Naruto: Did i Just Get Reincarnated as Gojo?

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"Tsk, Lord Hiruzen, your Adamantine Staff isn't fast enough, nor ruthless enough~"

"Ugh, cough-"

Hiruzen Sarutobi clutched his abdomen, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, kneeling on one knee.

The Triple Barrier Seal faded as the shadow clones disappeared.

Yes, he had softened.

Having been Hokage for half his life, believing in the Will of Fire all his life, yet at the moment when he most needed to uphold it, he softened toward his unworthy disciple.

Orochimaru... would never be his match.

Hiruzen was certain. Even though he hadn't summoned Enma to avoid making too much noise and had split into three shadow clones to use the Triple Barrier Seal, he still had the upper hand.

He could have drowned Orochimaru with a combo of Five Nature Transformations.

But at the moment he was about to strike, Hiruzen recalled the past with the three Sannin...

Back then, they were all young and inexperienced, and he was just a pervy old man.

Orochimaru was his most proud disciple, the one most recognized and reliable in the eyes of others.

Now, Jiraiya and Tsunade were gone, and Asuma was an unpromising kid, always harboring rebellious thoughts. Only Orochimaru occasionally kept him company over tea and conversation...

Not a son, but closer than a son.

Humans are not devoid of emotion; choosing between the Will of Fire, a lifetime of reputation, and this teacher-student bond was too cruel.

At the moment when he should have delivered the fatal blow, Orochimaru counterattacked.

With a combo, he injured his teacher, knocking him to the ground.

He also didn't continue to kill; firstly, he wasn't certain of success, and secondly, the bond between teacher and student was mutual.

Turning his back to Hiruzen, Orochimaru coldly said:

"Lord Hiruzen, I will prove that I am right."

"The Will of Fire is meaningless; only immortality is the path a ninja should pursue."

"When I return, I will show you the power of the forbidden in Konoha."

Leaving these harsh words, Orochimaru leaned forward, arms back, and dashed away in a ninja run.

"Cough-Orochimaru, come back!"

Hiruzen watched as Orochimaru became a small black dot at the edge of his vision, eyes filled with reluctance.

Konoha... the Will of Fire... what had it done to him? That he would defect from Konoha at any cost.

Fighting him within the Triple Barrier might not have led to death; perhaps he would have just lost his ninja abilities.

But exposed outside the barrier... he would surely die.

"Orochimaru... won't survive."

Hiruzen closed his eyes in despair and pain.

He truly wanted to kill Orochimaru, but he also genuinely wished to spare him. With his influence, he could have pleaded with Minato to have Orochimaru spend the rest of his life in prison.

But Orochimaru escaped.

Even knowing the dangers ahead, he still fled.

Knowing Minato as he did, the child was compassionate-a true paragon of Konoha's benevolence-but when necessary, he wouldn't hesitate.

He didn't know what arrangements Minato had made outside.

Now, Orochimaru would die, and his Will of Fire would collapse.

Hiruzen leaned against the wall.

....

The wind howled past his ears; Orochimaru didn't dare pause for a moment.

His plan to defect from Konoha had to be moved up because of Gojo Kaigetsu.

Hiruzen was just the first hurdle, and a relatively easy one. The harder challenges awaited him as he tried to escape Konoha.

Within the main village area, the Police Force led by Fugaku Uchiha and the Anbu under Minato Namikaze were responsible for patrols and lockdowns. Beyond the main area, there were three layers of security covering the entire Konoha Forest.

Defecting... was much harder than escaping after leaving the village.

That's why Orochimaru was so eager to become the commander of the strike force; trying to break through the village's defense lines from within was too difficult.

In the entire Konoha, perhaps only Minato could escape under such defenses.

This Konoha was not the later weakened version with Kakashi as the main defender and Danzo as an internal mole.

A gloomy look flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.

He'd done all he could; there was no turning back now.

Faster, he had to be faster.

The Fourth Hokage wanted to give Lord Hiruzen some dignity; Hiruzen wanted to give him dignity. It was this dignity that bought him time to escape.

If he could take advantage of the gap before Minato and Fugaku reacted and reach the Konoha Forest...

Could he escape?

Perhaps Fugaku Uchiha, standing on a distant utility pole, had the most to say about that.

In his cold black eyes, three tomoe slowly appeared.

His icy gaze locked onto Orochimaru, who was breaking out toward the village outskirts, ready to act at any moment.

Whoosh-

A flash of yellow suddenly appeared on the rooftop beside him.

"Fourth Hokage..."

"Lord Fugaku..."

"It seems we share the same goal tonight."

"As the head of Konoha's Police Force, I failed to detect Orochimaru's secret human experiments. Even though Root was covering for him, it's still my negligence."

"I won't let him leave Konoha."

Minato shook his head: "Don't blame yourself, Lord Fugaku. It's also my failure as Hokage."

"But arresting Orochimaru is sensitive; we shouldn't expose it publicly. I've already cleared all the ninjas along his escape route up to the seventh checkpoint. Let's set up an ambush there to deal with Orochimaru."

"We'll split up, depending on the situation, to kill Orochimaru on the spot or incapacitate him and bring him back to the Hokage Building for trial."

"Understood!"

"I'll go ahead."

As the words fell, both figures vanished.

....

"Ah, Konoha, I've finally returned... This time, I'll reclaim everything that's mine!"

"But Lady Tsunade, you haven't really lost anything."

"Dummy, I'm just excited and saying a few words. Can't I?"

Under the moonlight, Tsunade and her apprentice Shizune hurried back to Konoha.

Gazing at the familiar yet unfamiliar village silhouette in the distance, taking deep breaths of the fresh air from Konoha's forest, Tsunade's expression was complex.

Konoha carried so many of her emotions.

Family, friendship, teacher-student bonds... love.

She had avoided it for so long, but now she was finally returning.

"Lady Tsunade, are you sure it's okay to leave that dangerous ninja to the escorts?"

"I've temporarily sealed his chakra; he won't wake up for a while. What's the problem?"

"Oh, alright then."

Driven by an indescribable emotion, Tsunade hurried toward the village without pause.

As for the unconscious Kisame Hoshigaki, beaten into submission and separated from his sword, he was handed over to the Fire Country's escort agency in Tanzaku Town. This substantial gift would arrive in Konoha a bit later.

The night was silent.

A cold wind suddenly blew; Shizune unconsciously rubbed her arms.

"Lady Tsunade, don't you feel... it's too quiet here?"

"Quiet..."

Hearing this, the carefree Tsunade surveyed the surroundings.

Now that she mentioned it, it did seem a bit too quiet.

The Konoha Forest was part of Konoha's security area; even at midnight, there should be patrol ninjas.

But the two of them had been walking for quite some time without sensing any patrols.

This was highly unusual.

Though Tsunade had been in Tanzaku Town, she had been secretly keeping an eye on Konoha's developments.

Konoha was currently in a state of "peaceful stability," with rapid economic growth and villagers enjoying diverse entertainment. Even so, neglecting security was out of the question.

Moreover, after Gojo Kaigetsu's assassination attempt, security should have been tightened.

Given this...

Tsunade could only think of two possibilities.

Either something happened in the village, urgently recalling security forces, or someone intentionally withdrew the patrols.

Either way, tonight's Konoha was destined to be restless.

"Looks like Gojo Kaigetsu caught a big fish."

"Eh? Lady Tsunade, what are you talking about?"

Shizune looked puzzled. One moment they were discussing the forest being too quiet, and the next, Tsunade mentioned Advisor Gojo.

Lady Tsunade, really, can't go three sentences without mentioning him.

"Let's go, Shizune."

Tsunade half-jokingly said: "I have a feeling that on this road to Konoha, no matter who we meet next... that person will be Gojo Kaigetsu's fish."

"Or rather, the 'main character' of tonight's changes in Konoha."

"Whoever we meet next on this road, I'll stop them."

"Uh... wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

Shizune hesitated, wanting to remind Tsunade that if they stopped Konoha officials, it could be troublesome. Konoha was a law-abiding village, and as the Princess of Konoha, Tsunade should set an example.

"What's wrong with that?" Tsunade feigned confusion. "Konoha is my home; who can tell me what to do?"

"If there's no issue, we can ask Minato to compensate us later. I'm doing this out of goodwill."

"...You're right."

Crude words but reasonable logic.

Shizune thought carefully and realized that Konoha Village was indeed Tsunade's home.

Her grandfather was the First Hokage; her granduncle was the Second Hokage. The Third Hokage was her granduncle's disciple; the Fourth Hokage was her granduncle's grand-disciple. Gojo Kaigetsu, with whom she had an ambiguous relationship, was a key reformer in today's Konoha...

Tsunade had fully embraced the idea of this being her family's realm.

With this connection, even Shizune could proudly hold her head high.

Carrying their luggage, Shizune followed behind the carefree Tsunade, her eyes expectantly looking toward the end of the forest path.

'This is so exciting!'

'Will someone really appear at the end of the road?'

Shizune felt an indescribable excitement, perhaps the unique sense of adventure that comes from children her age who haven't yet witnessed the harshness of the ninja world.

But Tsunade, walking ahead with her face obscured, was no longer as nonchalant as she appeared in front of Shizune.

She thought of one thing-

Gojo Kaigetsu faked his death to fish out traitors. In Konoha, how many could he fish for?

At this critical moment, who would take the bait? Who was qualified? Perhaps the one caught would be an old acquaintance of hers.

"Shizune, pick up the pace."

With this thought, Tsunade couldn't help but quicken her steps.

As if guided by fate, a familiar figure appeared at the edge of Tsunade's vision.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh-

A figure swiftly darted among the tree trunks. Even though he had reached the edge of Konoha's security zone, Orochimaru showed no joy on his face.

Quiet!

It was too quiet! Unusually quiet! Not the kind of defense Konoha should have.

If the silence of the Konoha Forest wasn't due to genjutsu, Orochimaru could only think of one possibility...

The patrol ninjas in the security zone had been deliberately withdrawn.

Was it Root's doing? No... Though Root had infiltrated the security forces, it was impossible for them to orchestrate large-scale personnel movements, especially after Gojo Kaigetsu's assassination attempt.

Moreover, the Fourth Hokage had used this opportunity to reclaim military command over the security forces, achieving true "shadow authority extending to the grassroots." Danzo couldn't interfere.

So... the answer was obvious.

Having experienced several ninja wars, Orochimaru was all too familiar with such "ambushes."

Step by step, giving the enemy hope of escape, only to deliver a fatal blow when they let their guard down, just steps away from freedom!

So... the path ahead that seemed like a way out was actually his path to death?

"Most likely, Minato is already waiting for me ahead using the Flying Thunder God."

Even at his peak, he might not be Minato's match, let alone now when he was injured.

If they met, he'd be forced into a desperate situation, splitting his body into snakes to escape, leaving his fate to chance.

When it comes to survival, Orochimaru is a professional.

He could, in a self-destructive manner, split his body into over ten snakes.

This was one of his trump cards, his strongest survival method.

Even if the snake bodies were destroyed, as long as one escaped, he could slowly recover using his perfected snake techniques.

But... Minato had the ninja world's most outstanding reflexes.

His snake clones might not deceive Minato.

Orochimaru's heart sank.

Finally, two figures appeared at the edge of his vision.

But they weren't Minato, whom he feared; they were-

"Tsunade?"

"Why is she back?"

Tsunade's sudden appearance startled Orochimaru, causing his escape to falter.

"Orochimaru? Why is it you?"

"After not seeing you for a while, how did you end up like this?"

Indeed, Orochimaru's current appearance could be described as miserable. His ninja attire was torn, and his pale face was stained with blood of unknown origin.

Compared to Tsunade's triumphant return, he didn't look like one of the Sannin but more like a refugee.

Seeing that it was Orochimaru, Tsunade's heart sank.

Her worst fear had come true...

Gojo Kaigetsu didn't catch a fish; instead, he caught a snake, a snake Tsunade considered a close friend.

Shizune noticed that Tsunade's fist, resting on her waist, clenched tightly, revealing that her mood was not as casual as her words.

"Out so late, where are you headed?" Tsunade asked nonchalantly.

"Hehe, Tsunade, it's been a while indeed." Even while escaping, Orochimaru had to slow down and, with a stiff smile, explained, "I'm on a secret mission. I'll catch up with you once it's completed."

"Gotta go."

In Orochimaru's impression, Tsunade was a straightforward woman without much scheming. A casual excuse might allow him to pass by without issue.

If he tried to flee without explanation, it might arouse Tsunade's suspicion, adding obstacles to his escape.

Tsunade was a taijutsu specialist; at this close range, he couldn't escape.

But...

Tsunade raised her hand, blocking his path at waist level.

Her face was serious:

"When we entered the Konoha Forest, I said that no matter who we met next, I would stop them and bring them back to the village."

"So, Orochimaru, put your mission aside for now and come back to the village with me."

"???"

Wait, what's this foolish woman talking about?

"Hehe, Tsunade, don't joke around." Orochimaru shook his head. "You used to be a Konoha ninja. You know the village's rules. How can I stop a mission just because you say so? Don't be willful. I really have a mission."

Growing anxious, Orochimaru said this and tried to bypass Tsunade to continue his escape.

But what happened next caught him off guard-a powerful punch aimed straight at his abdomen.

Unprepared, Orochimaru took Tsunade's monstrous punch head-on.

His body flew backward, crashing heavily into a nearby tree. The thick trunk shook, leaves scattering.

"Ugh-"

Orochimaru spat out blood, clutching his wound, glaring at Tsunade in shock and anger.

Tsunade's head was slightly lowered, half her face hidden in shadow, making her expression unreadable.

Her voice was colder than ever: "Orochimaru, I don't know what you've done, but the blood on you-it's the old man's, isn't it?"

"What did you do to him?"

"???"

Behind her, Shizune looked puzzled. So, the pinnacle of medical ninjutsu allows one to identify whose blood it is just by looking?

Orochimaru stood up straight, wiping the blood from his mouth: "I really can't hide anything from you, Tsunade."

"There's no need for us to be at odds. Haven't you grown tired of the ninja world's conflicts and given up being a ninja?"

"For Nawaki's sake, let me pass."

Orochimaru swore he'd never been so pathetic, resorting to invoking his deceased disciple's name.

But this only strengthened his will to survive.

He had to live! He had to attain immortality! He had to outlast all the ninjas who opposed him!

"I never thought it would be you, Orochimaru..."

Disappointment filled Tsunade's eyes. What could have driven Orochimaru to harm the old man?

The darkness behind this was overwhelming.

"Come back with me!" Tsunade clenched her fist, her arm trembling slightly. "No matter what you've done wrong, I guarantee you'll live."

In other words... there's no room for negotiation.

"Tsunade! You don't understand; you understand nothing!" A mocking sneer appeared on Orochimaru's pale face. "What if I told you... I killed Gojo Kaigetsu?"

"Then I guarantee you'll die without a doubt."

"..."

Orochimaru was speechless for a moment. "Heh, so much for guarantees-just empty words."

"Konoha no longer has a place for me."

"I can't turn back now."

"I'll say it again: come back with me, Orochimaru. As long as you haven't killed Gojo Kaigetsu, I guarantee you'll live!"

She was a nostalgic person who, tired of the ninja world's conflicts, had quit being a ninja to spend her days in Tanzaku Town.

But she valued the bonds of friendship greatly-even more than teacher-student bonds or ties to the village.

The village and the old man were, to her, creators of conflict; she didn't care much for them.

But friendship-with Jiraiya and Orochimaru-was a life-and-death bond.

She had lost her grandfather and Nawaki; she couldn't lose Gojo Kaigetsu, Shizune, or the bonds of friendship.

Orochimaru's eyes flickered, seemingly moved by Tsunade's sincerity, but behind his back, his hands began to form seals.

Everything was fake!

Only immortality was real!

A hint of madness appeared deep in Orochimaru's eyes. If possible, he didn't want to fight Tsunade; he wanted to be a good person. But for immortality, to avoid death, he couldn't turn back!

"Tsunade... A ninja's abilities have limits. From my short life, I've learned that the more you train in ninjutsu, the more you realize a ninja's abilities are finite-unless you surpass those limits."

Tsunade frowned: "What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying... I can't turn back, Tsunade!"

Orochimaru clapped his hands: "Ninja Art: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Just as a mass of snakes flew toward Tsunade, a dazzling blue light illuminated the forest behind Orochimaru, striking heavily on his back.

"Rasengan-!"

"Monstrous Strength: Serious Punch!"

Tsunade's monstrous punch obliterated the snake swarm instantly. Along with the Rasengan, they struck Orochimaru's solar plexus from front and back.

"Ugh-!"

Blood sprayed out. Orochimaru's knees buckled; he fell to the ground, his muscles seemingly convulsing.

In the last moment before losing consciousness, his eyes were full of unwillingness.

If not for Tsunade-if she hadn't appeared to block his path-maybe he could have escaped!

"Rogue Ninja Orochimaru, in the name of the Hokage, I execute you here!"

Minato Namikaze's ceremonial robe fluttered high. As the previous Rasengan struck, a new one formed in his palm, ready to smash down on the incapacitated Orochimaru's heart.

"Wait! Fourth Hokage!"

Just as Minato was about to deliver the fatal blow, his wrist was firmly grasped mid-air by Tsunade.

"I promised Orochimaru I'd bring him back to the village and spare his life."

"Now that he's lost the ability to act, no matter his crimes, let's secretly imprison him in the village and put him on trial."

"Lady Tsunade, this..."

Minato hesitated, but seeing the determination in Tsunade's eyes, he sighed.

The violent energy in his hand gradually dissipated.

He bent down, hoisting Orochimaru onto his shoulder, and with his back to Tsunade, said: "In any case, welcome back to the village, Lady Tsunade."

Walking ahead, Minato didn't understand why he didn't deliver the final blow. Was it because of Tsunade?

He shook his head inwardly; perhaps he thought of his close friend, Gojo Kaigetsu.

After Orochimaru had gradually retired, he had been leading Konoha's ninja science research, at least on the surface, contributing significantly to the village.

Perhaps... Kaigetsu might need his assistance?

In any case, the captured Orochimaru had lost all ability to resist. Whether to kill or use him... that could be decided later.

For the prosperity of the village's ninja science endeavors, Minato could tolerate Orochimaru's existence.

But to ensure Konoha's collective spirit walked the right path, Orochimaru, who violated the Will of Fire and committed taboos, could never appear in the public eye of Konoha again.

That was a matter of principle.

....

"Welcome home, Tsunade."

In front of the Hokage Building, Gojo Kaigetsu stood with his hands behind his back, as if he had known Tsunade would return and had been waiting under the moonlight.

Looking at Gojo Kaigetsu, Tsunade's expression was complex. But she still walked up and punched him heavily in the abdomen.

"Your way of greeting is still so unique..."

"Jerk."

Tsunade gritted her teeth: "I prevented the Fourth Hokage from killing Orochimaru in the Konoha Forest. I brought him back. If possible, I hope you can give him some dignity."

"If it's your request, Tsunade, I'll seriously consider it."

Gojo Kaigetsu said half-jokingly.

He glanced at the battered and unconscious Orochimaru and said to Minato: "Thanks for your trouble, Minato, but tonight's work isn't over yet."

"Lord Third Hokage is still waiting in the Hokage Building. Bring Orochimaru inside."

Minato nodded.

This political storm concerning Konoha's war hero should come to an end tonight.

Because he softened and let Orochimaru escape, Lord Third Hokage would inevitably, in an unceremonious manner, relinquish his last bit of residual power.

Tsunade listened silently to their conversation: "I want to attend the hearing."

"Shizune, you go home first."

"Eh... I also want to..." Shizune was about to join in but shrank back under Tsunade's serious gaze.

"Which home?"

"The Senju Clan's ancestral home, my room. I remember I gave you the key."

"Yes, Lady Tsunade, I'll head back now."

Shizune left dejectedly. Gojo Kaigetsu seemed to think of something, instinctively opening his mouth. But realizing the seriousness of the occasion, it wasn't appropriate to bring up personal matters. He reluctantly closed his mouth.

"Well then, let's go."

"The public trial of Orochimaru."

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