Konoha: Comparison of Naruto

Chapter 16: The Youngest Hokage

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The scene on the screen instantly left the audience stunned.

The extermination of the Uchiha clan was undoubtedly a major event.

However, the whispering students in the classroom didn't seem to grasp the gravity of it.

Children don't understand what the Uchiha massacre truly signifies.

Naruto, on the other hand, immediately recognized the key point.

If a clan as powerful as the Uchiha could be wiped out so suddenly, what chance did an individual like him have?

It dawned on him that even in Konoha Village, a place seemingly bathed in sunlight, such atrocities could occur.

What then of the dangers lurking beyond the village?

Surely, the outside world was far more perilous than any of his peers could comprehend.

Senju Tobirama: "So, even in that world, the Uchiha clan couldn't escape their fate of Massacre?"

Senju Hashirama: "Damn it, I was hoping Naruto could change that."

Uchiha Madara: "!??"

Uchiha Obito: "???"

- Do you think he's the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths?

- Even if he were, what could a seven-year-old possibly do?

Uchiha Madara: "Hashi, are you crazy? He's only seven years old. Seven years old!"

Onoki: "Exactly, Lord Hashirama. Even if you became the god of the ninja world later in life, at seven, a child..."

Senju Hashirama: "That's true. When I was seven, I think I was busy competing with Madara to see who could pee farther."

Uchiha Madara: "Liar! I didn't even know you when I was seven. We didn't meet until we were at least twelve or thirteen years old."

Terumi Mei: "Still, for a seven-year-old to already grasp the dangers of the ninja world... that's remarkable."

Orochimaru: "Especially in a place like Konoha, which seems so stable on the surface. Naruto from that world is truly exceptional."

Meanwhile, Sasuke was on the verge of exploding.

What is this nonsense?

The Naruto of that world was an entirely different person from the one he knew.

He could ignore, for now, the way their relationship seemed completely reversed.

But the fact that the Uchiha clan's massacre somehow contributed to Naruto's understanding of the ninja world—and even motivated him to work harder—was infuriating.

The Uchiha clan has no place to reason in this scenario.

[Self-study class in the afternoon...]

[The students didn't pay much attention to the books about Konoha Village's history, as Iruka had instructed.]

[Instead, they were talking and laughing, enjoying themselves.]

["Naruto-kun, that..."]

["Sorry, I want to read more right now."]

[Naruto politely declined the approach of a female classmate and turned his focus back to the book in front of him.]

[He carefully studied the history of Konoha Village.]

[After all, Iruka had never gone into much detail about this before.]

[Konoha Village: Created by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.]

[To end the endless wars of the Sengoku period, the First Hokage established a peaceful and stable place where children could study alongside their peers and families could live in harmony.]

[Second Hokage: Senju Tobirama.]

[Known as the fastest ninja of his era, he developed countless Forbidden Techniques throughout his lifetime.]

[Third Hokage: Sarutobi Hiruzen.]

[Renowned as the "Professor of Ninjutsu."]

[It is even rarer to see a ninja who has mastered all five Chakra nature transformations.]

[A true master of ninjutsu with thousands of techniques under his command.]

[Sarutobi Hiruzen ruled as Hokage for decades, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to the development of Konoha Village.]

[Under his leadership, Konoha became the strongest ninja village in the world.]

[Some even regarded him as the most powerful Hokage in history.]

["Oh, not bad..."]

["I didn't expect that old man to be so powerful."]

[Naruto couldn't help but picture Hiruzen in his mind, complete with his ever-present pipe.]

[That frail body, that hunched-over figure...]

[Who would have thought that an old man who seemed like he was on the brink of death would have achieved so much?]

[Not to mention mastering all five Chakra nature transformations.]

["Wait a moment!"]

[Suddenly, Naruto seemed to grasp a crucial concept.]

- Chakra…

- It's divided into attributes?

[This was an important knowledge point, one he had to note down immediately.]

- Amazing!

Everyone stared at Naruto as he studied intently.

This kid wasn't just eager to learn; his intelligence was astonishing.

After merely skimming through Hiruzen's introduction, he had already picked out a vital piece of information for himself.

Of course, others also caught the key point.

Among them was the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki.

Onoki: "Old man, I wouldn't dare be so shameless as to call myself the strongest Kage in history. And yet, you dare to claim you're the strongest Hokage? What about Hashirama? Where does that leave him?"

Terumi Mei: "Ah! The Third Tsuchikage makes a good point. I didn't even realize that. It does seem presumptuous."

Senju Tobirama: "Monkey, are you claiming you've surpassed my elder brother in strength?"

Uchiha Madara: "Tobirama, you don't need to insult your own brother just to praise your disciple. What does Hiruzen amount to, to even dream of competing with Hashirama?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "No, no, I think you've misunderstood. This was likely written by the ninjas who compiled the course materials. Perhaps later generations aren't as familiar with the strength of past Hokages and only know me as the old man still alive. That's probably why they wrote it like this."

On the high platform, Hiruzen let out a long sigh of relief.

That was a close call.

Had this misunderstanding not been cleared up, it would've been more than just embarrassing—it would've been outright disrespectful to the ancestors.

Especially to the First Hokage, who was revered like a god.

Even compared to the Second Hokage, Hiruzen knew he couldn't claim to be superior to his teacher.

Orochimaru: "Heh. Seeing how nervous you are, I feel so much better."

Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Orochimaru, you—"

Hiruzen was about to say something to Orochimaru when a sudden realization struck him.

That course material covered the history of Konoha Village and its Hokages.

If that's the case…

"Not good!"

Hiruzen's expression turned grim. Something was bound to go wrong.

["Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato?"]

["Known as the Yellow Flash of Konoha, the hero who ended the Third Ninja War."]

["He is the youngest Hokage in Konoha's history."]

[Naruto muttered to himself as curiosity flickered in his eyes.]

["Let me see just how young the youngest Hokage is."]

[As Naruto turned the page introducing the Fourth Hokage, he was met with Namikaze Minato's profile picture.]

[...]