Headquarters.
The moment Bai Ye's words fell.
Kakashi froze in place.
What had happened back then—Hatake Sakumo himself knew better than anyone.
But… wasn't his father already dead?
If he hadn't died, why would Bai Ye be the one approached for answers now?
However—
Kakashi wasn't a fool.
Especially after witnessing the return of Tsunade's younger brother, Nawaki. In just a few seconds, he realized something.
Then he stared at Bai Ye, shocked.
There was a theory floating in the village. Whether it was Nawaki's return or the appearance of Kushina, they were all seemingly linked to Bai Ye.
Whispers followed: Does Uchiha Bai Ye possess the ability to bring people back to life?
But there was no proof.
And the concept was too fantastical—so most dismissed it as impossible.
But Kakashi… was sharp.
He found it highly likely that Bai Ye did indeed have such power.
Still, he never considered asking Bai Ye to bring his father back.
They weren't kin, nor were they particularly close—one was captain of the Anbu, the other captain of the Guards.
With the Third Hokage still around, the two had often been on opposing sides.
Sarutobi had once asked Kakashi a very specific question: Who is stronger—Uchiha Bai Ye or yourself?
That question alone proved Sarutobi's wariness.
It also confirmed that Sarutobi had considered eliminating Bai Ye, only to give up upon realizing the power gap.
"Bai Ye… you…"
Kakashi's voice trembled slightly.
His ever-emotionless face was now struck with clear, powerful emotion.
"No need to speak."
Bai Ye shook his head gently.
He had his reasons.
But as his gaze swept the room, it landed briefly on Tsunade.
After the public trial of Sarutobi Hiruzen, his position as Hokage would inevitably be stripped. He'd be imprisoned pending judgment.
That meant one thing: the Hokage seat was empty.
Currently, only two people had the credibility to claim it—Bai Ye and Tsunade.
But Bai Ye clearly wasn't interested.
He had said it many times—he didn't care for being the shadow of one village. He wanted to be the shadow of the entire shinobi world.
He preferred his role as Guard Captain. Skipping meetings, slacking in the office, chatting with his subordinates—it was his preferred way of life.
He often joked: "I'd rather dry Hokage than be Hokage."
And that pretty much summed it up.
Since he had no intention of taking the seat himself, pushing Tsunade forward was the logical move. But with that, Konoha would need added strength and stability.
Resurrecting Hatake Sakumo wasn't just a kindness—it was a political decision.
With Sakumo and Kakashi on her side, Tsunade would have trusted warriors at her back.
Wenyou Nara Shikaku and the village think tank.
Takeyou Hatake Sakumo and his son Kakashi.
Hyuga Hiashi, now loyal.
Yuhi Makoto, Minister of Anbu.
Together, this would ensure Konoha's core would remain solid—at least in the short term.
"You'll need to exhume your father's remains. Prepare the necessary items for me."
After a brief silence, Bai Ye turned to Kakashi.
For Impure World Reincarnation, some physical remains were needed.
As for the sacrificial body—a condemned criminal from Konoha would suffice.
It wouldn't be their body that remained in the end anyway.
The key was capturing the soul from the Pure Land and reshaping a body for it.
Kakashi's eye twitched slightly at the thought of digging up his father's grave—but he didn't complain. He nodded immediately.
Bringing back his father?
That was a debt he could never repay Bai Ye for.
Guy, standing nearby, shot Bai Ye a long glance, then looked at Tsunade—clearly moved.
He understood what Bai Ye was doing.
It wasn't about strategy or power.
It was about kindness.
From today on, Hatake Kakashi would follow Tsunade with all his heart.
And maybe someday—
If he earned enough merit, perhaps he could plead for the return of Obito… or even Rin?
He didn't know.
And even if he had that thought, saying it now would be meaningless.
He would prove it through actions.
Another soul would return to life.
A man who wielded power over life and death.
And still—it all came down to Bai Ye.
Tsunade leaned against him and said nothing.
She simply wanted to enjoy this fleeting warmth.
Kushina, silent, didn't mention the Fourth Hokage.
She simply took Naruto by the hand and walked away from the room.
The next step was to arrange Naruto's residence.
There was a vacant mansion beside the Uchiha compound—not far from Bai Ye's home. It would do nicely for Naruto.
She wouldn't smother the boy.
She'd visit and guide him during the day.
But at night—Kushina would return to Bai Ye's side.
Her decision was made. This degree of separation was acceptable.
After all, if not for Naruto's lonely upbringing, she would've simply protected him silently in the shadows.
---
"Ready to be Fifth Hokage, Tsunade?"
Lounge.
Bai Ye and Tsunade sat nestled together. The woman was half-asleep against his chest, and the man chuckled softly.
"What kind of 'Fifth Generation' project is this…? I probably won't even have time for the casino anymore."
Tsunade sighed, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
"To be honest… if you were Hokage, it'd be much better."
"Your prestige is unmatched. No one would question your authority."
She spoke plainly.
But she understood.
A man like Bai Ye could never be contained in an office.
If he sat at that desk every day—he would cease to be Bai Ye.
That carefree nature.
That independence.
It was who he was.
When Bai Ye first suggested she take the role, Tsunade had refused.
But then he'd told her—"If you don't want the Konoha your grandfather built to crumble… then you have to step up."
It was obvious.
Bai Ye didn't need Konoha.
His authority as Guard Captain was absolute. The fate of the ninja world didn't concern him.
---
Time passed.
The sky dimmed.
Bai Ye clocked out from the Guard Division.
Ding!
"Host has diligently fulfilled the duties of a Guard Captain. Your impartial enforcement has raised your mission rating."
Ding!
"Congratulations! You've unlocked a new power: Ashura Chakra – Yang Release!"
Ding!
"Congratulations! You have received: Uzumaki Naruto's 'Escape'! Your Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan has been upgraded to a stackable Hidden Rinnegan!"
Ding!
"Your bloodline has evolved! You now surpass the Ōtsutsuki clan in pure power."
Uzumaki Naruto's "Escape"?
Bai Ye closed his eyes.
Savoring the new Rinnegan's power.
Then, he opened them.
For a brief moment, rings of the Rinnegan flickered in his eyes before vanishing again.
His system had always been considerate.
Knowing he disliked the "bullseye" look, it allowed the Rinnegan to be hidden at will.
So what was the "stackable" version?
In the manga, Uchiha Madara and Obito lost access to their Mangekyō abilities after evolving to Rinnegan.
Why?
Because Rinnegan represented a different "mode."
Switching to Rinnegan made it impossible to use Sharingan abilities—unless through another eye, like Obito's Kamui.
But Bai Ye's hidden Rinnegan retained his original Mangekyō techniques.
Stackable.
Switchable.
All in one.
And the eye's design? He could change it as he pleased.
His power… had grown again.
Tenseigan next? he thought, chuckling.
His eyes returned to normal.
As he approached his motorcycle, a silhouette dropped down before him.
A tall, white-haired man.
Once the mischievous glint faded from his face, only seriousness remained.
Jiraiya.
Before the New Year Festival, Jiraiya had gone in search of Orochimaru. That was why he had missed everything in Konoha.
But now he was back—and Bai Ye understood why.
"Drink with me?"
Bai Ye smiled gently.
"You…"
Jiraiya gave a weary smile.
But he didn't decline.
---
Konoha.
The largest hot spring bathhouse.
Bai Ye lounged lazily by the pool, a massage girl handing him a cigarette. Beside him, Jiraiya sat wrapped in a towel, drinking sake like it was water.
"My teacher…"
He'd clearly rushed back the moment he heard the news.
He looked exhausted.
Even this bold, passionate man seemed worn.
"You probably know most of what happened," Bai Ye said, not bothering to explain.
He didn't believe Jiraiya was clueless.
Especially after Tsunade revived the Senju and exposed Sarutobi's lies.
There was no way to stay in the dark.
The man before him was kind—but when his village was threatened, he never hesitated.
Even Tsunade had once been threatened by him when he thought she might betray the village.
"That's why you're so annoying," Jiraiya grumbled. "I don't want to get involved in all this crap—but as a friend, shouldn't you at least pay for today's bill?"
Bai Ye smirked.
"Come on. I didn't arrest you as a conspirator, did I? Be grateful. And yes—you're buying."
"Fine, fine. Captain is mighty," Jiraiya snorted.
He paused, then fixed his gaze on Bai Ye.
"So… make sure I get a good seat at tomorrow's meeting."
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