"Then let's go."
Uchiha Ren agreed without hesitation.
After all, he had spent so long training Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade for this very purpose—to reach Mount Myoboku and learn Sage Mode.
Fukasaku and Shima were momentarily stunned by how readily he accepted, but quickly recovered, delighted. They immediately used Reverse Summoning.
In the next moment, Ren arrived at Mount Myoboku.
Soon, he met the Great Toad Sage, who—after being awakened—recounted fragments of his prophetic dream.
"Towering wooden constructs… two colossal Asura-like figures… an enemy from beyond the heavens…"
Ren listened carefully.
The wooden construct likely referred to Senju Hashirama.
The Asura-like giants—Susanoo.
One would certainly be his.
But the other?
"…Madara?"
And the enemy from beyond the sky—
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?
Or something even further ahead?
Ren felt a headache coming on. The prophecy was vague, but the Great Toad Sage's visions had proven accurate before.
Rather than dwell on it, Ren went straight to the point.
"Great Toad Sage, I came to learn Sage Mode. If the future truly holds such a battle, I need more power."
"…Oh. Sage power, huh."
The Great Toad Sage yawned.
"Fukasaku will guide you…"
Before he finished, he had already fallen back asleep.
Fukasaku and Shima didn't seem surprised at all. They led Ren away.
"Lord Hokage, why not stay for lunch first?" Fukasaku suggested. "Training Sage Mode consumes a lot of energy—and it won't be mastered quickly."
"I'm not—"
Ren tried to refuse.
"Don't be shy!"
Before he could finish, Shima dragged him away.
"Our hospitality is unmatched! I'll prepare something fresh—big, tender insects!"
"…Wait. I'm really not hungry—!"
It was useless.
Ren was dragged into a simple stone house.
Soon, plates were placed before him.
Wriggling.
Colorful.
Alive.
"…Why are they still moving?"
"Because they're freshest this way!" Fukasaku said cheerfully, grabbing one and biting it in half. Juice splattered across his claws as the remaining half continued wriggling.
"Here. Try one."
Ren stared at the plate.
His stomach churned.
Fried insects? Sure.
With seasoning?
Even better.
But this?
"…Can you fry them?"
"With… spices?"
"…Humans are strange."
Still, Shima took a plate away.
Soon, a fried version returned—crispy, lightly spiced.
Ren hesitated, then took a bite.
"…Huh."
"Not bad."
—
After lunch, Fukasaku brought him to a spring filled with toad oil.
Training began.
Through repeated strikes and forced focus, Ren gradually sensed something faint—
Natural energy.
Just a trace.
"…So I do have some talent."
But not much.
Reaching Hashirama's level?
Unlikely.
"…No more slacking."
His schedule tightened immediately.
Mornings—handle Konoha affairs.
Afternoons—train at Mount Myoboku.
Evenings—check on experiments with Senju Tobirama.
The lab had already made significant progress.
The electric tricycle had been improved—now even powered by chakra.
Mass production was within reach.
And more importantly—
Penicillin.
A miracle.
Its value rivaled gold.
Meanwhile, the Hashirama Cells experiment was nearing completion.
Uchiha subjects who received injections showed remarkable results—enhanced physique, increased chakra, rapid regeneration.
Some could even use Wood Release.
Though not at Hashirama's level—
Still formidable.
Tobirama's expression had darkened noticeably.
His brother's power—
Now in Uchiha hands.
—
Everything was progressing smoothly.
Konoha thrived.
Even the concern about Uchiha Madara had faded.
Perhaps he had already left.
—
"Hokage-sama!"
The office door burst open.
Nara Shikaku entered hurriedly.
"The Uzumaki Clan will arrive today!"
"…What? I thought three days."
"Strong winds. Their ship sped up."
Ren stood.
"Prepare the reception."
"I'll attend briefly."
—
Soon—
A grand welcome ceremony unfolded.
Members of the Uzumaki Clan looked around in awe.
"So big…"
"So prosperous…"
"This is Konoha?"
Their eyes shone with excitement.
Ren stepped forward.
"Welcome to Konoha."
"You are the finest of your clan. Here, you will grow, learn, and strengthen the bond between Konoha and the Uzumaki."
Then he stepped aside.
"Lady Mito Uzumaki will say a few words."
Mito stepped forward.
But before her words could settle—
Ren made his move.
"Monthly allowance."
"Step forward and collect."
Then—
He brought out piles of cash.
Stacked high.
The visual impact was overwhelming.
"LONG LIVE THE HOKAGE!"
"KONOHA FOREVER!"
The young Uzumaki immediately swarmed toward him.
Mito's expression darkened.
No one gathered around her.
…Seriously?
So what if you're rich?!
She shot Ren a glare.
But the cheers—
Only grew louder.
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