Naruto: Rebuilding the Hidden Sand Village

Konoha, Year 45.

With Sunagakure launching its own campaign against the Leaf, another major village had joined the war. The already chaotic battlefield of the shinobi world was descending into utter disorder.

And, just as Chiyo had predicted, after yet another four-village assault on Konoha, the Leaf was finally showing signs of strain. Understandably so—facing the shameless aggression of four great shinobi villages would put pressure on anyone.

True, in the previous wars Konoha had fought off multiple villages at once—sometimes even all four plus the Land of Rain. But things weren't like they used to be.

The Third Hokage stood by the window, gazing out at a village subdued by the weight of war. From the First Shinobi World War to the Second, and now the Third, he'd watched as living standards had steadily risen, average incomes improved, and the villagers' sense of happiness grew stronger.

But their combat strength… had clearly declined.

He thought back to the time his teacher, the Second Hokage—Tobirama Senju—was ambushed. To protect his squad, Tobirama had faced the entire Kinkaku Force alone… and died in battle.

As Tobirama's most accomplished student, Hiruzen had stepped up in that crisis to inherit the title of Hokage. Ever since, he had carried that burden with unwavering dedication. No matter how brutal the war, he had always led the village to victory. He had cultivated the Sannin—renowned across the entire shinobi world—and reformed the Academy, making it more effective at producing talented young shinobi.

He had defied the rules his teacher left behind, allowing a handful of Uchiha to take on missions outside the village each year, easing tensions between the clan and the village government.

He had trusted his loyal friends—Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane—to help manage village affairs. And in the shadows, he had Danzo Shimura… his oldest comrade.

So why… was the village growing weaker?

He recalled a recent report from the ANBU and let out a wry chuckle. Of his three students, only Orochimaru had remained truly loyal. Of course… that one had always been obedient—brilliant, ruthless, and calculating. True, something about him had changed over the years, but at least he wasn't like Tsunade—who'd wasted away drinking and gambling—or Jiraiya, who was always off "doing research."

The Third Hokage removed the pipe from his mouth, gazing out in the direction of the Wind Country. He sighed.

"Orochimaru… Is he really fit to be the Fourth Hokage?"

Then a smile slowly formed at the corner of his lips.

"He truly does carry the Will of Fire. A fine shinobi… My finest pupil, after all. Hahaha…"

Meanwhile…

"I think so too."

Clad in his flak vest, Orochimaru licked his lips and smiled coldly as he studied the map before him.

"Forget Iwagakure for now. They've failed to break through for so long that trying to launch a counterattack now would be idiotic. Konoha's not the kind of place that falls to a casual ambush."

"Then… Lord Orochimaru, you mean—"

"We ignore them. For now."

Lowering his head, he stared at the map again, finger tracing over one marked point.

"Kikyo Pass, huh? Suna and Iwa both…"

He smiled again, snake-like and sinister.

"Looks like Sunagakure's gotten a bit cocky with their new Fourth Kazekage."

With a loud smack, he slapped the table.

"In that case… let's take them down first."

This mission wasn't just about warfare.

The old man was getting on in years, and it was about time Konoha chose its next Hokage.

Orochimaru figured he had the best shot. He was powerful, already recognized as one of the Sannin, and had two very influential friends—Tsunade and Jiraiya.

Tsunade had no interest in the Hokage seat, especially after that incident. She was drowning herself in sake and debt. If this kept up, even the Senju clan's inheritance wouldn't cover her losses.

And Jiraiya? That guy hadn't changed since childhood—except now he had the reputation of a legendary Sannin to hide behind. At least he made an effort to sneak into hot springs "for research."

Sure, his books didn't sell much… but he had solemnly sworn he'd never be Hokage. In fact, he'd even said, "If you become Hokage, Orochimaru, and grant me a pass to the women's baths, I'll personally campaign for you."

Of course…

"As the future Hokage, there's no way I'd do something so shameless," Orochimaru thought.

He wasn't like the old man, always peering into the women's bath with that "village surveillance" crystal ball of his.

To be honest, he didn't really crave the Hokage seat. But to explore the secrets of chakra, humanity, and the shinobi world… the authority of Hokage would be a convenient tool.

He had the power, the connections, the talent—and even the current Hokage was his teacher.

So why shouldn't he be the Fourth Hokage?

Ever since Tsunade and Jiraiya bowed out, the outcome had been all but decided.

Still…

"We'll fight," Orochimaru murmured, licking his lips again, eyes narrowing. "And we'll fight well. The village elders need a proper reason to shut up."

The Hokage title… was already in the bag.

"Sensei, do you want to become Hokage too?"

The boy with the goggles asked cheerfully, grinning up at the tall, blond shinobi.

"In that case, I guess I'll have to be the next Hokage!"

"Idiot."

The silver-haired boy beside him rolled his eyes.

"Kakashi, I get it. You're jealous of my talent, right? Jealous that I'm going to be Hokage!"

"Idiot. Moron."

"Hey! That's two insults now!"

"Idiot. Moron. Coward."

"…!!"

Obito's eyebrow twitched. This damned Kakashi…

He rolled up his sleeves, ready to teach him a lesson.

"Alright, alright! Enough bickering," Minato said, stepping in with a helpless smile. "You two really do get along well, don't you?"

"Like hell we do!" ×2

Obito and Kakashi both huffed and looked away in unison.

"Still saying that, huh?" Minato laughed, looking fondly at the two of them. Especially Kakashi…

Maybe I won't even need to remind him. He might already be learning the value of his comrades.

But lately…

Kakashi kept completing missions solo. Even when his teammates were in danger, he treated the mission as more important. That wouldn't do. The Third Hokage had personally asked Minato to guide Kakashi properly—to raise him into a shinobi who carried the Will of Fire.

He sighed.

Not yet. I'll need to wait for the right time.

Turning to Obito, still proudly claiming he'd be Hokage, Minato chuckled. "I don't think I'll be the next Hokage."

"Huh? Why not, sensei?"

"Idiot. The Sannin are still around. Jiraiya-sama was his teacher," Kakashi said with a scoff, arms crossed.

"You really don't know that? Classic Obito."

"So that's how it is… Hey! What's with that look?! You totally think I'm an idiot!"

"Because you are."

"That's it! You're dead, Kakashi!"

Meanwhile…

At the Land of Fire border, Chiyo's forces had begun their move.

Kana knelt beside a silver-haired child, whose expression remained calm even when surrounded by hostile shinobi.

With a gentle smile, she asked softly, "Hello. I'm Kana. Tell me… what happened to your eyes?"

PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin