"Danzo... thank you. I know this wasn't an easy decision. But it's for the sake of Konoha."
The voice was soft, but carried weight. As if what had just happened was merely a casual exchange between two old friends.
Instantly, the pressure that had been surrounding Hiruzen dissipated. The imposing Hokage now looked like a kind old man who cherished peace.
He walked forward, passing Danzo without hesitation, his white robe fluttering gently in the silence of the underground corridor.
Kakashi paused for a moment, then followed. His steps were calm, yet alert. He wasn't one to let his guard down—experience had taught him that even serenity could be a trap in the world of shinobi.
Kinoe stood frozen. For a moment, he said nothing. His eyes lingered on Danzo—the man who had been everything to him: teacher, leader, and... prison.
He inhaled slowly, then moved to follow Kakashi and the Hokage.
But as he passed Danzo...
A whisper-like voice brushed against his ear.
"Be a good ninja... under the sunlight."
Kinoe froze. His eyes widened slightly. He turned, staring at Danzo in shock.
Danzo's face remained expressionless, his gaze stony and unreadable—like a lifeless sculpture. As if he hadn't said anything at all.
'Was I just imagining things...?' Kinoe thought. But the voice had felt... too real. Too sincere.
For a few seconds, he just stood there, watching the old man.
Then, without realizing it, he smiled.
A small smile... yet filled with genuine respect.
Kinoe bowed deeply toward Danzo and spoke in a voice no longer stiff with fear,
"Thank you for your guidance, Danzo-sama."
He didn't wait for a response. He simply turned and ran after Kakashi and the Hokage.
Behind him, Kakashi glanced back. His eyes narrowed. He hadn't just seen—he'd heard.
And Kakashi was a ninja with sharp ears—he knew without a doubt that Danzo's voice hadn't been a hallucination.
'Maybe... Danzo isn't entirely cold-blooded after all' Kakashi thought to himself.
But the thought quickly faded, swallowed by logic and years of surviving the shinobi world.
Meanwhile...
Kushina, who had been leaning casually against a corridor pillar this whole time, stepped out of the shadows with an amused gleam in her eye. Her red hair swayed gently as she walked.
She stared at Danzo's back, eyebrows raised.
'Strange… In the anime, Danzo was a total villain—ambitious, ruthless, manipulative. But just now... that voice… that wasn't the voice of an evil man.'
'Could he still have a heart?' Kushina thought, shrugging to herself.
She leapt lightly after Hiruzen and Kakashi, her steps energetic.
"Hey! Gramps Sandaime! We need to talk seriously later... I've got a new theory about Danzo's character!" she called out, laughing.
Hiruzen glanced back and smiled. "A theory, huh? I suppose the world isn't always black and white, Kushina."
And so the group—Hiruzen, Kakashi, Kinoe, the ANBU, and Kushina—left the Root base together, bathed in the evening light.
Behind them, Danzo stood alone in the dark corridor, surrounded by silent Root agents awaiting their next order.
But for a fleeting moment... just a moment...
Danzo's eyes flicked toward the light at the end of the tunnel. And in those faded irises, a glimmer remained.
Doubt.
Or perhaps—regret?
A Few Days After the Root Incident…
Kinoe—now officially named Tenzo—was already causing ripples within the ANBU ranks.
Not because he was the new guy.
But because of Mokuton—the Wood Release, the bloodline of the First Hokage—flowing through his veins.
That rare power was like a torch in the night. Too bright to ignore. No matter how humble Tenzo tried to be, no one could pretend not to see.
In no time, the nickname "The Mokuton ANBU" spread like wildfire—not just among ANBU squads, but among veteran Jonin as well. Some even began to wonder... was this the signal of Konoha's revival?
Of course, Kushina Uzumaki wasn't surprised.
She merely stirred her warm tea in the Hokage's office with a neutral expression.
"Hmm... yeah, I figured," she murmured. "Mokuton is like my red hair—you just can't hide it."
Even if it didn't immediately boost the village's military might, Tenzo's presence alone was enough to lift spirits. Konoha was still recovering from the Kyuubi disaster. Young shinobi morale… was fragile. And Tenzo had become a new symbol of hope.
But for Kushina, it was just a side story in her colorful life.
Because now, she was facing…
…a major decision.
In the Hokage's office, Kushina stared at Hiruzen with a shocked expression, as if he'd just asked her to marry Danzo.
"Ehhhhh!? Me? A Jonin Sensei?! Is this a joke, Gramps!?" she exclaimed, springing from her chair.
Hiruzen only nodded casually while exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Why not? You've got combat experience, sealing expertise, and… well, kids would probably like you."
Kushina squinted. "…This is because I'm loud, isn't it?"
"Of course not," Hiruzen replied, but his eyes twinkled mischievously.
Kushina groaned, tugging at her red hair. "I can't even get Naruto to read quietly…"
"But you still try, don't you?" Hiruzen said softly. "That's more than enough."
Kushina stared at the list of names seriously—brows furrowed, lips pouting slightly, a determined focus in her eyes.
Her gaze was focused, as if she was reading a war strategy. But in the eyes of others, that expression looked unbearably cute.
If Kakashi were there…
He'd probably turn to the wall, face burning, mumbling to the air.
"Sorry, Minato-sensei … I didn't mean anything by it… I don't have weird feelings for Kushina-san…"
But to Hiruzen, she'd always be his little firecracker. He watched her silently as she analyzed the names.
After a few minutes, she pointed at the list with a grin like she'd just found buried treasure.
"These ones!" she declared. "Hagane Kotetsu and Kamizuki Izumo!"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "The two who always sit in the back and copy their teachers' voices?"
Kushina nodded confidently. "Yup! Their talent isn't obvious now, but I believe... they'll be more than just gate guards someday!"
And the third name…
Kushina blinked thoughtfully. "Hyuga Natsu"
"Hm?" Hiruzen tilted his head. "Why her?"
Kushina shrugged. "Her hair's unique. And she's a Hyuga. Gotta be interesting."
Hiruzen laughed. "You pick students like you pick ingredients for cooking."
"Exactly! That's how you get the best results!" she said with a wide grin.
Normally, Genin teams were assigned by the Hokage and village elders. But for Kushina—the jinchuriki and widow of the Fourth Hokage—Hiruzen gave special privilege. He trusted her instincts.
And Kushina didn't waste it.
After handing back the finalized list, she stood up with energy.
"Okay! I'm heading to the Academy! I wanna see my cute little students before they find out who their sensei is!"
"Take care, Kushina," Hiruzen said, puffing his pipe.
As she left, she glanced back and called, "Oh yeah, Gramps! Get ready—my team's gonna make history!"
Hiruzen only chuckled and shook his head.
"For some reason, I believe you."
With a spring in her step and a smile on her face, Kushina Uzumaki walked toward a brand-new chapter in her life.
And whether it was her students who would change the most... or she herself—
Only time would tell.