Chapter 162: First Hokage Madara Uchiha, Ziraiye's Prophecy

Ziraiye wants to die so much, and it really was a bit beyond Yuzhi's expectation.

Although the Flag now isn't as loud as in the original work, this guy's fearless spirit truly shocked Yuzhi.

Yuzhi really can't understand— isn't being alive fine?

But after thinking it over, Yuzhi feels he has no good reason to stop him; after all, the guy is going to see his own disciples, and it's also considered delivering some information to the Leaf Village.

Moreover, members of the Akatsuki Organization really wouldn't dare kill Ziraiye, since Ziraiye represents the Leaf Village, and the Leaf Village is officially at odds with the Akatsuki.

"Otherwise they wouldn't have given me the news about Rock Village and Cloud Village trying to form an alliance— it's just Ziraiye this guy."

Yuzhi stroked his chin; Ziraiye really made him uneasy, so in the end Yuzhi decided to create a wood clone to follow.

Whenever danger arises, what can the wood clone actually do? At worst, it can summon me via the Flying Thunder God!

"Ziraiye this guy really gives me a headache."

Yuzhi rubbed his forehead and immediately created a wood clone that followed.

After doing all that, Yuzhi turned to look at Hikari's original room, and suddenly realized he probably should just let Ziraiye die.

"The door is locked."

Yuzhi's mouth twitched a bit, and he seemed to have taken Lin inside as well, which left Yuzhi somewhat helpless.

He stroked his chin, feeling he could only continue handling the matters at hand, though the earlier sensation still lingered pleasantly.

"Damn, I'm the Clan Leader of the Uchiha Clan, how did I become the Clan Leader of the Hyuga Clan?"

While savoring the feeling, Yuzhi suddenly sensed something frightening, but he quickly shook his head lightly.

What, Hyuga Clan Leader? At worst I can rename myself "Uchiha Rizoku"!

"Fine, no need to overthink; let's first look at the work in my hands."

Yuzhi sighed, then lowered his head to the manuscript in his hand, but after the Ziraiye incident he felt his mind was no longer here.

He couldn't help but sigh again; after all, the ninja world is now unrecognizable, and even Yuzhi needs to contemplate future plans.

"Although there's Mist Village, and perhaps the Rain Country might help, the Leaf Village also needs to keep pace, and I need to do something too."

Yuzhi tapped the table; although running out isn't a big hassle, wood clones can be quite effective at times.

But Yuzhi also has to consider another matter: the handling of "Madara Uchiha".

The "Madara Uchiha" Yuzhi conjured was initially just to shift blame, and now its purpose of shifting blame is even clearer.

After all, things he can't do, "Madara Uchiha" can; things he can't freely do, "Madara Uchiha" can freely do!

The only trouble is they're the same person; if they collide in the future, the situation could get messy.

Thus, how to "legalize" this identity becomes the key Yuzhi must work on now.

But fortunately, Yuzhi's previous joke turned out to be a big help, even though he was just spouting nonsense to piss off Senju Clan Feijian.

However, for now this explanation seems the most reasonable, reliable, and applicable!

"After all, I'm already the Hokage; according to the first Hokage's temperament, letting Madara Uchiha become Hokage after Senju Clan Feijian's death is only natural, right?"

Madara Uchiha is Hokage, so many things become clear.

For example, why he punches others hard but never attacks the Leaf Village.

Why is there Wood Release, able to research so many things, yet at certain moments his strength suddenly wanes to just a wood clone!

"Since he's the Hokage, he has more matters to handle, so naturally he sends a wood clone."

And it's not an enemy; Yuzhi doesn't need to fight "himself", even if publicly required, a mutual lenient fight is enough.

There are many powerful people in the ninja world, but few can release Susanoo together and understand its intricacies.

"Then the identity of 'another Obito' can be slightly refined, so we won't worry about odd issues."

Obito in this world is already insane; if the 'Obito from another world' isn't, wouldn't that be fine?

But Yuzhi still needs to consider carefully what kind of identity the disguised "Obito" has.

Fortunately, aside from the Akatsuki members, Minato and his group know nothing about that "Obito".

"Wait, there's also the Orochimaru issue; we could just set him as being revived by Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation?"

Yuzhi stroked his chin, feeling he had created some loopholes before, but he quickly calmed down.

Anyway, Orochimaru keeps switching sides; who can say whether he's truly a Leaf person or an Akatsuki member?

Or more precisely, when he was still a ninja fighting for the Hokage, he truly had the Leaf Village in his heart.

But after becoming a rogue ninja, he probably lives only for himself, pursuing his own dream.

"So, Dai Shan is relatively easy to handle; time-wise, Madara Uchiha is from the future and should have died long ago, and Orochimaru is still indispensable here."

Having thought it through, Yuzhi feels he now has a clear goal and direction.

"Then, the most important thing now is..."

Implement this, so that long nights and countless dreams are avoided!

"And with this Madara Uchiha, I can have him summon me out, making my movement trail much more convenient..."

Thinking of that, Yuzhi's face broke into a slight smile.

Although it's a product of twisted humor, some words can be spoken through Madara Uchiha's mouth, which makes things much easier for Yuzhi.

Thus, Yuzhi's hidden strength can gradually be mined via Madara Uchiha.

After all, this is a cross‑temporal "inheritance"; the First Hokage helped the Fifth, and many people buy into that.

"Then, it's you, Senju Clan Feijian!"

Quietly standing, Yuzhi performed the Wood Clone Technique again, then his whole body vanished into the Kamui space.

Choosing Senju Clan Feijian was Yuzhi's carefully considered decision, since publicly as Hokage, Yuzhi cannot meet Madara Uchiha peacefully.

Moreover, Madara Uchiha and Senju Clan Feijian are both figures from the Warring States period, having had many interactions.

Although meeting him risks exposure, once he's dealt with, everything afterward becomes extremely simple!

Of course, Yuzhi would never admit that he simply wants to kill Senju Clan Feijian.

"The funds the current Hokage evil brat requested have already been allocated, right?"

"Teacher, Yuzhi is the Hokage."

"But he is an evil Uchiha brat! Stop talking about that, get to the point!"

"It has been allocated, but now the Leaf Village's finances are also under pressure."

Inside the consultant office of the Hokage Building, Senju Heijian was leading his three good disciples in handling some unfinished, complicated tasks of the Leaf Village.

In fact, none of these matters needed to be dealt with today; they had long since reached their rest time.

But Senju Heijian is an Impure Earth reincarnation; he truly embodies the "I can fight all day without getting tired" archetype.

No need to rest, no need to eat or drink, no need to use the bathroom, not even to sleep; plus Yuzhi has set up countless policies—what if we don't handle them?

Moreover, although he says Yuzhi is a "born evil Uchiha brat", he must admit Yuzhi's policies and ideas suit his taste perfectly.

Even if he thinks Yuzhi is trending toward becoming like Madara Uchiha, he can no longer change anything now.

So he simply uses work to numb himself, and also drags his three good disciples along.

Rest?

What rest?

Sleep?

Sleep what? You're only in your early sixties, what sleep?

Why need long sleep in life? After death, you will slumber forever!

Get up and work!

Of course, dying is no big deal; at worst an Impure Earth reincarnation rises again and keeps going.

Senju Heijian hadn't been without such thoughts, but for some reason after having them he always inexplicably looks at the streetlamp.

Nevertheless, he's too lazy to ponder the issue; after handling these matters he can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"Then hurry the arrangements on the Daimyo side; I heard that guy won't surrender easily, right?"

Senju Heijian glanced at the report in his hand and then asked.

"Hmm, although he's being very covert, he has indeed started hiring ninjas."

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun, though rather exhausted, still nodded earnestly.

"But he is also more self‑aware, hasn't pressured us through public opinion, and lately shows signs of loosening up."

"Hmph, it's just stalling. Deploy the ANBU to deal with him, and send ninja troops to wipe out all his subordinates."

Senju Heijian has never been a soft‑hearted person; as the only Hokage who differs from the traditionally gentle image, he doesn't even bother to pretend.

If it's time to act, act; if it's time to deal, deal; if you should be buried, then be buried—he doesn't want to waste a single word on you!

But his words made the Third and the other two look embarrassed; it was essentially issuing orders in the Hokage's tone.

"You've overstepped, Teacher."

If this continues, the Fifth will tell you, "I am the Hokage."

"I'll compile the Teacher's opinion into a report, place it as the first document for tomorrow's submission, and ask the Fifth to review it."

Although the Third was embarrassed, he reacted quickly and immediately spoke.

"Moreover, I believe the Fifth will support the Teacher's proposal, because the Fifth, like the Teacher, never shows mercy to enemies."

"Hmm, got it."

Senju Heijian nodded expressionlessly, but felt a bit depressed inside; if it were another Hokage, they might have listened to him.

But the current Hokage is a Uchiha, and this line of people was specifically harmed by Danzo, which made him even more depressed.

He sometimes wonders, if he hadn't taken Danzo Shimura as a disciple back then, would there have been so many troubles?

What's even stranger is that, for some reason, he suddenly thought of another world where the so‑called "Madara Uchiha" became Hokage.

What was Danzo Shimura like in that world?

"At first I thought I misheard, even that my perception was wrong, but I didn't expect you, a dead man, to actually rise again."

Just as their party was pondering, a deep voice suddenly sounded beside their ears.

"But it seems you're now far weaker than when you died, yet this actually suits you better, Senju Heijian."

"Who are you!"

The voice made everyone present pause; the Third immediately stood up and shouted low, but Senju Heijian was completely stunned.

"You're that Sarutobi Hizan little monkey, huh? You've really gotten old."

From the shadows, a man in simple red armor, with hedgehog‑like long hair and a black tengu mask, stepped forward slowly.

His steps were steady, his aura both natural and uniquely resonant.

He paced slowly toward them, doing nothing else, yet the sound of his footsteps made the Third and the others feel their breathing grow unbearably heavy!

That extreme sense of oppression filled their hearts, a helplessness akin to facing an Asura that kept echoing within them.

In that instant, they realized exactly who they were facing!

"Madara Uchiha?"

Zhuan Qin Xiaochun and Mizuto Monen involuntarily clenched their fists at that moment, staring dumbfounded at the newcomer.

In that split second they were all a bit dazed; even though the guy wore a mask, such presence was certainly beyond any ordinary person.

Why is he here, what does he want?

But unfortunately, Madara Uchiha only gave them a glance before his gaze returned to Senju Heijian.

"Impure Earth reincarnation, I see. You really are a dog that can't change its ways, huh?"

Just as Yuzhi, disguised as Madara Uchiha, was about to say something, he suddenly noticed the Third spring into action!

"I'll hold them off; you all hurry away and make sure to find the Fifth!"

The Third let out a roar, and in the next instant he somehow produced a kunai and thrust it fiercely at Yuzhi.

I, damn it, am I not here?

Yuzhi hearing the Third's words was also quite speechless, and facing the Third's sudden attack, he was also somewhat taken aback.

He really didn't expect this guy to be so resolute to this extent, and from the posture it looks like he intends to stay behind to cover the retreat.

"Could it be that Senju Tobirama is here, triggering his inner memories?"

However, facing the Third Hokage's attack, he merely tilted his head slightly, and in an instant his eyes turned crimson!

"Monkey, stop!"

Just as the Third Hokage was about to rush over, Senju Tobirama let out a loud shout.

"You're not his match; don't act rashly, and he's not here to cause trouble."

Senju Tobirama actually didn't want to say such words at all, but he had no choice; now he must stop all this.

Madara Uchiha—what power does he actually possess? I know it all too well.

If we let this guy run rampant in Leaf Village, even if Yuzhi came, there'd be nothing we could do; in the end, only Leaf Village would be destroyed!

How the Fourth Mizukage met his end, he knows very well; even if he resents the Uchiha becoming Hokage, he still thinks of Leaf Village in his heart.

He stood up, looking at him with arms crossed, those crimson eyes full of amusement as they gazed at the few of us, Madara Uchiha, and he took a deep breath before speaking.

"And you—what state are you in now, not daring to show your true face?"

"It's not that I don't dare; I simply have no need to."

Yuzhi seeing that they couldn't fight for the moment also relaxed a little; he's not like before—he isn't afraid of this kind of battle, but he still needs to consider the impact.

He came here not to fight, but to discuss matters.

He slightly turned his head to glance at the Third, then spoke in a low voice.

"I'll tell you the reason later; and little monkey, I'll let you off this time, after all"

"Leaf Village is also my Leaf Village, even if it's not one world."

"Because I am the First Hokage!"

——

"How can we make that guy Jiraiya a bit more vigilant?"

While Yuzhi's main body went to meet the Second and them, one of Yuzhi's wood clones also followed Jiraiya in action.

Even the wood clone finds Jiraiya's recklessness somewhat hard to handle.

The wood clone is an advanced version of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, possessing the same thought process as the caster and synchronized consciousness.

This means the wood clone shares the same thought process as the main body; everything it does can be seen as something the main body would do.

This is also why Yuzhi dares to use a wood clone to substitute himself while staying in Leaf Village; and now this wood clone of Yuzhi is pondering the problem he's been thinking about all along.

"We must make this guy more alert, lest a careless mistake get him killed."

Yuzhi slowly followed, but his mind kept pondering this problem.

I don't know how long he followed; when he came to, he suddenly froze, and the next moment his face went dark.

Because he discovered that Jiraiya, after leaving Leaf Village, had actually run to a small town, and then without hesitation was already there happily drinking while embracing a woman!

"This bastard, I don't care if he dies."

Yuzhi muttered a complaint in his heart, but seeing the woman's alluring figure, he couldn't help but blink.

"Damn guy, I was happily giving Hikari a massage, but then I got split into a wood clone and sent here; now I'm unhappy, and you'd better not think you'll get off easy!"

Although it's a wood clone, just thinking that I was still playing the role of Hinata Hizashi, I was split off and ended up here, only able to watch Jiraiya happily enjoying himself there.

Yuzhi feels we can't let this guy be so comfortable; at least we need to make sure he can't do anything tonight!

"After all, am I the Hokage? It's only reasonable to punish you for not taking your mission seriously, and since you don't really believe in prophecies, I'll help you out."

Yuzhi thinking that, in the next instant his eyes turned into the Mangekyou Sharingan.

The wood clone has the power to perform eye techniques, something he had already verified with Madara Uchiha.

Moreover, as the only clone technique capable of fooling the Eternal Eye, if it can't use its own abilities, how could it deceive the opponent?

"Hahahaha, drink!"

Jiraiya lounged on the sofa, dissolute, embracing a woman and laughing happily.

"The outside world is better; I've been suffocating in Leaf Village, the Leaf Village tigress is truly terrifying, but are the outside girls cute? Hahahaha!"

Jiraiya felt at ease; during these three years in Leaf Village he really felt he'd die of depression, and if it weren't for his inner conviction, he would have left long ago.

However, he's still relatively restrained; he plans to just drink a bit, since he still has a mission to carry out and can't afford to lose face.

As for now, it's merely looking for material!

"Drink"

Just as Jiraiya was happily drinking, he suddenly felt his head get a bit dizzy, which made him suspicious.

Could it be that after holding back for three years, my alcohol tolerance has dropped?

But before he could think further, suddenly he noticed his surroundings had changed!

The noisy tavern filled with women's laughter instantly became unusually quiet; his surroundings were pitch black, with only the sound of dripping rain constantly echoing in his ears.

"This is"

Jiraiya was filled with doubt; the next moment he saw a hole appear ahead, and he immediately reached out without hesitation to climb out!

"An illusion?"

Jiraiya whispered to himself, his whole body starting to become alert, but just then he heard his own voice sound.

"Spirit Communication·Toad Hiding Technique!"

Toad Hiding?

What's going on?

Jiraiya was bewildered; soon his vision changed, and he found himself in a world flooded with rainwater, while 'himself' was crawling out of a toad's mouth!

"This"

But gradually he began to calm down, he watched slowly, and he had already realized where this place was.

"Rain Country? That's my destination this time, but it feels somehow different. Why do I have to infiltrate?"

Ziraiye felt puzzled, because he was now carrying the Hokage's documents, officially on a mission to Rain Country, and he had no reason to act like this, right?

Although his mind was puzzled, he soon discovered his stealth had been spotted, and immediately he was forced to fight a woman whose face he could not see clearly.

"Paper Release, this technique."

Ziraiye felt conflicted inside, because Paper Release was indeed used by someone in his memory, and that person was Konan!

"And she's also wearing Akatsuki Organization attire, could it be..."

Just as he was tangled in doubt, he suddenly saw himself fighting another person also dressed in Akatsuki Organization garb, whose face was likewise indistinct.

Spirit Summoning Technique, Ninjutsu, even Immortal Technique kept appearing at that moment, and Ziraiye grew more alarmed, because if it were him, he would most likely fight in the same way.

But more importantly, he was stunned to discover that there were still things he had not fully mastered.

Or perhaps combat techniques that were not yet smooth for him, yet the 'self' before him handled them with such ease, using them exceptionally fluidly!

"Is this... me from an unknown number of years in the future?"

In that instant, Ziraiye seemed to have a flash of insight, but what puzzled him was that this self seemed to have a vague understanding of the Akatsuki Organization leader's abilities.

Now he still had a rough idea about the Akatsuki Organization; even if he didn't know the mysterious leader's abilities, he had read Leaf Village records.

After all, Yuzhi had fought that guy personally, using Repulsion, Attraction, Spirit Beast, Puppet, Chakra Absorption, and so on.

He also knew about that huge colossal being, yet the self before him seemed completely unaware of these matters and suffered a huge loss.

"However, Yuzhi's intel has some issues; that guy can control many Puppets, and so far it seems they have Shared Vision."

Ziraiye muttered to himself, and the self in the scene gradually seemed outmatched.

Seeing himself decide to gamble and stay, ultimately having his arm severed and leaving in agony, he had already guessed the ending.

"If it were me, I'd probably stay to relay information, not leave."

Ziraiye felt a flood of emotions; at this point he no longer wondered whether it was an illusion, just watching quietly, pondering silently.

When he saw the final moment, himself using the already pierced arm, enduring immense pain to leave a secret code behind Shen Zuo Immortal, he already knew the outcome.

"Hand these over to Tsunade, please, Shen Zuo Immortal."

Listening to that low and weak voice, Ziraiye clenched his fist.

Soon, in the calm current, he saw his own disheveled, arm‑severed self plunge in, and his life gradually sank into a low point.

"Ziraiye Heroic Tale"

"Now it looks a bit decent, doesn't it?"

As he kept sinking, Ziraiye seemed to hear his own inner voice, as if he could see the smile on that face.

"Final Chapter, Frog at the Bottom of the Well Scattered into the Sea… Volume?"

"Hahaha, that's relatively appropriate."

"Alright, it's about time to put the pen down."

"Oh, by the way, what should the sequel's title be?"

"Got it, it's called 'Vortex Naruto Tale'!"

When that personal silhouette slowly vanished, Ziraiye's emotions, however steadfast, began to melt away at that moment.

An inexplicable sorrow echoed in his heart; he wanted to act but found himself immobile, wanted to speak but found he couldn't speak at all.

"What's wrong, ninja sir, why did you suddenly stop talking, then drink?"

In a daze, a woman's voice suddenly echoed beside his ear, instantly bringing him back to his senses.

Looking around, he had already returned to the tavern, one hand still holding the alluring woman, the other bearing a cup brimming with wine.

At that moment, even Ziraiye felt a bit bewildered; if not for the intermittently vague yet profound memories swirling in his mind, he would have thought he was being attacked!

"Tsunade became Hokage? That's really absurd."

Ziraiye's face showed no hint of enjoyment; he simply lowered his head and began sorting through the memories in his mind.

"And Naruto, Minato's son—could he..."

Suddenly, Ziraiye recalled the Toad Sage's words; the Great Toad Sage had said that the dream had changed.

Does this mean that the originally prophesied child was Naruto, but some special reasons caused a replacement?

After all, the Hokage is Tsunade, not Yuzhi; that alone explains many situations!

But now Ziraiye couldn't help pondering another question: what he saw in the 'dream'.

"Konan, is that you?"

"And could I also possess the Toad Sage's ability to glimpse the future?"

——

"Because I am the First Hokage!"

Upon hearing 'Madara Uchiha', the Third Hokage and others' faces turned unmistakably shocked.

A defector in this world, even though he was never truly defined as a traitor ninja, did things that were most terrifying to Leaf Village.

He attacked Leaf Village with the Nine-Tails, forcing the First Hokage to fight, and their battle turned the sky and earth dark.

The terrain around Leaf Village was shattered, a plain turned into a final valley, and merely after battling him, the First Hokage died a few years later.

This even marked the beginning of Leaf Village's decline, the ninja world shifting from peace to turmoil, all of which was inseparable from that guy.

Now that guy brazenly declared in front of them that he was the First Hokage, leaving those few unable to hold back.

But they could not refute him, because they had no way to counter.

He had said from the start that he wasn't from this world; no one knows how other worlds are or how they develop.

But that's just too absurd, right?

"Yuzhi's words—could a single utterance have become a prophecy?"

Although they have always kept Yuzhi's previous words in mind, and they are willing to believe them, when actually facing them it's still hard to accept.

"Speaking of it, this world really is a mess."

Just as a myriad of feelings swirled in everyone's hearts, Yuzhi walked to the windowsill and looked toward the not‑far‑away Hokage Rock.

"Did ZhuZhang this guy break the promise that would let me become Hokage?"

"No, although this guy is so rigid that he's annoying, he is a person who strictly keeps his promises."

"It seems this world has undergone massive changes because you are alive, Senju Feijian."

"Dammit, clearly it's because I'm the one alive!"

Senju Feijian felt uneasy inside, he no longer cared, stood up directly and shouted angrily.

"Bullshit, I think it's because you're alive that's the problem!"

"Is that so?"

Yuzhi turned back indifferently, and the next instant everyone was stunned, unable to see what he actually did; in an instant Senju Feijian's head had already flown off!

"Teacher!"

"You"

"Don't be nervous, this guy is Impure Earth Reincarnation, can't die."

Watching the third generation and others regain their composure with angry faces, Yuzhi nonchalantly found a spot and sat down.

"Impure Earth Reincarnation was his invention, and he himself is a dead man; you can't demand a dead man to die twice, can you?"

"This time I came with goodwill; the reason I sought you is because I'm fairly familiar with this idiot."

"But before that, I'm very curious about one thing: this world seems to have no trace of Quannai, nor many rumors about him."

"He, what happened to him in this world?"

Facing this question, the third generation and the others looked at each other; they truly didn't know how to answer.

"That guy's speed was too fast, so fast that they didn't even see what happened, and their teacher's head was sliced off."

"If it were them, probably—"

"And Uchiha Quannai is dead, and he died at the hands of his own teacher; if something went wrong, wouldn't that—"

"Uchiha Quannai died early!"

At that moment, Senju Feijian, whose head had already recovered, suddenly shouted.

"And moreover, I killed him with my own hands!"

In that instant, the three of the third generation had already thought through even after their own deaths, whether they'd have a corpse, whether they could be revived by Impure Earth Reincarnation.

"Teacher, can you even say that damn thing directly."

(End of chapter)