Konoha, Year 60.
The smoke of the Third Great Ninja War had faded, and children of this peaceful era chased each other through the streets, playing at being ninja. Many dreamed that one day they would stand atop the world as Hokage.
The village itself was unrecognizable compared to six decades ago. Streets were wider, buildings taller, and the sheer bustle of life made Konoha feel more like a capital than a shinobi village.
On the Hokage Monument, the lonely face of Senju Hashirama had gained three more companions. Yet beneath those proud visages, the great clans who had founded the village—the Senju and the Uchiha—had vanished. Only Tsunade and Uchiha Sasuke remained as the last fragile branches of once-mighty trees.
The villagers no longer cared for old glories. To them, the title of "Strongest Hokage" belonged not to Hashirama or Tobirama, but to the one they had witnessed with their own eyes—the Third, hailed as the God of Shinobi.
History had blurred with time and concealment. Legends of "the God of Shinobi" or "men who rivaled gods" meant little to those who had never seen them. In the new era, such tales were exaggerations.
They had their own heroes:
Hiruzen Sarutobi, who led Konoha through three wars and countless enemies.
The Sannin, who forged contracts with the Great Summons of legend.
The Yellow Flash, whose speed rivaled thunder itself.
Stronger than all of them? Impossible.
If those figures of the past were truly so mighty, then let them appear now. Let them stand before the new age.
But no such ghosts came—at least, not until one traitor of Konoha perfected the Second Hokage's forbidden technique: Edo Tensei.
And with it, history itself clawed its way back into the present.
"Winner—Uzumaki Naruto!"
The referee's voice rang through the arena. The blond boy, battered but grinning ear to ear, threw himself into a wild celebration. He blew kisses, waved both arms, and ran circles around the ring as tens of thousands roared their approval.
This was the Chūnin Exam finals—where genin from Konoha, Suna, Oto, Ame, and Kusagakure gathered to prove their worth. Nobles, daimyo, and even the Hokage and Kazekage themselves watched from the stands.
Few could believe what they had just seen. A no-name prankster had toppled Hyūga Neji, the Hyūga prodigy favored to win it all. The crowd had erupted in shock and delight.
The matches continued: Nara Shikamaru's clever battle against Temari ended with his surrender. Uchiha Sasuke made his dramatic entrance, colliding fiercely with Gaara of the Sand.
But all of it paled when a rain of white feathers filled the air—Nirvana Temple Technique.
And in the same instant, the "Fourth Kazekage" pressed a kunai to the Third Hokage's throat.
"The plan to destroy Konoha begins now."
Explosions thundered. Screams tore through the streets. In a heartbeat, the village of peace became a battlefield.
On the arena's rooftop, within the blazing barrier of the Four Purple Flame Formation, master and student faced one another.
Orochimaru shed his disguise, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Sensei… don't disappoint me now."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, aged yet resolute, tore away his ceremonial robes to reveal his black combat gear. He flicked his wrist, sending kunai flying, and formed rapid hand seals.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Steel multiplied into hundreds, blotting the sky as it rained toward Orochimaru.
But the Snake Sannin only smiled, slamming his hands together.
"Summoning Jutsu—Edo Tensei."
The ground cracked open. Coffins clawed their way to the surface, shielding Orochimaru from the barrage of steel.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed.
"Edo Tensei… the Reanimation Jutsu?"
He recognized the kanji etched on the rising lids: First. Feather. Second. Fourth.
His heart sank. He struck quickly, cutting off the fourth coffin before it could emerge.
Orochimaru only laughed.
"Ah, a shame. The Fourth won't be joining us, it seems. But three… three will be more than enough."
The lids creaked open, tumoring to the ground. From the dust stepped three figures in cracked, ancient armor.
The crowd outside gasped.
"The First Hokage! The Second Hokage!"
Even without living memory, their faces were carved into the village itself. None could mistake them.
But the third man—silver-haired, clad in battle-worn armor none recognized—was a stranger.
"Who is that?!" whispered the ANBU.
Hiruzen's hands tightened into fists, his voice weighted like stone as he spoke.
"The man who once fought the First Five Kage… who left the First Mizukage dead, the First Raikage maimed, and even Hashirama struggled to bring down. The man known as one who rivaled gods themselves."
His throat tightened.
"Yui Xuanyue."
The resurrected warrior lifted his head. For the first time in decades, sunlight warmed his face. He smiled brilliantly, as if greeting an old friend.
"Oh? You still remember me?" His voice rang with amused delight.
"Not bad. You have my praise."
(End of Chapter)