Chapter 216 (Patreon)

Three days later, Kizaru sat alone in his office, looking through reports submitted by ANBU and Root.

Everything on the Western Front was proceeding as he had expected. Sarutobi Hiruzen had already held his first meeting with the Kage of Iwagakure and Kumogakure.

After Hiruzen presented the intelligence concerning Uchiha Madara and the conspiracy behind the war, both Ōnoki and the Third Raikage expressed a strong willingness to enter peace negotiations.

Kizaru trusted his teacher’s ability to handle the matter. He therefore saw no need to closely monitor every development on the Western Front and simply waited for good news.

What demanded more of his attention was finding a way to draw Uchiha Madara out of hiding.

To that end, he had spoken at length with both Black Zetsu and the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.

Combining their opinions with his own understanding of Madara, Kizaru concluded that two conditions would be necessary.

First, Madara needed to believe that he was strong enough to act.

Second, he needed a reason compelling enough to make him abandon his caution.

Hashirama would serve as that reason.

The second condition was easy to fulfill. Hashirama was already in Konoha.

The first was considerably more difficult.

Madara was far too old. His strength would only continue to decline, and unless circumstances forced his hand, he was unlikely to take unnecessary risks.

Regaining the Rinnegan could restore his confidence. However, it might also reassure him enough that he would choose to remain hidden and continue pursuing his plans from the shadows.

To prevent that, Kizaru had decided to approach the problem from three directions.

He would return the Rinnegan to restore Madara’s confidence, reveal Hashirama’s return to arouse his interest, and expose the Eye of the Moon Plan to threaten everything Madara had been working toward.

Faced with all three, a man as proud as Uchiha Madara could hardly remain in hiding.

Continuing to avoid the battlefield under those circumstances simply would not be like him.

After finishing the reports from ANBU and Root, Kizaru picked up another document from his desk.

It was an update from Konoha Hospital concerning the cultivation of Nagato’s cloned replacement eyes.

Given the urgency of the situation and the agreement of the village leadership, the researchers at both the hospital and the Research Institute had devoted all available resources to the project.

As a result, the work on Yoshihiko’s replacement arm and eye had been temporarily suspended.

According to the report, Nagato’s new eyes would be ready within three days. Once they were complete, the transplant operation could proceed.

Kizaru was satisfied with their progress. He saw no reason to pressure the researchers further.

Setting the document aside, he called for Black Zetsu, whom he had ordered to remain close at all times.

Black Zetsu emerged from the wall beside him, wearing a sinister smile.

“What do you require, Kizaru-sama?”

“Try speaking normally~.”

“Yes!”

Black Zetsu immediately dropped the smile and approached the desk with a more restrained expression.

“If everything proceeds smoothly, you should be able to leave Konoha with the Rinnegan in five days~.”

Leaning back in his chair, Kizaru watched him.

“As expected of Konoha under your leadership. Its technology truly is impressive.”

Black Zetsu offered the obligatory compliment.

“Have you decided what you’ll tell Madara when you meet him?”

“I’ll say that White Zetsu was discovered, while I remained hidden beneath Konoha. Then I found an opportunity to attack Nagato and seize the Rinnegan.”

Black Zetsu had already prepared his explanation.

“And what else~?”

“I’ll tell him that Konoha has brought Hashirama Senju back and learned the details of the Eye of the Moon Plan from Kirigakure.”

“One more thing. Tell him that I intend to host a Five Kage Summit here in Konoha and unite the five great villages against him~.”

“Understood.”

Kizaru nodded, then leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk. Folding his hands beneath his chin, he looked directly at Black Zetsu.

The sudden sharpness in his gaze made Black Zetsu stiffen.

What did that look mean?

Had Kizaru begun to doubt him? Was he about to change the plan?

“Kizaru-sama...?”

“Black Zetsu, what do you think would happen if you deceived me~?”

Kizaru was still smiling, but a faint killing intent accompanied the question.

Black Zetsu’s expression changed.

“Uchiha Madara is merely a pawn in your hands. He has already lost. Why would I continue cooperating with him?”

“Because he is also a pawn in yours.”

“You already know my origins and everything I intend to do. Betraying you would be suicide.”

Black Zetsu was genuinely afraid.

He could not die here. Not before he had freed his mother.

“Oh, it was only a reminder~. There’s no need to be so nervous.”

Kizaru chuckled and leaned back in his chair, his expression once again relaxed.

Black Zetsu silently breathed a sigh of relief.

For a moment, he had truly feared that Kizaru would kill him.

Pushing himself up from the armrests, Kizaru rose and walked around the desk. With an easy smile, he placed a hand on Black Zetsu’s shoulder.

“Do your part well. If I’m satisfied with your performance, I’ll help you bring your mother back. You have my word~.”

“That is all I want.”

Black Zetsu allowed his excitement to show, careful to give Kizaru the reaction he expected.

With his right hand still resting on Black Zetsu’s shoulder, Kizaru sent a trace of natural energy into his body.

Black Zetsu sensed the unfamiliar energy for an instant.

Then it vanished from his perception.

Turning toward Kizaru, he asked uneasily, “Kizaru-sama, what did you just...?”

“A little mark so I can find you whenever I need to~. You don’t mind, do you?”

Kizaru’s tone was almost friendly.

Black Zetsu minded very much.

Unfortunately, he understood that refusing was not an option.

“Of course not.”

“Ooh, how understanding~.”

Kizaru patted his shoulder once more before withdrawing his hand.

With the tracking mark in place, he returned to his desk and sat down.

“That will be all. Go and get some rest~.”

“Yes.”

Black Zetsu lowered his head, approached the wall, and disappeared into it once again.

Meanwhile, Nawaki and Hashirama sat beneath a tree beside one of the Senju clan’s fields, talking as they looked out over the crops.

It was the season for sowing winter wheat. The field before them had been planted with a newly improved variety developed by Nawaki.

Over the past three days, Hashirama had spent most of his time in three places: the Senju clan’s main residence, Konoha’s gambling houses, and Nawaki’s experimental fields.

Accompanying his grandson, he had seen the improved wheat for himself. With the help of Wood Release, he had also witnessed the enormous difference between the new variety and ordinary wheat.

Hashirama had been deeply astonished.

He finally understood why Kizaru believed Nawaki could become someone revered far beyond the shinobi world.

His grandson’s research could benefit all of humanity.

Nor was wheat the only project underway.

At the Research Institute, Nawaki had shown him the work being done to improve rice varieties, along with a new method of growing crops inside greenhouses.

The greenhouse project had begun with an idea from Kizaru.

By providing the light and temperature that fruit and vegetables needed to grow, it would become possible to cultivate fresh produce even outside its usual season.

The technology was already nearing completion.

Hashirama had never seen or even heard of such a method before, and once again, he found himself amazed.

Barely a decade or two had passed since his death, yet Konoha’s technology had advanced far beyond anything he remembered.

That realization filled him with happiness.

This was precisely the kind of village he had hoped to see after being brought back through Impure World Reincarnation.

Bringing shinobi together, combining their knowledge and abilities, and using them to improve the lives of the villagers...

That had been his original hope when he established the hidden village system.

“This is wonderful,” Hashirama said with a contented sigh. “If Tobirama were still alive, he would be pleased to see what the village has become.”

“If Great-Uncle Tobirama were here, he’d certainly have a few things to say to those disgraceful students of his!”

The mention of Tobirama reminded Nawaki of the two advisers and their behavior several months earlier.

If his great-uncle were still alive, he would surely have put them in their place.

Hearing the anger in his grandson’s voice, Hashirama turned toward him.

“Have Hiruzen and Danzō done something?”

Nawaki shook his head.

“Lord Third is all right. He just isn’t as decisive as Kizaru, and he places too much importance on maintaining a balance. Elder Danzō is more willing to act, but his methods can be extreme. They both have their faults, but they’re still capable elders.”

“Then you mean Homura and Koharu?”

Nawaki nodded.

He told Hashirama about the meeting held several months earlier, after the improved wheat had produced its first successful harvest.

The two advisers had proposed monopolizing the seeds, cooperating with powerful nobles, manipulating the grain market, and controlling food prices to accumulate wealth.

As Hashirama listened, his expression grew increasingly serious.

The analysis Kizaru had shared with him a few days earlier had not been mere speculation.

The very behavior Kizaru had described had already occurred.

And it had happened in Konoha.

“What did the village decide?”

“Kizaru wasn’t Hokage yet. Uncle Hiruzen simply set the proposal aside and told me to continue my research.”

Recalling the meeting brought Nawaki’s anger back to the surface.

“Fortunately, Kizaru became the Fourth Hokage this year. After taking office, he came to see me and told me to prepare enough seeds. Once the war ends, he intends to distribute them.”

Hashirama’s expression softened slightly.

His opinion of Kizaru rose even further.

Tobirama had died too soon. He had never had the chance to finish guiding his students.

Fortunately, Konoha had produced someone like Kizaru.

Otherwise, Hashirama did not know what kind of village he might have found upon his return.

Raising a hand to his chin, he began to wonder whether he ought to have a proper word with his younger brother’s students before leaving again.

“Nawaki, has anything else happened in the village? Anything that shouldn’t have?”

Until now, Hashirama had only seen Konoha’s prosperity.

He suddenly wanted to know how much darkness lay beneath it.

“Anything else...?”

Nawaki thought carefully.

Then something came to mind.

“There is something. Kizaru told me that the two advisers received kickbacks from nobles while managing the village’s commercial affairs. Some members of their clans also embezzled village funds.”

“How did Hiruzen deal with that?”

“He reprimanded the advisers.”

Hashirama waited for Nawaki to continue.

But his grandson had already finished.

“A reprimand? Was the stolen money recovered? Were the people responsible punished?”

“Uncle Hiruzen said that making the matter public would damage the village’s reputation, so he handled it internally. He gave them a few warnings and told them not to do it again.”

Hashirama let out a short, incredulous laugh.

Anger rose within him.

They had embezzled public funds and harmed the village’s interests, yet Hiruzen had allowed them to escape with nothing more than a warning?

Was this how he governed Konoha?

“Did Kizaru hold them accountable after taking office?”

“No. They’re his elders as well, so it isn’t easy for him to take drastic action against them.”

Nawaki felt frustrated on Kizaru’s behalf.

In his eyes, those older officials—especially the two advisers—were only holding Kizaru back.

Hashirama nodded without speaking.

His expression remained grave.

For a moment, he even considered taking those disgraceful fools with him when he returned to the Pure Land.

“Grandpa, don’t be angry. Kizaru is Hokage now. The village will only get better.”

Nawaki had complete faith in Kizaru.

To him, Kizaru was not merely changing Konoha. He was changing the entire world, and Nawaki could not imagine a wiser person to lead them.

“Have Hiruzen or the others interfered with his work?”

Nawaki shook his head.

“I’m not sure. I’ve spent most of my time at the Research Institute and the experimental fields lately. I haven’t had many chances to speak with Kizaru.”

“I see. I’ll ask him myself.”

Hashirama had made up his mind.

If any of Tobirama’s students were obstructing Kizaru while continuing to enrich themselves at the village’s expense, he would not leave the matter alone.

Even if he decided against taking them with him, he would ensure that Kizaru regained full control before he departed.

Their status as elders would not protect them.

He was the First Hokage. None of them could claim greater seniority or authority than him.

“Nawaki, what would you think about bringing your great-uncle back through Impure World Reincarnation? We could ask him to help investigate what’s happening in the village.”

After hearing about these problems, Hashirama found himself missing his younger brother.

When they had both been alive, their responsibilities had been clearly divided.

Hashirama handled the fighting and kept hostile forces in check, while Tobirama took care of the village’s actual administration.

Investigating corruption, restoring order, and removing those who harmed the village without destabilizing it...

Those were all things Tobirama excelled at.

“Really? Of course I’d like that!”

Nawaki had long wanted to see his great-uncle again.

Hashirama had died when he was very young. His memories of Tobirama were clearer, and he had spent more time with him.

“Is Orochimaru the only person in the village who can perform Impure World Reincarnation?”

“He is. But don’t worry, Grandpa. Orochimaru-sensei is my teacher, and he supports Kizaru. He’ll help us.”

Nawaki had no doubts about his teacher’s willingness to cooperate.

“Then I’ll leave that part to you,” Hashirama said. “Remember, this must remain a secret. Other than the two of us and Orochimaru, no one is to know.”

“Not even Kizaru?”

“We’ll tell him once Tobirama has returned.”

What Nawaki had told him had opened Hashirama’s eyes.

He realized that until now, he had only seen the good side of the village.

It was time to examine the bad as well.

His clever younger brother was far better suited to that task.

Hashirama’s own talents were better suited to straightforward work—dueling Madara, for instance, or capturing Tailed Beasts.

“Understood! I’ll go and find Orochimaru-sensei right away.”

Nawaki’s excitement was impossible to hide.

“Then let’s go.”

Hashirama and Nawaki rose together, left the experimental field, and headed toward the Research Institute.