In the dead of night, the Hokage's office remained brightly lit. Two figures stood within, deep in discussion despite the late hour.
These two were none other than the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the Toad Sage, Jiraiya.
"Old man, you asked me to come back to teach Naruto," Jiraiya said, folding his arms with a frustrated sigh. "But you never mentioned he already learned the Forbidden Shadow Clone Technique—and even mastered the Rasengan!"
The Third Hokage took a long puff from his pipe, his expression calm and composed.
"If you understood Naruto better, you'd be even more surprised."
"How so?" Jiraiya asked, narrowing his eyes.
Sarutobi turned serious as he began recounting the events that had led to Naruto's sudden rise—how Naruto first grasped the essence of the Clone Technique through watching Uzuki Yugao, and how, through sheer determination, he pushed himself to create multiple shadow clones. Then came Kakashi's detailed report from the Land of Waves—Naruto's confrontation with Zabuza Momochi, and his unwavering resolve to protect his comrades.
Even someone as experienced as Jiraiya was stunned.
"That was Zabuza… the Demon of the Hidden Mist. And Naruto managed to handle him? This kid... he's not just good. He's… remarkable."
Jiraiya's thoughts drifted, comparing Naruto to other legends. Not even Minato, the Fourth Hokage, had shown this kind of explosive progress at such a young age. In Jiraiya's mind, there had only ever been one man like that—one shinobi whose talent burned so brightly it became the foundation of the entire village: the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
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Cutaway – Naruto's Thoughts
Naruto tilted his head. "The First Hokage? Is he really that powerful? I mean... I've seen his statue, but... didn't he look kinda silly?"
He was about to comment on the First Hokage's goofiness but stopped himself.
He respected the title of Hokage too much. That was his dream, after all.
Still, he couldn't help but wonder—was the First Hokage truly that strong?
Could he compare with the mysterious "black screen" presence that had been haunting his mind?
---
Cutaway – Shinobi of the Past React
Jiraiya snorted. "Idiot Naruto. The First Hokage ended the First Ninja World War alone. His Wood Release jutsu was unmatched!"
Senju Hashirama's voice echoed through history. "That was a long time ago. I didn't stop the war just because I was strong. I wanted peace. That's all."
The First Tsuchikage remained silent, brooding.
Senju Tobirama rolled his eyes. "Brother, are you being modest again, or do you really not get it?"
Hashirama blinked. "What? I'm telling the truth, Tobirama."
The First Raikage hurriedly nodded. "Yes, yes, Lord Hashirama is absolutely correct!"
Then came a cold voice, a bitter laugh.
Uchiha Madara.
"Hashirama, you fool," he muttered to himself. "Without me crushing every rebellious shinobi from the other villages, you would have never achieved peace."
His gaze darkened. "You were always naive. Yet… I still protected your ideals."
He closed his eyes.
"Even knowing that peace was just an illusion, I chose to believe in you. What a stupid decision that was…"
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Back in the Hokage Office
"You mean Naruto's talent is on par with the First Hokage's?" Jiraiya asked, eyes wide.
The Third Hokage nodded slowly. "Yes. Perhaps the only one who can compare."
His voice grew somber.
"But that's not what concerns me. What worries me… is that while his talent is like Hashirama's—his ambition may be more like that man's."
Jiraiya's expression turned grave.
"You mean... Uchiha Madara."
The moment that name left his lips, the room seemed to darken.
Madara—a name that echoed like thunder throughout the shinobi world.
The embodiment of overwhelming power.
The source of Konoha's deepest fears.
He had the power to subjugate the Nine Tails, to stand alone against entire armies. No one else even came close.
"Yes," Sarutobi said. "That man... still casts a shadow over Konoha."
Taking another drag from his pipe, he turned to Jiraiya. "Tell me, what have you discovered in your travels?"
Jiraiya didn't mince words. "There's a group called the Akatsuki. They're actively hunting the tailed beasts. And based on what I've uncovered... there's a high possibility they're connected to Uchiha Madara."
Sarutobi's hand trembled slightly.
"You're saying... Madara might still be alive?"
Jiraiya nodded grimly. "Yes."
Sarutobi looked into the window, at the reflection of his aged face.
He was once a powerful shinobi—the "God of Shinobi" in his own era. But time had worn him down.
He was no Orochimaru. He couldn't escape the ravages of age.
If Madara was still alive… Konoha was in grave danger.
"I finally understand something now," he muttered.
"You're not talking about the Uchiha Massacre… are you?" Jiraiya asked.
Sarutobi gave a tired nod.
He trusted Jiraiya—his own student and someone with no ties to Danzo or the corrupt core of Konoha's leadership.
Jiraiya represented the true Will of Fire.
"I believe I know why the Uchiha clan dared to rebel," Sarutobi said. "They must have met with Madara. There's no way they'd move against Konoha without a trump card."
Jiraiya fell silent.
The Third Hokage's next words carried heavy weight.
"If Madara truly was alive… the Uchiha would have seen him as a god. They might have believed he would lead them to victory."
"But... didn't Madara abandon the clan?"
Sarutobi nodded. "Yes. Perhaps just as they once abandoned him. Their malice toward the village... it was mutual."
No matter the reasons, one fact remained clear—Uchiha Madara was still a threat. And he might be the shadow lurking behind Akatsuki.
"Jiraiya," the Third Hokage said gravely. "Your instincts are correct. Madara and the Akatsuki—this is no coincidence."
He stood tall, smoke curling from his pipe as he faced the window.
"As Hokage, I must see further than others. I wear this robe not for glory, but to protect the village from dangers the common shinobi cannot comprehend."
"The light of Konoha," Jiraiya whispered, nodding with respect. "So… what will you do next?"
The Third Hokage allowed himself a faint smile.
But before he could speak, a loud explosion shook the building.
BOOM!
"What was that?!"
Both Jiraiya and Sarutobi vanished from the office in an instant, appearing just outside the Hokage Tower.
Smoke filled the air.
Through the haze, a figure with long purple hair lay motionless on the ground—spitting blood.
"Uzuki Yugao!" Jiraiya shouted as he rushed to her side.
"She's unconscious… severely injured," he muttered, scanning her wounds. "This was a Sand Ninja's jutsu."
The Third Hokage's eyes narrowed.
"Sand Ninja…"
He exhaled slowly, smoke swirling from his mouth.
A war with the Land of Wind was the last thing he wanted. Not now. Not while Konoha was just starting to recover and grow stronger.
His hands clenched.
As the Will of Fire burned in his heart, the Third Hokage realized—
Dark clouds were gathering once again over Konoha.
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End of Chapter 86: Akatsuki and Madara