"Hokage?"
Arriving before the towering Hokage Building, Wukunowa—inhabiting the body of Minato Namikaze—looked up at the carved stone faces of the past Hokage. His gaze lingered on the Third's visage before he sighed deeply and stepped inside.
"Lord Minato, you came so early!"
The moment he reached the front door, the two ninja on duty immediately straightened up and saluted, their faces filled with admiration.
Ever since the Third Great Ninja War began, Minato Namikaze's name had soared to legendary heights. His battlefield achievements were nothing short of mythical. His speed, tactics, and leadership were revered throughout Konoha. Add to that the whispers that Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was preparing to pass the Hokage mantle to him—every shinobi in the village treated him with both awe and respect.
"Hmm. You've worked hard."
Wukunowa nodded politely, stepping inside under their adoring gazes.
"Lord Minato is so young…"
"Yeah! He's amazing… No wonder people say he's the next Hokage."
The two guards murmured as he walked away, unaware that their every word had reached Minato's ears.
"The next Hokage…"
Wukunowa's expression turned slightly complicated as he repeated the words in his mind.
"That kind of thing… I'm not sure I'm suited for it."
He climbed the stairs to the second floor, exchanging brief greetings with various ninja. By the time he reached the Hokage Office, his face was composed.
"Minato, you're finally here," came a warm voice from inside.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, still dignified in his elder years, sat behind his desk with scrolls and mission reports scattered before him. When he saw Minato enter, he smiled with quiet relief. Another shinobi had just finished reporting and was preparing to leave.
"Alright, you may go," Hiruzen said to the man.
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The shinobi bowed and gave Minato a respectful nod before walking out.
Hiruzen then looked to the other aides in the room. "I need to speak to Minato alone. You're all dismissed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
The room quickly cleared. When the door finally closed, only Wukunowa and Hiruzen remained.
The Third Hokage leaned back in his chair and lit his pipe, a puff of smoke curling into the air. "Minato, I wouldn't have called you here if the situation wasn't dire."
Wukunowa straightened. "I'm ready for any mission, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded appreciatively. "I expected no less. You're aware of the situation at the front lines. Our forces are locked in heavy battle with Iwagakure, and while the tide is uncertain, we've identified a critical vulnerability in their supply network."
He stood and walked over to the tall window, gazing out at the sky above Konoha.
"This war has taken too much. Families broken, lives lost… It must end. And quickly."
Wukunowa said nothing. The weight of responsibility was growing heavier by the day.
Hiruzen turned to him, serious now. "Our ANBU have located a critical supply route—one of Iwagakure's hidden rear channels. If we destroy it, we cripple their war effort. You understand what this means, right?"
"Yes… it means we can force them to retreat. Or even end the war."
"Exactly. Your target is the Kannabi Bridge. Your squad is to infiltrate and destroy it. This is an S-rank mission."
Wukunowa let out a silent sigh. The Kannabi Bridge… So it begins. The turning point of the Third Ninja War. In the original timeline, this was the mission that set the tragic events in motion—Obito's "death", Kakashi's trauma, Rin's fate… and the birth of Madara's successor.
He clenched his fists silently.
"I understand. I'll lead the squad."
"Good," Hiruzen said. Then, with a softer tone, he added, "This may be the last mission I assign you as Hokage."
Minato looked up.
"I'm planning to retire after the war," Hiruzen continued. "And I've made up my mind. You are the most suitable successor."
"I… understand," Wukunowa replied. But inwardly, he didn't know how to feel. He wasn't born of this world, nor was he truly Minato. Could he really take the Hokage hat?
As he stepped outside, he glanced up at the cloudless sky.
"The next Hokage… huh. It's getting more interesting."
With a flick of his fingers, he formed a seal.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Three clones appeared before him.
"I'll leave the preparations to you three."
With silent nods, the clones vanished in three different directions.
As the original Minato activated Flying Thunder God and disappeared from the village, the clones looked at each other.
"Alright, the boss is gone. Time to set the stage."
They leapt into action, setting the gears of fate into motion.