NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

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Hiruzen, seated on a chair, just stared at the people present in the hall.

All the chairs and furniture were destroyed, even the ANBU in the shadows were disabled.

Only the supporting clan ninja, using their chakra, survived the ordeal, but they were also kneeling in reverence of the Hokage's unsurmountable aura.

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Hanaku Senju's POV

What does the Hokage want now? We even agreed to his succession as Hokage as a show of goodwill, and now he even wants to mediate in our affairs too? Isn't he too arrogant?

He is just a lower clan ninja. How dare he think himself capable of surpassing the Senju clan and interfering with us? Hmph! Seems like he isn't afraid. The power of Hokage has made him blind, thinking he is the real leader.

Just you wait, Hokage. After this meeting, it won't even take one years, and you will beg us to support your position as Hokage.

I thought he was a good puppet chosen by Uncle Tobirama because he took the initiative to not disband our clan and even gave us the bloodline seal.

It seems like he is now beginning to bare his fangs toward us his master.

As he thought for some time about the Hokage's order, Hanaku decided to go with the flow as the others did and agreed. But just after agreeing, Hiruzen spoke:

"It seems Hokage's authority is too low compared to the families' standing in Konoha."

Soon, he tapped the table, and it disintegrated.

After that, Hiruzen released his unrelenting aura, making everyone kneel.

How can this be? How is it possible that the gap between me and him is so much?

I am also a Kage-level ninja, as the son of the God of Shinobi, but why... just why is he so powerful?

Even Father's aura wasn't that powerful. Is it because of Wood Release? Even the Third Hokage has learned it, and I...., the direct descendant of two of the most powerful people, can't learn it. Why...

Then Hanaku's thoughts were interrupted as he saw his mother, whom even he couldn't deal with now, on the ground kneeling.

He tried to speak, but words wouldn't come out. Then he saw the Nine-Tails' chakra emerge, forming a cloak around her.

Even then, it lasted only a few seconds before receding. He then saw Mito Uzumaki's face change into one of horror.

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Mito Uzumaki POV

As Kurama revealed the information about Hiruzen to Mito, her face turned to shock and fear.

According to the Nine-Tails, this power had reached the level of the Sage of Six Paths, even surpassing her husband's aura.

Soon, Kurama spoke:

"Mito Uzumaki, you and your clan challenged a god. Now, you are on your own. I knew the Uchiha were foolish and arrogant, but I didn't expect this from you and your clan.

Hahahahaha... serves you right, Mito Uzumaki. I wonder if this Hokage will attack your clan. Then you would go after him, and he will kill you. Even if I die, I will be released from you. Hahaha..."

Kurama excitedly laughed at his fantasy and continued:

"Think what I will do with the Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha clans. Hahaha... remember me. I will be the doom of your three clans, just like you sealed me. Hahahaha..."

The laughter echoed inside the seal.

Mito, hearing this, became even paler. Thinking of Kurama's words, her mind raced. No, no, no... this cannot happen. I will not let this happen.

I will do everything in my power for the survival of my two clans. I can't become the cursed one who will cause the destruction of both clans. I must think of something.

Yes, I must persuade Hiruzen. I must do whatever I can to ensure Hanaku, Tsunade, the Senju, the Uzumaki, and even Konoha's safety. If the village is destroyed, what face will I have when I go to the Pure Land?

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3rd Person POV

Meanwhile, as this was happening, Hiruzen was reading everyone's thoughts, voices, and doubts that surfaced with the help of Raphael.

He had gained mind manipulation and soul manipulation abilities when he used genjutsu and the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.

With these, he could perceive and read the surface thoughts of the people present.

Hiruzen, listening to everyone's voices, suddenly became intrigued by Hanaku Senju.

But after sensing his arrogance and despair, he decided to let him be. Yet, a thought crept into his mind.

Should I destroy the Senju leader and these elders, along with the Uchiha? Some others could take power instead of them.

Because, you see, ten strong subordinates, if they aren't obedient enough, aren't worth one less strong but loyal subordinate.

What have I not done for these clans? Even then, I'm looked down upon by these maggots who aren't worth the nail of my hand.

Truly, sometimes I think I'm not cruel enough. I let them act as they please, and they become more and more arrogant.

He soon stopped his thoughts and exhaled deeply.

'Very well then. I don't give a fuck about the First Hokage or the Second Hokage.

I will destroy your clans standing within the village. I will obliterate your reputation until it's buried in the ground.

I'll reduce your clans to nothing more than the tools you were during the Warring States period.

Don't worry—I'm cruel, but I'm not foolish enough to deplete the sage-level bloodline clans.

However, you two clans will lose my support. You'll be nothing but war tools for the village to crush its enemies. Only that will be your purpose.

He paused, his tone sharpening, 'I will take full control and set puppets to govern your clans.'

Huffing to calm himself, he suddenly heard Mito's thoughts. Upon hearing Kurama's prophecy, Hiruzen's somber mood began to lighten.

A laugh escaped his lips as his consciousness entered Mito Uzumaki's seal space.

Inside, he could hear Mito blabbering like a mad man. As Kurama sensed his presence, Mito thoughts also froze.

Turning her head toward him, she saw Hiruzen walking toward her. However, he didn't stop; his focus was on the cage sealing the Nine-Tails.

Mito started pleading, her voice trembling,

"Hiruzen, I know the Senju were wrong. Please, I beg you to forgive them. They are prideful and foolish.

Even Hanaku, being sheltered under his father's and uncle's protection, has become too arrogant and thoughtless. I know he made a grave mistake, but I beg you to forgive him this time."

Hiruzen listened, but didn't stop. He reached the altar where the Nine-Tails was bound by chains and sealing jutsu.

Kurama's eyes followed him, scrutinizing the Hokage while ignoring Mito's senseless babbling.

Kurama then spoke, his tone even and polite,

"So, you are the Hokage of Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Hearing you talk about Ninshu and the Sage of Six Paths, which you claim to have discovered and learned about from ancient ruins, I take it you must know about me as well, Hokage."

Hiruzen was taken aback by the respect in Kurama's words and tone. Even Mito, mid-babble, froze to listen to the conversation.

Hiruzen stepped in front of the altar and levitated above the ground. His finger began to glow with chakra as he traced a symbol in the air.

A golden seal appeared, and with it, the Nine-Tails' bindings disappeared.

The altar vanished as well, leaving Kurama to settle into a reclining position, his head resting on his front paws as he gazed at Hiruzen.

Despite his newfound freedom, the golden sealing symbol hovered in the air.

Mito was stunned, witnessing Kurama, the Nine-Tails, behaving so docilely and respectfully toward someone.

Even Hashirama, with all his power, had never received such acknowledgment from the beast.

Who is this man? she thought in shock. Kurama referred to him as a god.

Hiruzen sat cross-legged in front of Kurama, only a foot away from the massive beast.

"Yes, your name is not Nine-Tails. You were created by the Sage of Six Paths. I know all about you.

In ancient times, there was a tree called the Divine Tree, from which the Ten-Tails appeared.

The Sage of Six Paths split that beast into nine parts—the nine tailed beasts. Among them, you are the strongest, possessing nearly half of the Ten-Tails' chakra. Am I correct, Kurama?"

Kurama was unsurprised, having already deduced that the Hokage must have visited the ancient Shinobi Sect ruins to know so much.

Mito, however, was shell-shocked, realizing she had just heard a truth that redefined her understanding of the world.

The Ten-Tails, the Sage of Six Paths, Kurama's true name, and his creation—these revelations left her mind reeling.

Kurama continued, "Tell me, Hokage, with you being this strong, who injured you earlier?" As he asked this, Hiruzen just smiled, while Mito also perked up at the question.

Hiruzen replied, "It was Uchiha Madara. He survived the First Hokage's attack and lived.

Even then, I didn't lost, but he has awakened the Rinnegan, the eye of the Sage of Six Paths.

Even with that, I didn't lose. I tied with him in everything—from taijutsu to ninjutsu, kenjutsu, bukijutsu, and senjutsu.

But then... something happened to Rias. Madara's subordinate came to gather information about the five jinchūriki in the village and killed Rias.

I was momentarily stunned, and he put me under the genjutsu of the Rinnegan. That's when I lost to him."

Kurama and Mito were stunned at the revelation of Madara Uchiha being alive and his Rinnegan awakened.

However, Kurama soon calmed down and replied, "I see. But then again, you shouldn't have lost, right? Madara is old, and you are in your prime."

Hiruzen responded, "Well, I wasn't as strong two weeks ago as I am now. After that fight, I created Yin-Yang Release and Kekkai Mōra: Truth-Seeking Balls. I reached the Six Paths level."

As he spoke, ten orbs emerged from Hiruzen's back and floated behind him.

Kurama, seeing this, was stunned once again and said, "You even created Truth-Seeking Orbs? Hokage, I admire you. You being called a god in this world would not be a stretch."

Mito Uzumaki, seeing the black orbs floating behind Hiruzen's back, shuddered in horror from their sheer presence. It was also the first time she had heard the term "Kekkai Mōra."

She soon gathered the courage and asked Hiruzen, "W-What are these Truth-Seeking Balls and Kekei Mora, Hiruzen?"

Standing beside Hiruzen and Kurama, she spoke in a low tone. Hiruzen, without gazing at her, answered,

"The Kekei Mora is the next stage of Kekei Tota, These are Truth-Expansive Orbs one of the Kekei Mora bloodlines techniques, said to be the pinnacle of ninjutsu in the ninja world.

They are formed by mastering the seven types of chakra nature transformation to their extreme level and then creating Yin-Yang Release.

No jutsu or chakra bloodline works on them.

They can cancel any jutsu just by touching it, and if blasted at full force in their true form, half of the previous Fire Nation would be destroyed in one blow.

With only five balls, all of the elemental nations would cease to exist."

Hearing this, Mito's reaction became one of fear and shock.

She had thought Hiruzen's power came from Wood Style, obtained from her husband's cell transplantation, but now, seeing the Truth-Seeking Balls, her expression changed.

She knew that even one ball could deal with the Fire Nation and Konoha in a single blow.

Soon, she pleaded again, "Hiruzen, I beg you. Please, you must forgive them. I am ready to take their punishment instead. Please, I will do anything. Just let them go."

Seeing Hiruzen unmoving, she moved in front of him and knelt down. Even then, Hiruzen simply looked at her and did not move.

Seeing this, her eyes flicked with tears, and she spoke in her mind, Forgive me, everyone, but I must do it for them.

She soon stood up in front of Hiruzen, and in one swift motion, removed her kimono.

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