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My Journey as Fourth Kazekage 212
🕑 Added 2025-06-27 16:00:10 +0000 UTCChapter 212: A New Era Arrives
That night, the entire shinobi world saw the light that lit up the sky and felt the rumbling that shook the earth.
But what exactly had happened—aside from Sunagakure, no one knew.
It wasn’t until three days later that word of the battle that took place that night in Sunagakure finally reached the ears of the heads of the other major hidden villages.
Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
Inside the Hokage’s office.
The atmosphere was extremely heavy at that moment.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, sat solemnly in his seat, puffing on his pipe, clouds of smoke curling in the air.
Beside him stood his advisors: Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Shimura Danzō—all with grave expressions.
Also present were the leading figures of the younger generation: Namikaze Minato and his teacher Jiraiya, along with Orochimaru and the clan heads of Konoha’s major families—including the Uchiha, Hyūga, Akimichi, Nara, Yamanaka, Aburame, Inuzuka, and others.
In short, all of Konoha’s top leadership was present.
Among them, only Orochimaru showed a trace of curiosity, while the others wore solemn expressions.
After an unknown period of silence, Hiruzen tapped his pipe, cleared his throat, and finally spoke in a slow tone.
“You’ve all seen the intelligence report about the incident in Sunagakure three days ago. What are your thoughts?”
Everyone looked around at each other.
Shimura Danzō was the first to speak—not because he lacked patience, but because he simply couldn’t hold it in.
“It seems my original suspicion was correct. This Kazekage from Sunagakure possesses the ability to steal others’ kekkei genkai.”
Everyone was startled at those words, and the Third Hokage immediately frowned and asked,
“You mean to say the Wood Style shown by the Fourth Kazekage isn’t the result of unlocking the cells taken from you—those of the First Hokage?”
It was no secret anymore that the Fourth Kazekage had displayed the power of Wood Style, once unique to the First Hokage, during his battle with the tailed beasts. Especially techniques like the Wood Human Technique and Wood Dragon Technique, which demonstrated the power to suppress tailed beasts—these clearly showed that the Kazekage had acquired a Wood Style comparable to that of Hashirama Senju.
“Yes. Regarding the Fourth Kazekage, both the ANBU and the Foundation have long had intelligence on him. While he may have concealed part of his strength, there’s one thing that’s certain—he absolutely wasn’t this strong before becoming Kazekage. And after his appointment, he took action involving the Dragon Vein in Rōran and the demon spirit Mōryō in the Land of Demons.”
Seeing the confused looks on the others’ faces, Danzō revealed the decisive evidence.
“Of course, our understanding of the Dragon Vein and Mōryō is limited and wasn’t enough to draw any conclusions—until I discovered two key pieces of information.”
“First, the Sand Manipulation Technique and the Magnet Release Sealing Style possessed by this Kazekage—though they originated from the Second Kazekage after his research into Shukaku’s chakra—according to repeated confirmation by our intelligence operatives in Sunagakure, there is only one person in the entire village currently alive who possesses the power of Shukaku: the Fourth Kazekage’s wife. This Fourth Kazekage himself was never involved in any of the Second Kazekage’s research on Shukaku’s chakra.”
Everyone instantly understood what Danzō meant.
“As for the second matter...”
Danzō’s expression turned even darker as he continued.
“When he took my arm, I saw it with my Sharingan—this Fourth Kazekage was actually able to absorb and suppress the chakra within the First Hokage’s cells.”
Danzō didn’t continue, but everyone present understood what he was implying.
The power of the First Hokage’s cells was well-known to almost everyone there. Konoha’s upper echelon had tried countless times to unlock the secrets of Hashirama Senju’s Wood Style power, all to no avail. And now, that very power had ended up in the hands of Sunagakure’s Fourth Kazekage. The conclusion was clear.
At that moment, Koharu Utatane frowned and spoke up, her tone full of discontent.
“Danzō, why didn’t you report this to the village earlier? Do you have some hidden agenda?”
As a fellow disciple of the Second Hokage and a senior elder of Konoha—not to mention a woman—Koharu wasn’t the least bit afraid of Danzō.
“Hmph!”
Danzō snorted coldly.
“At the time, I wasn’t certain. After all, the Kazekage hadn’t yet revealed his Wood Style power. But things are different now.”
“Then what do you think we should do?”
Danzō answered decisively.
“Of course we should spread this information and rally the other shinobi villages to launch a joint attack on Sunagakure. All of you should understand how dangerous this ability is for the entire shinobi world. Who’s to say he won’t eventually turn his sights on us just to obtain other powers?”
As he said this, Danzō turned to look at the heads of the Uchiha and Hyūga clans.
Sure enough, even Fugaku Uchiha—who had always been at odds with Danzō—showed signs of concern.
After all, the Uchiha clan’s Sharingan was one of the most powerful kekkei genkai in the entire shinobi world.
But just then, Minato, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.
“I think everyone might be overlooking something.”
“What is it, Minato?”
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.
Looking around at everyone, Namikaze Minato slowly voiced what was on his mind.
“Even if the four of our villages join forces, can we truly defeat the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure?”
The entire room erupted in an uproar. Danzō immediately sneered.
“Minato, this isn’t the place for nonsense. Has Sunagakure scared you so badly that you’d say something like that? Do you truly believe that one village could stand against the combined might of the Four Great Shinobi Villages? Don’t be ridiculous!”
Minato’s expression remained calm as he replied.
“Danzō-sama, perhaps you didn’t hear me clearly. I said, can we defeat that man—the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure.”
“!!!”
Seeing the confused expressions on everyone’s faces, Minato calmly explained further.
“You’ve all read the intelligence reports. Though I hate to admit it, the current Fourth Kazekage has acquired power comparable to our founding Hokage, Hashirama Senju. He was able to suppress three tailed beasts alone. That kind of power—tell me, Danzō-sama, can you name a single person in the shinobi world right now, including within Konoha, who can defeat him?”
Some people present had already begun to understand what Minato was getting at.
“Even if we destroy Sunagakure, if we cannot truly kill that Kazekage, it will mean nothing. Worse—it will create a powerful, unrelenting enemy who will never stop coming for us. So I ask you all—do any of you have the confidence to kill him?”
“......”
Everyone fell silent, understanding the truth of Minato’s words.
Indeed, with the kind of power that Kazekage had just demonstrated—unless they could be absolutely sure of killing him—it was better not to provoke him at all.
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and looked toward Minato.
“Minato, if you were the Hokage, what would you do?”
The whole room was stunned!
Minato’s pupils contracted slightly, but his eyes quickly grew firm with resolve.
“Reporting to Hokage-sama. Sunagakure’s rise is already unstoppable. Given the current state of the shinobi world, I believe both Iwagakure and Kumogakure no longer wish to continue this war. Therefore, as Hokage, I would convene a Five Kage Summit in the name of peace. It is time to bring this war to an end.”
For a long moment, Hiruzen was lost in thought. Eventually, he let out a long breath and slowly spoke.
“Do as you believe is right, Minato. I am already old. I will inform the daimyo and arrange for you to succeed me as the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure...”
