Chapter 22

In the 60th year of Konoha, a Chunin Exam that should have been ordinary was destined to be recorded in the history of the ninja world.

The Sand and Sound ninja launched a surprise attack on Konoha.

One of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, succeeded in assassinating his teacher.

The Third Hokage, who had dominated the ninja world for over forty years and was known as the "Ninja Professor," died.

The Fourth Kazekage disappeared.

A man who stood shoulder to shoulder with the gods reappeared in the world.

This series of explosive news turned the long-peaceful ninja world upside down.

Not only Konoha, which had lost its leader, but the Sand ninja also became increasingly active.

The major villages such as the Cloud, Stone, and Mist, which had stayed out of the matter, as well as other medium and small ninja villages and major ninja organizations, were all in turmoil.

Many elderly people who had experienced wars couldn't help but frown.

The current situation made them feel a sense of impending chaos and the return of war.

They hoped it was just an illusion.

In the Land of Fire, within a bustling casino.

In the noisy environment filled with shouts of "Big! Big!", "Small! Small!", "All in!", "I won! Ha ha ha!", "Ahhh! Kill me now!", a mature and beautiful woman with twin ponytails and a large chest, wearing a tea-green gambling coat, excitedly grabbed her chips. Beside her, a black-haired woman holding a pink piglet looked on in pain and helplessness as she inserted chip after chip into the slot machine.

Minutes later.

Clink, clink, clink~~~ A large number of chips poured out of the slot machine.

Seeing the pile of chips forming a small mountain, the black-haired woman exclaimed joyfully:

"Lady Tsunade! We won again!!!"

For so many years, Shizune had never seen Lady Tsunade win so continuously instead of losing.

However, Tsunade frowned.

Despite winning, she looked as if she had suffered a great loss and casually placed another bet on the slot machine.

Just like before, more money rolled in.

Relieved that they wouldn't have to sleep on the streets tonight, Shizune hurriedly stabilized the pile of chips.

Tsunade paused, lost in thought.

At this moment, the conversation of nearby gamblers reached their ears.

"Did you hear? Konoha was attacked by the Sand ninja and a small unknown ninja village, and the Third Hokage died in battle."

"The powerful Third Hokage was killed?"

"It was done by Orochimaru, one of the Sannin and a direct disciple of the Third Hokage."

"Orochimaru is that strong?"

"Absolutely. I also heard a rumor that the missing Fourth Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru too."

"Unbelievable! If true, Orochimaru took down two of the Five Kage."

"…"

"Speaking of the Five Kage, I also heard another piece of news. A man who was on par with the First Hokage, who once caused the death of one Kage and severely injured another, known to be equal to a god, appeared at the Chunin Exams and left Konoha."

"No way! How could someone from the same era as the First Hokage still be alive?"

"My sister's third uncle's friend's brother, who is a Konoha ninja, said he was there."

"He must have been mistaken, or the message was wrong. Oh, right! That man's name was Gensou, right? He supposedly died at the hands of the First Hokage. The Valley of the End was built for him. How could a dead man come back?"

"That's true! The rumor must be false. But Orochimaru killing the Third Hokage is definitely real."

"Konoha and the Land of Fire are facing troubled times again. I wonder who the next—no, the Fifth Hokage will be. They need to decide soon to calm everyone's nerves."

"…"

Crack.

The chips in Tsunade's hand shattered.

Shizune, holding the chips, froze and instinctively looked at Tsunade.

"Shizune!" Tsunade called expressionlessly.

"Yes!" Shizune straightened up immediately.

"Pack up, we're leaving," Tsunade ordered.

"Okay!" Shizune quickly started packing, asking, "Lady Tsunade, are we going back to Konoha?"

Tsunade's expression was complicated but quickly dismissed as she said, "Konoha? No! We're going to the next casino!"

"Really?"

Shizune was stunned.

Meanwhile.

As the Konoha ninja and villagers, dressed in black, silently left the funeral of the Third Hokage.

Jiraiya was stopped by the two Konoha advisors.

"Hiruzen is gone. Although we've formed an emergency executive committee, it's only temporary. Konoha needs a new Hokage. Jiraiya, you should be the Fifth Hokage."

Koharu got straight to the point.

Homura followed, "Jiraiya, you're the most qualified to be Hokage now. Don't refuse."

To the advisors, Hiruzen's disciples, Jiraiya and Tsunade, were the most suitable candidates for the Fifth Hokage.

With Tsunade's whereabouts unknown, the best choice was the nearby Jiraiya.

As for their old friend, Danzo.

Despite knowing his deep obsession with the Hokage position, they preferred not to have someone so entrenched in darkness and rigidly cold to take the lead.

The title "Hokage" was a dream for most people.

But not for Jiraiya.

Hearing the advisors, he shook his head vehemently as if handed a hot potato: "No, no, no! I can't be Hokage. Don't ask me!"

Koharu and Homura continued to persuade him.

Unable to withstand their pressure, Jiraiya finally mentioned Tsunade: "Find Tsunade instead. She's more suitable as the Fifth Hokage."

"Don't worry, my toads will find her soon."

"I'll bring her back for sure!"

Compared to the solemn atmosphere at the funeral, in the underground base of Root, known as "Ne,"

Sitting in the darkness, Danzo leaned on his cane, silent for a long time.

Finally, with a complex expression, he murmured: "Hiruzen…"

"Danzo-sama," a Root ninja approached.

"What is it?" Danzo resumed his calm demeanor.

The Root ninja reported, "Konoha's upper echelon has decided to have Jiraiya bring Tsunade back to become the Fifth Hokage."

"Tsunade, huh?"

Danzo wasn't surprised.

Born of the Senju, the founder of Konoha's medical system, and a savior of countless Konoha ninja, Tsunade was indeed the most qualified to be Hokage, despite her long absence from Konoha.

In another timeline, even Danzo only emerged from the shadows to become the interim Sixth Hokage after Tsunade was in a coma and Konoha was leaderless.

"Let's wait and see."

Danzo found himself less impatient than he had expected.

Perhaps it was due to Hiruzen's passing.

He shook his head slightly, then resumed his role as the dark shadow of the ninja world, coldly ordering: "Send someone to inform Orochimaru that I have something to discuss with him."

"Also, order the Root ninja to fully search for Gensou's whereabouts. I need to know what he's been up to."

Gensou, a man on par with Hashirama, was not the minor threat Koharu and Homura thought.

Even as a dead man.

Judging others by himself, Danzo believed that Gensou's meticulous escape from Edo Tensei had a grand scheme behind it.

Such a man, with grievances against Konoha, couldn't be left unchecked.

So… Find him! Imprison him! Extract all his knowledge and secrets! And ultimately, use him for his own ends!

Danzo struck his cane hard, his single eye gleaming with a ferocious light.

(End of Chapter)