As the towering dust clouds gradually settled, everything that once stood in Konoha had been reduced to fine debris. Only the Hokage Rock beneath their feet remained intact.
Nearby, teams of shinobi who had long been prepared moved in an orderly fashion into the ruins, beginning the cleanup of shattered structures and debris.
"Since things here are settled, it's time for me to depart."
Senju Tobirama looked over the ruins with a hint of emotion.
Kyusei had assigned him the task of visiting the other Konoha. Originally, he had no intention of going.
But after learning that the Fifth Hokage there was Tsunade—
There was no one more suitable than him.
"Let me know if you need anything."
Kyusei said as he looked at the Second Hokage, the man who had once sacrificed himself for Konoha's future.
"I'll be back soon."
Tobirama patted his shoulder and was about to leave when a small figure emerged from the nearby trees.
Kyusei noticed him as well, slightly surprised.
"Kakashi? What are you doing here?"
Not even seven years old, Kakashi looked at him calmly.
"I've been training here these past few days."
His tone was flat, almost indifferent.
Kyusei's heart sank.
Since the Dragon Vein battle ended, he had been overwhelmed with work alongside Kaoru and hadn't had time to check on Kakashi.
Judging by his expression—
He already knew.
"Kakashi…"
Kyusei looked at him apologetically.
Sakumo's soul had been corrupted by Gō.
Even if he were revived through Reanimation, it would only be an empty shell.
That was what the Nine-Tails had told him.
Those controlled by Gō—
Their souls were already gone, turned into pure energy that returned to the world.
Sometimes Kyusei wondered if this had been the natural cycle before the Sage of Six Paths created the Pure Land.
Born from the world.
Returned to the world.
Kakashi glanced at him, said nothing, and turned to leave.
"Kakashi!"
Kyusei called out.
"Yes?"
Kakashi stopped.
"Would you like to become his student?"
Kyusei pointed at Tobirama.
Kakashi: "???"
Tobirama: "???"
"Don't let his serious face fool you. He's actually a bit of a tsundere—and very strong."
Kyusei crouched down, looking Kakashi in the eyes.
Truthfully, Kyusei didn't have much he could teach him.
Aside from the Rasengan…
There wasn't much else.
Kaoru was even busier, working nonstop.
Tobirama, on the other hand, was perfect.
He was a master of Water Release, skilled in integrating swordsmanship with Flying Thunder God, and a genius in jutsu development.
And—
They both had white hair.
"Ha?"
Tobirama frowned.
Why was he being described like that?
"And he's the Second Hokage."
Kyusei added with a smile.
"The Second… Hokage?"
Kakashi's eyes widened.
"But… isn't he dead?"
"Due to the recent operation, he was revived by accident."
Kyusei shrugged.
"I'm sure the Second Hokage wouldn't mind guiding the son of my teacher."
Tobirama narrowed his eyes slightly.
Over the past few days, he had already gathered information.
Kyusei's growth—
Was deeply tied to one man.
Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo.
A true hero who embodied the Will of Fire.
Tobirama had no issue teaching Konoha's future.
And this boy—
Was the son of a fallen hero.
He studied Kakashi carefully.
He had trained many students before.
Hiruzen, Danzo, Kagami, Torifu, Homura, Koharu.
But a disciple—
Was different.
If Kakashi didn't meet his standards, Tobirama wouldn't waste time.
"Sensei!"
Kakashi immediately seized the opportunity.
Tobirama glanced at Kyusei, who was making faces at him.
"Becoming my disciple isn't something you achieve through connections."
"I'm leaving for a few days. During that time, I'll assign you a jutsu."
"If you succeed, you'll become my disciple."
"Yeah, it's easy! Just a C-rank technique!"
Kyusei chimed in.
A vein popped on Tobirama's forehead.
C-rank?
He turned away, ignoring Kyusei.
"There's a technique in the village called the Darkness Technique. Do you know it?"
Kakashi looked blankly at Kyusei.
Kyusei's face turned green.
Genjutsu: Darkness Technique.
An A-rank jutsu.
You're giving that to a seven-year-old?!
"Learn it."
"I'll check your progress when I return."
"If you meet my expectations, you'll become my seventh disciple."
Kyusei let out a quiet sigh of relief.
At least Tobirama hadn't lost his mind completely.
"Yes, Tobirama-sama!"
Kakashi responded with determination.
Kyusei watched him go, a hint of warmth in his eyes.
For Kakashi—
Becoming stronger was the only thing that mattered now.
"Find him if you need help."
Tobirama said, pointing at Kyusei.
"I'll be back in three to seven days."
"I expect results."
"Yes!"
—
Watching Kakashi leave with the scroll, Kaoru rubbed her temples and leaned back in her chair inside the temporary tent.
There was too much to handle.
Border defenses.
Reconstruction planning.
Resource allocation.
Dragon Vein security.
Negotiations with the parallel Konoha.
Even with help—
Everything still required her approval.
Fortunately, the other nations were keeping quiet.
As she closed her eyes to rest, a pair of hands gently began massaging her shoulders.
"Anything I can do?"
Kyusei asked softly.
"You've already done enough."
"This is my test as Hokage."
Kaoru said quietly, placing her hand over his.
The air grew calm.
"Kaoru-sama!"
A shinobi rushed in, freezing at the sight.
"…Did I come at a bad time?"
"…No."
Kaoru sighed.
"What is it?"
"The Fourth Mizukage requests an audience."
Yagura?
Kaoru frowned slightly.
Compared to the other nations, the Land of Water was the easiest to handle.
"Bring him in."
"Yes!"
The shinobi fled immediately.
Kaoru smacked Kyusei's hand away.
"Sit properly."
"Yes, yes, my Hokage-sama."
She rolled her eyes and took her seat.
Moments later, a short figure entered.
Yagura.
He looked at Kaoru, his expression complicated.
Less than a year ago—
She had just been a promising girl.
Now—
She stood at the peak.
"I greet the Fourth Hokage."
He bowed slightly.
"How have you been, Mizukage?"
Kaoru asked with a polite smile.
"I've been… well."
Yagura exhaled, then spoke decisively.
"What are your plans for the future?"
Kyusei glanced at him silently.
As expected—
He understood the situation.
"Explain."
Kaoru said calmly.
"The situation is clear."
"I only ask that Konoha treats Kirigakure well."
Yagura smiled bitterly.
He had no choice.
Konoha's strength—
Was overwhelming.
With multiple fighters on Kyusei's level—
Resistance was meaningless.
Under a collapsing nest, no egg remains unbroken.
War of unification—
Was inevitable.
Better to submit now—
Than later.
Even if it meant becoming subordinate.
If there were another way—
He would take it.
But—
There wasn't.
If only there were an "if."
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