Chapter 97: Chapter : 98
Even if he had to die, Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to pass like the previous Hokage—protecting Konoha and dying as a hero, with the darkness he carried disappearing with his death. He wanted to leave behind a reputation as a noble and self-sacrificing Hokage.
Reflecting on this, his old, cloudy eyes wavered. He sat back in the Hokage's chair, lit his pipe, and took a long draw, the smoke curling around him.
After a moment, he asked, "So, how does his current strength compare to yours?"
Kakashi straightened solemnly and replied, "I'm sorry, Hokage. With my current abilities, I don't stand a chance against him in a one-on-one fight. Frankly, he doesn't even see me as a threat."
Recalling Kirito's words that he could destroy Konoha whenever he wished, Kakashi added, "Forgive me, but considering all of Konoha's strength, only you, Hokage-sama, and perhaps Jiraiya-sama could stand a chance against him."
Hiruzen's eyes dimmed. "I see. You've done well on this mission in the Land of Waves, Kakashi. Go rest; I'll handle this matter."
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Kakashi replied, bowing before disappearing from the office.
Hiruzen remained, puffing slowly on his pipe, lost in thought.
"Grandfather."
The office door creaked open, and a small girl, around four or five, entered. She bore a striking resemblance to Uchiha Shisui. This was Sarutobi Mirai, Hiruzen's granddaughter, who had been born eight years early in this revised timeline.
"Ah, Mirai, come here and let Grandpa hug you," Hiruzen said, his face softening. He lifted her gently, rubbing his weathered, wrinkled face against her soft cheeks.
"What's on your mind, Mirai? Why did you come to see Grandpa?"
Mirai blinked her large eyes, replying with a childish lilt, "Brother Konohamaru is crying again."
"Oh? Really? Why's he crying?" Hiruzen asked patiently, smiling kindly at her.
"Because he squats when he goes pee, just like his dad," Mirai giggled. "I told him he looked like a girl."
Hiruzen's smile froze, and he twitched slightly, inwardly cursing, Damn you, Kirito! Not only did you slaughter my entire clan, you castrated both my son and grandson!
As he gritted his teeth in frustration, Kirito's spirit body entered the hidden gathering place of the Akatsuki organization.
"Yawn," Kirito stretched and yawned suddenly.
"Something wrong, Kirito?" asked Pain, noticing his reaction.
"Ah, probably just someone bad-mouthing me," Kirito said, rubbing his nose.
"Why isn't Pakura here?" Pain continued.
"We're in the Sound Village. If both of us entered the Phantom Body, no one would be left to stand guard," Kirito replied.
"Tell me what you found this time," Pain said, skipping any pleasantries.
Kirito nodded, adopting a serious tone. "The matter has been thoroughly investigated. Rather than saying Orochimaru is involved with Otogakure, it would be more accurate to say he founded the village. I confronted him, but I couldn't kill him."
"Why?" Pain asked, surprised. The other Akatsuki members cast looks of disbelief at Kirito; if he truly intended to kill Orochimaru, it shouldn't have been that difficult.
"Orochimaru used Impure World Reincarnation to resurrect the First and Second Hokage."
The news struck the Akatsuki members like a bombshell.
Kakuzu, who once threw a shuriken at the First Hokage from hundreds of miles away, exclaimed, "The First Hokage, the God of Shinobi, has been resurrected?"
"Relax," Kirito continued. "Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation is still imperfect. The resurrected Hokages have less than a tenth of their prime strength. Even if a fight broke out, it's uncertain who would win."
Kirito added, "Even if Orochimaru could summon the First Hokage at full strength, he wouldn't dare. The God of Shinobi would likely break free from the Impure World Reincarnation's control, and Orochimaru himself would be the first to die. I believe even Kakuzu, who once faced him, would agree."
"That's true," Kakuzu nodded. "Even the Third Kazekage resisted the technique. For the First Hokage, breaking free would be even simpler."
"Do you have a plan, Kirito?" Pain asked, his expression serious.
Kirito feigned contemplation. "Orochimaru mentioned his Konoha Crush plan. He wants to use the upcoming Chunin Exams to assassinate the Third Hokage and destroy Konoha. However, he plans to kill the Fourth Kazekage on the way, replacing him to infiltrate Konoha."
"I propose we help Orochimaru take down the Fourth Kazekage, allowing Pakura to settle her grudge. As for Orochimaru and the resurrected Hokages, let Sarutobi Hiruzen deal with them."
Deidara interjected with surprise, "Brother Kirito, if even you can't handle the First Hokage, can that old man Sarutobi defeat him? Didn't you always say he only became Hokage by brainwashing Konoha's villagers?"
Kirito chuckled. "His strength may not be what it's hyped up to be, but don't underestimate Konoha. The Third Hokage has a forbidden technique that guarantees mutual destruction. That's why I didn't kill him when I wiped out the Sarutobi clan."
"Mutual destruction? What kind of jutsu is that?" Deidara's curiosity piqued.
The others turned their attention to Kirito as well, intrigued.
Kirito shrugged. "I'm not certain of the details. I just know the Fourth Hokage died using it. Perhaps we'll see it in action during the Chunin Exams," he added, glancing meaningfully at Itachi.
Itachi subtly relaxed, relieved that Kirito hadn't divulged any critical Konoha secrets.
(End of this chapter)
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