The dust and smoke settled.
The Valley of the End had been turned into a complete mess. Even the statues of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were mostly destroyed.
Uchiha Madara looked at Senju Hashirama's statue and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He had lost miserably at the Valley of the End once again.
During the last battle at the Valley of the End, he relied on Izanagi to resurrect himself.
But in this battle at the Valley of the End, he didn't have Izanagi, and he was already in a state of death to begin with.
After all, Edo Tensei is not a true resurrection.
"Senior Madara." Kitazawa walked up to him. Nagato followed closely behind and looked at him.
"What is your relationship with Hashirama?" Madara's gaze fell on Kitazawa as he asked.
Kitazawa was slightly taken aback. This question was truly difficult to answer.
He knew Uchiha Madara's thoughts; he believed Kitazawa was a ninja of the Senju Clan. But in reality, he wasn't.
However, given his current relationship with Tsunade, there was no problem in saying he was a ninja of the Senju Clan.
"I am of his grandson's generation." Kitazawa thought for a moment before answering.
Tsunade is Senju Hashirama's granddaughter. By saying he was of the grandson's generation, there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.
"I see." Madara did not doubt him and praised, "Being able to fight you makes this trip worthwhile."
"Senior Madara is too kind."
Kitazawa thought to himself that, as expected of Uchiha Madara, he possessed the spirit of a grand hero.
"Nagato, I will tell you the whole story now."
Madara accepted his defeat gracefully and began to speak about the schemes he had orchestrated around Nagato.
Among them, he mentioned Nagato's parents. Although he didn't do it himself, he had placed suggestions on nearby Konoha Jonin to make them kill them.
He even mentioned Yahiko. It was White Zetsu and Black Zetsu who fueled the fire and secretly helped Hanzō, allowing Hanzō to capture Konan and kill Yahiko.
Because if Yahiko hadn't died, Nagato would not have turned to the dark side. And a darkened Nagato was easier to control.
"That's how it happened." After Madara finished, he added, "I've told you what you wanted to know. Release the Edo Tensei."
The Eye of the Moon Plan had failed, and he had lost to Kitazawa. Staying any longer would be humiliating; it was better to return to the Pure Land.
Nagato snapped out of it and released the Edo Tensei.
Madara disappeared.
The Valley of the End became quiet once again.
Nagato stood there blankly.
Even though he had anticipated it, knowing the truth still made him feel distressed. Moreover, he no longer had a way to seek revenge.
After all, Madara was already dead.
"Let's go back." Nagato took a few deep breaths, suppressed the emotions in his heart, and said.
The past is in the past. Now, he should continue moving forward for Yahiko's dream and realize peace in the Ninja World.
Kitazawa nodded.
After going through so much, Nagato could be considered to have grown. From now on, he would completely become a ninja of Konoha Village.
The Flying Thunder God Technique was activated.
Kitazawa and Nagato returned to the Hokage Building.
"Nagato." Kitazawa reminded him, "Send ANBU ninja to notify the Engineering Department to have them repair the Valley of the End."
"Alright." Nagato nodded and walked toward the ANBU base.
Kitazawa withdrew his gaze and walked into the Hokage Building.
"Hokage-sama." Ninjas greeted him along the way.
Only after reaching the Hokage Office did he find some peace and quiet.
But there was no helping it; this was the price of becoming Hokage. Compared to the power gained as Hokage, this small price was insignificant.
"Hokage-sama." Konan walked up to him and said, "Iruka was just here. This is the scroll he left for you."
Kitazawa reached out, slipped his hand under her body-con skirt, gave her black-stockinged thigh a squeeze, and then took the scroll.
The contents of the scroll were simple: a reminder for him to attend the Ninja Academy's opening ceremony tomorrow and give a speech.
Kitazawa rubbed his chin. He didn't particularly like giving speeches, but he definitely had to say a few words at the opening ceremony.
Kitazawa suddenly realized the benefits of the Will of Fire. In this kind of situation, talking about the Will of Fire was undoubtedly the most convenient thing.
Once Kitazawa had some ideas, he took out a blank scroll. He planned to write a draft for the speech.
However, while writing, his brain worked very quickly and needed to be cooled down.
He looked at Konan.
Konan already understood him very well, so she knelt down. Her red lips were as moist as water, complementing her cold expression perfectly.
A new day, September 1st.
The Ninja Academy was unusually lively. It was partly because it was the first day of school, and partly because of Kitazawa.
Many parents knew Kitazawa was coming, so they all stayed to participate in the opening ceremony.
At nine in the morning,
Kitazawa walked onto the stage and began his speech.
Konan stood not far away, quietly watching him.
Kurenai, Kakashi, and the others didn't come; they had their own matters to attend to.
Besides, they were no longer teachers at the Ninja Academy, so there was no need for them to attend the opening ceremony.
Half an hour later, Kitazawa finished his speech and stepped down from the stage.
"Hokage-sama." Konan walked up to him and handed him a bottle of water.
"Thanks." After taking a sip, Kitazawa walked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen, Iruka, and the others.
After chatting with them for a while, he left the Ninja Academy.
After all, he didn't know a single one of the new students.
[Current Mission: Help Uchiha Sasuke unlock Perfect Susanoo.]
[Mission Reward: Amaterasu.]
[Host has completed the mission; reward issued.]
Kitazawa raised an eyebrow.
It seemed Uchiha Sasuke had learned the Yin Release Chakra Mode. Only then would he have enough Chakra to unlock the Perfect Susanoo.
Kitazawa returned to the Hokage Office.
Sitting at the Hokage's desk, he stretched and then began looking through the documents on the desk.
In less than half an hour, he had finished reading them all.
How should he put it? They were all trivial matters.
Whether it was Konoha Village or the Ninja World, it was the same everywhere.
Right now, it was the stage before the storm arrived. The Five Great Ninja Villages were all secretly preparing for the Fourth Great Ninja War, so everything was very quiet.
Kitazawa suddenly thought of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. This was the only unstable factor.
When the Fourth War began, it was possible that the Daimyō of the Land of Fire would worry that Konoha Village couldn't win one against four and would be dragged down.
"Konan, go call Uchiha Itachi here," Kitazawa called out.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Konan changed her clothes and turned to leave.
Not long after, Uchiha Itachi pushed the door open and walked in.
"Itachi." Kitazawa looked at him and asked, "What are your thoughts on the Land of Fire?"
Uchiha Itachi was slightly startled.
He had never thought about this question. But since Kitazawa asked, he had to provide an answer.
"They are the employers of Konoha Village." Uchiha Itachi said after thinking for a moment.
"Calling them employers isn't wrong."
Kitazawa smiled and asked again, "Why should ninjas, who are so powerful, be subject to employers who can't even truss a chicken?"
Itachi was instantly stunned. What did that sentence mean? Did Kitazawa want to break away from the Land of Fire?
"I'm giving you a mission." Kitazawa continued, "Go and control the Daimyō of the Land of Fire."
Itachi's pupils couldn't help but contract.
It wasn't breaking away from the Land of Fire, but controlling the Land of Fire? This was something unprecedented.
Even in the chaotic Sengoku era, it was the daimyō who governed the countries, not the ninjas.
But why did Kitazawa want to do this?
"There are many ninjas who hope for peace in the Ninja World." Kitazawa saw his confusion and asked casually, "But why are there still Ninja World Wars?"
Itachi thought for a moment and then shook his head. He didn't know the answer to this question.
"The cause of Ninja World Wars is not the Ninja Villages, but the nations behind them."
Kitazawa explained, "We are not fighting for the sake of the Ninja Villages."
Itachi was dazed and subconsciously fell into thought.
In other words, only by controlling the Five Great Nations can the Five Great Ninja Villages be made to stop fighting?
To him, this was undoubtedly a very novel perspective.
But he couldn't be blamed. Including Jiraiya and Nagato, everyone was limited by the constraints of the era and wouldn't look toward the Five Great Nations.
"I understand, Hokage-sama." Itachi took a deep breath and said.
"Don't let others notice for the time being." Kitazawa thought for a moment and reminded him.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." After bowing slightly, Uchiha Itachi turned and left.
With his tasks done, Kitazawa began his training in Yin-Yang Release again.
Halfway through September.
The date reached September 15th.
The Hyuga Clan compound.
Hyuga Hiashi, who was usually very calm, appeared anxious. He looked at Hinata and Neji, unable to stop pacing back and forth.
It wasn't until Kitazawa appeared out of thin air that he hurriedly walked forward.
"Hokage-sama!" Hyuga Hiashi immediately greeted him.
Kitazawa nodded and walked in front of Hinata. He reached out and placed his hand on her forehead.
Chakra poured from his palm into her eyes.
"Very successful," Kitazawa said with a smile.
Hyuga Hiashi immediately let out a sigh of relief, then revealed an excited expression. In comparison, Hinata was actually calmer.
Kitazawa reached out and helped her remove the bandages.
Hinata felt the light. She didn't open them immediately; after squinting for a while, she slowly opened them.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata looked at him, her lips subconsciously curling up as joy welled up in her heart.
"Try your Tenseigan." Kitazawa patted her head and reminded her.
Hearing this, Hinata's eyes trembled. Her originally white eyes became brilliant, shining with a purple light.
Kitazawa then helped Neji remove his bandages.
And after he activated the Tenseigan, what appeared was a blue light.
But that was normal. Neji had activated his Tenseigan with the help of Ōtsutsuki Toneri's Chakra.
In the original story, Ōtsutsuki Toneri's Tenseigan was blue. Hinata's eyes were purple because her ocular power came from the large purple Giant Tenseigan.
Kitazawa nodded. This was quite good. One purple, one blue; they could be easily distinguished.
[Current Mission: Help Neji and Hinata unlock the Tenseigan.]
[Mission Reward: Ōtsutsuki Clan bloodline concentration increased by 30%.]
[Host has completed the mission; reward issued.]
Kitazawa looked at the three lines of text before him and casually suppressed the restlessness of the Chakra within his body.
After all, it wouldn't be easy to explain if Hyuga Hiashi and the others noticed it.
"Neji." After observing the two pairs of Tenseigan for a moment, Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but say, "Spar with me right now."
He couldn't wait to find out just how powerful the legendary Tenseigan truly was.
Neji subconsciously looked toward Kitazawa.
"There's no harm in giving it a try." Kitazawa grabbed Hinata's wrist and stepped back.
Neji walked to the center of the courtyard, facing Hyuga Hiashi.
"Be careful, Neji!"
Hyuga Hiashi activated his Byakugan and rushed forward, striking with both palms. His speed was pushed to the limit, leaving afterimages in the air.
But in Neji's eyes, it was very slow. He easily dodged the twin palms and immediately launched a counterattack.
The two began a close-quarters battle using Gentle Fist.
Hyuga Hiashi became increasingly shocked as they fought. Because he was at a disadvantage, one could even say he was being suppressed by Neji.
In terms of Gentle Fist, his proficiency should have been above Neji's. After all, he was decades older.
However, Neji possessed the Tenseigan, which completely outperformed the Byakugan in terms of dynamic vision.
All of his movements were seen through.
"Neji, does the Tenseigan have other abilities?" Hyuga Hiashi pulled back to create distance and asked excitedly.
"Yes." Neji nodded.
After activating the Tenseigan, he received some information.
Chakra Orbs!
Neji raised his hand. A sphere of light flew from his palm toward Hyuga Hiashi.
Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!
Hyuga Hiashi immediately struck out with an invisible wave of air.
But as soon as the air wave touched the orb, it was immediately attracted to it, causing the orb to move even faster.
"What?" Amidst his surprise, Hyuga Hiashi hurriedly dodged.
Just then, Neji's eyes jolted. An invisible gravitational force enveloped Hyuga Hiashi.
His expression changed slightly as his body crashed uncontrollably into the Chakra Orb.
At the critical moment, he immediately used Gentle Fist: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. But the moment his palms struck it, he felt the Chakra within his body draining away.
In his momentary daze, the Chakra Orb pinned him in place.
Seeing this, Neji quickly retracted the Chakra Orb.
"Excellent!" Hyuga Hiashi couldn't help but praise, "As expected of the Tenseigan!"
Having just awakened the Tenseigan, Neji was already able to best him. Once he became familiar with it, he would surely surpass him completely.
The same applied to Hinata.
But Hyuga Hiashi felt very happy. Because the Hyuga Clan finally had two top-tier powerhouses!
Of course, he also knew that all of this was because of Kitazawa.
"Hokage-sama!" Hyuga Hiashi bowed and said, "Thank you for your help to the Hyuga Clan!"
"It's nothing."
Kitazawa shook his head and added, "Neji, Hinata, you two should first familiarize yourselves with the Tenseigan. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."
"Yes, Kitazawa-sensei." Neji and Hinata said in unison.
"I'll be going now. See you next time." Kitazawa smiled and vanished from the spot.
In the Hokage Office.
After Konan saw him, she handed him a document.
Kitazawa opened the file and took a look. Iwagakure had successfully constructed a second Chakra Cannon.
Kitazawa wasn't surprised.
Iwagakure's strength was not inferior to that of the Hidden Cloud Village. It was normal for them to build a Chakra Cannon so quickly.
On the other hand, the progress of the Hidden Mist Village and the Hidden Sand Village was slower.
The former in particular lacked financial resources and was forced to borrow money from Iwagakure and the Hidden Cloud Village.
Kitazawa put down the document and patted the Hokage's desk.
Konan immediately leaned over it.
Her beautiful legs in black silk stood straight, and she tilted her hips upward. Her hip-hugging skirt instantly formed a graceful curve.
Kitazawa reached out and hugged her waist.
To them, this was considered part of their daily routine. After all, at night, Kitazawa belonged to Tsunade and Kurenai.
He could only accompany Konan during the day.
Therefore, when there was no work, the two of them would have their own discussions in the Hokage Office.
---
Time passed slowly.
As September ended, Konoha Village took on the chill of winter, and the temperature dropped considerably.
However, it had no effect on Kitazawa.
Because he had the Yin Seal.
The Yin Seal could regulate the body, including its response to heat and cold. And the Yang Seal he had modified based on the Yin Seal had a similar effect.
When the first snow fell, Konoha Village had entered December.
December was the end of the year. Many people were already preparing for the New Year in advance.
But the liveliest place was the Hyuga Clan. Because December 27th was Hinata's birthday.
Now, Hinata's status was vastly different. As the student of the Sixth Hokage, Kitazawa, her birthday naturally could not be treated casually.
Early morning.
It was still snowing outside the window.
"Wow!" Hyuga Hanabi said with a face full of smiles, "Sister, you're so beautiful!"
Because it was her birthday and the New Year was approaching, Hinata had changed into a white kimono today.
"If Sister had long hair, it would suit this kimono even better." Hyuga Hanabi tilted her head and said.
"Then I'll grow my hair out from now on." Hinata stroked her head and replied gently.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"I'll get it!" Hyuga Hanabi ran to the door and opened it.
When she saw clearly who it was, she immediately showed a surprised expression.
"Kitazawa-sensei!" Hinata hurriedly tidied her kimono, stepped forward, and called out.
"A birthday present for you." Kitazawa took out a gift box and said.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei." Hinata said bashfully, "You didn't have to come here personally."
"It's better to give this gift in person." Kitazawa explained, "It's a pair of Gauntlets I crafted."
Hinata subconsciously opened the gift box. A pair of white Gauntlets lay quietly inside.
"Kitazawa-sensei, you're really amazing!" Hyuga Hanabi exclaimed in admiration.
These Gauntlets looked extraordinary at a glance; she could vaguely sense a dangerous aura from them.
She had been to many ninja tool shops, but it was hard to find a ninja tool more brilliant than this one.
Coupled with the fact that Kitazawa had crafted it himself, his image became even more towering in Hyuga Hanabi's heart.
Though he had already been omnipotent in her eyes before.
In reality, these were Gauntlets created using Yin-Yang Release. Although Hinata mainly used the Moon-Chasing Bow now, she would occasionally use Gentle Fist.
"The next time it's your birthday, I'll give you a pair as well."
Kitazawa raised his hand and pinched Hyuga Hanabi's small face as he spoke.
"It's a deal then!" Hyuga Hanabi's eyes lit up as she said, "Kitazawa-sensei, you can't go back on your word!"
"I am the Hokage; I won't break my promise." Kitazawa tapped her forehead and said.
With his strength, crafting two pairs of Gauntlets using Yin-Yang Release wouldn't be a burden at all.
"Thank you, Kitazawa-sensei!" Hyuga Hanabi said happily.
"I won't disturb you any further. I'll come back in the evening." Kitazawa did not linger and turned to leave.
Hinata's birthday banquet was in the evening. There was no need for him to wait here all day.
The sun set in the west.
Kitazawa pushed open the door and entered the Konoha Casino. Even though it was after work hours, the place was still packed with people.
Kitazawa went straight upstairs.
Upstairs, it wasn't as crowded. He scanned the room and soon spotted Tsunade sitting in front of a slot machine.
Kitazawa walked up behind her. He reached out and embraced her soft and full body.
"There are outsiders here!" Tsunade glared at him and said.
"Don't worry, they won't notice us." Kitazawa smiled and replied.
They were already in a remote corner, and he had casually set up a barrier.
"Don't make trouble!" Tsunade grunted.
Kitazawa's hands were already helping her clothes relieve some pressure.
"Tsunade-sensei." Kitazawa, feeling the weight in his palms, reminded her, "We still have to attend Hinata's birthday banquet tonight."
"Isn't it still light out?" Tsunade curled her lip and said, "I'll play for another hour."
"Then I'll play for an hour too," Kitazawa said with a straight face.
"..." Tsunade couldn't help but grab his wrist. If this continued, she certainly wouldn't be able to keep playing the slot machine.
"To the Hyuga Clan!" Tsunade stood up and stepped on his foot as she spoke.
Kitazawa smiled, not minding it. He followed Tsunade out of the Konoha Casino.
Many guests had already arrived at the Hyuga Clan estate. After all, Hinata was no longer who she used to be.
Moreover, many people knew Kitazawa was coming, so they all rushed to attend Hinata's birthday banquet.
Hyuga Hiashi turned no one away. Because the weakest guests attending were Special Jonin.
The Jonin came one after another to express their goodwill, which was undoubtedly a good thing for the Hyuga Clan.
Just as Kitazawa and Tsunade reached the entrance, Hyuga Hiashi was already standing there to greet them.
After some pleasantries, they entered the courtyard.
"Over here!" Kurenai saw them and waved.
Kitazawa and Tsunade walked over.
Besides Kurenai, Shizune, Asuma Sarutobi, Kakashi Hatake, and others were also there.
Kitazawa looked around. He soon saw Neji, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto, Konohamaru Sarutobi, and the others nearby.
"You're the Hokage; it's more appropriate for you to sit at the head table." Tsunade reminded him.
The head table she referred to was the one with Uchiha Fugaku and the other clan heads.
"I am the Hokage; I can sit anywhere," Kitazawa said dismissively.
"Then suit yourself." Tsunade wasn't one for formalities either. She didn't press further and casually picked up the wine on the table to sniff it.
Tsunade's eyes lit up, and she nodded in satisfaction. This wine was quite good.
"Lady Tsunade." Seeing this, Shizune subconsciously said, "Drink a little less."
"It's none of your business." Tsunade bumped against Kitazawa and said, "If I get drunk, he'll take me back."
"..." Shizune was left speechless.
Not long after, Hinata's birthday banquet officially began.
And Tsunade drank to her heart's content and was carried back by Kitazawa.
A new day marked the start of the New Year holiday.
Kitazawa's New Year plan was simple: to spend a few days having fun with Tsunade, Kurenai, Konan, and the others.
But unfortunately, the plan was disrupted on the second day.
Kumogakure, Sunagakure, the Hidden Mist, and Iwagakure jointly issued a public notice demanding the Tailed Beasts.
If Konoha Village did not comply, they would directly initiate the Fourth Great Ninja War.