Naruto: I am the Hokage

"I see."

"Killing my closest person, my friend, can allow me to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan!"

"Is this the secret of the inheritance?"

At this moment, Uchiha Obito's face was filled with shock and astonishment. He then faintly understood why the clan head and the others had not made the secret of this place public. If this were to be revealed… the Uchiha would be thrown into complete chaos!

Obito couldn't help but regret his previous thoughts—

"I really shouldn't have judged the clan head and the others like that!"

He secretly reflected, feeling very ashamed in his heart, then immediately picked up the scroll and continued reading the text on it.

After confirming the correctness of the text on it, Obito somewhat believed that this scroll was indeed something left by Uchiha Madara. He read it carefully. Further down, he saw Madara's detailed explanation of the stone tablet.

"This is a treasure and a gift left by our ancestors. On it are written the secrets to making our Uchiha clan strong."

"The Mangekyo Sharingan also has its flaws. Using it will gradually lead to blindness."

"So, upon reaching the Mangekyo Sharingan, the solution will be revealed on the stone tablet…"

The description on the scroll was very detailed. Madara was not at all afraid of future generations verifying it, because what he said was all true. And at the end, he even wrote: "To my clansmen, I am not certain if my path is correct, so… even if you are unwilling to leave with me, I believe and understand you. I hope you can see the scroll I have hidden."

"I hope this secret can make the clan strong."

"May the Uchiha be passed down forever."

"Left by Uchiha Madara."

Holding the scroll, Obito almost shed tears. He had just gotten the basic story from Shisui and knew a little about the past history, understanding the conflict between Uchiha Madara and the clan back then. Madara wanted to leave Konoha. But the Uchiha clan was obviously used to this life and was unwilling to follow Madara to leave the village, to leave the place they had participated in building. As a result, Madara died at the Valley of the End. The end of the story was not like many hero tales with a perfect ending.

Obito sighed inwardly. Holding the scroll in his hand, his mood was extremely complicated for a moment, a mix of feelings in his heart. This scroll… should he hand it over to the clan head? Obito hesitated. To him, the meaning of this scroll didn't seem very great, its value not too high. If he handed it over to his clansmen… could it make the Uchiha stronger? He hesitantly put away the scroll, thinking about how to handle it later, and finally decided.

Hand it in!

He hadn't walked more than a few steps when a voice suddenly sounded eerily in the air. "Are you going to hand it over to those fools?"

"Who's there?" Obito's whole body tensed up. He looked around, his eyes filled with panic. The voice seemed to come from underground, chillingly cold, making him shiver. "Who are you?!!" Obito shouted.

A black shadow twisted below, and a voice came out.

"Me? I am Uchiha Madara!"

"!!!" Obito's face was filled with shock and disbelief. Uchiha Madara? Isn't he already dead! A trace of anger suddenly rose in his heart.

"I may not be smart, but I know that Madara-sama is already dead! It's impossible for you to deceive me!"

"I am just a remnant soul." The other party replied faintly. "At this level, it's not difficult to leave behind some consciousness. You don't know, simply because you are too weak and know too little."

"This…" Obito hesitated. Then, the other party began to explain the nature and principles of chakra, analyzing from the source why he could exist. Obito's head was spinning. But he vaguely remembered a part of it, and comparing it, he knew the other party might be right, and for a time he became more trusting. But—"If you don't want me to hand it over to the clan, is there something wrong with this scroll?"

"You haven't finished reading it yet." The other party prompted that the remaining part needed a special technique to be undone, otherwise the rest of the content could not be seen.

"Why hide it?"

"Because this is a terrifying secret. Once it's public, the entire Uchiha clan will not be able to stand in Konoha, or even the shinobi world. Do you really want to know?" "Madara's" tone was neither sad nor happy.

Obito was greatly shocked. He had never thought that he, not even a Genin, would have to face a secret that could affect the doom of his entire clan! Was this something he could bear? Obito felt the pressure on his shoulders suddenly become heavy, his breathing slowing down for several moments. After a long while, he finally said, "What secret?"

"Then, you need to use the Uchiha's unique unsealing hand sign to undo the sealing jutsu on it, so you can see the remaining text," "Madara" replied.

Obito was very direct. "I don't know how."

"…" Black Zetsu almost broke character. Doesn't know how? Are you kidding me! An Uchiha clan member doesn't even know the family's own unsealing hand sign? That thing isn't even hard! He was silent for a long while. Black Zetsu's mouth curled up slightly, and he said from within Obito's shadow, "In that case, you can come back next time."

"You can't leave this place?" Obito asked.

Black Zetsu replied faintly, "I am a special chakra remnant left behind by the ancestors' mysterious power on the stone tablet. You can understand it as… unless I find another host, I cannot leave the stone tablet too far." He explained a bit.

Obito scratched his head. Although he didn't understand, it sounded very profound. After thinking for a long time, he asked again, "My foundation in sealing jutsu is very poor. What if I can't learn it?"

"This is a very simple unsealing hand sign…" Black Zetsu replied.

Obito nodded. "I have no foundation at all."

"…" Never had he imagined that his perfect plan would be hindered by such a basic thing. This guy was definitely the most foolish Uchiha he had ever mentored! Why did he have to go through all this trouble? Couldn't he have just written all the secrets down and made this guy believe him?! Black Zetsu wanted to slap himself a couple of times.

But, thinking on the bright side—stupid equals easy to deceive. Uchiha Madara was a bit difficult to deceive. If he could trick this breathtakingly pure boy to go to Madara's side and let Madara teach him personally… at that time, he could send Madara off and use this guy to fulfill his own long-cherished wish! Black Zetsu imagined in his mind. After a long while, he gradually had an idea. This guy had very likely already believed his identity, so…

"As the will of Madara left behind, I can tell you directly, but you cannot tell anyone else, otherwise our family will be destroyed because of you."

"Yes, I understand." Obito's expression was serious.

Black Zetsu said, "Do you want to hear the complex original text?"

"Uh, let's hear it?"

"Alright." Black Zetsu recited the original text once. Obito was completely lost, as if listening to a heavenly scripture. He was stunned for a good while before saying, "This, I don't understand."

"Simply put, the Uchiha's Kekkei Genkai, plus the power of the Senju clan, completes the union of yin and yang, and one can obtain powerful strength!" Black Zetsu replied. "According to my speculation at the time, this power might be the legendary Rinnegan!"

Rinnegan! Obito was completely stunned. Of course, he knew about the Rinnegan. One of the Three Great Dōjutsu, the legendary eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. He hadn't expected—the final secret was actually it! No wonder!

"Back then, why did you leave Konoha?" Obito suddenly thought of the most important question. The reason why Madara left. Through the scroll, he felt that Madara's image was different from what the village and the clan described.

"I found the path to permanent peace!"

Permanent peace?!! Obito's eyes widened, his face showing unconcealable shock and longing. This was something even Senju Hashirama couldn't do. "Tell me, the method to achieve permanent peace!"

---

On the road, Kyohiko had already rendezvoused with Minato and the others, bringing Aoba and Guren. Minato looked at the little girl, a sense of pity rising in his heart. Such a small girl… as it turned out, she had lost her parents very early and was forced to live with wandering ninjas. However, it was fortunate that the purpose of those wandering ninjas was to use the little girl's Kekkei Genkai, to make her work for them. Otherwise, if she didn't have a Kekkei Genkai, she might not have survived until now.

Minato sighed softly. "War!"

"Hmph, don't talk about war as if it's so terrible. If it weren't for the war, Minato, Kyohiko, which of you could have reached your current status?" A sneered from the side.

"You think war is a good thing? Or do you think I care about such a status?" Minato swept a cold glance at him. This good-natured man was rarely angry.

"Perhaps you are noble, but you have to admit, you have all benefited from the war. War has its good and bad sides," A said faintly. "Your Konoha is strong, so you can talk freely about peace. Our Cloud Village has a harsh environment, so we must consider survival!"

"In war, there is no right or wrong for either side!" A said firmly.

Kyohiko sneered. "Is that so? In your words, the side that starts a war for its own benefit can kill the other side with a clear conscience?"

"Both sides are fighting for survival, there's nothing more to say," A replied.

Kyohiko nodded. "Yes, you fight for survival and invade our homeland. I can also prevent you from having such a premonition and wipe you out in advance! Can it be understood this way?"

"You!" A glared at Kyohiko. That's not what he meant!

"If we follow your understanding, then our Shodaime-sama could have directly wiped you out back then, and you shouldn't have any complaints," Minato said coldly. He really disliked people who advocated for war! Like Kyohiko. Although Kyohiko would also actively wage war, so far, Kyohiko's strategy had always been "if others don't bother me, I won't bother them." He couldn't accept the Cloud Village's way of thinking.

"That's not what I meant." A's tone softened. Personally, he was not afraid of Konoha's retaliation. At worst, it was just death. But in terms of village strength, the current Cloud Village was no match for Konoha. If he continued to be stubborn, it would only bring disaster to the village.

Minato's expression softened slightly.

"That's just because you can't beat us yet. The matter of Kushina, Minato, you haven't forgotten, have you?" Kyohiko looked at Minato.

Minato was silent. Of course, he wouldn't forget. A was speechless, his momentum completely weakened.

Guren looked at A, then at the Konoha side who claimed to have news of her mother. She hadn't seen much of the world. But in her heart, she still faintly felt that the Konoha side was better. Even though the one who had captured her parents before also seemed to be a rogue-nin from Konoha.

---

The next day, at the Hokage's tower in Konoha. Tsunade yawned, still a little sleepy. As it turned out, a piece of intelligence was quickly delivered to her hands through Gekko Shusaku. This intelligence was too special.

"What?" Tsunade stood up, her face full of astonishment and shock. This was a situation report from Kyohiko. But the content on it was really appalling, so she couldn't believe it for a moment. She looked up at Gekko Shusaku. "Are you sure?"

"Our intelligence personnel in the capital have already sent back the information. After comparison, it is confirmed that what Kyohiko-sama said is true," Gekko Shusaku nodded.

Tsunade was first overjoyed, then couldn't help but rub her brow with worry. The Third Raikage and A had invaded, seeming to have collaborated with Danzo. Danzo was dead. Kyohiko and the others had repelled the Third Raikage and captured his son, A. They had found the Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai. Compared to the other four pieces of news, the last one was already the most insignificant. Crystal Release… although powerful, was not essential for Konoha.

"Danzo is dead, good!" Tsunade clapped her hands, then said, "Immediately invite…"

"Sarutobi-sama?" Gekko Shusaku asked carefully.

Tsunade hesitated for a moment, then said, "No! First, invite Shikaku over. I need to discuss it with Shikaku first, then find the several advisors to discuss the follow-up arrangements."

"Yes!" In less than a minute, Shikaku hurried over. To have the Anbu intelligence squad leader personally come to find him, it must be a very important matter. He didn't dare to be negligent.

"Shikaku, take a look."

"…" Shikaku took it, and a few seconds later, his face also showed unconcealable shock. He almost dropped the scroll in his hand. Fortunately… he was also an elite among the jounin and quickly caught it again.

"Tsunade-sama, this, this impact is too great!"

"Mm, so I wanted to ask for your opinion. What do you think would be the best arrangement for our next step?" Tsunade had already calmed down by now.

Shikaku thought it over carefully. "First, we need to set the tone for the aftermath of the Guardian Shinobi and grasp the right to speak about them. At the very least, we must ensure they are trained by us." Internal peace was definitely the key! In the current situation… the most important thing was actually to understand the priorities.

Shikaku thought of the primary issue, then said, "Furthermore, there's no need to rush the matter with the Cloud Village. We can wait for their people to arrive and discuss it with Kyohiko-kun. He will definitely have better ideas."

"What else?" Tsunade's thoughts gradually became clearer. As expected of Shikaku! Before, several lines of thought were mixed together, making her a little confused.

"Furthermore, there is the nature of Danzo's actions. We must define it and publicize it, not leaving any handles, and certainly not letting the noble faction think we are going to settle scores," Shikaku replied.

"They still have money. We have to defend against them and fight them, but we also need to cooperate and not completely tear off the facade."

"Well said, Shikaku. Go and make the arrangements. I also need to have a meeting with the old geezers and settle this matter as soon as possible!" Tsunade's tone was filled with joy. Shikaku's brain had lightened her burden considerably!