The Fifth Hokage?

The Land of Fire's border

Sunlight streamed through the only gap in the trees, scattering across the ground.

Three figures sat in a circle, with some fruit, food, and water laid out between them.

One of the men was extraordinarily handsome, as if he embodied every beautiful thing in the world. He made people instinctively want to draw closer.

Zabuza ate while marveling to himself.

Good thing I'm a man. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be able to eat with the leader sitting beside me. I'd just stare at him. But why has the leader's face been appearing in my mind so often lately...? Don't tell me I...

At the thought, Zabuza hurriedly shook his head, banishing the horrifying idea.

"All right, if you're done eating, let's get moving."

Feng Yao wiped his mouth and put his mask back on. They had reached the border. The Land of Water was surrounded by sea, so they would have to take a boat to get there.

Helping Zabuza was also helping himself. Feng Yao had considered many places to establish the Immortal Organization, but in the end, he had settled on the Land of Water. Its location was excellent: far from the mainland, and it had never seen a large-scale war.

As a result, from the Warring States period of the Naruto world until the end of the Third Shinobi World War, the country had retained the greatest variety of Kekkei Genkai in the world. It was known for its many different kinds of Kekkei Genkai.

And what did that mean? Lots of talent. Recruit a few and give them some training, and they'd be fresh blood for the Immortal Organization.

Then completing the system's missions would be a piece of cake. At the thought, Feng Yao felt his spirits lift. He was already wondering what divine artifact the system would give him.

"Congratulations, host. You have triggered a mission: Recruit Mei Terumi. Mission description: Recruit the Fifth Mizukage. Time limit: two years."

"Slogan: A powerful man must conquer the most powerful woman. Keep it up, young man!"

Even though Feng Yao had now inherited the Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body, giving him exceptionally strong mental fortitude and resilience, the system's words nearly made him collapse in exasperation.

"You've got some nerve. You called me lecherous before, and now you're telling me to conquer the Fifth Mizukage. What do you take me for, some kind of sex-crazed pervert?"

Feng Yao spoke with righteous indignation, as if he would never do anything so vile.

"What are you thinking, host? I only meant for you to recruit Mei Terumi into the Immortal Organization. What strange ideas did you come up with?"

"...You were deliberately misleading me just now, weren't you? Ahem. Actually, I was thinking the same thing. The Immortal Organization is short on talent, especially talents with Kekkei Genkai like Mei Terumi."

Feng Yao defended himself without batting an eye.

There was a small village on the outskirts, home to ordinary villagers who made their living fishing. It should be easy enough to get a couple of boats here.

Zabuza and Hideyoshi went to look for a boat, while Feng Yao wandered around the village. A sheet of paper on the notice board caught his attention.

The village was small, but news and matters of state were sometimes posted here so the villagers could keep informed.

It was an official notice from the Land of Fire.

The Third of Konoha Ninja Village, due to old age and frail health, had voluntarily relinquished his position as Hokage. By decision of the Feudal Lord of the Land of Fire and Konoha's elite council, Shimura Danzō had been appointed as the Fifth Hokage!

At the same time,

a five-star wanted notice had been issued for Feng Yao. Anyone who killed him would receive a reward of fifty million ryo.

Beneath it were pictures of Feng Yao wearing his mask, as well as photos from his time in Konoha. Kakashi still hadn't woken up, so Naruto's squad had no idea that Feng Yao was the young ninja they had faced that day. Naturally, they didn't know what he really looked like now, either.

Feng Yao gave a derisive chuckle. He was worth quite a bit, huh? The bounty was nearly as much as what he'd made when he'd robbed Gato. Too bad he was on his way to the Land of Water.

But as he continued reading, his expression froze. A flash of fury crossed his eyes, and his face darkened.

The notice below read:

Feng Yao's parents,

Feng Bo and Feng Miao, had been confirmed to have close ties to the rogue ninja Feng Yao and to have repeatedly sold intelligence to other countries. They have been executed by the Fifth Hokage.

Fury surged through him with nowhere to go. He punched the notice board, shattering it.

His parents were only ordinary people. How could they have sold intelligence?

But he was quick-witted. It took only a moment for him to figure it out. The Third was a kind and generous man. He would never harm innocent people.

But Danzō had taken power. He was suspicious by nature and heavy-handed, unwilling to tolerate even the slightest oversight. At that moment, the village most needed to restore order and capture Feng Yao.

So Danzō had gone after his parents first. Whether or not they had any connection to Feng Yao, they had to die. That would calm the people of Konoha and the Land of Fire, show where he stood, and prove that he was capable of serving as the Fifth Hokage.

"Danzō! I'll! Kill! You!"

Feng Yao spat out each word through gritted teeth.

He and his parents had had some differences, but they had still raised him for twelve years. People weren't heartless, especially toward the ones who had given them life and raised them.

Though his fury was overwhelming, the Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body still kept him thinking rationally. He immediately turned and went to find Zabuza and Hideyoshi.

The two had already bought a fishing boat and were about to leave. Feng Yao returned and spoke to them.

"I have something to take care of. I can't go to the Land of Water for now. You two go ahead and wait there for me. Stay put and await my orders." His tone left no room for argument.

Hideyoshi thought Feng Yao must be planning something major and was about to volunteer to go with him. Then he saw the killing intent in Feng Yao's icy blue eyes.

The words caught in his throat. Zabuza felt as if Feng Yao had become some primeval beast.

"W-well... if that's the leader's order, we'll obey. We'll establish ourselves in the Land of Water and wait for your arrival."

After giving them his instructions, Feng Yao turned and left. He had only one thought now.

Kill Danzō!

He activated Sage Mode and sprinted through the forest. At his speed, it would take less than a week to get back to Konoha.

"Host, I won't stop you from seeking revenge, but I have to remind you: in three days, your six-month period will be over. That's when the next random draw takes place. After that, you won't be able to enter Sage Mode or use Senjutsu."

At this, Feng Yao had no choice but to stop on a tree branch. He cursed the system hundreds of times in his mind. He thought the system was a pain, but there was nothing he could do but vent his anger. Who knew what kind of ninjutsu or fighting style the next random draw would give him?

He definitely couldn't head straight to Konoha.

Feng Yao wanted revenge, but he wasn't so blinded by rage that he'd charge in and fight Danzō head-on.

He thought everything through rationally. In his current state, with the Xiaoyao Wise Heart Body, Sage Mode, and the increased power of his Senjutsu, he was confident he could kill Danzō and escape unharmed. But now...

He would get his revenge, but he wasn't about to throw his life away for it. That would be the act of a brute.

"You always pick the worst time to be useless," Feng Yao cursed at the system. Then he changed direction. He had thought of another plan, and he would need an ally.

Meanwhile, inside Konoha Ninja Village,

Danzō wore a white Hokage robe over a red ninja outfit, with the Hokage hat on his head. At last, he had achieved his goal and become Konoha's Hokage.

Now he could impose his will and protect Konoha with an iron fist.

"Lord Hokage, the news has all been spread. What's our next move?"

The man kneeling before him was none other than Tankyu, the Anbu member who had once pursued Feng Yao. He was actually a member of Root.

"You did well. Thanks to your report about this situation, I was able to bring Hiruzen down today. This kid Feng Yao really did surprise me."

Danzō spoke evenly, holding Feng Yao's file in his hand.

Danzō had learned of the news as soon as Feng Yao had defected from the village. In principle, a rogue ninja appearing in the village was a dereliction of duty on the Third's part. Danzō had wanted to use the opportunity to attack him, but the villagers still strongly supported the Third.

Danzō had no choice but to wait for an opportunity. He ordered Tankyu to get rid of the old physician. In his eyes, killing an ordinary person was no big deal, especially in case Feng Yao had colluded with the physician. He also ordered those around him to report any developments to Konoha immediately.

At last, Feng Yao had returned. A vendor had reported that someone had come asking about the physician and had brought a ninja with him. Danzō had passed this information to the Third and left it to him to handle.

Even if Feng Yao had failed, Danzō would have found a way to pin the blame on the Third. He would stop at nothing to become Hokage.

Danzō tightened his grip on Feng Yao's file. Now, all he had to do was eliminate this threat to Konoha.