The Retired Third Hokage

"So he's broken the old adage that Jinchuriki die if they lose their Tailed Beast? What a... troublesome brat."

The Third Hokage exhaled a string of smoke rings, which slowly rose and dissipated.

"Teacher, who do you think would be a good candidate for the next Hokage? Minato, Nawaki, or perhaps a future young man like Sakumo's son, Kakashi? He's someone to look forward to..."

"Hey, Orochimaru, why are you saying such discouraging things?" The Third Hokage's eyes widened. "How long have you been in office? It's too early for you to want to step down. Just serve for a couple more years. Frequently changing Hokage isn't a good thing for the village."

Just kidding.

Orochimaru shrugged.

"You're joking... By the way, why didn't you mention Katsuki's name?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"...Sorry, it was just a joke."

The Third Hokage decisively reflected on their actions.

Katsuki's temperament doesn't seem like that of someone who should be Hokage. He's just the head of the Anbu, leaving most of the work to his deputy while he immerses himself in training and researching medical techniques and other skills.

He's not the type to sit in an office all day without moving.

"Speaking of Jiraiya been lately? It feels like ages since anyone went to the bathhouse with me for inspiration."

"I don't know, that idiot was probably peeping in some bathhouse," Orochimaru said casually.

Jiraiya an even less patient fellow, as if he had thorns in his backside. He would only stay in the village for a few days before leaving again, and then disappear for almost half a year.

"That's wonderful! Going on a trip or something..."

The Third Hokage sighed.

"Strictly speaking, it's not just a simple trip; that idiot is also investigating Madara Uchiha's whereabouts!"

Orochimaru kept calling Jiraiya an idiot and a fool, yet he had unwavering faith in Jiraiya's abilities. A task like investigating Madara Uchiha couldn't be entrusted to ordinary Anbu, and ordinary Anbu were also incapable of handling the job.

After all, the target is Madara Uchiha.

Ordinary people are useless; only Jiraiya as wandering and powerful as Jiraiya is suitable for this job.

"Madara Uchiha?" The Third Hokage asked, a hint of worry on his face. "Any recent findings from the investigation?"

"There's not much progress. Jiraiya hasn't replied yet, and I don't dare to make a big fuss here. The information I've gathered is very limited. However, one thing is confirmed: Madara Uchiha..." Orochimaru glanced around, a snake emerging from his sleeve. Not sensing any living presence, he continued, "I came today for two reasons: first, regarding the matter of Uzumaki Katsuki, and second, about what I've found out today."

"What was discovered? It's so mysterious!"

The Third Hokage frowned as he watched the small white snake swimming in the courtyard.

"Recently, I've been investigating the Battle of the End Valley. I placed a Shadow Clone in the Senju Clan's Library, and just last night I discovered a notebook left behind by the Second," Orochimaru explained in detail.

"Notes? You mean the notes left behind by the Second?"

The Third Hokage's voice suddenly rose in volume.

"That's right, it was hidden very well, and there were many corrections on the notebook. It seems that the Second didn't want to keep it, but in the end, he seemed to give up on destroying it and just hid it away."

"What did it say?" the Third Hokage pressed.

"... One thing: after the Battle of the End Valley, Madara Uchiha's body was retrieved by the Second for research... However, it mysteriously disappeared afterwards. At the time, the First Hokage was too badly injured to investigate... and it became an unsolved case."

Orochimaru thought to himself, "The Second actually hid such an important matter. I really don't know what he was thinking."

"Madara Uchiha's body has disappeared?"

The Third Hokage reached out and rubbed his slightly stiff cheeks, his smile bitter.

"... It seems there's no doubt that Madara Uchiha is still alive."

Orochimaru didn't speak, but simply put the white snake back into his sleeve.

The notes left behind by the Second Hokage were not very useful; they merely served as evidence, indirectly confirming the theory that Madara Uchiha was not dead.

"So, Orochimaru, what are you planning to do next?"

After their reflections, the Third Hokage returned to calm.

"Do nothing." Orochimaru shrugged. "We've already made ample preparations for dealing with Madara Uchiha. Any unnecessary actions will only disrupt our established strategy. Besides, I see that Katsuki- kun is quite concerned about this matter, so I'm considering whether to simply hand it over to Katsuki. What do you think, Sensei?"

"You can decide for yourself. After all, you're the Hokage now. I'm just a retired old man. I'll just listen to your idle chatter, but don't bother asking me for opinions. It's too much trouble."

The Third Hokage waved his hand, his thin back pressed against the rocking chair, and slowly closed his eyes. The rocking chair began to creak and sway.

Orochimaru's lips curled up, and he smiled helplessly.

"Well then, teacher, I'll take my leave."

With a bang, Orochimaru turned into white smoke and disappeared.

The home of the Uzumaki Clan.

"Hey, Brother Liulang, are you alright?"

Walking on the smooth stone path, Kaguya Hibiki looked worriedly at Rokuro Kaguya, whose face was as pale as paper.

"Don't worry, I can hold on for another two or three years. Even if it's Bloodline Disease, it won't kill me that quickly." Rokuro Kaguya forced a smile. "Besides, it seems that Lord Katsuki has made new research findings on our clan's Bloodline Disease. Maybe I can be saved before I'm worn down by Bloodline Disease!"

Ninjas do not shy away from discussing life and death.

Death is something every ninja must learn to face; there are even courses at the Ninja Academy that teach how to write a will.

Kaguya Hibiki clenched her slender fingers tightly, her almond-shaped eyes fixed on the building before her, a sense of anticipation rising in her heart, hoping that this visit would yield an ideal result.

"Oh! Rokuro, you've arrived! Tong-mei is here too... These are rare guests!"

Katsuki stood on the steps, smiling Teuchi.

The three entered the house and sat down, where members of the Uzumaki Clan served them tea.

"Lord Katsuki, what was the situation you mentioned last time that you had made some progress? Could you tell me? What exactly is this Bloodline Disease of our clan?"

Rokuro Kaguya, holding a teacup, got straight to the point.

"Ah! So serious right off the bat... But never mind, I'm going to visit the Senju Clan tonight anyway, no need to waste time." Katsuki coughed twice, looking seriously at Rokuro Kaguya and Kaguya Hibiki, "I'd like to ask, Rokuro, Hitomi, what do you think Bloodline Disease is?"

Upon hearing this, Rokuro Kaguya remained silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Kaguya Hibiki glanced at the silent Rokuro Kaguya, mustered her courage, and spoke, "It has always been said in the family that our Shikotsumyaku) is a flawed Kekkei Genkai, which is why we have Bloodline Disease. Roughly speaking, it's probably a kind of harmful substance contained within the Kekkei Genkai... Calling it a substance doesn't quite feel right... but that's roughly the feeling." (To be continued)