Konoha Village.
Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen bit down on his pipe, exhaling smoke as he anxiously awaited the latest reports from the front lines.
According to the last scout report, it seemed a decisive battle was imminent.
Both of Kumogakure’s Jinchuriki had been deployed.
After all this time, they were surely preparing an unprecedented counterattack.
His heart was tense, and his wrinkled face was barely visible through the smoke.
If Konoha lost, Kumogakure would undoubtedly force a humiliating peace treaty, plundering Konoha’s resources.
But, if Konoha won, Namikaze Mirai’s fame would likely reach unprecedented heights.
For the man who killed his dear friend Danzo, Sarutobi Hiruzen could never find acceptance.
Sarutobi pressed his temples in extreme frustration.
It seemed there was no ideal outcome.
Tsunade had gone to the battlefield in a fit of rage, and all his attempts to bring her back had met with no success.
The situation was critical.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt like he was walking a tightrope, with a vast abyss beneath him.
Just as his mood grew heavier, the door to the Hokage Office opened.
“Hokage-sama, we’ve received an update from the front lines.”
The scout handed over a scroll.
Sarutobi took a deep breath, opening the scroll. As he read the contents, his pupils constricted sharply.
Victory? They won?
Namikaze Mirai had fought both Tailed Beasts alone?
A single attack from above easily defeated the Eight-Tails?
The Eight-Tails’ Jinchuriki was captured, Kumogakure surrendered, and the Raikage was drafting a peace treaty???
A series of shocking messages struck his mind like a hammer, leaving him petrified.
“Hokage-sama?”
“Hokage-sama!”
Repeated calls from the scout couldn’t rouse him.
The scroll slipped from his hand, hitting the floor with a crisp thud.
It was early spring, the ice and snow melting.
The news from the front spread like a spring breeze, reaching every corner of Konoha.
The village buzzed with excitement, the villagers’ spirits high, and enthusiastic discussions echoed throughout Konoha.
“We won! We won!”
“Kumogakure used two Tailed Beasts, and they still couldn’t defeat the Blue Flash. As expected of the Fourth Hokage’s brother!”
“Even the Fourth Hokage didn’t shine this brightly in the Third Great Ninja War. Namikaze Mirai has surpassed the Fourth!”
Outside the village, the victorious Konoha forces neared the village after days of travel.
Konoha’s outline appeared in their view.
The ninjas in the ranks were elated, their hearts swelling with pride.
They had endured a war worthy of being recorded in history!
Namikaze Mirai, the legendary ninja, had single-handedly defeated two Tailed Beasts in mid-air.
What a grand feat!
The Eight-Tails’ Jinchuriki was captured, and Kumogakure was forced to surrender.
They were heroes of the village!
At the front of the ranks, Uchiha Fugaku followed behind Namikaze Mirai, looking at the golden-haired figure ahead.
His eyes were filled with deep gratitude.
His choice had been correct.
Namikaze Mirai was a benefactor to the Uchiha clan.
Riding this wave, the Uchiha would soar high.
“Fugaku, we need to prepare once we return to the village.”
As Fugaku pondered, he heard Mirai’s calm voice beside him.
His heart skipped a beat.
Fugaku had a vague idea of what this meant.
Approaching, he whispered, “Mirai, are we starting?”
His heart pounded.
Hokage!
Fifth Hokage!
Just thinking about those words gave him chills.
Could the Uchiha clan finally have a direct link to the Hokage?
“Sarutobi is old, but the Hokage’s position cannot remain vacant. It needs someone more suitable.”
Listening to Mirai’s words, Fugaku’s heart raced.
His eyes shone with uncontainable excitement.
He took a deep breath, calming his emotions.
“The Uchiha will follow you to the death!”
Their conversation was brief. The returning Konoha forces passed through the gates, where the villagers waited, their cheers resounding throughout the village.
“They’re back! Our heroes!”
“The Blue Flash!”
“The Blue Flash!!”
In the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen watched through the window, looking down at the ninjas receiving the villagers’ cheers. His feelings were mixed.
The deafening cheers for the “Blue Flash” were like needles piercing his heart.
They made his already aged face look even more decrepit, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
Years ago, Minato had received the villagers’ cheers like this.
No, Namikaze Mirai had already surpassed Minato.
Even Minato had not caused such a stir.
In the Hokage Office, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, listening to the cheers from outside, wore equally grim expressions.
Months ago, their dear friend Danzo had been ruthlessly killed by Namikaze Mirai.
And now, the killer of Danzo was basking in the villagers’ adoration!
The whole of Konoha was brimming with excitement.
Every street and alley was filled with heated discussions about the recent battle.
Yet, no one noticed that soon after the ninjas returned, letters were being secretly delivered through various hidden channels.
The recipients were almost all clan leaders of the major ninja clans or high-ranking officials in Konoha.
Reading the contents, each of them held their breath, their expressions either grave, expectant, or their hearts pounding…
But no one leaked the information.
They quietly destroyed the letters.
They knew a storm was coming that would sweep through all of Konoha!
Their stance in this storm would decide their future and that of their factions.
Kakashi, on duty outside the Hokage Tower, also received a letter.
As he read the contents, his pupils shrank sharply.
“Kakashi, tomorrow at this time, there will be a coup at the Hokage Tower.”
“As Minato’s student and only disciple, I hope you will make the right choice.”
Kakashi held his breath, his eyes filled with intense shock.
Namikaze Mirai, his teacher Minato’s brother, the Blue Flash, was finally making his move?
He took a deep breath, calming his turbulent emotions.
Or perhaps, this was destined.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was old, yet he clung to the Hokage’s position, unwilling to step down.
Konoha needed a younger, more ambitious Hokage to lead it forward.
Before him lay two paths.
Who to choose?
The Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen?
Or…
A sneer formed under Kakashi’s mask.
The outcome was already decided.
“Mirai-nii, I know you’ve been resentful that during the years you were missing, I failed to take good care of Naruto.”
“Then this time, let me make amends!”
His eyes turned cold.
It seemed he had made up his mind!
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
