After thinking for a moment, Yamato from the other timeline first glanced at Guy, then stepped forward and took responsibility for the introductions.
"Greetings, Danzō-sama. We come from Konoha in another timeline."
"More than sixty years have passed since the First Hokage founded the village. The current Hokage is Tsunade-sama. Our mission here was to pursue Mukade, a rogue shinobi from Sunagakure, and stop him from using the Dragon Vein to overturn the shinobi world..."
Yamato hesitated, then looked toward Hizashi.
"You already killed him just now..."
Danzō and Hizashi frowned at the same time.
Mukade...
And he was from Sunagakure...
Who the hell was this guy?
They had never even heard of him!
Since when could some random nobody crawl out of nowhere and start boasting about overturning the shinobi world?
What Danzō and Hizashi didn't know was that people like this were actually quite common under normal circumstances. There was Mōryō from the Land of Demons, the Box of Ultimate Bliss in Kusagakure, Mukade from Sunagakure...
But in their shinobi world, Hiruzen's iron fist of the Will of Fire was simply too powerful. No matter how ambitious someone might be, most of them knew better than to cause trouble openly.
Getting punched by the Will of Fire really hurt!
That was one of the few things the entire shinobi world could agree on.
"My name is Yamato. I'm a Konoha jōnin, and I was once a member of Root as well..."
Yamato cleared his throat and began introducing everyone in turn.
"This is Might Guy, Lee, and Tenten. And these are Neji, Naruto, Sai, and Sakura..."
"They are respectively..."
After Yamato finished the introductions, Danzō and Hizashi slowly nodded.
Not bad...
Most of it matched up!
"Give me a moment. I'll make a call and ask..." Danzō thought for a moment before taking out the ninja tool Hiruzen had named a "cell phone."
It was one of the most important products of Konoha's push toward information technology and its expansion throughout the shinobi world. Over the past six months or so, it had been developed by Orochimaru, Tobirama, Tomie, Hiruko, and the other leading researchers of the Research Department.
Most of the necessary technology had already existed. There were simply a few remaining technical hurdles to overcome. Tomie's Mangekyō only needed to flash a few times, and once everyone took responsibility for a different part of the project, the whole thing came together with ease.
Yamato and the others watched in confusion, but none of them dared to ask.
"Hello, Danzō here..."
"Sasori, do you have a shinobi named Mukade over there?"
"Nothing serious. A few visitors came to Rōran here, and they're interested in him..."
Danzō said cheerfully, "If it's convenient, send me his file so I can take a look..."
"All right. Next time Konoha develops more puppet technology, we'll bring you in. Talk later."
Danzō ended the call.
In Konoha today, almost every shinobi had a cell phone, while a platform resembling the "internet" and compatible software were also being developed further.
For now, there was already a "Konoha Shinobi Forum."
As for shinobi from other villages, Hiruzen had sent a cell phone to every Kage and village leader, and quite a few jōnin and chūnin from other villages had also become extremely interested in them.
Even though the Tsuchikage and Raikage officially encouraged their people not to buy one.
After all, cell phones required chakra registration and a whole series of real-name verification measures. They would inevitably lead to intelligence leaks while also allowing Konoha's way of life and the Will of Fire to rapidly spread into every corner of the shinobi world...
But there was no stopping it.
Although Uchiha Madara had largely left Iwagakure and Kumogakure to their own devices, the mysterious "Crimson Organization" and the previous generations of Kage from various villages had undeniably appeared in public.
Most shinobi in Iwagakure and Kumogakure already believed that Konoha had effectively gained control over their regions.
There was still some desire to resist, but it was far from determined.
"Here it is. Sasori is pretty efficient. As expected of the Fourth Kazekage..."
Danzō's cell phone chimed.
"Let's see..."
"Sunagakure jōnin and puppeteer. Currently assigned to the puppet automation project jointly operated by the Land of Fire and Land of Wind. Good performance, no record of criminal activity..."
"During the Third Shinobi World War, he also firmly joined the faction that advocated avoiding war."
Danzō slowly read from the phone.
Hizashi gave a slight nod.
"Then there's no problem. Let's just pretend this never happened..."
The same person could turn out very differently depending on the environment in which they grew.
This was something Hiruzen had emphasized in advance after considering the differences that might exist between visitors from alternate timelines.
They should not judge a shinobi from their own timeline unfairly simply because that person's counterpart in another timeline had gone down the wrong path.
That would be unfair.
The Mukade of the other timeline had defected from Sunagakure and become an ambitious rogue shinobi who wanted to devour the Dragon Vein's power.
But in this timeline, because he was a puppeteer, he had served under Sasori and Pakura during the Third Shinobi World War and had never directly fought Konoha.
As a result, after the Third Kazekage was put on trial, Mukade's own abilities earned Sasori's recognition. He currently had a fairly good reputation in both Sunagakure and Konoha and was considered a top technical expert...
He had even married a woman from the Land of Rain and had a son and daughter.
He was a perfectly respectable Sunagakure family man, working under Sasori to advance deeper cooperation between Sunagakure and Konoha.
"That's so convenient!"
"And amazing..."
Naruto stared eagerly at the cell phone in Danzō's hand and couldn't help voicing his admiration.
That thing looked like it'd be a lot of fun!
Danzō paused.
After Yamato's introductions, he already knew the identities of Naruto's group from the other timeline. And although Naruto's forehead protector somewhat obscured his features, one look was enough to tell whose son he was...
'Why does this Naruto seem a little stupid...?'
'It's like he didn't get enough education. What was Minato doing in that other timeline?'
Danzō wondered inwardly.
"It's useful enough. Orochimaru developed this ninja tool, and it certainly is convenient, but something like this can have a major impact on shinobi society and isn't easy to regulate..."
Danzō explained seriously: "Outside forces can disguise themselves as ordinary users and deliberately stir up noise..."
Naruto blinked.
"Ordinary... users? What does that mean?"
Danzō stared at Naruto speechlessly.
"Kid, were your grades at the Academy not very good?"
Naruto lowered his head in embarrassment.
"I almost didn't graduate..."
Danzō nearly laughed out of exasperation, but patiently explained the term to Naruto anyway.
Much like Obito in this timeline, Naruto needed someone to teach him some more formal vocabulary.
The Shinobi Forum enforced a strict real-name policy, and the same applied to cell phone network access.
If any Konoha shinobi—or any shinobi from another village with access to the forum—said something detrimental to Konoha, their identity could be traced with absolute precision.
ANBU and Root would be at their doorstep in no time!
Even so, some Konoha shinobi still managed to come up with posts that left people unsure whether to laugh or cry...
For example:
[Ranking the Shinobi World's Kage from Absolute Beasts to Total Frauds!]
[No Glazing, No Hating: Can the Third Hokage Be Called the GOAT of the Shinobi World?]
[How Should We Evaluate Second Hokage Senju Tobirama's Tenure as Hokage?]
[Just a Neutral Observer, but I Feel Like the Sharingan Is Worse Than the Byakugan. Anyone Else Agree?]
[Would Konoha Have Been Better Off If Uchiha Madara Had Become Hokage?]
Whenever a thread praised Hiruzen, everyone enthusiastically joined in with heartwarming stories about the Hokage, complete with convincing details and evidence.
The Hyūga, the Uchiha, the Ino-Shika-Chō clans, Kirigakure, Amegakure, ordinary villagers...
There were simply too many examples.
But whenever the discussion turned to the Kage of other villages, or a certain Second Hokage, some of the opinions became considerably more controversial. Arguments stretching across thousands of replies were completely normal...
Some people even became so furious that they started arranging to meet offline and "discuss" the matter face-to-face...
Even discussions about Hiruzen could get ridiculous. Some people argued that since Hashirama-sama was technically still half alive, calling the current Hokage the GOAT wasn't appropriate. At most, Hiruzen could be called the second GOAT...
Even Hiruzen himself couldn't keep a straight face when he heard that.
Seriously? They were ranking GOATs now?
As a result, the Shinobi Forum was temporarily offline while it underwent moderation reforms and security upgrades.
Several accounts had been discovered whose origins could not be properly identified. Just as Danzō had said, outside forces had infiltrated the forum to manipulate discussions.
As for exactly who was behind them, a certain Shura of the Shinobi World who had been furiously spamming replies beneath a thread criticizing Tobirama insisted that it had absolutely nothing to do with him.
He had merely wanted to make a few posts, that was all...
"Hiruzen's ideas are always ahead of the rest of the shinobi world..."
"With this forum in place, we'll eventually introduce approved personal channels as well. That will benefit Konoha's overall ninjutsu development and education."
"But proper moderation and oversight have to keep pace with it. Security is also one of our highest priorities..."
Danzō's expression suddenly became serious as he said in a deep voice: "Hizashi, now that we've brought this up, your thinking needs to keep up with the times as well. You need to understand the power of public opinion and learn how to guide it on Konoha's behalf, while establishing a coordinated network of information channels. Understood?"
Hizashi nodded solemnly.
"Yes!"
At that moment, Naruto, Yamato, and the others from the other timeline couldn't help staring blankly.
It wasn't because of how abruptly Danzō had changed demeanor...
Rather, through the details of their conversation, Naruto and the others could sense all kinds of differences between the Konoha governed by Hiruzen and their own village...
It wasn't merely the advanced ninja tools or the strength of individual shinobi. What surprised them most was the overall atmosphere.
Open and inclusive, yet backed by strong and effective oversight, whether it was the flying disc-shaped ninja tools or the arrangements surrounding the Shinobi Forum...
There was a sense of formal institutional organization that Naruto and the others had never experienced before...
Everything operated according to precise procedures and a clear administrative logic.
Compared with the Konoha they came from, Naruto's group couldn't help feeling that perhaps this was what Konoha was supposed to look like...
"Um... was this ninja tool developed by Hokage-sama too?"
Naruto from the other timeline cautiously asked, his eyes gleaming.
"Not exactly. Orochimaru and the shinobi of the Research Department made it..."
Danzō waved his hand.
"But Hiruzen provided the concept and overall framework. You could say each side complemented the other."
Sai stared intently at Danzō.
Wait...
You don't even steal credit anymore?!
And where did you learn all these polished expressions...?
As a Root shinobi, Sai felt an intense curiosity burning inside him. He desperately wanted to know what this timeline's Danzō had done and experienced...
After all, their Danzō was still scheming about becoming the Sixth Hokage!
"Orochimaru..."
The instant he heard Orochimaru's name, Naruto's expression changed almost reflexively, becoming gloomy and wary.
Because that was the man who had taken Sasuke away from him!
And committed unforgivable atrocities...
Danzō and Hizashi both noticed the reaction and almost wanted to laugh.
From their perspective, this alternate Naruto really was an unqualified Academy graduate. His emotions were far too easy to read...
His awareness of secrecy and ability to conceal his thoughts were worse than those of Konoha's genin.
"Why that expression? What did Orochimaru do...?"
Danzō cleared his throat and asked with great interest.
Could it be that he ultimately failed to become Hokage?
That seemed unlikely...
The worst possibility Danzō could imagine was that Orochimaru had retained the personality he'd had ten years ago and failed to govern the village according to the Will of Fire.
"That's..." Yamato looked at Naruto and said sternly, "Naruto! Things are different in their timeline. Don't say things carelessly!"
Only then did Naruto realize what he was doing. He lowered his head and apologized repeatedly.
"Sorry..."
But Danzō and Hizashi became even more interested.
Because it wasn't only Naruto and Yamato who had reacted that way. Every other Konoha shinobi, even Might Guy, wore a grave expression.
Just what the hell had Orochimaru done?
"Relax, relax..."
"Like I said earlier, Hiruzen specifically instructed everyone in Konoha about this. He repeatedly emphasized that parallel timelines can differ greatly, and that those differences are the result of many factors acting together."
"Even if a shinobi did something wrong, it wouldn't solely be that individual's fault. We're us, and you're you. What happened there won't affect how anyone here is treated..."
Of course, that was a lie.
There certainly wouldn't be any major consequences. Every Konoha shinobi had grown up within the village, and whether they were good or bad was something the Will of Fire and their fellow villagers could judge for themselves.
But if someone's alternate self had done something completely absurd, people were definitely going to bring it up every now and then to tease them...
Who wouldn't want to hear an embarrassing story about a friend, especially when it had absolutely no consequences in reality?
Still, judging from the shocked expressions of Naruto's group, Danzō and Hizashi could already guess that Konoha in their timeline probably wasn't doing particularly well...
A sense of superiority inevitably swelled within their chests.
We're both Konoha, so why is ours better in every possible way?
Did you people not work hard enough to follow the Will of Fire?!
"Go ahead and tell us. Everything is open for discussion. There's nothing you can't talk about..."
Danzō looked directly at Naruto and uttered words that made Sai's expression visibly twist.
"Please have faith in our Will of Fire. If there's something we need to correct, we'll correct it; if not, we'll still take it as a warning."
"The more we know about your situation, the better we can improve ourselves. And if there's anything you need on your side, we're all Konoha shinobi, so we'll do our best to help."
Hizashi listened with a smile and sighed inwardly.
'Danzō really has changed since stepping down as advisor... Back when he was still in office, he could barely listen to Hokage-sama's teachings.'
'Yet now he's actually learned some of them. There's even a faint trace of Hokage-sama in the way he carries himself...'
It wasn't merely that Danzō had learned to flexibly apply Hiruzen's words.
Danzō had also realized that the contrast between his old reputation and his current smile made many things much easier for him to accomplish.
For example, he could apologize to help mend some of Konoha's hidden divisions.
An apology from Danzō carried real weight.
Words were valuable, yet at the same time cost nothing.
They required no expenditure of actual resources, yet somehow possessed the power to clear away years of resentment.
Many people had changed their opinion of Danzō. Not only did the former Hokage advisor now constantly wear a smile, he had even once gone running alongside Might Duy while wearing a green bodysuit...
Some older shinobi had even begun to suspect that Danzō was terminally ill with something even Konoha's Research Department couldn't cure.
His behavior simply carried far too much of the feeling of a man suddenly becoming kind when he knew his end was near...
"Then I'll tell you..." Naruto from the other timeline glanced at Yamato.
Yamato nodded helplessly.
Although, truthfully, he was curious as well.
Just what kind of person was Orochimaru in this timeline...?
"Orochimaru became a rogue shinobi!"
"He founded his own hidden village, kidnapped my friend Sasuke, and even joined forces with Sunagakure to launch the Konoha Crush during the joint Chūnin Exams..."
"He killed Grandpa Third!"
Naruto shouted, anger filling his eyes.
The other Konoha shinobi lowered their heads slightly.
But once Naruto finished speaking, Danzō and Hizashi were both left stunned.
Logically speaking, given their relationship with Hiruzen, hearing about the Hokage's death should have enraged them.
But what Naruto had just described was so absurd...
That instead, both of them almost wanted to laugh.
Assuming it was actually true, they couldn't even imagine what kind of expression Orochimaru would make when he heard about it!
Especially the part about killing Hiruzen...
Danzō and Hizashi looked at each other, both seeing the same utter confusion in the other's face.
They weren't trying to flatter Hiruzen...
But the current Orochimaru had merely learned Senjutsu, acquired a small portion of chakra-based Kekkei Genkai, knew some Fūinjutsu, and still devoted most of his energy to research...
Even if Hiruzen stood perfectly still and let Orochimaru unload every technique he had on him, could he actually inflict any meaningful damage?
Don't make your Hokage laugh!
Before the Shinobi Forum went down for maintenance, threads like—
[Is Hokage-sama stronger and tougher than a fully transformed tailed beast? Could he tank a Tailed Beast Ball head-on?]
[Objective Analysis: Could Hokage-sama One Day Reach the Realm of the Sages?]
—didn't even go a month without resurfacing. Someone would usually revive one every three or five days just to farm activity.
"Good! Interesting, very interesting..."
The smile on Danzō's face grew even wider.
"Everyone, come with me. We're going to see Hiruzen! Then we can sit down and slowly compare what happened in our two timelines. Time for a proper reckoning!"
"I'm sure each side has its advantages and disadvantages. Since you're already here, don't rush to leave. Your mission is complete for now anyway."
Yamato from the other timeline swallowed and nodded.
What he really wanted to say was...
Danzō-sama, maybe you shouldn't start smiling just yet!
If the Hokage who had apparently turned Konoha into such an impressive village was going to be there in person, then Yamato was willing to say absolutely anything.
After all, Danzō had just said everything was open for discussion...
You once ordered me to assassinate the Third Hokage too...
And Orochimaru and Danzō were clearly not the only ones with dirty laundry.
The consequences of this great reckoning would extend far beyond them.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the shinobi world...
Another reckoning seemed about to begin.
Madara glanced at the Shinobi Forum, which had yet to reopen, then shook his head.
For a lonely old man like him, the arrival of cell phones and the shinobi network had made Madara considerably more cheerful.
There was something wonderful about putting on a mask and saying whatever he wanted online...
He didn't have to worry about maintaining the dignity of the Shura of the Shinobi World. He could simply unleash everything he had against Senju Tobirama!
Whenever Tobirama came up, Madara never ran out of things to say.
The Great Clan Head of the Uchiha was actually a well-read man. His problem was that he loved going to extremes, which sometimes made his reasoning worse than that of an ordinary shinobi...
Once you started down the wrong path, the faster you moved, the farther you strayed from your true destination.
"It's time to revive Izuna..."
"With my guidance, Seisui successfully figured out how to unseal the Box of Ultimate Bliss. The last time he went out on a mission, Hi-kun told me that the reaction from Izuna's chakra inside him had been getting weaker and weaker..."
"It hasn't appeared at all for two months."
Madara walked toward the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Within the lotus held in the monster's hands lay the new body he had spent so long strengthening and nurturing for Izuna.
Madara believed that through the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he had transferred part of both the statue's power and his own power that gave rise to all things into Izuna.
In reality, however, he had been siphoning power from Isshiki...
Isshiki naturally couldn't object.
He was afraid of exposing himself...
So Madara had used it without the slightest hesitation. He even believed that his own source had truly been restored, since he could rapidly recover even after transferring a portion of his power to Izuna...
Driven by Madara's love for Izuna, this act had objectively slowed Isshiki's erosion of him.
"Come back to life..."
"My Izuna!"
Madara brought his hands together. Using the vitality of a White Zetsu as the medium, he called out to Izuna's soul, and white smoke began rising from the body.
But what he hadn't expected was...
Before Izuna had even opened his eyes, an enraged roar erupted from within the lotus.
"SEN! JU! TO! BI! RA!"
"How dare you show your face to me again?! You even had the nerve to use Impure World Reincarnation on me!"
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