Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 60: Taking a Nap?

A piercing eagle cry echoed through the sky.

In the Valley of Fallen God.

After finishing the ninjutsu training for Samui, who left deeply moved, Hagoromo Gengetsu rested in the valley for two days. Then, a messenger hawk from the Hagoromo clan arrived again.

Hagoromo Gengetsu extended his arm.

With a gust of wind and flapping wings, a half-meter-long messenger hawk swiftly descended and accurately landed on Hagoromo Gengetsu's arm.

"So quickly, there's already a lead?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu retrieved the small scroll tied to the hawk's leg and used the clan's special hand signs to unseal it.

As expected, the Hagoromo clan had already gathered and promptly delivered information about Shinno.

"He’s within the borders of the Land of Fire? Seems it's not too far from here. Let’s make this quick; there might be a little surprise waiting in Konoha later."

Hagoromo Gengetsu released the hawk, and with a flash, vanished from the Valley of Fallen God.

Simultaneously.

In Konohagakure.

The smoke of battle had dissipated from this remarkably resilient village.

All the ruins had been cleared, and the collapsed houses rebuilt. The streets and alleys were bustling with people once more.

Everything seemed exactly the same as before the Chūnin Exams.

But it only appeared that way.

Some events and individuals had quietly changed on the inside.

At Konoha Hospital.

Sasuke, who had returned from the Land of Tea and was being treated at the hospital, finally couldn't hold back and challenged Naruto to a duel on the rooftop after their first meeting.

Although Kakashi interrupted at the last moment, comparing the destruction caused by Chidori and Rasengan, Sasuke, who was full of confidence and about to leave, turned around and saw the back of the water tower, which had been completely destroyed by Naruto's Rasengan. His previously proud face instantly froze.

Crack!

Sasuke clenched his fist, his eyes lowered, and his expression darkened.

"Naruto..."

Since when did Naruto become so strong?

All along, that guy was seen by everyone as a loser, while he was recognized as a genius.

But what happened during this period?

Naruto defeated the rampaging Gaara; he defeated Aoi Rokusho wielding the Sword of the Thunder God; even in the recent battle, if Kakashi hadn't intervened mid-fight...

The more Sasuke thought about it, the tighter he clenched his fists.

Why was Naruto progressing so fast?

In comparison, it seemed he had been standing still.

"It seems the rumors are true. The only survivor of the prestigious Uchiha clan is the least talented one!"

The words spoken by Aoi Rokusho echoed in Sasuke's mind.

And that man!

"You are weak... Why are you so weak? Because your hatred towards me is not enough."

Recalling his recent encounter with Itachi Uchiha, where he was once again powerless like when he was seven, Sasuke was filled with determination.

He couldn't stay like this any longer!

"Even Naruto has caught up to me! If I continue standing still, how can I kill Itachi!"

"This ninja game... it's time to end it!"

Sasuke looked towards the village outskirts, finally making a decision.

On a desolate path, the white-haired Shinno walked alone with a cane, carrying a medicine box on his back.

Over the years, he had traveled across various countries in the ninja world, ostensibly to heal the sick and injured, but actually to find forbidden techniques to control Zero-Tails.

Shennong wasn’t worried about his identity being exposed; after all, to outsiders, the once fleeting Sora-nin had long ceased to exist.

His high reputation from saving countless lives served as a sufficient shield against trouble.

However, today, it seemed he had misjudged his luck.

"Shinno?"

Seeing a stranger suddenly blocking his path, Shennong frowned subtly but still used his usual kindly tone:

"Young man, are you sick? Please explain your symptoms."

Given that the person knew his name, they should also know his profession.

Shennong assumed this person, like many others, had come seeking medical help after hearing of his reputation.

"Sick? I am indeed sick."

The visitor, naturally, was Hagoromo Gengetsu.

He nodded and said, "But rather than having someone else treat me, I prefer to heal myself."

Hagoromo Gengetsu didn’t want Shennong, who was kind on the surface but sinister inside, to secretly leave any harmful elements in his body during treatment.

Medicine is a specialized field.

If a doctor deliberately left something behind during treatment, it would be difficult for the patient to know.

Therefore, Hagoromo Gengetsu preferred to spend some effort learning medical ninjutsu himself to ensure foolproof treatment.

Hagoromo Gengetsu got straight to the point: "Hand over all your medical ninjutsu. I will give you satisfactory compensation, leader of the Sora-nin."

"I'm just an ordinary person, how would I know medical ninjutsu... Wait! What did you say?"

Shennong's expression suddenly changed.

While he was habitually claiming to be just an ordinary person, a few seconds later, he realized.

Leader of the Sora-nin?

His identity was exposed?

Shinno found it hard to believe.

But looking at Hagoromo Gengetsu's calm and unwavering eyes, he knew that no matter what he said now, it was already pointless.

"Foolish young man, wouldn’t it be better to live a good life?"

Shinno sighed.

Then, abandoning pretense, he tore off his facade and revealed his true nature, his face filled with ferocity as he looked at Hagoromo Gengetsu:

"You want to learn my medical ninjutsu? Threaten me with the Sora-nin?"

"Foolish! Arrogant! Greedy!"

"I'll send you to meet the Grim Reaper right now!"

Shinno tore off his outer clothes, revealing a strong body completely at odds with his age.

Seeing Shinno suddenly turning hostile, Hagoromo Gengetsu also sighed:

"Stubborn old man, why can’t we have a proper conversation? I gave you a chance, but you blew it. And by the way, I’ve already met the Grim Reaper. No need for another meeting."

Met the Grim Reaper?

In his enhanced form, Shennong thought Hagoromo Gengetsu was out of his mind.

Too lazy to say more, the self-confident Shennong roared:

"Young fool, since you know about the Sora-nin, do you know what I have been doing these past fifty years?"

"Do you know what fifty years means?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu tilted his head slightly, seriously pondering for a moment, then spread his hands and answered:

"Taking a nap?"

"Still talking tough when you're about to die!"

An enraged Shinno quickly formed hand seals.

"Forbidden Medical Ninjutsu: Body Revival!"

Instantly, his muscles bulged.

Transforming into a small giant, Shinno took a swift step forward, the ground shaking violently, and he rushed at Hagoromo Gengetsu with great speed, throwing a powerful punch:

"Die! Little brat!"

One minute later.

"Stop hitting me! I give up!"

Shinno, who had been so imposing and confident earlier, was now bruised and battered, raising a white flag and shouting for mercy.

With not a wrinkle on his clothes, Hagoromo Gengetsu shook his head and sighed at the scene:

"Why don't people listen to kind words? Why force me to take action?"

"Is it really so hard for people to engage in peaceful transactions?"

"This world... is truly tough!"