Isn't the Next Hokage Namikaze Minato?

The grass was lush, swaying gently in the breeze.

Within the Land of Grass, the original Minato Team—now the Kakashi Team—was preparing to part ways. Namikaze Minato, their instructor, was delivering his final instructions and warnings.

In the corner, the corpse of the Iwagakure scout Mahiru was 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 we've spoken of self-control, you must become a strong ninja. You are a Chunin now; you should learn to be independent."

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

Looking around, he caught sight of Nohara Rin's 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, and 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 tracks from his eyes, and Nohara Rin looked worried, though 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 forest, and the group went on high alert as a familiar laugh reached their ears.

"That's quite strict, Minato-sensei."

Within their line of sight stood a figure in a crisp black robe, wearing a Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask with a white base and red patterns, the Uchiha crest clearly visible on the back of his black cloak.

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

Obito was startled at first, then hurriedly wiped his face clean, terrified that this boy, who was quite a bit younger than him, would discover 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's a top-tier operative under the Third Tsuchikage. Should I say, as expected of Minato-sensei?"

Having said that, Hanazuki shifted his gaze and warned them solemnly.

"Never mind that. You all need to be careful. There are quite a few Iwagakure elites 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 chewing 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 dispersed, a hint of doubt flickered in Kakashi's cold eyes. Nohara Rin instinctively looked toward her teacher and couldn't help but ask.

"Minato-sensei, Uchiha Hanazuki... what exactly is his mission?"

"That child? The mission he is responsible for is far more arduous than yours. Work hard, and don't let your juniors surpass you. Kakashi, Obito, I must be going."

As his figure vanished, Rin carefully tucked away the teacher's special kunai and looked at Obito with concern.

"I know. You're a Jonin, so you'll be in command for this mission. Let's go. We can't 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 returning to its usual gentle smile.

The three figures disappeared into the forest. A pale White Zetsu emerged from the trees, watching them leave with a smirk curling his lips.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan."

"What kind of plan? Care to tell me about it?"

A crisp, youthful voice rang out from behind him. White Zetsu's pupils constricted. He turned his head with difficulty, only to be met by the sight of the Demon Fox Mask, whose eyes contained an intricate, complex Mangekyo Sharingan that plunged White Zetsu into confusion.

[Character Check-in: White Zetsu]
[Abilities: Spore Technique, God Tree Cells, Mayfly Technique, Transformation Technique...]
[Random Draw in progress... Check-in successful. Obtained: Mayfly Technique.]

"So that's how it is. So old that you can't even move, relying entirely on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to sustain your life, and even the Rinnegan has been transplanted into Nagato. Has the former God of Shinobi truly become so decrepit that he can no longer move?"

Clang! A flash of cold light, and a sharp pain jolted White Zetsu back to his senses. He instantly used the Mayfly Technique to vanish from the spot.

"He left? It doesn't matter. I've already obtained what I wanted. To think that someone eroded by the God Tree since the Warring States period, a mere human, was pickled into a White Zetsu—it's quite unsettling when you think about it."

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.

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

The corners of his mouth curled up, his face twisted in madness. Uchiha-laughter.jpg

Meanwhile, White Zetsu, who had fled in a hurry to the Graveyard Mountains, froze. How on earth had that Uchiha brat discovered him?

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

His figure sank into the roots of the grass. There was no helping it; if he were scolded, so be it. If the boy had discovered their existence, things would truly become troublesome.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The collapse of distant mountain rocks made White Zetsu's already grim expression soften slightly.

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

Without hesitation, White Zetsu prepared to travel to the location where Obito was buried to retrieve 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 body of the White Zetsu. As it moved using the Mayfly Technique, 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 along with it. 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 just head back."

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

With a cold gaze 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 reflection, Hua Yue answered candidly.

"Among all currently known ninjutsu, it is the most powerful in terms of offensive capability. It is a Kekkei Tota that is completely impossible to block; aside from escaping the range of the attack, it is a nearly unsolvable technique."

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

"Iwagakure's ability to remain strong is inseparable from Onoki's ninjutsu and diplomatic skills, though I hear that old man has a rather 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 quickly followed up with a huff of annoyance.

"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 Lord Namikaze Minato?"