Chapter 109 - Chapter 109: That's Right, The Fifth Hokage Is Me!

[After Uchiha Itachi easily defeated Kakashi and the others, he encountered his younger brother, Sasuke, once again.][As soon as Sasuke saw him, he lost all reason. Rage filled his voice as he shouted Itachi's name and charged forward with a Chidori burning in his hand.][But in less than a second, Sasuke was effortlessly brought to his knees.]["Why are you so weak?" Itachi asked coldly. "It's because your hatred for me isn't strong enough."][Without mercy, Itachi cast Tsukuyomi on Sasuke, forcing him to relive the horrific night of the Uchiha Clan's massacre over and over again.][Not long after, Jiraiya arrived, forcing Itachi and Kisame to retreat.][Though the encounter seemed brief, its consequences echoed deeply. Konoha, already weakened, now found itself in even greater turmoil.][To deal with the fallout—the injured Kakashi, Sasuke, Rock Lee, and others—Jiraiya decided it was time to find Tsunade, a legendary medical ninja and candidate for the Fifth Hokage.][Taking Naruto along, Jiraiya didn't waste time. Along the journey, he began teaching Naruto the Rasengan, a powerful jutsu left behind by the Fourth Hokage.][After countless attempts, Naruto finally mastered the Rasengan and used it to defeat Kabuto during the three-way battle among the legendary Sannin.][Naruto's determination inspired Tsunade to overcome her hemophobia. And with Jiraiya's support, the two of them thwarted Orochimaru's plan.][Tsunade agreed to return to Konoha and assume the mantle of the Fifth Hokage.][Under her expert medical care, Kakashi and Sasuke made swift recoveries. Even Rock Lee, once told he might never walk again, now had a hope of recovery.][However, just as things began to stabilize, a familiar shadow returned—Sasuke's inner conflict.][The one-time rookie Naruto had surpassed him, growing stronger and more confident under Jiraiya's guidance. Meanwhile, Sasuke's own mentor, Kakashi, had been quickly defeated by Itachi.][Frustrated by the widening gap between them and haunted by the Uchiha legacy of vengeance, Sasuke was consumed by the thirst for power.][Eventually, he chose to leave Konoha and seek strength from the one person willing to grant it—Orochimaru.][In response, Konoha organized a pursuit squad with Naruto at its core.][The mission became a fierce clash between Konoha's "Rookie Nine" and the Four Sound Ninja sent by Orochimaru.][Thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of his comrades, Naruto finally caught up to Sasuke at the Valley of the End—the place where two legendary shinobi, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, once battled.][Now, before those colossal statues, two new shinobi stood face-to-face.]Sasuke: "I'm not like you… You've always been alone. You could never understand my pain!"Naruto: "Then tell me! But no matter what, I'm taking you back!"Sasuke: "Heh… If you think you can, then try it!"Naruto: "Sasuke…!!!"Sasuke: "HAAAAAH!"[The brutal battle ended in Naruto's defeat. But even though he lost, Naruto's will remained unshaken.][He believed—no, he knew—that one day Sasuke would return. And until that day, he would keep getting stronger.][Determined, Naruto left the village to train with Jiraiya for three years.]---[In the Live Broadcast Room]Naruto (Future): "So, even in that world, I couldn't stop Sasuke from leaving?"Sasuke (Present): "Hmph. Looks like I'm stronger after all. As always."Naruto (Future): "No, Sasuke. That world may have lost you, but here… with this live broadcast system, I still have a chance to surpass you!"Sakura: "Huh? Did Naruto suddenly grow a brain?"Shikamaru: "Probably because this is about Sasuke. That usually fires him up."Kiba: "It's friendship, right? Like me and Akamaru!"Hashirama: "The Valley of the End… what a nostalgic place."Madara: "What's there to be nostalgic about? You stabbed me in the back there, Hashirama!"Hashirama: "Hahaha! I was just trying to stop you from doing something dumb!"Madara: "That's your way of stopping someone?!"Kakashi: "…"Kakashi, who had only heard bits and pieces about the legendary battle between the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, was now stunned.He had always thought Hashirama killed Madara out of duty. But now he realized—it had been a desperate attempt to stop a friend from going astray.Just like Naruto's determination to stop Sasuke… even if it meant breaking every bone in his own body.---[As the white-bordered world faded from view, the black-bordered screen returned.]Naruto: "I wonder… Will the Naruto in that world ever bring Sasuke back?"Kakashi: "He might have wanted to. But judging from that world… Sasuke probably never went to Orochimaru."Naruto: "Huh? Why?"Jiraiya: "Idiot. Sasuke's main reason for leaving was to gain strength. But in that world, you're so strong that even Orochimaru wouldn't be able to tempt him. Got it now?"Naruto: "Oh… I get it… kind of?"Sakura: "Naruto! Be quiet! I want to watch this!"Naruto: "Little Sakura…-chan…"Kakashi: "Poor guy. I wonder what he'll think when he sees Naruto and Sakura from that world… together."---[Meanwhile, back in the world with the black screen, the ruins of Konoha were slowly being restored.][With the Third Hokage gone, a new Hokage had to be chosen to stabilize the village.][Inside the Hokage office, Jiraiya, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzo sat around a table, deep in discussion.]Danzo, appearing calm and confident, thought he had this in the bag.Koharu: "I think Naruto would be a good choice. He's the son of the Fourth Hokage, a Jinchūriki, and a war hero. He could breathe new life into Konoha."Homura: "He has potential, yes. But he's still too young. In a few years, perhaps…"Koharu: "Then how about Jiraiya? He's powerful and has the reputation we need."Jiraiya: "I appreciate the thought, but I'm not cut out for the Hokage role."He shook his head.Jiraiya: "I couldn't even stop Orochimaru during the invasion. Besides, I've been entrusted with the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. I have my own path."Danzo, smug, held back a grin. 'Finally,' he thought. 'It's my time.'Jiraiya: "But I do have a recommendation—someone powerful, from a noble lineage, and whose family has contributed greatly to Konoha."Danzo's heart leapt. 'That's me!'After all, he was the Second Hokage's disciple. His clan, the Shimura, helped build Konoha from the very beginning.Danzo: "I agree with Jiraiya. Whoever he's talking about, they sound ideal for the role."He was already preparing his acceptance speech internally.Jiraiya: "I didn't expect to see eye-to-eye with Danzo of all people. Seems like you already know who I mean."Danzo smiled, barely able to contain his excitement.Jiraiya: "The person I recommend as the Fifth Hokage is—Tsunade of the Senju Clan!"Danzo: "...???"His face went blank.