It was Monday morning as Hiruko and Tsunade just left the Senju estate after stopping by to get a change of clothes for training.
Having some time to kill, the pair decided to walk slower, enjoying the scenery and talking about whatever.
"Hey, you know they're following us like little creeps, right? I'm not the best sensor in the world, but even I can tell." Tsunade said, slightly annoyed, that the two were like dogs, constantly following Hiruko and, by association, her.
'Why does no one follow me like that?' Tsunade a stark contrast to her outside self couldn't help but think slightly jealous.
She was the girl, and a beautiful one at that, yet for some reason Hiruko attracted all the followers, and before she could accept it since they were all boys, but now even Uchiha girls were wanting to be around him.
Glancing at Hiruko, her hazel eyes analyzed him to attempt to find something he had that she did not; however, after a few moments, she could only sigh helplessly.
'Maybe I should check out the library and see if they have any books on this type of phenomenon.' Tsunade thought halfheartedly, but as the idea sat in her brain for a few moments, she began to like it even more.
Hiruko, on the other hand, was lost in a world of his own.
'Hell if I know.' He thought, exhausted,
'Usually I'd tell them to go do something else and not follow me like this, but I'm too tired.'
He stayed up all night trying to pull moisture from the air and shape it for Jutsu only to fail miserably.
Tsunade elbowing Hiruko slightly as she noticed him spaced out brought Hiruko out of his stupor.
Taking a second to recollect his thoughts, Hiruko simply said, "Yeah, leave them; they're fine. I have plans to use them to help me train anyway."
At this Tsunade simply shrugged, changing the topic to random things.
—
As they arrived at the training ground, they realized that despite leaving earlier than they ever have, they were still the last to arrive.
Walking over to the group of three, Hiruko noticed Orochimaru was watching him intently.
'Oh yeah, Mito did say he visited the estate to check on me when I was supposedly missing.' Hiruko thought
"Hey Orochimaru, thanks for stopping by when I was… well, just thanks." Hiruko said with a smile he appreciated the care, but not knowing what Orochimaru was told by Mito or what he should say, Hiruko could only say thanks.
Orochimaru, hearing these words, could only blush slightly and nod his head, acknowledging Hiruko's words.
'Who knew this snake could be so shy?' Hiruko thought, slightly amused by Orochimaru's reactions.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, seeing this as a chance to get closer with the group, also wanted to join in but was cut off by Hiruzen before he could.
"Well, Hiruko, we're glad you're okay. Now I need to get going soon, but I want you guys to continue practicing the Jutsu given to you guys last time, and also make sure to prepare for your first mission tomorrow.
Hiruzen said with a small smile before disappearing to complete his duties but not before stealthily making a clone to investigate the two kids following Hiruko.
Though Hiruko seemed aware and even welcoming of their presence, he as Hokage still needed to investigate things like this especially when they pertained to his students.
But this was unknown to the rest except Hiruko, who assumed Hiruzen would investigate his two little followers in some way.
Suddenly after Hiruzen left, a blur appeared in front of Orochimaru; it was Sakumo, his sword drawn slightly and pressed against his neck.
"You snake, out of respect for Hokage-sama I held back, but why were you watching me and my master in the forest the other day?" Sakumo said seriously, his eyes sharp.
He could tell just by looking at Orochimaru that he was unlike Duy; he wasn't some idiot obsessed with youth. No, he was dangerous; his eyes held the look of one inherently cold-blooded.
"Hey, stop. I'm sure this is all—" Jiraiya tried saying but was stopped when Tsunade's hand appeared in front of him.
"Jiraiya, butt out." She said seriously, this was a conversation that needed to happen.
She could tell by Sakumo's reactions that she wasn't the only one that could feel Orochimaru's nature.
And though she had no problem with Orochimaru even thinking they could become good friends with him stalking her brot-Hiruko worried her a bit. She could tell this was a conversation that needed to happen.
Jiraiya, hearing this, dropped his head in sadness; he felt as if once again he wasn't in the loop of the group, as if he were an… outsider.
Orochimaru, feeling the harsh gazes his way, felt something he hadn't felt in a while; since meeting Hiruko, his eyes had gotten sharp and his demeanor colder.
He really didn't like this, especially the fact a man like Sakumo was this close to Hiruko, to the point he was protecting him like some cub protecting its pack leader. Thoughts of pricking and poking Sakumo like he was some bug that needed to be dissected filled his thoughts.
For several seconds Orochimaru and Sakumo glared at each other, ready to strike at any second.
Everyone sat there tense and on edge until a voice cut in, one that made Sakumo instantly drop his sword and Orochimaru.
"Woah, woah, guys, relax; it's not that serious." Hiruko said, coming between the two, his hands extended, trying to put an end to this.
'How did this turn from Orochimaru trying to get friends to a standoff
Hiruko, knowing Orochimaru stalked him occasionally, didn't really care; if anything, he thought it was actually kind of nice?
He just assumed Orochimaru, who he knew had trouble making friends and was a bit obsessive, was trying to find some way to get close with him.
Why didn't he do the same with Tsunade or Jiraiya… Well, Tsunade would kill him, and Jiraiya was too annoying to stalk; this was Hiruko's thought process.
"Relax, I knew Orochimaru was watching me; I simply didn't really care." Hiruko said honestly he's grown kind of fond of Orochimaru's weird tendencies.
Orochimaru, hearing this, got noticeably red.
"Look, let's all just go practice and relax, and Orochimaru, come visit Hakuja; she misses you." Hiruko said, extending an olive branch of friendship toward Orochimaru with a slight smile.
'I should probably teach him that this is'n't the best way to make friends though.' Hiruko thought internally.
After a couple moments Orochimaru, his face reddish though seemingly devoid of any care or emotion, simply nodded before walking away.
"Okay, Duy, come here." Hiruko said slightly loud as a green blur burst out of the tree.
"Yes, Hiruko, sir, my youth is ready and ravaging to get ready to go." Duy said enthusiastically.
"Good, I guess. Anyway, I need you and Sakumo's help with training." Hiruko said, slightly weirded out by his statement.
"Anytime, sir, my youth will help in any way."
"Yes, master, just give the word."
Both said quickly as they waited for Hiruko's next words.
"Cool, well, we will see y'all later. By the way, you want me to wait for you so we can walk together?" Hiruko asked, turning to the other two figures there.
Tsunade, turning to him with a sly smirk on her face, said, "Nah, go home without me. I plan on stopping by the library. Good luck on your date, though." She said, lightly jabbing Hiruko in his arm.
Hiruko, annoyed, could only say, "It's not a date," as he walked off with Sakumo and Duy.
—
"Okay, here's the plan. I'm going to use my Water Style Jutsu: Slick Step while you guys try to pelt me with those stones as I try to react and dodge." Hiruko said, pointing to a giant pile of rocks next to the figures of Sakumo and Duy, who nodded at what he said.
'Good, Observation Haki MAX!!!!' Hiruko thought internally he read somewhere that yelling out ability names helps, eventhough his observation Haki was a more passive skill, who knew it might help?
Making the signs for the Jutsu Hiruko signaled for the two to begin. Sakumo started picking up a stone and hurling it at Hiruko's face, Hiruko tracing the trajectory with Observation Haki lightly angled his head so the rock would just miss.
Duy seeing this hurled one at his body; this one, however, was faster and more powerful than Sakumo's. Hiruko, seeing this, quickly spun his boy, his steps now supported by water lightly gliding on the ground.
"Come on quicker, and Sakumo, stop holding back," Hiruko said.
"I got—" Hiruko was going to send a steaming hot rock cam flying at his chest. Seeing this, Hiruko quickly bent his body back as the rock whooshed over him.
'Crap' Hiruko thought as he saw the tree behind him adopt a clean hole through
—
In the Hokage office sat Hiruzen; in front of him lay stacks of files attached to them were the photos of Sakumo and Duy.
Also in front of him was his crystal ball displaying a pure taijutsu battle between Hiruko and Duy, where Hiruko was getting his butt whooped, only a couple of times being able to bend or turn out of the way to deliver a kick or punch.
It could be seen. Hiruko's Senju Taijutsu was improving shortly but surely.
Hiruzen, however, was mostly watching Duy, who seemed as if this battle with Hiruko was nothing to him and was actually holding back quite a bit. It must be said that Hiruko, though not weak, was levels below Duy, who had been practicing taijutsu almost dangerously ever since he found his dream of wanting to be a ninja.
'And Sakumo Hatake' Hiruzen thought his gaze and the ball shifted to a white-haired kid who just a few moments ago was sparring with Hiruko in pure swordsmanship and completely dog-walked him even more so than Duy.
To the untrained eye it looked as if Hiruko, who was amazing in the basics and only lacking experience, was contending with Sakumo. But Hiruzen could tell if he wanted this battle could be ended by Sakumo at any time.
'And what's weird is both followed Hiruko like subordinates completely aware and happy with those roles.' Hiruzen couldn't help but be confused.
To think that those two boys, especially Sakumo, were extraordinary, each with promising futures, and Hiruzen knew better than anyone that Sakumo, if he could master the Hatake sword arts, would be at a bare minimum Kage-level, and this future Kage-level prospect was Hiruko's little follower.
Hiruzen just couldn't wrap his head around it.
'The son of Ken, who was Lord Hashirama's sword, is you choosing Hiruko, a sign of the future.' Hiruzen could only think.
Suddenly Hiruzen heard three rapid knocks at his door; putting the crystal away, he beckoned the subordinate to enter.
A woman with a bear mask entered the Hokage room, kneeling on the floor, waiting to be told to speak.
"Go ahead," Hiruzen said with a wave of his hand.
"Yes! Hokage-sama, we've received word of the Sand entering the Fire Lands borders, though their exact position and motives are unknown.
Not only that, it seems the land of lightning is planning to start a skirmish in about a week or more in the land of hot springs near our border," the woman said urgently.
Hearing this, Hiruzen sat pondering for a couple moments before giving his deliberation.
"Have Danzo and his Root handle the sand and monitor the Land of Lightning for now. Send basic reconnaissance troops and soldiers, but keep it to a minimum. I want to take my students to participate in the fight," Hiruzen said.
He had to accept it. It was time; he needed to prepare his students.
The woman in the bear mask hearing this couldn't help but speak up: "But Hokage-sama, they're only kids."
Hearing this, Hiruzen could only sigh, "I know, I know, but this is the world we live in now. Go return to your duties, and oh, find me a C-rank bandit mission that they can take in a few days," Hiruzen said.
The woman hearing this could only nod and continue on her duties.
Hiruzen, leaning back on his chair, took one of his smokes from the table and lit it.
"Sensei, I'm so sorry."