--------------------------------------------------
Snow swept across the Land of Fire's northern border, driven sideways by the biting wind. The landscape lay buried beneath endless white, and every breath cut like a blade.
Izuna's Fourth Division stood against the Hatake and Haruno clans, along with their samurai allies. Swords flashed as shinobi and samurai fought in the middle of the storm.
This was a battle decided by swords.
"Hatake Clan, this is your final chance." Izuna narrowed his eyes at the opposing line. "Lay down your weapons and join Konoha."
His hand settled on the hilt of his sword.
"Keep fighting, and don't blame me when I stop holding back."
The Hatake clan leader glanced back. Konoha had blocked every road to the south, and the Land of Iron was to the north. There was nowhere left to go, and another fight would only mean more of his people lost to the snow.
He saw the deadly look in Izuna's eyes and let out a tired sigh.
"Enough. The Hatake Clan surrenders." His sword fell from his hand into the snow. He dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
"We will join Konoha. All I ask is that your village keep its word and treat my people fairly."
..............
Shinobi Year 852. After the Hatake Clan surrendered, Konoha defeated the last independent shinobi groups in the Land of Fire and united the country under one rule.
On Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku and Black Zetsu sat at an old stone table, typing the historic event into a computer.
After saving the record, Fukasaku stroked his white beard and gave Black Zetsu a friendly pat on the arm. "Told you so. You lost the bet... The Grand Sage did help Konoha bring the Land of Fire together. Now pay me my five hundred ryō."
Black Zetsu rubbed his forehead. "I still don't get it. The Grand Sage ignored ruling the country for centuries. Why did he decide to help Konoha now?"
"Because you guessed wrong," Fukasaku said with a laugh. "No need to overthink it."
They had made their bet years ago. Fukasaku thought Manji would unite Konoha, but Black Zetsu was sure he would stay out of it.
Now, there was no more room for debate.
"Fine. A bet is a bet." Black Zetsu took out the money and pushed it into Fukasaku's hand.
Before Fukasaku could count the money, an angry voice shouted from outside.
"FUKASAKU!"
Shima burst into the room, pulling Tobi along by the arm. Her sudden entrance made Fukasaku and Black Zetsu jump in their seats.
She walked up to the table and slammed her phone down between them.
"EXPLAIN THIS!!" Fukasaku and Black Zetsu leaned in to look.
The photo on the screen showed them holding each other, faces close together in a way that was clearly too intimate to mistake.
Fukasaku's eyes bulged.
"What is this?? I've never done anything like that!"
"It's an AI deepfake!!" Black Zetsu needed only one glance.
Shima's anger faltered. "A what?"
"Look at the edges. Half the picture is warped, and my hand has six fingers." Black Zetsu pointed out the most obvious flaws. "It's not real."
Fukasaku jumped on the explanation. "Exactly! Someone wants to ruin our reputations. Look at me, I'm much too old to get mixed up in this kind of nonsense!"
Black Zetsu turned to Tobi, who could barely hide his grin.
"YOU MADE IT, DIDN'T YOU?"
"..." Tobi scratched his head and grinned. "Aw, you figured it out already?"
Shima smacked him across the back of the head.
"You little menace! Do you have any idea how badly that frightened me?"
"Hehe. I just wanted to play a joke on everyone." Tobi rubbed the back of his head and looked at her. "I didn't think Lady Shima would fall for such an obvious AI image."
Fukasaku shook his head. "The world changes too fast. Whenever I figure out new inventions, three new ones show up."
Black Zetsu stared at Tobi, who still looked proud of himself. "You've lived for centuries. Can you try acting your age?"
"You don't get it, Sage Black Zetsu." Tobi lifted a finger like he was giving a lesson. "Other White Zetsu my age just watch movies and play games."
He placed a hand against his chest.
"I study the Mount Myōboku stock market, keep up with Pure Land exchange rates, and research artificial intelligence. I'm a serious investor."
Black Zetsu frowned. "Go ahead, keep showing off. No one here can compete with you. You're the biggest high roller in the Shinobi world."
A cheeky smile appeared on his face.
"But you only ever mess with harmless old men. Let's see you make one of those AI meme videos about Konoha's First Elder."
Tobi's grin disappeared.
..............
Inside Konoha's Council Building, Madara, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Izuna walked into Manji's office together.
All four stopped in the doorway.
Manji was sitting behind his desk, just as they expected.
Uchiha Tajima sat beside him, alive and well.
"You're not dead??" Madara stared at his father.
Tajima's friendly smile faded.
"Madara, watch your mouth. You awakened the Mangekyō and forgot how to speak to your father?" He folded his arms.
"Remember—I can still beat you like the son you are."
"..." Izuna didn't want to argue. Tears filled his eyes as he ran across the room and hugged Tajima.
Tajima's face softened. He put a hand on Izuna's head and gently stroked his hair.
"That's wonderful! Uncle Tajima survived the assassination." Hashirama smiled with relief.
Tobirama said nothing.
He had already guessed the truth. Manji and Tajima had faked Tajima's death to push the independent clans to act first—giving Konoha the reason and chance it needed to unite the Land of Fire.
Once things calmed down, Madara and Hashirama exchanged a look.
Madara stepped forward.
"First Elder, Konoha now includes clans from across the entire Land of Fire. Hashirama, Tobirama, Izuna, and I discussed what comes next." Madara paused, then went on. "A village this big should have one leader—someone recognized by every clan, not just the Uchiha or Hyūga."
"We propose calling that leader the Hokage."
Manji blinked.
So the position had made its way into this timeline after all.
That worked for him. He had planned to set up a formal office once Konoha finished uniting the country.
"Very well. I approve."
Manji smiled at all four of them.
"Which of you wants to become Hokage?"
Madara, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Izuna looked at one another.
Then, as if they had planned it, all four turned to Manji with matching smiles.
Manji paused.
"Why are all of you looking at me?"
——————————
~ Every 200 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ 15 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)