Young Master, Please Become Hokage

Suddenly.

Akira Sarutobi opened his eyes, a divine light bursting forth, carrying a chill, and fixed his gaze on the two individuals.

"I've kept you waiting."

"!"

Faced with Akira Sarutobi's gaze, the two felt an astonishing chill wash over them, as if they were facing a blizzard alone. The surrounding temperature seemed to drop even lower.

Immediately, Akira Sarutobi stood up, the frost covering his body rapidly receding.

The two Anbu members immediately put away their other thoughts, no longer believing that this Young Master was toying with them.

"As expected, it's Ice Release."

"Mhm."

Akira Sarutobi clearly heard their conversation. He didn't pay it any mind and instead asked for their names: "Ikkaku Hōichi, Karin Hōichi?"

The masked man and woman before him each removed their masks.

They had resolute faces and the same surname.

The two were husband and wife. They had a son named "Umino Iruka."

As the remaining members of Anbu Squad Six, they had been transferred to the newly appointed Anbu Captain, Akira Sarutobi.

Akira Sarutobi casually extended his palm, and a chilling cold began to swirl in his palm.

"Young Master, congratulations."

From the shadows, Ino Yamanaka suddenly appeared, startling the couple.

They then realized that someone else was hidden in the shadows.

Clearly, Ino Yamanaka was not only proficient in sensing but also in counter-detection, which allowed her to remain undetected by them.

"Mhm."

Akira Sarutobi clenched his hand, and the cold air scattered.

With his hands behind his back, he looked down at the three of them.

The new "Anbu Squad Six" was temporarily formed like this.

Originally, an Anbu squad consisted of at least "8" people: one Anbu Squad Leader, two Anbu Captains, and 8 members.

However, Danzō had other plans.

A branch team of 4 people was sufficient to carry out various missions.

"Did Lord Danzō give you any instructions?"

Akira Sarutobi asked.

As the superior of all Anbu, the Anbu Commander, Danzō naturally had the right to allocate all matters.

"Lord Danzō only said that we should follow Young Master Ryo's orders... Our codenames are..."

"It doesn't matter."

Before they could finish, the two were interrupted by Akira Sarutobi waving his hand.

Senju Tobirama had stipulated the secrecy of the Anbu, which was understandable, but some things were not set in stone forever.

Akira Sarutobi had indeed joined the Anbu, but he did not intend to hide his identity as in the original work.

In the original work, the original body never showed its face, nor did it have a name, only a close-up Anbu photo. This did not align with Akira Sarutobi's desire to change the world.

To increase his fame, he at least needed to let others know about his actions.

A true gentleman is at ease with himself, while a petty man is always worried.

From today onwards, a ninja who did not wear an Anbu mask appeared.

This also signaled that Akira Sarutobi had officially begun his rebellion against the twisted shinobi and Anbu system, and even the Konoha's Fire Style system, constructed by Senju Tobirama.

No need to follow the rules; I will smash the corrupt old system!

"You two can continue as you did before; I have my own ideas."

Akira Sarutobi did not pay much attention to Iruka's parents.

As his power grew, he would have more to change in the future, and he would build his own forces... and subordinates.

Ino Yamanaka, Crimson Lotus, Ringo Ameyuri, Rin Nohara... these were just the beginning.

During this period, unimportant figures would be slowly replaced.

The entire Anbu squad, and even the entire Konoha, would slowly become his.

"Since Danzō hasn't assigned you any missions, next, I want you to do one thing..."

Akira Sarutobi instructed the couple to track Kagami Uchiha 24 hours a day.

They were to report any of his movements, especially if he left the village, to him immediately.

"For the next few days, I will continue to practice the Ice Release: Bloodline Limit. If anything comes up, just come here directly... You two are Jonin, so you know Shadow Clone, right...?"

Using Shadow Clones to report is one of the most convenient means of communication.

After assigning their tasks, Akira Sarutobi sent the two away.

Sitting cross-legged, Akira Sarutobi closed his eyes, unconcerned by the astonishment on their faces.

Time is of the essence, and every second counts.

Who knew when Kagami Uchiha might embark on a mission destined for death…

Before that moment arrived, seizing the time for training became Akira Sarutobi's sole focus…

And as his understanding of Ice Release chakra deepened.

Some past memories also surfaced in his mind…

These were things that happened in the past with Senju Nawaki and Minato Namikaze, commonly known as "Hokage nostalgia."

Chapter Fifty-Six: Senju Nawaki, Akira Sarutobi, and Minato Namikaze's Trio

Many years ago, when Akira Sarutobi was still a child, his personality was somewhat reclusive.

At that time, Akira Sarutobi possessed the memories of a transmigator living a second life and had no desire to change the world.

Having read the Naruto series thoroughly, Akira Sarutobi was well aware of everyone's fate and the world's future.

In Akira Sarutobi's opinion, there was nothing good to change about the future.

Until one of the Second Hokage's gatherings.

Other children came with their parents, relatives, and masters to play together, creating a lively atmosphere.

Only Akira Sarutobi sat alone in a corner, not speaking to anyone.

This situation caught Senju Nawaki's attention.

By then, Senju Nawaki had already met Minato Namikaze.

Minato Namikaze, still attending school, addressed Senju Nawaki as "senpai." His presence here indicated that Jiraiya had noticed Minato Namikaze's talent early on and interacted with him.

"You're Lord Hokage's son, Akira Sarutobi, right? Nice to meet you, I'm Senju Nawaki."

"I'm Minato Namikaze."

The two said, displaying a warm and cheerful demeanor.

Akira Sarutobi merely looked up at them, gave a brief self-introduction, and then lowered his head again to watch the brazier.

The charcoal crackled, and the brazier made the room very warm.

Senju Nawaki asked why Akira Sarutobi didn't play with the other children.

Akira Sarutobi retorted, "Why should I play with them? Is there any point?"

Senju Nawaki suddenly felt like he had found a kindred spirit, stating that he had begun pondering the meaning of life as soon as he was old enough to understand.

The conclusion he reached was… to protect the village founded by his grandfather [Senju Hashirama] and become the Hokage of this village.

The ambitions of youth are always so simple and bright.

This is only natural.

But most people realize how dark and cruel reality is when they grow up.

Senju Nawaki extended an invitation, hoping Akira Sarutobi would be his partner and help him achieve his dream.

Because becoming Hokage is not just the effort of one person; the help of partners is also crucial.

Back then, it was the Senju and Uchiha clans who joined forces to establish Konoha.

Later, the Sarutobi clan, Shimura clan… Ino-Shika-Cho… Hyuga… various others joined successively, leading to the Konoha of today.

Akira Sarutobi listened to Senju Nawaki's dream with a blank expression, neither happy nor sad, and did not mock the young boy.

Responding to the invitation, Akira Sarutobi stood up and placed a piece of metal into the furnace.

Minato Namikaze was puzzled by Akira Sarutobi's action, but Senju Nawaki seemed thoughtful.

"Senpai Nawaki, look… there's hardly any fire left in this brazier. How can we forge a good sword?"

Akira Sarutobi said, pointing to the dying embers.

Konoha has much darkness.

In fact, its entire foundation is built on a twisted path of ninja cultivation.

The Will of Fire, which originally emphasized dedication and sacrificing oneself to protect important people and things, has become internal strife, the murder of loyal officials, the disregard for human life, and the sacrifice of others to preserve oneself…

How can such a Konoha be good?

And this distortion began in the era of the Senju brothers, Hashirama and Tobirama.

From the moment Senju Hashirama broke his promise and, following Senju Tobirama's advice, deceived and betrayed Madara Uchiha, the Will of Fire ceased to exist.

With that, what's the point of talking about being Hokage or not.

We can just wait for the reincarnations of Indra and Asura, the two gods, to save the world.

Of course, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha are just another pair of Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

Everything is a brand new cycle.

In the official novel Sasuke Shinden, Sasuke, who lost an arm, traveled the Shinobi World, eliminating various enemies for Konoha, unable to return home for 365 days.

Because Danzō is dead, Root has been disbanded.

The darkness of Konoha still remains.

Someone has to do this dirty, tiring work.

Naruto Uzumaki can continue to be the glorious Hokage, leaving all the darkness to Sasuke to handle. In this process, Sasuke gradually came to understand Danzō.

How ironic that Sasuke, who lost his entire family because of Danzō, came to understand Danzō and become Danzō 2.0.

Is there anything more darkly humorous in this world?

When Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke die.

A new Shinobi World War will still break out, because nothing has changed. Everything is no different from the era of the Senju brothers, Hashirama and Tobirama.

One can see the future at a glance, just like the dying embers of this fire.

No one will burn themselves to light the way for others anymore.

Those in power will only burn others to serve themselves.

"..."

Senju Nawaki pondered for a moment, seemingly understanding Akira Sarutobi's meaning.

He rolled up his sleeves, raised his right hand, and opened his five fingers.