Too Late for Heroes

Tsunade sat back with a sigh, arms crossed as she looked at the boy sitting quietly across from her.

She had just been preparing to head for the casino when word came that that Uchiha brat was here again.

Normally, she'd have brushed it off. But the elders kept comparing him to Kagami Uchiha, and Tsunade had learned long ago not to ignore that kind of statement.

Still, seeing his expression now, his downcast eyes, the weight in his silence, she felt a flicker of concern.

"So, why'd you come here again?" she asked, keeping her tone light but direct.

Aizen raised his head slowly. His eyes didn't waver, but she could hear the subtle tremble in his voice.

"Tsunade-sama... why is everyone badmouthing Sakumo-san?"

Tsunade exhaled deeply. So that was it.

"Haven't you heard? They say his decision might have started a war," she replied, watching him carefully.

"I did hear that," Aizen nodded. "But… not every mission ends in success, right? Even if he made a mistake, shouldn't there be a proper punishment? Why is the entire village acting like it was only his fault? Even his teammates are turning on him. But isn't it also their mistake for getting caught in the first place?"

That silenced Tsunade for a moment. She closed her eyes, fingers tightening over her sleeve.

"Status is everything in this village," she muttered. "Sometimes, people forget the cost others pay to protect it."

She opened her eyes again, sharper now. "So, what do you want to do?"

Aizen hesitated.

"I... I don't know," he admitted. "I just feel like something's off. But I can't put it into words."

Tsunade tilted her head slightly. "What exactly feels off?"

He clenched his fists in frustration.

"Why does everyone know about the mission? Aren't mission details supposed to be classified? And why are his own comrades speaking against him when he risked his life to save them? Why hasn't the Hokage said anything to calm the situation?"

He paused, voice low.

"Sakumo-san must be suffering."

Tsunade stared at him, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. His words weren't those of a typical five-year-old. There was depth. Reflection.

"Is this what they meant?" she thought. "A prodigy like Kagami, but even more thoughtful. No wonder he graduated early."

"Didn't you ask your grandfather why you came here?" she asked suddenly.

Aizen nodded. "I did. He said, 'The darkness is too deep for the light to shine.'"

He looked confused. "I don't understand what that means. That's why I came to you. Besides the clan, you and Sakumo-san are the only senior shinobi I know. And Sakumo-san won't see anyone."

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly.

He couldn't take it. Being betrayed by the very people he bled for.

That kind of pain doesn't go away. Not with time. Not with silence.

Aizen's voice tugged her back to the present.

"Can you talk to him?" he asked.

She blinked. "Huh?"

"Sakumo-san… he's probably really sad right now. I think he needs someone. Someone he trusts."

Tsunade stared at him. "That's not so simple, kid."

Aizen fidgeted slightly, looking away. His voice came out quieter this time.

"But... you're friends, right?"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "Where's this coming from?"

"I just…" Aizen bit his lip. "I just don't like how everyone's pretending it's all his fault. Like he's the villain. I tried asking Grandpa, and you know what he said?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

"He said, 'If we go near Sakumo now, we'll only make things worse.'"

"Smart of him," Tsunade muttered, then added under her breath, "damn politics."

She knew exactly what he meant.

If the Uchiha were seen reaching out to Sakumo now, it'd look like they were trying to stir up support. It would only make things worse for everyone.

She turned her gaze back to the boy in front of her, her tone firm but curious.

"But why do you care so much?"

Her voice wasn't harsh, but there was weight behind the question.

This was what had been bothering her all along. Why was this kid, this strange, distant Uchiha brat, so caught up in this mess?

Aizen didn't hesitate.

"Because he's my friend's father."

Tsunade blinked.

"And because he's a hero."

Aizen's hands clenched slightly at his sides, his voice trembling but steady.

"Sakumo-san protected the village in the last war. Like you did. Everyone used to admire him."

He paused. "But now? Now they act like none of that ever happened. Like one mission erased everything."

His words lingered in the room.

Tsunade stared at him. He wasn't just angry. He was disappointed. Hurt. And that emotion was too pure to be political.

"He should be respected," Aizen added softly, more to himself now. "Even if he made a mistake... he didn't deserve this."

Tsunade leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly.

"Alright. I'll talk to hi–"

The door burst open.

"Tsunade-sama"

A shinobi rushed in, his face pale, panic written all over him.

Tsunade's body tensed immediately. "What is it?"

The shinobi swallowed hard, as if struggling to say the words.

"White Fang... Sakumo-san... h-he..."

He paused, his voice cracking.

"He took his own life."

***************

Some MC suggestions for another Naruto & Gacha FF