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JST Chapter 249: In the Name of the Will of Fire
🕑 Added 2025-04-16 18:18:48 +0000 UTCWhile some celebrated the end of the war, and others were happy for the close relationship Tsunade and Kazuki showed, there was one person who felt out of place.
“Sigh, sensei is still so protective…”
Hiruzen shook his head subtly, feeling somewhat worried for Tsunade.
To him, Kazuki calling Hanzō and the others 'The Three Who Survived' was nothing more than a Second Grandfather trying to help his bullied granddaughter save face; it was merely Tobirama’s familial affection, tied to the Sannin title that Tsunade so deeply despised.
It had nothing to do with romantic feelings between a man and a woman.
But judging from Tsunade’s reaction, and that of the other Konoha shinobi... it seemed like they misunderstood?
Sensei, you never had a partner your whole life. You really have no clue how relationships work! All you ever did was study forbidden jutsu—you’re way too lacking in this area…
Hiruzen muttered to himself, "And the body you're in isn't even yours, it's Kazuki's..."
Once Tsunade finds out you’re planning to take over his body, I really won’t be able to help you explain. That’s a family issue!
Although Konoha had won, Hiruzen’s expression was rather abstract.
He was technically smiling, but both of his eyebrows drooped low with worry.
The village was bound to fall into chaos—there might even be bloody suppression!
Once the Uchiha clan, Tsunade, and even Asuma, Might Guy, and Might Duy found out what Senju Tobirama had done...
Would they revolt?
Hiruzen didn’t even dare to imagine that scene. Justice, morality, and the Will of Fire—none of those would stand on Tobirama’s side!
But judging by Kazuki’s ruthless methods and deadly efficiency...
Hiruzen truly couldn't believe this was the same Kazuki who had always been gentle and courteous to others...
Who else could’ve done it?
There was only one answer—it had to be Senju Tobirama subtly influencing Kazuki. Maybe he was even already controlling him outright!
The fact that the ninja world hadn’t fallen into utter chaos and large-scale slaughter, and was only facing the humiliation of having the 'The Three Who Survived' publicly named and shamed—perhaps that was only thanks to Kazuki desperately fighting back against Tobirama’s influence...
The more Hiruzen thought about it, the more he broke out in a cold sweat.
When it came to his old sensei, Senju Tobirama...
Over the years, as Hiruzen grew to understand him more deeply, he had long since stopped hesitating to assume the most extreme possibilities right from the start.
The man had already used forbidden techniques to craft and possess a descendant of the Uchiha!
Anything else outrageous wouldn’t surprise Hiruzen in the slightest.
But as if someone had just heard his thoughts, Hiruzen looked up—and found Kazuki standing right next to him.
“To-Tobi... Kazuki-kun!” Sarutobi stammered, trying to greet him.
“The war is over, Hiruzen...”
Kazuki swept his gaze over the crowd, noticing something unusual. His voice was calm as he asked, “Where is Shimura Danzō?”
Hiruzen’s heart tightened.
Sure enough, the sensei's household rules were as strict as ever!
Even though he and Danzō had fought hard on the Sunagakure front, in the end, they hadn’t accomplished anything particularly outstanding.
Now that the war was over, the internal purge would begin without delay.
Just look at the Uchiha clan...
His sensei had battled them for years, and even in death, he wouldn’t let them rest, still haunting them like a restless spirit...
No—he had obsessively used forbidden jutsu to possess Kazuki! That’s how deep his grudges ran!
“Danzō’s just back there...” Hiruzen turned to look for Shimura Danzō. He was about to say a few good words in defense of his old comrade—but then realized Danzō was nowhere to be found!
Where was he...?
Where had he gone!?
Hiruzen broke into a cold sweat. Just a few days ago, Orochimaru had tried to wrest control of Kazuki’s body from his sensei—and now Danzō… could he have fled out of guilt?
Based on how well Hiruzen knew Danzō...
After seeing the sensei unleash such terrifying power on the battlefield, it wasn’t impossible that he might panic and make some irrational move!
Sure enough, Hiruzen anxiously searched the area over and over. He even began using ninjutsu to sense Danzō’s chakra—but he couldn’t find any trace of his old friend within the ranks of the Konoha forces.
He really ran!
“Th-This...” Hiruzen muttered, unable to find the words to explain things to Kazuki—or rather, to Senju Tobirama.
Kazuki shook his head. “Someone will come find you to deal with this. Be mentally prepared.”
Hiruzen took a deep breath. Was it the Root?
Either way, he had to fully cooperate with the sensei’s plan this time...
He couldn’t show any mercy to Shimura Danzō again!
Otherwise, he himself—this criminal bearing the weight of guilt—might be next in line for the sensei's purge...
Hiruzen had never once doubted the terrifying power of Senju Tobirama’s blazing, corrupted Will of Fire!
What Hiruzen hadn’t anticipated was—
The person Kazuki mentioned, who would come looking for him, wasn’t from the Root.
It was Senju Tobirama himself, who would soon return to Konoha.
From the zero-score Will of Fire exams, to the filth and betrayal within Danzō’s Root, to Orochimaru—his own student—trying to steal Kazuki’s body...
They were going to sit down and have a very, very serious talk!
Kazuki turned and looked, one by one, at those waving at him—Shisui, Asuma, Tsunade who still wanted to keep talking, and those smiling at him: Sakumo, Kakuzu, Shikuro, and others...
Everyone gave him a serious look, then ordered Sarutobi Hiruzen, “Organize everyone to return to the village. I have important matters to deal with here.”
Standing closest to Kazuki, Hiruzen could clearly sense that Kazuki’s chakra was showing signs of instability.
The Third Hokage’s mind moved like lightning—he immediately understood: Senju Tobirama was making his move!
Though he knew he was complicit in something wrong, Hiruzen nodded helplessly, burdened by guilt, and thought to himself: 'I’m sorry, Kazuki.'
'But I’ll do everything I can to protect Shisui, even if he’s done something over the line under Tobirama-sama’s influence…'
Kazuki’s figure disappeared on the spot.
Hiruzen cleared his throat and addressed the group, who were still full of doubt and curiosity: “Kazuki still has matters to handle on the battlefield! Let’s return to the village first…”
“The war is already won! If you want to speak with Kazuki, there’ll be plenty of chances later. For now, please return to your duties!”
Hiruzen spoke with the authority of a Hokage, even though the words left him feeling deeply conflicted.
Will they really be able to see Kazuki again?
Seeing Kazuki again was certain—but whether he would still be the same Kazuki, that was another question entirely...
But there was no other choice.
In this kind of situation, Hiruzen could only play it step by step—just like he had lived his whole life: patching things up, holding everything together until it could no longer be held.
“Front ranks to the back, group formation—move out!” Hiruzen commanded, his voice unexpectedly loud.
As if the louder he spoke, the more he could drown out the unease in his heart...
Not a single Konoha ninja noticed anything unusual.
Everyone remained in high spirits, relaxed, chatting excitedly about the village’s future, Kazuki’s strength, and the bright days ahead.
Although many had noticed that Kazuki’s chakra seemed unstable when he was absorbing the tailed beast chakra, no one thought much of it…
After all, this was Kazuki-sama—the man who could wield almost every kekkei genkai in the ninja world!
Sure, maybe he’d absorbed too much tailed beast chakra, and it was hard to manage, but he hadn’t lost control, right?
It was just a little chakra turbulence. Nothing serious.
No one knew that Kazuki had already embarked on the path to seal himself.
At that moment—
Uchiha Izuna, Uchiha Madara, and Uchiha Obito had all fallen into silence.
Wait—was Kazuki really that strong?
Much like the Third Raikage, Izuna didn’t believe that this battle—where Kazuki wasn’t even injured—had forced him to reveal all his cards. This clearly wasn’t Kazuki going all out.
It was only when caught off guard by the Amber Purifying Pot that Kazuki slowly drew the legendary Sword of Totsuka.
On that point, Izuna felt Kazuki resembled Senju Tobirama: both liked to keep something hidden up their sleeves. Though in terms of strength, the two couldn’t even be compared.
Madara patted Izuna’s shoulder and softly said, “It’s a good thing you were here, Izuna.”
Obito, clearly impressed, added, “Izuna, how did you know Kazuki was that strong…”
This old-and-young pair—Madara and Obito—had originally planned to rush onto the battlefield and collect the tailed beast chakra right in front of them…
Even if Kazuki objected, didn’t they still have Kamui and the Rinnegan?
How could they possibly lose?
But after witnessing Kazuki’s performance on the battlefield, both Madara and Obito felt secretly relieved—thank goodness they hadn’t gone through with it!
Otherwise, if Kazuki had truly seen them as enemies, they would’ve been in serious trouble!
Comments
Zero Speed
Thanks for the chapter
