"What's this 'Thirteen Guardian Squads' thing?"Everyone was confused, though it did sound rather prestigious.
Tōshirō explained, "Simply put, it divides the Konoha shinobi into thirteen divisions, each with a captain and vice-captain."
That explanation was a bit vague, so someone asked further, "What does that mean specifically?"
"For example," Tōshirō continued, "the Eleventh Division will be the Combat Division—as the name suggests, a team focused purely on battle. The Twelfth Division will be the Research and Development Bureau, responsible for all kinds of studies and experiments. Oh, and by the way, the captain of that division will be Orochimaru."
Tōshirō smiled and glanced toward a certain man sitting alone at a desk.
Orochimaru smirked with interest. "A Research and Development Bureau, hmm? That certainly fits my area of expertise."
After hearing that, everyone finally understood what this new system was about.
Tōshirō summarized, "I won't go into all the details now. Later, you'll each receive a small booklet explaining everything. If you're interested, you can apply for a captain position. But I suggest you choose a division based on your strengths. For instance, don't apply for the Fourth Division—the Medical Unit—if you know nothing about medical ninjutsu."
The idea of the Thirteen Guardian Squads was inspired by an anime from Tōshirō's previous world. He felt that as a new leader, he needed to achieve something remarkable, and this organizational reform seemed perfect to revitalize Konoha's stagnant system.
After that, Tōshirō discussed several new policies: things like pension plans, insurance systems, and even national ID cards. Since it was his first time implementing such systems, he decided to test them in Konoha first before expanding them across the newly founded Flame Country.
These were revolutionary ideas. Even if the others didn't understand everything, they could tell these reforms would greatly benefit the people.
In particular, the injury compensation insurance caught everyone's attention—it was essential for a profession as dangerous as being a shinobi.
After all, for a ninja, dying mid-mission was hardly unusual.
Over the next few days, Tōshirō's reforms rolled out vigorously. During this time, he also publicly revealed Naruto's true identity.
The villagers were stunned. Once they realized what they had done to the son of the Fourth Hokage, guilt overwhelmed them. Many lined up to apologize to Naruto personally.
From that day on, Naruto's life in the village completely turned around.
He was still dazed when he learned the truth—his father was the Fourth Hokage!?
"Hey, what are you guys whispering about?"
At the academy training ground, Naruto noticed a few kids talking excitedly and walked over curiously.
"Yo, if it isn't the son of the hero," one of the boys teased.
Naruto crossed his arms. "Don't call me that! It feels weird."
"Alright, alright, sorry…"
"So, what are you guys talking about?"
"You don't know? The ninja academy's being restructured! They're building a new school right now—it should open next year, just in time for our graduation."
Since becoming Daimyō, Tōshirō had spared no expense on education. Besides expanding the academy, he was also constructing a brand-new one.
Naruto blinked in confusion. "Restructured?"
"Yeah! From now on, the ninja academy will have a nine-year program."
"Nine years?"
"Let me explain," said the boy. "Originally, we studied for six years before graduating as Genin. Now, with the nine-year system, we'll still become Genin after six years, but we'll continue our studies for another three years in the new academy. Only those who reach Chūnin level can graduate—and the exceptional ones might even graduate as Jōnin!"
"Jōnin!?"
Naruto's eyes lit up. "So that means I'll be only one step away from becoming Hokage when I graduate!"
Before he could bask in his own fantasy, a familiar mocking tone cut in. "Idiot."
Naruto snapped, "What did you say!?"
He turned to see a black-haired, sharp-eyed boy with his hands in his pockets. "You think becoming Hokage is that easy? To get there, you'd have to become a Vice-Captain, then a Captain, then the First Division Captain—there are at least three ranks between you and Hokage."
Even after learning Naruto was the Fourth Hokage's son, Sasuke had only been surprised for a moment—after that, he treated him the same as always.
"You're the idiot!" Naruto shot back, puffing up his chest.
"Do you even know what a Division Captain is?"
"Of course I do!"
"Oh yeah? Then what is it?"
"It's… uh… shut up!"
Naruto gave up pretending.
Sasuke smirked. "You've got a long way to go before becoming Hokage."
Naruto clenched his fists, yelling, "Hmph! Just wait! After I graduate, I'll be the youngest Division Captain ever!"
Sasuke only chuckled quietly.
"What are you laughing at!?"
"Nothing," Sasuke said calmly. "Just that no one will surpass my brother—he became a captain younger than anyone else."
"Huh? You mean Itachi?"
"Exactly."
Naruto's eyes widened. If he remembered correctly, Sasuke's brother was only about thirteen.
Hokage's Office.
Tōshirō leaned back in his chair, teasing a black-haired young man wearing a white cloak with the number Two embroidered on the back. "What's wrong, my young and talented Second Division Captain? Why the gloomy face?"
Itachi exhaled slowly. "I'm just… not used to it yet."
The Second Division handled covert operations—it was essentially the successor to the old Anbu.
Itachi, once an elite Anbu member, had never imagined he'd one day become the leader of the entire division.
Incidentally, his father, Fugaku, was the Tenth Division Captain, in charge of patrol and law enforcement—essentially the old Uchiha Police Force. The main difference now was that the force wasn't made up solely of Uchiha clan members.
Tōshirō smiled. "Take your time. I trust your abilities—this won't be too hard for you."
Just then, the office door opened. Only one man would ever walk in without knocking—Orochimaru, now wearing the Twelfth Division uniform. His voice was smooth and teasing. "Ah, Itachi-kun, that uniform suits you beautifully…"
Itachi bowed slightly. "Lord Orochimaru."
"No need for titles," Orochimaru replied lazily. "We're equals now."
"I have something to take care of," Tōshirō said, standing up. His eyes flicked briefly to his young secretary, Izumi, dressed neatly in a white blouse and fitted skirt. Though still youthful and slender, she carried herself with professional energy.
Holding a stack of documents, Izumi nodded dutifully. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
Then Tōshirō suddenly smacked his forehead as if remembering something. "Oh, right! Itachi, you're here—Izumi's been wanting to ask you for training advice. Perfect timing, isn't it?"
Izumi blinked in confusion. When did I say that?
Tōshirō winked at her.
Realization dawned, and her face flushed crimson all the way to her ears. Honestly… the Hokage's such a tease!
Before leaving, Tōshirō smiled slyly. "Itachi, assist Izumi with her work—that's an order."
Itachi simply nodded, not thinking much of it, and watched as Tōshirō—dressed in his First Division Captain attire—walked out, leaving the two of them alone.
A young man and woman, alone in a quiet room. Izumi felt incredibly awkward. After a long pause, she finally blurted out, "The Hokage said I'm too weak… He wanted me to ask how I can become as skilled as you."
The moment she finished, she wanted to slap herself. What am I even saying!?
Itachi glanced at her flushed face and seemed to understand. Turning away slightly, he said, "Come on. Didn't you say you wanted to train?"
The sudden offer made Izumi blink in surprise—then, realizing it wasn't a dream, she quickly followed him out.
On the rooftop, Tōshirō stood against the wind, gazing down at the village.
Behind him, Orochimaru spoke with his usual silk-smooth tone. "Ever since you took power, Konoha has been thriving—life and energy everywhere."
"Don't flatter me," Tōshirō said with a grin, then got serious. "Is everything ready?"
Orochimaru's lips curved into a thin smile. "Anytime."
"Then begin."
Orochimaru pressed his hands together.
The ground split open, and two wooden coffins rose slowly. Creak. The lids opened—inside stood a man and a woman.
The man had golden hair and a handsome face; the woman had bright red hair and striking beauty. They were a perfect pair—Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki.
Both of them opened their eyes at nearly the same time, bewildered by their surroundings.
"Where… are we?"
Then their gazes met.
"Minato?"
"Kushina?"
Before they could react, a third voice interrupted, calm and teasing. "My, my… what a touching reunion, isn't it?"
They turned to see a pale man with golden, slit-pupiled eyes and purple markings around them.
Minato's eyes widened. "Orochimaru!?"
"How rare," Orochimaru chuckled. "You still remember me."
"What's going on?" Minato asked sharply.
"You're both dead," Orochimaru explained smoothly. "Someone asked me to bring you back using Edo Tensei."
"Someone?"
The couple turned to look at the white-haired young man standing beside him. From his appearance and calm demeanor, they could already guess.
"And you are…?" Minato asked.
"I'm Uchiha Tōshirō," the young man introduced himself.
Uchiha Tōshirō?
The name struck a familiar chord. Back when Minato had learned the Rasengan from Jiraiya, his teacher had mentioned that the technique was created by an old friend—someone named Uchiha Tōshirō, long deceased.
"Wait—don't tell me you're that Uchiha Tōshirō?"
Tōshirō nodded lightly. "You were going to say I was dead, right? It's… complicated. I'll skip the details. The reason I brought you back today is to ask for a favor."
"A favor?" the couple echoed in confusion.
Orochimaru chuckled from the side. "Tōshirō here is actually the Fifth Hokage now~"
"The Fifth Hokage!?"
Minato and Kushina stared at him in disbelief.
Tōshirō nodded calmly. "That's right. And the favor I'm asking… concerns my son. I hope you two can help me with him."
"Your son?"
"Well… strictly speaking, he's your son."
"What?"
"He's called Naruto."
End of Chapter)
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