"Sometimes, I really envy you."
After listening to the story and noticing how the other "himself" still seemed eager to go on, Hiruzen #2 relaxed the furrows on his brow, revealing a smile that hadn't surfaced in a long while.
"That looks so ugly."
Hiruzen #1 remarked. "I've seen my older self in the mirror countless times, but wow, once we get old, we're really hideous."
His face, lined with wrinkles and dull eyes, resembled a funeral portrait when he smiled—etched with hardship and the wear and tear of life.
"Hey, hey, if you're calling me ugly, you're talking about yourself too."
Hiruzen #2 chuckled.
"That's right—this is me, what I used to be…"
Hiruzen #1 grew reflective. His life… well, if not for Link, it would have followed the record in the Hokage Chronicles as told by the Future World:
Born into a famous ninja clan in the Warring States era, he grew up in his father Sasuke Sarutobi's shadow, joined Konoha with the rest of his clan, watched the village develop bit by bit, took on the mantle of Hokage amid war, and helped Konoha survive two Shinobi World Wars.
He had his highs and lows—his soft-heartedness led to many mistakes, but the same soft heart also nurtured capable youngsters. Finally, to protect Konoha and the next generation, he died at the hands of his own student.
It looked fulfilling enough, right?
His father wanted him to be a ninja. Two Hokage wanted him to be the Hokage. Everyone hoped he'd protect the village as a "hero," his wife wanted him to be a good husband, and his children wanted him to be a responsible father…
Maybe he hadn't managed everything—or done it perfectly—but he tried. He'd sacrificed his personal self to chase everyone else's expectations. That created rifts with his son and grandson, widened the gap between him and his old friend Danzo. The Third Hokage's entire life revolved around others.
So who did he actually want to be?
"I've spoken with Biwako. We're getting a divorce," Hiruzen #1 said calmly. "Now that we've both been reincarnated, we might as well each pursue a new life."
He still had a long existence ahead—he wanted to chase the things he wanted, to live more true to himself, more vividly.
Hiruzen #2 was surprised, but after everything he'd just heard—especially the bits about wandering adventure—he realized he would probably make the same decision if he were in Hiruzen #1's position.
(We really do know ourselves well…Tobirama-sama…)
They both fell silent. Before long, quitting time arrived; the distant construction noises died down. Birds in the woods hopped about, chirping on branches, watching an old man and a younger man lean against a balcony rail. The last warm rays of sunset sank into the horizon, the sky's pale wash taking on touches of inky darkness. In the blink of an eye, evening breezes stirred, leaves whispered softly.
Relishing this moment of quiet, they stayed until night fell, then separated by unspoken agreement.
When Hiruzen #2 returned, the two elderly advisors of the "Second World" hurriedly asked in their small Rownet "Konoha High Council" group what had happened. Danzo #2 sat quietly in a corner, feigning calm but still highly concerned.
The Second-World Konoha was absolutely on the brink. The Alliance's education system was undermining every major village's ability to cultivate new ninjas. Anyone with talent would want to send their children to an Alliance school—nothing to do with "loyalty"; the Alliance schools just offered so much more. Graduates also had a chance to join the Alliance workforce directly.
Many ninja clans were feeling rebellious. If the Alliance kept quiet, maintaining its current ambiguous stance, Konoha #2 might soon become a shadow of its former self. A "village" made up of only a few clans and some stray ninjas would hardly differ from a small-time group.
Worse, neither Hashirama #2 nor Edo-Tensei Tobirama #2 seemed particularly concerned about Konoha's survival. Hashirama #2 even went so far as to urge them to merge with the Alliance.
What a joke—if they merged, wouldn't they just be someone else's workhorses?
[Danzo, do you want to become Hokage?]
Hiruzen #2 typed into the group, sounding utterly drained.
In an instant, the other three people active in the chat were stunned. What was that supposed to mean?
[Once I'm back, it's probably time for me to retire.]
Hiruzen #2 went on.
[If you're not interested, then what about Minato? After all, he is supposed to be the Fourth Hokage someday.]
With that, he left the group.
The entire "Konoha High Council" chat fell silent. Besides the two advisors and Danzo, there were also the Sannin, Minato, and other top jōnin in that group. Hiruzen #2 leaving the conversation in front of everyone made his intentions obvious.
Danzo #2's breathing turned ragged. What the hell? Just talking with that other version of himself a bit, and suddenly Hiruzen was acting like a completely different person? In such a critical situation, the village's most authoritative Hokage wanted to step down—and with the leadership uncertain, how could the village not end up in chaos? Their Third Shinobi World War never really got a chance to happen; the Alliance ended it early. Minato #2 hadn't had the chance to show his prowess or gain recognition through multiple heroic rescues. Lacking the usual feats or popularity, him stepping up as Hokage might be difficult. On top of that, in an era where ninja clans were so restless, a Hokage transition could spark a revolt!
That wouldn't do at all!
Danzo #2 shot to his feet. Exchanging glances with the two advisors, he strode off to have a private talk with Hiruzen #2.
…
Inside the Maternity Ward
"What's wrong?" Kushina #2 asked softly, feeling her husband's hand suddenly tense.
Minato #2 shook his head. Quietly, he replied, "The Third Hokage wants to step down."
"You…want to become Hokage?" Kushina #2 looked up at her husband with a complicated expression.
According to the Hokage Chronicles, becoming Hokage had been the start of their family's misfortunes…
"I'm not sure," Minato #2 murmured, his mood equally conflicted. "In the Alliance, the title of 'Hokage' doesn't actually mean much."
He knew a bit about how Tobirama #2 worked on the Executive Committee. Any large village with too much power would not be tolerated.
They'd see it carved up and forced to submit so everything remained stable—exactly that "iron-faced brat's" plan. With both the First and Second backing that notion, Konoha #2 had no real way to object. Everything Hiruzen #2 tried to do was just being pushed along, ultimately in vain.
"Ungh—"
Kushina #2 let out a low groan, clutching her belly.
Next to her, Tsunade #2 checked and said, "You're at six centimeters. Hang in there, Kushina."
Minato #2, hoping to distract her, asked, "Have you decided on a name for the baby? Are we still going with 'Naruto'?"
They had discussed it at length but couldn't settle on anything. The child of destiny from so many worlds was always "Naruto," but calling him that again here carried both the knowledge of a shining future and the weight of that pressure.
Kushina #2, forehead beaded with sweat, wore a pensive look. "Let's call him… ungh…"
Another wave of pain hit her, and she gripped Minato #2's hand tightly. After a few moments, her voice trembling slightly, she whispered:
"Let's name him Menma Namikaze."
"That's a nice name," Minato #2 said, smiling in relief.
As long as they, as parents, could watch their son grow up, it didn't matter if he was the destined savior or not.