[Tobirama's Record]: So… that's his level of perception?
[Tobirama's Record]: Saying something like "Kage-level"? Aim higher!
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: Hmm...
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: For once, I agree with you.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: That guy's strength is definitely not just Kage-level.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: Of course, this is using Sasori as the Kage benchmark.
[Kakashi Hatake]: …
Kakashi felt conflicted—if Sasori was now the measurement for Kage-level, did that mean he, Kakashi, was no longer even qualified to be a unit of measurement?
Realizing this left him with a complex feeling.
Indeed...
He should find an opportunity soon to ask Kitahara Kaede about Obito's Sharingan.
That was what Kakashi had on his mind.
Meanwhile, outside the small chat group—
"Kitahara Kaede, huh—"
Tobirama said, "That guy…"
"Starting tomorrow, he should be reporting to work here."
"Even though I'm Edo Tensei'd, I can't keep going without returning home," Tobirama continued. "So, I've named him the Hokage candidate."
"Hokage… candidate?" Naruto blinked in confusion.
He had never heard of such a thing.
"During times of war, the Hokage leads on the frontlines and may fall in battle. To ensure someone can take over the village immediately, they often appoint a candidate."
"In other words…"
Kakashi explained on the side, "If the Third Hokage steps down…"
"Then Kaede would become the Fifth Hokage?!"
Naruto shouted.
"Yes, that's more or less what it means." Kakashi nodded.
Sasuke and Naruto both turned to look at Kitahara Kaede.
"..." Kitahara Kaede.
Although he had expected this outcome upon returning to report the mission, actually hearing it left him a bit speechless.
He really couldn't understand why Konoha would ignore Tsunade and go with a male Hokage instead.
Was it really so hard to appoint a female Hokage?
Didn't the Sand Village handle it neatly?
But… if Tsunade's personality was like in the original timeline, then yeah, she'd be terrifying too.
"I mean, if you're that strong, why didn't you show it earlier?"
"What? You want a slow pace?! Is that how you repay Konoha? The white bunny you raised? All my hard work as the Fifth Hokage?!"
"..."
You could imagine Tsunade getting mad like that in front of you.
Well...
It'd be kind of cute, honestly.
But Kitahara Kaede said:
"I can accept this promotion."
"After all, among Konoha's shinobi, no one doesn't want to become Hokage."
"And I'm no exception."
"A ninja who doesn't want to become Hokage isn't a good ninja."
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: …
[Fourth Hokage - Minato Namikaze]: …
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: How can he say such a blatant lie with a straight face?
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: Right? He just lied without blinking.
[Fourth Hokage - Minato Namikaze]: Even though Kitahara Kaede is a friend of the Namikaze clan… I can't defend him right now.
[Fourth Hokage - Minato Namikaze]: He really said that lie like it was true.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: I can believe Naruto wants to be Hokage. I can believe Uchiha Sasuke wants to be Hokage.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: But the only one I don't believe is Kitahara Kaede.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Well, at least he accepted it, right?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Though you did mention, Tobirama, if he becomes the Fifth Hokage, the past Hokage will likely be brought back to work.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: But that's fine, isn't it?
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: You're surprisingly calm.
Meanwhile, outside the group—
"I can feel your resolve," Tobirama stood up and reached out to shake Kitahara Kaede's hand.
"From today onward, the Scroll of Seals will be accessible to you."
"And Konoha… is entrusted to you."
"..." Kitahara Kaede looked at the hand Tobirama extended.
He could feel the strength passed through the handshake—
Like a transfer of will, he could sense that Tobirama was genuinely passing Konoha onto him.
And just then, his coat pocket wiggled.
His ninja bunny peeked its head out.
But just like always, it made no noise, didn't move around, just placed its little paws on the edge of the pocket—
Thinking: If he doesn't wash that hand, he better not touch me.
"Well, since you've accepted, let me help you get familiar with the intelligence documents." Tobirama said.
"No need to rush," Kaede replied. "A 'candidate' only acts when there's an emergency."
"So, Lord Second, you should continue doing your own work."
"I won't get involved." Kaede said flatly.
"..." Tobirama.
"..." Tobirama.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: Good grief.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Good grief.
[Fourth Hokage - Minato Namikaze]: Good grief.
[Tobirama's Record]: He really laid it all out like that, huh?
[Tobirama's Record]: Tobirama, I'm dying—did you just appoint someone who's now your boss?
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: Shut up. You don't get it. I'm doing this for Konoha's future development.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: If you were also this strong and mentally sharp, I'd bring you back too.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: But are you even qualified?
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Tobirama, don't be so mean to Izuna.
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: … Hmph.
"And besides, I tested Edo Tensei over at Sunagakure," Kitahara Kaede added. "Since I'm now the candidate, and we still have so many excellent Hokage in history like you…"
"I suggest we bring them all back."
"Oh!"
Naruto couldn't follow the conversation partway through, but he caught one detail:
The man standing before him now—Second Hokage, whose face was carved on the Hokage Rock—was once dead.
So this "Edo Tensei" technique brought him back.
And now, Kaede wanted to Edo Tensei all the past Hokage… including the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
The one who sealed the Nine Tails inside Naruto—turning him into a Jinchūriki like Gaara.
And because of that, Naruto had suffered rejection and isolation.
But now, that very man—the one responsible for all his hardship—might be resurrected.
"Then…"
Sasuke also understood something else.
At first, back in Sunagakure, he didn't think too deeply. But now…
Edo Tensei…
If it could revive all the past Hokage…
Then could it also revive the Uchiha Clan that Itachi had slaughtered?
Father, mother… and the others…
[Descendant Chat Group (^_-)]
[Second Hokage - Tobirama]: See, big brother? I was right.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: …
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Mm… yeah.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: I only joked earlier about getting pulled out to work again.
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: But…
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Hahahaha… this little brat Kaede really dared to go through with it!
[Big Dumb - Hashirama]: Interesting. I'll be waiting to get Edo Tensei'd back.
[Cowardly - Ōnoki]: …
As the Tsuchikage of Iwagakure, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki was shocked watching the developments.
So if Kitahara Kaede succeeds as the Fifth Hokage, he'll actually bring back the First Hokage to do fieldwork.
Good heavens.
A junior forcing the seniors back to work… and giving orders to the First Hokage, no less…
What a terrifying man…
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