Naruto: I Became The Hokage At Eight

White Zetsu never dreamed the Kazuku-Hashirama fight would end like this.

"Seems Hashirama's illness is quite severe."

White Zetsu sighed.

Even the God of Shinobi couldn't escape mortality.

Once he died…

No ninja could restrain Uchiha Madara.

"At least, not now."

White Zetsu glanced meaningfully at Kazuku, then used Mayfly Technique to leave.

Kazuku was only seven.

Though he tied Hashirama, White Zetsu saw…

In Sage Mode, Hashirama's power would surge.

"Thought I'd see True Several Thousand Hands. Shame…"

White Zetsu grumbled, returning to the hellish crevice.

"You're back, White Zetsu."

Madara, cross-legged on a mat, eyes closed, sensed him.

"Lord Madara."

White Zetsu emerged from the rock, reporting.

"Just now, Hashirama fought Kazuku."

Uchiha Madara: "???"

His eyes snapped open, wondering if he misheard.

What did White Zetsu say?

Hashirama fought Kazuku?

"Probably just a casual spar."

Madara calmed himself, thinking it was Hashirama testing Kazuku's strength as his grandfather.

Nothing surprising.

To Madara, even Kazuku couldn't compare to Hashirama.

He was the God of Shinobi.

A master of Wood Release.

The only ninja in the world who could suppress him.

The only one who could fight him to the end.

"The only man I, Uchiha Madara, acknowledge is Hashirama!"

Clearly, Hashirama held a unique place in Madara's heart.

Even if Kazuku defeated the Gold and Silver Brothers and Gengetsu…

He was leagues below Hashirama!

He was only seven.

Strength, speed, everything—he was far from Hashirama.

No comparison.

"Kazuku lost, right?"

Madara said, assuming it was obvious.

But…

Kazuku's talent was terrifying.

If he kept growing…

He might surpass Hashirama.

Become the greatest obstacle to Madara's path.

A kid inheriting Hashirama's Wood Release.

"Actually, Hashirama and Kazuku clashed in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and Wood Release."

"All tied."

White Zetsu gasped, recounting the fight in detail.

Even Madara's expression flickered with shock.

What?

Kazuku tied Hashirama?

And learned Tobirama's Flying Thunder God…

Using it with Rasengan to knock Hashirama down?

A joke, right?

That was the only man he acknowledged!

"Flying Thunder God…"

Madara gritted his teeth, recalling Tobirama using it…

To kill his brother, Izuna.

Without Izuna's death, he might've sat with Hashirama…

Believed in his path.

Madara's heart stirred with memories.

Without Izuna's death, he wouldn't have awakened the Eternal Mangekyo.

The stone tablet…

Madara shook his head.

At this point, dwelling on the past was meaningless.

He hated no one, blamed no one.

His only concern was the Moon's Eye Plan.

To create a true, warless, peaceful world.

Where people could be honest and open.

"The past means nothing to me now."

Though Madara said this, White Zetsu's report shocked him.

Seven-year-old Kazuku matched Hashirama without Sage Mode.

Even with Hashirama's illness…

It showed Kazuku's growth was faster than imagined.

"How did that kid do it?"

Wood Release, Rasengan, Flying Thunder God, Eight Gates, monstrous strength…

To Madara, each required immense effort to master.

Yet Kazuku mastered them in under four months.

Such growth was absurd.

"I planned to deal with Kazuku after Hashirama's death."

"Seems I can't wait that long."

Madara looked at his hands.

He felt his power waning.

Kazuku's growth defied his understanding.

In another four months, who knew how strong he'd be?

"With Hashirama's condition, he'll live one or two more years."

"But in one or two years for Kazuku…"

Madara hesitated.

On one side, Hashirama.

The only man he acknowledged.

He didn't want Hashirama's final days marred by losing someone dear.

On the other, the Moon's Eye Plan.

The only way to change the world, foster trust.

"I must choose."

Madara took a deep breath, his voice low. His Sharingan spun, upgrading to Eternal Mangekyo.

From White Zetsu's intel…

He deduced Hashirama would be unable to use chakra for a while, rendering him defenseless.

Meaning…

Konoha's strongest would be Tobirama.

Thinking of Tobirama as the top power, Madara sneered.

No tigers in the mountains, the monkey rules.

"White Zetsu, you said some Uchihas inherited my will?"

"Yes." White Zetsu nodded. "They plan to seize power from Tobirama by force."

"But hesitated since Hashirama's alive."

"Hm." Madara's mood was complex. He'd given the Uchihas a chance…

To leave the village with him.

They abandoned him.

Yet, ironically, after abandoning him, they wanted to inherit his will.

"Might as well use them."

(End of Chapter)