With the Shinigami Mask now in his possession, Natsuhiko could finally say that all the preparations he needed at this stage were complete.
Many of his earlier plans had been vague—more about ensuring his own survival and securing a path for the future than targeting any specific goal. But now, everything had unfolded with remarkable smoothness. Each step had progressed exactly as he had envisioned, and at this point, he had already handled everything within his ability to anticipate and accomplish.
The Shinigami Mask can be used to cast the Reaper Death Seal on Minato Namikaze. The sealing technique itself—and its release method—came from the elders, meant to be used in conjunction with the mask.
The clan is stable now. There's no need to worry about them dragging me down or causing trouble behind my back.
As for the Uchiha, their immediate issues have been settled. I've also given Uchiha Shin a warning in advance—he should already know what to do.
Natsuhiko had deliberately reminded Uchiha Shin to seize any opportunity that might arise from Fugaku Uchiha's mistakes. There was nothing wrong with that advice—after all, during the Nine-Tails incident, Fugaku would indeed make a grave miscalculation.
If Uchiha Shin had any sense at all, he would know how to choose when the time came. Of course, everything still depended on his own initiative.
Natsuhiko couldn't very well spell it out for him—telling him outright to consider siding with the Hokage would be far too obvious, even suspicious. Besides, Natsuhiko himself had no intention of blindly aligning with the Hokage either.
Simply pointing out that Fugaku was prone to mistakes was more than enough—because, in truth, he really was.
In the days that followed, Natsuhiko quietly waited for the order to assemble. At the same time, he made sure to carefully review the scroll detailing how to undo the Reaper Death Seal.
To his surprise, the technique itself was far simpler than most sealing arts—yet at the same time, far more dangerous.
The one who created it must have been nothing short of a genius.
Unlike other sealing techniques, this one didn't require deep expertise in the art. All it demanded was that the user channel their chakra to connect with the Pure Land, calling forth the Shinigami from beyond. And once it answered, the caster would offer up their own soul as the price—using the technique to drag their enemy down with them in mutual destruction.
It was, quite literally, a last resort—an option reserved for the moment when all other paths had been cut off.
But its power was terrifying. To both the caster and the target, it meant the same thing: absolute annihilation. Those sealed by it could not even be revived through Edo Tensei.
Because of that, it had been classified as a forbidden technique—one that should never be learned or used lightly.
Fortunately, for Natsuhiko, this wasn't an insurmountable problem. After all, his clan had once stood at the height of power, and some of that legacy still remained.
Still, a thought lingered in his mind.
When the technique involves the soul… I wonder if Tsutani Hiro will suffer the same fate.
He rubbed his chin, considering the possibility.
Truthfully, whether Tsutani Hiro lived or died meant nothing to him. And there was no way he would risk using the Spirit Transformation Technique to control him in such a situation. There were simply too many unknowns—if he used that technique to possess Tsutani and then cast the Reaper Death Seal, whose soul would be used as the offering? His own… or Tsutani's?
Natsuhiko had no intention of gambling on something so dangerous unless he had no other choice.
Still, recalling how Orochimaru had managed to come out of it largely unscathed in the original story, it seemed likely that the cost of undoing the technique lay more in the physical body than the soul.
Though Tsutani Hiro's life force is fading… it's not as reliable as his technique suggests. I wonder if he'll actually die.
Natsuhiko had been closely observing the gradual depletion of Tsutani's vitality. In a way, it was a good sign. Even the Ōtsutsuki could die—so the idea that a mere follower of some heretical cult could achieve true immortality seemed absurd.
Perhaps such a thing was possible in theory—but Tsutani Hiro clearly hadn't reached that level. His life force was undeniably slipping away, even if the process was agonizingly slow.
Natsuhiko rose to his feet and stretched deeply, letting out the tension that had built up in his body. Not far from him, Tsutani Hiro was still tirelessly practicing the technique. Even though his chakra had been sealed and he couldn't possibly execute it for real, that was exactly the outcome Natsuhiko wanted.
After all, if the Shinigami were somehow summoned by accident, that would spell serious trouble—even for him.
He slowly walked over to the window, his gaze drifting outward. At the same time, a translucent panel suddenly appeared within his vision.
...
Name: Senju Natsuhiko
Gender: Male
Birthday: March 24, Year 34 of Konoha
Level: Elite Jonin (System evaluation without using any abilities) (Kage-level chakra reserves)
Bloodline Development: Intermediate (Senju Secret Techniques, Basic Yang Release Techniques)
Seeds: Basic Wind Release Seed (Unplanted), Intermediate Sealing Seed (Unplanted)
Fruits: None
Mission: Become the true final boss of the ninja world (Unique) — Progress: 18%
...
Looking over the panel, Natsuhiko gave a small, satisfied nod. There had been quite a few noticeable changes.
Previously, unplanted seeds wouldn't even appear on the interface, but now that seemed to have changed. Even without planting them, the system could detect their existence and provide him with some degree of feedback.
Thinking about it, the whole situation was rather amusing—and a little frustrating.
When he had explored the ruins of the Uzumaki clan and obtained the Shinigami Mask, he had unexpectedly discovered a new seed near a large tree in the courtyard. It had practically appeared right in front of him.
The discovery made him laugh at himself. It had been quite some time since his last basic sealing seed had matured, and he did need new seeds to continue strengthening himself. Yet he hadn't been particularly proactive about searching for them.
The reason was simple—the Nine-Tails incident was imminent. He couldn't afford to take any risks that might compromise his strength.
And yet, despite having no intention of searching, an intermediate sealing seed had practically fallen into his lap.
Natsuhiko hadn't hesitated in the slightest. He still had a basic Wind Release seed anyway—at worst, he could just keep them both unplanted for now.
Still, having them within reach but being unable to use them was undeniably frustrating. But frustration or not, he could only endure it. Only after everything had settled would he finally have the time and opportunity to plant them.
Speaking of which… once this is all over, maybe it's time I take a trip to the Valley of the End.
His eyes rested on the Hokage Rock in the distance as the thought surfaced quietly in his mind.
The Valley of the End was where Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju had made their final break. In the past, Natsuhiko had passed by that place many times, but always on missions—never once stopping to truly explore it.
He could still recall how his system had reacted whenever he passed through, vibrating faintly as if stirred by something unseen. Unfortunately, when he had tried to touch the surrounding trees, the system had given him no response at all.
Most likely, back then, he had simply been too weak. Too weak to trigger the system and draw out whatever power lay hidden within those ancient trees.
But now… with my current strength, it should be enough. After the Nine-Tails incident, I'll have to investigate it properly.
—
Far away, deep within a shadowy cave, Obito Uchiha sat in silence, his eyes fixed on the documents spread before him.
Ever since he had witnessed Kakashi Hatake personally kill Rin Nohara, something inside him had shattered completely, plunging his heart into an abyss with no return.
Now, he would inherit the will of Madara Uchiha. He would create a world of dreams—a perfect illusion.
Because this world… was nothing but a lie.
After handling the affairs of the Akatsuki and taking control of the Fourth Mizukage under Madara's legacy, he would occasionally return to Konoha.
Partly, it was to mourn Rin—the girl who had once given him warmth, yet also the one whose death had driven him into absolute despair. In his heart, she remained untouchable, sacred, placed upon a pedestal no one could ever reach.
And partly… it was for information.
Information about Konoha—details he would need to carry out what had to be done.
For example—the Nine-Tails… and the destruction of Konoha.
Fate, it seemed, had favored him.
Even he hadn't expected that while visiting Rin's grave, he would run into that man—Kakashi Hatake. And even more unexpectedly, he had pried from Kakashi's mouth a piece of highly classified information—
Kushina was pregnant.
As a former student of Minato Namikaze, and now the inheritor of Madara Uchiha's legacy, Obito naturally knew Kushina's true identity.
She was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
One of his targets.
Since taking on Madara's name, not only had his strength advanced by leaps and bounds, but the knowledge he possessed had surpassed that of most shinobi in the world. He had spent a great deal of time studying jinchūriki and understood their nature all too well.
Under normal circumstances, the tailed beast within them was suppressed by a sealing technique. But for female jinchūriki, childbirth marked the moment when that seal weakened to its most fragile state.
If he could seize that moment, he could release the tailed beast in one decisive move.
At the same time, during his training in Yin–Yang Release under Black Zetsu, he had also been taught how to control the Nine-Tails using ocular power.
According to Black Zetsu, controlling the Nine-Tails wasn't particularly difficult. The beast itself was nothing more than a massive aggregation of chakra, while the Sharingan was a manifestation of Yin Release—naturally adept at manipulating chakra.
In that sense, it was the Nine-Tails' perfect counter.
Though he had never attempted it before, Obito was confident he could succeed—especially if the Nine-Tails had just been released and was still in a berserk state.
Now that Kushina was about to give birth, this was the perfect opportunity.
And he had no intention of letting it slip away.
The documents in his hands were intelligence reports gathered and organized by White Zetsu. As he read through them carefully, he began mapping out a series of plans in his mind.
"…This 'Nightingale'—what's the story behind him?"
In the dim cave, illuminated only by the flickering light of a nearby campfire, Obito studied one of the reports closely. His face was hidden behind a swirling mask, but the weight in his voice suggested a rare seriousness.
"Is his strength really that exaggerated? Taking down hundreds of Sunagakure shinobi in a single battle?"
He hadn't expected that something like this had occurred during the time he'd been lying low.
Back then, he had been occupied in Kirigakure, dealing with matters of his own. By the time Natsuhiko had finished stirring up that chaos, Obito had been crossing the sea. Even after returning, his attention had never fully shifted to such matters—he had been too focused on slipping into Konoha, again and again, just to visit Rin.
Besides, his focus had never been on something like the ANBU, so it was no surprise he had overlooked this entirely.
"Come to think of it, this 'Nightingale' incident happened months ago," White Zetsu's strange, almost mocking voice echoed beside him. "You were either busy—or simply didn't care. So you kept ignoring it."
"Is that so…" Obito nodded faintly. "Then do we have more detailed information on him?"
"He's highly proficient in the Flying Thunder God Technique, and his chakra reserves are immense," White Zetsu replied after a moment of thought. "And… he was once your classmate."
"…My classmate?"
Obito frowned, the word clearly catching him off guard.
He couldn't recall anyone from his class who could have reached such a level. Strength like that wasn't something just anyone could achieve.
Back in their academy days, the most talented among them had been Kakashi—the earliest to graduate, the one who had always stood ahead of the rest.
After that, many of their classmates had left the academy for the battlefield for various reasons. As for what became of them… Obito didn't know.
But if he had to guess, their fates likely hadn't been kind.
And now, out of nowhere, someone like this had appeared—someone he barely even remembered.
There was no way he wouldn't find that strange.
"His real name is Natsuhiko," White Zetsu said, as if anticipating his confusion, offering the answer without delay.
"Natsuhiko…?"
Obito repeated the name under his breath, quickly searching through his memories.
Something about it felt familiar—like a fragment of the past just out of reach. But too much time had passed, and he couldn't be certain.
Frowning slightly, he finally spoke again.
"I don't remember too clearly… but I think there really was someone like that in our class. Wait... wasn't he the one who sat next to Uchiha Sora?"
"That's right, it's him. Obito, you were actually on pretty good terms with him back then," White Zetsu's strange voice echoed again. "And from what we've gathered, he doesn't seem to be a civilian shinobi either."
"I see… so it really is you—Fukami Natsuhiko."
The fragmented memories in Obito's mind gradually became clearer, until he was finally certain of who this "Natsuhiko" truly was.
Back then, Fukami Natsuhiko had been one of the few people he got along with at the academy—a friend, if not a particularly close one, then at least someone he could talk to with ease.
But that friendship hadn't lasted long. Around the age of eight, Natsuhiko had left the academy, disappearing without much explanation. Obito never knew where he had gone, only that he had become increasingly busy afterward, and their meetings grew fewer and fewer.
The only other thing he clearly remembered was that Natsuhiko's seatmate had been the granddaughter of an Uchiha elder.
"So you've reached this level now…" Obito murmured, rising slowly to his feet. "Looks like you chose to join the ANBU back then."
He lifted his head, his gaze stretching into the distance, as if it could pierce through space itself and fall upon Konoha.
"Natsuhiko, was it…? I wonder how strong you've become after all these years. You're no longer the person you used to be… and neither am I."
—
Elsewhere, Minato Namikaze looked at the report in his hands, a faint smile appearing on his face.
He was in an unusually good mood.
Part of it was because his child was about to be born—the crystallization of his love with Kushina Uzumaki. It was only natural that such news would fill him with joy.
But there was another reason as well.
Danzo had lost control of the Root.
This was something Minato had only learned after the fact. Even he hadn't expected that his last meeting with Danzo—interrupted by the Third Hokage—would lead to such a development.
In truth, Minato had long wanted to take action against Root. But he had exercised restraint, never daring to interfere recklessly.
Danzo was an entrenched force within Konoha, shielded by the authority of the Third Hokage. Over the years, his influence had grown so deeply rooted that even with Hiruzen Sarutobi still in power, he could only be limited in certain aspects—not removed entirely.
Minato had only just become Hokage. There was no need to provoke such a dangerous opponent too hastily.
Yet while Hiruzen might have tolerated Danzo to a degree, that didn't mean he would allow everything. This time, it was clear—the Third Hokage had made his move.
"It seems Danzo truly angered the Third… otherwise, he wouldn't have gone this far."
Outside, autumn had settled in. Inside the Hokage's office, Minato set the report aside, the satisfaction he felt tempered by caution.
Hiruzen's decision to stand on his side this time had been made purely for the sake of Konoha's interests.
That much, Minato understood clearly.
The tension between him and Hiruzen was not a simple matter of personal conflict—it was a clash of differing visions for Konoha's future.
When it came to safeguarding the village, they could stand united without hesitation. But beyond that—on matters such as the handling of powerful clans, the redistribution of influence among departments, and the path Konoha should take moving forward—their differences were difficult to reconcile.
Take personnel restructuring, for instance—there were many areas where Minato simply couldn't act freely.
And when it came to the Uchiha clan… compromise was even less likely.
With a quiet sigh, Minato picked up another document and examined it carefully. It was a case submitted by the Konoha Military Police Force, involving a dispute between a member of the Uchiha clan and another shinobi from the village.
As he read through the judgment proposed by the police force, his brows drew together slightly.
This report was just one selected from several submitted by the Uchiha. He had already heard about the incident—it wasn't particularly serious, but the Uchiha party had clearly been at fault.
And yet, in this document, all responsibility had been shifted onto the other party. The police had sentenced that shinobi to six months of imprisonment—and now, it awaited Minato's approval as Hokage.
Minato fell silent.
Of course, he was well aware of the many problems within the Uchiha clan, and he understood perfectly why this report had been submitted in the first place.
If it had been the old him, he would have rejected it outright. Not only that, he would have summoned the Uchiha involved and reprimanded them harshly. He would have also demanded all related reports be handed over, organizing them together to thoroughly examine the clan's actual situation.
But after nearly a year as Hokage, Minato had come to realize that Konoha was not quite the same as he had once believed.
There were things hidden in the shadows—things he had never encountered, even during his years carrying out missions. He now understood the delicate balance between the major clans and the Hokage, the compromises and conflicts among the higher-ups… all of it was real.
And the Uchiha clan was a hurdle no Hokage had ever been able to bypass. Not even the First or Second Hokage had managed to resolve the issue completely.
It was his dream to change that.
Even if he knew just how difficult it would be, it was something he had to do.
Fortunately, Natsuhiko has already provided information about the internal discord within the Uchiha… and even that "dog-eat-dog" plan involving the Third Hokage…
He remained deep in thought for a full ten minutes before finally letting out a quiet sigh. Then, with a steady hand, Minato Namikaze wrote one simple word across the report—
Approved.
This time, he had no choice but to agree. The arrogance displayed by certain members of the Uchiha clan had already begun to wear on his patience.
He didn't like the so-called "dog-eat-dog" plan, but he also understood that unless something changed, it might be the only way to bring the Uchiha under control.
Lifting his head, he gazed out the window. The sky outside was a clear, brilliant blue—but inside, he felt nothing but quiet resignation.
And he knew that this feeling would linger for a long time… at least until he truly became a Hokage worthy of the title.
Drawing his gaze back, Minato resumed his work, processing one document after another. Gradually, as the rhythm of his duties took over, his emotions began to settle.
Time passed quickly. The sky darkened without him noticing, and after finishing yet another report, he neatly stacked the documents together, preparing to hand them off to his assistant later.
Glancing at the time, he stood and left the Hokage Building. Under normal circumstances, he would have continued working late into the night—but not now.
Kushina's due date was approaching.
He needed to spend more time with her.
At the thought, a warm smile unconsciously spread across his face.
In just one month, their child would be born. Every time he thought about it, a quiet sense of happiness welled up from deep within his heart.
And beyond that… there was something else.
"Jiraiya-sensei is leaving…"
Jiraiya had already been back in Konoha for a month. His return had been incredibly discreet—so much so that even Hiruzen Sarutobi was unaware that his former student had come back.
Jiraiya had only met with Minato and Kushina Uzumaki, which meant that even now, only the two of them knew about his presence.
And now, he was leaving again.
Officially, it was said that he was departing in search of inspiration. But Minato knew the truth—his teacher was chasing his own dream… and perhaps, he simply didn't like the current atmosphere within Konoha.
Minato sighed softly. These were matters he couldn't truly judge. All he could do was handle what lay within his own responsibilities.
I should head back… have one last meal with Jiraiya-sensei before he leaves.
With that thought, Minato rose to his feet—and in the next instant, his figure vanished from the Hokage's office.
—
It was mid-autumn, October.
Nearly a year had passed since Minato had taken up the mantle of Hokage, yet today, sitting at his desk, he found it unusually difficult to focus.
His thoughts hadn't been entirely on Konoha's affairs lately. The reason was simple—
Kushina's due date had arrived.
But the moment Natsuhiko and the others entered the Hokage's office one after another, Minato immediately forced his attention back into place.
These ANBU operatives had been personally selected by the Third Hokage to serve as his protection detail. Most of them were unfamiliar faces to him.
Among them, there was only one person he had specifically requested—
Natsuhiko.
For Minato, that was already more than enough.
In truth, having more ANBU at his disposal wouldn't make much difference. His own strength alone was enough to resolve most threats, and he had never been the kind of person who would waste the village's resources on personal matters.
But he also understood that Kushina was not only his wife—she was something far more important.
She was the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki.
Because of that, he could not afford even the slightest carelessness.
Bringing Natsuhiko into this operation alone was enough to put his mind at ease. After all, Natsuhiko's strength was extraordinary—so much so that, in Minato's eyes, he might not even be inferior to himself.
"This mission… I believe all of you already understand its importance."
Minato Namikaze spoke in a steady, solemn voice as he looked at the assembled ANBU.
"Kushina is not only my wife—she is also Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki. I will not tolerate any accidents. This operation is in your hands. Stay focused and eliminate every possible threat. Understood?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" the shinobi responded in unison.
Minato gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze toward the side, where Hiruzen Sarutobi and his wife, Biwako, stood.
For this mission, aside from the ANBU, Biwako would also assist with Kushina's delivery.
She was experienced, after all.
And as the wife of the Third Hokage, she had long studied the necessary knowledge for situations like this. More importantly, they all understood a crucial fact—
When a jinchūriki gives birth, the seal binding the tailed beast weakens to its most fragile state.
If anything went wrong, the Nine-Tails could break free.
And if that happened, the consequences would be catastrophic.
Because of this, Minato could not afford even the slightest oversight. Some responsibilities had to be entrusted to them.
"Third Hokage-sama, Lady Biwako… I'll be relying on you this time."
Minato bowed slightly, his tone sincere.
"Rest assured, Fourth Hokage-sama. We won't let anything happen to Kushina," Biwako replied calmly, her expression gentle yet firm.
Hiruzen simply nodded, his demeanor composed.
The importance of this mission could not be overstated. No matter how many disagreements he had with Minato, he would never allow harm to come to the village.
Their differences—his dissatisfaction with Minato's methods, the friction between them—those were internal matters, things that could be argued over later.
But when it came to the greater good of Konoha, there was no room for compromise.
If anyone threatened that stability—even someone like Danzo—he would not hesitate to act.
Kushina's delivery was, without question, the greatest challenge Konoha currently faced. He would do everything in his power to ensure that nothing went wrong.
And, to put Minato at ease, he would refrain from making any political moves within the village during this time.
It was an unspoken understanding between Hokage.
They might compete, might clash in ideals—but they both knew when to fight, and when to stand together.
"Don't worry," Hiruzen said slowly. "While you're away, I'll handle everything. I won't leave you with any trouble. You have my word."
Minato understood the meaning behind those words immediately.
It was a promise—that he could focus entirely on Kushina without any concerns.
He nodded, then gave a light wave of his hand. In an instant, Natsuhiko and the other ANBU vanished from the office, while Minato and Hiruzen departed together.
Not long after, they arrived at Minato's home.
At the entrance, Kushina Uzumaki was already waiting, supported by a woman at her side.
"Kushina… although I've said this many times before, I must repeat it again today."
Hiruzen's tone was unusually serious as he looked at her. This was not a moment for softness.
"When the child is born, the seal of the Nine-Tails will be at its weakest. This has happened before—with your predecessor, Lady Mito Uzumaki."
He paused slightly, his gaze steady.
"At that time, the seal nearly collapsed. It came dangerously close to becoming a disaster."
"Therefore, to prevent any accidents during the delivery, you must give birth within a barrier set up far away from the village."
Kushina Uzumaki nodded seriously. She had known this for a long time and had already prepared herself mentally.
As a member of the Uzumaki clan, she understood many things others did not. Because of that, she was fully aware of just how dangerous and complicated this situation would be.
"Don't worry," Minato Namikaze said gently, noticing the subtle shift in her emotions. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his voice softening. "I'll be right there with you when the time comes."
Kushina glanced at him, her cheeks faintly flushing as she gave a small nod.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, as if deliberately ignoring the moment between them, continued calmly, "Minato will arrange the ANBU himself. They are all elite shinobi and capable of handling most threats. The key is secrecy—so long as the child is born safely, everything will settle."
"Please rest assured, Third Hokage-sama. I know what to do," Minato replied firmly, offering a respectful nod.
Hiruzen returned the gesture before glancing up at the sky. "That's enough for now. Kushina, Minato… it's time. Prepare to depart."
The two exchanged a look and nodded before setting off together toward the outskirts of the village.
In Kushina's current condition, using the Flying Thunder God Technique was far too risky. Otherwise, Minato would have taken her there in an instant.
For the sake of their child, he couldn't afford even the slightest gamble.
—
At the same time, deep within an underground cave somewhere in the Land of Fire, space itself rippled faintly as Obito Uchiha emerged.
"White Zetsu," he called out the moment he appeared. "What's the situation in Konoha now?"
"They've already set out," White Zetsu replied as he slowly rose from the ground, his voice carrying its usual eerie tone. "But I can tell their defenses are quite strong."
He paused for a moment before asking, "Are you sure you want to do this? After all, the Rinnegan is in the Land of Rain, and they've already joined us. Aren't you planning to involve them?"
"Hmph. There's no need."
Obito shook his head without hesitation, his gaze drifting toward the cave entrance. Outside, the moonlight spilled down in a pale, luminous glow, almost serene in its beauty.
"They're not ready yet. And besides… we need to demonstrate our strength."
His voice lowered slightly, carrying a hint of cold intent.
"He doesn't truly trust us—not really. So we'll start with the strongest of the tailed beasts… the Nine-Tails. Let him see for himself."
As he spoke, Obito turned his head slightly, glancing back at White Zetsu. Within the hollow of his mask, the three tomoe of his Sharingan spun slowly, eerie and ghostlike in the dim light.
...
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