Chapter 229: A Surprise, the Fifth Hokage
Although he said that, in truth, Kinoshita Genichi didn't have high hopes for this stone man.
Guy went back to happily playing with the stone man. Kakashi watched them, but his words were filled with emotion, "You... you've already reached this level before anyone realized it."
Genichi chuckled. "Hey, that doesn't sound like something you would say, Kakashi."
Kakashi pulled his gaze back. "A person must recognize their own limits. I think... you were the one who said that."
Genichi thought for a moment. "Did I say that?"
"Whatever, let's just say I did."
"But Kakashi, your own self-assessment seems to be a bit lacking."
"Speaking of which, how is your Kekkei Tōta coming along?"
Kakashi put his hands in his pockets. "It's very difficult. I haven't made any decisive progress yet."
Yin Release + Lightning Release + Water Release... it was not just 'a bit' difficult.
Genichi pondered. "Kakashi, could you use Yin Release to perform a Lightning Release nature transformation?"
"Hm?" Kakashi was confused. "Use Yin Release to perform Lightning Release? What do you mean?"
Genichi said, "Simulating Lightning Release within a genjutsu should be normal, right, Kakashi?"
Kakashi replied, "If it's a genjutsu, then... isn't it just an illusion?"
Genichi nodded. "Correct. But, if we start from the most fundamental power of Yin-Yang Release—or rather, Yin Release—which is to create form from nothingness, then Yin Release can create tangible existence, can't it?"
Kakashi thought as he spoke, "That's true. But to reach that level, one's mastery of Yin Release would have to be incredibly high."
"Genichi, are you already at that level?"
Genichi didn't answer his question. Instead, he said, "You know about the genjutsu Kyōka Suigetsu, right?"
Kakashi was puzzled. "I know it. Kurenai mastered that genjutsu before... but yours is a Kekkei Genkai, as I recall."
Genichi nodded. "When I first developed that genjutsu, my Yin Release was nowhere near as strong as it is now, so I needed to borrow the power of Water Release. It later accidentally evolved into a Kekkei Genkai, giving the illusion the ability to switch between virtual and real."
"Kakashi, Yin Release creates form from nothingness. To put it more directly, it's the ability to convert the illusory into the real. The ability to turn imagination into reality."
"Put that way, it should be easy to understand, right?"
Kakashi nodded.
Genichi activated Kyōka Suigetsu, signaling for Kakashi to touch him.
Kakashi placed his hand on Genichi's shoulder, but he felt... nothing. He was clearly standing right there, but his hand touched empty air.
He subconsciously sniffed. The scent was there.
Genichi smiled. "This is the change between virtual and real."
Releasing the jutsu, he continued, "The Nara clan's Shadow Jutsu. You're familiar with that as well, right?"
"A shadow is originally something without substance. It's intangible."
"But through the Yin Release nature transformation, the shadow can be made into a tangible substance, and then manipulated."
Kakashi fell into deep thought.
When he had discussed this with his father, Sakumo Hatake, they had started from the goal.
That is, what role should Yin Release play in its fusion with Storm Release?
Strengthen its form control. Strengthen its cohesion.
But how to strengthen it, how to fuse it... he could only figure that out step by step.
That was why, after nearly a year, he had made no substantial progress.
Kakashi wasn't actually that anxious. If a Kekkei Tōta were that easy to develop, the Third Tsuchikage wouldn't have been the only one in the entire shinobi world to possess one.
Of course, Genichi was an exception. Kakashi didn't think he was a normal person.
But now, Genichi hadn't provided a new direction, nor had he said how to fuse them. He had simply expounded on the essence of Yin Release.
It seemed to have no specific aim, but Kakashi felt he had grasped something critical.
...
Without disturbing the pensive Kakashi, and without bothering Guy who was having fun with the stone man, Genichi went straight home.
At dinner, Genichi said to Tsunade, "Let's send Kimimaro and Jūgo to the Academy. They can't just stay in the research base all the time."
Tsunade said, "That Jūgo... are you sure he won't be a problem?"
Genichi smiled. "Konoha isn't exactly a place overflowing with natural energy."
"Under normal circumstances, as long as he isn't provoked, he won't enter his Sage Transformation. Besides, the kid is actually very kind-hearted."
"Of course, to control his Sage Transformation, I'll just put a Curse Mark on him."
After a thought, Genichi added, "I'll add a seal to temporarily prevent him from using Sage Transformation at all. That should solve the problem."
Tsunade heard this and nodded. "Then it's not a problem."
As for Kimimaro, there was even less of a problem. The Kaguya clan was already extinct.
Kirigakure wasn't about to come to Konoha looking for trouble.
...
After dinner.
Genichi once again went to the research base.
Same lab. Same white rats. Same A-Dai, in charge of disposing of the corpses.
This time, Genichi performed soul extraction on the rats, observing their condition during and after the process.
In one night, another hundred rats went to the Pure Land.
Unfortunately, his luck wasn't as good this time. Genichi didn't have any major breakthroughs.
The relationship between the soul and the body was extremely complex and profound.
...
Time flew by, and in a flash, the 53rd year of Konoha was over.
After returning home from Uchiha Misen's place, Genichi felt that the atmosphere was a little... off.
"Ahem."
Tsunade cleared her throat twice. "Genichi, who do you think is most suitable to succeed me as Hokage?"
Genichi was puzzled. "Hm? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"
Uzumaki Ina smiled and asked, "Genichi, you don't want to be Hokage?"
Shizune blinked. "I remember... back at the Academy, Genichi said something like, 'Many people want to be Hokage, but I'd rather protect the village from the shadows.'"
Genichi chuckled at the memory. He sat down next to Tsunade and teased, "A certain someone also once said that only an idiot would be Hokage."
Tsunade's fist suddenly felt a bit itchy.
Shizune, who knew this story well, couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle.
Turning to Tsunade, Genichi asked, "Are you really deciding on the next in line already?"
"In any case, I'm not suited to be Hokage. I don't have the energy for it."
He didn't even have enough time for his own training. Why would he be Hokage?
"Minato-san is a perfect fit, isn't he?" Genichi smiled. "He's skilled, young, energetic, but not too young."
In truth, Minato Namikaze already held the authority of a Vice-Hokage.
Although he didn't command a separate violent institution with immense military power as Danzō had, the vast majority of Konoha's administrative affairs passed through his hands.
The Konoha upper echelons had already reached a consensus: barring any accidents, Tsunade's successor would be Minato Namikaze.
No one in his age group, or even slightly younger, had his level of competitiveness.
For example, Sarutobi Shinnosuke. He was also outstanding, but not on Minato's level.
As for those older, like Sakumo Hatake, he was even older than Tsunade. He hadn't become Hokage before, and it was even less likely now.
With Genichi unwilling, no one was more suitable than Minato.
After hearing Genichi's words, Tsunade said seriously, "In that case, once the Ninja Academy reforms are officially underway, I will step down as Hokage. I will then propose to the Daimyō's Office that Minato be appointed as the Fifth Hokage."
"Are you serious?" Genichi looked at Tsunade.
She wasn't even 41 yet. Her birthday was in August.
For a Hokage, that wasn't old at all. She was in her prime.
And Minato, at 27, was also extremely young.
He could wait another 10 years to take over, and it still wouldn't be too late.
And then, ten or so years after that, Kakashi's generation would be the perfect age to succeed him.
"Yes," Tsunade nodded seriously.
At this, Shizune couldn't hold it in any longer. "Genichi, Tsunade-sama is pregnant!"
Hm?
Genichi's head snapped to look at Shizune, then back to Tsunade's blushing face, and then down to her stomach. He was stunned, then overjoyed. "Really?"
Tsunade nodded, feigning calmness.
Genichi reached out his hand, but Tsunade slapped it away.
Shizune and Ina were still right there!
Genichi rubbed his hands together. Although he had long been mentally prepared for this, his feelings at this moment were still incredibly complex.
For him, not having children, having no attachments, was actually for the best.
He would be free to roam the world, and his weaknesses would be infinitely minimized.
But after getting together with Tsunade and the others, those attachments already existed.
Unknowingly, Genichi's mentality had truly begun to change.
This... was a change that even Tsunade and the others hadn't brought about.
"It's fine to not be Hokage. Being Hokage isn't that interesting anyway. Let Minato-san do it."
Genichi said to Tsunade, "Let's hand off the Academy reforms to Minato-san, too. You should focus on your pregnancy. The first three months are the most important."
Tsunade was puzzled. "How do you know that?"
Genichi said, full of confidence, "I've been prepared for this for a long time."
Uzumaki Ina quickly chimed in, "Genichi is right, Tsunade-sama! The first three months and the last three months of pregnancy are the most dangerous."
She had really studied up on pregnancy, always preparing to have a child herself.
But... her own stomach had remained stubbornly quiet.
And she had "eaten" so much, too!
Hearing the two of them, Tsunade hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. We'll arrange it that way."
...
The New Year's atmosphere gradually faded.
One day, in the Hokage's office, Minato Namikaze looked at Tsunade in shock. "Hand... everything over to me?"
"Is that... appropriate?"
Helping to process administrative affairs was one thing; all important decisions still came from Tsunade.
But the Ninja Academy... that was a major center of the Hokage's power and influence.
Back when Danzō was around, Root could only recruit from the clans and from orphans.
There were geniuses there, yes, but the majority of Konoha's talent was in the Academy.
Danzō had never been given permission to recruit from the Academy.
If Minato was put in charge of the Academy's reforms, it meant his own influence—whether intentional or not—would permeate it.
Genichi, who was also in the office, saw Minato's shock and hesitation and smiled. "Hokage-sama is pregnant, so she can't overexert herself."
Minato was stunned again. He glanced at Genichi and secretly gave him a thumbs-up. As expected of Genichi!
"Congratulations, Hokage-sama!"
Minato no longer refused. "In that case, I will handle the initial preparations!"
Tsunade nodded, then added, "Minato, you should also prepare to take over as the Fifth."
Minato was stunned yet again. "Is... is that really necessary? Just because you're having a child, you're stepping down as Hokage? You're still very young, Tsunade-sama. You could be Hokage for another ten years and no one would say you're old."
"Minato, you've already done an excellent job. You are very well-suited to be Hokage."
"At least... more suitable than I am."
Tsunade's tone was final. "That's settled. Be prepared."
"Oh, and pick some more assistants. Being Hokage is important, but you can't neglect your training."
Minato nodded grimly. "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
And so, the matter was decided.
From that day on, the de facto transfer of power began.
With Shizune's help, Minato Namikaze formally and completely took over the duties of the Hokage.
...
After settling the matter of the Fifth Hokage, Genichi and Tsunade left the Hokage Building and went home.
Because of the pregnancy, Genichi did not use the Flying Thunder God Technique.
As they got home, before they even opened the door, Genichi heard Naruto's excited shouting.
"Uncle Genichi!"
As they entered, a blond boy came flying at them.
Genichi immediately put out a hand and stopped him, preventing him from colliding with Tsunade.
Naruto grabbed Genichi's wrist. "Uncle Genichi, teach me a ninjutsu! I've already gotten really good at controlling my chakra!"
Just then, Tsunade bent down and poked Naruto-kun's cheek. "Naruto, don't you see me standing here?"
Naruto-kun immediately grinned. "Hokage-sama, can you teach me a ninjutsu?"
Tsunade huffed. "You little brat, do you think you can even learn it?"
Genichi let go of Naruto-kun, who immediately puffed out his chest and said proudly, "Hokage-sama, don't underestimate me!"
"I already finished my mom's missions! I finished tree-climbing and water-walking, and I memorized the hand seals!"
"And! I already mastered the Transformation Jutsu my dad taught me!"
Genichi and Tsunade glanced at each other, a little surprised.
The kid had only been training for a short while. It seemed he had really put in the hard work.
Genichi said, "Alright, Naruto, show us your Transformation Jutsu. If I'm satisfied, I'll teach you a ninjutsu."
Naruto's eyes lit up. He immediately leaped back and formed the seals.
Genichi watched and nodded to himself. The seals looked practiced.
Poof!
A cloud of smoke erupted. When it cleared, the little turnip-head Naruto-kun had transformed into someone Genichi knew well.
Gaara!
"Genichi-sama!"
"Fourth Hokage-sama!"
The transformed Naruto-kun even imitated Gaara's way of speaking.
And it had to be said, there were no flaws in his voice, tone, or posture.
Tsunade nodded, giving an objective evaluation. "Very well done."
"Right? Right? Gahaha!"
Naruto-kun laughed, then released the transformation. He looked at Genichi with shining, expectant eyes.
Genichi smiled and nodded. "Alright. I'll teach you one jutsu. Follow me."
"Yeah!"
Naruto-kun jumped three feet in the air, then followed Genichi like a little shadow, his feet barely touching the ground.
Tsunade watched, amused. Then she thought of herself, and couldn't help but rub her own flat stomach.
(End of Chapter)
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