Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?-Chapter 289: The Robe Passed to Gojo Kaigetsu!

~ Support & Read 11 Advanced Chapters on Patreon!

<><><><>

"The Land of Lightning is now filled with desperate individuals clamoring for cash. We've acquired their valuable assets at extremely low prices. Estates, factories, advanced technology—everything."

"Ten million ryō can now purchase a productive noble estate that previously cost tens of millions. Those state-owned assets belonging to the Daimyo's government are also being systematically—liquidated by our Shinobi..."

"I estimate that within three months, the Land of Lightning will submit to the Hokage Tower's rule, becoming an inseparable part of Konoha."

"Hmm~"

The Daimyo of the Four Great Nations had all participated in the tulip speculation.

The wealthier they were initially, the more devastating their losses in the ensuing bubble burst.

The other three nations had suffered significant losses, losing decades of accumulated wealth. But the Land of Lightning—had been driven directly into bankruptcy.

Even the Daimyo himself was forced to reside temporarily in a luxury hotel in Otogakure.

Gambling offered fleeting thrills, but losing meant—ruin.

"However, Lord Fifth Hokage. Our Airborne Unit, during aerial reconnaissance from the Hyperion, observed Shinobi from the four Great Villages converging in the west. Should we—take countermeasures?" Kakashi's expression turned serious.

The movements of the four Great Villages were swift and secretive. If not for their flight gear enabling aerial surveillance—the Anbu intelligence network likely wouldn't have detected this.

Shinobi forces from the four Great Villages converging? What were they planning?!

This was unprecedented in the Shinobi World. According to veteran Anbu members, even during the most perilous moments of the Third Shinobi World War, such a thing had never occurred.

While the four Villages had individually declared war on Konoha, they had never truly united. Gathering their forces like this, passing through each other's territory to form a joint army—this was absolutely the first time in history!

If countermeasures weren't taken swiftly, disaster could strike...

Hatake Kakashi was deeply concerned for the Village.

However, Gojo Kaigetsu might say: My lover is this Village; my wife needs no concern from you, Kakashi!

Hearing this intelligence, Gojo Kaigetsu stretched lazily. "Oh~ So they plan to use Kusagakure as a staging ground? I've been waiting for this~"

"Kakashi."

"Sir!"

"Notify all Konoha departments to assemble in the conference room."

"Yes! Lord Fifth Hokage!" Kakashi's heart tightened; he immediately accepted the order.

Summoning so many departments—this was the most extensive mobilization Kakashi had witnessed since joining the Anbu.

"Something—unimaginably significant is about to happen!!"

Lord Gojo had specified departments, not clan representatives. This meant—even the captains of the guard units stationed along Konoha's three defensive lines were being summoned.

Previously, Konoha operated primarily in four-person squads. This structure was often inefficient, requiring squad leaders to report to the Hokage Tower for mission assignments.

Since Gojo Kaigetsu's appointment as elder, he had reformed the squad system, replacing it with unconventional units. For example, Hatake Kakashi's current unit, the "First Airborne Deployment," officially known as the "Konoha Rapid Response First Unit with Airborne Deployment Capability."

Other established Konoha Shinobi units included the "White Force," led by Fugaku Uchiha, distinguished in the Kusagakure special military operation; the "Byakugan Force," led by Hiashi Hyūga; the "Guard Force" stationed along Konoha's defensive lines...

Shinobi assigned to these units received missions collectively. During downtime, they trained in coordinated ninjutsu techniques within designated training grounds.

Under Gojo Kaigetsu's reforms, Konoha's Shinobi were becoming increasingly professionalized, militarized.

Within the Shinobi World, Iwagakure possessed the most structured Shinobi forces, renowned for their coordinated attacks. They had achieved remarkable successes in previous wars: wearing down the Third Raikage, pushing the legendary Sannin to their limits...

Learn from the enemy's strengths to counter them.

Gojo Kaigetsu had studied this principle, deeply reforming Konoha's Shinobi structure, rapidly enhancing their overall combat effectiveness, striving to match Iwagakure's prowess.

Now, when facing war...

Konoha possessed not only top-tier Shinobi as a safeguard but also coordinated Shinobi units capable of tipping the scales of battle.

Situations like the legendary Sannin being cornered by Iwagakure forces would not happen again.

——

——

Hatake Kakashi moved swiftly, relaying the Hokage's summons layer by layer.

Figures began appearing rapidly at the Hokage Tower.

Some wore traditional Konoha Shinobi uniforms, clearly squad leaders returning from duty. Others wore clan kimonos, likely summoned from their compounds by Anbu operatives...

But without exception, upon receiving the order from the Hokage Tower, regardless of whether they were on leave, vacationing, or—expressing their Will of Fire with their wives at home, they immediately donned their uniforms and rushed to the Hokage Tower.

Seeing the unfamiliar face wearing the Hokage robe, seated in the main chair, not a single person dared question it.

They quietly took their seats, waiting for Konoha's new king to deliver his inaugural address.

The Fourth Hokage had vanished without a word, even his robe passed on to another.

Noticing the empty seat belonging to the Uchiha clan, many began to murmur amongst themselves.

Nara Shikaku, returned from his assignment in the Kirigakure islands, a stalwart of the older generation, loyal to Konoha, spoke first. "Advisor Gojo, where is the Fourth Hokage?"

"Ah~ The Fourth Hokage's wife has entered labor. Feeling unable to fulfill his duties as Hokage, he entrusted the position to me before departing."

Nara Shikaku's eyes narrowed. Wisely, he didn't press further.

The Fourth Hokage's wife's identity was no secret to Konoha's leadership—Kushina Uzumaki, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. freeweɓnøvel.com

When a Jinchuriki gave birth, the Village's alert level reached its highest state. Patrols tripled, cryptographic codes changed every half hour. The Jinchuriki's delivery and protection team operated under absolute secrecy. No one in Konoha, regardless of rank, was permitted to inquire about their movements or security details.

Any Shinobi displaying undue curiosity would be summoned to the interrogation room for—a chat.

Publicly and privately, ethically and logically, the Fourth Hokage was obligated to personally ensure the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's safety.

It couldn't be helped—Konoha wasn't the Village of the past, protected by the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage.

According to Konoha elders, when Lady Mito gave birth, Lord Hashirama hadn't implemented any special security measures. He'd simply played cards with his brother and best friend outside the door.

With such a lineup...

Even if the Nine-Tails itself had emerged, it wouldn't have dared cause trouble. Not only the Nine-Tails, but even if news of the Jinchuriki's delivery had spread throughout the Shinobi World, no Village would have dared make a move.

But times had changed.

The Nine-Tails—could actually kill people. The Third and Fourth Hokage weren't invincible against it—Therefore, necessary security precautions had to be taken.

Since they lacked the First Hokage's strength, their diligence towards the Jinchuriki had to surpass his.

Given the circumstances, the Fourth Hokage's irregular transfer of power to Advisor Gojo seemed—understandable.

A Village couldn't be without a Kage, especially in these turbulent times. Someone decisive was needed to stand at the helm, manage Village affairs, and take responsibility for the lives of Konoha's citizens.

Gojo Kaigetsu was clearly the most suitable candidate.

Though perhaps lacking in raw power, his prestige and administrative abilities were more than sufficient for the Hokage position.

Nara Shikaku, however, still offered a cautious reminder. "These are special circumstances. The Hokage succession should naturally be simplified. But I hope that once the situation stabilizes, the proper procedures will be followed."

"Hmm~ I understand. Work must leave a paper trail. For now, consider me the Fifth Hokage." Gojo Kaigetsu waved his hand dismissively. "Once Konoha weathers this storm, I will ensure all procedures are completed. First, report to the Daimyo, then hold a Village-wide referendum. Perhaps you could all write my name on the ballots now? I'll deliver them directly to the Daimyo."

Nara Shikaku was speechless.

He felt—

—That Konoha's Hokage succession system, starting with this Fifth Hokage, was beginning to crumble.

The official criteria for becoming Hokage required significant contributions to Konoha and widespread recognition.

But in reality? Succession was largely confined to the previous Hokage's students and relatives. This reality, however, couldn't be openly acknowledged.

It violated the Will of Fire! Such divisive talk was forbidden.

The first line of the Will of Fire preface: Where the leaves of Konoha dance, fire burns eternal. The fire's light will continue to illuminate the Village, allowing new leaves to sprout.

"Leaves" referred to the Senju of the Forest; "Fire" referred to the Uchiha clan—It signified the First Hokage Hashirama Senju's intention to reconcile with his former rivals, his current friends, the Uchiha, to build Konoha together, to share the Hokage position.

Yet, fifty years later—the Uchiha, aside from the Fourth Hokage's era, had never truly entered Konoha's core power structure.

The Uchiha, sacrificing themselves, their fire illuminating the Village of the "Forest Clan."

A profound irony.

<><><><>

Support & Read 11 Advanced Chapters!

https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx

(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)

There is 9 Exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon!