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Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 The First Title in the Ninja World

While every shinobi was glued to the screen, Hiruzen Sarutobi panicked! He had indeed protected Naruto once from Danzo's strike, but beyond that he'd hardly cared about the boy only shielding him from Danzo's ambush. The rest? As long as Naruto didn't die, Sarutobi never interfered. And Danzo? He'd pinned the blame on the Third Hokage, then slipped away unharmed! When the First and Second Hokage asked, Danzo just passed the buck after all, he wasn't the Third, and he wasn't the primary decision-maker. So Sarutobi had no choice but to catch the hot potato.

Tobirama Senju"Sarutobi, I know you're watching explain yourself, including Konoha's management."

Madara Uchiha"I've said it: no place in this world is truly peaceful. You understand now, Senju Mito? Only unification brings peace!"

Hashirama Senju"… you talk too much, but everything you say is true."

Uzumaki Naruto fell silent. No one answered his question. Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki didn't know what to say they'd imagined Naruto would have the best upbringing and resources, as the hero's son, the Hokage's child… but that was only their fantasy, right?

Naruto Uzumaki"Mom, Dad, I've been eating well, I'm not picky, and I have so many friends… Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Master Teuchi they've all been good to me, and Granny Tsunade… please don't worry about me."

Minato and Kushina froze. Naruto didn't blame them? Iruka smiled, Teuchi quietly pocketed his ramen coupon. Kakashi maintained his usual expression more stoic than ever since being alone.

Kushina Uzumaki"You… really… don't blame us?"

Naruto Uzumaki"No, I have such wonderful parents how could I blame you?"

Had Iruka not intercepted that blow back then, Naruto might have fallen to darkness.

Video footage:

Ōnoki watched Karin Uzumaki speak, when suddenly a swirling vortex opened where Sasuke had stood, and a figure landed carrying Sasuke. The Five Kage frowned at the newcomer.

Masked Man"My name is Uchiha Madara."

No one spoke.

Hashirama Senju"Hey, Madara, you didn't die?"

Minato Namikaze"I've seen this man: he was the one who released the Nine-Tails back then. He also called himself Uchiha Madara."

Madara Uchiha"Who knows? Maybe it really is me."

Tobirama Senju"Impossible not Madara with a cool punk style would ever cut his hair. It can't be him."

Hashirama Senju"Huh? Brother, you know Madara better than I do?"

Tobirama Senju"Tch, big brother, do you think half my taboo jutsu weren't devised against the Uchiha? Know your enemy!"

Madara Uchiha"Could you be more polite? What do you mean half your jutsu targeted us?"

Tobirama Senju"…I meant it as a compliment to your clan's power."

Madara Uchiha"I appreciate that compliment!"

Masked Man (Madara) on screen:

"I have something to tell you."

Fourth Raikage Darui"What is it?"

Masked Man"My goal is Infinite Tsukuyomi."

"I will cast an illusion on every living soul."

"I will control all under the genjutsu."

"I will unify the world as one."

"That is my Eye of the Moon Plan."

Darui burst with rage, "You must be joking, I will never hand the world over to someone like you!"

Gaara, no longer silent, stared at the Masked Man and spoke softly, "A false peace is a lie. True peace has meaning only when achieved in reality."

The Masked Man said nothing further and turned to the Kage.

Masked Man"Yosh!""The Fourth Great Ninja War begins now I hereby declare war!"

Before Darui could retort, Ōnoki beat him to it:

Ōnoki"The Fourth Great Ninja War? Are you serious?"

Excluding the missing Hokage and the fugitive Danzo, the Four Kage now stood united.

System"Question One: In the video, what role does Gaara hold?"A Fourth Kazekage's BodyguardB Fourth Kazekage

System"A correct choice wins 10,000 gold! A wrong choice, unknown penalty!"System"Even a giveaway question missed means you need a brain check! We can treat you if you can afford it!"

Tobirama Senju"Can I arrange a brain exam for my brother?"

Hashirama Senju"Huh?"

Madara Uchiha"Funny, I was thinking the same…"

Hashirama Senju"Wow, Madara, you too?"

Mito Uzumaki laughed, "A brain check might save him future trouble, no more pestering Madara!"

System"Sorry, congenital foolishness is untreatable!"

Tobirama Senju"…"

Madara Uchiha"…"

Mito Uzumaki"…"

Hashirama Senju"So you're saying there's no cure for me?"

Uchiha Izuna"…why are you suddenly so clever?"

Video ends on Gaara and Temari standing side by side. That meant one of them must be a Kage! And Gaara, level with the other Kage…

It takes no genius to choose B, right?

System"Time's up!"System"2421 chose A"System"452,121 chose B"

Tobirama Senju"Remember those who chose A keep away from them!"

Hashirama Senju"Why, brother?"

Tobirama Senju"…you don't need to worry. You wouldn't choose A."

System"Correct answer is B! Winners get 10,000 gold!"System"Wrong answers receive the title 'Go Home and Get Your Brain Checked'!"System"Title effect: anyone who sees it knows your IQ isn't normal!"

Tobirama Senju"Incredible…"

Thankfully Hashirama has a brother who's smart, or the "God of Shinobi" would be walking around with that title! How to display it? Imagine strolling town with seven blinking characters above your head: "Go Home and Get Your Brain Checked." It'd be obvious to everyone that your IQ is… unusual.

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