Konoha, Uchiha Clan, Naka Shrine.
The 'True Word Stone Tablet'—recording all truths of the world—was stored deep beneath the Naka Shrine. However, by this time, no one within the Uchiha Clan was fully able to interpret the information recorded upon it.
Only the ultimate eye power could unlock the most crucial content. Unfortunately, it was simply a strict requirement.
The Uchiha knew this object was important, but they didn't understand why it held such significance. Thus, at best, they could merely preserve it as a treasured decorative artifact.
But on this particular day, in this obscure corner known to none, layers of black ripples suddenly began spreading across the stone tablet's surface. Moments later, a humanoid figure emerged from it...
"Never thought that infiltrating just one ninja village would actually require resorting to such an extreme method."
"Yeah. The Uzumaki are too troublesome. The density of protective barriers surrounding Konoha today far exceeds what it was when the village was first established. If we attempt infiltration recklessly... regardless of you, I'd definitely risk being discovered."
The ones infiltrating into Konoha through the Uchiha's stone tablet were none other than the original forms of Black Zetsu and White Zetsu. Unknown to many, years ago, Black Zetsu had secretly tampered with the tablet and left his mark upon it.
But he never expected that even now, he'd have no choice but to use such means to "return" to Konoha.
It was mostly the fault of those overly idle Kagenami Uzumaki shinobi. Wanting to prove themselves not simply another budget-draining group doing nothing worthwhile, over the years they constantly repaired and reinforced barriers throughout Konoha. Since Haseo became Hokage, these activities had even intensified.
Not even war could dampen Kagenami's enthusiasm for reinforcing barriers.
As for any ninja village, security naturally ranked top priority. Therefore, whenever the Uzumaki proposed plans to install new defensive barriers, upper saw no reason to reject them… after all, the expenses came entirely from Kagenami's own funds. The village itself wouldn't approve any additional money.
So by now, Konoha's detection systems, safeguards, defenses, and protective barriers were so dense they felt like a modern city's surveillance grid.
For intruders, a careless step might easily trigger a trap—and even careful ones weren't guaranteed safety. Fortunately, Zetsu wasn't a typical intruder, and they were also extremely careful.
Their caution likely stemmed from an incident N years ago, when they had once been caught and severely beaten by Mito Uzumaki. Hence, they carried lingering trauma toward the Uzumaki clan… Although it seemed unlikely for the Uzumaki to produce another ninja surpassing Mito Uzumaki again, vigilance was still necessary.
Still, the Uzumaki couldn't possibly extend their barrier networks into core Uchiha territory. Different ninja sects remained independent entities; certain authorities of the Uzumaki had to remain limited strictly to Konoha's "public areas." As for private land, outsiders were certainly prohibited entry.
"The Uzumaki clan is already deeply entangled with that ninja. Unless absolutely necessary, we must avoid engaging them and especially prevent another direct confrontation.
With our current strength, such actions would equate to self-destruction."
"Throughout thousands of years, the most profound lesson learned by Zetsu—primarily Black Zetsu, with White Zetsu merely a subordinate—is the value of patience. As long as we can endure, hope will still exist.
"Yeah, prolonging the conflict benefits us. After our last battle, we suffered tremendous losses, and what we need to prepare has become even heavier... Their timing was too good. His strength is formidable, but nowhere near Madara Uchiha at his peak.
What a pity, Madara has aged."
"By the way, do you have any ideas about how to compensate for what we've lost?"
"I do have some leads, though it's not directly related to coming to Konoha... The reason I infiltrated the Uchiha clan was because, if possible, I'd like to create an additional pair of eyes as backup."
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu shouldn't be considered equal; essentially, Black Zetsu is the dominant consciousness while White Zetsu is merely a vassal and subordinate. That's why only Black Zetsu's thoughts really matter.
After Haseo destroyed the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, Black Zetsu indeed momentarily lost his cool. However, he quickly regained composure and began recalibrating his plans, setting up new strategies... Clearly, he had already found alternative approaches and discovered new methods to accomplish his mission.
"Hehe, the power of the Uchiha is extremely formidable. Moreover, regardless of circumstances, their strength has always been usable—extremely easy to utilize effectively."
"That's true, however... the current Uchiha have degenerated. In Konoha, compared to the Uchiha Ninja Sect—who were foundational pillars during the village's founding era—the Uzumaki Ninja Sect has always held much greater significance."
Konoha before the Third Hokage was one thing; Konoha under his rule became something completely different. So the belief that the Third opposed Hashirama becoming the First Hokage was completely correct—absolutely correct.
Now that was the truth.
Only too bad he's dead too.
"A New Konoha?"
"Yeah, a New Konoha."
......
The upper echelons of this "New Konoha" were unaware that their village had already been infiltrated by such dangerous individuals. Although given the intruder's intentions, they would remain in hiding without taking overt action for quite some time in the future, the threat Zetsu himself poses is obvious enough.
The hour had grown late into night, yet lights continued glowing from a meeting room inside the Hokage's office building. Konoha's top brass were holding an important conference—to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the "Fourth running away" incident.
Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Uzumaki Shikou, as well as Jiraiya and Orochimaru—who had come overnight from the front lines and would have to return before dawn.
In addition, Sakumo Hatake wasn't present. Despite having sufficient status and rank, there was no necessity for him to attend such meetings... The village wouldn't possibly summon all frontline commanders back simultaneously.
Since Sakumo Hatake was part of the Kagenami style, his stance naturally aligned with that of Uzumaki Shikou, and actually, if voting rights needed consideration, his vote had already been entrusted to Shikou... It sufficed simply to inform him afterward of the meeting results.
This way, the administrative leaders of Konoha outside of the Fourth himself were entirely assembled together... Hmm, did we forget someone?
Seemed like she had forgotten, yet hadn't really forgotten either.
"First of all, we must define the matter—leaving the village means The Fourth has abandoned his duties as Hokage. Naturally, he should also lose the rights that come with the position. I don't think anyone would object to this point."
In present-day Konoha, such high-level meetings had developed a certain habit: usually, Uzumaki Shikou would be the first one to speak.
"But we shouldn't completely negate The Fourth's contributions. Although his tenure as Hokage was brief, the timing of his ascension was critical. Calling The Fourth's accomplishments 'great achievements' might seem exaggerated, but Lord Haseo played an indispensable role.
From the moment of The Third's sudden death until now, without Lord Haseo, the battlefields would have been far more disastrous—and Konoha might have faced unimaginable calamities.
Although Lord Haseo's abrupt departure was inexplicable, he did make limited reforms to Konoha's system, and even in his absence, the village continues to operate smoothly today..."
Uzumaki Shikou ultimately spoke among the clan with a backhanded compliment—though there wasn't much about Haseo actually worth praising.
Hmm. If you're looking for redeeming qualities, maybe his ashes count.
At this moment, everyone looked at Uzumaki Shikou with confusion. So, why bother defending someone so heartless?
She wasn't stupid by any means—in fact, she was sharp and level-headed. Whether it be clan affairs, Kagenami, or matters concerning Konoha itself, everyone recognized and even respected her abilities. Uzumaki Shikou wasn't foolish—but perhaps just a bit naive.
Well, let's put it bluntly—maintaining a good image of Haseo simply benefited the Uzumaki clan, especially since he was so deeply connected to them.
"One matter at a time—no one doubts The Fourth's previous contributions, but what we're discussing now is who should deal with the mess he left behind. That kind of unreliable, impulsive leader clearly can't remain Hokage any longer."
Homura Mitokado wouldn't criticize Haseo's accomplishments either; there was absolutely no stain on this front.
Victories over Mist and Cloud, personally slaying the Third Raikage, and repelling the Third Tsuchikage and the entire Iwagakure army—all these deeds were proof enough for anyone to see.
However, regardless of whether his leaving was voluntary or forced, once Haseo stepped down from the Hokage seat, there was no way he could ever reclaim it.
That was simply how power worked.
Of course, Haseo himself probably didn't care about returning anyway. Once cast aside like old boots, that was it—no need to talk about it again.
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