The Young Hokage

Battle For The Hat

Chapter 3: Battle For The Hat.

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Today was the day. The day the very future of Konohagakure would be determined for better or for ill. Would it remain in Hiruzen's capable hands until such a time as Naruto had grown to an appropriate age and power to rule or would it instead fall into the hands of his warhawk of a teammate, Danzo? Only time would tell and that time was nearing far too fast for Hiruzen's liking.

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As the two elite ANBU level ninja (Kage) entered the massive battle arena both men knew instinctually what was at stake. Both of them could be seen wearing their respective clan's battle armor that was typical of the warring clan's era that had ended only a generation before their time. Hiruzen already had his personal bo staff in hand having summoned it just before entering the arena that was to be the home of their battle. Danzo held his katana in his. Hiruzen could clearly see the Root insignia on its grip. The sight alone sent the aged Hokage into a white-hot rage that he hadn't felt in many long years.

"I see you still have your army of mindless slaves Danzo. An army mind you that I ordered you to disband over five years ago. If Tobirama-sensei could see you now he would be greatly upset at how far you have fallen into the darkness of this world". Hiruzen yelled at his old teammate. The rage he felt at his wayward teammate was clear to Danzo but if his words mattered to him he didn't show it at all. Instead, he simply spoke in a calm tone of voice as if the two of them were not about to engage in battle for the very soul of the village.

"The village needs a true leader. One who is willing to do what must be done, what should have been done so long ago". Danzo replied calmly as he prepared himself for the upcoming battle. Seeing that the time for talk was over Hiruzen propelled himself at Danzo at a high rate of speed unseen since the dying days of the second great ninja world war. Danzo casually blocked the incoming attack before he began his own assault. This, in turn, forced Hiruzen to raise his bo staff in defense. The sound of metal on metal filled the air. Hiruzen quickly pulled out a kunai and attempted to stab Danzo in the gut with his right hand but Danzo simply blocked the attack before kicking the aged Hokage a few feet away.

"Is this it Hiruzen, is this the extent of your skill and power? Has your old age finally caught up with you after all this time"? Danzo said sounding disappointed with his old teammate and perhaps many years ago his friend. But that was before he was passed over for the role of the third Hokage. Since that day nearly 40 years before he had waited nearly all his life for his opportunity to take the hat and right this wrong. Now he finally had that opportunity and he wasn't about to allow it to slip away.

"No, my old friend I'm just getting started". Hiruzen replied before the air inside the arena was ionized by his rapid increase in power. Danzo knew that the fight for the Hokage position had now truly begun. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but feel some sense of joy in this battle. He hadn't been pushed this hard in years. Not since the dark days of the second great ninja world war that had taken their beloved sensei that in some ways had laid the groundwork for this very fight.

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Kakashi meanwhile was busy training Naruto and Naruko in their small clan compound on the outskirts of the village. He could tell almost at once that both children had felt the sudden shift in the air. He had felt such power only once before in his life and that was a night he would sooner like to forget. It was still far too painful even after seven years had passed since the nine tails attack.

"Focus on the task at hand". Kakashi ordered and soon both of them resumed their training regime of trying to climb the trees that lay on the eastern-most side of their clan compound. He had tried to keep his mind on their training but he just couldn't help this feeling of dread he had been feeling for the past few hours. He wasn't a superstitious man by any means. But he sure as sage wasn't liking the quickly darkening sky that was now forming over the village. "That's a bad omen no matter who you are". Kakashi muttered to himself.