Isn't the Next Hokage Namikaze Minato?

The grass was lush, swaying in the gentle breeze.

Within the Land of Grass, the former Minato Team, now Team Kakashi, stood on the verge of parting ways. Namikaze Minato, their instructor, was delivering his final instructions and warnings.

In the corner, the corpse of the Rock Hidden scout Mahiru was gradually growing cold, and Minato's expression had turned uncharacteristically stern.

"Kakashi, do not use that technique again. Your current neural reaction speed is not yet enough to master it perfectly."

"Obito, the same goes for you. Since you mentioned self-discipline, you must become a strong ninja. You are a Chunin now; you should learn to be independent."

"You are wearing goggles, so how could wind and sand possibly get into your eyes?"

Looking around, he caught a glimpse of Nohara Rin's slightly worried expression. Their teamwork, usually quite decent, was faltering at this very moment...

"I will say this one last time: your mission is to destroy the Kannabi Bridge. Set up sensory barriers in the surrounding area. While completing the mission, do not forget—"

"For a ninja, the most important thing is teamwork. Do you understand?"

Kakashi remained silent, Obito wiped the tear stains from his eyes, and Nohara Rin looked worried. Minato offered her a gentle smile.

"Rin, I leave them to you. You must complete the mission and return safely."

"Yes, Minato-sensei."

A dry branch snapped. The deliberate sound echoed through the mountain forest. Everyone tensed, and a familiar laugh reached their ears.

"You really are strict, Minato-sensei."

Within their line of sight, a figure in a distinct black robe appeared, wearing a three-eyed demon fox mask with red patterns on a white base. The Uchiha crest on the back of his black cloak was clearly visible.

"Hanazuki? Are you also executing a mission within the Land of Grass?"

Obito was startled at first, then hurriedly wiped the remaining tears from his face, terrified that this guy, who was quite a bit younger than him, would discover the fact that he had been scared to tears.

"No, my main body is at the border of the Land of Earth. This is just a Shadow Clone. How should I put it? That guy was supposed to be my mission target. He was a capable hand under the Third Tsuchikage. Should I say, as expected of Minato-sensei?"

After speaking, Hanazuki shifted his gaze and warned them solemnly.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. You all need to be careful. There are quite a few Rock Hidden experts in the Land of Grass, especially near the main supply routes."

"If this mission goes smoothly, the war might gradually draw to a close. If Minato-sensei finishes his mission quickly, I won't have to keep gnawing on military ration pills at the border of the Land of Earth."

"Enough chatter. You lot, don't wait until you've lost something to feel regret. Kakashi-senpai, let's go."

As the white mist dissipated, a trace of doubt quietly rose in Kakashi's near-frozen eyes. Nohara Rin subconsciously looked at her teacher and couldn't help but ask.

"Minato-sensei, Uchiha Hanazuki... what exactly is the mission he is responsible for?"

"That child? The mission he is responsible for is even more arduous than yours. Work hard, and don't let yourselves be surpassed by a junior. Kakashi, Obito, I must go."

His figure vanished. Rin carefully tucked away the specialized kunai her teacher had given her and looked at Obito with concern.

"I know. You are a Chunin, so you will lead this mission. Let's go. How could we let a junior look down on us..."

Obito finished with a hint of reluctance, then looked at Kakashi with a solemn expression.

Only then did Rin let out a sigh of relief, her face once again filled with her usual gentle smile.

The three figures disappeared into the forest. A pale White Zetsu emerged from the trees, watching their retreating forms with a smirk.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan."

"What kind of plan? Would you be interested in telling me about it?"

A crisp, youthful voice rang out from behind him. The White Zetsu's pupils constricted. He turned his head with difficulty, only to be met by the eyes of the demon fox mask, where an exquisite and complex Mangekyo spun, plunging the White Zetsu into confusion.

[Character Sign-in: White Zetsu]

[Abilities: Spore Jutsu, God Tree Cells, Mayfly Jutsu, Disguise Jutsu...]

[Random draw in progress... Sign-in successful. Obtained: Mayfly Jutsu.]

"So that's how it is. So old that he can't move, relying entirely on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to sustain his life, even having transplanted the Rinnegan into Nagato. Has the former God of Shinobi truly become so decrepit that he cannot even stir?"

Clang! A flash of cold light, and a sharp pain jolted the White Zetsu, who instantly used the Mayfly Jutsu to vanish from the spot.

"Did he run? It doesn't matter. I have already obtained what I wanted. To have been eroded by the God Tree since the Warring States period, and to have been 'pickled' into a White Zetsu despite once being a normal human... thinking about it still makes me uncomfortable."

After a simple treatment with medical ninjutsu, the precious specimen that Orochimaru had coveted for so long—known to the world as Hashirama Cells—had fallen into Hanazuki's hands just like that.

"It is time to give Madara a little Uchiha Shock. Don't you dare disappoint me, Obito. Hahahahaha..."

The corners of his mouth curled up, his face twisted in madness. Uchiha_Laughter.jpg

Meanwhile, the White Zetsu, who had fled back to the Graveyard of Mountains in a hurry, stiffened. How exactly had that Uchiha brat discovered him?

"Was it a coincidence? Damn brat. If I go back now, I'm going to get scolded by Madara-sama again..."

His figure submerged into the roots of the grass. Even if he were scolded, there was nothing he could do. If the boy discovered their existence, things would truly become troublesome.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The collapse of distant mountain rocks made the White Zetsu's already ugly expression recover slightly.

"Phew, is the plan proceeding smoothly? At least there were no issues near that brat. At the very least, he won't be killed. That's good."

Without hesitation, the White Zetsu prepared to travel to the location where Obito was buried to take away the successor Madara had designated.

Little did they know, a space-time mark, dimmed to the point of near-invisibility, had quietly attached itself to the White Zetsu's body. As it moved using the Mayfly Jutsu, it appeared clearly in Hua Yue's eyes.

"The long-drawn-out ninja war is finally drawing to a close, and the sparks of the Fourth Great Ninja War have been buried as a result. Should I go and play the role of the caring big brother next?"

"Actually, forget it. That image doesn't really suit me. I'd better head back."

Several days later, in Orochimaru's laboratory in Konoha Village, Land of Fire.

With cold eyes and a cruel smile, Orochimaru glanced at Hua Yue, who was engrossed in reading, and asked in a seemingly casual tone.

"What do you think of the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki's Dust Release?"

After a moment of contemplation, Hua Yue answered candidly.

"Among all known ninjutsu, it is the most powerful Kekkei Tota. It is completely impossible to block; aside from escaping its range, it is a nearly unsolvable technique."

Orochimaru nodded slightly, his hands never pausing in their work.

"Between Onoki's ninjutsu and his diplomatic skills, the Rock Hidden village's continued strength is inseparable from him. Though, I hear that old man has quite a stubborn temper."

Creak. The door opened, and Anko walked into the room carrying a stack of materials. Her eyes lit up when she saw Hua Yue, but she immediately followed up with a huffy, sarcastic remark.

"Tch, so you still remember you're the teacher's student! I never see you around these days. Did you only rush back because you heard the teacher is going to be the next Hokage?"

"Eh? The next Hokage—isn't that supposed to be Namikaze Minato?"