[Konoha, Year 20, Land of Lightning]
The forest in reality bore a striking resemblance to the terrain shown on the Sky Screen.
Tobirama raised his hand, signaling the team to stop, and glanced around with a grim expression.
His six students gathered around, waiting for instructions.
But Tobirama didn't issue an order immediately. Instead, he looked up at the Sky Screen.
The scene that had just played out—that setting, that moment in time…
It was too close!
Too similar!
The familiar terrain, the familiar weather, the familiar composition of the team… and an ominous premonition.
"Sensei?"
Hiruzen observed their surroundings warily.
"Is something wrong?"
Tobirama did not answer.
His mind raced, comparing the reality before him with the images from the Sky Screen point by point.
The same seven-person team. Most likely, the same mission…
If the Sky Screen was showing a true future, then what would happen next?
He would die during these peace talks.
He would designate Hiruzen as the next Hokage here, then hold off the enemy alone.
The conclusion weighed heavily on Tobirama's heart, but his face revealed nothing.
As the Second Hokage, as the leader of this team, he had to maintain absolute composure.
"Everyone, listen up."
Tobirama spoke, his voice steady and commanding.
The six students immediately straightened up.
"Mission change." Tobirama continued.
"All six of you will return to Konoha immediately—at maximum speed. Torifu, you're in charge of scouting ahead. Kagami, focus on sensory tracking. Danzō, Homura, Koharu—you handle the flanks and rear. Hiruzen, you're in overall command."
The young Hiruzen was stunned: "Sensei, then what about you?!"
"I will proceed to the Land of Lightning alone to complete the peace talks," Tobirama said.
"With the Flying Raijin, my safety is not an issue. Your mission is now to ensure a safe return and bring the intelligence back to Konoha."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across each of his students' faces.
"Now that we know the potential danger that may lie ahead, there's no need for unnecessary sacrifice."
A brief commotion broke out in the team.
Young Danzō's eyes lit up.
If Tobirama changed the plan—if he didn't hold off the enemy alone here—then the succession of the Hokage wouldn't happen in that moment of crisis.
And since that succession wouldn't occur, the "inevitability" of Hiruzen becoming Hokage would be broken.
The future had changed!
Danzō could barely suppress the elation rising in his chest.
This meant he still had a chance. It meant the position of Hokage was no longer Hiruzen's to claim.
As long as he could prove himself superior to Hiruzen, more suited…
"Sensei, that's too dangerous!" Hiruzen's voice interrupted Danzō's thoughts.
"Even with the Flying Raijin, going alone deep into enemy territory—"
"Hiruzen."
Tobirama looked at him, his eyes deep and penetrating.
"Right now, you are the one in charge of this team. I need you to lead everyone back safely. That is a more important mission than my personal safety. Do you understand?"
Hiruzen gritted his teeth, but in the end, nodded: "…I understand!"
But the worry in his eyes did not diminish.
His concern was not whether the Hokage succession might change because of this—it was his teacher's safety.
Even with the Flying Raijin Jutsu, going alone deep into the Land of Lightning to complete the peace talks still carried significant risk.
Yet he understood even more clearly that if he and the others insisted on staying, they would only hold Tobirama back.
"Then move out." Tobirama said no more.
The six moved quickly, beginning their retreat as instructed.
Before turning away, Danzō cast a deep look at his teacher—a look that held gratitude, ambition, and a certain resolve.
Tobirama nodded at him, signaling him to hurry.
When the six figures disappeared into the forest on the other side, Tobirama stood alone.
He looked up at the Sky Screen. The images on it had already shifted to other content, now analyzing the future Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.
But Tobirama's mind was not on that analysis.
Would the decision he had just made change the future?
Would it change Konoha's history?
Would it change… his own fate?
He didn't know.
But he did know one thing: as Hokage, as a teacher, he had a responsibility to protect those who trusted him.
If the future revealed by the Sky Screen meant his death was unavoidable, then at the very least, he would ensure that death had meaning—rather than being forced to make a choice under siege in the future.
Tobirama formed hand seals, and the next instant, the silver-haired figure vanished from the valley.
The Sky Screen still hung in the air, continuing to reveal fragments of the future.
But from this moment on, the future of this timeline had already begun to change.
---
On the Sky Screen, the voice and images continued.
A close-up of Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared.
He was wearing battle armor, adjusting his forearm guards with both hands. Two headband straps fluttered in the wind, and his gaze was sharp as an eagle's.
[Next, we will evaluate the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, from different aspects: Combat Ability, Domestic Affairs, Diplomacy, Education, and Military Leadership.]
Hearing that, people across countless timelines of the Shinobi World all looked up.
Especially in those timelines still under Sarutobi Hiruzen's tenure—civilians, shinobis, nobles, spies… everyone looked up, eyes locked on the massive screen that spanned the sky.
Konoha was the most powerful hidden village—no one disputed that. And as the leader of that village, Sarutobi Hiruzen was, without exaggeration, the most powerful person in the Shinobi World.
Now, some entity beyond their comprehension was about to "evaluate" him. Of course, it commanded attention.
---
Kirigakure (Hidden Mist Village)
"Interesting."
The Fifth Mizukage, Terumī Mei, sat in her office, watching the Sky Screen with close aides like Ao and Chōjūrō, trying to gather as much intelligence as possible.
"Publicly evaluating the Kage of another nation… Whoever is behind this Sky Screen is either extremely ignorant or extremely arrogant."
---
Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village)
The Fourth Raikage, A, slammed his fist on the table: "Evaluate? Who gave them the right?! If they dare say anything good about that old geezer, I'll be the first to object!"
---
Iwagakure (Hidden Stone Village)
The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, floated in mid-air, arms crossed: "Hiruzen… Hmph. Let this old man see what kind of evaluation you receive."
---
Meanwhile, in the forest on the way to the Land of Lightning, the temporarily resting Tobirama leaned against a tree trunk, looking up at the Sky Screen.
When he heard the aspects—Combat Ability, Domestic Affairs, Diplomacy, Education, and Military Leadership—he raised an eyebrow slightly.
"A very comprehensive evaluation system." Tobirama murmured to himself.
"Indeed, to be a good Hokage, none of these aspects can be lacking. Combat ability is the foundation, domestic affairs are the root, diplomacy is the environment, education is the future, and military leadership is the safeguard."
So then… how would Hiruzen fare under this system?
Would he be excellent? Qualified? Barely passing? Or unqualified?
Tobirama continued on his way, but diverted part of his attention to monitor the Sky Screen.
He wanted to know what level this unknown entity would assign to the successor he had chosen.