Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 71: An Unexpected Acquaintance

The sandy ground was shrouded in dust.

Under the effects of the Reanimation Jutsu, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, first glanced at Sasori, who had clearly employed the puppetry techniques of the Hidden Sand Village during their recent battle. He then turned his gaze to Orochimaru, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

"Orochimaru!!!"

Like the Third Kazekage before him, Rasa's death was a frustrating one. He could never have imagined that Orochimaru, who was supposed to be an ally, would stab him in the back. Even at the moment of his death, he couldn't fathom Orochimaru's motives.

"It's been a while, Fourth Kazekage." Orochimaru greeted his old acquaintance with a sly smile.

Thanks to Kabuto's desperate efforts and the maze-like layout of the underground base, Orochimaru successfully performed the Living Corpse Reincarnation before the Akatsuki members could catch up. Though he didn't acquire Sasuke's body, he regained some of his strength, enough to handle the current predicament with the Akatsuki and...

The events of the day had been entirely unexpected for him.

It felt as though an invisible hand had disrupted all his plans.

Orochimaru's golden, snake-like eyes were filled with cold malice.

He swore! He would find out who was sabotaging him from the shadows!

"Where is this place?"

Another voice broke the silence.

Besides the Fourth Kazekage, another person had been summoned.

Looking at the scene before him with confusion, Reto, the First Kazekage, was quickly recognized by Rasa, who spoke with a tone of respect, "Lord First, we are in the present world, summoned here by the Reanimation Jutsu."

"Reanimation Jutsu..." Reto muttered.

The technique had gained notoriety in the ninja world after the death of Hashirama Senju, during the administration of Tobirama Senju, who had been unrestrained and impulsive.

As the Kazekage, Reto hadn't been familiar with the technique's intricacies.

Just as he was about to inquire further, Orochimaru interjected:

"Alright, let's end the chit-chat and get to business."

"The lesson taught by Hagoromo Gengetsu last time will not be repeated."

With that, Orochimaru formed a series of hand signs, ready to take full control of the bodies of the First and Fourth Kazekages.

"Hagoromo Gengetsu? Why mention him now?" Reto paused, surprised to hear the name of someone who had left such a deep impression on him, even after so many years.

However, he didn't get the chance to delve deeper into the matter as Orochimaru erased his consciousness.

Thus, the First Kazekage's brief journey in the present world ended.

"And now, it's time for the Sand Ninja's turn," Orochimaru said with malicious glee, looking at Sasori.

With Orochimaru's control, the First and Fourth Kazekages quickly moved to attack.

"Boring."

Sasori, who had already turned the Third Kazekage into a human puppet, was long past caring about the Sand Ninja, ignoring Orochimaru's "kindness" and joined the fray.

The battle between the Akatsuki and Orochimaru resumed.

Unaware of his old acquaintance's brief presence in the world, Hagoromo Gengetsu traveled with Sasuke across the ninja continent.

The world was home to many nations.

Aside from the well-known Five Great Nations and occasionally mentioned places like the Land of Waves, Land of Hot Water, Land of Fields, Land of Snow, and others, there were also numerous smaller countries scattered around, so small they didn't even appear on maps.

Even a place as small as a village could be considered a country, and regardless of the actual wealth or power of the nation's daimyo, the title still held.

Sasori's so-called "nation-destroying" record referred to these small countries.

The destination Hagoromo Gengetsu was taking Sasuke to was also such a small nation—Land of Keys.

This country, while unknown to the general public, was quite renowned among rogue ninja, bounty hunters, and black market traders.

The reason for this notoriety was a ninja organization called Lock Front Village that sold information.

"I've been here before!"

After two days of travel, far from the Land of Fire, Sasuke spoke up as they reached a massive steel bridge spanning a ravine.

It was the site of a mission where Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura, and other Leaf Village ninja had negotiated a prisoner exchange.

If he recalled correctly, the Leaf's prisoner had been a woman named Hanare, who had ties to Kakashi.

"Is that so?"

Hagoromo Gengetsu paid little attention to these details and led Sasuke to the bridgehead.

There, a group of people awaited them.

As they met, the elderly leader of the group became visibly emotional upon seeing Hagoromo Gengetsu, exclaiming:

"It's you! It really is you! Just as I remember! Clan leader, it's so wonderful to see you again!"

Tears streamed down the old man's face as he knelt, bowing deeply to Hagoromo Gengetsu, who appeared to be of his grandson's age.

Following his lead, the rest of the men and women also bowed with reverence.

Hagoromo Gengetsu stepped forward, helping the old man up and gesturing for the others to rise. He sighed softly, "Moteni, it's been a long time."

The child who used to have a runny nose had now grown into a weathered old man.

Watching this touching scene, Sasuke felt a strange sense of unease.

If the roles were reversed, with Hagoromo Gengetsu as the elder, the scene might align more with normal expectations.

Moreover, this interaction made Sasuke realize that his mentor was someone who had died and been reborn, living a second life.

Given his youth and the long future ahead, Sasuke was shocked but not as envious as others might have been.

Not interested in continuing to witness the emotional reunion, Sasuke, bored, began observing the others present.

He had already identified the old man as the leader of Lock Front Village, the one who had met with the Leaf Village team during the prisoner exchange mission at this very bridge.

During the subsequent battle, he, Naruto, and Sakura had cornered the fleeing man, planning to capture him, only for him to seemingly self-destruct.

Now, it was clear they had been naive. The old man had faked his death, escaping unharmed.

"Indeed, the games of the Leaf Ninja only serve to erode one's future."

With this in mind, Sasuke continued to scan the group.

His attention was soon drawn to a woman who stood out.

"You're not dead?" Sasuke asked, surprised.

The woman, who had a tear mole under her right eye and a charming appearance, looked over at him. After a brief moment of surprise, she smiled brightly and said:

"Aren't you... Kakashi's student, Uchiha Sasuke? It's been a while. Do you remember my name?"

"Hanare."

As he spoke, the memories of that mission resurfaced in Sasuke's mind.