NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

---

As chaos unfurled in Konoha, Hiruzen navigated through the twisting alleys leading to the Hokage Tower, his mind a tempest of thoughts.

He had spent countless nights gathering irrefutable evidence against Zashi, the ANBU Commander whose ambition had spiraled into treachery.

Each scrap of information he had unearthed felt like another piece in a grotesque puzzle, painting a picture of a man who had strayed far from his original path.

Hiruzen arrived at the tower, his heart steady yet burdened. The weight of killing a S-rank ninja of the village rested heavily on his shoulders.

After preparing for the confrontation, he summoned the Hokage's advisers and elders—Kagami, Koharu, and Homura. As they entered the room, their faces were etched with curiosity and concern.

"Why did you call us, Hiruzen?" Koharu inquired, her brow furrowing.

Hiruzen's gaze sharpened. "I have urgent intelligence on Zashi. Gather all the Jonin and clan leaders in the forest beside the Hokage Tower. This cannot wait."

With that, he vanished in a swirl of leaves, determination propelling him forward.

Moments later, he stood before the ANBU headquarters, concealed beneath layers of foliage.

Two elite Chunin-level ANBU guards kneeled as he approached, recognizing the authority that radiated from him.

"Call Commander Zashi," he commanded, his voice low and unwavering. One guard scurried inside, leaving the other standing at attention.

Zashi emerged shortly after, flanked by several ANBU members. The contrast between his confident posture and the gravity of the situation was striking.

While the rest knelt in reverence, Zashi maintained his upright stance, an arrogant smirk curling his lips.

"What can we do for you, Hokage-sama?" he asked, his tone laced with casual disdain.

Hiruzen's smile was thin, almost sardonic. "No need to be so tense, Zashi. I only need to confirm a few things."

Zashi scoffed, narrowing his eyes. "Surely for your safety. I've summoned this many ANBU. What confirmation are you after, Hokage-sama?"

Without answering, Hiruzen reached into his robes and produced a crystal ball, channeling his chakra into it.

The ball began to glow ominously, illuminating the faces of those present. It flickered to life, projecting a vivid recording of Zashi accepting bribes from a shadowy figure in a dimly lit room.

The atmosphere thickened, silence descending as the evidence unfurled. Zashi's bravado faltered momentarily, but he quickly masked it with an insouciant laugh, as if mocking the implications.

"Pathetic. You think this is enough to take me down?" Zashi sneered, though the twitch of his brow betrayed his anxiety.

The display continued, showing Zashi giving orders to the ANBU—demanding they gather confidential information on Hiruzen.

His voice, once confident, echoed with sinister undertones as he bragged about his iron grip over the organization.

"I have complete control," he boasted to his vice commander. "Not even the Hokage can touch me."

The recordings peeled away layers of deception, revealing a network of corruption that choked Konoha.

Zashi's expression darkened as he absorbed the depth of his evidence of betrayal shown by Hiruzen.

The last clip played out like a nightmare: an ANBU slitting the throat of the Hokage in cold blood, discussing how to cover their tracks.

"I didn't realize they were this loyal to Zashi," Hiruzen muttered under his breath, disbelief coursing through him.

"What was my teacher doing, that after he was gone, ANBU was taken by Zashi and clan wouldn't listen to my opinion?"

The recordings concluded, leaving the air electric with tension.

Zashi and his ANBU were trapped in a snare of their own making. Yet Zashi's laughter broke through the silence like thunder.

"Hahahaha… so you knew all along!" Zashi's eyes gleamed with malice. "But where's your backup? I don't sense anyone else here. Are you ready to die, Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the chaos brewing around him.

"I planned to confront you in front of everyone using my newly developed spirit art, but you've saved me the trouble by revealing your ambitions," he said coolly. "It seems you've made this far too easy."

His gaze turned upward, as if addressing the unseen witnesses. "Did everyone hear that?"

"Release."

With a swift series of hand seals, Hiruzen shattered the invisible barrier that had cloaked them.

The forest erupted with movement as Jonin and clan leaders stepped into view, their expressions a mixture of shock and determination.

Zashi's confident smirk faltered, disbelief flashing in his eyes. He had underestimated the Hokage.

His ANBU comrades shifted uneasily, their loyalty wavering under the weight of Hiruzen's revelations.

Gritting his teeth, Zashi regained his composure and signaled his ANBU with a decisive gesture.

"Fall back! Prepare for battle!" he barked, smoke bombs bursting forth, enveloping the area in a cloud of confusion.

"Don't be foolish, Zashi!" Hiruzen called, his voice resonating with authority. "Surrender now. I may show mercy and allow you to live in prison. You've been blinded by ambition. I understand your pain, but challenging me isn't the solution."

Zashi's eyes blazed with fury, his voice a low growl. "What do you know of pain? We're treated with disdain, constantly looked down upon by the noble clans. You'll never understand!"

Anger fueled Zashi's conviction, the fire in his voice growing stronger. "Even if I fall today, I'll drag you down with me! I'm not weaker than you!"

Hiruzen shook his head, sorrow clouding his eyes. "You're mistaken. I know your struggle, and I've fought to improve things for everyone. Yet, you hinder progress. I have no choice but to put you down."

With a swift motion, Hiruzen raised his hand toward the sky, summoning a vibrant Rasengan.

He compressed the swirling energy until it balanced delicately on his fingertip. The orb pulsed with raw chakra, illuminating the darkened forest.

"Rasengan!" he exclaimed, releasing the energy into the air with a sharp, resonant boom.

The explosive sound echoed through the forest, leaving a wake of shock and awe in it's wake, giving the signal to the new ninja force nearby.

As the smoke cleared, Hiruzen summoned a three-pronged kunai into his hand.

A calm determination settled over him, as a warrior prepared to defend his village and purge the enemy force down to it's root.

"Take care of them," he commanded, his voice steady.

The Jonin and clan leaders advanced, ready to support their Hokage, but stopped soon after a single step.

---