The following morning, Aki packed his belongings early. Under his mother's worried gaze, he left home and arrived at the designated assembly point. Finding himself the second to arrive, he bowed to the team leader. "Good morning, Lord Danzō". Danzō offered a curt nod in acknowledgment and said nothing more, closing his eyes to either meditate or plan. Aki waited in the silence until the remaining members, Kagami Uchiha and Torifu Akimichi, arrived as the deadline approached.
Once the team was assembled, Danzō led them to the clients' location. Along the way, he instructed Aki on the essential lexicon of a Konoha shinobi: secret codes, hand signals, and field markers. They soon reached an unnamed village where three horse-drawn carriages stood under the guard of six or seven men. Danzō ordered the team to stay back in the woods while he approached the caravan. He emerged shortly after with two men dressed in the fine silks of wealthy merchants.
Danzō introduced the team to the clients. Pointing to Aki, he said, "This boy will pose as your nephew. He is a Chunin-level shinobi and will be your personal shadow". He then assigned Torifu to hide within the caravan guarding the Military Rations Pills, while he and Kagami provided long-range reconnaissance to prevent ambushes.
The merchants, known as the Sato Brothers, were visibly anxious. "Will there truly be reinforcements?" one asked. "The funds from this sale will drive any rogue ninja mad with greed. This mission is terrifyingly dangerous".
Danzō met their fear with a cold sneer. "If you feared death, you wouldn't be black-market smugglers. You are only alive because your 'contributions' serve Konoha. Do not worry; we have made every preparation". With no further questions, the group began their trek toward the Hidden Waterfall.
The Hokage's Office
"Lord Second, Danzō's team has departed," an Anbu reported. "We are escorting them to the border in secret. Furthermore, Hiruzen Sarutobi's team has received their orders to rendezvous with Danzō in the Land of Waterfall to secure the return of the merchants and the funds".
Tobirama Senju nodded. "Maintain absolute surveillance on the Sand, Waterfall, and Stone villages. War is looming; I need to know their every move".
Just as the Anbu vanished, a doctor entered the office and bowed deeply. "Lord Hokage... the First Hokage has collapsed again. His life force is spent. He could pass at any moment. You should go to him".
Tobirama sighed, a heavy weight settling in his chest. It is finally time, he thought. With enemies circling Konoha, the loss of my brother will be a catastrophic blow. He told the doctor he would follow shortly and turned to look out over the prosperous village one last time.
The Final Sunset
Tobirama did not find his brother in the hospital; the staff informed him that Hashirama had left the moment he regained consciousness. Tobirama knew exactly where he would be.
He found Hashirama sitting atop his own stone likeness on the Hokage Rock, his face pale and his smile weary as the wind ruffled his hair. Tobirama stood behind him in silence until Hashirama spoke.
"Tobirama... was I successful?".
"You have done more than any man could," Tobirama replied softly. "In achievement and in the creation of this home, you are the world's best".
Hashirama gazed at the village. "Of our three brothers, only we two remain. The Senju clan has dwindled, yet I am not lonely. I am happy. Every time I look at this village, 'happiness' is the only word I have". He grew serious then, turning to the future. "After I am gone, you must weaken the influence of the great clans. They will move to seize power once I am not here to balance them. Elevate the smaller families to maintain the equilibrium".
"I have already designed the plans for that," Tobirama assured him.
"You were always better at the internal affairs than I was," Hashirama chuckled weakly. "But I ask you... do not press the Uchiha too hard".
"I will handle them with care," Tobirama replied, though his tone was noncommittal.
"A dry answer," Hashirama sighed. "Will you still target them? I feel I have failed my friend Madara. For my sake, ease your hand". Tobirama insisted that Hashirama should not blame himself for the past.
Hashirama smiled, a distant look in his eyes. "Perhaps your prejudice will change one day. Perhaps you will even let my disciple take the mantle of Hokage".
"That is impossible," Tobirama said flatly.
"So blunt! You refuse even my last wish?" Hashirama teased with a faint, exaggerated slump. Tobirama looked at him for a long time before sighing. "I will consider it—but only if his actions truly prove he can protect the village".
Hashirama stood up one last time to look at Konoha. "I cannot defeat death, but I can choose how I spend my final hours". He gestured for Tobirama to follow him down into the village.
They went to a barbecue restaurant. Under the awed gazes of the patrons, Hashirama ordered the finest sake and twenty portions of meat. They drank and sang, Hashirama teasing Tobirama about his stubbornness until the sun began to dip below the horizon.
As twilight fell, they returned to the Hokage Rock. "I haven't been this happy in a long time," Hashirama whispered. "It feels like we are young again". Tobirama said nothing, his eyes wet with tears as he listened.
"Tobirama, consider Aki," Hashirama said, his voice fading. "He is a good choice. I can no longer help you... Konoha is in your hands". He sat there, smiling at the village he loved, repeating his mantra one last time: "Wherever leaves fly, fire shall burn. The shadow of the fire will illuminate the village, and new leaves will always bud...".
The voice stopped. Tobirama looked at the still silhouette of the First Hokage in the crimson dusk.
"Brother... rest well".