Training Grounds.
Thud!
With Kakashi crashing to the ground, this spectacular match finally ended with Mei Terumi as the victor.
On the sidelines, Obito, Rin, Guy, and the gatekeeper were all stunned. They hadn't expected Kakashi to lose, nor had they anticipated that Mei Terumi could be this strong.
Her strength was way above Chunin level—there was no doubt she deserved Jonin rank.
Once he came back to his senses, Might Guy was the first to rush over and help Kakashi up.
Kakashi wordlessly stared at Mei Terumi before reluctantly admitting, "I lost."
"White-haired guy, you're strong, but not quite enough," Mei said gracefully, complimenting Kakashi while encouraging him to keep improving.
Uzumaki Heiyan observed the scene with a faint smile.
Although both talents were evenly matched, compared to Kakashi, Mei had been personally trained by Uzumaki Heiyan.
Even if it were a pig, Uzumaki Heiyan could transform it into a genius—a summoned beast rivaling the Tailed Beasts. So for someone like Mei who was already an extraordinary prodigy, her current superiority over Kakashi was perfectly normal.
At that moment, Mei happily trotted over, eagerly seeking praise from Uzumaki Heiyan:
"Uzumaki... Dad, I won! I didn't disgrace our Penglai Ninja Village!"
"Mm, very good indeed."
Uzumaki Heiyan nodded approvingly, patting her head gently, and smiled as he said, "It's getting late. Let's go back now."
"Okay, sure."
Thus, holding Mei's small hand, Uzumaki Heiyan left the training grounds under the watching eyes of Kakashi and others.
"Penglai Ninja Village... Mei Terumi..." Kakashi repeated silently, letting her name settle firmly in his memory.
Ten minutes later.
Uzumaki Heiyan quietly returned Mei Terumi to the hotel, reminded her about some follow-up matters, and then departed for his inn.
Meanwhile.
Inside the Frog Clan temple located behind Konoha's mountains,
Danzo Shimura, the Hokage's powerful and scheming advisor, was secretly meeting with Gamamaru.
"Great Toad Sage, if Tsunade successfully becomes Hokage and establishes herself as the empress unifying the shinobi world, the situation will become extremely disadvantageous for us—in particular, because of the matter concerning Uzumaki Heiyan, Tsunade holds serious grievances against you and Mount Myoboku—the sacred mountain home to the Frog Clan. If she ever decided to target Mount Myoboku in the future, the Frog Clan might be in danger."
Danzo appeared visibly concerned as he analyzed the developing situation for Gamamaru.
"Danzo, don't pretend to care about the Frog Clan. All your words are nothing more than an attempt to persuade me into helping you replace Tsunade and become Hokage yourself."
Gamamaru yawned, immediately piercing through Danzo's true intentions, bluntly stating:
"I suggest you give up on that idea entirely. You have no chance at becoming Hokage. Even without Tsunade, there's still Orochimaru, Sakumo Hatake, Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and even Hanzo—all formidable candidates for the Hokage position."
Gamamaru saw that Tsunade had already seized overwhelming momentum. It was the will of the people for her to become Hokage and unify the shinobi world. Even an immortal sage like himself dared not oppose Tsunade against the tide of this era.
Besides, there was no need to oppose her.
Because even if Tsunade unified the shinobi world and became its empress, it wouldn't interfere with Gamamaru's prophecy.
In several years' time, the Child of Prophecy would still appear—and he alone would be the true savior of the shinobi world, not Tsunade.
Therefore, after extinguishing Danzo's ambitions, Gamamaru gave him a final instruction:
"Why don't you just return and continue serving as the Hokage's advisor? Honestly help Tsunade achieve her great cause. Isn't that better?"
"...Very well."
Though reluctant, Danzo could only agree upon hearing this.
After all, for him, this was already the best possible option.
At the same time, elsewhere.
Inside the underground chamber beneath the Uchiha clan's restricted area—the Naka Shrine.
Soft footsteps echoed outside the hidden room, drawing closer until finally halting inside.
"You're here."
Two figures seated before a brazier turned toward the newcomer—Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi, the current heads of their mighty Clans.
The figure cloaked in black pulled back the hood, revealing a beautiful woman with golden hair—Tsunade.
"We'll keep this short," Fugaku said, getting straight to the point, his expression serious. "Our two powerful Clans support your bid for Hokage. But afterward, you must help us confront Gamamaru."
"Ever since Gamamaru arrived in Konoha a few years ago, he has deceived all of us," Hiashi added coldly, listing Gamamaru's crimes before extending the invitation. "He promised to resurrect Heiyan but has dragged things on until now without fulfilling it."
"Our strength alone isn't enough to deal with Gamamaru," Hiashi continued. "But with you joining us, together we three can drive him out of Konoha and clear Heiyan's name. Only then can Heiyan's soul find peace in the Yokai Realm (the afterlife)."
However, Tsunade shook her head and replied indifferently:
"No need."
"Why?!"
Both Fugaku and Hiashi flared with anger at her response. Was Tsunade also willing to let Heiyan remain a sacrifice for the sake of some so-called 'greater good'?
Yet what followed surprised them—
"Because Heiyan isn't dead—not by a long shot."
Looking steadily at the two men, Tsunade revealed an astonishing truth.
"What did you say?" For a moment, they couldn't process her words. They refused to believe their ears, thinking perhaps they'd misunderstood.
"Heiyan has completely lost faith in Konoha, so he left the shinobi world behind and built his own ninja village overseas. That's probably why he never contacted you again."
Tsunade explained while sharing details about Penglai.
It took them quite some time to absorb everything.
"Please tell us how to contact Heiyan or give us the exact location of Penglai. We want to go find him."
Fugaku sincerely requested.
"We're begging you," Hiashi pleaded as well.
"There's no need for all that trouble. According to my estimation, Heiyan is very likely in Konoha at this very moment."
Tsunade delivered another shocking revelation. After a brief pause, she then offered a small smile before continuing, "I think we just need to wait. He will naturally appear when he intends to show himself."
After saying these words, Tsunade turned and left the hidden room, leaving Fugaku and Hiashi staring at each other in astonishment.
The next two days.
The atmosphere within and beyond the Leaf Village grew increasingly vibrant. Everyone anxiously counted down the days, waiting as eagerly as waiting for stars and moon to rise.
In the village's largest plaza, they even erected a seven- or eight-meter-tall clock tower for the inauguration ceremony countdown.
During these two days, the final round of negotiations at the Five Kage Summit also concluded successfully.
A proposal for the unification of the shinobi world was officially passed during these talks.
The Kages from the Five Great Ninja Villages, other village leaders like Hanzo, and nobles from various countries—more than one hundred individuals in total—signed their names on the proposal.
All they had to do was wait until the day Tsunade became Hokage—then the proposal would be revealed to the entire world.
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