Naruto: Reborn as Kakuzu, the Immortal Assassin

They say, "The child shows the man," but reality had only given Kakuzu the chance to judge Sarutobi Hiruzen from his elder years, retroactively imagining what he must have been like in his youth.

If someone claimed that Hiruzen had been a bright and handsome child, Kakuzu would believe it. After all, Hiruzen came from a prestigious ninja clan and was groomed as the next Hokage. His upright, heroic features as an adult seemed perfectly in line with that trajectory.

However, his slight build and short stature made it clear why Tobirama often teased him by calling him "Monkey."

Then there was Danzo. The man who would one day become infamous as Konoha's "Shadow King," always tangled in the dirtiest of the shinobi world's deeds. Seeing him as he was now—a tall, handsome young man with a sharp jawline and an unyielding spirit in his eyes—was a shock to Kakuzu's soul. Add his noble background into the mix, and Kakuzu couldn't help but think,

Damn, this guy was the original tall, rich, and handsome archetype.

And Koharu Utatane. Who would have guessed that the future stern, sharp-tongued Konoha elder was once a charming, graceful young lady radiating youthful sweetness? Every now and then, she'd sneak coy glances at Hiruzen, her infatuation with him written all over her face.

Logically, there was nothing strange about this. Everyone has a youth, after all. Hiruzen had always been the model student, Koharu a beautiful classmate, and Danzo a proud and ambitious rival. The issue lay in how much these youthful images clashed with the impressions Kakuzu had of the Konoha elders he'd come to know.

Was this the work of time, the ultimate butcher's knife? Or was Masashi Kishimoto just cruel, never bothering to draw a single panel of their younger days for posterity?

"What's wrong? You look like something's bothering you," Tobirama's calm voice broke through Kakuzu's thoughts. The Second Hokage's sharp gaze noticed his companion's odd expression.

Before Kakuzu could come up with an answer, Danzo approached them, carrying a tray of steaming tea.

"Tobirama-sensei, Kakuzu-sama, please have some tea," Danzo said with a slight bow, his movements precise and deliberate.

Kakuzu accepted the tea with a small smile, taking a sip to moisten his throat and mask his awkwardness.

"Your students are truly remarkable," Kakuzu remarked with an air of approval. "Every one of them looks promising."

Tobirama took a slow sip of his tea, nodded slightly, and replied, "They're decent. For the village to grow, we need fresh blood. These three will undoubtedly lead Konoha into the future."

"Oh, absolutely. With their talents, they're sure to make their mark on the shinobi world," Kakuzu replied lightly.

As they spoke, Danzo returned, this time with a tray of neatly arranged fruits.

"Kakuzu-sama, Tobirama-sensei, please enjoy these fruits," he said, his voice humble as he placed the tray before them.

"Leave it there," Tobirama instructed. Danzo bowed again and stepped back, returning to his task of diligently mopping the floor.

Kakuzu picked up a slice of apple, savoring its fresh sweetness. Watching Danzo work up a sweat with his mop, Kakuzu couldn't suppress an amused smirk.

This guy's putting on a show. Not just for me, but especially for Tobirama.

Danzo's every move seemed calculated to impress, aiming to leave the best possible impression on his teacher and their guest.

Hiruzen, on the other hand, didn't bother with theatrics. He quietly focused on polishing glassware with a steady hand, not looking for attention. Koharu, meanwhile, was the laziest of the three. She hardly put any effort into the chores and spent most of her time sneaking lovestruck glances at Hiruzen.

If Koharu's infatuation with Hiruzen were a headline decades later, it'd probably cause a major scandal in Konoha, Kakuzu mused. Especially with Hiruzen's wife, Biwako, around. But for now, it's just the innocent stirrings of a teenage heart. Perfectly normal.

As time passed, they all grew older and learned to bury such feelings.

"You've got three impressive disciples, but which one do you favor most?" Kakuzu asked suddenly, his tone light.

It was an innocent question, but one that put Tobirama in a difficult position. A teacher shouldn't show favoritism among their students, at least not openly.

Tobirama's expression turned thoughtful as he picked up his tea again. After a long pause, his sharp eyes swept over the trio before he finally spoke.

"Three-man teams. Two males, one female. It's not just about balance but also competition. They'll challenge and push each other to grow stronger," Tobirama said firmly.

So this is where Konoha's iconic team structure originated, Kakuzu thought, intrigued. The arrangement had its merits, fostering camaraderie and rivalry alike. But it wasn't hard to imagine the potential for love triangles and conflicts arising from such close proximity.

Kakuzu kept that thought to himself. Tobirama, a war-hardened veteran of the Warring States Period, had undoubtedly seen worse during his own upbringing.

To him, this approach might indeed lead to a love triangle, but it wasn't a big deal. If someone couldn't handle even this much, they had no business being a ninja.

Looking at his three disciples, Senju Tobirama spoke again.

"My favorite is Hiruzen. He's neither arrogant nor impatient. Despite his young age, he has a steady mind. Most importantly, I see something in him that reminds me of my brother—a sense of 'love' and 'peace.' These are qualities I could never hope to achieve in my lifetime."

Kakuzu stared intently at Senju Tobirama. He could tell that beneath Tobirama's calm words, there was a trace of melancholy.

Even though Tobirama often berated his older brother, Senju Hashirama, those who had fought and survived through countless battles knew the weight behind his emotions. He, too, had witnessed too much death. If true understanding between people could ever be achieved, the world would undoubtedly know real peace. But Tobirama knew he wasn't capable of bringing such a vision to life.

That hope, the seed of peace, had only ever appeared in his elder brother. And now, in Sarutobi Hiruzen, he glimpsed the same potential.

People desire most what they lack. And for the countless ninjas of the Warring States period, this potential for peace was their ultimate dream.

Kakuzu calmly drained his cup of tea. As someone from the same era, he understood Tobirama's thoughts. Staring at his reflection in the empty cup, Kakuzu broke the silence.

"What about that boy over there?"

He was referring to Danzo. As for Koharu Utatane, Kakuzu didn't even bother mentioning her. A ninja who swooned over love the moment they stepped into the room had clearly been mentally disqualified by Tobirama already.

"Heh." Tobirama chuckled softly, turning the tea cup in his hand. "If someone is too obsessed with winning, don't you think they've already lost?"

"Oh? Is that so?" Kakuzu replied, his tone unreadable.

…

Half an hour later, the lab was nearly spotless.

"Alright, that's enough for today. Thank you all. Head back and review the tasks I've left for you. In a few days, I'll personally guide you through some drills," Tobirama instructed as he stood.

Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed respectfully to both Tobirama and Kakuzu.

"Understood, sensei. Kakuzu-sama, goodbye," he said before leaving to complete Tobirama's assignments.

Koharu Utatane eagerly followed suit, bidding farewell with a cheerful smile.

"Hiruzen, wait for me!"

Lastly, Danzo stepped forward. Formal as ever, he bowed deeply to both Tobirama and Kakuzu.

"Kakuzu-sama, Tobirama-sensei, I will take my leave as well. Please rest assured that I will complete your instructions to the letter. During the upcoming drills, I'll deliver results worthy of your expectations. Watch me."

After his heartfelt declaration, Danzo turned to leave.

"Wait," Kakuzu called out.

Danzo stopped immediately, turning back with another polite bow.

"Lord Kakuzu, is there something else?"

Kakuzu smiled faintly, his sharp eyes studying the boy.

"No, nothing in particular. I just thought that since you talk so much, you might as well keep going. What's your dream?"

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