Five Years

Almost at the same time that Jigen left the Shinobi World, the allied forces of the daimyo were also completely wiped out. The ninja stormed into the Daimyo's Mansion and easily captured the daimyo who were trying to commit suicide but were worried that suicide would be too painful.

The ministers who paid for Kakuzu 'Kakuzu vanished without a trace in the Shinobi World, as if they had evaporated into thin air. Some speculated that they had escaped to a place where the ninjas could never find them, and there were even rumors that they had hidden a huge treasure overseas.

This instantly sparked a wave of naval exploration in the Shinobi World.

Only the Kakuzu knew that it was all a rumor. The reason those ministers had disappeared was because he had sent them all to the Pure Land.

Of course, he was not a bloodthirsty person. The families of the ministers all survived and, after being brainwashed by Illusion Technique, were sent to mines under Kakuzu's jurisdiction.

"They have their treasures overseas? Don't be ridiculous, that kind of lie only fools young children."

Kakuzu stood on the deck, looking at the ships sailing around him, and made a disdainful sound.

"But why do we have to go to sea too, Kakuzu?"

Behind Kakuzu, Tayu, who had already figured out Kakuzu's personality Tayuya complained in annoyance.

Even Kakuzu himself is the murderer, he still joins the seafaring craze and becomes one of the people in it.

Upon hearing Tayuya's question, Kakuzu did not answer immediately. Instead, he turned to look at her, his green eyes unusually calm.

Tayuya had never seen Kakuzu look at her like that before, and became a little embarrassed under his gaze. "W-you, what are you looking at Kakuzu...?"

"No, it's nothing. Going out to sea was just a task assigned to us by that awful boss."

Kakuzu turned his head back.

"The boss? That's what you said when you went to rob some famous tomb last time, but I've never seen our boss."

Tayuya was used to Kakuzu's tendency to shift blame.

Since the complete annihilation of the Daimyo Daimyo's Mansion five years ago, the once-famous Integration Movement has also disappeared without a trace, and no one knows that they have infiltrated the Land of Rice.

As the ninjas issued a proclamation demanding that other daimyo who had not participated in the war relinquish their power, Kakuzu, under the guise of a minister of the Land of Rice, announced that the Land of Rice had overthrown the daimyo and established a new government based on the people.

Upon hearing the news, the Shinobi Alliance did not personally investigate, as they still needed to eliminate the remaining forces of the Dawn Organization and continue their investigation of the Ōtsutsuki Ruins. So, after finding out who was currently in power in the Land of Rice, they went about their own business.

After the daimyo abdicated for various reasons, either voluntarily or by force, the village shamans seized control of the state.

The people were initially very worried about the ninja's rule, and there were even large-scale protests.

This wave of opposition was only contained after the Fourth Hokage, Hatake Sakumo, issued a series of policies that benefited the country and its people and publicized them widely.

Thus, villages such as Konoha, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure disappeared, replaced by the Kage who controlled the country in the name of Kage.

"Kakuzu, does our organization really still have a big boss? Is he really not a character you made up to shift the blame to Todoroki?"

Tayuya blinked and walked to Kakuzu's side.

"Who knows? I don't even know if a guy who disappeared for five years is still alive." Kakuzu took a deep breath, his mind replaying the various encounters he had in the grove years ago.

The Land of Fire, Research Bureau under the Ministry of Defense.

Compared to five years ago, Danzo, who looked much more weathered, arrived at a laboratory with a cane, led by Aburame Ryoma.

This ambitious and cunning man was no longer the treacherous and cunning man he once was; from a distance, he looked like an ordinary old man with a kind face.

However, when he saw that the person who had summoned him was Orochimaru, his face showed undisguised disgust.

"What do you want with me, Orochimaru?"

Danzo, Orochimaru, who had regained his male form, turned around with a smile after hearing the voice.

"It's nothing, I just have some interesting experimental results I'd like to show you."

Beside him, a shy-looking man in a researcher's uniform smiled and stepped forward to help Danzo up.

Upon seeing Bai's still exquisite face, Danzo was momentarily stunned, then recovered, resisted slightly, but ultimately accepted the other's kindness.

"What research findings do I need to review? Since the ninja forces and samurai were integrated into the Ministry of Defense, I have relinquished all my duties."

Danzo's words remained indifferent.

Orochimaru didn't say anything more. He reached for the remote control on the table and operated it for a while. An empty space unfolded to both sides, revealing a huge hole. Then, two huge petri dishes slowly rose up and stood in front of everyone.

Inside the petri dish, two infants floated quietly in the nutrient solution.

Just as Danzo was beginning to see what was inside the petri dish, Amado walked in from another room, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

"That battle broke out too suddenly back then, and some things were indeed beyond my expectations. That was definitely my mistake." Amado scratched his head and walked to Orochimaru's side.

The moment Amado, Danzo aged body erupted with fierce killing intent, causing even the pale-skinned man beside him to feel a stinging pain.

"Fortunately Hiruko had left behind the Fifth Hokage's cells for experiments. This is what I cultivated using his cells, combined with my own cells and Ōtsutsuki cells..."

Upon hearing Amado say that this child was created using Kazashiro, Danzo's clenched hand trembled violently, and his expression turned even more grim.

"Kamui, Kagura, these are the names given by the other half of the consultation cell provider."

Amado completely ignored Danzo's unpleasant expression and continued, "She also said that she doesn't have any requirements regarding surnames. If you're willing to use the surname Shimura, she has absolutely no objection."

Looking at the two infants in the petri dish, Danzo's murderous intent subsided after a while. He cleared his throat, wanting to say something, but in the end, he only left one sentence before shaking off Bai's support and leaving the Research Bureau.

That's fine.

With the high-ranking officials of Konoha seizing control of the country, the city that was originally the seat of the Daimyo's Mansion naturally became a ruined capital.

The village's location became the new capital.

"The search for Isshiki and the Fifth Hokage has been proceeding steadily, and we are also continuing to explore the alternate dimension where the former Dawn Organization is located."

Inside the room, Shikamaru Nara, who had taken over some of his father's work, reported his recent work to the Fourth Hokage in a languid tone.

"You can decide this kind of work yourself; there's no need for me to sit in on it."

Like Danzo Hiruzen Sarutobi aged, stroked his beard with one hand and forced a smile.

"After all, this concerns the Fifth Hokage, so there are some things I must report to you."

Looking at Kakashi, whom he had forcibly dragged over to handle various matters, Sakumo's smile was tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"I've already heard about those two children cultivated using cells from my good-for-nothing disciple." Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Time flies; five years have passed in the blink of an eye."

"Without the Fifth Generation, I think Konoha, no, the Land of Fire, would not be so prosperous." Sakumo's words were heard by Uchiha Itachi, who was not far away and was busy processing military reports. His expression also became somewhat gloomy.

This atmosphere is so awkward, it's really troublesome.

Shikamaru Nara shivered as he was enveloped in an atmosphere of silence, and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

However, the words of the others stirred up memories of his childhood, and a face that was already blurred, but whose heroic spirit and beauty could still be vaguely seen, appeared in his mind.

"Speaking of which, Obito's second child has already been born, and I heard it's another son."

Sensing that the atmosphere was a bit strange, the Third Hokage changed the subject.

Old people his age are naturally inclined to gossip about other people's affairs.

Hearing this, Sakumo sighed helplessly and then glanced at his son.

They both got married at the same time, Obito already has two kids, while his own partner hasn't even started having any.

It's unclear whether Mei Terumi was too busy or Kakashi's mind wasn't on the matter.

"I truly envy you, Third Hokage, with grandchildren all around you, and you've also nurtured so many outstanding disciples. Compared to you, I am truly ashamed."

Sakumo sincerely admired Hiruzen.

The granddaughter he mentioned is Asuma and Kurenai's daughter, Mirai Sarutobi.

"Your disciple... I am truly ashamed. As your teacher, I have let my disciple pass away before me. If only I had known back then..."

The Konoha High Command did not inform Hiruzen about the sudden operation. Upon learning that Amado had come to Konoha and hearing about the enemy's battle plan, Kazeshiro resolutely joined the Kazashiro and became a key player.

"I've always believed that Amado had ulterior motives. He was worried that the Fifth Generation would discover something, which is why he devised such a crude battle plan."

A glint of light flashed in Hiruzen Sarutobi's old, cloudy eyes. Since Kazashiro's disappearance, he had focused all his attention on Amado.

As a renowned "ninja professor" in the Shinobi World, Hiruzen believed he had a knack for judging people.

From the moment he first saw Amado, he judged that he was an extremely ambitious man, with a greed in his eyes no less than that of Orochimaru.

In comparison, Hiruko seemed so harmless.

Although Sakumo didn't notice anything amiss with Amado, he unconditionally trusted Hiruzen's judgment and had been sending ninjas from the Internal Affairs Department to track and monitor him for years.

That's right. Even though the ninja village and the country were merged, the Internal Affairs Department, founded by Kazashiro, was still retained and became a powerful tool for those in power to control the country.

"The surveillance is still ongoing. If he makes any unusual moves, I believe Yamato will take care of him."

The leader of the squad responsible for monitoring Amado is Yamato.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing."

As Shikaku pushed open the door and entered, upon seeing Hyuga Hiashi and Uchiha Obito behind him, Sakumo took out a document that looked like it had been sitting there for a long time.

His complexion was just as unpleasant as the color of the document.

"I've called you all here because there's something very important..."

Hearing that it was important, everyone present became extremely attentive, except for Uchiha Itachi and Hatake Kakashi, who knew the inside story and lowered their heads.

"I recently organized and sorted through some unprocessed documents and discovered that the Seven-Tails, which was taken from Uchiha Yaowan years ago, is still sealed in the back mountains of Konoha, without a designated Jinchuriki..."

Everyone present:...

The Land of Wind.

"Welcome, Hikaru."

The Fourth Kazekage, Pakura, looked at Uchiha Hikari, who was wearing a cloak, and extended his hand in a friendly manner.

The reason she was the Fourth Kazekage is that after the war, Pakura had no intention of restoring Rasa's reputation, still classifying him as the worst traitor in history, and even including his shameless behavior in history textbooks.

After some initial opposition, Ebizo and Chiyo realized that Pakura was completely ignoring them, so they stopped insisting and returned to their retirement life.

"Hmm." Uchiha Hikari remained expressionless, lightly touching Pakura's hand before quickly withdrawing it.

Pakura didn't mind Uchiha Hikari's cold behavior; he had always been like that, only showing affection to a certain person.

Soon, the two appeared at the most famous restaurant in the Land of Wind.

Resting her chin on her hand, watching Uchiha Hikari, who still Fudō the sight of delicious food as before, Pakura asked the question that had been on her mind.

Are you still searching for that guy?

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Hikari paused in his movements, but continued reaching for the deep-fried pork belly coated in seasoning sauce.

After eating a lot of dishes along with rice, Uchiha Hikari finally stopped what he was doing.

"That guy can't die, at least not before I make my move."

"However, as far as I know..." Pakura had also searched for Kazashiro's whereabouts; to be precise, Five Great Nations had devoted tremendous effort to finding him.

But as a result, neither Isshiki nor Kazashiro made any contact with them.

Pakura originally wanted to offer some advice, but when she saw Uchiha Hikari's expression, she couldn't bring herself to say the rest of her words.

The Uchiha Clan is known for its stubbornness; once they've made up their minds, they'll definitely do it.

Didn't you see the precedent of Madara Uchiha, the most tragic victim of fraud in history? To warn the Uchiha Clan, the Land of Fire included this incident in its history textbooks.

As for Black Zetsu, the mastermind behind it all, he's probably still undergoing experiments in Orochimaru's pleasure house...

Madara Uchiha's illustrious reputation was ultimately ruined by that cunning old fox, Black Zetsu. Just thinking about it made Ōnoki laugh heartily.

Every time the Kage Summit is held, this Tsuchikage would bring up this matter.

I wonder if Madara Uchiha from heaven, would appear in the other person's dream.