Chapter 95: A Familiar Scene
This had not happened in decades.
Ever since the Third Hokage took office, it was rare for a Hokage of Konoha to personally go to the front lines.
When the Fourth Hokage had risen, they had expected something different. After all, before becoming Hokage, Minato Namikaze had been active with them on the battlefield.
But after Minato became Hokage, there were no major wars in the ninja world. Then he soon sacrificed his life sealing the Nine-Tails.
That regret was now being made up for by the Fifth Hokage.
Watching the back of Uchiha Fugaku, the Fifth Hokage, leading the way, the Konoha shinobi felt an inexplicable surge of excitement.
In the crowd, Might Guy, clad in his green jumpsuit, had eyes burning with passion.
"Lord Fifth Hokage's youth is about to ignite—YAAAH!"
Guy was almost trembling with excitement.
More than sixty jōnin leapt and bounded across the rooftops like lightning, their formation spectacular. Villagers below stopped to watch in amazement.
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At the Academy
They soon passed by the Ninja Academy, just as dismissal had begun. Children were gathering in the hallways outside their classrooms, chatting and playing.
Sasuke Uchiha was leaning lazily against the railing when someone beside him shouted,
"Hey, Sasuke! Look! Isn't that your father?"
Sasuke turned instinctively. On the rooftops outside, a large group of shinobi were flashing past. His gaze fixed on the leading figure—the familiar build, and the fluttering Hokage robe embroidered with the golden words "Fifth Hokage."
It really was his father.
Surprise flickered across Sasuke's eyes.
Beside him, Naruto Uzumaki craned his neck left and right, eyes wide.
"Where? Where?"
Then he spotted it and shouted, "It really is Uncle Fugaku!"
Waving energetically, Naruto yelled, "Uncle! Over here! Uncle!"
Perhaps his voice was too loud—Fugaku actually turned his head, glanced toward the Academy, and gave a brief wave before continuing on.
Naruto nearly jumped with joy.
"Sasuke, did you see that? Uncle waved at me!"
Sasuke gave him a flat, unimpressed look. That's my dad. Why are you the one acting proud?
A nearby student asked curiously, "Sasuke, since your father's the Hokage now, do you know where Hokage-sama and the others are going?"
Before Sasuke could answer, Naruto puffed out his chest proudly.
"You guys are dumb. Obviously, Uncle's leading them to eat Ichiraku Ramen!"
Sasuke stared at him speechlessly. This scene felt strangely familiar, like déjà vu.
Sakura Haruno, standing nearby, resisted the urge to smack Naruto on the head. Her mother's warnings echoed in her mind, so she only muttered in her heart: Idiot.
This time, though, their classmates didn't laugh at Naruto like they once would have. Everyone knew now that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, the Yellow Flash.
And he was living in the Fifth Hokage's household.
Can't provoke, won't provoke.
Parents had warned their children. Clan elders had made it clear: there were two people at the Academy you must never provoke—Naruto Uzumaki, son of the Fourth Hokage, and Sasuke Uchiha, son of the Fifth.
The Academy was its own little society.
Ever since Fugaku became Hokage, Sasuke's presence had grown even more dazzling. He was already a genius, but now he was also the Hokage's heir. Fangirls swarmed around him constantly.
This was exactly why Sasuke often kept Naruto close—as a shield. With Naruto's loud, distracting presence, the girls gave him more breathing room.
Sasuke's gaze lingered on his father until Fugaku disappeared over the rooftops. He turned away calmly. In his heart, Fugaku had become even taller, more magnificent.
No matter what happened, Sasuke believed, his father would be able to handle it.
"Hey, Sasuke," Naruto whispered eagerly, wiping away drool. "Let's go eat Ichiraku ramen after school, yeah?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"Idiot. Mother's making dinner. Why would I waste time on ramen?"
Naruto blinked, then laughed sheepishly.
"I was just kidding."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at him, unconvinced, but let it slide.
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At the Village Gates
While the kids laughed and joked, Uchiha Fugaku, leading his assembled jōnin force, arrived at Konoha's main gate.
Fugaku glanced left and right, spotting a beautiful figure leaning casually against the wall. Her imposing presence was impossible to ignore.
He raised a hand to halt the group, then landed calmly in front of her.
"Have you decided?"
Tsunade Senju looked him up and down, her tone mocking.
"The great Fifth Hokage, personally leading troops to the front lines? How courageous. Do you really think you can attack Kumogakure so easily? Don't end up wrecking Konoha instead."
Earlier, she had just returned to her inn after leaving the Hokage Building, telling Shizune the good news that Fugaku had compensated her with a prime house in Konoha. But then an Anbu messenger had informed her: Kumogakure had invaded, and the Hokage himself intended to march to the front lines.
Even Tsunade, who had seen everything, was shocked.
Did Fugaku really think Kumogakure was so easily defeated?
The Third Raikage might be dead, but the Fourth Raikage was formidable—and Kumogakure also had the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, Killer B. Together, they formed the fearsome A–B Combo.
Back in the day, that duo had carved their reputation into the battlefield, and had it not been for Minato Namikaze, countless Konoha shinobi would have fallen to them.
To Tsunade, it was clear: after killing her teacher, the Third Hokage, Fugaku thought himself unstoppable.
Fugaku ignored her mocking tone. His voice was even.
"There's no need for extra words. Since you're here, I assume you accept the terms I offered."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. She snorted coldly.
"What you promised isn't enough. Add another three percent."
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