After several days of preparation, Natsuhiko finally watched as Hiruzen Sarutobi wrapped up everything that needed handling. Through the ANBU, the matter had also been formally reported to the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
Natsuhiko had cooperated fully throughout the process. He had personally sent Senju Akira on a trip to handle certain arrangements, and in return, the relevant intelligence had made its way into his hands.
Looking over the report, he gave a faint nod.
"So it's just me and Hiruzen setting out, and we're not even taking the main roads… Seems the old man is being as cautious and low-key as ever."
That, at least, was a good thing. Being too conspicuous rarely led to anything good. While what he planned to do later would inevitably shake things to their core, discretion before everything erupted was absolutely necessary.
After all, one careless move could alert the enemy.
The Daimyo had never been content with merely serving as Konoha's purse. From beginning to end, his ambition had been to reclaim true authority over the Land of Fire.
The existence of the Twelve Guardian Ninja was, in many ways, a preparation for breaking free from Konoha's control.
Even though the Hokage outwardly treated the Daimyo with the utmost respect, the truth was far less flattering. Beneath the surface, there was no real regard for him at all—and the Daimyo was fully aware of it.
Natsuhiko's eyes narrowed slightly as a thought crossed his mind.
"Could it be… that the Daimyo himself is also involved in collecting the Nine-Tails' chakra from behind the scenes?"
It was an interesting possibility—but only that. He didn't dwell on it, nor did he particularly care about the answer.
The Daimyo might be the nominal ruler of the Land of Fire, but he had no real control over Konoha—the most powerful military force in the land.
In the end, this was still a world ruled by shinobi.
Without control over the ninja, even the largest conventional army amounted to little more than decoration.
From that perspective, the Daimyo's potential strategy wasn't entirely without merit: break free from Konoha's grip, restrict its economic growth, seize control of its financial lifelines… and when the time was right, use negotiations to reclaim authority over the village.
After all, if someone controlled every aspect of your daily life—your food, clothing, shelter, even your livelihood—how long could you really remain independent?
Unfortunately, things hadn't played out that way in the original story. The faction led by Kazuma had eventually fallen apart due to internal divisions, and the Daimyo remained nothing more than a glorified treasurer, never truly gaining power.
Natsuhiko let out a quiet breath.
"In that case, destroying you ahead of time won't make much of a difference."
With that thought in mind, he stepped into the living room.
Inside, Senju Renge was already setting the table, arranging breakfast with practiced ease.
At this hour every day, she would have everything prepared—waiting for Natsuhiko to come downstairs, eat, and then leave for work.
She looked almost like a young wife going about her morning routine… though in truth, she was closer to a meticulous housekeeper.
"Morning," Natsuhiko greeted with a small nod before taking a seat.
"Good morning, Natsuhiko-kun." Her voice remained as cool and ethereal as ever, though she no longer addressed him as "lord."
Taking a sip of the warm millet porridge, Natsuhiko chuckled lightly. "Your mother went out shopping again?"
"To be precise," Renge replied without missing a beat, "she's avoiding you."
She stated it so plainly that it left no room for misunderstanding.
"After all, your status is no longer the same. Even if your attitude hasn't changed, the people around you have no choice but to adjust."
Natsuhiko smiled and nodded, offering no rebuttal.
He understood it well enough. Ever since his true identity had come to light, the way people treated him had shifted. Where once there had been room for casual jokes, there was now only careful politeness—respect carried to the point of distance.
Natsuhiko found himself thinking of an old saying—the higher you stand, the colder it becomes. Now that he had experienced it firsthand, even if only faintly, he understood its meaning a little better.
Still, it didn't trouble him much. After all, only a small number of people actually knew his true identity. As long as his former classmates could still treat him normally, that was more than enough.
Even if the persona he had worn in the past had been nothing more than an act, it had undeniably brought him plenty of benefits.
"Over the next period of time, I won't be home."
Setting down his bowl, Natsuhiko spoke casually, as though mentioning something trivial.
"I'll leave the house in your care. I've already informed the ANBU to keep watch here, so just live as you normally would."
"A mission that requires even the ANBU's commander to move… it doesn't sound like anything simple."
Senju Renge lifted her head slightly to glance at him before lowering it again.
"I understand. I won't let anything happen to the house."
She was a perceptive woman. Even without knowing the specifics of Natsuhiko's mission, she understood instinctively that there were questions best left unasked.
As for why Natsuhiko, despite already being the head of the ANBU, still exercised such caution—there was nothing strange about that either.
His position hadn't been obtained through gentle means. It had been seized through sheer force, and inevitably, that meant stepping on the interests of many others.
Where interests were involved, there would always be those willing to take risks—desperate, dangerous people who might gamble everything for the chance to strike back.
Such individuals were the most troublesome. Left unchecked, there was no telling what kind of chaos they might unleash.
While Natsuhiko remained in Konoha, his overwhelming strength and the near-impossibility of success would likely keep them in check. But if he were away… and if someone acted quickly and decisively enough, retaliation might not be impossible.
Even though his movements as ANBU commander were among the most tightly guarded secrets, there was no such thing as a wall without cracks.
"That's good. Let's hope this operation goes smoothly—and that we can bring in some extra funds for the ANBU as well."
With that, Natsuhiko finished his breakfast and rose to his feet.
"Bringing in money for the ANBU… Natsuhiko-kun, are you going to meet the Daimyo?" Renge seemed to grasp something instantly. "Or rather… the Hokage is going to meet the Daimyo, and you're accompanying him, aren't you?"
"Oh?" Natsuhiko raised an eyebrow, then let out a soft laugh. "Not bad. I only mentioned making some money, and you already deduced that I'll be going with the Third Hokage to meet the Daimyo. Impressive."
"It's not that difficult to figure out," she replied, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before continuing. "I had been wondering what kind of mission would require the ANBU commander to act personally. Your remark made it clear—someone who can both justify your involvement and provide financial gain… that leaves only the Daimyo.
"And if there's to be a meeting with the Daimyo, there must be a proper reason. Naturally, that would mean the Third Hokage is going, with you accompanying him.
"However, you and the Third Hokage are not exactly aligned… so I imagine you must have paid some sort of price to make this happen."
She paused briefly, then added in a calm, measured tone, "Though for you, that 'price' probably isn't much of a loss. It might even have been something you deliberately offered."
Natsuhiko stood there, looking at her—at the faint glimmer of sharp intelligence in her eyes—and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
She really is clever.
He had thought as much months ago, but ever since he had helped her resolve her lingering concerns, that intelligence had become even more apparent.
This time, however, she had genuinely surprised him. From a single offhand remark, she had deduced nearly everything, coming remarkably close to the truth.
That kind of reasoning ability was almost frightening. Even Natsuhiko himself would have needed time to piece it all together.
"Keeping you here at home… feels like a waste," he said with a soft sigh. "Have you ever thought about going somewhere you could fully make use of your talents?"
Renge lowered her head slightly, and this time, even her form of address changed.
"I will only follow your will, Natsuhiko-sama. If you believe it is necessary, then it is necessary. If you believe it is not, then it is not."
"Is that so?" Natsuhiko smiled faintly and nodded. "I understand. We'll talk about it again after I return."
As soon as he finished speaking, chakra rippled faintly around Natsuhiko's body.
Renge had already made her stance perfectly clear, and since that was the case, he didn't mind giving it a proper try. After all, leaving someone with her level of intelligence at home as nothing more than decoration would be far too wasteful.
—
Hiruzen Sarutobi had already been on the road for some time, traveling alone along a narrow path leading toward the capital of the Land of Fire.
Since he had promised Natsuhiko that only the two of them would go, he had no intention of breaking his word.
Even so, he remained constantly on guard. Natsuhiko's strength was no trivial matter—if the young man harbored any ill intent, Hiruzen would be in genuine danger.
Because of that, he had left behind a shadow clone within the Sarutobi clan compound and informed one of the clan elders about the details of this mission.
If Natsuhiko were to commit something unforgivable, the disappearance of that clone would serve as a signal.
Once the original body died, the shadow clone would vanish as well. That alone would be enough for the elder to expose everything Natsuhiko had done, leaving him no chance to respond or cover his tracks.
From the moment he set out, Hiruzen had felt as though someone was watching him.
The sensation was subtle—almost indistinct—but persistent enough to unsettle him.
Yet no matter how carefully he searched, he found nothing.
That only led him to suspect one possibility: perhaps Natsuhiko was already nearby, simply choosing not to reveal himself.
With that thought, Hiruzen decided not to dwell on the unseen gaze any further. As long as he maintained his vigilance, that would be enough.
Let's hope nothing goes wrong.
He silently quickened his pace, continuing forward.
The journey remained uneventful. That faint, ever-present sense of being watched never turned into anything more, which only reinforced his suspicion—it was likely Natsuhiko, or someone under his command.
Still, one thing puzzled him.
Why hadn't Natsuhiko shown himself yet? Could it be that he intended to wait until Hiruzen reached the capital, then arrive instantly using the Flying Thunder God Technique?
"Watch your step, Hokage-sama."
The sudden voice at his ear made Hiruzen's pupils contract sharply.
But just as quickly, he forced himself to calm down. Turning his head slightly, he looked over—and an odd expression crept across his face.
"Natsuhiko?" he asked, puzzled. "Your mask… why is it Kakashi's?"
Within the ANBU, masks were not something one simply changed. They were assigned—and in most cases, they stayed with a person for life.
And yet here Natsuhiko was, openly breaking that convention, standing before him wearing Kakashi Hatake's mask.
To make matters more confusing, dressed in standard ANBU attire, he truly did resemble Kakashi to an uncanny degree.
Both of them had silver hair, and Natsuhiko himself was skilled with a blade. Without the Sharingan or Kakashi's signature lightning techniques, distinguishing between the two while masked would have been nearly impossible.
"The name 'Nightingale' has gotten a bit too famous," Natsuhiko said with a casual shrug, sounding almost helpless. "To avoid unnecessary trouble, I figured it'd be better not to act under that identity."
His tone was light, but Hiruzen felt his eyelid twitch slightly.
"The last time I was in the Land of Hot Water, some Kumogakure ANBU spotted me and immediately turned tail and ran. I nearly couldn't complete my mission because of it."
"It seems, Natsuhiko-kun, that in just a single year, you've grown into someone the world can only sigh at in amazement."
Hiruzen replied with mild irritation, yet as soon as the words left his mouth, he fell silent.
Because it was true.
Natsuhiko really had grown to a level that left others in awe.
Who could have imagined that less than a year ago, he had merely been an outstanding ANBU—young, talented, already a squad leader?
Impressive, yes.
But not yet someone who inspired fear.
And yet now, not only had Natsuhiko's strength reached a terrifying height, his status had undergone an unprecedented leap—he had become the head of the ANBU.
At just fourteen years old.
A fourteen-year-old ANBU commander… even across the entire shinobi world, that was something unheard of.
Unless someone else managed to become a Kage at that age—or achieved the same position even younger—there was simply no surpassing him.
But as soon as that thought surfaced, Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head.
A thirteen-year-old ANBU commander, or a fourteen-year-old Kage… such things were far too unrealistic.
If something that absurd truly came to pass, then there could only be one of two explanations.
Either the village itself was already failing—so desperate that it had no choice but to push someone so young to the forefront. And if that were the case, could such a village still have any hope?
After all, someone like Natsuhiko, with such depth of calculation and composure at his age… Hiruzen doubted there was a second person like him in the entire shinobi world.
The other possibility was far more cynical.
A compromise of interests. If placing a young man at the front benefited the village, then why not do it?
But if that were the case, then that young man would be pitiful indeed—reduced to nothing more than a puppet, with no real autonomy of his own.
"…Enough of that."
Hiruzen exhaled softly, cutting off his own thoughts before they could wander further.
"White Fang, I'll be relying on you from here on."
"Of course, Hokage-sama."
Natsuhiko let out a faint chuckle, giving a slight bow as he spoke.
"Shall we?"
With that, he stepped forward without hesitation, and Hiruzen followed behind him as the two continued on their way.
But as they moved, Natsuhiko's gaze subtly swept across their surroundings. Beneath his mask, a faint smile curved along his lips.
So cautious…
Are they planning to kill him? Or…
Are they waiting for a chance to kill me? If it's the latter… then this might actually be interesting.
—
"Was that… the Flying Thunder God Technique just now?"
Perched on a distant treetop, a Root shinobi stared into the distance, a thin sheen of cold sweat forming on his forehead.
He knew full well how terrifying that technique was. After all, the current ANBU commander had used it to slaughter quite a number of Root operatives.
And yet, something didn't add up.
The person who had just appeared wasn't wearing the ANBU commander's mask.
The name "Konoha's Nightingale" was famous throughout the shinobi world, and his mask was just as recognizable. As a Root member, there was no way he could mistake it.
"That mask… it belongs to the White Fang—Hatake Kakashi."
"But why would he know the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
The Root shinobi couldn't make sense of it, though he had no intention of dwelling on the matter.
He had been tailing Hiruzen for some time now, but until this moment, he hadn't spotted any ANBU protection at all, which had only deepened his suspicions.
Now, however, he had his answer.
Not only had he confirmed the presence of ANBU personnel, but he had also identified who it was—and the route they were taking.
That meant it was time to report back… and prepare for the next phase of the mission.
With that thought, he quickly formed a one-handed seal. In the next instant, his body dissolved into a cloud of smoke, vanishing from the spot.
Far away, another Root shinobi suddenly sensed something. Closing his eyes briefly, he focused, then snapped them open again.
"It's confirmed. There's only one escort—and it's the White Fang," he reported swiftly. "The route is unchanged. If nothing unexpected happens, they'll arrive here in twenty minutes."
"Only one person?" another Root operative asked, his tone laced with doubt. "Are you sure there's no mistake? I thought the White Fang was busy rebuilding the Second Division. Is it really him?"
"The mask checks out, and so do his appearance and build… but there's one major problem."
The Root shinobi paused for a moment, organizing his thoughts before speaking in a low, serious tone.
"That man—White Fang—seems to have mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?"
At those words, every Root operative gathered for the ambush showed clear confusion.
That technique was anything but ordinary. In the entire history of Konoha, only three people had ever mastered it—the Second Hokage, the Fourth Hokage, and the current ANBU commander, Nightingale.
Could it be that, as the Fourth Hokage's disciple—and at the same time a classmate and close associate of Konoha's Nightingale—White Fang had received guidance from both and managed to learn it as well?
Or… was that not White Fang at all?
Was it actually the ANBU commander, Nightingale, in disguise?
If it was Nightingale, then the situation had just become far more dangerous. His performance during the Nine-Tails' Night had already proven everything that needed to be said.
And more importantly, his attitude toward Root was notoriously hostile. He was not someone any of them wanted to provoke.
"Enough. Don't overthink it."
At that moment, a shorter Root shinobi suddenly spoke, his voice cutting through the tension.
"Konoha's Nightingale is now the head of the ANBU. Unless there's a special circumstance, he wouldn't act personally.
"And even if he did… we still have to carry out Lord Danzo's orders."
"That's true. Nightingale is already the ANBU commander, and from what I've heard, his relationship with the Third Hokage isn't exactly good."
Another Root member spoke after a brief moment of thought.
"Both the ANBU and we know that to some extent. So completing our own mission is more important."
His words quickly silenced the others.
It was true—the relationship between the ANBU and the Hokage had grown strained. Even Root operatives like them, who had long since suppressed their emotions and existed only to carry out orders, were aware of it.
The reason they had been so unsettled was simple: the mission itself was unexpected, and the enemy they were facing was far beyond what they had anticipated.
Natsuhiko was no ordinary opponent.
His strength was overwhelming, and his methods… chilling.
They could still remember the heads that had been sent back—lifeless eyes frozen wide open, expressions of terror etched into their faces. That memory alone had left a deep impression on them.
They were like machines now, their fear and emotions suppressed. Yet the reason they had become this way was because they believed in something—the idea of "protecting Konoha."
And yet, Natsuhiko had slaughtered their comrades in broad daylight, even going so far as to humiliate them—and still, he had faced no punishment.
Combined with the nature of the task they were now undertaking, it was only natural that doubt had begun to creep into their minds. Otherwise, they would never have fallen into such uncharacteristic discussion.
But now, they had steadied themselves.
Since they had accepted this mission, then they would see it through to the end.
They could not question Lord Danzo. They had to trust his judgment. Everything they did… was for Konoha.
With that thought, they quickly dispersed, each taking position while adjusting their state of mind. What remained now was the final preparation—the moment before battle.
—
"Hm? They're gone?"
Natsuhiko and Hiruzen Sarutobi continued forward at an unhurried pace.
Neither of them seemed particularly pressed for time. Moving a little slower made no difference, and if necessary, they could always accelerate later.
For Natsuhiko, this steady pace was ideal. It gave him the space to think—calmly considering what his next move should be.
What surprised Natsuhiko, however, was that those who had been shadowing Hiruzen Sarutobi had suddenly disappeared.
That struck him as odd.
Had Hiruzen decided they were no longer necessary? Or had he come to trust that Natsuhiko wouldn't make a move against him?
Natsuhiko couldn't be sure. He hadn't been actively using his sensory abilities to track them, so he had no clear idea what had happened.
Still, something about those people had felt… off.
Their chakra signatures seemed normal at first glance, yet upon closer inspection, they didn't quite feel like complete individuals.
Shaking his head, Natsuhiko let the matter drop. There was little point dwelling on it. What interested him more was seeing what kind of game this Third Hokage intended to play.
What he didn't know was that, at that very moment, Hiruzen was thinking along almost the exact same lines.
That feeling of being watched… it's gone. So they really were ANBU.
Hiruzen kept his thoughts to himself, showing no outward reaction. As far as he was concerned, that sensation had vanished right after Natsuhiko appeared.
That alone suggested he had indeed been under surveillance—and that those watchers had been ANBU operatives.
But now it seemed they hadn't been there to threaten him at all. Instead, they were likely providing coordinates for the Flying Thunder God Technique.
That realization made things… interesting.
So I really did misjudge this kid. But thinking about it, it's only natural he wouldn't try anything. He probably assumed I'd be on guard.
No matter the reason, Hiruzen quietly let out a breath of relief. After all, the person beside him was none other than Natsuhiko—someone even he couldn't take lightly.
"Hokage-sama."
Just as both men harbored their suspicions yet chose not to act on them, Natsuhiko suddenly spoke up.
"Should we pick up the pace? We both have plenty to deal with."
"That sounds like a fine idea." Hiruzen returned to his senses and nodded with a faint smile. "Let's do that. Though you may have to slow down for me a bit, Commander Natsuhiko—I am getting old, after all."
As his words fell, chakra stirred around both of them. In the next instant, they surged forward together, accelerating down the path.
Natsuhiko didn't go all out. He knew full well that Hiruzen wouldn't be able to keep up if he did.
On that point, the old man hadn't been exaggerating—he really was getting older.
Although Natsuhiko himself had yet to reach his physical peak, the foundation he had built, combined with deliberate training, made his speed nothing short of formidable.
But as they ran, something suddenly felt off.
A flicker of chakra disturbance brushed against his senses.
At the same time, Hiruzen also detected an unusual fluctuation in the air. A veteran of countless battles, a Kage who had survived this long—there was no way his instincts would fail him now.
Their gazes met.
And in that brief exchange, as if they had reached a silent understanding, the same thought surfaced in both their minds.
That bastard… he really intends to make a move?
There was no time to think further.
In the next instant, several massive earthen dragons burst from the ground, roaring as they surged toward Natsuhiko and Hiruzen with crushing force.
Yet against opponents like them, such a technique was almost laughably inadequate.
Both men paused for the briefest moment—then vanished.
In an instant, the Body Flicker Technique carried them away, effortlessly evading the rampaging earth dragons.
But when they landed, facing one another again, the looks in their eyes had turned… distinctly strange.
The looks they exchanged weren't filled with wounded betrayal or furious disbelief—but there was unmistakable surprise in both their eyes.
"I never expected the honorable commander to harbor such killing intent toward me."
"I never expected the Hokage to be so ruthless."
They spoke almost at the same time. The moment the words left their mouths, both froze briefly—then, as if by unspoken agreement, they asked in perfect unison:
"It wasn't you?"
Silence followed.
Even as that silence lingered, they moved instinctively, evading yet another incoming earth-style attack. At the same time, they caught sight of their assailants.
The attackers wore ANBU uniforms, but the cold, hollow aura surrounding them revealed everything.
"Root…?" Natsuhiko swept his gaze over them before turning toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Hokage-sama, care to explain?"
"You want an explanation? Then who's going to explain this to me?"
Hiruzen's expression darkened instantly. Never in his wildest expectations had he imagined that the ones attacking them would be Root.
Danzo… has he gone mad?
Why would he do something so reckless—so utterly irrational?
Was this an attempt on Natsuhiko's life… or his own?
The thoughts spun rapidly through Hiruzen's mind, but the Root operatives gave him no time to dwell on them.
They charged again.
And this time, their primary target was unmistakable—Hiruzen himself.
At that sight, Hiruzen's face turned ashen, while beneath his mask, a faint smile appeared on Natsuhiko's lips.
It was obvious now.
These Root operatives were here for Hiruzen.
And in that instant, a memory surfaced in Natsuhiko's mind—something from the original story. Back then, Danzo Shimura, dissatisfied with Hiruzen reclaiming the authority of Hokage, had attempted an assassination.
That plan had failed, exposed by Kakashi Hatake.
What Natsuhiko hadn't expected was that, even after being pushed into such a corner by him, Danzo would still dare to take this step.
Or did I push him too far… forcing him into a desperate counterattack?
The thought flickered briefly, but Natsuhiko didn't dwell on it.
Instead, his gaze locked onto a boy with brown hair.
He knew—without a doubt—that this was Yamato, currently known within Root as "Tenzo."
From that boy, he could already sense a chakra signature eerily similar to his own.
Wood Release.
This child was Danzo's trump card against Hiruzen… and at the same time, someone whose identity could never be exposed.
And yet, you've delivered him right into my hands.
Danzo… you really are generous. I wonder how interesting Hiruzen's expression will be once he realizes this.
With that thought, Natsuhiko vanished in a flash, reappearing directly in front of Hiruzen.
He didn't even draw his blade.
He simply flicked his hand forward.
Two figures crossed paths in an instant.
The charging Root shinobi was suddenly sent flying backward, his body pierced clean through by wooden spikes that erupted without warning.
A spray of crimson followed, scattering across Natsuhiko's white mask, staining it in a way that made the scene eerily beautiful.
"You—"
Hiruzen had already prepared to act, but Natsuhiko's sudden move caught him completely off guard.
"Watching from the sidelines might have been an option," Natsuhiko said lightly, shaking the blood from his hand. His voice remained calm—almost gentle.
"But I've come across something… interesting. Very interesting."
He tilted his head slightly, as though amused.
"I think Hokage-sama will find it quite interesting as well."
...
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