The next morning, Yusuke's family donned black clothes for the memorial ceremony and set out early for the designated location.
The weather was clear, and the roads were already filled with people heading to the same event—ordinary villagers and many ninjas among them.
Everyone appeared deeply somber. Few spoke as they walked, and even acquaintances merely exchanged nods as greetings.
Though the war had ended, the loss of so many fellow villagers still hung over everyone's hearts like a dark cloud.
Yusuke stood with his mother, Uchiha Hazuki, on his right and held Izumi's hand with his left. The trio arrived at the Memorial Stone, where the ceremony was to be held.
It wasn't long before a crowd gathered, all dressed in black.
Under everyone's gaze, the Third Hokage slowly approached the Memorial Stone and began delivering a eulogy for the fallen heroes of the Third Ninja World War.
Many attendees had lost loved ones in the war. The Third's emotional speech brought tears to their eyes, and the sound of sobbing filled the ceremony.
At this time, the Third Hokage was not yet the frail old man seen in the original *Naruto* story. Though not tall, his posture remained upright.
However, Yusuke could tell that the Third was beginning to decline. As his age advanced, his strength would gradually wane.
The memorial didn't last long. After the rites for the fallen concluded, the Third announced shocking news.
He believed the village had suffered too greatly in the war, partly due to his own responsibility, and decided to step back, selecting a Fourth Hokage to lead Konoha.
Though many in the village protested, the Third stood firm and announced the two candidates for the Fourth Hokage: Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, and Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash.
Orochimaru was nominated by Elder Danzo, while Minato was the Third's choice. Some had wanted Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha clan leader, to run, but he declined.
As a transmigrator, Yusuke knew Minato would win—a predictable outcome.
Orochimaru's eerie, terrifying appearance alone disqualified him. He looked like he belonged in a horror movie, no makeup needed—enough to scare anyone at night. No one would choose a Hokage they feared.
Minato, a disciple of Jiraiya, another Sannin, was not only powerful with countless achievements but also humble and of commoner origin, making him inspiring. He was practically Konoha's idol.
If Minato lost, the villagers would suspect foul play in the election.
In a secluded corner of Konoha's cemetery, by an unmarked gravestone, a pale-skinned figure with long black hair stood alone, musing, "Lamenting the dead is meaningless. If death has any value, it's only when it can be used."
This was Orochimaru, one of the Sannin.
"What's the meaning of life?" a clear-eyed boy, about six or seven years old, suddenly appeared beside Orochimaru, asking curiously.
Orochimaru glanced at the boy with appreciation. His sinister appearance and faintly emanating killing intent usually made even Jonin avoid him, rarely engaging unless necessary. Yet this boy showed no fear, looking at him calmly and confidently.
"Meaningless," Orochimaru said slowly, then added, "If there is any, it exists only when life is eternal."
"Lord Orochimaru, I have a mission tomorrow and limited time. Let's get started," a voice interrupted their discussion of life's eternal mystery.
They turned to see a boy in a standard ninja vest approaching—Yusuke.
Having arranged to meet Orochimaru, Yusuke had sent Hazuki and Izumi home first and lingered to wait.
At Yusuke's words, Orochimaru nodded to the boy and said to Yusuke, "My apologies, Yusuke-kun. I tend to indulge in pointless musings as I age. Let's meet at the usual place." With that, he vanished from the cemetery in a few Body Flickers.
Yusuke glanced at the delicate-featured boy and immediately recognized him as Uchiha Itachi, the tragic genius of the Uchiha clan.
At this age, Itachi was still an adorable young boy, but his eyes seemed to carry countless burdens.
Yusuke, unfamiliar with Itachi, said nothing more. After finding Orochimaru, he formed a hand seal with two fingers at his chest, transforming into a burst of flames and vanishing to their meeting spot.
"That was 'Flame Blade' Yusuke-senpai, wasn't it?" Itachi murmured.
In the Naruto world, Orochimaru was something of a friend to Yusuke, though their bond centered on ninjutsu research.
As a former scientist, Yusuke was obsessed with developing ninjutsu, and Orochimaru, a scientist of the Naruto world, shared much common ground with him.
Thus, while Yusuke addressed Orochimaru as "Lord," his tone was casual, like speaking to a friend.
Yusuke wasn't skilled in Orochimaru's "biological science." His focus was on energy and its mechanics—chakra and ninjutsu in this world.
Inside one of Orochimaru's secret bases, Yusuke and Orochimaru discussed new ninjutsu development.
"Yusuke-kun, your ideas about cellular and genetic inheritance were inspiring. They greatly improved my Curse Seal research with the First Hokage's cells. Sure you don't want to try it?" Orochimaru teased.
"No thanks. I prefer developing my own power over experimenting on my body," Yusuke declined.
He had no interest in Orochimaru's unstable Curse Seals, especially knowing they were tied to Orochimaru's "Immortality Jutsu."
"A pity," Orochimaru said regretfully, then suddenly formed hand seals, transforming into hundreds of white snakes that surged toward Yusuke.
Yusuke swiftly retreated, summoning his Zanpakuto, Ryujin Jakka, in his right hand.
Without activating Shikai, Ryujin Jakka appeared as a normal katana, devoid of flames.
Yusuke slashed at the oncoming snakes, but to his surprise, the blade passed through them as if they were intangible.
The snakes swarmed, biting Yusuke, and the bitten areas began to petrify. Soon, his fully petrified body was engulfed by the snakes.
With a "whoosh," flames erupted, and the engulfed Yusuke vanished.
"You've already mastered it? That was faster than I expected," Yusuke's voice came from another direction. The petrified figure was a Fire Release clone.
The snakes coalesced back into Orochimaru, who tossed Yusuke a scroll. "I was helping you with your new ninjutsu, but it inspired me to refine my Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. Adding genjutsu and chakra attributes made it even more unpredictable."
Yusuke caught the scroll, examined it, then tucked it away. He quickly formed hand seals.
"Fire Phantom Crow Technique."
His body fragmented, each piece transforming into crows wreathed in flames.
The crows flickered between solid and distorted forms, clearly not fully physical. Yusuke called them "Fire Phantom Crows."
After circling briefly, the crows merged back into Yusuke.
The Fire Phantom Crow Technique was inspired by Itachi's Crow Clone Jutsu, enhanced with elemental chakra for greater power but increased casting difficulty.
"Your hand seal speed's gotten faster. You've surpassed me there," Orochimaru said with a chilling smile.
Yusuke had worked hard on ninja fundamentals—taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu—believing in the principle that "speed is invincible." He practiced hand seals daily.
"Just a small trick. I meant to discuss this technique's development today, but you've already finished it. I owe you one," Yusuke said.
Orochimaru waved dismissively, sitting on a tatami mat. "What do you think of the Fourth Hokage election? What are my chances?"
Yusuke sat opposite him, sidestepping the question. "What do you think? Compared to Minato, what's your edge?"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, a glint of killing intent as he licked his lips with a snake-like tongue.
Yusuke met his gaze silently.
After a pause, Orochimaru changed the subject. "Recently, I met a fascinating ninja. His puppet jutsu was so troublesome even I struggled. It piqued my interest in puppetry."
"A skilled puppeteer who troubles Orochimaru? Probably Sasori," Yusuke thought. Sasori had killed the Third Kazekage and defected from the Sand Village but hadn't yet joined the Akatsuki.
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Author's Note:
Some readers asked about the protagonist's father.
The family background is based on Itachi Shinden. The mother, Uchiha Hazuki, and sister, Uchiha Izumi, are named characters, but the father is unnamed in the source.
To avoid inventing a name, the father is set as constantly away on missions in this story!
He might appear in the final chapter—maybe.
(End of Chapter)