Tobirama's Feigned Death, Plotting for War

Within Naruto World 2.

[Time-Space: Second Hokage

Time: Konoha Year 17

Unification Progress: 25%]

In Konohagakure of the Land of Fire, after two days and two nights of travel and retreat, Tobirama successfully returned to the outskirts of Konoha with the six others, including Hiruzen and Danzo.

This time, things had diverged from the original course of events.

The Second Hokage, Tobirama, had not died at the hands of the Kinkaku Force. Instead, he had wiped out Kinkaku and Ginkaku's forces.

Although Kagami Uchiha had lost his left eye, he was at least still alive and well.

Danzo had lost his right eye, but he had not turned dark. With Tobirama keeping him in check, he could not go dark even if he wanted to.

As for Hiruzen and the other four, they were even more invigorated, their former gloom completely swept away.

Simply put, as long as Tobirama remained alive, Konoha's future had already changed completely.

Just as the seven of them were about to reach Konoha, "We're finally going home!"

A relieved smile finally appeared on Torifu Akimichi's round face. He longed more than anything to return to the village.

"Yeah. Who would have thought that this Alliance Conference would turn out like this..."

Mitokado Homura sighed, feeling as though the past few days of fleeing had been a nightmare.

Utatane Koharu said, "Those damned Kumogakure bastards. Sooner or later, we'll make them pay!"

Kagami Uchiha smiled faintly. "There'll be a chance! We're all still alive. There'll definitely be a chance."

Danzo touched his blinded right eye and swore as well, "Next time, I'll make all of Kumogakure repay this blood debt with blood!"

Hiruzen hesitated, looked toward Tobirama, and voluntarily offered his resignation.

"Teacher, since you're safe and sound, then the Hokage Position should still be yours..."

"No. Monkey, you will continue as Hokage!"

Tobirama paused, then declared in a deep voice.

Hiruzen was dumbfounded: !!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ

Danzo was shocked: 0ДQ

The others were equally confused.

"Th-then... why?"

"Listen carefully, all of you. After returning to the village, you will announce that I died at the hands of the Kinkaku Force. Monkey, you will assume the position of Third Hokage. The rest of you will do everything you can to assist Monkey and maintain the village's stability. Under no circumstances may you reveal that I am still alive!"

Tobirama issued the order with utmost gravity and solemnity.

He intended to fake his death and use it to deceive the entire Ninja World, making his later plans easier to carry out.

As for allowing Hiruzen to continue as the Third Hokage, that too was a decision he had considered carefully.

Tobirama already knew about some of the absurd things Hiruzen would do over his decades in power.

At the time, Tobirama had been so furious that he wanted to hang the elderly Hiruzen up and beat him.

But there was no denying that, at this point in time, among the six members of his personal guard squad, Hiruzen was still the most suitable person to inherit the Hokage Position.

Whether in strength, prestige, or conviction and will, he was the most outstanding among the six.

Choosing Hiruzen as his successor did not necessarily mean the future would be better.

But choosing someone else could make things worse right now.

Most importantly, the fact that he was still alive proved that the future could be changed!

And now that he knew information about the future, Tobirama had enough confidence to properly train Hiruzen and the others again—at the very least, to ensure they would not become as disappointing as they had in the original future.

The future was the future.

The current Hiruzen was the current Hiruzen. He would not necessarily become that Hiruzen of the future!

Besides, who said that once Hiruzen took over as Hokage, Tobirama could no longer handle government affairs or manage Konoha?

Wouldn't that brat Hiruzen, in the future, love clinging tightly to power even after stepping down, turning the Fourth Hokage into a mere figurehead?

Now Hiruzen could have a taste of how awful it felt to become a figurehead himself.

Then they would see whether he still dared to cling so greedily to power in the future.

Real lessons were far more unforgettable than verbal ones!

"No! Teacher, you're the Hokage. How can you let Hiruzen...?"

Danzo immediately stepped forward in objection.

He had finally seen Lord Tobirama alive and had thought he still had hope of succeeding the Hokage Position. How could he so readily yield it to Hiruzen again?

In response, Tobirama directly shouted at Danzo:

"Danzo, if you really want to surpass Monkey, then show some ambition!"

"If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you won't lose it next time."

"Settle down and focus on studying and improving."

"Strength, ninjutsu, achievements, political accomplishments... as long as you work hard enough, it's not impossible to surpass Monkey."

"That's what you need to do, instead of fixating on pointless verbal disputes!"

After taking a trip to the future, Tobirama realized that he had still been too gentle with these brats.

Those who needed scolding had to be scolded!

Those who needed discipline had to be disciplined!

And those who needed a beating had to be beaten hard!

Only then could their bad habits be corrected before they grew into deeply ingrained vices!

Danzo's heart jolted from the shout. He lowered his head in shame, his ears burning hot.

How embarrassing!

But Tobirama's rebuke did have some effect, making Danzo even more determined to catch up to and surpass Hiruzen!

"Teacher, I also think I'm still not good enough. I hope..."

"Monkey, obey the order! You're already the Hokage. Don't disappoint me!"

Tobirama glared at Hiruzen, leaving him no room to refuse.

Hiruzen accepted the order. He knew that Teacher Tobirama must have his own arrangements.

All he needed to do was obey.

Just like that, Tobirama used the Flying Thunder God to return directly to the village, without letting anyone discover him.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen and the other five, who looked rather battered and exhausted, finally returned to the village as well.

They brought back the news that "the alliance had failed, and the Second Hokage, Tobirama, had been killed" to Konoha.

For a time, The entirety of Konoha was thrown into an uproar.

Every ninja clan was shocked and deeply fearful. Some ninjas even began entertaining thoughts of fleeing Konoha.

Fortunately, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward and took up the position of Third Hokage.

With the Sarutobi Clan's strength, along with the support and assistance of Danzo and the other four, he gradually calmed the panic and unrest within the village.

During this time, Tobirama never showed himself or lent a hand.

He was not worried about such trivial matters at all.

Originally, even if he had died, Hiruzen and the others would have been able to reassure the Clans and unite the village once more after returning.

There was no reason they should still be unable to stabilize the village after he was alive and had greatly bolstered their confidence and resolve.

If that truly happened, Tobirama would have to seriously consider replacing every single one of his successors.

The day after returning to the village, Inside the adjacent room beside the [Hokage's Office], Tobirama was analyzing intelligence sent back by the frontline ninjas.

Suddenly, two figures flashed into the room.

Tobirama was startled, but quickly calmed down.

Anyone capable of appearing soundlessly within a room protected by barriers could only be that Sage of the Dao Path. Tobirama did not even need to guess.

However, The person he had brought this time was not Elder Brother Hashirama.

It was another old acquaintance whom Tobirama both hated and feared.

Madara Uchiha!

"You, Madara Uchiha! You're not dead? No, you're the Madara from Elder Brother Hashirama's side?"

Tobirama 2 said in shock, quickly guessing Madara's identity.

Madara, who had teleported here, was clearly even more horrified.

Through the window, he quickly recognized this place as Konoha, but it was far more prosperous than the Konoha on his side.

"This is Konoha?"

"Konoha in the future?"

"You're that Tobirama bastard?"

"No, that's not right!"

"You're just as irritating, but you're not the Tobirama I know!"

Madara's eye was exceptionally sharp, and he spotted Tobirama 2's differences at a glance.

Compared to the Elder Tobirama here, the Tobirama of World 1 was far more detestable and far more arrogant.

With Elder Brother Hashirama backing him up, that young Tobirama had never known what fear was.

This Elder Tobirama, after suffering so much hardship, had clearly lost some of his sharpness and gained more depth and composure.