Chapter 404: Fifth Hokage
Kagami held the ancestral record in his hands and muttered, "Naori Uchiha, a genius female ninja of the Warring States period. Proficient in genjutsu, kenjutsu, and Fire Release ninjutsu. Independently developed the genjutsu Izanami. Passed away at age 20. Cause of death... unknown."
"Unknown?" Masahiko was startled: "Is that actually how it's recorded?"
Kagami paused and looked up: "You know?"
Masahiko half-closed his eyes: "There were too many Uchiha ninjas immersed in the false reality of Izanagi, but she only had one pair of eyes..."
Kagami understood Masahiko's meaning and closed the ancestral record in his hands: "So... Senior Naori Uchiha was reincarnated through Edo Tensei, and Shisui fell under her genjutsu? Impossible, no matter how talented, a three-tomoe Sharingan against a Mangekyou..."
Masahiko also felt something wasn't right and frowned at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru spoke hoarsely: "It is indeed an Edo Tensei female ninja of the Uchiha clan, and she is blind in one eye. As for the rest, I am unclear. Senior, you... seem to know more?"
Masahiko looked dazed: "It really is her! How did that bastard find her?"
"Naori Uchiha is the same age as me, and we fought once. We were only 11 at the time, and she had already awakened a two-tomoe Sharingan, in both eyes." Masahiko slowly narrated: "Later in the battle, her Sharingan... suddenly evolved into three tomoe, and she beat me so badly that I... fled in panic..."
"Three tomoe at age 11?" Kagami pondered slightly, tactfully not asking Masahiko for detailed details of the battle: "Passed away at age 20... that's 9 years."
Masahiko was also slightly startled: "Indeed... there is this possibility."
Silence fell over the room. After a long while, Masahiko spoke again: "Orochimaru, thank you for your intel this time. However, Kagami's eyes cannot be given to you. I will offer a different compensation."
Orochimaru's face showed no change in expression: "Senior, you want this pair of Mangekyou Sharingan?"
Kagami was startled. Masahiko nodded: "Kagami, leave your eyes to me. I have a use for them."
He needed the Rinnegan's Samsara of Heavenly Life Jutsu to resurrect the 'dead people'. He had always intended to retrieve Madara's pair, but if that young man kept hiding from him, it would be troublesome.
Masahiko felt that with his current physique, he should be able to catalyze a Mangekyou Sharingan into a Rinnegan. As for an ordinary Tomoe Sharingan, he really had no confidence. Relying on stimulation to awaken a Mangekyou was far too unreliable... what could possibly stimulate him enough?
Kagami fell silent for a moment: "It's fine to leave them in your care."
"It would be too much of a pity to destroy a Mangekyou Sharingan. Orochimaru, what else do you want? Kagami gave the compensation meant for you to me, so now it's my turn to compensate you."
Orochimaru licked his lips: "I don't have any other needs for the time being."
Masahiko was startled: "Then it's the same as last time. I owe you a favor. Let me know whenever you need something."
"Let's talk about something else. Do you think Obito becoming the Fifth Hokage is the guidance of destiny?"
Kagami Uchiha was stunned: "You actually still believe in things like destiny?"
"Destiny... truly exists." Orochimaru spoke hoarsely: "Regarding this Fifth Hokage, I did not receive the guidance of destiny."
Masahiko chuckled: "But I did. It seems your understanding of destiny is still not profound enough."
"Of course, how could I possibly compare to you, Senior?"
Kagami looked bewildered; he completely could not understand what these two were talking about.
"As expected... am I getting old?"
...
The next day.
The final voting results for the Fifth Hokage were out, and Obito happily reported the good news to Masahiko.
"It was decided long ago, what is there to be so happy about?"
"But that's the Hokage, the Hokage!"
Masahiko curled his lip: "You're the only one who cherishes this position. Look around this room, who cares?"
Obito wiped the smile off his face, looked at Minato, then at Kushina, and finally at Masahiko...
"I'm going to find Kakashi."
Minato revealed a smile: "Obito, never forget your dream. Become a great Hokage!"
Kushina also offered a calm blessing: "Brat, do your best."
Obito paused, the smile returning to his face, and looked at Masahiko with expectant eyes.
Masahiko rolled his eyes: "Hurry up and go. If you want to show off in front of Kakashi, do it early. Also, don't just think about Kakashi, Rin is waiting for you too!"
Obito scratched his head: "Oh!"
As Obito left, Masahiko couldn't help but sigh softly: "Fools have fools' luck. This silly boy is really lucky."
Minato nodded: "Yes, without a series of coincidences, Obito couldn't possibly have become the Fifth Hokage. The Sixth Hokage would have been more hopeful."
"The luck I'm talking about isn't referring to this." Masahiko said casually: "I'm saying how much good karma his ancestors must have accumulated for him to be taken in as my apprentice."
Minato: "...Perhaps."
...
Time flowed on. January 8th, Konoha Year 56, noon, in the open space in front of the Hokage Building.
The scene was quite spectacular. Gongs and drums beat loudly to the heavens, firecrackers crackled in unison, red flags fluttered, and a sea of people gathered!
However, it was still a bit lacking compared to when Minato became the Fourth Hokage.
"Minato is popular, and Obito isn't bad either. It's just the word 'Uchiha' causing trouble. Obito needs to work harder to be acknowledged by everyone." Masahiko murmured, catching a glimpse of a familiar figure weaving through the crowd out of the corner of his eye.
He walked over: "Orochimaru, you actually haven't left yet? And why are you disguised as Inabi Uchiha again? How did he offend you?"
'Inabi Uchiha' licked the corner of his mouth, ignoring Masahiko's question, and instead asked: "Senior, Teacher Sarutobi is stepping down for the second time. How long do you think he can step down for this time?"
Masahiko paused: "He can stay stepped down until he dies."
"Let's hope so."
Masahiko frowned, gave him a deep look, and looked up at the roof of the Hokage Building.
Hiruzen, dressed in the Hokage attire, walked to the edge, revealing himself to everyone.
The surrounding ninjas and civilians all quieted down, ready to listen to his teachings. Masahiko, however, silently plugged his ears with repulsive force. He had heard enough of Hiruzen's Will of Fire.
Hiruzen blathered on for over ten minutes until the space beside him distorted and Obito slowly appeared.
"Yo? This entrance method is quite cool. Who designed it?" Masahiko chuckled.
Obito, wearing the Fifth Hokage cloak, could barely be considered handsome. His face was tense, showing he was a bit nervous. He stared straight ahead, not really daring to look down, and began his inauguration speech.
"Did Hiruzen write this speech? Obito still needs to grow. 22 years old is too green." Masahiko plugged his ears again.
Beside him, Orochimaru had disappeared into the crowd at some point, replaced by Minato's family.
"Great-grandfather! Why are you standing all the way out here?" Kushina held her belly with both hands.
"Oh!"
Kushina: ???
"Great Ancestor, I will definitely become Hokage too!" Naruto shouted.
"This wave is a huge profit!"
Naruto: ???
Chinese characters flashed before Masahiko's eyes: "Witnessed and completely altered the main plot of the Naruto world: Fifth Hokage, obtained 50 (*10) Witness Points."
"500 points, hehehe." Masahiko canceled the repulsive force plugging his ears: "What did you guys just say?"
"Hehehe?..."
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