The Hokage's Tower
The hokage's room still smelled of smoke. Even late at night the lights were on,signifying the elderly hokage was still working . Even days after the Kyūbi's rampage, the gloom and sadness lingered in the beams and paper walls — a reminder that the village had only barely survived. Outside the high windows of the office, Konoha was alive with the sounds of repair: the hammering of nails, the thud of lumber dropped into place, the low rumble of voices trading orders. It was the sound of a village mending its wounds.
But inside, the Hokage's office the burning smell of tobacco along sound of brushes scribling over paper could be heard.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, the hokage hat resting on a nearby stand, untouched. He was dressed in his robes, but they hung heavier than usual on his shoulders. The man who had been called "The Professor" now seemed to carry an invisible weight that slowed every motion, his back more stopped than before, his face markedly age and his eyes weary and drooping.His pipe lay beside him, burning, with scattered ashtrays all over the room.
A stack of mission reports sat on the left corner of his desk. Another stack, thicker, sat to the right: casualty lists. He had read them all, but their contents were burned into his mind in a way paper could not contain. Among those names, one in particular had left a wound too raw to touch — Biwako Sarutobi.
A knock came at the door. Firm, steady.
Hiruzen didn't look up right away. "Enter," he said finally. His voice carried a rasp from long nights without proper rest and all the smoke.
The door slid open and Yasu Sarutobi stepped inside. Average in stature, broad-shouldered, his posture was sharp but his expression carried the subtle gravity of one who had seen too much in recent days. His hair, short and well maintained had streaks of gray at his temples that were not there years ago.
"Hokage-sama," Yasu greeted, bowing deeply before approaching the desk. In his hands was a slim folder, sealed with the Sarutobi clan mark.
Hiruzen gestured for him to speak. "What news?"
"It's about the boy. Enji Sarutobi," Yasu said, setting the folder on the desk with deliberate care.
At that name, Hiruzen's eyes sharpened a fraction. "He survived the attack," he murmured, almost to himself.
"Yes," Yasu confirmed. "The medics say his injuries were far less severe than they should have been. Buried under rubble from the shockwave, yet no broken bones, no lasting internal damage. His chakra system… unusually resilient for his age."
Hiruzen opened the folder, his eyes scanning the neat handwriting of the medical report.
Enji sarutobi .
Age:7 years old.
status: orphan.
Current condition: survived with minor injuries. Found him buried under the rubble. Noted marked increase in physical parameters including increased tissue regeneration. Mental markers and sensitivity to surroundings also shows elevation.
Needs detailed analysis for more conclusion.
Likely cause: activation of latent bloodline due to extreme stress.
The words "possible bloodline activation" appeared more than once.
"His father was a special jounin under my command," Hiruzen said quietly, memories stirring. "Sarutobi Daichi. Brave man. Stubborn, and loyal to a fault. His mother?"
"Civilian chunin, Deceased during the rampage. The boy has no surviving close relatives in the village," Yasu replied. His voice was steady, but there was a flicker of hesitation before he added, "The medics believe the sudden enhancement to his constitution could be a latent Sarutobi trait — awakened by the extreme stress near death.
Hiruzen's eyes lingered on that line of the report. He didn't show it, but the idea stirred a quiet, uneasy curiosity.
"And his current condition?"
"Recovering well. The hospital released him this morning."
Hiruzen set the folder down. "This data is to be classified under S class secrecy.
No one else should know of it. Not even my advisors. Erase anything related to bloodline activation from his hospital records.".
Enji was surprised at hokage's serious approach
" Yes, Hokage sama"
"And where is he staying?"
Yasu straightened. "That was the matter I wished to report directly. I offered to arrange for a guardian — someone trusted from the clan, or an allied household. He refused."
"Refused?"
"Yes," Yasu said, meeting the Hokage's gaze. "The boy chose to return to his family home instead. Alone."
For a moment, Hiruzen said nothing. His fingers tapped once on the desk. "Did he say why?"
"Only that it's where he belongs. His tone… was not defiance. More like certainty. He's quiet, but watchful. Mature in a way children his age usually aren't.He is also very observant, he noticed my measured gait and steps when I entered. He was surprised but hid it well. Also I let him read books regarding chakra and chakra exercises and left a note saying he should wait till tomorrow to start practicing. I secretly observed , whether he would disobey my instructions. His self discipline and control is unusual for his age"
Hiruzen leaned back slightly, studying Yasu in silence. In the boy's choice, he could hear the faint echo of the Sarutobi spirit — that stubborn, unyielding flame that refused to go out even when the wind howled against it.He also saw some hint of approval from the jounin, a rare phenomenon. Even his own son, Asuma had not heard a single praise from Yasu.
He closed the folder gently, his mind lingering on the image of a 7 year old boy walking alone into a half-ruined home.No child should be experiencing this. But he was helpless. He was aging, his peak had long passed.He had been carrying this village all his life even at the expense of his happiness, family and relations, but now his strength seems to be draining away,his burdens ever increasing.
"Keep a watch on him," Hiruzen said at last. "From a distance. No interference unless necessary. But don't let him vanish from our sight.I'll let you oversee his studies as planned till the academy is rebuilt."
Yasu bowed. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
When the door slid shut behind Yasu, the office was quiet again. Hiruzen's gaze drifted, almost unwillingly, to the photograph on his desk. Biwako's smile still seemed same, but he couldn't bear to look at it anymore. He felt miserable, he had lost his desire to live,but he couldn't afford to falter,his family or whatever left of it,needed him.
Konoha ,injured and weakened needed some one to shoulder all threats,he was the only one capable of it, at present.
He would wait until someone suitable,worthy and capable emerges,until then he will shoulder everything, that is the will of fire.
The village takes, the village gives…
and some flames must learn to burn on their own so as to provide the warmth and light
for the young buds to grow and flourish.