Isn't Namikaze Minato the Next Hokage?

Lush green grass carpeted the ground, while wild grass swayed in the breeze.

Within the Land of Grass, Minato's former team—now Kakashi's Team—was about to part ways. As their instructor, Namikaze Minato was giving them his final reminders and warnings.

In a corner, the corpse of Mahiru, the Land of Earth's scouting jōnin, was gradually growing cold. Minato's expression had also become unusually serious.

"Kakashi, don't use that move again. Your neural reaction speed still isn't enough for you to control it perfectly."

"Obito, the same goes for you. Since we're talking about self-control, become a strong ninja. You're a chūnin too. You should learn to be independent."

"You're wearing goggles. How could sand possibly get into your eyes?"

Looking around, he caught sight of Nohara Rin's somewhat worried expression. Their teamwork had always been fairly good, yet at a time like this...

"I'll say this one last time. Your mission is to destroy Kannabi Bridge and set up a sensory barrier around it. Don't forget that while completing your mission."

"For ninja, teamwork is the most important thing. Understood?"

Kakashi remained silent. Obito wiped away the tear tracks beside his eyes, while Nohara Rin looked worried. Minato gave her a gentle smile.

"Rin, I'm leaving them to you. Make sure you complete the mission and come back safely."

"Yes, Minato-sensei."

A dry branch snapped, the deliberately made sound echoing through the forest. Everyone immediately went on guard as familiar laughter reached their ears.

"You're really strict, Minato-sensei."

Before them stood a distinct black cloak and robe, a Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask with a white base and red patterns, and the Uchiha clan crest clearly visible on the back of the black mantle.

"Huayue? Are you on a mission in the Land of Grass too?"

Obito was startled at first, then hurriedly wiped the tear tracks from his face, afraid that this kid who was much younger than him would discover that he'd been frightened into tears.

"No, my real body is at the border of the Land of Earth. This is just a Shadow Clone. How should I put it? That guy was originally supposed to be my target. He's one of the Third Tsuchikage's capable men. Should I say that's to be expected of Minato-sensei?"

With that, Huayue shifted his gaze and gave them a solemn warning.

"Never mind, let's not talk about that. You'd better be careful. There are quite a few skilled Iwagakure ninja in the Land of Grass, especially around the key route strongholds."

"If this mission goes smoothly, the war might gradually come to an end as well. If Minato-sensei finishes his mission quickly, I won't have to keep chewing Military Ration Pills at the Land of Earth's border."

"Enough small talk. You three, don't regret it only after you've lost something. Kakashi-senpai, I'm leaving."

The White Mist dispersed. A trace of doubt quietly appeared in Kakashi's nearly cold gaze. Nohara Rin instinctively looked toward her teacher and couldn't help asking.

"Minato-sensei, what exactly is Uchiha Huayue's mission?"

"That child? His mission is much harder than yours. Work hard, and don't let yourselves be surpassed by a junior. Kakashi, Obito, I'm leaving."

As his figure vanished, Rin carefully put away her teacher's Special Kunai and looked worriedly at Obito.

"I get it. You're a jōnin, so you'll command this mission. Let's go. How can we let a junior look down on us..."

After speaking with some reluctance, Obito looked at Kakashi with a solemn expression.

Only then did Rin finally breathe a sigh of relief, her usual gentle smile returning to her face.

The three figures disappeared into the forest. White Zetsu, his entire body pale, emerged from a tree. Looking at the distant figures, a faint smile curled across his lips.

"Everything is proceeding according to plan."

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

A crisp, youthful voice sounded from behind him. White Zetsu's pupils contracted as he turned around with difficulty. Within the eyeholes of the Demon Fox Mask before him, the exquisite and intricate Mangekyō made White Zetsu fall into a daze.

Character Check-in: White Zetsu

Abilities: Spore Ninjutsu, God Tree Cells, Mayfly Technique, Disguise Technique...

Random Draw in progress... Check-in successful. Obtained Mayfly Technique today.

"So that's how it is. He's already so old that he can't even move, relying entirely on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to sustain his life. He even transplanted his Rinnegan into Nagato. The former God of Shinobi has now grown so old that he can't move at all?"

Clang! A flash of cold light and intense pain jolted White Zetsu awake. He instantly used the Mayfly Technique and vanished from where he stood.

"He got away? It doesn't matter. I've already gotten what I wanted. Ever since the Warring States Period, he was eroded by the God Tree. An ordinary person was pickled into White Zetsu. Thinking about it carefully, it still makes me uncomfortable."

After simply treating it with Medical Ninjutsu, the precious specimen that Orochimaru had long coveted—known to the world as Hashirama Cells—fell into Huayue's hands.

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

The corners of his mouth curled upward, madness written across his face. Uchiha maniacal laughter.jpg.

Meanwhile, White Zetsu, who had hurriedly fled back to the Mountain Graveyard, froze. How had that Uchiha brat discovered him?

"Was it a coincidence? Damn brat. When I go back, Madara-sama is going to scold me again..."

His figure sank into the grass roots. Even if he got scolded, there was nothing he could do. If that brat discovered their existence, then things would truly become troublesome.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The collapse of distant rocks made White Zetsu's already ugly expression improve slightly.

"Whew, is the plan proceeding smoothly? At least nothing happened near that brat. At least he won't be killed. That's great."

Without hesitation, White Zetsu prepared to travel to the place where Obito had been buried and take away Madara's chosen successor.

Unbeknownst to him, an extremely dim space-time mark had quietly attached itself to White Zetsu's body. As he moved with the Mayfly Technique, it appeared clearly before Huayue's eyes.

"The long Great Ninja War is finally about to enter its final phase, and the spark of the Fourth Great Ninja War has been buried as a result. Should I go play the role of a caring big brother next?"

"On second thought, forget it. That image doesn't suit me. I should go back."

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

With cold eyes and a cruel smile, Orochimaru glanced at Huayue, who was engrossed in reading, and asked casually.

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

After thinking for a moment, Huayue answered frankly.

"Among the ninjutsu currently known, it has the strongest offensive power. A Kekkei Tōta technique that is completely impossible to block. Other than escaping its attack range, it is an almost unsolvable technique."

Orochimaru nodded lightly, his hands never stopping their movements.

"Ōnoki's ninjutsu and diplomatic skills are inseparable from Iwagakure's continued strength. However, I've heard that old man's temperament is rather stubborn."

With a creak, the door opened. Anko entered carrying a pile of materials. Her eyes lit up when she saw Huayue, but she immediately huffed and snapped at him.

"Tch, so you still remember that you're Sensei's disciple! We hardly ever see you around. Did you rush back because you heard Sensei was going to become the next Hokage?"

"Huh? Isn't Namikaze Minato-sama the next Hokage?"