49 Hiruzen's worries, Mist in search for Diran

later she came back to Konoha. all people who greeted her were very surprised that day all thought only one thing in mind 'something good must have happened'. Hana is all smiles. She first came to her clan compound and went to her house. They are completely shocked as they never seen her smile for the past 8years. she always had this serious expression on her face making difficult for many people in their clan to approach her.

when Kiba and Tsume saw her, they too were shocked just like others. Kiba asked "Oneechan, anything good happened? you are smiling a lot today and look way different". "huh?, I'm normal just as everyday".Tsume smiled "your face is completely glowing" and she brought a small mirror and put it in her hands. She was surprised by herself but for a different reason though "hmm, it's been a while since I have seen myself in mirror. now that you mention it, I really looked a bit different. I should slightly cut my hair and should adjust the style a little bit. looks like skin became a bit tanned, should go to parlor I guess. anyway I forgot to report to hokage. I'll be right back". after she went Kiba and Tsume looked at each other.

She later reported to hokage "I confirm that Diran Senju has been staying at Keishi with his daughter." His expression changed "he has a family now?. I guess that's why he doesn't want to return village anytime". "I take my leave hokage sama" she lightly bowed and just when she's about to leave. "Wait Hana, can I ask a question?" she replied "yes, hokage sama". he said "not as a hokage but as someone who you treat as your uncle" She nodded. he asked with concern "are you really okay?". she smiled "yeah, I'm fine" he further asked "did you asked him to come back to the village?". She shook her head "no, I didn't raised that topic with him. he will return if he wants to, he won't if he don't want to. I'll respect his decision no matter what" he sighed "in a few days or weeks, I'm retiring as Hokage and want to appoint someone young who can look after the village for a long time.

After the Uchiha clan incident, Daimyo is a bit angry on me, village elders and clan leaders are trying to unseat me. and now we've killed three of the mist's ninja swordsman and one is still in hospital. there might be a war with Kiri in worst case scenario."

She got surprised and replied "but why did you want to involve Diran in this. you have Nagato sensei, and two of your students. well, there's Itachi, who's being treated as village's hero these past years. and there's also kakashi. there are many hokage candidates you can choose as your successor."

he shook his head "it's not simple as that, all the people you said, except Kakashi have problems. for example Tsunade won't come back, Jiraya hates responsibility, Nagato already declined and also village elders won't accept him as hokage as they still view him as an outsider. Itachi have all the qualities of being a hokage. too bad he was born into Uchiha clan. it's a bitter fact that an uchiha can never be a hokage. and finally I think Diran is the strongest shinobi of konoha. you are in coma at that time so, you didn't see his power. didn't you ever wonder why we haven't sent any team in search of him after we take back his banishment. he's a sage Hana".

"hmm, I also know about it. he told me about it before and asked me to keep as secret but I don't think it's a big deal." he shook his head "no, you only know that he's sage. not only you everyone only knows he's only a sage. but only I know what he is capable of. I have seen my sensei's power when he uses sage mode. he captured almost all of the tailed beasts alone you know and Diran's sage seems more powerful than Shodaime's and not to mention that power to control lightning which doesn't contain any chakra but a pure nature lightning. its completely beyond the scope of my understanding. that's why I want him to return and take hokage position so that my village will be safe. I may sound selfish but for me, safety and welfare of the village is always above one's interest."

She asked "what is the deadline". he replied "till chunin exams". she became silent for while and then spoke "after eight years, I finally found him and I know I still have a place in his heart. if I mess it up, I may lose him forever. that's why I can't promise you that I'll try my best to bring him back. but I promise you this before chunin exams, you'll find a worthy successor".she turned and just when she's about to walk out of door, she turned back and asked "umm, Hokage sama, can I get one month absence". his face at this time a bit uncomfortable. he nodded.after she wenthe suddenly coughed blood. he wiped his blood "ugh, will I able to live till I get a successor? and there's also issue with naruto. I should bring jiraya back." he looked towards portraits "Minato, don't worry. just as you wished naruto will control kyuubi's power. too bad that I won't be alive to see it".

Two days later

at Ichiraku, Keishi

when I and Miura went in for lunch, we got a surprise. we saw Hana there talking with Ayame. then she looked towards us "hey Diran". I stood in a daze for a few seconds and replied "Hey Hana". she asked "what happened". I replied "you kinda look different somehow". Miura then asked "papa, you know that Neesan?, she's so pretty". I patted her head and looked towards her "this is my daughter Miura". "Miura, this is Hana. you know Itachi Ojisan right. she is like him. we three are a team."

her face became a bit disappointed then she told herself 'you idiot, it's the truth what else were you expecting to be introduced for his kid, your new mom or something' and she calmed down. "hello, Miura chan." and she replied "hello, Hana Obasan". Hana said "you look just like your father". she replied "but papa says I'm like my mom though" I smiled "Miu chan, what I meant is about your personality not your looks". she turned towards me and asked "papa, what is personality?" I just replied "it'll be taught in school sooner or later". I turned towards Ayame "by the way Ayame, are you going somewhere?". she replied "Diran Oniisan, I was actually about to go to your apartment". "hmm?". she replied "I'm going back to konoha, it must be hard on father managing alone. you know how he is, he hate to appoint workers".

Miura's face became dull. I said "hey, don't be sad.your aunt will come to see you from time to time". Miura looked Ayame "really?". she nodded. Ayame said "OK, today I will cook." Hana replied "ugh, not you". I nudged her she looked towards me I made a gesture to be silent. Miura smiled "yay and she ran off and sit". I slowly whispered "Miura likes Ayame's cooking. please bear with it".

actually Ayame's cooking wasn't bad but it's just way too normal and there are too many decorations in the ramen. well since Miura liked it, I kept silent and eat all the time. then after we ate, we talked about random things and she departed. Miura who got along with Ayame pretty well in this past weeks became a bit sad but later I offered her ice cream and her mood changed.

two weeks later at Hokage Office, Konoha

before Hokage there's a lady who is 5.7ft tall around 27-28years old with fair skin. She has green eyes, and ankle-length, auburn hair styled into a herringbone pattern at the back, a top-knot tied with a dark blue band, and with four bangs at the front. Two bangs are short, with one covering her right eye, and two are long, crossing each other on her bust, just below her chin.

She wears a long-sleeved, dark blue dress that falls just below the knees. It seems to be closed at the front with a zipper, and is kept open on the front-right side from the waist down. Around her waist, she wears a belt with a pouch attached to the back on the left along with high-heeled sandals, shin-guards reaching up over her knees, dark blue nail polish on her fingers and toes, and is with purple lipstick. She's none other than Terumi Mei, Godaime Mizukage of Kirigakure.

and her face wasn't good at this time. "listen hokage sama, I will come to the point directly those three swords are important to Kirigakure. I want you to return them." hokage was surprised "huh? that's it?".she replied "the council in our village asked also for Copy ninja Kakashi's dead body but I know you won't accept it. so, all I'm asking for the three swords you took from our Shinobi. even then I don't expect you to give them for free so, in return name your price".

he nodded and replied "I already discussed with village council what to ask in return for if we ever reached to this agreement. after a period of discussion we settled on two things. choice one is you pay it with 3months of your economy and the byakugan and other choice is Kiri will break it's alliance with Iwa and form alliance with Konoha for a period of at least 10 years". Ao who was standing behind her all this time outbursted "What!!! you are asking for too much. it's impossible". he replied with a smile "since you came all the way to konoha you must have been prepared for disadvantage you get. these two are the only ways to return them to you. I know how much those swords are precious to you. please make your choice".her face became serious and gloomy "I need time. I can't take this decision without village council and Daimyo's support".

and she went back with Ao. she asked "what do you think?" Ao replied "first I thought konoha wants exploit this opportunity to start war but now I think they really want alliance with us. first choice is impossible. we are already economically just above poverty and if we gave them 3 months of our revenue then, it'll be hard for our people to even survive and they'll completely leave the village and settle at Capital. even though he said two choices he only gave us one choice."

she replied "actually alliance with them will be favourable for us as Fire country is very near for us compared to Earth country and if we can convince Daimyo for alliance there'll be trading between two nations and with that he will provide a lot of funds for us. the only problem is village council. they won't accept that we want to alliance with the enemies who killed and looted our precious swords. they'll think for a war and also breaking ties with Iwa will be a bit trouble but since they are very far away. i think it's worth".

Ao sighed "if only that person with us, the problem with the council amd Damiyo might have been solved easily." she widened her eyes "you meant the hero?" he nodded and she replied "it's been 7 years. we've searched everywhere to atleast thank him but he disappeared like he didn't existed at all. the hero who can control the sea". Ao said "I guess he doesn't belong to any village. if he was, we might have already heard of him or at least he would be in bingo book but I have a small doubt".

she asked "what is it?". he replied "even though there's a small chance, but still it's possible that our hero might be him." "him?" "remember the man who was banished from Konoha, Senju clan head or he's more popularly known as Lightning Sage". she nodded "I know him he's Diran Senju, people at that time fear him that he would become second Hashirama but there's a rumour that he died". he shook his head "a man of that caliber won't die easily he probably hid himself somewhere" she asked "OK, what about him? you think both are same person?. no it's impossible. he can control the lightning according to bingo book not the sea".

Ao replied "that's why I said it's a small possibility and not to mention no one has heard from him for the past eight years and someone helped us in disguise 7 years ago and disappeared without a trace. don't you think it's a bit similar"."hmm, now that you mention it. there's a small probability that both are same person. but even if we find the hero do you think they'll accept the decision if he side with us? and also it's been 7 years". Ao nodded "even if it's long time all the villagers still remember it including council. I'm positive that if we really found the hero and he don't even need to join our village. he just need to support you and it'll be helpful for you for a lot whenever you make decisions in the future." She nodded "OK, search for Diran Senju we have his photo with us, at least I think he's a bit easier to find than our hero. find him and confirm it whether they are same person or not. if he's not our hero then we have to find a different solution meanwhile I'll talk with Daimyo about alliance first".

One week later at Keishi

I and Hana waiting for Miura in front of school just like everyone. Hana spoke "it never gets old". I looked away scratching my cheek "well, that's why I said not to come". there are several people looking at Hana not so kindly especially the receptionist when we met her. she looked at her like Hana killed her whole family. Since her senses are pretty much higher than mine she suffered a bit. she replied "well, it's not like the first time anyway. I almost got familar with it in these past few weeks".we picked Miura and went to the park for sometime, ate ice cream and parted ways later.

I tell some stories everyday during sleep time if she's not tired and she will sleep. there's no change during these years but today Miura said one more thing while she was about to sleep "papa, I like how you two pick me up daily together." I got taken back and kissed her forehead and she slept. "Sorry, Miu chan, she won't be with us for long time and we can't go back to Konoha. I want you to have a normal life."

Meanwhile at some unknown place

Orochimaru laughing manically "hahaha, Sarutobi Hiruzen with this, I'll destroy your Konoha". in front of him there are two coffins. they are opened and two persons revealed. one is an old man long gray hair along with long moustache and beard that merged into one all of which almost covered the entirety of his face. other is a dark-skinned man, with prominent creases under his eyes and a mop of shaggy black hair. Byakuren and A the shodai Mizukage and raikage respectively.

Orochimaru then "no, this time I won't underestimate them Kuchiyose :Edo tensei" and another coffin appeared and a person was revealed he had a head of brown spiky hair which he usually wore pinned up in the back with the rest of the hair laying flat.Attire-wise he wore a dark suit which ended in a mask which he generally used to cover his mouth though he would lower it whenever he deemed necessary. Over this he wore a blue poncho-like haori with a thick white collar. he is Reto, the first Kazekage who was so powerful at that time that he was able to unify all of the desert dwelling shinobi under his leadership.

Orochimaru laughed again "hahaha soon, my Vengeance will be fulfilled"