Inheritance

The Torch Passes

Orochimaru's head keeled back and a cackle filled the ears of the Third. Genuine amusement. Old he may be, but Hiruzen Sarutobi still held the title of Hokage. He was being underestimated. Good.

Sarutobi began flashing through hand-seals. He had made a point to learn these and practice them as he began to grow old. The ninjutsu he was about to perform was an ultimate final gambit for facing an enemy that was overwhelmingly strong and it didn't care for age so long as you had the chakra to perform it. That it could be used to seal a bijuu or its chakra was an added benefit. An extra layer of protection.

Orochimaru quirked his eyebrow but, arrogance surging thanks to his assumed superiority, he did nothing but watch. Sarutobi almost smirked. Instead, keeping the final hand-seal held, he doggedly muttered "Fuiinjutsu: Shiki Fuiin."

He felt an overwhelming draw of chakra, almost more than he could take and his surrounding darkened to an unbelievable degree. Had he been fighting alone, he might not have succeeded as he would need to use Kage Bunshin to restrain the Kage. As it was, Jiraiya knew enough of fuiinjutsu to take care of the Hokage once their summoner was defeated.

In the pitch dark behind him, a looming figure began to fade into existence. Dead-looking and smiling, holding a single blade between grinning, rotted teeth. The shinigami - invisible to all but him. All he had to do now was get close and the God of Death would do the rest. It knew his intent and it thirsted for the souls promised for its appearance.

Across from him, Orochimaru laughed again. He couldn't see. He had assumed his jutsu had failed. That he was out of chakra. That he had won.

This time, Sarutobi did smirk and with a final surge of power and life, flung himself at the man he had once loved like a son. Orochimaru delivered a savage kick to his stomach, knocking the wind from him, but the damage was done. The man let out a desperate, terrified gasp as the shinigami claimed what was his in his hands and began to pull at his very soul.

"It's over," he rasped at the Sannin, who for the first time had genuine fear written across his face, "the shinigami will claim both our souls and the terror and pain you have brought the world will end. You have failed, Orochimaru. As a student, as a shinobi and in your quest for immortality. All your ventures are dust cast to the wind by this old man's hand."

"I succeeded in killing you!" He spat back but Sarutobi just smiled serenely in response.

"This is a death I would choose a thousand times over. Protecting my village, my people one last time before my body can protect no more. Your part in it was of no significance and you will go down in history as a minor traitor that was killed by an old man. You have come to nothing, you-"

But he was cut off, as Orochimaru's sword that he had discarded at some point during the battle plunged through the Sannin's eye socket. It was held by a dark figure standing over them. Without warning, Sarutobi's jutsu collapsed without its target and the shinigami howled in frustration, disappearing back to the realm of the dead.

The Third Hokage, exhausted, fell to the floor and rolled over to greet his saviour.

"Danzou?" He whispered, feeling true surprise for the first time in a long time.

"I am sorry, old friend. I have always seen you as a brother in arms, an equal. But your weakness has brought Konoha to its knees. It's time this village had a strong Hokage once again."

Sarutobi could hear Jiraiya's hoarse cry in the distance, heavy in despair. He still had to seal the Hokage Orochimaru had summoned - he would not be able to save him. Pain surged through his chest as Danzou slowly ran him through. He reached up and grasped Danzou's hand as firmly as he could in his last moments and looked up into the visible eye of his assassin.