"Konoha… what in the world happened here?" Omoi stared around in bewilderment.
The entire village had vanished, leaving behind nothing but a vast, empty basin.
Aoi knew exactly what had occurred.
During the battle to capture the Nine‑Tails, Nagato had resolved to destroy Konoha.
He unleashed Shinra Tensei at its maximum power, wiping the village right off the map.
Nearly everyone in Konoha had been killed or gravely wounded.
If not for Naruto's legendary ability to win anyone over with his words, the village would have been no more than a name in history.
And yet…
With Yamato's genius for construction, it would not be long before Konoha was rebuilt exactly as it was.
One had to admit — Nagato was something of a miracle worker in the real estate business: he only demolished property, but left people alive.
If Nagato had appeared on Earth, the entire demolition industry could have shut down.
No more messy evictions or forced removals:
One massive Shinra Tensei to clear the land, followed immediately by the Samsara of Heavenly Life.
The buildings were gone, but every inhabitant remained unharmed.
Truly, he would have been every developer's dream asset.
"Identify yourselves!"
As the group stood casually at the edge of the crater, Konoha's security forces quickly arrived.
True to the original story, Samui presented her credentials and requested an audience with the Hokage, bearing a letter from the Raikage.
Five minutes later…
"This is so boring!"
Omoi sat guarding the tent with Karui, still holding Aoi in his arms, while Samui went inside to meet Tsunade.
All they could do was wait around like gatekeepers…
But just then…
"He's here."
Aoi narrowed his eyes.
From a distance, a figure in a black‑and‑white kimono came slowly into view, leaning on a cane.
It was Danzō — looking unusually pleased with himself, his wrinkled, unsightly face almost glowing with self‑satisfaction.
"What a pitiful man," Aoi muttered with a click of his tongue.
The official appointment of the Sixth Hokage had just been issued, and Danzō truly believed his time in the spotlight had finally come.
Little did he know — this was nothing more than a temporary Hokage trial card.
"Danzō?"
Karui crunched through her lollipop and tensed, her hand drifting toward the hilt of her sword.
Danzō's reputation throughout the ninja world was abysmal — someone everyone despised and no one trusted.
Aoi leaned comfortably against Omoi's chest, ready to enjoy the show.
To him, this felt no different from watching the story unfold on screen — there were no unexpected twists, so he could just sit back and coast through it.
But what happened next caught him completely off guard…
"This child is an orphan from Konoha, I take it?" Danzō's eyes narrowed, and he smiled as if spotting something rare and valuable.
"Hand him over to me. I will see to his upbringing and training personally."
Hearing this, Aoi instinctively tightened his grip on Omoi's clothing. Of all people, why did that old monster have his eye on me?!
It had to be said — as the head of Root, the secret organization that raised countless young talents, Danzō had an exceptional eye for potential.
In an instant, he had seen the outstanding qualities hidden beneath Aoi's appearance.
Omoi hesitated too. After all, Aoi was supposedly a child of Konoha — it wasn't right to keep holding onto him indefinitely…
"I can walk on my own, thank you."
Aoi wriggled out of Omoi's arms, pointed straight at Danzō's face, and shouted: "That old man is way too ugly! I only like pretty, gentle big sisters!"
"Pretty and gentle big sisters?" Omoi repeated, amused — it was certainly a new way of putting it.
"Too ugly?"
Danzō's expression twisted into a grimace. This was the first time anyone had ever criticized his looks. To a ninja, shouldn't strength be the only thing that mattered?
"Uh… sorry, but this boy is actually mine," Omoi blurted out, then whistled innocently while pulling Aoi firmly behind his back.
"..."
Danzō felt like screaming in frustration. Yours? You have dark skin, and this child is as fair as snow. Do you take me for a fool — or blind?!
…Forget it.
He let out a long, steadying breath. It was his first official day as Hokage; he could not let such a trivial incident ruin his reputation.
Drawing himself up to his full height, he pushed past the tent flap.
"Tsunade is no longer the Hokage!" He held out his hand arrogantly toward Samui.
"I am Danzō, the Sixth Hokage. Hand over the letter from the Raikage."
It was hard to imagine what emotions were churning inside him.
His entire life had been spent chasing this one position — to finally stand as the Hokage, and wield the authority he had always craved.
Now, at long last, his dream had come true.
__________________
For more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.
"Schedule"
Monday - Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day
Saturday - Sunday - Off