Looking at the summoning space before him, Ito Hirofumi suddenly felt something was off.
Was this really his summoning space?!
Why did it feel like some kind of bizarre, indescribable hangout spot…
Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju were practically glued together.
Izuna Uchiha and Tobirama Senju were butting heads like always…
Butsuma Senju and Tajima Uchiha were passionately yelling at each other!
Might Dai, for some reason, had latched onto Sakumo Hatake.
Mito Uzumaki was chatting away with Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha about family matters…
The Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Uchiha Fugaku were working on a new ninjutsu—a Susanoo Flying Thunder God Slash that Ito Hirofumi had suggested earlier!
Tenji Hyuga was over there watching Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju skip stones…
Orochimaru was curiously poking around, clearly itching to study the summoning space in detail.
And Uchiha Shisui? He was off to the side, carving the Will of Fire into a rock.
Why did it suddenly feel like the vibe of his summoning space was about to get really weird in the future?!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Fugaku appeared in front of Ito Hirofumi.
"Hirofumi! Me and your Uncle Fugaku are planning to check on Naruto and Sasuke tomorrow. Is that okay? Since Kushina and Mikoto are back now, they're both pretty eager to see them!" Minato said.
Hearing this, Ito Hirofumi nodded.
"No problem at all! After the class assignments are done tomorrow, I'll make sure to set up a time for you all to meet!"
"Thanks, Hirofumi!" Minato said, and Uchiha Fugaku nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, thanks for the trouble, Hirofumi!"
"Come on, Uncle Minato, Uncle Fugaku, no need to be so formal. Naruto and Sasuke are like my brothers—family, you know!"
Minato and Fugaku's faces lit up with even bigger smiles. Having a brother like Ito Hirofumi for their sons? That was a blessing earned over eight lifetimes!
But then, Minato's expression grew serious.
"Hirofumi!"
"What's up, Uncle Minato?"
"Well… there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about. You shared your thoughts and future goals with us today, and I know what you're aiming for.
You want to take control of the Leaf Village, become Hokage, and use the village as a foundation to unify the ninja world, right?"
Ito Hirofumi looked a bit puzzled.
"Yeah, that's the plan. Is something wrong, Uncle Minato?"
Minato continued, "Nah, it's not a big deal. You don't have to treat me like the Fourth Hokage right now—just as your best friend's dad!
Since you young folks have such big dreams, I'll definitely do what I can to help. After all, the kindness you've shown our family is more than we can ever repay…"
After Minato spoke, Uchiha Fugaku quickly nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, Hirofumi! I'll support you too!!"
Hearing this from Minato and Fugaku warmed Ito Hirofumi's heart. Sure, he'd summoned and revived these people, but they all had their own minds and wills—they didn't just blindly follow his orders.
Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju had already taken him on as their student. In a way, he'd inherited their ideals, meaning it was his duty to finish what they couldn't: bringing true peace to the ninja world!
Even Izuna Uchiha had shown him some goodwill…
After all, Izuna was a total brother-con. As long as Madara was on his side, Izuna would unwaveringly back him too!
As for the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, well, that guy was a bit of a wild card. He always seemed to think Ito was some ambitious schemer, though he still put in real effort when it came to training the Leaf's young ninja.
As for the others… Ito Hirofumi wasn't entirely sure if they'd help him unify the ninja world.
Just as he was lost in thought, Minato spoke up again.
"Hirofumi, there's something else I've noticed after observing things for a while…
The Third Hokage has changed. Back in his youth, he was outstanding. When the Leaf Village faced a massive crisis, it was the Third who stepped up and saved the day!
But now, he's not the hero he once was. He's become an old man clinging to power, hesitant and indecisive…
I know you're set on taking control of the Leaf Village someday, but I hope you can do it in a way that's… a bit more peaceful."
Ito Hirofumi was a bit confused. Was Minato trying to plead on behalf of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen?
As if reading his mind, Minato clarified.
"Hirofumi, to achieve your dreams, the people you've summoned are a huge asset. Both the First and Second Hokages care deeply about the Leaf Village!
And don't forget, the Third Hokage is the Second's disciple. If you go about seizing power in a way that's too bloody or causes problems, it's hard to say whether these predecessors might start having second thoughts about you."
Now Ito Hirofumi understood. Minato was saying all this for his own good.
The First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, valued the Leaf Village more than his own life. The Second, Tobirama Senju, already saw him as an ambitious schemer…
If he caused a lot of bloodshed while taking control of the village, those two might not support him in the future!
But to Ito, this wasn't really a big deal. After all, even if Sarutobi Hiruzen died, he could just revive him—and in his youthful, peak condition, no less.
Sometimes, Ito Hirofumi wondered…
If Sarutobi Hiruzen knew about this, would he off himself just to get revived in his prime?!
Who wouldn't want to be back at their peak, after all?
And honestly, he was kind of curious to see what the young, heroic Third Hokage was like…
But the Leaf Village now felt almost unrecognizable. The original storyline from the manga had been completely derailed. Even Orochimaru was here now—would Sarutobi Hiruzen still die?
Even Ito Hirofumi, someone who'd read the original story, had no idea what direction the Leaf Village would take next…
"Thanks for the heads-up, Uncle Minato! I get it!
But it's still early days. The Twelve Genin aren't ready to stand on their own yet.
And as for Naruto and Sasuke, their futures are going to blow us all away!"