Chapter 354: Hagoromo Gengetsu's Presence Everywhere in Konoha

Chapter 354: Hagoromo Gengetsu's Presence Everywhere in Konoha

In every world, Konoha can be considered the center of the ninja world, the focal point of all events.

Compared to the changes that would occur a decade later, the village, aside from the Hokage Rock featuring only three faces, looked largely unchanged.

The current ruler, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, although showing signs of age, still possessed ambition and authority. This forced Danzo Shimura, who constantly schemed in the shadows, to remain in temporary seclusion, occasionally probing Hiruzen's limits.

"One day, you'll regret this, Hiruzen!"

"Danzo, I am the Hokage!"

Bang!

The loud sound of the door being forcefully slammed echoed through the room.

After having his proposal to expand Root denied once again, Danzo left, muttering curses under his breath as he slammed the door behind him.

Hiruzen, watching his old friend's angry departure, calmly puffed on his pipe, unfazed by the outburst.

He understood Danzo's ambitions all too well.

For this reason, as long as he remained Hokage, he would never allow Danzo to cross that forbidden line.

As to why he hadn't dealt with Danzo sooner—well, their years of camaraderie played a part. Moreover, Danzo was quite effective at deflecting blame, serving as the perfect scapegoat for both internal and external issues.

The Hokage must remain a symbol of light, but reality was always shadowed by darkness. To keep the Hokage's hands clean, a shadowy organization like Root was necessary, even if it occasionally harmed the village from within.

However, Hiruzen remained confident in his ability to keep Danzo in check.

After all, after nearly three decades in power, he had long since established his complete control over Konoha.

Nothing happened in the village without his knowledge—except for one thing.

The death of White Fang.

Hiruzen's brows furrowed as he recalled the incident.

He had allowed the rumors to spread intentionally. Hatake Sakumo, despite not being a member of the Hokage lineage, had garnered too much influence, even surpassing the Legendary Sannin.

Hiruzen had intended to use the rumors to diminish Sakumo's influence. But who could have predicted that the renowned White Fang would take his own life over such trivialities?

The shockwave of his death reverberated throughout Konoha, causing other ninja villages, especially Sunagakure, to celebrate. Under the leadership of the Third Kazekage, Suna had since begun probing Konoha's borders.

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe intensely. As the smoke obscured his face, he suddenly remembered something and reached for his crystal ball to perform the Telescope Jutsu.

Soon, the image of a silver-haired boy appeared in the crystal ball.

Hatake Kakashi, the son of the White Fang, had graduated from the Ninja Academy at the age of five and became a Chunin at six. His talent was remarkable, and many pinned their hopes on him.

"Hopefully, Kakashi, you will become the next White Fang."

Hiruzen watched Kakashi practice his swordsmanship with the White Fang's blade at the training grounds. After a while, he sighed lightly, ending the Telescope Jutsu, but with lingering hopes.

What Hiruzen didn't know was that shortly after he turned his gaze away, a shadowy figure appeared at the edge of Kakashi's training ground.

"A perfect candidate for descent into darkness," mused the figure.

Unfortunately, Kakashi didn't possess Uchiha blood. Otherwise, Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu would have been overjoyed.

The shadow began to expand and take shape, revealing the figure of Hagoromo Gengetsu.

He looked at the young Kakashi, a question lingering in his mind.

How could someone like Kakashi—whose mother died, father committed suicide, and two of his closest teammates perished, with his teacher and teacher's wife also dying on the same day—remain so untainted by darkness? It was unfathomable.

People often said that Sasuke was the most normal person in the Naruto series. But Kakashi should be included in that too.

Like mentor, like student?

Hagoromo Gengetsu stepped forward.

Kakashi didn't even have time to react before his vision went black and he fainted on the spot.

"Since even the system doesn't recognize that we're in a second transmigration world, it should be reasonable to treat this world's Kakashi as a mission target, right?" Hagoromo Gengetsu mused aloud, standing beside the unconscious Kakashi.

As expected, a notification chimed in his mind.

Ding!

Main Quest: Long-Awaited Reunion (Completed)

Congratulations, host! You have successfully defeated Jonin Instructor Hatake Kakashi!

Mission Rewards: One unit of standard Jonin-level chakra; Mastery of Lightning Release chakra nature and form manipulation; diluted Ōtsutsuki Clan bloodline.

"Ōtsutsuki bloodline..."

Thousands of miles away, Hagoromo Gengetsu, who was enjoying a rare moment of leisure touring the ninja world under the guidance of Tsunade, closed his eyes and sensed the slight addition of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline in his body.

It had no effect on him. But for an ordinary ninja, it would greatly enhance their potential.

"Not bad. Let's keep going."

Hagoromo Gengetsu reopened his eyes, feeling quite pleased.

"Hey! Gengetsu, how long are you planning to follow me?" Tsunade asked with clear annoyance.

Hagoromo Gengetsu turned his head, looking at the mountain-like pile of money that Shizune had been carrying on her back all this time, and replied:

"You're the local, you're rich. I'm just a visitor without any money. If I want to properly enjoy my travels, of course, I need to stick around."

Tsunade, having wandered across the land for many years, knew all the best places to eat and sightsee. And since she had been winning a lot recently, Hagoromo Gengetsu, who wanted to enjoy a leisurely tour of the current ninja world, naturally stuck to her side.

He hadn't experienced the warmth of ordinary life in a long time, so this was a perfect opportunity to do so.

As for what he'd do after fully enjoying this experience?

Of course, he'd return to the heavens.

Farm life and such pleasures are only enjoyable for a while. If they lasted a lifetime, rebellion would be inevitable.

Hearing his response, Tsunade grew even more frustrated. She had spent her life taking money from others, but now there was someone shamelessly mooching off her and even acting proud of it.

And she couldn't even beat him.

In the end, Tsunade could only try to reason with him:

"Don't you have something more important to do?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu looked at her with deep meaning and said:

"Who said I'm not doing something important?"

At that moment.

Not only was there a clone of Hagoromo Gengetsu in Konoha, but his presence could also be felt in Roran, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, and other places.

In just a short time, while enjoying his travels, Hagoromo Gengetsu had already extended his influence throughout the entire ninja world.

For someone at the Six Paths level, this was effortless, with no burden at all.

As time passed, information from across the ninja world slowly trickled back to his main body.

Roran.

Hovering in the air above the desert city, Hagoromo Gengetsu looked down with a hint of surprise on his face.

"The Dragon Vein isn't here!"

The Hagoromo Clan.

Gazing at the ruins, which were both familiar and yet strange, Hagoromo Gengetsu remained silent for a moment before turning away.

The same person, living two different lives, may still look the same, but in essence, they are no longer the same person.

The same is true for clans, and even more so for worlds.

Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't waste time on meaningless actions. Knowing the source of his power, he left without further delay.

The ninja world.

Countless clones of Hagoromo Gengetsu spread their senses in all directions.

"So, where are you, Ōtsutsuki?"