Stepping out of the Hokage building, Senmei Asahi let out a long sigh, feeling both a trace of reluctance and, more than that, the immense relief of years of suppressed emotions finally being released.
For the first time in a long while, Asahi felt unshackled. For years, he had lived cautiously under the gaze of the Hokage lineage, constantly hiding his thoughts, constantly pretending. Every word, every expression had been carefully calculated, all to avoid arousing the Third Hokage's suspicion.
'Finally… I don't have to keep pretending anymore.'
Fundamentally, Asahi's ideology was incompatible with that of the Hokage line. While Namikaze Minato believed in the ideal of unity through compassion, and the Third Hokage believed in the so-called "Will of Fire", Asahi believed in survival and strength through understanding and control of power. To him, peace without absolute strength was fleeting — a candle flickering in the wind.
For years, to better integrate himself, he had cooperated with Uchiha Chizuru, with Orochimaru, and even with Shimura Danzo. He had also taken part in the study of the First Hokage's cells — matters that, if revealed, would have been enough to have him branded as a traitor. And now, Asahi was even secretly preparing to help Danzo transplant the Sharingan and those very same cells.
If the Third Hokage ever learned of all this, Asahi would have no room to justify himself.
That was why, until now, he had lived cautiously — half in the shadows, half in the light.
But after what had happened today, that fragile balance was gone. He had effectively burned his bridges with the Hokage lineage. From now on, he no longer needed to care what the Third Hokage thought of him. As long as he didn't openly betray Konoha, even Hiruzen couldn't move against him.
It was a dangerous position to hold, but Asahi had something he'd never had before — true strength.
This was the confidence that power brought him. Power liberated. Power justified. And now that he had achieved Sage Mode, he could finally walk a path of his own choosing.
Rather than continuing to weave lies to maintain the Hokage's trust, it was better to break away completely and live without restraint. After all, letting Orochimaru escape was not an unforgivable crime. The Third Hokage could criticize him, but he could not punish him. Even Danzo, after all the atrocities he had committed, still held his position.
Compared to Danzo, Asahi was far less guilty — and far more capable.
For a time, life in Konoha became calm again. Asahi's days passed in quiet rhythm — from his home to the Konoha Hospital, occasionally meeting with old classmates, and sometimes discussing research with Danzo. On the surface, he looked like any other hardworking medical-nin who had contributed to the village.
But under that calm surface, Asahi never let down his guard.
He continued to visit the Land of Water when he could, occasionally exchanged information with Uchiha Chizuru, and even secretly monitored the lives of Minato and Kushina, waiting — calculating — for the exact timing of the Nine-Tails' incident.
'If my calculations are right, it should happen around the 48th year of Konoha… on the day Naruto is born.'
Time passed like a river. Before anyone realized it, Konoha had entered its forty-eighth year. That year, the village seemed to overflow with vitality. Many of the great clans welcomed new lives — the Hyuga, Uchiha, and Ino–Shika–Cho among them. It was as though a silent spring breeze had swept through the village after years of war.
Minato was especially joyful. Kushina's belly had grown round, and her husband, now the Fourth Hokage, seemed even more radiant with happiness.
The Third Hokage, seeing this, began to withdraw from daily affairs. He planned to fully retire after the birth of Minato's child, leaving the next generation to lead Konoha into a new age.
Even Danzo had grown quiet. Root's activity diminished so much that it seemed to have disappeared altogether. To outsiders, it looked like Danzo had finally given up his ambition for the Hokage seat. But those who truly knew the man — Asahi included — understood that Danzo's silence was merely the stillness before another storm.
Life in the village seemed peaceful on the surface. But beneath that calm, dark currents swirled.
Meanwhile, the future generation — what the world would one day call "Konoha's Twelve" — was slowly taking shape in the wombs of their mothers.
It was an age of new beginnings.
And Asahi, working at Konoha Hospital, often found himself helping to deliver those very children — lives that, unknowingly, would one day change the world.
But while everyone else celebrated, Asahi could not. Because he knew what was coming.
He knew the tragedy that would soon unfold.
As October approached, Kushina disappeared from public view. Only the Third Hokage's wife accompanied her. To most, it seemed natural — an expecting mother preparing for childbirth. But Asahi knew better.
He knew why the Third Hokage's wife had vanished with Kushina.
He knew that tonight, the barrier sealing the Nine-Tails would be at its weakest.
And he knew who would come.
Sitting in his quiet office in Konoha Hospital, Asahi reviewed his notes, marking the estimated due date.
'October 10th… it's almost time.'
On that day, while the village would be thrown into chaos by Masked Obito, Asahi would make his move. His goal was the sealing techniques of the Uzumaki clan — powerful arts that could bind even tailed beasts. Stealing them was a serious crime, but if Obito attacked that same night, Asahi could shift all suspicion onto him.
It was a perfect opportunity — a single night of chaos to act freely in the shadows.
As dusk fell, Asahi stepped out, his face calm, his eyes sharp.
The streets of Konoha were quiet under the silver glow of the moon. Somewhere far away, he could hear the faint laughter of villagers, unaware of the storm that was about to descend.
Activating Yin Seal ∙ Release, Asahi entered Sage Mode, extending his sensory field across the village. His senses sharpened until every flicker of chakra shimmered like light in the darkness.
Minato's home was silent. Apart from two squads of hidden Anbu guards nearby, there was no sign of life inside.
'So… it's happening tonight.'
Minato's chakra signature was gone — as though he had left the village entirely.
That could only mean one thing: he was with Kushina, at the secret childbirth location.
"Never mind." Asahi whispered to himself. "If he returns midway by any chance, I'll retreat. But if I'm discovered… At worst, I'll take the sealing scroll and defect."
His decision was made.
Tonight, Konoha would burn — but in that chaos, Senmei Asahi would carve his own path to power.
The wind howled softly through the trees as Asahi formed the hand seals.
Summoning Jutsu.
With a puff of white smoke, a small white snake appeared, its tongue flicking as it looked up at him.
"Take this." Asahi said, handing it a specially marked kunai. "Slither into Minato's house quietly. Leave the kunai near the scroll shelf."
The snake nodded and darted away, vanishing into the shadows of the Hokage's residence.
Asahi waited, his expression calm, though his heart beat a little faster.
A moment later, he felt the faint pulse of his mark resonate — the signal he had been waiting for.
Flying Thunder God Jutsu.
In an instant, space folded around him, and Asahi disappeared from the dark alleyway — reappearing silently inside the Namikaze Residence.
*****
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✓ Killed For 100 Years in Hueco Mundo, Aizen Invited Me To Soul Society!
✓ Naruto: Senmei Asahi
✓ Naruto: Uchiha's Intelligence Dealer
✓ Naruto: The Fifth Hokage Is Naruto's Uncle
✓ Naruto: Who Made Him a Ninja?
✓ Bleach: In My Second Reincarnation, I Became The Ninth Kenpachi
✓ To Love-Ru: Spoiler Route [R-18]
✓ Naruto: The Accidental Incubus [R-18]