Chapter 113 - Strongest Hokage

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Ignoring Hashirama's endless chatter, Akio and Tobirama simply bid him farewell. Tobirama then released the Impure World Reincarnation.

"Second Granduncle, let's go."

Akio nodded, his mind heavy with thoughts.

That couldn't have been the afterlife of another world! Akio was in turmoil. Even though I'm a transmigrator, this body belongs to the Naruto world. The chakra I used to connect with the afterlife is also from this world. So the afterlife I sensed just now must be part of this world too.

After thinking it through for a while, his thoughts gradually became clearer.

Even if the modern world shouldn't have a real "afterlife," I poured so much chakra into it that it's impossible no distance was covered. That means there's only one possibility... Akio sighed. Someone cut off my connection to the afterlife, making my chakra spin in place.

As for who it could be, Akio didn't need to guess.

The Sage of Six Paths has been monitoring the ninja world for years. He must've noticed something unusual about me—probably my reaching the limits of a mortal or my overly long lifespan.

Akio chuckled bitterly. If it weren't for this incident, he would've almost forgotten about the Sage's constant surveillance.

In that case, reaching my limit this time might actually be a good thing. It'll ease his concerns a bit. There's no way he could detect the system. Once I've gathered enough Witness Points, I'll upgrade straight to Level 9 across the board. Even if I'm still one of the weaker Six Paths-level beings, I don't believe he'll actually come and fight me.

Though Akio had lived for so many years that he no longer feared death, dying because of Black Zetsu's schemes would be one thing—he could at least blame himself for being careless. But if it was the Sage of Six Paths who acted against him just because of his own "abnormalities," that would truly be an unjust death.

A couple of coughs brought him out of his thoughts. Akio frowned and looked at Tobirama.

"Tobirama, are your old injuries still not healed?"

Tobirama gave a wry smile. "They were healed back then. But now... I'm not you. I'm already fifty-seven."

Akio was stunned, then fell silent with a sigh.

Tobirama continued, "I didn't call you here just to see Big Brother one last time. The Great Ninja War has finally come to a stop, but peace won't last long. I need your help. Konoha will need to elect a Third Hokage within the next two years."

Akio was surprised. "Why would you need my help with that? Just hold an election like the previous two times. It'll naturally work itself out. And the likely candidate is Hiruzen, right?"

"I haven't made a firm decision yet," Tobirama replied.

Akio was stunned and looked at Tobirama in surprise.

"I originally leaned toward Hiruzen," Tobirama admitted. "But over the years, I've noticed he's a bit indecisive. While kind, that may cause unrest in times of war."

"On the other hand, Danzo's personality is better suited for wartime leadership. While his methods can be questionable, they aren't necessarily detrimental."

…

As he listened to Tobirama, Akio slowly understood his thinking.

After a moment of hesitation, Akio sighed inwardly.

If Danzo becomes the Third Hokage, I'll probably earn a huge batch of Witness Points all at once... but the storyline will completely collapse after that. And Danzo as a person...

Shaking his head, Akio said, "I think Konoha should still have a benevolent Hokage on the surface. Hiruzen's personality wins people over. If you're worried, Danzo can serve as his advisor…"

He paused mid-sentence.

Isn't that exactly how it happened in the original timeline? Am I being biased against Danzo because of the original story?

After thinking it over, Akio shook his head again.

Maybe Danzo really did do a lot for Konoha in the beginning, but the things he did later on are just... indefensible.

Tobirama fell silent too, then let out a sigh. Clearly, he was troubled.

Akio chuckled. "Why are you only considering those two? Don't you have four disciples?"

Tobirama was startled, then slowly shook his head. "Two of them are commoners—there's no chance they could become Hokage. Torifu lacks talent, and as for Kagami…"

"Though he's different from the rest of the Uchiha, I still can't fully trust that clan."

"Commoners can't become Hokage?" Akio let out a quiet laugh. He didn't argue—Tobirama likely wouldn't live long enough to see that belief proven wrong. "I heard the Uchiha have changed a lot in recent years?"

Tobirama nodded. "Kagami's done well in that regard. But still, some Uchiha remain… problematic."

"In that case, let's stop overthinking. Hokage should be chosen based on strength," Akio suggested.

Tobirama paused. "Then that would still be Danzo."

Akio's expression darkened. He almost blurted out, Are you kidding me?

In the original story, Hiruzen's title as the "Strongest Hokage" became something of a joke after Hashirama appeared later in the series. Still, Hiruzen was a ninja who had mastered all five nature transformations. In Akio's system, mastery starts at Level 6 or 7, with Level 8 being the limit for a mortal.

In other words, without using Sage Mode or the Eight Gates, Hiruzen in his youth could probably go toe-to-toe with Akio from a decade ago. While Akio had Dust Release, he couldn't match Hiruzen's taijutsu—thanks in part to Enma, his summon, who made him a formidable taijutsu fighter.

He'd probably be ranked an SS- ninja. And you're telling me Danzo is stronger than him? Even if Hiruzen isn't at his peak now, he's still at least S+. And what does Danzo even have…?

Just then, Akio's expression changed.

"Tobirama, don't tell me you passed the Impure World Reincarnation technique to Danzo."

Tobirama shook his head. "Of course not. Danzo's strength lies in his Wind Release talent. He's also built upon your Rasengan and developed several advanced Wind techniques. He might even reach the same level with Wind Release that I did with Water Release."

"My Water Release?" Akio was stunned. In his eyes, Tobirama's Water Release was already at the peak of mortal capability—Level 8. He hadn't expected Danzo to have that kind of potential.

He fell silent, his expression complicated. He had nearly forgotten about teaching Rasengan to Sarutobi Sasuke and Shimura Ken back in the day. Who would've thought that small act would have such lasting effects?

After a long pause, Akio forced an awkward smile.

"Hokage or not, strength is important, but what matters more is the people's trust. I still think Hiruzen is more suitable."

Tobirama frowned. "Second Granduncle, that's not what you said earlier. Come to think of it, you really don't seem to like Danzo."

Akio shook his head. "No, it's not that. I just prefer Hiruzen."

Tobirama blinked, then gave him a strange look.

Akio's face darkened. "No, not like that!"

Tobirama cracked a teasing smile.

Akio blinked in disbelief. Tobirama knows how to joke? Is this really Tobirama in front of me? Or has old age made him go soft?

"No... that's impossible…"

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