Chapter 190: At This Moment, He Shines Brilliantly!
The two Hokage reincarnated through Edo Tensei have been sent off. There’s nothing to regret. All of their contemporaries have returned to dust and ashes, yet Madara still... lives. But Hashirama knew that with the Five Hokage and Hakken Yoru in Konoha, there was no need to worry. They were already dead. Returning to the Pure Land, free of attachments, was their only option.
Watching them depart, Hakken turned to the flushed Tsunade beside him and asked,
“The mission to revive a clan?”
“Which clan?”
“And what does ‘revive’ even mean?”
“Also…”
“Just paint it over? Who the hell?”
Hakken was utterly confused.
“You’ll find out in time,” Tsunade replied, clearing her throat. “We’ll discuss that later. The Chūnin Exams are still ongoing. When I left, it seemed to be nearing its final stages. You should head back soon.”
With that, Tsunade turned and walked away, leading the securely restrained Orochimaru. Life had gained a new purpose. Orochimaru felt that continuing to live like this wasn’t so bad after all. It was simply a shift in his research direction, but it was still the work he wanted to pursue.
Unlike the Third Hokage, earlier, Hakken-kun had spoken of my value and purpose. Those words resonated deeply within them.
“Work for Konoha?”
“For now, that will do.”
The gateway to true immortality... how thrilling.
People gradually dispersed. The Night Owl Team went off to handle matters at the exam grounds. Kaguya had already returned to the spiritual realm. Everything seemed settled.
On Hokage Rock, only Hakken and Madara Uchiha remained standing. Black Zetsu, fearing Madara might strike him, hid behind a rock, his ears pricked as he listened cautiously.
“You…”
“…intend to deal with me how?”
After a long silence, Madara asked Hakken. Without a doubt, this was a remarkable young man. No, he was no longer worthy of calling him a “young man.”
He had felt firsthand the power of this man's dōjutsu—a technique capable of freezing time itself. Even the Rinnegan didn’t possess such terrifying functionality. Before a technique that could seal time itself, age was nothing more than a number.
Moreover, the man possessed overwhelming power. Such strength truly commanded Madara’s respect.
How should Hakken handle Madara Uchiha? Hakken crossed his arms, deep in thought.
The issues concerning Orochimaru, Madara Uchiha, and the Akatsuki had been resolved. Nagato had passed away peacefully after sparing the Rinnegan. As for Tobi, he had chosen to detonate himself on the spot, unwilling to cast another glance at this world, preferring to live in the dreamscape he had created for himself.
With that out of the way, the tasks ahead became much simpler.
First. Use the Chūnin Exams as an opportunity to fully consolidate the power of the Ninja World, turning all other ninja villages into dependencies of Konoha, subject to the same governing system as Konoha itself. Other villages would see their ranks lowered, all controlled by Konoha. Minato was already handling this, so Hakken didn’t need to worry about it.
Second. Manage the intricate details of reform and development for the vast machinery of the Ninja World. This plan had long been prepared by Hakken, awaiting only the King’s approval to activate the Sealing Force Chart.
Third. Deal with the unfilial sons, Hagoromo Otsutsuki and Hamura Otsutsuki! They thought that by hiding in the Pure Land, exploiting the nature of souls and chakra, they were beyond Hakken’s reach. Sorry, but he is the Shinigami. To be precise, the Pure Land is his home. Reclaiming the Ashura and Indra chakras from the Rikudō Sennin is essential. Otherwise, the potential of the Ten-Tails and Sasuke Uzumaki will remain capped at their current levels.
He needed elite combat power, especially combat power with high developmental potential. Only then would he have the motivation to break through barriers and lead his ninjas to sweep across other worlds.
Fourth. And the most crucial point.
Glancing at his template progress and the advanced mission previously assigned by Tani, Hakken took a deep breath. Nothing else was particularly surprising. The first template among the three major templates, Zaraki Kenpachi, had already unlocked to sixty-five percent. Then there was this mission!
[Coronation as King]
Mission Content: The Ōtsutsuki Clan regards Earth as their nursery. But a new king is about to be crowned—the moment to assert sovereignty has arrived. Eliminate all threats to Earth using any means necessary.
This is the ultimate mission in the Naruto World. No time limit. No restrictions on methods.
Reward: 100,000 Slash Points, unlock the first stage of the Bankai Advancement Quest for Zanpakuto, and formally ascend as the dominant force in the Naruto world.
Additional Reward: Unknown.
Crown as King,
The meaning was clear.
Though Hakken had achieved unification, he was merely the overlord of the ninja world. The lands beneath him were fraught with daily perils and dangers. The mission's purpose was to assert sovereignty and eliminate threats on Earth. For now, the only threat lay with the Ōtsutsuki trio. As for the WAN Organization, they remained hidden beneath the surface, their presence undetectable even to Hakken. This was the threat lurking in the shadows.
Silently glancing at the item card in his system backpack, Hakken narrowed his eyes and patted his shoulder.
“Well then.”
“If someone were to point a finger at your nose and declare the age of ninjas is over...”
“Hmm, if they said that...”
“What do you think?”
The age of ninjas is over?
Madara frowned in confusion. Looking around, Konohagakure was currently at its peak, and Hakken Yoru had clearly become the strongest in the Ninja World, surpassing all past Hokage. But what did “the age of ninjas is over” mean?
“To elaborate, it means someone's rebelling against authority, claiming the era of beauty and sleep is over—now it's all about tattoos.”
“Then they threaten to destroy the world, implying Jōnin are obsolete.”
Hakken calmly explained, casually tossing the prepared Konoha forehead protector from his embrace to Madara Uchiha.
“Destroy the world?”
A flicker of confusion crossed Madara's eyes, but it was soon replaced by his characteristic arrogance.
“If even I can't destroy the world, what right do others have to touch this land?”
“Has the age of ninjas truly ended?”
“Who gave them the audacity to utter such words?”
The forehead protector slowly fastened across his forehead, Madara's eyes blazing with murderous intent.
“Hashirama said I should take a few more looks at this world.”
“In that case...”
His hands tightened, cutting it off completely!
“I am still a ninja!”
Is that so? Hakken understood. Sure enough, anyone wearing a forehead protector wouldn’t be able to stand hearing such words. Why should the age of ninjas end? Is it because you, Madara, can't dance anymore? Hakken grinned.
“In that case, wait a moment. I'll take you to meet the man who said those words.”
“But first, experience Konoha life for yourself.”
He pulled out a dustpan and brush, handing them to Madara while gesturing toward the central plaza below.
“Sweeping the plaza is a coveted job in Konoha—it lets you glimpse the Wall of Honor from time to time.”
“You might as well use this time to settle your mind and truly feel what Konoha is like now. Is this the peace you longed for?”
Everything that needed saying had been said. Standing up, Hakken turned and left, his mind sinking into the system backpack to examine the item's properties.
[Plot Experience Card - Boruto Draft]
Using this card allows you to lead two people into a parallel world to experience its storyline.
Note: The storyline unfolds within an actual existing space.
Your actions will alter the plot's trajectory, and you may select spoils to bring back to your original world.
Your power level within the storyline remains unaffected—enjoy freely.
Price: 10,000 flat-rate points.
Note: Should you perish during the experience, you will be teleported back to your original world, ending the storyline. This card will become void. Use only when sufficiently powerful.
This item. Was prepared by Hakken to counter the final mission of becoming king. After all, regarding the Ōtsutsuki Clan, he only knew of the Otsutsuki Trio. He had no knowledge of the previous organization, Kawaki, or the whereabouts of the second Ten-Tails, Isshiki Ōtsutsuki. Thus, the Story Experience Card serves to familiarize him with these enemies, understand their combat strength and weaknesses—that is Hakken's purpose. Gain insight into the enemies through the experience card, then return to this world to confront the approaching Ōtsutsuki Clan—knowing them inside and out!
Legend says every Ōtsutsuki possesses the Six Paths. Hakken doesn't know if that's true or not. This card... using it is absolutely necessary. The parallel world can also be seen as a new world. There, the plot unfolds just like the original story, using Naruto as the hero backdrop while telling the tale of his dim-witted son, Boruto.
Well. Pressing Boruto's head to cast Tsukuyomi on him, forcing him to binge Naruto Shippuden, making him truly understand what kind of existence he is. This kind of thing. Hakken really wants to do it.
But the item description already states: this should only be used when your strength is sufficient. The combat power of the Isshiki Ōtsutsuki is currently unknown, so Hakken plans to use the upcoming time to advance the template progress. At the very least, he must evolve two templates to 100% completion. Only then will he have enough confidence to face anything within the experience card.
In short. Using the enemies within the experience card as a benchmark, preparing to confront the enemies of the original world in the future—it was that simple.
Coincidentally, Hakken also had a tattoo—the most perfect tattoo!
“Sweeping?”
Hakken had already left.
On Hokage Rock, Madara Uchiha picked up the broom tied to his obi and ran his fingers over it. He was Madara Uchiha. He had never swept before. But now, he wanted to try. And catch a glimpse of Konoha's Wall of Honor.
“Come to think of it, I named this village.” Rising, he leapt down from the Hokage Monument and approached the Wall of Honor. Few could be called leaders, so Madara quickly found his name.
Madara Uchiha.
One of Konoha's Founding Heroes!
The Chūnin Exams continued. But this time, Hakken didn’t interfere. The issue had been resolved completely. And those genin had witnessed his combat prowess firsthand. If Hakken had intervened, it might have dampened their fighting spirit—which would have been counterproductive. The purpose of the Chūnin Exams had been fulfilled.
Hakken thoroughly enjoyed sitting on the elevated platform, watching the new generation of Konoha ninjas throw themselves into their fights below.
He hadn't changed.
Only his mindset had shifted.
The second round of the Death Forest preliminaries didn't surprise Hakken in the end—those who were supposed to advance in the original story did so.
What astonished Hakken was the match between Sakura and Ino—Ino's unexpected decision to forfeit.
But...
After the preliminaries concluded, Naruto and Sasuke excitedly rushed to Hakken Yoru's side and bowed respectfully.
Though Yoru Hakken hadn't been formally appointed Hokage yet, people's attitudes already made it clear the position of Fifth Hokage was his.
t was merely a matter of ceremony.
His demeanor as the village's Shugo was utterly commanding.
As his disciple, Sasuke felt the same pride Itachi had described.
"See that?
That's his master!"
Naruto watched Hakken with genuine envy.
“Aniki, I'll surpass you one day and become Hokage!”
Naruto remained unchanged, undeterred by Hakken's rise.
“You will.”
He patted the boy's head.
Distant Minato, working nonstop, approached with dark circles under his eyes.
“Mission accomplished. All data is consolidated. Now we just need to send ANBU ninja to retrieve it.”
Compiling data from over a hundred ninja villages wasn't simple. Minato wouldn't trust anyone else with this task. As Hakken's sensei, he'd vowed to pass a powerful Konoha onto his disciple.
Clearly, he'd given it his all.
Now, the time had come.
“Your portrait is already being carved. The succession ceremony will commence in about three days.”
“Then you will be the true Fifth Hokage.”
After speaking in one breath, Minato reached out with a satisfied smile, as if to ruffle Hakken's hair.
But his hand paused mid-air, suddenly realizing it felt somewhat inappropriate.
He had grown up.
He had become Konoha's Fifth Hokage.
Such gestures now felt out of place.
He awkwardly tried to withdraw his hand, but the man before him seized his wrist and placed it atop his head.
“I had no parents, but the Fifth Hokage did.”
“Tonight, invite Anko. Let's have dinner together.”
Releasing Minato's hand, Hakken turned to descend the steps, his final smile radiating warmth.
“Just like you. Men don't need many words.”
Minato smiled, feeling his eyes grow slightly moist.
“Father, why did he understand?”
Naruto asked, puzzled.
“You'll understand when you grow up.” Patting Naruto's head, Minato had already returned to his usual self.
“But Naruto, if you ever want to become a proper Hokage...”
“There's still much you need to learn.”
“Just like your father—I once believed that solving problems solely through appeasement would protect everyone.”
“Sometimes I wouldn't even voice my own opinions, unable to bring myself to be firm.”
Gazing wistfully at Hakken's retreating figure, Minato took a deep breath and gave Naruto's shoulder a firm pat.
“Balancing firmness and flexibility—that is the true way.”
“Hakken's approach to life and conduct is something you could study for a lifetime.”
This was Minato Namikaze's highest praise for Hakken Yoru.
Three days later.
Taking advantage of a break in the Chūnin Exams.
Dawn was just breaking.
Countless people gathered at Konoha's central plaza.
Besides the village's own ninja and villagers, those awaiting the official results of the Chūnin Exams were also present in full force.
Today was the inauguration ceremony for the Fifth Hokage!
He would receive the Hokage cloak from the Fourth Hokage, inheriting the responsibility of protecting the village.
Passing down the Will of Fire that burned within him.
In a corner of the central square, a janitor wearing an obi for the village drew considerable attention.
Especially since two Nine-Tails stood beside him.
Such a sight was bound to attract eyes.
“Little Madara.”
The two Kurama huddled together as the man sweeping in front of me called out,
“You're blocking the way.”
Madara shot a cold glance at the Nine-Tails. In the past, he would have called it a beast without hesitation. But clearly, the Nine-Tails' status in Konoha now surpassed his own. He couldn't comprehend it. Yet that was the reality.
“Hmph, still as cold as ever.”
The Nine-Tails curled its lip, bumping their round bellies together before stepping aside.
The moment Madara left, it burst into a pig-like squeal of laughter.
“Damn, did you see that? Right in front of him!”
“Hahahaha, this lord is amused!”
The playful chaos abruptly ended.
Dawn officially arrived. As sunlight fully flooded the plaza, the enemy's fire-shaped formation ignited. In an instant, the plaza fell deathly silent.
Welcoming the wind, he strode to the very edge. The man drew a deep breath, extended his hand toward the crowd below, and roared,
“Konohagakure!”
“The First Shinobi Village!”
Golden spiritual pressure surged skyward. At this moment, he shone with radiant brilliance!