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According to legend, in the era of the Sage of Six Paths, the ninja world encountered a great war.
The brothers, the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura, fought their mother, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, for three months in an earth-shattering battle.
The land suffered immense devastation.
But for Black Zetsu, this is no myth. It was there. It saw it happen.
Created by Kaguya herself, Black Zetsu witnessed the betrayal of her two sons.
At that time, it lacked strength and could do nothing but hide, observing the battle from the shadows, unable to intervene.
Kaguya's form had transformed into the massive, fearsome white rabbit-like entity fused with the Ten Tails.
The Sage brothers used Susanoo in battle.
And later, Hashirama, the First Hokage, used Wood Style Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands, a truly awe-inspiring technique.
But to Black Zetsu… it was sickening.
It reminded it of those two ungrateful sons.
What is Wood Style, truly?
On the surface, that question is simple. But ask about True Several Thousand Hands, and Black Zetsu has an answer.
True Several Thousand Hands is a move that only Ashura, the son of the Sage of Six Paths, could use. It relies on Ashura's chakra.
So Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands = Ashura's chakra.
Through its long journey across the ninja world, Black Zetsu had confirmed that the conflict between Indra and Ashura was never-ending, carried on through their reincarnations.
During Hashirama and Uchiha Madara's era, Hashirama inherited Ashura's chakra, and Madara inherited Indra's chakra, which made them immensely powerful.
Stronger than ordinary people.
After all, they carried the blood of Ōtsutsuki.
Other clans and bloodlines weren't so lucky. Most of them either degraded after mixing or weakened entirely.
Like Konoha's Hyuga clan… laughable. They called that the Byakugan?
The Ōtsutsuki standard for white eyes is far superior…
And yet Black Zetsu was left with only two treacherous brothers and a mother trapped in the moon.
Even as the thought depressed it, Black Zetsu knew it was the only one left working for Kaguya-sama's revival.
It had to act for the sake of its mother.
So it traveled the ninja world, looking for a way to break the seal on Kaguya.
Since it couldn't fight, it relied on its wits and schemes.
It began… to deceive people.
The descendants of the Sage of Six Paths had been manipulated for generations, all toward one goal: awakening the Rinnegan.
Because with the Rinnegan and all chakra natures gathered, Kaguya could be revived.
That was the plan.
The current situation, however, was baffling.
One: It knew the Rinnegan. It even guided Uchiha Madara to evolve his. But it took decades.
Two: To revive Kaguya, Madara was the key.
But now… the Rinnegan was in Kitahara Hitoshi's possession.
And the rabbit following him…
That was Kaguya.
No.
This couldn't be.
What was going on?
Why was this happening?
This was impossible.
Even the other viewers were puzzled.
The chat exploded.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Mr. Black Zetsu, what did you say?
Black Zetsu faltered.
It had worked for thousands of years. Its only purpose was to bring Kaguya back.
But after a millennium… it realized its goal had already been achieved.
Namikaze Minato: Yeah, the ninja rabbit's really cute, and also kinda cold.
Minato wasn't suspicious, but Black Zetsu stared wide-eyed as Kitahara Hitoshi approached the rabbit and placed his hand on her head.
She looked like she wanted to pull away, but he grabbed her body with his left hand and rested his right on her head.
Black Zetsu nearly jumped.
Kitahara Hitoshi… how dare he!
Big Pillar Hanhan: Huh?
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Mr. Black Zetsu, are you okay? You're acting weird.
Dazhuzi Hanhan: Do you know this ninja rabbit?
Black Zetsu hesitated.
He realized this little group had already disrupted the Sand Village and Konoha's collapse plan.
On top of that, the plan to use Uchiha Madara was still active, but if it got exposed now, everything would fall apart.
And the most terrifying part—
Kaguya was already in Konoha.
In her original form.
Black Zetsu decided it had to investigate.
It had no power, so it would have to be cunning.
Takako Black Zetsu: This group only broadcasts three hours a day?
Big Pillar Hanhan: Yep.
Takako Black Zetsu: Damn… so right now…
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Yeah, it's over.
Big Zhuzi Hanhan: Guess we'll come back tomorrow.
Beep!
The system message popped up.
Kakashi is back online.
Kakashi, who had been sent to report to the Third Hokage, returned.
Kakashi: Made it in time.
Senju Tobirama: Kakashi, what's going on? Why's your face like that?
Senju Tobirama: What's Sarutobi up to? Has he handled the Sand Village?
Senju Tobirama: Don't worry. The Mizukage and Ohnoki will help.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: I'll support you.
Ohnoki: Me too.
Terumi Mei and Ohnoki voiced their support immediately.
Everyone understood. Without Kitahara Hitoshi and this group, Konoha would've already fallen.
But now…
All past Hokage were watching.
Kitahara Hitoshi had the Rinnegan, the Eyes of the Sage of Six Paths, the Nine Tails by his side, mastery of Wood Style, and more. Who could challenge him?
His power… defied logic.
Both Kirigakure and Iwagakure knew this.
And both villages sought peace and stability, so of course they agreed to help.
Kakashi: I already reported that they'd support us.
Kakashi: But…
Kakashi: Third Hokage wants to strike first.
Kakashi: Once Sand Village's forces are outside, he wants to attack.
Kakashi: Because Fourth Kazekage is already in Konoha, and he's afraid of sparking another war.
Kakashi: He said Konoha can't suffer another blow.
Kakashi: But I recommended Kitahara Hitoshi. So Third said he'd go ask Hitoshi for help.
Kakashi conveyed the Third Hokage's plan.
It sounded logical on the surface.
After three Great Ninja Wars and the Nine Tails Rebellion, Konoha was already stretched thin.
But…
Senju Tobirama: Argh.
Senju Tobirama: I spent decades calming myself down in the afterlife.
Senju Tobirama: And now I want to say it—Sarutobi… you fool!
Senju Tobirama: Give him two more years and Konoha will collapse!
Tobirama's anger flared again.
Because clearly, the Third Hokage's logic was flawed.
Konoha might seem weak, but Iwagakure and Kirigakure stood by its side.
It was the perfect moment for a real war.
So if the three major villages marched on the Sand Village, they could divide its resources.
Konoha always said it lacked resources. Wasn't Sand Village full of them?
This was a chance.
They could also take this opportunity to handle Orochimaru's betrayal with Terumi Mei and Ohnoki's help.
Two birds, one stone.
But Sarutobi retreated.
Even when they made it clear they intended to fight, Sarutobi chose defense.
Senju Tobirama: I disown that disciple Sarutobi.
And that was the final word from the Second Hokage.
At that moment, everyone noticed the broadcast was ending.
The stream shut off.
Beep!
The live broadcast for today has ended.
Eh… you may not know, it is an organization managed by Lord Danzo, which is somewhat similar to the Anbu, but their members are not under the Hokage's jurisdiction, and Lord Danzo...
"I've had bad experiences in the past."
Yamato said, "Danzo often recruits clan dignitaries stationed throughout the village into the Root organization."
"And I thought he was going to arrest someone this time…"
In other words, Yamato wanted to relay the Third Hokage's order here, but discovered Root operatives outside Kitahara Hitoshi's house. He worried Kitahara Hitoshi might be taken away by Root, so he stood guard there all night.
Yamato, who had joined Root in the past, knew the organization was not a place bathed in light.
Only endless missions existed there, and he didn't want others to lose their way.
But he himself had no power to stop Danzo from arresting people, so he could only do what little he could.
"I'm not going to join Root," Kitahara Hitoshi said. "I just want a peaceful life where I can fish."
"Oh…" Yamato nodded.
Because this lifestyle completely clashed with Root's ideology of endless duty and no rest.
He also worried that Kitahara Hitoshi, as Kakashi's student, might be manipulated by Danzo and fall into temptation.
But if he said so, then there should be no problem.
Konoha's Hokage office building.
Kitahara Hitoshi had not come here for the first time. He came once a month.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had long been promoting the Will of Fire.
He would deliberately go to the ninja academy to explain the Will of Fire to the children.
For some kids who showed ninja talent, he often expressed concern. War orphans like Kitahara Hitoshi came to him monthly to receive living expenses.
Then they would have some brief conversation.
It looked very warm.
But was it… useful?
Useless.
The rise of this generation's Konoha still depended on the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
And among the twelve, the other eleven weren't even on Naruto's level.
So instead of these constructions, focusing on nurturing elites might be better.
Still, for Kitahara Hitoshi, who was simply receiving living expenses, the Third's kindness toward the children was appreciated.
And that's why he chose to stay in Konoha.
The Sand Village was poor.
As for Kirigakure… forget it. That place was full of internal purges.
The Cloud Village… too many muscleheads.
Iwagakure… just playing with rocks.
"Third Hokage-sama, Kitahara Hitoshi has arrived," Yamato knocked on the door and said.
Just then, the system prompt sounded.
Today's quota for Kitahara Hitoshi's live broadcast group has opened.
Children and Grandchildren Chat Group.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Finally, he's here.
Senju Tobirama: I'm going to die of anger.
Big Pillar Hanhan: The buildings here look familiar.
Namikaze Minato: Yeah, it looks familiar.
Kakashi: This is the Hokage's office.
Past Hokage:
Hokage: Good grief, so it was here.
As Hokage, of course, they were all familiar with the office building.
Big Pillar Hanhan: So, continuing from yesterday, Kakashi, was it the Third Hokage who asked you to find little Kitahara Hitoshi?
Kakashi: Yes.
Big Pillar Hanhan: But… why wait until the second day?
Big Pillar Hanhan: Isn't the joint plan by the Sand and Sound Villages to destroy Konoha quite urgent?
Kakashi: Don't ask me…
Senju Tobirama: Big brother, just forget it.
Senju Tobirama: I'm already disappointed in Hiruzen.
Senju Tobirama: Once this Chunin Exam ends, Hiruzen should step down.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Uh… fine, I support that.
Namikaze Minato: If the Third retires, I'll support it too.
Namikaze Minato: But I hope the next Hokage will be better to my little Naruto.
Namikaze Minato: I'm not asking for Naruto's identity to be announced, but please don't let him suffer anymore… my poor child.
Senju Tobirama: Don't worry. I've chosen someone. This person will never mistreat Naruto.
The Second reassured Minato.
Senju Tobirama: Speaking of disciples… I haven't asked yet. Kakashi, how many of my disciples are still alive?
Back when he founded the Konoha Ninja Academy, Tobirama had six direct disciples.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Uchiha Kagami, Akimichi Torifu, Mitokado Homura.
Kakashi: As of now, Sarutobi Hiruzen is still the Third Hokage, Danzo is the Root leader, and Koharu and Homura are advisors.
Senju Tobirama: So Kagami and Akimichi are gone.
Senju Tobirama: They were good boys.
Senju Tobirama: So, everyone, I've decided to appoint Danzo as the Fifth Hokage. What do you think?
Kakashi: That might not be very appropriate.
Senju Tobirama: ??
Tobirama had a bad feeling.
Kakashi had shown hesitation when speaking about Hiruzen earlier.
Kakashi: Actually, after Minato-sensei died, I was contacted by Danzo and tricked into trying to assassinate the Third.
Kakashi: The assassination failed, but the Third forgave me, so I stayed in the Anbu for over ten years.
Kakashi: Danzo was also forgiven and continued leading Root.
Namikaze Minato:
Big Pillar Hanhan:
Senju Tobirama:
A failed assassination attempt on a Hokage was nearly treason.
But...
Senju Tobirama: From a talent-nurturing standpoint, Hiruzen did well.
Senju Tobirama: But from a leadership standpoint, he lacked decisiveness.
Senju Tobirama: Sigh.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei:
Cowardly as a Mouse Onoki:
They looked at each other.
Tobirama had brushed off a shocking revelation.
Kakashi admitted to trying to kill the Hokage, and yet Tobirama was calm.
Did this mean Tobirama thought it might've been better if Hiruzen had died?
Tobirama's evaluation of Hiruzen had clearly fallen to rock bottom.
Senju Tobirama: So you're saying Danzo also committed treason and shouldn't be Hokage?
Senju Tobirama: But Kakashi, when you joined the group, the system identified you as the Sixth Hokage.
Senju Tobirama: So don't take it personally.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Tobirama, are you saying you still believe in Danzo?
He still had lingering concerns about the Hokage assassination.
Senju Tobirama: Among my disciples, Danzo is the most outstanding. Hiruzen is overly hesitant, Danzo is decisive.
Tobirama's Record: If that's how it is, then shut up already, Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama: Huh?
Tobirama's Record: Why are you suddenly getting emotional?
Senju Tobirama: Eh?
Big Pillar Hanhan: Tobirama, look for yourself. If Izuna doesn't explode with emotion, I think I'm about to.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Can I suspect this is the real truth behind the Uchiha massacre?
Senju Tobirama: Huh?
Tobirama was still confused.
He quickly looked toward the group's livestream monitor.
He had been chatting and hadn't noticed.
Now he saw—
Senju Tobirama: Damn it!
Tobirama cursed in rage.
Because…
Just as Kitahara Hitoshi was about to enter the Hokage office, Danzo appeared and blocked his path.
He was trying to recruit him into Root.
Yamato nearly felt all his efforts had gone to waste.
But fortunately, Kitahara Hitoshi was unmoved by Danzo's offer.
And then…
He replied to Danzo with a single sentence.
"Rather than trying to recruit me, consider whether you'll be fired."
Fired?
Danzo might be fired?
Even his past assassination attempt on the Third was forgiven…
And as Yamato stood stunned, Danzo's cloak fluttered
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