Chapter 2: Meeting the Hokage

[Third Hokage's Perspective]

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat in his office, sifting through the seemingly endless reports detailing the aftermath of the Nine-Tails' rampage. Casualties, missing-nin, destroyed infrastructure—it was an overwhelming list of losses. Even for a man who had lived through multiple wars, this was devastation on a scale Konoha hadn't faced in decades.

The worst part? They still didn't know why it had happened.

Three days had passed since the attack, and while the village had begun to stabilize, questions remained unanswered. Who had released the Nine-Tails? Why had it attacked? And, most importantly, could something like this happen again?

A knock on the door broke through his troubled thoughts. "Enter."

Shikaku Nara stepped in, his usual lazy expression slightly strained from lack of sleep. "The surviving shinobi have been stabilized. Patrols along the borders have increased, and we're monitoring the other villages for any signs of aggression."

Hiruzen sighed. "We can't afford to show weakness. Keep an eye on Kumogakure, especially. They've always been eager for conflict. If they suspect Konoha is vulnerable, they may act."

Shikaku nodded, sorting through a stack of reports. "The hospital is still understaffed. Some civilians died due to delayed treatment. Tsunade is working non-stop, but even she has limits."

"Perhaps we should have accepted her medical training proposal when she first suggested it." Hiruzen exhaled deeply. "Hindsight is always cruel."

"At the time, we needed every available shinobi on the battlefield. Training a third of our forces as medics wasn't feasible," Shikaku reasoned.

Hiruzen pushed himself to his feet. "Regardless, I should visit the hospital. The villagers need to know we are still watching over them. Many may have lost faith in us after this disaster."

Shikaku eyed him critically. "You've barely rested since the attack, Lord Hokage. Your clones are still keeping watch over the village, you need real sleep. I've assigned ANBU to patrol, so take the opportunity to recover."

The Third allowed himself a small smile. "You sound like an old man, Shikaku."

"And you're starting to look like one," Shikaku shot back without missing a beat.

With a chuckle, Hiruzen nodded. "Fine. I'll take you up on that offer. But first, the hospital."

As he left the office, Shikaku glanced at the reports once more, a troubled expression crossing his face. "So much destruction in one night... Just who was behind it?"

[Shinji's Perspective]

After my unsuccessful attempt to get answers from whatever cosmic force had sent me here, the door to my hospital room creaked open.

Standing there, pipe in hand, dressed in traditional robes, was none other than the Third Hokage himself. He wore that trademark grandfatherly smile—the kind that made you instinctively lower your guard.

I, however, knew better.

'Oh, here we go. The infamous Will of Fire speech,' I thought, preparing myself.

"How are you feeling now, Shinji?" he asked, his tone warm and kind.

Right. Time to act like a five-year-old.

"I'm fine now, Lord Hokage," I replied, putting on my best innocent-kid voice. I added a touch of sadness to my expression for good measure, trying to appear vulnerable but not broken. 'Acting like a child is weird…'

Hiruzen's smile softened. "There's no need to hide your pain. Losing your parents is never easy. But remember, the village is your family too. You are not alone."

Ah. There it was. The classic Konoha indoctrination.

I nodded as he continued. "The village is like a great tree. Each of us—its shinobi, its citizens—we are the leaves, all connected by the same roots. That connection is what makes us strong."

And so it continued. Ten full minutes of "Will of Fire" philosophy, interspersed with reassurances about how I still had a home here. I listened, but it was obvious even he was tired. 'Feels like he's reciting from a script at this point…'

When the lecture finally ended, the Hokage straightened. "You're well enough to leave the hospital now. There are many who need care more urgently."

I nodded, relieved to be out of that bed.

As I stepped toward the door, Hiruzen suddenly asked, "So, Shinji, what do you want to do now?"

Ah. So that was the real reason he had come. My father had been Konoha's best swordsmith, and my mother a respected kunoichi. If I followed in their footsteps, the village would benefit. If I chose another path, I'd likely fade into the background.

But let's be real—who wouldn't want to be a ninja after being dropped into the Naruto world? Especially when I had my own suspicions about my abilities.

I put on my most determined face. "I want to be strong, Grandpa. Stronger than anyone who could ever hurt the village. That way, I'll always be able to protect my family."

Hiruzen's eyebrows lifted slightly at the 'Grandpa' bit, but he chuckled. 'And that seals the deal. Who knew I was such a good actor?'

"Then you should train hard, Shinji. If you work diligently, you'll be eligible to enter the Academy next year."

"I will, Grandpa! I'll train so hard that I'll become the strongest ninja in the village!"

Hiruzen's smile widened. "Even stronger than me?"

'Oh, now you're setting me up.' I grinned back. "Definitely stronger than even you."

Satisfied, he patted my shoulder. "I'll look forward to it, Shinji."

With that, he walked off, leaving me alone in the hospital hallway. I exhaled deeply before picking up the only possession I had left—my father's sword.

'Alright. Time to leave.'

As I stepped outside for the first time, the fresh air hit me, and I finally took in the full sight of Konoha. The towering Hokage Monument, the bustling market streets, the blend of traditional architecture and technology—it was breathtaking.

Even so, the scars from the Nine-Tails' attack were evident. Buildings lay in ruins, debris scattered across the streets. The scent of smoke still lingered in the air.

'Well, that's a lot of money for the Konoha Construction Company. Maybe I should start my own business. Knowing the future, this village is going to need a lot of rebuilding.'

As I walked toward my house—or what was left of it—I felt a strange sensation. Memories, not mine but Shinji's, surfaced as I navigated familiar hallways. It wasn't just remembering—it was feeling, as if his emotions were becoming my own.

For the first time, I felt anger so pure.

Anger at what had been stolen from me.

Anger at the masked man who had caused all of this.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. 'Obito…'

He was the reason for all of this suffering. The reason this village, this family, had been torn apart.

I felt like anger might consume but slowly if faded and reason returned to me.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. 'It's not time yet, but I will make sure he pay.'

I tightened my grip on my sword and stepped forward into last place left my parent's room.