Extra: The Fifth Hokage Selection Battle! (1)
Konoha Year 70.
"Big bro! Wake up and eat breakfast! I've called you so many times already!"
Bang!
Naruto's bedroom door was kicked open violently by Namikaze Karin.
But inside the room—there was no one.
Karin hurriedly ran downstairs and asked Kushina, who was busy in the kitchen, "Mom! Big bro's not in his room!"
Kushina tapped her forehead with a finger, then laughed sheepishly. "Ah, that's right. He told me he'd be staying over at the Uchiha compound these days to focus on his training."
"Hmph, seriously... Mom, you're so forgetful! Are you going through menopause?"
"What did you just say?! You brat! Get over here and die!"
——
——
Uchiha compound, grand training field.
Boom!
The lake's surface exploded. Two sturdy figures clashed at speeds beyond visible perception amidst the rising steam.
The fierce exchange continued until dusk, when both figures finally stopped.
"No good, Sasuke. You're already out of breath? Looks like your stamina still isn't up to par."
Now a young adult, Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto while slipping on a short jacket.
"Maybe stop using Sage Mode and the Seventh Gate. If it weren't for the fact that Susanoo makes too much noise, I could've finished you in minutes."
Naruto grinned. "Hey, I didn't even open the Eighth Gate. Show some gratitude."
"Tch. You open that and you die."
"Not me~" Naruto leaned in smugly. "Dad and I reverse-engineered a stronger Yang Seal from the Yin Seal. With all the energy I've stored, using the Eighth Gate would just leave me tired for a while."
Sasuke's expression shifted. He had also trained in the Eight Gates, but had shifted his focus to enhancing his ocular powers—after all, that was the true foundation of the Uchiha.
If Naruto could use the Eighth Gate in Sage Mode...
Then yeah, he was a real obstacle in the battle for Fifth Hokage.
Yes—recently, Namikaze Minato had announced that he would step down as the Fourth Hokage.
To contend for the Fifth Hokage position, a candidate needed at least 100 supporting votes from Konoha ninjas. Then, a combat-based tournament would decide the victor.
In other words, as long as you weren't universally hated, the strongest one would win.
...
It should've been a grand event filled with fierce competition—but in reality, it didn't stir up that much buzz.
Because everyone already knew—there were only a handful of people truly qualified.
Not because Minato had chosen a successor, but because...
The younger generation had basically already conquered the ninja world.
They reminded everyone of that legendary man...
If the era of Uchiha Kagami was a time when one man alone reigned supreme—
Then the current era was when the youth completely overwhelmed the older generations.
...
Uchiha Konohamaru.
Master of all elemental natures, known for learning over a thousand jutsu by his teens!
He had fused lightning release, flame release, lava release, steel release—and awakened the Sharingan…
He was an unprecedented genius with five Kekkei Genkai!
There were even rumors that he was developing a Kekkei Tōta.
Trained as a child under Uchiha Kagami, then studied under Orochimaru in the Land of Wind.
Two years ago, Orochimaru publicly declared that Konohamaru had surpassed him in strength.
...
The Hyuga siblings had also returned from the Moon recently.
Hinata, with her purer Byakugan, awakened the legendary Tenseigan and had already surpassed Neji in power.
Ever since Kagami shattered the Pure Land, allowing all souls to reincarnate freely—
The spiritual energy that was once bound had returned to the Shinobi World, and all ninjas had experienced an increase in power.
Those with Kekkei Genkai, especially from noble clans, felt this most.
...
From the Land of Water came another rising star.
Kimimaro of the Kaguya clan.
After the world-shaking battle years ago, his bloodline disease was miraculously cured, and he grew small horns—similar to Kinkaku and Ginkaku of Kumogakure, showing signs of ancestral regression.
As Mizukage Kakashi's disciple, he not only mastered five elemental releases, but also deeply explored his clan's Shikotsumyaku.
And with Minato's permission, Kakashi taught him the Flying Thunder God technique.
From the Land of Fire came Karin.
This master of sealing arts left Konoha at twelve to travel the world, and in just three years, sealed away every major demon and monster across the continent!
What took the Uzumaki clan an entire generation—she had accomplished alone.
Of course, as one of Kagami's personal disciples... most people found that quite reasonable.
The other two standouts—
Even among this terrifying generation, they stood at the very peak.
Uchiha Sasuke.
Designated heir of the Uchiha by Kagami himself.
Though he hadn't made any notable moves in recent years—
At just fourteen, he had defeated every notable ninja besides Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Shisui.
Even Kimimaro couldn't withstand him for half a day!
Many believed he had already surpassed Minato—he simply chose not to show it out of respect.
Then there was Uzumaki Naruto.
He had even fewer recorded battles, not out of weakness, but because he just wasn't interested in fighting.
Still—
The fact that Sasuke considered him the one true rival made everything clear.
Of course, Naruto disagreed.
He was sure he could beat Sasuke any day of the week—especially since he'd inherited...
The two were neck and neck, the Twin Demigods of the new ninja generation.
As for the title of "God of Shinobi"...
Well, ever since Kagami's existence, no one truly believed anyone else could reach that standard.
Compared to them, even once-brilliant talents like Deidara, Haku, and Mangetsu Hozuki now seemed dim.
And standing atop the current Shinobi World…
Universally acknowledged as the strongest—
The one closest to the realm of gods—
Was Uchiha Shisui.
Head of the Uchiha clan. The first Tsuchikage. The world's strongest genjutsu user. Master of Twin Kamui and the Flying Thunder God…
Too many titles marked his overwhelming strength.
Minato once invited him to be the next Hokage.
Shisui refused.
He had inherited Kagami's philosophy.
Once one attained a certain level of power, one should restrain oneself—become the world's stabilizing force, not a ruler.
He only wished to pursue one thing—
To see his brother again.
——
Hokage's Office.
Minato was working diligently, trying to reduce the burden on his successor.
Kakashi sat on the couch, peeling an orange.
Minato finally had a break and turned to him. "I heard you stepped down as Mizukage too?"
Kakashi lifted his mask and slowly chewed a wedge.
"Yeah. I mean, I was just a temporary fill-in. No need for some fancy election."
Minato chuckled. "Still thinking about what Kagami said? He was just…"
"I know," Kakashi said, turning to look at the sky.
"I know. That guy's always had a sharp tongue—nothing new."
"He left so freely though. Didn't even leave us a single keepsake."
Minato shook his head with a wry smile. "Don't act like Kagami's dead."
"If it's him…"
"I'm sure he's out there, somewhere in a grander world, happily causing trouble."
"Haha… yeah. I can already picture him, picking fights wherever he goes," Kakashi laughed, though his smile held a trace of bitterness.
Kagami…
Where are you now?