Naruto : Sequence 0 Visionary

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Orochimaru's form faded into a spectral state and then vanished into thin air.

There was no warning, not even the slightest fluctuation of chakra throughout the entire process. Even Tobirama Senju, who was well-versed in ninjutsu, couldn't help but show a deep look of confusion on his face.

"Damn it, he still managed to escape!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru, who had left without a trace, and punched the ground in frustration, his face full of unwillingness.

But no matter how unwilling he was, what could he do?

Thinking about everything that had happened today, Hiruzen's expression turned pained as he closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. "Teacher, I was wrong. I should never have trusted him from the beginning. If it weren't for my indulgence, none of this would have happened."

However, Tobirama's thoughts were elsewhere. He stared at the spot where Orochimaru had disappeared, a thoughtful look on his face as he murmured, "Do you think Orochimaru caused such a huge commotion just to destroy Konoha? Is it really that simple?"

He felt that something about the entire situation was off.

Now that he had calmed down and reviewed the entire battle, he noticed a subtle detail.

Orochimaru's actions, along with everything he had said and done, carried an intense sense of inconsistency.

"Come to think of it, that's true."

Hiruzen quickly understood what his teacher meant, furrowing his brow. "The Orochimaru I know is always cautious and intelligent. He never does anything meaningless and would never publicly declare his betrayal and threaten to destroy Konoha in such a dramatic way. Knowing it was impossible to succeed, why would he still do it?"

"Exactly. He knew it was doomed to fail, yet he did it anyway. He's not a fool."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed, a hint of coldness in his tone. "Unless he intended to fail from the start."

"Knowing he would fail but still going through with it—are you saying...?"

Hiruzen's reaction was swift, and he immediately guessed a possibility, his expression changing slightly. "Orochimaru did it on purpose. We fell into his trap!"

"Exactly, we were all deceived!"

Only then did Tobirama realize that they had all been played by Orochimaru.

What a brilliant plan!

It was true, he thought—this level of acting was impressive. No wonder he was Sarutobi's disciple.

He had fooled them all.

Thinking about this, Tobirama Senju's anger flared up. He glared fiercely at Hiruzen Sarutobi and gritted his teeth, saying, "Go, have the Anbu search immediately. If Orochimaru went to such great lengths to divert our attention, then his target must be somewhere in Konoha!"

Feeling wronged but unable to voice it, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart was full of frustration. With his head lowered, he went to inform the Anbu.

Meanwhile…

After Orochimaru left, the curse mark controlling Uchiha Sogetsu soon lost its effect, likely due to the distance.

Regaining his senses after being suppressed by the Myojin Gate, Uchiha Sogetsu looked at the destruction around him, a hint of regret on his face. He said bitterly, "I'm sorry, Lord First. If I hadn't insisted on my own way and allowed Orochimaru to learn Reanimation Jutsu, perhaps today's situation wouldn't have happened."

"This isn't entirely your fault."

The First Hokage, looking at the delicate young man in front of him, sighed with a touch of sadness.

What a good child… How did that scoundrel Danzo end up getting him killed?

"Fourth, is it really you?!"

At that moment, someone from the Anbu tasked with cleaning up was shakily walking toward them.

Turning toward the voice, Uchiha Sogetsu smiled and greeted him, "It's you, Elephant. It's been a while. How have you been?"

With a thud, Elephant suddenly fell to his knees in front of everyone.

"Lord Fourth, it's all my fault!"

The proud leader of the Anbu couldn't hold back and burst into tears. "If only I had been more persistent and followed you… maybe you wouldn't have died!"

Uchiha Sogetsu's eyes softened, and he spoke gently, "Stand up, Elephant. This wasn't your fault."

But even so, Elephant couldn't forgive himself. Ever since the Fourth's death, he had been mired in deep self-blame and guilt.

He had imagined countless times that if he had insisted on going with the Fourth back then, would that tragedy have been avoided?

But sadly… there are no ifs in life.

Now, seeing the Fourth Hokage again, a heavy wave of guilt and self-reproach shattered Elephant's emotional defenses.

"If you feel indebted, then protect Konoha well for me," Uchiha Sogetsu said softly.

"Yes, Fourth Hokage, I will definitely protect Konoha well for you!"

Looking at the boy who seemed as radiant as the sun, Elephant felt a long-lost sense of peace. The darkness that once loomed over him seemed to be dispersed by a gentle ray of sunlight.

"Fourth Hokage!"

"Is it really the Fourth Hokage? Damn it, let me through!"

"Let me see the Fourth Hokage!"

"Please, sir, let me see Lord Fourth one more time!"

"Fourth Hokage, we miss you!"

The ninjas who had been outside the barrier now surged forward like a tide.

But the enthusiastic crowd was stopped by the Anbu, leaving them straining on tiptoe, desperately trying to catch a glimpse of the gentle 'Fourth Hokage.'

"Do you want to go and see them?" 

The First Hokage spoke slowly, "I can release the Myojin Gate and let you see them one more time."

Uchiha Sogetsu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head with a gentle smile. "No, First Hokage. After causing such a commotion, I can't face everyone."

"The matter with Orochimaru is not your fault."

The First Hokage felt an even deeper sense of regret. Such a sincere and kind-hearted Uchiha was truly a natural Hokage.

His thoughts wandered uncontrollably. He wondered if Uchiha Madara, seeing such a descendant who embodied both the Uchiha's bloodline and the unyielding Will of Fire, would feel at peace in the afterlife. Would he finally be able to let go?

Suddenly, the dust covering Uchiha Sogetsu's body, held down by the Myojin Gate, began to fade and fall away.

"Fourth Hokage, you—"

Elephant's face turned pale, his voice strained, and a hint of reluctance shone in his trembling eyes.

"Ah, it seems my time is up."

Uchiha Sogetsu's expression turned sorrowful but quickly softened again as he spoke gently, "It's okay, Elephant. I am already someone who is dead. I'm just going back to where I belong."

"But the First Hokage and Second Hokage are still here, aren't they?"

Elephant blurted out his words without thinking but quickly realized his mistake and apologized in alarm. "I'm sorry, First Hokage-sama. I didn't mean to accuse you. I just wanted to say..."

"No, you're right," the First Hokage sighed and said, "Tobirama and I should have departed a long time ago. It's just that there's something unfinished keeping us here."

"Big brother, you're talking too much," came a sudden voice. At some point, Tobirama Senju had returned and interrupted the First Hokage.

"Ah, sorry, just pretend you didn't hear anything," the First Hokage said, scratching the back of his head and laughing heartily as usual.

"Sogetsu, I need to ask you about something," Tobirama went straight to the point. "On that day when Danzo killed you, what exactly happened?"

"It was the Aurora Order, Tobirama-sama," Uchiha Sogetsu recalled, speaking slowly. "That day, I sensed someone spying on me, so I followed the shadow all the way to the headquarters of 'Root.' I snuck inside and discovered Danzo was in secret communication with the Aurora Order."

"As I thought!" Tobirama's face darkened with anger, his powerful chakra surging as he suppressed his fury. "And then? What happened next?"

"Then I hid and tried to listen to what they were discussing," Sogetsu continued, a hint of bitterness appearing on his face. "They were talking about things like a 'Blasphemy Slate,' a 'Summoning Ritual,' and the 'True Creator.' But before I could hear more, the mysterious man in the black robe speaking with Danzo sensed my presence. You know what happened after that."

"The Dark Saint... No wonder," Tobirama muttered, recalling their recent clash.

"Tobirama-sama, please be careful with the Aurora Order," Sogetsu said seriously. "I don't know what exactly they're planning, but my instincts tell me their scheme is extremely dangerous."

"Don't worry, my brother and I will get to the bottom of this," Tobirama reassured him.

Senju Tobirama nodded in agreement and said, "As for their plans, I have a rough idea."

"That's good, that's good."

Uchiha Sogetsu looked at him and said softly, "I'm sorry for causing you trouble, Lord Tobirama."

Tobirama felt a pang of regret as he watched Sogetsu's Reanimation Jutsu body slowly fade and crumble. He sighed deeply, "Do you have any last wishes? I will try my best to fulfill them."

After thinking for a moment, Uchiha Sogetsu said, "Please, on my behalf, take care of the Uchiha clan a little."

"I promise," Tobirama said with a slight nod, watching as the young man began to dissipate completely. "Is there anything else you wish to say?"

"One last thing, and I hope you can agree to it."

Uchiha Sogetsu smiled peacefully and said, "My life, though short, was full of excitement. I made many mistakes, and the Third Shinobi War started because of me alone, so I am not worthy of the title of Fourth Hokage. Besides, I never formally assumed the position. So, please, erase my name so that future generations don't ridicule me."

"I cannot agree to that."

Tobirama shook his head, rejecting the request. "Uchiha Sogetsu, whether you accept it or not, you are Konoha's Fourth Hokage. Your actions are worthy of the term 'flawless,' and your life deserves no slander from anyone!"

"Fourth Hokage, you don't need to be so harsh on yourself!"

Elephant knelt on the ground, eyes filled with tears, and said in a hoarse voice, "You are a true hero. Your entire life has been dedicated to protecting the will of Konoha. Please, don't speak like that!"

"Sogetsu, you did well."

The First Hokage raised a thumb and grinned, "You embody the true 'Will of Fire' and are unquestionably a worthy Hokage!"

In the distance, the vast crowd still shouted his name at the top of their lungs.

People were so overwhelmed that some fainted, but even more pressed forward, all wanting just one glimpse of him. Every face was streaked with tears.

At that moment, Uchiha Sogetsu smiled, and with a gust of wind, his Reanimation Jutsu body turned to ashes.

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