132. Musings of an old man


    <span style="font-weight:400">The day was calm as white fluffy clouds driftedzily through the sky, uncaring for the problems of men. Hiruzen sometimes wished to be one of them free of responsibility and worry. Unfortunately for him, he had a duty to uphold, one that grew heavier and harder by the day.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Danzo had suddenly disappeared without a trace, making Hiruzen worry for his friend. In an attempt to get answers he sent his men to investigate. The result was less than desirable. Clues of underhanded methods and orders had been found in his house. Nothing too damning but Hiruzen wanted answers.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The more he investigated the worse his mood got as more and more proof of Danzo’s misdeeds appeared. However, the man was nowhere to be found. A month had gone by and the old kage couldn’t make heads or tails of what was going on. He had some ideas of course but the data collected so far was insufficient.


    <span style="font-weight:400">To make matters even more stressful for himself was the rather worrying reports from Yamato. Tomoka Fushi’s personality had suddenly suffered a drastic change, like that suffered by people with depression and/or PTSD. Thankfully she seemed to have recovered by herself without needing to involve a Yamanaka counselor.


    <span style="font-weight:400">What truly worried Hiruzen was the possibility of a connection between these two seemingly separate events. Could Danzo have tried something against the Fushi girl? Could the girl be the reason for his disappearance? It sounded ridiculous but Hiruzen couldn’tpletely disregard the possibility.


    <span style="font-weight:400">In the end all of these internal problems were just some of the things causing him stress. The rtionship between the ninja viges was growing tense and it made him fear that a fourth shinobi war would be on the horizon. To make matters worse the daimyo seemed displeased with Konoha’s recent actions for one reason or another. Hiruzen felt like he was protecting a house of cards from a raging wind.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Taking a poof from his pipe he tried to calm his mind.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘I need to find a sessor soon. I am too old to guide this vige for much longer.’


    <span style="font-weight:400">Thinking about a sessor a wave of mncholy hit the old kage. Minato had been such a great choice, he had so much potential and his head had been in the right ce. Unfortunately he had been taken from the world too soon.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Taking his crystal ball, Hiruzen decided to observe Minato’s son, Naruto Uzumaki. Seeing the kid a small smile appeared on the old man''s face, one that was soon wiped away by feelings of guilt.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘I’m sorry Minato, Kushina, I have failed you two once more. Your son is seen by most of the vige as a monster, a demon.’


    <span style="font-weight:400">Thinking this Hiruzen couldn’t help but let a sigh escape his lips. A whileter a sad smile appeared as he continued to watch as the blond kid yed alongside his ssmates.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘At least he has made good friends.’


    <span style="font-weight:400">Thinking about the kid’s friends Hiruzen was reminded once again about Tomoka. She had disyed amazing potential be it in Ninjutsu, taijutsu or bukijutsu. However, he felt like she was hiding something. It made Hiruzen worry and that feeling had driven him to keep a close watch on the girl. In the end he couldn’t find anything strange about her… stranger, as the girl is strange as is.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Finishing his little smoke break Hiruzen got ready to once again fight against his nemesis, his worst enemy, the bane of his existence… paperwork.


    <span style="font-weight:400">‘I am really to old for this’