A figure in a white haori stepped into the Mizukage's office.
Her pale blonde hair was tied back into a high ponytail, her skin fair and radiant, and her figure full and commanding—her identity unmistakable.
Fourth Division Captain of the Gotei 13: Senju Tsunade!
"So it worked—your Shinigami transformation was successful after all," Yoru remarked.
"It wasn't easy," said Uzumaki Hiromi as she followed Tsunade in, exhaustion visible between her brows. "The chakra inside her was simply too immense. Replacing it all with natural energy and spiritual energy… I lost track of how much effort it took. But because of that, her spiritual power is far beyond average."
"Oh?" Yoru's brows lifted.
From his own perception, Tsunade's spiritual power didn't seem much different from that of a standard captain. In fact, it felt weaker—barely on par with someone like Yakura…
…Wait.
His gaze settled on her forehead, on the distinctive violet diamond-shaped seal.
"The Strength of a Hundred Seal?"
"More accurately, it's a Strength of a Hundred Seal now infused with spiritual power," Tsunade said calmly. "It was originally an S-rank medical sealing jutsu I developed—capable of healing injuries instantly and enhancing combat capabilities through fine chakra control."
"I'm still not fully attuned to handling spiritual power. So after I became a Shinigami, I used the seal to suppress most of my spiritual power, making it easier to manage."
"Also, I can now store spiritual power inside it and release it in bursts when needed—essentially giving me a short-term power surge."
"I see…" Yoru murmured, understanding dawning.
It was akin to Kenpachi Zaraki's eyepatch—but superior. The seal didn't just suppress; it stored. When released, it would amplify her power far beyond the norm.
"Not bad."
Yoru gave an approving nod. To adapt chakra-based techniques into soul-based ones so quickly after becoming a Shinigami—Tsunade's genius was undeniable.
The granddaughter of the God of Shinobi. The future Fifth Hokage. She lived up to her name.
"Training as a Shinigami isn't that different from being a shinobi," Yoru explained. "For elite ninja like you, the main challenge is adjusting your energy source. Once your foundation converts to spiritual power, everything else carries over."
"Just like your Strength of a Hundred Seal now channels spirutal power."
"As for those abilities unique to Shinigami in the Soul Society..."
He closed his eyes.
A wave of invisible spiritual power surged forward, entering Tsunade's body.
Her entire body jolted.
It felt like her insides were being flooded—filled beyond capacity.
She couldn't control her limbs. Her muscles spasmed violently, and she nearly collapsed.
Thankfully, Hiromi was quick to catch her.
Still, Tsunade sagged in Hiromi's arms like melted wax—sweating, blushing, her eyes rolling back, her breath short.
It wasn't until Yoru completed the transfer of Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Shunpo into her soul that she began to recover.
"…What was that?" Tsunade murmured, her voice unsteady.
She could feel it in her mind—a new, complete framework for battle. Swordsmanship. Hand-to-hand combat. High-speed movement. Spiritual techniques akin to ninjutsu.
In just moments, she had inherited an entirely new system of fighting.
"That was the Shinigami's exclusive combat system: Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō, and Shunpo," Yoru explained.
"I've engraved the basics directly into your soul. As for the more advanced techniques—Kidō above level 90, higher-level swordsmanship and Hakuda—you'll need to come to me to learn those in person."
These weren't skills Yoru pulled from some system. Rather, they were duplicate techniques acquired over years of opening his mysterious loot boxes.
Repeated skills could be reused to raise proficiency—or shared with others.
All the Kidō users in the Soul Society? Products of this very grind.
He didn't elaborate further. Too painful to talk about.
"I understand," Tsunade nodded.
"There's one more thing. The most important element for any Shinigami—the Zanpakutō."
"It's not just your weapon. It's a part of your soul, and the source of your greatest power."
"Hiromi will guide you through its awakening. Every current captain of the Soul Society has already unlocked both their Shikai and Bankai. As my designated Fourth Division Captain—I expect nothing less from you."
"…Understood."
A knock at the door.
Yoru leaned back casually. "That must be Mangetsu. Come in."
The door opened. Hōzuki Mangetsu stepped in, pausing when he saw Hiromi—and Tsunade now clad in a white haori bearing the kanji for "Four" on the back.
His expression twisted slightly, but he didn't say anything.
He walked over and laid a scroll on Yoru's desk.
"Lord Fourth—Sunagakure has accepted the proposal. However, they're concerned about potential pushback from Konoha. So the Fourth Kazekage is proposing a formal Kage Summit—himself, the Fourth Mizukage, and the Fourth Hokage meeting to discuss the details face to face."
"The proposed location is the Land of Iron. Also, the official invitation has already been sent to Konoha."
"A Three-Kage Summit… in the Land of Iron?" Yoru muttered as he opened the scroll.
It made sense.
Due to geography, Kirigakure and Sunagakure's cooperation on the massive transcontinental bridge project would inevitably pass through the Land of Fire.
It was logical for the leaders themselves to negotiate terms and resource distribution directly.
Still… the timing was suspicious.
Yoru's eyes narrowed.
It was now June, Year 51 of the Shinobi Calendar.
A summit planned for autumn meant it would take place around September or October.
October, Year 51…
Yoru was already aware of Uzumaki Kushina's pregnancy, though her precise due date couldn't be confirmed.
However, in the original timeline—the Hokage's son, Naruto Uzumaki, was born on October 10th of Year 51. Even factoring in variation, the difference wouldn't be significant.
Which meant—
"So you're finally about to make your move, Obito…"
Using the Kage Summit to draw Minato Namikaze out of the village—Then striking when Kushina was at her weakest during childbirth.
It was a well-calculated move.
And speaking of Obito and Minato's tangled history—
One couldn't help but recall that old story of Kamui and hidden grief, a tale steeped in tragedy and revenge.
But in this world that Yoru had altered with his own hands—
The one who killed Rin Nohara was not Hatake Kakashi, but Minato himself.
Seeking vengeance for the woman he loved…
A fateful clash between master and student...
A second battle at Higashimatsuyama...
It all fit perfectly.
"Send word to the Fourth Kazekage: I accept the summit proposal.
But as for the meeting location and specifics—those should be discussed with the Fourth Hokage directly."
"Understood!"
Hōzuki Mangetsu gave a respectful bow and took his leave.
Tsunade, who had been quietly observing, finally asked curiously:
"You're working with both Suna and Konoha?"
"Mainly Suna," Yoru replied casually.
"You know what the Land of Wind is like—their situation is just as bad, maybe worse than ours used to be."
"We at least have seafood and trade. Sure, it's humid, but the living conditions are tolerable. The Land of Wind, on the other hand... their environment is abysmal. You know that better than most."
"I'm just too soft-hearted to sit by and watch them suffer—so I initiated this 'Land of Wind–Land of Water Cooperative Development Plan.'"
"As for Konoha... well, they're just in the way. We have to pass through their territory, so they got included by default."
Tsunade gave him a strange look.
"You? Soft-hearted?"
This was the same man who experimented with bloodline limits, soul experimentation, and Shinigami techniques like they were weekend hobbies.
Still—she reached for the thick scroll labeled "Land of Wind–Land of Water Cooperative Development Project."
As she read through the detailed plans…
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
If this plan really went into effect—
Then Kirigakure wasn't just offering basic trade or a diplomatic handshake.
They were about to gift Sunagakure long-term prosperity.
"You're getting nothing but money out of this," Tsunade muttered in disbelief.
"But they get massive infrastructure—transoceanic bridges, irrigation systems, reservoirs…"
"These are long-term investments that will benefit their entire country for generations!"
"I can't believe you'd willingly strengthen another country like this!"
Yoru lazily flicked his gaze toward her chest and muttered,
"Can your perspective be a bit broader, like your chest? You're way too focused on surface-level benefits."
"First—what's wrong with helping the people of Land of Wind?
I can't just stand by and watch people suffer."
"Second—and more importantly—"
"A cross-sea bridge linking Wind, Fire, and Water…
Plus several smaller nations…
That's the foundation of a unified shinobi world."
"This isn't just Wind-Water cooperation.
The next step is Water-Earth.
More joint projects are already in planning."
"Wait—what did you just say?"
Tsunade suddenly cut him off.
"Did you just say… unified shinobi world?"
"Exactly."
Yoru nodded, speaking as though this were the most natural thing in the world.
"Think about it yourself. A small Shinobi World, yet it has five great nations and dozens of smaller ones."
"Isn't that the root cause of endless war?"
"Of course, I'm not talking about conquering the world through force under the Land of Water's banner."
"That would only perpetuate hatred and give rise to new conflict."
"Even if I used absolute strength to unify the world, the remnants of defeated powers and scheming elites would eventually rot the empire from the inside."
"And that's not even considering the threat posed by the Ōtsutsuki—
Those freaks scattered throughout the stars and dimensions."
"So my approach is different."
"Step one — eliminate national boundaries."
"Step two — shift shinobi mindsets from 'village ninja' to 'ninja of the world.'"
"In that transition," Yoru said evenly, "the Land of Water's fishing, industrial, and commercial sectors will be refined and diversified."
"Our way of life will spread, silently seeping into other nations through shared infrastructure, trade, and necessity."
"Eventually, through economic dominance and cultural leadership, we'll establish soft control over the entire shinobi world."
"Of course, during this process, we can still use the ninja's old tricks—infiltrating spies, scouts, and moles.
Just in case anyone gets ideas and tries to blow up the whole arrangement."
Tsunade's lips parted slightly.
She had assumed Yuki Yoru was scheming something massive behind the scenes—but she never expected the scope of his plan to be this enormous.
No… this wasn't just a scheme anymore.
This was—
An ideal.
""I mean, what can I do? I can't be fighting the Ōtsutsuki on the front lines while my backyard's going up in flames," Yoru shrugged casually.
"The unification of the shinobi world is inevitable. The only question is how it'll be achieved—and that depends on how much time those celestial bastards up there give us. Fortunately, for now, we still have time."
If the timeline follows that of Boruto, then Yoru should have nearly twenty years left.
But the real concern... is if those damn tree-planters decide to pull something early.
And that one guy—
He's been hiding in the shinobi world all along.
Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
...
"Wow, is it a girl?!"
Uzumaki Kushina, heavily pregnant, lit up as she leaned forward to peer at the newborn cradled in Mikoto Uchiha's arms.
"Nope. It's a boy."
"So cute!"
Kushina reached out to gently play with the baby's fingers, eliciting soft coos and tiny waves of his arms. She turned her gaze toward Mikoto, who sat beside her radiating a mother's gentle glow.
"What's his name?"
"Sasuke. Uchiha Sasuke," Mikoto answered with a warm smile as she cradled the child.
"Sasuke, huh? That's the same name as the Third Hokage's father!"
"That's right," Mikoto nodded. "Fugaku and I both hope that he'll grow into a powerful and admirable shinobi."
Her eyes flicked down toward Kushina's rounded belly. "And you… you're not far off either, right? You should be due soon. Have you picked out a name yet?"
"Already done!"
Kushina placed both hands gently over her stomach, then softly patted Sasuke's tiny head with a maternal smile.
"His name is going to be Naruto. And someday, he and Sasuke will be classmates. I hope they'll become good friends."
The future seemed so close, so bright.
"…But speaking of which…"
Kushina suddenly leaned in closer, her voice dropping conspiratorially, her expression slightly nervous.
"Mikoto… is it true that giving birth really hurts? Like… really, really hurts?"
"Pfft—wow, I didn't think you of all people would be scared of pain, Kushina!" Mikoto laughed.
"Hey! We're talking about childbirth here!" Kushina huffed, her face flushed. "I've never gone through it before!"
Then her eyes scanned the room. "By the way, I didn't see Itachi today. Is he out training again?"
"Mm… That child is always like that."
Mikoto's gaze dimmed slightly with wistfulness, but also pride.
What mother wouldn't want her little one close by, especially at a time like this? Itachi was only five years old—still so small, so sweet.
But he wasn't an ordinary child.
He was Uchiha Itachi—a prodigy whose talent rivaled that of Shisui himself.
At the thought of Shisui, Mikoto's heart ached. Her expression grew more downcast.
"After Shisui went missing, Fugaku placed all his hopes and burdens onto Itachi. He wants him to grow up as fast as possible and become the future of the clan."
"I don't like it," she admitted quietly. "It's too much. Too fast. But he's the clan head's son… and the hope of the Uchiha."
"I understand," Kushina said with a solemn nod.
She, too, had grown up under the crushing weight of expectation—chosen as the Nine-Tails' next jinchūriki, inheriting the burden from Mito Uzumaki. She knew the loneliness, the pressure, the constant surveillance.
But she smiled and rested a hand on Mikoto's. "Still, once Sasuke's a little older, I bet Itachi will dote on him. And I'll talk to Minato too—we'll make sure Fugaku eases up."
"Don't forget," Kushina added with a grin, "as long as Minato and I are here, we won't let anything happen to the Uchiha—or the village!"
"…Kushina, the Uchiha aren't—"
"Kushina!"
Mikoto tried to say something more, but a voice cut in.
It was Minato, stepping in with Fugaku by his side—both having just exited from another room.
Minato gave Kushina a warm smile and waved her over. "Sorry to interrupt. Fugaku and I were just finishing up."
He turned to the Uchiha head with a respectful nod. "I apologize for the lack of news on Orochimaru. And I'm sorry to ask this, but… I'd like you to accompany me as an escort to the Kage Summit in the Land of Iron."
"No need to apologize, Lord Fourth," Fugaku replied calmly. "Everything is for Konoha, isn't it."
"Yes, everything is for Konoha!" Minato agreed with a smile.
He gently greeted Mikoto, ruffled little Sasuke's hair, and then helped Kushina up. Together, they left the Uchiha compound.
Fugaku watched them go, eyes lingering on the red-and-white flames of Minato's Hokage cloak glinting in the sunlight.
His expression was difficult to read.
"They've already come to an agreement?" Mikoto asked softly as she shifted Sasuke in her arms, then gently linked her arm with Fugaku's.
"Yes," Fugaku came back to himself, nodding. "Minato suggested I serve as the escort for this Kage Summit, and I've agreed."
The children of the Shota and Yuhi were taken by Orochimaru, and there had been no news. To appease the Uchiha, Minato Namikaze finally decided to appoint Fugaku Uchiha as the escort for this Kage Summit.
"Will the Hyūga agree to that?" Mikoto asked, a hint of concern in her voice.
The role of a summit escort might sound ceremonial, but anyone with political sense knew it was far more than that.
The First Hokage's escort had been Tobirama Senju, who later became the Second Hokage.
The Third's had been Minato Namikaze, who overcame competitors like Orochimaru to become the Fourth.
Even outside Konoha, similar patterns had emerged. Being appointed as a Kage's escort was often a quiet endorsement as heir apparent.
Minato was clearly signaling support for the Uchiha by naming Fugaku. A strategic move to reassure the clan—and bind them closer to his leadership.
Fugaku scoffed. "The Hyūga? Even if they object—what of it? In Konoha, no clan surpasses the Uchiha."
His tone was firm, defiant. "Besides, Minato threw them a bone—an ANBU squad captaincy. That should be enough to keep Hiashi quiet."
"An ANBU post…" Mikoto murmured.
ANBU, the Hokage's personal black ops unit, had always been kept beyond the reach of the major clans. For either the Uchiha or the Hyūga to gain any foothold there was almost unheard of.
And to offer the Hyūga a captain's seat… that was no small concession.
"Hyūga and Uchiha," Mikoto said softly. "Let's just hope things stay peaceful. We're all part of Konoha, after all."
"…Yeah."
Before either of them could speak again—
"Father! Mother!"
A young voice called out, and a small figure appeared in a blur of movement before them.
Uchiha Itachi.
Still small, yet already so sharp. He bowed respectfully.
Fugaku's eyes lit up with pride, and a silent hum of satisfaction ran through him.
Forget the Hyūga. Let Hiashi play with his petty ANBU scraps. I have Itachi.
Even if I never make it to the Hokage's seat… Itachi will.
My son, Uchiha Itachi—he is destined to be Hokage.