Shadows of A Budding Leaf

Chapter 3: Light And Shadow

At the newly opened Yakiniku Q restaurant, Team Tobirama and Biwako indulged in a fine night of barbecue, sake and camaraderie.

"Come on now Torifu! I know Kagami said it's on his tab but this is way too much even for you." A worried Homura said.

"Hey don't worry about it, it's a special occasion so eat and drink to your heart's content okay?" Kagami cheerfully said in a reassuring tone.

"No Kagami! Please allow me to foot this bill. It's the least I could do for Hiruzen! Or should I say Lord Hokage!" A tipsy Torifu exclaimed as he chowed down on his fourth round of meat.

"Hey! Keep it down Torifu. Lady Mito said nobody should know about it until the formal announcement at Lord Second's funeral." Biwako hissed cautiously.

"I don't get what the big fuss is about having to keep it a secret. The village picked Hiruzen without him even knowing it. Plus I bet that he won by a huge majority too. Look at how everyone's been smiling at him everywhere he goes. We even got this private room at no additional cost too." Koharu said, analyzing the situation.

" Be that as it may. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not anybody until after Lady Mito and the Council make it official. That being said, when the time comes, I hope that I can count on each of you to support me. Hokage or not, you are my teammates, my confidantes and my closest comrades." Hiruzen replied, unknowingly showing his innate charisma as a leader yet again.

The five friends then spent the evening eating, drinking and chatting away, only leaving as the restaurant had begun to close down. As they made their way out of the restaurant, Danzo appeared, walking down the dimly lit street towards them.

"Hiruzen, may I have a word?" Danzo asked.

"Kinda late to the party aren't you there, buddy?" A drunk Torifu asked.

Before Danzo could speak, he was interrupted by a shrill retching noise in the bushes nearby.

"I warned you not to drink so much Homura. You know you can't handle your sake." Koharu said with an exasperated sigh.

"Sorry about this, guys." An embarrassed Biwako added.

"Come on, let's get him home. Don't want to be causing a scene now." Kagami said.

Torifu picked Homura up and everybody got ready to make their way back.

"Don't worry about it. You sort out everything you need to with Danzo, I'll make sure Biwako and the others get home safe. But remember, if there's trouble you call me right away."

Kagami patted Hiruzen on the shoulder and led the way for the rest of the group to get home. Hiruzen and Danzo stood and waited for the other 5 to disappear from view and then turned to each other.

"I'd ask if you wanted to go for a drink but I don't think there's anywhere still open in this part of the village." Hiruzen said.

"And I know there would be no convincing you to come take a walk with me to the other side of town is there?" Danzo replied.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Hiruzen asked, wanting to get straight to the point.

"It's about what you mentioned to me earlier in the hospital."

"Unlike you Hiruzen, the thought of war, death and conflict can never be all that far removed from my mind. I can't just shut it off the way you do. My grandfather, my father, most of my clan, they were all slain during the war. The ones responsible are still out there, scheming and planning their next move." Danzo added further.