Senju Hashirama stood tall, his eyes filled with warmth as he looked upon the current generation.
Senju Hashirama: "Although Hiruzen has passed on, the flame of hope in Konoha still burns brightly within the hearts of its people. This… this is what it means to be Hokage."
Senju Tobirama: "Indeed, brother. I see hope for the future of the village in Uzumaki Naruto and the new generation. They carry a strength we can believe in."
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Thank you for your kind words, First and Second Hokage-sama. I only did what I believed was right for Konoha."
Senju Hashirama: "You've done all you could, Hiruzen. This isn't your fault. Even I, with all my strength, couldn't completely erase the hatred rooted in human nature."
A cold voice interrupted their exchange.
Uchiha Madara: "That's because you were never strong enough, Hashirama. Only by making the world truly fear you can you achieve absolute peace. In fact, peace doesn't require acceptance—only dominance."
Senju Hashirama: "Madara, the world you speak of is nothing but an illusion—an impossible one!"
Uchiha Madara: "Still so naive, Hashirama. But in time, you'll see. You'll understand. And when that day comes, you'll bow to me."
Madara's words sent a chill through the room, silencing everyone present.
Even after all these years since his death, Madara's ambition had not wavered. His thirst for power… for control… remained as fierce as ever.
For a moment, a dark thought crossed everyone's mind.
Could Uchiha Madara truly make a comeback?
They remembered Orochimaru's Forbidden Technique—Impure World Reincarnation—a jutsu capable of resurrecting the dead from the Pure Land.
If the First Hokage could be brought back through this jutsu…
Then wouldn't it be possible for Madara to return as well?
The idea was terrifying.
Though Orochimaru's earlier performance of the jutsu had flaws, it was clear that it could be perfected. If Madara were revived in his prime…
Then the entire ninja world might once again fall under the shadow of the Uchiha.
Ohnoki's face turned pale.
More than anyone, he understood the fear Madara instilled.
With the First Hokage no longer alive to restrain him, no one could stop Madara. There would be no equal left.
Desperate, Ohnoki turned to the massive viewing screen above them—the mysterious broadcast from the heavens.
Perhaps this screen was a divine gift.
A chance for ninjas to learn, prepare, and grow stronger—merely by watching and answering questions.
Maybe, just maybe, it would offer them the strength they needed to challenge even Uchiha Madara himself.
---
[Scene Change: The Third Hokage's funeral fades from the screen.]
A new scene gradually emerges, this time bordered in black.
> [The Chūnin Exams in another world are fast approaching!]
> [Following the mission in the Land of Waves, Team 7 returned to their regular ninja duties.]
> [These consisted mostly of tedious D-rank missions—running errands, catching cats, picking fruit, and escorting letters. Tasks with little danger and less excitement.]
> [Naruto was deeply frustrated by this, but such mundane missions were the reality for most genin.]
> [In this era of relative peace, with nations maintaining a superficial stability, high-risk missions were rare.]
> [Without interference from foreign ninja, difficult assignments were few and far between.]
One note of interest, however, was how Kakashi had handled the Kado situation.
Originally, Kakashi had planned to take full responsibility for Kado's death.
But surprisingly, the Third Hokage had stepped up and decided to let Danzo handle it instead.
> [The official explanation was that the one who killed Kado was none other than Zabuza—the rogue ninja from Kirigakure!]
> [According to the report, Zabuza had betrayed his employer and murdered Kado in cold blood, while Konoha ninjas were "unable to stop him."]
> [Now, both Konoha and Kirigakure had issued a joint S-rank bounty on Zabuza's head.]
---
Kakuzu: "Hmm… sounds like a profitable mission. Zabuza's abilities aren't bad. This could be worth the risk."
Zabuza: "???"
In the Pure Land, Zabuza stared at the screen in disbelief.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Konoha… was seriously trying to blame him for something done by a version of himself in another world?
Sure, he had killed Kado in this version of the story.
But what did that have to do with him, the real Zabuza?
Just as he prepared to speak up, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared again, a conflicted expression on his face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Wait, what's going on here? I never assigned Danzo a mission like that… I don't remember this happening at all!"
Zabuza froze.
With just a few calm words, Hiruzen had completely dodged responsibility.
Orochimaru: "Ah, Hiruzen-sensei… did you forget again? That's not you in the video. It's Sarutobi Hiruzen from another world!"
Suddenly realizing his mistake, Hiruzen quickly recovered.
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Ahem… I just wanted to clarify. Since I am the Sarutobi in that world, I know him best. And I can tell you confidently—I would never push blame onto someone else."
Orochimaru: "Yes, yes. Of course, Sensei. I totally believe you!"
---
Ohnoki: "Still, your Danzo is quite the piece of work. Framing a traitorous ninja to protect your village's image? Tch. No one's going to believe a rogue ninja's word anyway."
Despite his critical tone, Ohnoki silently took notes.
Could Iwagakure use this strategy someday?
Just blame Deidara for anything suspicious. He'd caused enough chaos already—what's one more incident?
Deidara: "???"
---
> ['Alright, today's mission is complete. Meet me at the usual place tomorrow!']
Kakashi suddenly gave this cryptic instruction to Team 7.
Before Sakura could even ask what he meant, he disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique.
> ['What the heck? What's with the mystery?']
Sakura frowned, clearly annoyed.
Kakashi was always like this—late to missions, disappearing without warning, and returning in a state of exhaustion.
She had finally completed a proper task with her teammates… and once again, Kakashi had vanished without any explanation. It was infuriating.
Sakura turned toward Naruto and Sasuke.
Since the battle with Zabuza, Sasuke had become more driven than ever. He trained constantly and had begun to see Naruto as his true rival.
But despite his best efforts, he still couldn't last more than three moves in a spar against Naruto.
Sasuke: "I'm leaving."
His tone was cool and collected. He needed to continue his training—to grow stronger and eventually surpass Naruto.
Watching Sasuke walk away, Sakura suddenly realized something.
This was a rare opportunity.
Sasuke was gone.
It was just her… and Naruto.
Sakura (blushing): "Um… Naruto… It's still early… Do you want to… go for a walk together?"
> [Sakura had just asked Naruto out on a date!]
Naruto blinked in surprise. He glanced at Sakura—her face slightly flushed, her figure beginning to show the signs of womanhood.
He hesitated, then nodded.
He had over twenty Shadow Clones training in the background anyway.
Taking a short break to stroll with Sakura… wouldn't hurt.
> [Sakura's eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she grabbed Naruto's arm and smiled brightly!]
---
Yamanaka Ino: "Wait, what?! Are they seriously that close in this alternate world?"
Haruno Sakura: "What's wrong, Ino? I told you—Naruto would fall for me first!"
Yamanaka Ino: "Tch! Am I really going to lose to this... oversized forehead girl?"
Inuzuka Kiba: "Ino, if you're feeling down… I'm available, you know."
Yamanaka Ino: "Ugh. No thanks."
---
To Be Continued...