The candlelight flickered in the Hokage's private office as Sakumo knelt before my desk, his hands resting lightly on his knees. Even here, his presence was like a drawn blade: calm, lethal, waiting.
I studied him for a moment, seeing not only the White Fang but the foundation of an army. "Sakumo," I said quietly, "I'm putting the Earth—this Marvel world—into your hands."
His eyes sharpened slightly. "A foreign world."
"A world full of chaos," I agreed, folding my fingers together. "But also a world of resources and information beyond even Orochimaru's most fevered dreams. You're not only a warrior—you were one of Konoha's best tacticians and field commanders. You're to build an information network there. A spider's web under the surface of this planet. Contacts, cells, informants, hidden caches, whatever you need."
Sakumo's gaze didn't waver. "You're asking me to make a new ANBU network."
"I'm telling you to," I said simply. "And you won't be starved for resources. You have full access to all of Konoha's materials and support. If you need a weapon, a squad, a medic, or a scroll, request it. If it's reasonable, you'll have it. I won't cripple you with bureaucracy. Do you understand?"
His eyes softened slightly, but only slightly. "That's a lot of trust, Hokage-sama."
"You've earned it," I replied. "And you'll need it. This world is full of people like Nick Fury—pragmatic, cunning, and dangerous. I can't run Konoha and micromanage a second world at the same time. That's why I'm giving it to you. Build quietly. Gather everything. Prepare for what's coming."
"I won't fail you." His voice was low, steady, like steel against stone.
I stood, pulling my Hokage robe around me. "Good. I expect nothing less."
With that, I raised two fingers, and the world folded. In an instant, chakra surged through the perfected Flying Thunder God seal etched into the base on Earth. Space warped. The candlelight vanished.
And I was standing in the underground safehouse beneath New York City—the Konoha base on Earth. ANBU masks flickered in the shadows as guards straightened at my sudden arrival.
Kakashi was waiting. His mask hung at his hip, his visible eye cool and sharp. The faint city rumble filtered through the walls like a heartbeat.
"You're early," he said.
"I prefer it that way," I replied. "Report."
He handed me a slim folder, sealed with an ANBU cipher. "We've consolidated our presence. The initial base is secure. Funding has increased thanks to the removal of several criminal groups. We've established a small black-market trade route for medical supplies and metals. We've also confirmed contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. is ongoing. Coulson is proving reliable. Fury is cautious but predictable."
I flipped the file open, scanning quickly. Photos, diagrams, lists of names—agents, factions, heroes, villains. It was crude but growing.
"And the Avengers?" I asked.
"They're active but uninvolved. Iron Man's tech is far beyond civilian standards, but he's more interested in publicity than investigation. Captain Rogers has taken note of our presence but hasn't acted. The Ancient One hasn't made contact."
"Good," I murmured. "Keep it that way. Don't provoke. Don't get sloppy. Every detail matters."
Kakashi gave a short nod. "Understood."
I closed the folder. "I've assigned Sakumo to take over strategic command. He'll contact you soon. Give him everything. He's not to be second-guessed. That includes you."
Kakashi's eye widened for the briefest moment before the mask of calm returned. "My father…?"
"Yes," I said softly. "He's alive. Or as alive as this system allows. Make sure you show him the respect he deserves."
The faintest breath escaped him. "Understood."
I stepped back, weaving a quick sign. "Maintain your operations. Grow in the shadows. I'll return soon."
And before another word could be said, space twisted again, the seal on my Hokage desk calling me back.
The underground base, the city above, and Kakashi's measured gaze fell away in a blink as I vanished, reappearing in Konoha with the smell of pine and rain on the wind.