Chapter 127: Hiruzen: "Do Not Call Me the Strongest Hokage"
The Hokage Office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his leather chair, narrowing his eyes as he studied a
swirling orb of Boil Style chakra in his palm.
Chakra-nature transformation was a spectrum. The same bloodline could be
expressed in a dozen different ways depending on the user's intent and the ratio
of elements.
"The Mist girl uses the acidity and diffusion of the steam," Hiruzen mused. "But
if I increase the Fire-style ratio and alter the Water-style morphology... I
should be able to achieve a localized pressure-burst. A boost to physical speed
and striking power."
Hiruzen had a brief mental image of a steam-powered engine from his past life.
If I can build a similar pressure-venting system inside my chakra pathways, and
then repeat the process until it becomes muscle memory... I'll have a permanent
combat buff.
His schedule was becoming increasingly packed. Lightning Style conditioning
at 4:00 AM, Yin Seal chakra-siphoning throughout the day, and researching Kekkei
Genkai fusions in the evenings.
I need to visit Lady Mito again soon, he thought. I'll bring Tsunade along. The
'Nawaki-Pattern' scrolls and the Strength of a Hundred Seal both need her
veteran wisdom to clear the final hurdles.
Hiruzen was satisfied with Biwako's recent progress. By sending her to spend
time with the "Matriarch" under the guise of "Grandmotherly Advice," he had
successfully established a natural diplomatic bridge to the Uzumaki estate. It
made his own visits look like standard family business rather than a cold
calculation for military data.
Knock. Knock.
Isshin Uchiha entered the room.
"Lord Hokage—" Isshin stopped mid-sentence, his eyes locking onto the orb of
white mist in Hiruzen's hand. He instinctively flared his Three-Tomoe Sharingan,
his pupils spinning as he tried to analyze the structure.
A moment later, he let out a defeated sigh and deactivated his eyes.
I can't see the 'code' for it, Isshin thought bitterly. I can see the elements,
but I can't see the logic that binds them. It's uncopyable.
The rumor that the Third Hokage had mastered dual Kekkei Genkai—Ice and Boil—had
spread through the village like a wildfire. The Academy kids had gone home and
told their parents about the "Crystalline Paradise" their leader had built with
a wave of his hand.
To the Uchiha, it was a staggering revelation. They respected strength above all
else, and for a man to "invent" bloodlines through sheer effort was beyond even
their legendary arrogance.
"You truly are the 'Professor', Lord Hiruzen," Isshin said, his voice full of
genuine, soul-deep respect.
"To master two bloodlines after your prime... the history books have never seen
anything like it. You are, without question, the strongest Hokage to ever wear
the hat."
"Don't start with the flattery, Isshin," Hiruzen said, shaking his head. He
closed his hand over the corrosive mist.
ZZZT!
A blue spark of Lightning Style chakra flared in his palm. He squeezed his fist
tight, and the acidic cloud was crushed into nothingness.
Isshin's jaw dropped. "Lord Hokage... you just... you handled active Boil-chakra
with your bare hand? That should have dissolved your skin!"
Hiruzen laughed, opening his palm to show perfectly healthy, unscarred skin.
"Isshin, why are you so jumpy lately?"
"I'm a practitioner of the Lightning Style Chakra Mode. While that mist is
corrosive, a low-level concentration like that isn't enough to pierce my mantle.
It's simple physics."
Hiruzen's tone was casual, but the implication was devastating. He had been
training the Cloud's secret Nintaijutsu for barely two months, yet his
"Body-Hardness" was already at a level where he could ignore S-rank elemental
acid.
"You... you're becoming a monster, sir," Isshin whispered.
He thought to himself: He moves like the Raikage, fights like the Mizukage, and
thinks like the Tsuchikage. Hiruzen is trying to collect the entire Ninja
World's skill-tree for himself.
Orochimaru must be dying of envy, Isshin smirked.
"Sit down, Isshin. I have orders for you," Hiruzen said, his voice returning to
a professional register.
"I'm ready, sir!" Isshin snapped to attention.
After Hiruzen had promised to re-evaluate Madara Uchiha's place in history,
Isshin's loyalty had become absolute. The Hokage had touched the Uchiha's "Third
Rail"—the ancient trauma no one else dared to address. For that, Isshin was
willing to swim through a river of fire.
The Uchiha Police Force had recently undergone a cultural shift. They were now
practicing "Service with a Smile." They followed Hiruzen's orders without a
single grumble, realizing that the more "Leaf-like" they acted, the faster
Hiruzen would sign the decree to restore their Patriarch's honor.
"I want to stop this 'Strongest Hokage' talk immediately," Hiruzen commanded,
his voice turning low and serious.
"Ice Style is a neat trick, and Boil Style is a useful tool. But compared to
Lord Hashirama's Wood Style or Lord Tobirama's Flying Raijin? It's nothing."
"We must respect the legends of the past. Lord Hashirama, Lord Tobirama... and
yes, even Madara Uchiha. Their contributions built the foundation we stand on
today."
"The younger ninjas are getting cocky because we've seen a little prosperity.
They're starting to think the 'Will of Fire' is a guaranteed win. That mindset
is a cancer. It leads to the kind of stagnation that gets people killed."
Hiruzen leaned forward. "I've already briefed the Administrative Department. I
want the Police Force and the Anbu to coordinate a village-wide Historical
Education Campaign."
"We're going to distribute pamphlets detailing the founding era. We're going to
highlight the specific sacrifices made by the Senju and Uchiha ancestors. I want
every shinobi in this village to understand that Konoha is a house built on the
blood of giants, and they are currently the caretakers, not the masters."
Isshin was stunned. He wants to launch a PR campaign for the Founders? Including
Madara?
"Lord Hokage, I understand. But surely... you deserve a mention? The village's
morale is tied to your name."
"My name is tied to the Social Safety Net," Hiruzen smiled. "As long as I keep
the pensions flowing and the orphans fed, the people will know who I am. I don't
need my name on a flyer to have authority."
Isshin let out a long breath of admiration. He's truly the heir to the First.
He's bypassed the need for 'Titles' entirely. His power is a constant, quiet
baseline of the village's life.
"I understand, Lord Hiruzen! The campaign will begin by the weekend!"
"Good. Now, tell me about this meeting."
"Yes, sir. Tomorrow at 6:00 PM, the Police Force is requesting a three-hour
rotation break. The entire Uchiha clan is gathering at the Naka Shrine for a
Grand Meeting."
"You already signed the authorization for the Anbu and the Patrol Net to cover
our shifts, but I wanted to report to you personally," Isshin explained. "I
didn't want any... 'misunderstandings' with Commander Danzo. People might think
we're plotting something if we all vanish at once."
Isshin was being very careful. He knew Danzo would love to frame an Uchiha
meeting as a "Coup-Prep" session.
Hiruzen chuckled. "I appreciate the transparency, Isshin."
"But stop doubting me. I signed the order because I trust you. If the Uchiha
wanted to rebel, you wouldn't need a formal meeting to do it. And if you did
rebel... well, I'm confident I could handle the aftermath."
"Go have your meeting. Discuss the future. Discuss the Patriarch. Rebuild your
soul."
"And tell Seisui I'm expecting a lot from him. If he's going to lead your youth,
he needs to have the sharpest mind in the room."
Isshin beamed. "He won't fail you, sir! Seisui is a child of destiny!"
As Isshin left the office, Hiruzen's smile faded into a look of dry amusement.
Isshin thinks he's protecting the clan from Danzo, Hiruzen thought. But Danzo is
currently busy cornering my Master in the woods.
A Secluded Forest Path.
Seisui Uchiha (Tobirama) was walking home from the Academy, mentally reviewing
the "Madara-rebranding" speech he was going to give at the shrine.
Suddenly, a presence manifested behind him.
A man in a high-collared robe, his face half-hidden by bandages and a cold,
clinical scowl.
"Brat," Danzo Shimura rasped, leaning on his cane.
"I'm giving you one last chance. My offer for a Discipleship still stands."
Tobirama didn't turn around. He felt a vein throb in his temple.
Danzo... you're really trying to mentor me?
I'm going to 'correct' your administrative logic until you wish you were back in
the Pure Land.
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