Shadows of A Budding Leaf

Chapter 1: Peace At A Price

At long last, the Great War had finally ended. The lands of Wind, Water, Lightning, Earth and Fire had signed an armistice to put a stop to years of bloodshed and conflict. While the Feudal Lords and other bureaucrats relished in the outpouring of praise for ushering in this new era of peace, the wider world was kept in the dark about the true extent of the war's impact.

Each Nation's Hidden Shinobi village had suffered losses so severe that if they had continued to wage war, it would have spelt the end for the ninja world as we knew it. In fact, the so-called peace was not so much a resolution of any conflict as it was an admission from all sides that they just could not keep up the fight any longer.

While the appetite to fight may have been lost, the tensions between the lands remained as palpable as ever. At least now however, the citizens of these war weary nations could sleep peacefully at night once again. For the moment, it was time to throw down their arms, bury their dead and pick up the pieces.

Among the five Shinobi villages, the Leaf Village had suffered an extraordinary share of losses. Aside from the destruction and chaos one would expect from years of war, Konoha had to deal with the deaths of its founding fathers.

Madara Uchiha, had turned his back on the village he had helped establish and was slain in combat by Hashirama Senju, The First Hokage. In the early stages of the war, Hashirama himself would pass away and would be succeeded as Hokage by his younger brother, Tobirama.

The heir apparent to the mantle of Hokage, Tobirama already held considerable influence in the village and had put together a well thought out plan for Konoha's future. Unfortunately, he himself would not live to see it through.

Sacrificing his life to dismantle the Cloud Village's notorious Kinkaku Force, The Second Hokage's valor was inspiring and devastating in equal measure. While Tobirama's sacrifice proved instrumental in ending the war, his death sent shock waves throughout the Leaf Village who were still reeling from the loss of their beloved founder, Hashirama.

Even in his last moments, Tobirama considered the future of his village and in his final act as Hokage, he appointed Hiruzen Sarutobi as his successor. A gifted ninja who trained directly under Tobirama himself, Hiruzen was the 22 year old heir to the Sarutobi clan, a renowned ninja family who were among the first to join the Leaf Village when it was established.

Although young, Hiruzen had won over the respect of his peers during the war, fearlessly willing to give his life to save his comrades. Had he not been overruled by Tobirama himself, Hiruzen would not have hesitated to take on the Kinkaku Force alone even if it meant certain death.

As news of the armistice reached Hiruzen, he did not allow himself to be visibly affected by what he had just heard. Instead, he quietly made his way deep into what just hours prior, would have been considered enemy territory. It was there that he found amongst the rubble and destruction, the body of his beloved mentor.

Slumped under the shade of a tree with his arms crossed, Tobirama was as stoic in death as he had been in life. To anyone who didn't know better, it seemed at first glance that the Hokage was merely resting. At his feet lay the barely recognisable corpses of Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Hiruzen managed only the smallest of smiles, knowing that his master had lived long enough to revel in one final victory.

"Tobirama-sensei, it's time we take you home. Thanks to you, the war is over."

Hiruzen picked up his master's body and brought it back to his team. His teammates Koharu Utane and Homura Mitokado wept over their late sensei before proceeding to clean and cover his body. Kagami Uchiha and Torifu Akimichi then carried the late Hokage together in a hastily made coffin on their shoulders for his final journey back to the Leaf.

The team's final member, Danzo Shimura emerged from behind a tree and quietly signalled for Hiruze to come over to him.

"Hiruzen, I have sent word to the Village to inform them of Lord Second's passing. I also took the liberty of mentioning that other thing that was brought up just prior to his death."