Chapter 151: Return To Monke - 3

Chapter 151: Return To Monke - 3

When the joking conversation died down, Hiruzen turned to Daiki, "Are you ready?" he asked.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't old man." Daiki responded, smirk fading as his lips pressed into a thin line, serious mode going into effect.

"Good, because we don't have a whole lot of time," Hiruzen nodded, "I won't be going easy on you at all." he said, placing his hand on Daiki's shoulder.

And it was then the boy noticed.

His pipe was gone.

He hadn't noticed.

...When did he?

That thought didn't get much time to process as the old mans chakra enveloped him and he was brought along via shunshin.

'Fast!' Daiki noticed.

He could barely keep track of their surroundings as the old man transported him along with the jutsu, even with his Heavenly Star Seal and Three Tailed Cloak together, he'd be hard pressed to keep up.

It would be another thing if he could use Lightning Chakra Mode reliably with them in his physical body, but that was currently impossible for him.

Moments later, it ended, and Daiki noticed, that they were standing atop the Hokage monument.

"Why are we-" Daiki began asking, looking around.

But, he never got to finish his question as the elderly Hokage brought his hands together into a single seal and the ground rumbled beneath their feet.

...And he was using it as a riddle for him? A test?

"Seriously?" Daiki gave him a deadpan gaze.

Sarutobi chuckled again, "I'm sure it sounds like hogwash to a young man like yourself, but there is great meaning in this phrase, and in fact, it's only half of it," he replied, "It is a saying created by Hashirama-sama himself and is passed down from Hokage to their chosen successors."

...Wait, what?

But didn't he say it to Orochimaru as he died?

No wait, or was he just thinking it? It was hard to remember that part especially clearly to remember if it was talking aloud or thought.

Well, whatever.

"Fine, I'll play your game old man," Daiki rolled his eyes, "The leaf finding fire is obviously the one that is going to become Hokage. And the Hokage is the one that illuminates the village, so I guess a beacon everyone is drawn to and gathers around? Or use that light to lead them or something."

"Yes, that's correct." the old man nodded, proudly.

...Why though? It wasn't exactly some hard riddle, it was pretty straight forward.

"For reference, the full quote is; 'When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew'," the older man revealed, "You were near spot on, only missing one thing. The Hokage is also the pillar that supports the village, their strength and leadership must be seen as infallible, and inspire the belief that as long we are here, there is no greater defender for them and their loved ones."

Daiki stared blankly at the mans back for a moment, pondering those words, before it clicked for him, "This place is super private so nobody can possibly see any mistakes the Hokage make when training," he realised, "It's so nobody can see that the Hokage isn't actually infallible and invincible."

"That is correct Daiki-kun," Sarutobi paused and looked back at him with a warm, beaming smile on his elderly face, "We are strong yes, but we are not gods. Yet, we must cultivate such an image when it comes to strength, to provide the support the new leaves need to bud and flourish to their greatest heights. That is what it means to be Hokage, the fire shadow that illuminates the Leaf Village, it is to be the pillar that supports the village and the undefeatable sentinel that will guard the village against any and all opponents even if it costs our lives."

Daiki fell silent at the mans words, and from there, followed him down deeper into the Hokage mountain without a word.