Jiraiya: No, no, no, old man—you know I'm not suited for that kind of job. Besides, I still have to search for the Child of the Prophecy.
Kakashi Hatake: Lord Third, I'm still too young and inexperienced. And I need to continue training Naruto and the others.
Tsunade: Hmph. Being Hokage is a thankless job. Only an idiot would want it. Whoever wants it can take it.
Naruto Uzumaki: What?! Who do you think you are, looking down on the Hokage?!
Hearing someone mock his lifelong dream, Naruto immediately shouted back.
Hashirama Senju: Ah… how did little Tsunade turn out like this?
Tobirama Senju: Enough. If she doesn't want the position, don't force her.
After all, she was his grandniece. Tobirama found it difficult to press her.
Tsunade: First Grandpa… Second Grandpa… I'm sorry. I had too much to drink earlier.
Only then did Tsunade remember that both of her grandfathers were present in the chat. She had essentially insulted them directly.
Nawaki: Sis… what's wrong?
Tsunade: Nawaki…
The moment she saw Nawaki's message, Tsunade could no longer hold back her tears.
Shizune and Tonton hurried forward to comfort her.
Tobirama Senju: Then Kakashi Hatake—why don't you become the Fifth Hokage?
(After all, in the manga you eventually become the Sixth Hokage. A few years earlier shouldn't matter.)
Kakashi Hatake: Uh… Lord Second, I've only just begun to come to terms with myself. Perhaps someone else would be better suited…
Minato Namikaze: Haha, Lord Second, why don't we watch the projection first before making a decision?
Seeing his student so troubled, Minato quickly stepped in to smooth things over.
Tobirama Senju: Fair enough.
After Nagi departed from Otogakure with his people…
Orochimaru watched his disappearing figure and sighed. A new wind in the shinobi world was approaching.
He glanced at Kimimaro beside him and turned toward the laboratory.
"Come, Kimimaro. Perhaps there may finally be a cure for your kekkei genkai disease."
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama! Then… may I become your new—"
"That's enough. Don't say such things. I no longer require another person's body.
And contact Kabuto. I'll need his assistance with certain experiments."
"Yes, sir!"
Though disappointed that he would not become Orochimaru's next vessel, Kimimaro felt that remaining by Orochimaru's side was more than enough.
During the time Nagi was immersed in research and training, Naruto successfully passed Team 7's bell test.
After completing various D-rank missions—pulling weeds, babysitting, finding lost cats—Team 7 finally received their first C-rank mission.
Thus began the Land of Waves Arc.
Although Naruto was not as underdeveloped as in the original timeline, Kurama's chakra still interfered with his control.
The Second Hokage had once examined the Eight Trigrams Seal left by the Fourth Hokage and understood his intentions. Therefore, he chose not to interfere.
The goal was for Naruto to gradually adapt to the Nine-Tails' chakra and make it his own. Once he could fully control it, he would no longer need to rely on dangerous, exhausting methods.
Though Naruto did not freeze in fear this time, he was still shaken deep inside.
Soon after, they encountered Zabuza Momochi and Haku.
During the battle with Haku, Sasuke awakened the Sharingan—and it evolved further. However…
Madara Uchiha: Even though I've seen it once already, it's still astonishing.
On the night of the Uchiha Clan Massacre, when your parents and clan were slaughtered, you awakened only a One-Tomoe Sharingan.
After all these years, that's barely any progress.
And this time, you evolved differently in each eye? In all my years, I've never seen such a thing. Sasuke, you're truly unique.
Indeed—Sasuke awakened one eye with a One-Tomoe Sharingan and the other with a Two-Tomoe Sharingan.
Mikoto Uchiha: Um… Ancestor-sama, Sasuke is still young…
Hashirama Senju: Hahaha! Don't be so harsh, Madara. Back in your day, didn't you—"
Madara Uchiha: Shut up, Hashirama.
Soon, the arc reached its conclusion.
Zabuza faded away into the falling snow.
The "Great Naruto Bridge" was completed, and the people of the Land of Waves finally stood tall.
However…
At Gatō Company—
Several figures wearing animal masks infiltrated the premises.
"This is the place, Fū?"
"Yes. According to Gatō's memories, his financial ledgers are hidden in these rooms."
"Understood. Leopard, Terai—you two search according to the locations Fū provided."
"Yes." ×N
These Root shinobi had discovered Gatō's corpse after Naruto and the others departed.
Yamanaka Fū extracted the information directly from Gatō's mind. Their mission was to "assist" him in "managing" his funds.
Naruto Uzumaki: Even watching it again, Zabuza and Haku's story is still so moving…
Zabuza Momochi: Kid upstairs—we're not dead yet. And… thank you, Naruto. Kakashi.
Haku: Thank you, Naruto. And Naruto—I'm a boy.
Gatō: Aaaah! You damn shinobi killed me and stole my money too?!
Ōnoki: Were those Root shinobi following Kakashi's team the entire time?
Fourth Raikage (A): Hard to say.
Darui: It does seem like quite a coincidence.
Ao: Perhaps Nagi knew the truth about the Land of Waves from the beginning. Even if Zabuza hadn't killed Gatō, Root would have dealt with him.
Mei Terumī: Zabuza, Haku—you should return. The Fourth Mizukage was being controlled by genjutsu. That's why things escalated so badly in Kirigakure.
Zabuza: …Haku and I will think about it.
Hiruzen Sarutobi: What?! The Mizukage was being controlled? What happened?!
Ōnoki: A village's Kage being controlled… no wonder the bloodshed in Kirigakure intensified.
Fourth Raikage (A): Impossible! Wasn't the Fourth Mizukage a perfect jinchūriki? How could he be controlled by genjutsu?!
Ao: I don't know how—but the Fourth Mizukage was indeed under genjutsu.
Killer B: Yo! Even a perfect jinchūriki getting caught in genjutsu? That's scary, oh yeah!
Fourth Raikage (A): B! Until we understand what's going on, you're not going anywhere!
Killer B: Oh nooo!
Shikaku Nara: Could it be the man claiming to be Madara Uchiha? If he could control the Nine-Tails, then controlling the Three-Tails—and its jinchūriki—might also be possible.
Ōnoki: The Leaf's strategist makes sense. But who exactly is that masked man? And what does he want?
Within the Akatsuki organization—
Several members glanced at Tobi.
Controlling another village's Kage and pushing them into internal slaughter…
They had to admit—that was ruthless.
Tobi, however, paid them no mind.
In his heart, Rin's death had been caused by Kirigakure.
Even if the entire Hidden Mist were buried with her, it would not ease his pain.
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