Sarutobi Hiruzen and Might Duy returned to Konoha as heroes.
Under Naka Shinobu's command, the team successfully negotiated with the commander-in-chief of Iwagakure and returned home unharmed.
The entire village celebrated their triumph. Their bravery earned admiration, but even greater praise was directed toward Ryoma, whose tactical decisions had ensured their safe return.
"Lord Hokage is incredible! Under his pressure, those agitators from Iwagakure didn't dare to touch Sarutobi and Duy!"
"Yeah, with Lord Hokage's prestige spreading far and wide, Iwagakure didn't even dare to move!"
Even the shinobi who had accompanied Sarutobi and Duy agreed wholeheartedly.
Within the Sarutobi household, Hiruzen's father, Sarutobi Sasuke, chuckled and said proudly,
"See? My son's returned safely. With his skill, he even met the son of the Third Tsuchikage—Loess—and gained recognition as a Chūnin. It won't be long before he's promoted to Jōnin!"
Biwa, Sasuke's wife, shot him a glare but said nothing.
At the Ninja Academy, young Guy gave Kakashi a big thumbs-up. "My dad came back victorious!"
Kakashi rolled his eyes. "So what? My father's the one protecting the entire village right now!"
The two children began comparing whose father was greater—each stubbornly defending their pride.
Meanwhile, Sarutobi and Might Duy stood in the Hokage's office, reporting their mission to Hokage Ryoma.
Ryoma nodded in satisfaction. "You both displayed great courage and upheld the honor of Konoha. Well done."
An aide entered the office carrying two green flak jackets.
Ryoma smiled slightly. "Since you completed this mission perfectly, after discussion, we've decided to promote you both to Jōnin."
Sarutobi and Duy's eyes widened in shock and gratitude. They immediately bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Lord Hokage! We will devote our lives to you and to Konoha!"
Ryoma simply smiled and returned to reviewing documents.
The date for the Five Kage Summit had already been set—five days from now.
In Iwagakure
The atmosphere within the Stone Village was tense. Loess, proud and ambitious, believed Konoha had grown too arrogant under Ryoma's rule.
"Father, this is our chance," he argued. "If we unite the other three Great Villages, the four of us together could bring Konoha down!"
However, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, shook his head gravely.
"You don't understand," he said. "A coalition of four villages would be impossible to keep secret. In this world, there are always those who crave power or submission. If news leaked, the entire plan could backfire catastrophically—for Iwagakure and everyone involved."
Loess frowned, confused by his father's caution.
"Father, are you really saying it's that serious?"
Ōnoki sighed. "You've never witnessed true power. The gap between an ordinary Jōnin and a true monster is like heaven and earth—ten times, a hundred times apart."
His eyes grew distant, memories surfacing from decades ago—of the moment he had once stood before Uchiha Madara.
Even before Madara moved, Ōnoki had felt death pressing upon him.
That was the terror of a true top-tier shinobi.
Though Ōnoki believed that his current strength far surpassed his younger self, he wasn't certain he'd fare any better against such an opponent now.
And Ryoma—Konoha's Fourth Hokage—had already earned a reputation of equal dread.
The Third Mizukage, Uchiha Madara, and even the Demigod Hanzō had all fallen by his hand.
He wielded the legendary Wood Release, the same as the First Hokage, and could manifest the supreme technique—True Several Thousand Hands.
Ōnoki had seen it himself, even from afar.
Every clue pointed to one truth: Ryoma stood on the same level as Hashirama Senju—a being beyond ordinary Kage, a Super Kage whose strength could not be matched by numbers alone.
"You're still too young," Ōnoki said firmly. "During the Five Kage Summit, stay by my side. Don't act recklessly. You'll serve as my guard, as is the tradition of the great villages. When you see Ryoma in person, you'll understand the difference."
Loess scowled. "Father, don't you trust me?"
Ōnoki met his son's eyes. He knew all too well how impulsive Loess could be. If he didn't keep him close, the boy might do something to provoke Konoha—and Ryoma's wrath was not something Iwagakure could afford.
"You'll stay with me," he said firmly. "That's an order."
In Konoha
Ryoma sat quietly in his office, lost in thought.
He suddenly remembered that he held two S-rank Summoning Contracts—Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.
He also possessed two S-rank mission scrolls: one recording the death of the Second Hokage, and another detailing the legendary battle between the Sannin and Hanzō.
Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave…
"The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku once taught even the Sage of Six Paths in the art of Senjutsu. Entering there now would be dangerous. I should wait until my Six Paths power is fully stabilized."
"The same goes for Ryūchi Cave. Without knowing their disposition, charging in would be unwise. If either the Great Toad Sage or the White Snake Sage perceives my true nature, it could spell trouble."
After all, Ryoma was not a native of this world—and beings like the Great Toad Sage, who dreamt of the future, might see through him instantly.
For now, he decided to test the two S-rank mission scrolls instead.
He had little interest in the "Sannin vs. Hanzō" mission—after all, Hanzō was already dead.
The other scroll, however, intrigued him: "The Death of the Second Hokage: The Will of Fire's Final Stand."
Just how powerful was Tobirama Senju? Why was he killed by the Gold and Silver Brothers? Could he have survived that encounter if things had gone differently?
The mystery was worth exploring.
[Ding! Enter S-Rank Mission – The Second Hokage's Will of Fire Defense?]
"Yes."
Ryoma's consciousness was instantly drawn into a vivid illusion—thirty years in the past.
It was the First Great Ninja War. The truce ceremony between Konohagakure and Kumogakure was being held in the Cloud Village.
To show respect, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, personally attended with five guards: Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Utatane Koharu, Uchiha Kagami, and Mitokado Homura.
When Ryoma opened his eyes, he realized he hadn't entered the simulation as himself but had replaced one of the five guards instead.
All his powers were sealed. He could only use the abilities of the person he now embodied.
Ryoma's gaze swept over the others.
After a moment of consideration, he made his choice.
He would take the place of Uchiha Kagami.
Ryoma had little interest in Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, or Shimura Danzō. Even Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't capture his attention much.
What truly interested Ryoma was something the original Naruto series barely touched upon — the Uchiha clan's history before their downfall. The clan had once been deeply integrated into Konoha's leadership, known for their intelligence, strategy, and cooperation with other families.
When Ryoma assumed the role of Uchiha Kagami, a flood of memories filled his mind — the experiences, knowledge, and emotions belonging to this mysterious man.
He immediately understood why Kagami was one of the most enigmatic figures in Naruto's history.
To put it simply, Uchiha Kagami was much like Shisui Uchiha — similar in both personality and ability. His mastery of the Body Flicker Technique was exceptional, and his Sharingan illusions were powerful enough to manipulate perception itself. It was no wonder the two were often compared.
Under Kagami's lead, the escort team followed the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, to the truce ceremony.
As Hokage, Tobirama walked beside the Second Raikage on the high platform — two powerful figures representing Konoha and Kumogakure.
Below them, the senior shinobi of the Cloud Village watched in silence.
The two leaders extended their hands — a historic gesture marking peace between their nations.
But the instant their palms met, Ryoma felt something was wrong.
A heavy sense of foreboding struck him. His instincts screamed danger.
In the blink of an eye, his Sharingan spun into its kaleidoscope form.
Two figures flashed forward — Kinkaku and Ginkaku, the infamous Gold and Silver Brothers.
They appeared on the platform out of nowhere, launching a surprise attack aimed directly at both Kage.
Ryoma — now Uchiha Kagami — and Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted instantly. Both moved to intercept, but they were quickly engaged by the elite forces under the Gold and Silver Brothers' command.
The explosion of the platform sent debris flying. The so-called "truce" had been a trap.
This was no rogue act — only the higher-ups of Kumogakure could have orchestrated such a betrayal. Otherwise, how could the Gold and Silver Brothers possibly ambush both the Second Raikage and Tobirama simultaneously?
Amid the chaos, Tobirama immediately regrouped with his escort team.
But Silver Horn blocked his path, while Golden Horn — half-transformed by the Nine-Tails' chakra — clashed with the Second Raikage.
The two pairs fought fiercely.
Under the kaleidoscope's gaze, Ryoma saw the Second Raikage cough violently, blood spilling from his mouth. His face twisted in pain — Golden Horn's claws had torn deep into his chest. Though he wasn't dead, the injury was grave.
Silver Horn's eyes flickered — pretending to fight Tobirama while watching for an opening. When the Raikage faltered, he turned suddenly and struck, attacking alongside his brother.
The Second Raikage fell.
Tobirama didn't look back. He understood the situation instantly — the betrayal ran deep, and now his only option was to retreat.
"Run!" he ordered.
He gathered his five escorts and led the breakout.
Most of the enemy's focus was on finishing off the Raikage, allowing Tobirama's team to fight through the encirclement.
Their escape was chaotic and desperate, but it worked.
During the flight, Tobirama couldn't help but notice Kagami's performance — calm under pressure, swift, and precise.
When they finally escaped the Land of Lightning's borders, he turned to Kagami and said with rare warmth,
"Uchiha Kagami — you've grown."
The others were stunned by the praise.
Their relief, however, was short-lived. The Gold and Silver Brothers' forces pursued them relentlessly, driving them deeper into the Land of Fire.
Ryoma, still embodying Kagami, was forced to acknowledge Tobirama's genius firsthand.
If Hashirama Senju was the type who overwhelmed everything with sheer might, then Tobirama was his opposite — a master of strategy, intellect, and speed.
He was the refined evolution of the ninja ideal — creator of countless forbidden techniques, capable of wielding all five chakra natures, and able to transform ninjutsu through raw intellect alone.
Throughout their retreat, Tobirama's leadership shone. Against overwhelming odds, he and his small squad fought through the enemy's thousand-man army as if cutting through grass.
But fate was not on their side.
After killing the Second Raikage, the Gold and Silver Brothers rallied their men and cut across the Land of Fire — intercepting Tobirama's team in the Forest of Death.
There, they lay in wait.
And so, the two forces met once more.
Tension filled the air.
Koharu's voice trembled slightly. "Someone has to stay behind to hold them off."
Ryoma frowned inwardly. She was the weakest among them — suggesting such a thing made little sense.
He said nothing, choosing instead to observe.
Danzō hesitated. Hiruzen, however, stepped forward without pause.
"Teacher," he said firmly, "let me stay behind. I'm the strongest among us. I'll hold them off."
Ryoma's expression didn't change — this scene was unfolding exactly as history recorded it.
Hiruzen's resolve was admirable. Even at this young age, he already possessed the charisma and selflessness that would one day make him the Third Hokage.
If Tobirama hadn't made his decision, no one else would have been chosen.
But Tobirama only smiled.
"This time, I'll stay," he said calmly.
The group froze.
"Teacher, you can't!" Hiruzen protested. "You're Hokage! You can't sacrifice yourself!"
"Yes," Koharu added quickly. "Please let one of us go instead!"
"I'm the strongest," Hiruzen insisted again. "Let me do it!"
Tobirama's smile didn't fade. His eyes softened with pride.
"You wouldn't last long," he said gently. "If anyone stays, it should be me."
"Their target is me. The five of you can break through completely. They want to take me—well, it won't be that easy. Teacher, I'm not that weak. Believe me and go quickly!"
"If I don't make it back, then the position of the Third Hokage will go to…!"
Tobirama hesitated for a moment, glancing between Ryoma and Hiruzen Sarutobi. Then, with resolve, he nodded toward Hiruzen.
The five-man squad was preparing to leave their teacher behind, but Ryoma suddenly stepped forward.
"Teacher, I'll stay and fight with you. You four should go first. The teacher is right—you're our hope!"
However, Uchiha Kagami refused to leave, and when the others saw him stand firm, they, too, chose to stay.
None of them ran.
All five remained.
Tobirama's expression darkened. "Uchiha Kagami! Hurry up and go! If you don't leave, I'll make you!"
But Ryoma didn't move. This was just a simulation anyway—he wasn't about to back down. He wanted to see what would happen if the "story" went off script.
Soon, the troops of the Gold and Silver Brothers surrounded them. Thousands of Kumogakure shinobi closed in. Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado felt their courage falter, but it was far too late for regrets.
Tobirama still stood at the front, ready to hold off Kinkaku and Ginkaku's forces so the others could break through.
Then Ryoma saw them—eyes as crimson as his own Sharingan.
"Uchiha Madara?!"
At that moment, everything clicked for Ryoma.
So this was why Tobirama Senju was ambushed and ultimately killed by the Gold and Silver Brothers. Uchiha Madara had interfered again!
After faking his death, Madara had returned from the shadows to orchestrate Tobirama's demise.
That was the true history.
The instant Ryoma saw him, he knew he stood no chance.
Madara at this point in history was in his prime—invincible.
Ryoma, even using Uchiha Kagami's body, was nothing compared to this monster.
The battle lasted less than five minutes before Ryoma fell in the simulation.
Before his death, he saw Tobirama unleash a devastating counterattack that nearly annihilated Kinkaku and Ginkaku—but the cost was immense. Severely wounded, Tobirama escaped into the Forest of Death with his guards' help.
"Tobirama didn't die…? Did I just change history?"
That was Ryoma's last thought before everything went dark.
He was back in reality.
Simulation complete.
Uchiha Kagami—dead at Madara's hands.
Ryoma's first S-Rank mission had ended in failure.
"That's brutal…" he muttered.
He wanted to try again, but the system stopped him—S-Rank simulations could only be entered once per day.
Then came the mechanical voice:
[Ding! The host has completed the S-Rank Mission: "The Will of Fire – Tobirama's Last Stand."]
[Historical Divergence: 1%]
[Reward: 1% Character Card Fusion – Tobirama Senju.]
"Only 1%? That's it?" Ryoma grumbled.
[Ding! That 1% is just consolation. Despite your interference, Tobirama was still ambushed during the ceasefire ceremony, still cornered in the Forest of Death, still gravely injured by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, still rescued and returned to Konoha, and Uchiha Kagami—still died. Essentially, history barely changed.]
[Evaluation: Poor.]
Ryoma sighed. "Fine. This was just the first S-Rank run anyway. Next time, I'll rewrite history properly!"
With that, the day's simulation was over.
Ryoma checked the time—it was nearly the end of his shift.
[Ding! Based on the current situation, please select an option:]
Option 1: Work overtime until midnight!
Reward: +10% Random Character Card Fusion; Kushina Uzumaki Favorability -10.
Option 2: Clock out on time—never work overtime!
Reward: +50% Random Character Card Fusion; Uchiha Mikoto Favorability +10.
Ryoma immediately stood up from his desk.
The other staff members looked at him in surprise.
He grinned. "Haha, everyone! It's time to clock out! I never work overtime!"
Without hesitation, Ryoma opened the door and left the Hokage Building.
Everyone stared after him, speechless.
"Never work overtime? But… he's been staying late every night this week…"
"Wait—were those shadow clones the whole time?!"
Outside, the sun was setting over the village.
[Ding! Congratulations, host, for completing Option 2: 'Clock Out on Time – No Overtime!']
[Reward: +50% Random Character Card Fusion, +10 Uchiha Mikoto Favorability.]
[Ding! Congratulations, host! Uchiha Madara Character Card Fusion has reached 100%!]
[Ding! Detected full fusion with both Tobirama Senju (100%) and Uchiha Madara (100%) Character Cards. Host now possesses partial Six Paths power. You may now synthesize the Bloodline Limit: Rinnegan. Proceed with synthesis?]
Ryoma's breath caught.
The Rinnegan—one of the Three Great Dōjutsu of the shinobi world.
The supreme eye that governed life and death itself.
It was said to originate from the Chakra Fruit of the Divine Tree.
A wielder of the Rinnegan could master yin and yang release, command all six nature transformations, and wield divine power to either create or destroy the world.
Ryoma's eyes shone. "Synthesize!"
Suddenly, the world around him shifted.
He was pulled into a vast illusionary realm—an observer overlooking creation itself.
Below him stretched an endless green world.
Then, a thunderous roar shattered the peace.
The ground split apart. Winds howled. The skies turned black.
The end of the world had come.
Before him stood the colossal Ten-Tails.
And opposite it—a white-robed sage with nine Truth-Seeking Orbs floating behind him, a Shakujo staff in hand, and fiery magatama strung around his neck.
The Sage of Six Paths—Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki.
His eyes blazed with concentric rings—the Rinnegan—and a third one glowed crimson on his forehead.
Three Rinnegan eyes opened at once.
With a mighty roar, Hagoromo raised his staff, the orbs forming a line behind him before shooting forward—piercing the Ten-Tails in a blinding explosion.
BOOM!
The illusion shattered.
Ryoma opened his eyes. Concentric circles rippled within them.
The Rinnegan.
A wave of power surged through him.
He could now command all five basic chakra natures with ease—and beyond that, the latent power of the Six Paths itself.
Knowledge flooded his mind: ninjutsu, taijutsu, senjutsu—all enhanced through the Rinnegan's might.
"This Rinnegan is only at 20% power for now," Ryoma murmured, feeling the energy coursing through him. "But even so—it's enough to surpass the limits of the Mangekyō Sharingan!"
Six Paths Shinra Tensei.
Six Paths Banshō Ten'in.
Six Paths Chibaku Tensei.
Complete Susanoo.
Outer Path: Gedo Statue Summoning.
Six Paths Sealing.
Rinnegan Suppression!
The power of the gods now flowed in his veins.
Ryoma smiled.
"The Will of Fire... or the power of the Six Paths. I'll master both."
...
TN:
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