Across the entire Shinobi World, countless pairs of eyes were fixed on the Sky Screen.
The screen flickered, and the voice continued to speak as subtitles emerged along with it.
[From succeeding as the Hokage in a time of crisis to dying in battle in the 61th year of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen's reign lasted 31 years.]
[Even excluding the 1-year tenure of the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, it was still a full 30 years—making him the longest-reigning, most influential, and most controversial Hokage in history.]
The report slipped from Minato's hand, papers scattering across the floor.
He stood in place, his blue eyes staring straight at the words on the Sky Screen, the usual gentle smile on his face completely gone.
The air in the office seemed to freeze, with only the faint sounds of the Village's bustle coming from outside the window.
"One... year?"
He repeated softly, his voice carrying an unbelievable sense of bewilderment.
He had only taken over as Hokage three months ago, and every day he was thinking about five-year and ten-year plans, how to lead Konoha into a new era, and how to fulfill the promises he made to Kushina, to his teacher, and the entire Village.
But now, this mysteriously appearing Sky Screen was telling him: your term will last only one year.
"That can't be right."
Minato shook his head, but his voice lacked conviction.
The door of the Hokage office was suddenly pushed open, and Uzumaki Kushina rushed in, her long red hair slightly disheveled from running.
The moment she entered, Minato's expression of calm contemplation disappeared, replaced by a genuine smile.
Clearly, he was happy to see Kushina arrive.
"Minato!"
Kushina hurried to his side and took his hand.
"Kushina, don't worry. We don't know if what this thing in the sky says is true or not."
Minato affectionately stroked Kushina's forehead.
Kushina gripped his hand tightly, wanting to say something, but the words were stuck in her throat. She could only turn her head to look at the glaring subtitles on the Sky Screen and the aged portrait of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Her thoughts raced, her brows furrowing deeper and deeper.
"If the term really is only one year…"
Kushina's voice dropped, trembling slightly.
"That means something major is going to happen. Either you step down voluntarily—but that's impossible. You're not the type to abandon your responsibilities. Or…"
She didn't finish, but Minato understood.
Either death, or losing the ability to serve as Hokage.
A suffocating silence fell over the Hokage office.
After a few seconds, Minato took a deep breath and held his wife's hand in return.
When he looked up again, the bewilderment in his eyes had faded, replaced by the familiar gleam of determination.
"Even if it's only a year," Minato said, his voice steady.
"I'll do as much as I can in that one year. Shikaku!"
Nara Shikaku, who had been standing by the door and was equally stunned by the revelation, snapped back to his senses.
"Lord Fourth."
"Adjust the work plans immediately. Prioritize the most urgent reform projects."
Minato walked to the desk, his fingers sliding over the documents on the surface.
"The curriculum reform at the Ninja Academy, the mission assignment system reform, the communication framework with the major clans... these can't wait any longer."
"Also, strengthen the village patrols. Since something might happen in the future, we need to take precautions now."
"Minato…"
Kushina looked at him with concern.
Minato turned to his wife, showing a gentle yet bittersweet smile.
"Regardless of what the future holds, I am still the Hokage right now. As long as I'm in this position, even for one more day, I will fulfill my duties."
He looked out the window at the prosperous village, at the civilians walking along the streets, at his own stone face carved into the Hokage Rock on the distant cliffside.
"Besides," he added softly.
"Even if it's true, as long as this thing in the sky keeps leaking information and we know the future, we can change it."
---
On the Sky Screen, the scene shifted.
A low, mournful musical score immediately began to play—slow and heavy, every note seeming to strike the hearts of those watching.
Whether they were Shinobis on the battlefield, farmers in the fields, or the elderly and children in the villages, everyone involuntarily held their breath.
The image became clear.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, suddenly appeared on the Sky Screen. His expression was calm, but his next words shocked the entire Shinobi World.
["Saru... starting tomorrow, you are Hokage."]
Time seemed to stand still in that moment.
On the Sky Screen, the young Hiruzen's expression froze.
His eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape, his entire body rigid. It wasn't just him—Danzō, Kagami, and the others beside him also wore looks of shock.
["Saru, take care of the Leaf."]
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Deep within the Root base.]
In a dimly lit room, Danzō's cane struck the floor heavily, producing a dull thud.
His eye, exposed outside the bandages, stared fixedly at the Sky Screen reflected through a Jutsu, with memories from decades ago surging in his mind.
It was that day.
It was that moment.
It was that cowardly version of himself.
In that valley, when Tobirama said, "Saru, starting tomorrow, you are Hokage," he felt his world collapse.
"Why…"
Danzo muttered in a low voice, his voice hoarse due to suppressed emotions.
The images on the Sky Screen stirred up all the memories he had buried deep.
That day, the six of them had been forced to retreat, leaving Tobirama alone to hold the rear.
During the retreat, he could hear the explosions and battle cries from behind, feel the violent fluctuations of his teacher's Chakra—and then... suddenly, it ceased.
When they finally reached safety, Hiruzen sat silently on the ground, his head in his hands.
At that moment, Danzō hadn't felt grief. Only anger. Anger at his teacher. Anger at Hiruzen. Anger at fate.
"But it doesn't matter."
Danzō slowly raised his head, his face full of sinister resolve, and said with bitter hatred:
"According to what the Sky Screen says, Hiruzen will no longer be Hokage by next year at the latest."
Next year would be Year 61 of Konoha—the final year of Hiruzen's reign as Hokage!
At present, Orochimaru had already defected, Jiraiya was away from the village year-round, and Tsunade had left Konoha many years ago. There were almost no reliable successors left by Hiruzen's side.
"When that time comes…"
Danzō murmured to himself, his fingers tapping lightly on his cane.
"The Hokage position will eventually be mine."
---
[Year 1 of Konoha]
Madara looked at the images on the Sky Screen and slowly closed his eyes.
'So the Second Hokage really isn't me.'
'Senju Tobirama!'
Even though he had been mentally prepared, witnessing this "future"—whether true or not—still made his heart unable to accept it.
Countless thoughts went through Madara's mind, carrying a deep sense of loss.
At this moment, he regretted signing the peace agreement with the Senju clan.
Some things, it seemed, could never be changed.