
But now, Hiruzen's determination to bear the pain alone made him see his old friend in a new light.
"I... I don't back your decision," Tanzō said.
Hiruzen shook his head sadly.
The decision he made was destined not to be understood by others and might even be despised.
He didn't know how he could face his wife, Biwa, when he got home.
But now, Konoha needed time to recover. It really couldn't be dragged into another war.
Even if he had to bear the name of a coward alone, he...
"But I truly admire your choice."
Just when Hiruzen looked dejected, a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder.
"Tanzō... Tanzō?" Hiruzen was stunned.
Hiruzen turned around, but Tanzō was looking straight out of the window, as if he hadn't said that sentence at all.
If it weren't for his hand still on Hiruzen's shoulder, Hiruzen would have thought he was having an illusion.
"Old friend, you... you finally understand me for once!"
Hiruzen couldn't help shedding tears.
He didn't cry when he heard the news of Nagare's sacrifice.
But Tanzō's understanding at this moment made him cry uncontrollably.
"I said I understand you, not support you!"
Seeing Hiruzen sobbing and sniveling, Tanzō was in a complete mess.
"You're almost fifty years old, and you're still... still crying like a baby!"
"A Hokage should act more decent. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at? Cut it out! Stop crying!"
The more Tanzō scolded, the harder Hiruzen cried. He even threw himself into Tanzō's arms.
"Old friend, I'm so sad. Why did Nagare...?"
In front of Tanzō, Hiruzen didn't have to be the calm and composed Hokage all the time. Instead, he could be just an ordinary dad.
"Hey! Stop blubbering! You've soiled my clothes!"
Tanzō wished he could blast Hiruzen's head off with the Great Vacuum Cannon.
But looking at the weak and helpless Hiruzen, he let out a long sigh and gave up the idea of killing the guy.
Ah, whatever. The clothes are already dirty. Let him lean on me for a bit.
If one day I lose Kaze, I probably won't be any better off than this guy...
Wait a minute.
Kaze?
Tanzō was jolted as if struck by an electric shock. Suddenly, a voice like that of a detective from a mystery anime popped into his head.
"There is always only one truth!" (Note: This is a famous line from the anime Detective Conan)
Kaze and Nagare never got along. The Anbu support was too late, and Nagare was assassinated by a mysterious powerful ninja...
A clear sequence of events in this incident slowly took shape in Tanzō's mind.
The Uchiha who carried out the attack might be his own son in disguise, or perhaps it was the Uchiha from their team. Damn it!
Why should he, the dad, suffer because of the mess his rebellious son made?
"However, this probably wasn't done by Kaze," Tanzō thought to himself.
Although his son was a bit impulsive, like him, he was an upright person and shouldn't act so brutally, right?
"..."
The more Tanzō thought about it, the more he suspected his rebellious son.
"Hey, Hiruzen,"
Tanzō looked at Hiruzen in his arms and said casually.
"The Anbu has been in a complete mess due to those squad leaders. They made a major blunder during the battle, leading to many unnecessary sacrifices."
Tanzō emphasized the word "sacrifices" and then got straight to the point.
"Currently, my Root has suffered heavy losses and is unable to perform its original functions independently. Meanwhile, the Anbu is an indispensable blade for Konoha."
"Why not merge the two departments again and let me take charge. I'll rebuild a well - disciplined and invincible Anbu."
Hiruzen knew exactly what Tanzō was up to. He waved his hand listlessly.
"Except for my direct subordinate squads, you can do whatever you want with the other squads."
Tanzō was overjoyed and immediately promised.
"Don't worry, Hiruzen. I'll manage the Anbu well and won't let you down."
Hiruzen didn't say a word. He just leaned quietly in Tanzō's arms, not wanting to think about anything.
After getting what he wanted, Tanzō was also willing to say "You can lean on my chest".
Kaze carried a bunch of yellow flowers and came to Konoha's secret cemetery. He placed a flower in front of each tombstone.
"Bro, you said you'd treat me to drinking and having fun with geisha before. I remember your kindness. I'll burn a few kunoichi from enemy villages down there for you when I have time."
"Sis, I still remember clearly when you said you were greedy as hell and wanted me to give you a hand back then..."
"Third brother, I know you've always been worried about your family. Don't worry, I'll definitely take good care of your wife and daughter for you."
"Uncle Yuto, Sister Ayako, Seiven, you enjoy yourselves underground. When I'm capable enough, I'll definitely bring you back."
After visiting his Root colleagues, Kaze Shimura found that there was an extra yellow flower in his hand.
So, he walked towards the Anbu tombstones with a sneaky and mischievous look.
"Eh?"
When he arrived at another cemetery, Kaze immediately showed a strange expression.
In front of the tombstone in the very center, the tombstone of Sarutobi Nagare, there was actually someone, and it was a pretty young lady.
Just looking at her back made Kaze's heart skip a beat.
Her black hair fluttered gently in the breeze, revealing her fair and flawless neck, and a faint fragrance wafted from her.
Her black dress was solemn and holy. Paired with the black stockings on her long legs, it outlined the perfect figure of a woman.
Kaze walked in front of Nagare's tombstone and placed a bunch of small yellow flowers. He silently thought in his heart that the dead should be respected...
Holy shit, it really looks huge from this angle!
"Kaze Shimura?"
Obviously, the woman didn't expect to meet Kaze in front of Nagare's tomb. Her beautiful eyes were full of confusion and shock.
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