"Don't you want to be top of the class?" Hinata thought Kitahara Kaede was trying to comfort her.
"Yes," Kitahara Kaede said. "Because I'd probably get chased after by a lot of people."
"Everyone likes to fawn over first place."
"But they never consider how first place feels, or whether they find it annoying."
Kitahara Kaede had been like that in his previous life, constantly being fawned over.
He had been forced to spend all his time dealing with them.
In the end, he had not even finished his homework, so he stayed up late doing it... and then died.
Hinata sensed Kitahara Kaede's emotions.
But she did not quite understand them.
Then Kitahara Kaede continued, "When the time comes, girls will line up at my door asking for guidance..."
"They'll only come over at night, and before long, they'll end up in bed while we're studying."
"They won't let me do my homework at all."
"And when I finally can do my homework, I won't have any energy left."
"Eh? Ehhh!?"
"Th-then it's better not to be top of the class."
Hinata hurriedly said in a panic.
Kitahara Kaede watched Hinata's little face turn red as she grew nervous. At this pace, as long as he pushed things forward a little, Hinata would become completely devoted to him.
And with his identity as the only successful Wood Release Experiment Subject, even the proud Hyuga Clan would not stop him from interacting with Hinata.
Or perhaps this was the peaceful life he wanted. Then he should make it even more peaceful.
Beep!
Just as Kitahara Kaede escorted Hinata back to the Hyuga Clan, a massive change swept through the entire ninja world.
A voice exploded in the minds of every selected person.
"Kakashi—"
"What's wrong with you?"
Might Guy had been on a joint mission with Kakashi when he suddenly discovered that his teammate had fainted.
Kakashi felt as though his head were about to split apart. He felt as if his consciousness had entered a unique space.
[Welcome to the Myriad Realms Chat System. This group is also known as the Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group (^_-)]
Kitahara Kaede?
Kakashi was a little dumbfounded because he knew that name.
While carrying out an Anbu order from the Third Hokage, he had investigated Orochimaru's laboratory and discovered Tenzo, who could use Wood Release. Then, he learned from Tenzo that there was another successful experiment subject.
With the Third Hokage's support, they had taken Kitahara Kaede back from Orochimaru.
As Kakashi stood there dumbfounded, his eyes widened.
A new message appeared on the void screen before him.
[The Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group has been successfully created. Welcome, Sixth Hokage, to the group. Beginning member selection. The preliminary search range covers successive Hidden Leaf Village Hokage. Three past Hokage will be selected to join this time.]
[Beep!]
[Welcome Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze to the Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group (^_-)]
Minato Namikaze: Eh? Wasn't I dead? Where is this?
Minato Namikaze: Kakashi! Is that you? Did you die too?
[Welcome First Hokage Hashirama Senju to the Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group (^_-)]
Minato Namikaze, Kakashi: First Hokage! Am I dreaming?
Hashirama Senju: ? Who are you two?
Minato Namikaze: First Hokage, I'm the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze!
Hashirama Senju: Ah, Hidden Leaf Village has already reached the Fourth Hokage. That's wonderful~ So how is Hidden Leaf Village now?
Minato Namikaze: Um, sorry, but I'm already dead, so I'm not very sure.
Hashirama Senju: ??? Has Hidden Leaf Village been destroyed?
[Welcome Second Hokage Tobirama Senju to the Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group (^_-)]
Tobirama Senju: Where is this?
Hashirama Senju: Tobirama, I missed you so much... You came too!
Tobirama Senju: Brother, don't be so enthusiastic. More importantly, where is this? I remember dying while protecting Hiruzen and the others during the treaty signing with the Second Raikage. Could this be Impure World Reincarnation?
Kakashi: First Hokage, Second Hokage, Teacher Minato, this probably isn't Impure World Reincarnation, because I'm not dead yet.
Everyone: And who are you?
Kakashi: I'm Kakashi.
Hashirama Senju: Never heard of you, but since you call me First Hokage, you must be one of Hidden Leaf Village's kids.
Minato Namikaze: Kakashi is my disciple. Um, let me introduce myself again. I am the Fourth Hokage.
Tobirama Senju: The Fourth Hokage? Does that mean Hiruzen is dead?
Kakashi instantly broke out in a cold sweat.
Why were both the First Hokage and Second Hokage's greetings asking whether someone had died?
Kakashi: It seems that all our souls have entered this space, but I don't know exactly what happened.
But I'm certain I'm not dead yet, because I can sense changes in my body.
For example, Might Guy is carrying me on his back right now.
But I can still feel myself breathing on my own.
Tobirama Senju: I see. Then this must be an even more advanced ninjutsu? Still, being able to connect the living and the dead is indeed impressive.
"Beep!"
However, a sound like colliding magnetic fields rang out in everyone's minds.
[Let me introduce this only once more. Welcome, everyone, to the Myriad Realms Chat System.]
[This group is also known as the Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group (^_-)]
[There are currently four group members. Complete the daily small task of observing Kitahara Kaede to unlock restrictions and invite new members into the group.]
[Note: You come from different eras. This small group has deliberately gathered you together, partly to let you see the truth of your era, and partly in the hope that you may meet a good end.]
[Note: You come from different eras. This small group has deliberately gathered you together, partly to let you see the truth of your era, and partly in the hope that you may meet a good end.]
Kakashi, Minato, the First Hokage, and Tobirama Senju examined the information displayed on the void screens before them.
Other than the First Hokage, the rest of them were the brains of the group.
Tobirama Senju: Heh. If it's about the truth of the era, that's fine, but what is this talk about meeting a good end? Other than Kakashi, we're all dead. Do dead people still not get to meet a good end?
Minato Namikaze: Dead people aren't safe either.
Hashirama Senju: ?? What do you mean?
Minato Namikaze: The Second Hokage developed Impure World Reincarnation. This ninjutsu can reincarnate the dead.
It can also erase their consciousness and use them as tools.
Tobirama Senju: So what? I created that ninjutsu so Hidden Leaf Village could achieve victory.
There's nothing shameful about that ninjutsu! One of its important requirements is a portion of the reincarnated person's flesh.
Kakashi: Um, Second Hokage, three years ago, the Senju Clan graves were robbed. Both your body and the First Hokage's body disappeared.
Hashirama Senju: ...
Tobirama Senju: What the hell? So someone wants to toy with me too? That's utterly disrespectful! They couldn't even guard my grave properly—what was Hiruzen thinking!
Minato Namikaze: In any case, Second Hokage, please calm down. We should discuss how to use this chat group.
The past cannot be stopped. So shouldn't we do our best to save what we can?
Hashirama Senju: You're a good kid. You've got a sharp mind.
Minato Namikaze: Thank you for the compliment.
Tobirama Senju: Then let's study this Myriad Realms Chat System—no, the Kitahara Kaede Observation Small Group (^_-).
The screen said we need to observe Kitahara Kaede every day, right?
So which kid is this Kitahara Kaede?
Minato Namikaze: I don't remember him either. Is he from Hidden Leaf Village?
Kakashi: I know. He's the one who can use Wood Release.
Hashirama Senju: Wow! Someone from my Senju Clan has finally awakened Wood Release again.
Little brother, now you can't say your big brother has been hogging all the glory. My Senju Clan is awesome.
Kakashi: Um... First Hokage, Second Hokage, Kitahara Kaede is not from the Senju Clan.
Hashirama Senju: ...
Tobirama Senju: That's impossible. I conducted so many experiments, yet no one in my Senju Clan could awaken my brother's Wood Release. Why would an outsider awaken it instead?
Tobirama Senju: Wait. Could it be... Brother, did you cheat? Do you have an illegitimate child?
Hashirama Senju: Huh? I didn't, I swear! I've always been devoted to Mito. If you say that, I'll get killed.
Tobirama Senju: Brother, you idiot, aren't you already dead? How could she kill you!
Hashirama Senju: Oh, right.
[Beep. The time to observe Kitahara Kaede has arrived. If group members do not begin observation, one person will be randomly selected and granted a special title.]
The system notification suddenly rang out.
[The selected target is Hashirama Senju. Special title granted: Hashirama the Big Pillar Dummy. Hashirama Senju has equipped the title.]
Hashirama the Big Pillar Dummy: Eh? I got called out... Wait, what is this? I don't want it!
Hashirama Senju suddenly cried out.
He was known as the God of Shinobi. Why was he being called Hashirama the Big Pillar Dummy?
[Titles cannot be removed. They can only stack.]
Tobirama Senju: This little group is interesting. Brother, you really are a dummy. You once wanted to give away all the tailed beasts. No smart person could ever come up with something like that. I think the title suits you perfectly.
Hashirama the Big Pillar Dummy: Sob... Tobirama, you're my little brother, and even you're saying that about me.
Tobirama Senju: Those are two different matters. Let's get to the point. Brother was assigned that title because we hadn't started observing this kid named [Kitahara Kaede], so let's begin observing him.
The four people in the group then found a shared prompt before their eyes.
[Begin observing Kitahara Kaede?]
There were options for Yes and No.
All four chose [Yes].
The interface before them changed, and an image appeared in their vision.
As the lights first came on, a desk lamp was switched on. A young man sat at a desk, with freshly brewed tea at his side as he quietly read a book.
Everyone focused on the young man's appearance.
Before you continue