The issue with White Zetsu had been resolved, and Black Zetsu had retreated. This crisis brought about by Black Zetsu's appearance ended with him being forced to flee after receiving a taste of the Gut-Taste Bud Technique, and Tobi being driven off by Minato.
Although the enemy was repelled and the hostage rescued, the situation fell far short of Uchiha Kei's original plan to take down Black Zetsu.
After this incident, catching Black Zetsu would be ten times harder. That creature would never show himself in front of Uchiha Kei again.
On the flip side, it meant the crisis posed by Black Zetsu had completely passed—for now. Without absolute certainty, Black Zetsu would now avoid Uchiha Kei like the plague.
With the danger cleared, Uchiha Kei promptly returned to his usual routine—continuing to live as an emotionless game developer.
After all, his cheat was game development. The better the games, the more players, the greater the benefits—and this was his biggest trump card against both Black Zetsu and possibly the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
As for the Uchiha clan and others, Kei informed them that Black Zetsu had retreated and posed no immediate danger. They only needed to remain cautious when traveling.
Should Black Zetsu reappear in the Hidden Leaf Village, the Nine-Tails would detect him immediately—so there was no need for concern.
Otherwise, everything went back to business as usual.
The news that Black Zetsu had fled shocked everyone. No one knew exactly what had happened, and Kei didn't explain.
Still, an enemy's retreat was a victory.
Now that everyone knew how dangerous and elusive White and Black Zetsu were, both the Uchiha and others treated them seriously and with considerable fear.
Faced with enemies lurking in the shadows, a heavy pressure settled over everyone, sparking a strong desire to grow stronger.
Within the Uchiha clan—
The clan elders were holding one of their regular meetings. Thankfully, the Uchiha weren't like the Five Elders from One Piece, all pose and no action. Although their meetings used to be mostly pointless, they now focused on meaningful matters.
At this moment, Uchiha Setsuna, who seemed ten years younger thanks to the gamer snacks he'd eaten, spoke energetically: "Everyone, as Kei-dono said, Black Zetsu has retreated. However, that enemy still lurks somewhere in the shinobi world, eyeing our clan just as he once targeted the Uzumaki.
"That's why we must bolster the Uchiha's elite power—namely, the potential for more Mangekyō Sharingan users!"
"The Mangekyō Sharingan is no longer just our clan's pride and future. It is key to our very survival! We must acquire a second pair of Mangekyō eyes. This can no longer wait."
The elders all nodded solemnly.
Clan head Uchiha Masanobu said seriously, "I will enter the genjutsu game 'Escape' and attempt to awaken the Mangekyō. If the food Kei-dono gave me can sustain my life, I'll continue to serve the clan.
"If not, I will leave behind my Mangekyō Sharingan before I die."
"Fugaku, when that time comes, the burden of the clan will fall to you."
He said this to his son, Uchiha Fugaku.
Fugaku wore a grim expression, eyes full of worry and reluctance, but he still nodded resolutely. "Yes, Father. I won't let you down."
Uchiha Masanobu smiled and nodded, then addressed the others. "Then, everyone, please stand guard. I will fulfill my destiny."
The elders immediately nodded, and a barrier was erected. The Uchiha leaders stood watch, ensuring there would be no interruptions.
Uchiha Masanobu opened the prepared scroll for 'Escape' and entered the game.
Thus began his eye-opening journey.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze approached Orochimaru again—quietly.
Orochimaru was curious. "Minato-kun, what is it now?"
Minato silently released the last White Zetsu in his possession.
Orochimaru blinked. "Isn't that the one you were going to give to the old man? You didn't hand it over?"
Minato shook his head. "I was going to, but then Elder Danzō showed up and said he was taking Obito to Root for questioning.
"Lord Third only dismissed Danzō, but didn't take a strong stance. And judging by Danzō's attitude, I suspect he hasn't let the matter go. He might still go after Obito."
"Lord Third trusts Danzō completely. He doesn't consider the possibility of Danzō acting on his own. And I have a hunch—if I hand this White Zetsu over, it'll end up in Root, and no one knows what they might do with it."
"Maybe it sounds far-fetched, but I truly believe if that happens, it could be a disaster for all of Konoha. So I chose not to hand it over." For more chapters visıt 𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅✦𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾✦𝗇𝖾𝗍
Orochimaru was stunned, then smirked. "You're not wrong. Shimura Danzō is dangerous. He's also extreme—he won't hesitate to conduct illegal human experiments.
"He even tried to recruit me to Root, offering rare research materials, even live subjects. But I refused, thanks to Kei-dono."
"Besides, the old man never interferes in his affairs. He trusts him implicitly. They grew up together—there's a deep bond. That kind of attachment blinds him. Unless Danzō crosses an unforgivable line, he'll never stop trusting him—just like he clings to his belief in the Will of Fire."
"Sadly, the old man doesn't realize that people change. Especially over time. Even he himself has changed more than he realizes."
"Minato, your instincts are right. Konoha is rotting. That rot will only deepen. We need new blood—someone to lead a true transformation."
Minato was silent for a moment, then asked, "Orochimaru-senpai, when will you become Hokage?"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow, then chuckled and shook his head. "Minato, I have no interest in the Hokage position anymore. In fact, I've already told the old man—I'm withdrawing from the Fourth Hokage race."
"If you want the Fourth to emerge soon, go talk to Tsunade. Convince her to ask the old man for power directly."
"Knowing him, he might instinctively resist handing over power. But he'll still do it. Tsunade will take the role smoothly."
"That's just today's version of him. If he were older and more conservative, he wouldn't do the same. So if you want change, you need to act fast."
Minato looked surprised. "You're giving up the Hokage title? Why?"
Orochimaru smiled. "Minato, you know my true self now spends all day studying in the grand library. I yearn more to be a seeker of truth than a ruler. I want to chase infinite wisdom."
"To me, the Hokage title has become a hindrance to that pursuit—it would take up too much time and slow me down."
He sighed. "In this regard, you can't compare to Kei-dono. But then, someone like me rarely finds 'kindred spirits.' Having Kei-dono as one is already a blessing."
At the mention of Uchiha Kei, admiration and sincere gratitude lit up Orochimaru's face.
Minato recognized that expression—it was the same feeling he had when finding a kindred soul. He nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. Compared to Kei-dono, I'm just ordinary. And to earn your admiration, he must be extraordinary."
He spoke with genuine awe.
Orochimaru wholeheartedly agreed. In fact, they could probably spend hours fanboying over Kei together.
But right now, they had to stay on topic.
"So... the Fourth Hokage will be Lady Tsunade?"
Minato spoke with wonder, even disbelief. Up to this point, Tsunade hadn't seemed interested, and few supported her. Most backed Orochimaru—both elite and common ninja.
Yet in the end, it was Tsunade who would take the title.
Orochimaru smiled. "Tsunade represents the Senju clan—Konoha's princess. She has supporters throughout the village. She's also the greatest medical ninja and respected even among nobles and daimyō."
"If she truly wants to be Hokage, even I couldn't compete. She just didn't want it before."
Minato: "And now she's willing?"
Orochimaru smiled meaningfully. "Sometimes, it's not about what she wants. If she wants to be with Kei-dono, she must take that position. It will become the will of both founding clans of Konoha."
Minato's eyes widened. "What? Lady Tsunade is going to date Kei-dono? W-what's going on?!"
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Minato-kun, it seems you're completely unaware of the latest village gossip."
Minato scratched his head. "Well, there's been a lot going on, and I've been busy training my students. Has something big happened?"
Orochimaru didn't elaborate. He simply told Minato to investigate for himself, then took the White Zetsu sample to his underground lab.
He already had two specimens, but the more the better for a research maniac like him.
Meanwhile, Minato looked into Orochimaru's claims. Sure enough, the rumors were already spreading like wildfire.
At first, only ninja knew. But now even civilians were talking. The elderly in the village were gossiping passionately.
Everyone had heard it—Lady Tsunade was dating a young Uchiha not yet twenty years old.
Minato broke into a cold sweat.