Extra Story
The Battle for the 5th Hokage (2)
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The Land of Wind
In a spacious, brightly‑lit laboratory, Orochimaru—white coat, both hands in his pockets—stood by the workbench, staring at the half‑naked boy lying there.
The boy's torso was covered in black curse‑seals and twisted, ink‑black tendrils.
"Konohamaru, are you really going through with this?"
"With your level of eye power you could awaken a normal Mangekyō safely.
"Shisui has Kagami to guard him, Sasuke has that pair of eyes…
"In fact, your sister, Uchiha Izumi, might awaken a Mangekyō herself if you gave her a push. You two could just transplant—no need to take such a risk."
Since Genka's imperfect Mangekyō, several more clan members had awakened the ordinary version. Only then did the Uchiha realise Genka's eyes were normal and that the likes of Kagami, Shisui and Sasuke stood on a level far above.
Konohamaru shook his head on the operating table and smiled.
"Kagami‑sensei is gone.
"Shisui told me the procedure, but he can't help.
"My sister's happy now—I won't force her to awaken, let alone take her eyes.
"I carry the names of Uchiha and Konoha. I am—"
"—Uchiha Konohamaru!"
His Sharingan flared scarlet and instantly swallowed every cursed mark and black tendril on his body like a vortex.
"This is my own choice, and I will succeed. I'll obtain eternal eyes!"
Whoosh!
Crimson flame ignited around Konohamaru, refining his flesh. Everyone near the table took a rapid step back.
Kabuto looked nervously at Orochimaru. He'd trained Konohamaru like a younger brother.
"Orochimaru‑sama, he'll be all right, won't he?"
Gazing at the boy inside the inferno, Orochimaru's golden pupils gleamed with admiration—like a craftsman awaiting the birth of a masterpiece.
"He'll succeed. He carries both the Sarutobi and Uchiha bloodlines."
"Hmph, I don't care whether he succeeds," the small‑eyed middle‑aged man beside them grunted. "You still owe me for this 'Earth Grudge Fear' loan—pay up or else."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course, Kakuzu‑san. I wouldn't dare stiff my most important employee."
"Employee?!" Kakuzu snapped. "We're partners, not subordinates!"
"Yes, yes~"
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The Land of Earth — Iwagakure
The remodeled Iwagakure now sat among gentler peaks—no more rain of falling rocks. Boom! A blinding white slash suddenly struck the village office.
"Hey, Shisui! Watch my Explosive Slash Release—Hyaah!"
BOOM!
Dust cleared; the office was untouched, ripples of a barrier flickering over its walls.
Sliding open a window, Shisui glared at Deidara standing on a clay bird.
"That's just Dust Release in a new shape. Where's the 'slash'? Keep it up and I'll lock you in a genjutsu."
"Idiot Shisui! Believe it or not, I'll—"
Whoosh! Invisible Flying Thunder God Slash shattered the clay bird. Deidara latched onto a railing, dangling.
"Listen, Shisui. I hear Konoha's electing a new Hokage. Aren't you going?"
"I'm not interested."
"People only think I'm strongest because I can call forth that man… but the one I summon has no will of his own."
Deidara shivered—memories of moon‑lit mountain‑cleaving slashes still haunted him. He quickly changed subject. "If you're skipping it, then I'll win first place for sure! I'll change 'Hokage' to 'Tsuchikage'!"
Shisui smiled. "Feel free. Long as you get a hundred Konoha votes."
"Right… uh, I'll rename it 'Explosion‑kage' instead! Bye!"
Clay bird rebuilt, Deidara flew off. Shisui's aide Kurotsuchi stomped over: "That loudmouth will get crushed by those monsters. Iwagaki‑sama, why didn't you stop him?"
Shisui shrugged. "No one dies in the Hokage trials. Besides… he still has to earn a hundred votes."
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The Land of Water — Kirigakure
At the village gate, Sixth Mizukage Terumī Mei saw her party off. She straightened Kaguya Kimimaro's collar like a big sister. "I've secured your Konoha nominations. Just do your best. I don't expect you to win—just come back safe, understand?"
Kimimaro, expressionless, nodded.
Mei turned to Zabuza and Haku: "Kimimaro doesn't talk much—Haku, please look after him."
Haku smiled prettily. "Understood, Mizukage‑sama."
Zabuza grouched, "Hey! I'm the senior here—you should ask me to babysit!"
Mei snorted. "I never asked you along. You invited yourself, remember? With that scary face, just don't terrify the locals."
"WHAT?!"
Haku tugged Zabuza's sleeve. "Please don't get mad, Zabuza‑sama. Kimimaro's already left. We should catch up."
Zabuza shot Mei a death‑glare. "We'll settle this later!"
Mei waved dismissively. She had no intention of talking to that walking attitude problem.
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Konoha — Yūgao's Tavern (Ladies' Night)
The girls had rented out the whole place. Laughter filled the air. Tipsy Karin waved a sake bottle. "Hey, Hinata! How's it going on your side?"
Hinata—now far less shy except around Naruto—looked up from her meat platter, blushing. "Um… um…
"Naruto‑kun said after the Hokage trials… he'd start dating me."
"What?!"
Smack! Karin slammed the table. "You've gotten that far and only now tell me?"
Hinata flushed. "W‑what about you, Karin‑chan? Sasuke‐kun…"
Karin gulped sake, groaning. "Ugh… Auntie Mikoto's already nagging him, and I know he doesn't hate me, but he keeps saying…
'I'd only slow his training down!'"
Tears rolled down her cheeks. "So unfair—it'd slow my training, not his! Like, if I got pregnant or something—aaaah!"
She slapped the bottle down. "I've decided! I'm winning that trial, becoming Hokage, and my first decree will be: Sasuke marries me!"
Hinata smiled wryly yet raised her cup. "Then… let's both do our best."
Karin sniffed and clinked cups with her. "Deal! To victory!"
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