Chapter 69: Is Icha Icha Paradise a Historical Novel?
"This… Tobirama-sensei, this matter is very complicated. It's not suitable to discuss it in a place like this."
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked troubled.
The person who wiped out the Uchiha clan was inside that organization.
If he told the truth now, wouldn't Itachi be exposed immediately?
But if he lied…
What if Orochimaru really rejoined that organization, summoned the First and Second Hokage again with Impure World Reincarnation, and the two of them, wanting to "avenge" the Uchiha, voluntarily took action and directly eliminated Itachi, treating him as a traitor to Konoha and a cancer of the shinobi world?
Sensei and the disciple were thinking along the same lines.
When Orochimaru first saw the photograph, he already had a guess. His subsequent exchange with Shiromo further confirmed it.
Shiromo, or rather, someone newly absorbed into the organization, was a person from the "future."
But Orochimaru was extremely cautious. From beginning to end, he revealed nothing about this possibility to anyone else.
Up to now, the people of Konoha still believed that this was simply a child Orochimaru had in the present.
"If it's not appropriate, then don't say it."
Unlike the First Hokage, the Second Hokage immediately sensed something wrong from Hiruzen's reaction. Even without an excuse to retreat, he stepped back cleanly.
As for the First Hokage, just as he was about to press further, he was glared back into silence by Tobirama.
"That Orochimaru over there, stop talking! Since you said your goal is to protect the shinobi world, then have your people stop, open the Four Violet Flames Formation, and let us out to help! We can talk about the rest later!"
The Second Hokage called out to Orochimaru.
"My most respected Second Hokage-sama, another purpose of my return to Konoha was to kill Sarutobi-sensei, to make this stalled windmill called Konoha turn once more."
"Even if I don't kill Sarutobi-sensei now, I still cannot act. Otherwise, the wind that has just begun to blow will stop again."
"As for you, First and Second Hokage, since you were summoned by my Impure World Reincarnation, you naturally cannot help either."
"Likewise, Hiruzen-sensei cannot leave."
"As for everyone else… that's no longer something I can decide."
As he said this, Orochimaru glanced at Shiromo.
Only then did Hiruzen recall the condition Shiromo had proposed at the very beginning. He immediately stepped forward and responded: "I'll say it again, using the honor of all past Hokage as my guarantee, as long as it does not endanger Konoha, I will agree to any condition you mention. Let the Mizukage and the Tsuchikage take action!"
"Alright. I trust your promise…"
"Hah."
Hiruzen let out a sigh of relief.
Looks like today would end with danger but no disaster.
"But if you go back on your word, then in a few days you might receive a shinobi-world trending headline about the First and Second Hokage working as courtesans in the red-light district."
Shiromo added calmly.
"Nani?! That's not right! Tobirama maybe, but why me too?!"
The First Hokage pointed at himself, his face full of grievance.
Maybe is what now?
At this moment, the Second Hokage truly wanted to hit someone.
"Wood clones have more texture. You might even be more popular."
Shiromo said casually.
"..."
"Hiruzen, I hope you understand, keeping one's word is the ninja way that we Hokage should follow."
The First Hokage said solemnly, patting Hiruzen on the shoulder.
He didn't even call him "Monkey."
"Y-Yes… I understand."
Hiruzen's mouth twitched.
Keeping one's word, wasn't that what Naruto always went on about?
Since when did it become the Hokage's ninja way?
Was this officially decreed now?
"Oh right, I almost forgot. There's someone I'd like to ask the two of you about."
Shiromo had just turned to leave when he suddenly stopped.
"Someone? If it's a person who's still alive, shouldn't you look for them yourself, or ask Monkey?"
The First Hokage asked, puzzled.
"Name, photograph, or portrait."
The Second Hokage didn't say much, going straight to the point.
Once he knew who it was, he'd naturally know whether they knew this person.
"No name."
"No photograph."
As Shiromo spoke, he took out a sheet of paper and a pen from his pocket.
"As for a portrait, I'll try drawing one on the spot."
"..."
Hearing the first two lines, the Second Hokage nearly lost his composure again.
No name, no appearance, were they supposed to just guess blindly?
Fortunately, Shiromo had a third sentence.
The Second Hokage could only pray that Shiromo's drawing skills weren't too terrible.
So how good was Shiromo at drawing?
A long time ago, it had been fairly average.
But things are different now.
As Ino had once remarked, Shiromo's mental strength and control were terrifying.
What Shiromo enhanced by absorbing natural energy wasn't just physical strength, but also mental power and precision.
It was obvious, if strength increased without control and precision, even going to the bathroom might result in a disastrous, irreversible decision.
Shiromo's current level of precision turned him into a human printer.
Very soon, the portrait was finished.
Shiromo walked up and handed it to the Second Hokage.
"Bold of you. Orochimaru has loosened his control, aren't you afraid I'll just use Flying Thunder God and slash you, sending you off to meet Izuna?"
The Second Hokage took the picture without looking at it and praised Shiromo first.
"You won't."
Shiromo shook his head.
"Heh. And how do you know I won't?"
The Second Hokage smiled.
Because I've had Gravestone open this whole time, you country bumpkin old auntie!
Shiromo thought to himself.
Ever since he started talking to Orochimaru about the red-light district, he had already begun synchronously viewing future scenes.
No matter how sudden Flying Thunder God was, it couldn't beat knowing the attack timing in advance and using time erasure to dodge.
"And I also know your next line will be, 'Nani, why did you draw Madara wearing women's clothes?'"
"Heh."
The Second Hokage scoffed, then lowered his head to look at the picture. His eyes instantly widened.
"Nani? Why did you…."
"Why did you draw a picture of Madara in women's clothing? What are you trying to do?"
Realizing he almost fell into the trap, the Second Hokage hurriedly corrected himself. Truly worthy of someone who could react even during high-speed Flying Thunder God teleportation.
"What? Madara in women's clothes? Let me see!"
The First Hokage, who had been standing around with nothing to do, immediately stomped the ground and rushed over when he heard that.
"Big brother, here."
The Second Hokage handed the picture to the First Hokage with clear disdain.
Just seeing Uchiha Madara made him feel sick.
"My god, this really is Madara… no, wait!"
The First Hokage abruptly changed his tone mid-sentence, then looked at the Second Hokage with a serious expression.
"Tobirama, I thought you'd definitely be smarter than me. I didn't expect you not to see it?"
"?"
The Second Hokage frowned and looked at his brother.
"This is clearly Madara's daughter! It's like she was carved from the same mold!"
"She looks even more like him than your and Orochimaru's child!"
(Tobirama: fists clenched.)
"I knew it. After Madara left Konoha on his own back then, no companions, no friends, no clan, he must have been repressed, and that's how this child came to be."
"Look at her Sharingan. So beautiful."
The First Hokage gazed at the girl in the picture, his face full of gratification.
"Impossible. That guy Madara only ever had you on his mind. How could he possibly have a child?"
The Second Hokage sneered and flatly denied the First Hokage's speculation.
But the moment he said that, it seemed to create a certain misunderstanding.
"What?! So the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara really had that kind of relationship? Icha Icha Paradise is actually a historical novel?!"
Jiraiya was utterly shocked.
(End of this chapter)