Chapter 147: Naruto's Special Mission! The New Konoha Collapse Plan
"Tenseigan Chakra Mode, huh?"
Looking at the interface that had appeared before him, Kitagawa Gen wasn't all that surprised.
After all, when he connected with the Giant Tenseigan, a flood of information had already entered his mind.
Among that information… was the hand seal sequence for activating Tenseigan Chakra Mode.
It was definitely a power worth looking forward to—though in his normal state, he still couldn't use it freely.
"But Otsutsuki Genshiki won't just rely on a few tricks. Even with Sage Mode as backup, once he's exposed, things will get complicated."
Kitagawa Gen had even considered faking a "Karma seal" of his own to bluff his way through suspicions....but after some thought, it just felt way too risky.
"Especially with Black Zetsu being such a conniving schemer. If he starts spreading rumors, I'll have a real problem."
What Gen really wanted was to grow steadily and securely. He even suspected that it was people like Madara Uchiha pushing things too far that eventually attracted the attention of the Otsutsuki.
That said, he wasn't ignoring the possibility of Isshiki's arrival either. That's why he was choosing caution for now.
As for the future?
Once he reached the peak of power—so what if he turned out to be "Otsutsuki Genshiki"? Who would dare say a word?
"But that's all for later. Right now, this Tenseigan Chakra Mode just solved one of my smaller problems."
However, even though his eyes had evolved into the so-called "New Moon Eyes," they were really only in their second awakening.
Under normal circumstances, he shouldn't even be able to access Tenseigan Chakra Mode. But his situation was… unique.
Especially with a massive "power bank" up on the moon, just waiting to be tapped.
"Basically, I can only use this mode with help from the Giant Tenseigan. But that's not a problem for me."
Even if the Otsutsuki on the moon tried to interfere, Gen could sense that his own "access permissions" had increased significantly.
With that authority, even if they did try to sabotage him, he was confident he'd still get what he needed out of it.
"Still… maybe it's time to start looking for a way up to the moon. I can't have them annoying me forever."
Gen's eyes narrowed as he stared off into the distance—as if he could pierce the clouds and gaze directly at the moon.
Now and in the future, that Giant Tenseigan was a treasure trove he would never give up on.
"Time to head back. I wonder what's been going on in Konoha while I was away."
With that thought, he activated his chakra—and in a flash, he reappeared in his own room.
His bloodline development had reached 40%, making his spatial awareness significantly stronger. Even though he'd been far from Konoha, he could return home in an instant.
After disabling the barrier around his room and dismissing his shadow clone, he nodded slightly.
"Looks like no one came looking for me. Kakashi handled things pretty well."
He had left the clone in case Hiruzen Sarutobi came calling. But it seemed there had been no problems at all.
"Huh?"
Suddenly sensing something, he walked over to the window and flung it open—just in time to hear Naruto scream.
"Waaahhhh—"
"You idiot, what are you doing?"
Before Naruto could fall flat on his face, Gen caught him by the collar and yanked him back up effortlessly.
"Damn it! You came back and didn't even say a word—why are your doors and windows locked so tight?"
Naruto glanced down nervously at the ground below.
"You jerk! I was just trying to water your plants! You've been gone for so long—if it weren't for me, they'd all be dead by now!"
Gen glanced at the flowers outside his window and silently thanked his past self for buying plants that were nearly impossible to kill.
If he hadn't, and Naruto had been watering them every day… they'd be long dead by now.
"Well, thanks for that, I guess."
"Tch, no big deal."
Naruto hopped into Gen's room, grinning.
"Hey, you just got back from a mission, right? Haven't eaten yet, have you? Want me to treat you?"
"No thanks. I don't trust your motives."
"Wha—! Come on, I'm not like that!"
"?"
"Er, what I meant was…"
"Yeah, no. You'll probably just turn around and complain about how much I ate and how you shouldn't have treated me. Not interested."
Gen stared at Naruto with his usual dead-fish eyes. The kid looked completely traumatized.
His graduation didn't depend on him—it was up to Iruka, Kakashi, and the others. What did it have to do with Gen?
And yet here Naruto was, acting like he had to bribe him or something.
"Unless you give me half your living stipend."
"Aaaaargh! You bastard!"
Naruto lost it. He was starting to think life was hopeless.
With such a horrible person standing in his way, how was he supposed to graduate?!
"Don't tell me… you're afraid I'll become Hokage and steal your dream?"
"Huh? Me?"
Gen was confused for a moment. He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Didn't I already tell you my dream?"
From what he remembered, every Hokage—except Tsunade the slacker—had been completely overworked.
Especially Naruto. His family life had always seemed off, probably because he was constantly too busy. Though Gen had no idea what exactly Naruto was always doing.
"Tch. Your dream is so plain."
Naruto rubbed his ears but quickly straightened up with renewed vigor.
"Whatever! I'm not afraid of anything. My dream is to become Hokage—and I won't give up!"
"That's great and all, but why are you so hung up on being Hokage?"
"Because that's the only way everyone will recognize me!"
Naruto let out a huff and clenched his fists.
"Even though no one ever says it outright, I can feel it. Besides you, the old man Hokage, and a few others—most people in the village used to hate me.
I don't even know why. That's why I always tried to get their attention, to earn their approval.
The Hokage is the strongest person in the village. If I become Hokage, then everyone will acknowledge me. I'll never give up on that!"
Looking at the fiery determination in Naruto's eyes, Gen couldn't help but smile.
The kid really hadn't changed.
Even though Gen, Kakashi, and Jiraiya had tempered him quite a bit, Naruto's core—his dream, his spirit—was still exactly the same.
He hadn't pulled any pranks on the Fourth Hokage's statue this time, but his passion hadn't dulled one bit.
"Still the same guy I remember…"
Gen smiled and stood up, patting Naruto on the shoulder.
With his improved control, he wasn't too worried about Kurama throwing a tantrum anymore.
"You forgot Kakashi-sensei, Pervy Sage, and even Kiba and Shikamaru. They won't be happy about that."
"Er…"
"And besides—are you even going to graduate?"
"…AHH! You jerk!"
"Also, you've got one thing wrong."
Gen shrugged, speaking casually.
"It's not that becoming Hokage earns you everyone's recognition.
It's the people who already have everyone's recognition… who can become Hokage."
"Huh?"
Naruto was stunned silent.
"Only those who are recognized by everyone... can become Hokage?"
Naruto echoed the words in disbelief.
"Of course," Kitagawa Gen replied, arms crossed, a smirk tugging at his lips. "If no one acknowledges you, what right do you have to become Hokage?"
Seeing Naruto fall silent in thought, Gen continued.
"That's why—first, graduate. Then work hard to become a reliable ninja who earns the village's respect. Only then will you even have a chance at becoming Hokage."
"...Is that so?"
Naruto seemed lost in deep contemplation, but Gen wasn't done yet.
"Well then, want your first recognition?"
"Huh?"
"Acknowledgment from a Konoha jonin—me."
Naruto squinted suspiciously. "...You're not seriously trying to get half my allowance, are you?"
Gen grinned. "Nah. Just treat me to some grilled meat. Bring your little buddies too. I'm hungry. You're paying."
"You bastard..."
Naruto grumbled, but in the end, he couldn't help but smile.
So... you can only become Hokage after gaining everyone's recognition?
It sounded simple, but it gave him a clear path forward. Sure, not many people acknowledged him yet—but that was something he could work toward. And come to think of it... hadn't more and more people started to accept him already?
---
As Gen and Naruto left the house and headed toward the barbecue restaurant, something suddenly pinged in Gen's system.
[Naruto Exclusive Side Quest Unlocked]
[Naruto's grades are less than stellar]
[Witness the transformation of the dead-last]
[This exclusive quest won't interfere with other quest lines]
[Accept quest?]
Gen's expression shifted with surprise. Finally, the Naruto-specific quest he had been waiting for had arrived!
"Witness his graduation, huh...?" he murmured.
It almost felt like he wouldn't have to do anything—the quest might complete itself. But after a moment's thought, he pulled out his own forehead protector and gently tied it onto Naruto's head.
"Dead-last, consider yourself graduated."
"Eh?!"
Naruto froze, stunned by the gesture. Gen sighed, a little disappointed.
Yeah... this doesn't count after all.
Still, this was only the beginning. The exclusive missions had started—and that meant Indra and Asura's chakra were finally on their way.
He had waited a long time for this.
Retracting his forehead protector with a chuckle, he looked at the dumbfounded Naruto.
"Just messing with you. Come on, I'm starving."
"...Oh."
Naruto felt both excited and a little let down—he really had hoped it was real. But it didn't matter. He had made up his mind.
"I don't need your help to graduate. I'll become Hokage on my own!"
"Tch."
Gen smirked dismissively—just as he caught sight of someone approaching under Anbu escort.
"...Karin? What are you doing here?"
"H-hi!"
Karin stammered. Despite herself, she still found Gen a little intimidating—she had seen what he was capable of firsthand.
"T-the elders asked me to come get you. They're all... um, kind of busy right now."
"Busy? What's going on?"
"Well... after the Hokage-sama heard what happened with Kusagakure... he suddenly fell ill."
"..."
"So they rushed him to the hospital. That's why they sent me..."
"..."
Gen fell silent, and Naruto's eyes widened in shock.
Wait, that actually happened?
After a moment, Gen sighed and glanced toward Naruto.
"Hey, pick up some flowers from Ino's for me, will you?"
"...With my money?! And who's she supposed to be?!"
"Don't worry about that. Just remember—being Hokage isn't easy."
---
And just like that, life in Konoha returned to its usual blend of peace and chaos.
Meanwhile, deep within the Land of Grass, Black Zetsu stood in front of a coffin, lost in thought.
At the same time, within the Sound Village in the Land of Rice Fields, Orochimaru unrolled a scroll and studied its contents carefully. A cold smile crept across his pale face.
"Looks like everything is in place... just a few loose ends to tie up."
"Konoha... I'm coming for you."
-