The Shrine Priest Clan maintained its status by appointing the most talented children as clan heads. It remained at the highest levels of the country, answering only to the Emperor.
In the years that followed, times changed. Although Masahiro's family experienced some upheavals along the way, thanks to its extraordinary power, large population, and completely open approach to Ninjutsu, it maintained an exceptionally high standing among the country's elite, with the capable rising to prominence.
By the modern era, the Shrine Priest Clan's connections, industries, and businesses had spread across the entire Land of Days, making it one of the most prominent noble families.
Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't surprised by this outcome. After all, the Chakra Seed could be passed down through childbirth, and humanity's rate of reproduction meant that the legacy of his Ninja would be all but impossible to wipe out.
That was why Sarutobi hadn't chosen more people to spread the Seeds back then. He had chosen only Masahiro.
The figure that appeared before Sarutobi Hiruzen next, however, did surprise him.
It was Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
After parting ways with Sarutobi Hiruzen, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had given up Sun Breathing and started practicing Immortal Breathing instead.
After all, in an era without Demons, Sun Breathing really was unnecessary. Against ordinary people, Tsugikuni Yoriichi could protect himself with his swordsmanship alone.
After he began practicing Immortal Breathing, Tsugikuni Yoriichi progressed rapidly. Before long, his Demon Slayer Mark disappeared, and he reached the Total Concentration state.
His body had become that of a Perfect Being.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi then wandered the Land of Days for the rest of his life, living into the modern era.
During that time, Tsugikuni Yoriichi also crossed paths with Masahiro's family. With his protection, the Tsugikuni Clan became the strongest family of warriors in the Land of Days. By the modern era, it had become a prestigious family whose members had won the national kendo championship for generations.
Of course, over the long passage of time, the Breathing Style had also faded away and changed. It was no longer the kind that desperately drained one's life force.
Instead, it developed into a gentler method that gradually improved one's physical fitness.
At the end of the scene, Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Tsugikuni Yoriichi reunite with his wife, Uta, at a modern school.
"So that's how it is."
"In that case, they could make another school anime."
Sarutobi Hiruzen understood why Tsugikuni Yoriichi had switched to Immortal Breathing.
After learning that reincarnation existed, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had wanted to live on and search for his wife's reincarnation. In the end, he had succeeded in the modern era.
"The love story of a legendary, immortal swordsman and an innocent schoolgirl."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled. It did sound like an entertaining story.
"Ding!"
"Spacetime Anchor complete. Calculating subsequent Source Energy settlement."
"You killed the Demon King ahead of time in the Demon Slayer World, spread a new supernatural power, and changed the fate of the Child of Destiny and many others..."
"The spacetime has fluctuated as a result..."
"Obtained 8100 Source Energy."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a little disappointed.
"Still not over ten thousand..."
But he wasn't surprised. Chakra's power had limited applications in the Demon Slayer World. It had an impact, but nowhere near enough to change history.
In the age of technology, the faith in Gatling Bodhisattva was stronger.
As for the Breathing Style, there was even less to say. It only improved one's physical fitness and relied on the air. It was less useful in modern warfare than Chakra.
Host: Sarutobi Hiruzen,
Current World: Four-Star World—Naruto,
World Mark (Spacetime Anchor): Two-Star World—Demon Slayer,
Spacetime Source Points: 8648.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. The gains from this trip were decent, at least enough to make it worthwhile. And he wouldn't have to worry about the cost of his next Transmigration.
"Lord Third!"
An Anbu member knocked on the door, saying he had something to report.
"Come in."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
The Anbu member entered and saw the Third Hokage, whom he hadn't seen for two days. Surprise immediately filled his heart.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had changed noticeably.
'Lord Third seems...'
The Anbu member stared at Sarutobi Hiruzen's face, momentarily stunned.
Compared to before, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked and carried himself somewhat differently.
His beard and sideburns, which had begun to turn white with age, had regained their color. His hair was now glossy black, making him look almost like a young man.
Most of the wrinkles on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face had also faded. He no longer looked like a man in his fifties.
He looked more like a healthy, vigorous man in his early forties.
The Anbu member stared at the dignified yet spirited Third Hokage, momentarily dazed. For a moment, he felt as if he were looking at the Ninja Hero who had once dominated the Ninja World.
"Ahem..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally knew why the Anbu member had been caught off guard.
He had practiced Immortal Breathing whenever he had the time in the Demon Slayer World, and he was already seeing considerable results. Though he was still some distance from the Total Concentration Constant State, the practice was already paying off.
His cells had become five or six years younger, and his digestion was as good as a young man's. Even his appetite had grown.
The most obvious sign was that he looked six or seven years younger.
"All right..."
"Get to the point."
Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke calmly. The Anbu member jumped, feeling sweat bead on his forehead.
'Lord Third's presence is getting more and more terrifying...'
Though puzzled, the Anbu member assumed that the Third Hokage was simply taking good care of himself or had been in good spirits lately. It never crossed his mind that Sarutobi Hiruzen was growing young again.
"Lord Third..."
"Tomorrow is the day you'll head to the capital..."
"Should we arrange for a full squad of Anbu to escort you?"
The Anbu member asked.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. Given the schedule, it was almost time to go through the Hokage inauguration process again.
So he gave his orders.
"No need to arrange a full squad..."
"I'm only going through the motions when I take office again this time."
"Just have a small squad accompany me."
A glint flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
"Then strengthen security around the Hokage Building."
"Assign Jonin skilled in Sealing Jutsu to duty tomorrow."
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused.
"Make sure they're Jonin we can trust completely."
"Understood?"
The Anbu member standing before him could speak face-to-face with Sarutobi Hiruzen, which meant he was a trusted subordinate. Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't worried that he would leak anything.
The Anbu member's heart tightened as he listened to the Third Hokage. He had a sense that a storm was brewing.
He had his suspicions, but still answered in a firm voice.
"Yes!"
After the Anbu member left, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned another Anbu member.
"Find me a copy of the prisoner records from Konoha Prison."
"Then..."
"Bring Uchiha Fugaku to see me."
A dangerous glint shone in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.
"Tell him I want to talk about the Nine-Tails losing control."
The Anbu member accepted the order and left.
Watching the spot where the Anbu member had disappeared, Sarutobi Hiruzen wore a resolute expression, his intent to kill unmistakable.
Though his strength had nearly returned to its peak, and he could take on two Danzo in a direct fight, Sarutobi Hiruzen had still made some preparations, out of caution.
He would make sure Danzo's death was a sure thing!
At Root's gloomy headquarters,
Danzo sat at the head of the room, his expression grim and murderous.
"Tomorrow, your target is the Third Hokage. Assassinate him on the road to the capital of the Land of Fire."
"He's been Hokage for far too long."
"He's accomplished nothing!"
Danzo spoke as if he could convince even himself.
"Konoha doesn't need a weak Hokage!"
"Understood?"
The response from below came back like the clash of steel.
"Yes!"
About ten Root shinobi knelt before him. Every one of them was at least an elite Chunin.
They were clearly a formidable tactical squad.
But sending this squad to assassinate a Hokage—even one past his prime—was almost laughable.
Danzo knew that gathering more skilled fighters would give him a better chance.
But the truth was, even though Root operated independently of the Anbu and often expanded its ranks on its own, very few of its members were truly willing to obey Danzo completely and follow him into rebellion.
The Will of Fire had been spread effectively, and the Third Hokage's prestige ran deep.
Most Root shinobi had come from the Anbu or been recruited from the clans. They were all fiercely loyal to Konoha and would never go along with Danzo's schemes.
The Root shinobi before Danzo, however, were his own confidants, raised and indoctrinated from childhood to ensure their absolute loyalty.
Still, Danzo wasn't relying on them entirely. These confidants weren't his real trump card...
Without thinking, Danzo touched his right arm, his expression growing excited.
"Soon... The Hokage Position..."
The next day,
Sarutobi Hiruzen left the Hokage Building early in the morning.
With a small squad of Anbu members accompanying him, he left Konoha and headed for the capital of the Land of Fire.
Not long after Sarutobi Hiruzen's party left Konoha, another group set off after them.
Several hours later,
Shimura Danzo entered the Hokage Building with a calm expression.
As Hokage Assistant, he had always enjoyed Sarutobi Hiruzen's trust and held considerable power.
So even with the Third Hokage away from the Hokage Building, no one dared stop Shimura Danzo from entering.
Shimura Danzo made his way straight to the Hokage Office, as if he knew it like the back of his hand.
Looking around the empty office, Shimura Danzo couldn't help smiling darkly. He walked around the desk and sat down in the Hokage's own seat.
Danzo took in the view from the Hokage's perspective: the spacious office, offering a clear view in every direction; the sight of Konoha spread out below the window; and the comfort of the specially made chair.
He ran a hand over the armrest of the Hokage Chair. In the end, he couldn't hold back and laughed softly.
"Hahahaha..."
"Ah, Sarutobi..."
"In the end, I'll be the one who wins..."
"This Hokage Position..."
Before Danzo could finish, a teasing voice rang out.
"The Hokage Position, what?"
Danzo's expression froze. As longtime friends and partners, he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen all too well, just as Sarutobi Hiruzen knew him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly emerged from the shadows. Seeing Danzo's face frozen in the middle of a laugh, he found it rather amusing.
"Surprised?"
"To see me here?"
"And even if I weren't here..."
"You didn't seriously think that clumsy assassination of yours would succeed, did you?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen mocked him.
"Sending only three tactical squads to assassinate a Hokage..."
The next moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen's overwhelming presence burst forth. His sharp gaze fixed on Danzo, and murderous intent instantly filled the Hokage Office, making it feel like a battlefield.
I couldn't quite make it to four thousand words. It's too noisy during the New Year, so I had to settle for three thousand.
Before you continue