Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 130: The Tropes of Naruto Fanfiction from Ten Years Ago

Unnoticed by most, the intense commotion caused by the Fury of Heaven had disappeared. On Mount Katsuragi, most of the Tsuchigumo clan's territory had returned to tranquility, except for the area around Sasuke.

However, with Hagoromo Gengetsu's arrival, the battle that was about to resume was temporarily halted. Kakashi signaled for the Konoha group to cease their actions for now. Taking advantage of the brief respite, Hinata, using her Gentle Fist and Byakugan, which also had some healing capabilities, gently tapped on Kiba, dispelling the remaining Lightning Release chakra in his body. She asked softly, "Kiba, how do you feel now?"

Kiba moved a bit and patted his chest, "Much better! Thanks, Hinata." He then rejoined his comrades.

At the forefront, Kakashi gazed intently at the man who had suddenly appeared beside Sasuke. This man, wearing the same blue Uchiha attire and a white swirling mask, seemingly with a Sharingan beneath it, was the one who had reportedly defeated Chiriku with ease. Kakashi had suspected he might be Hagoromo Gengetsu, but the body type was entirely different.

"Who are you?" Kakashi asked.

Not wanting the ninja world to widely believe that Hagoromo Gengetsu coveted the power of the Sharingan, and having specifically disguised himself to confuse the ninja world, Hagoromo Gengetsu had no intention of revealing his identity. "I think Konoha already has some idea," he said flatly, looking at Kakashi.

In truth, he still had a task involving Kakashi. Hagoromo Gengetsu glanced at the long-untouched mission panel in his mind.

[Main Quest: Bell-Stealing Competition]

[Quest Description: Due to the limited number of new graduates, the host was exceptionally placed in another three-man squad after graduation. Congratulations on joining Team 7 with Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, under the guidance of Jonin Kakashi Hatake. Display your abilities in Kakashi's bell test, and rewards will be based on your performance.]

After graduation, having a main quest involving the bell test was quite normal given the storyline's progression. Ever since the Third Hokage became the teacher of the Legendary Sannin, the tradition of guiding Jonin having new genin snatch bells became a custom in Konoha.

As for his insertion into the main trio, it also aligned with the characteristics of Naruto fanfiction from over a decade ago.

This task was relatively simple; he just needed to find Kakashi and have a fight. However, Hagoromo Gengetsu had been preoccupied with spiritual matters for the past six months and hadn't thought about completing it. While the system had become increasingly significant to him, Hagoromo Gengetsu was very clear on one point: whether main or side quests, completing them without affecting his own progress was fine, but becoming a "slave" to the system, running around to complete one task after another, even if it meant gaining strength, was of no interest to him.

Without the system, Hagoromo Gengetsu was still Hagoromo Gengetsu. With the system, everything should still revolve around his own priorities. Fortunately, although the system often malfunctioned, it had never complained.

So the task remained pending. Even the beginner's task to defeat Naruto had been pending for over fifty years, despite many graduation classes passing by, it was still completed eventually. Letting the bell test task hang for half a year was nothing, especially since Kakashi hadn't disappeared.

And now, Kakashi had delivered himself to him.

Kakashi, unaware of Hagoromo Gengetsu's inner thoughts, continued, "You should be from the Uchiha clan, right? Though I'm not sure why you've invaded the Fire Temple and the Tsuchigumo clan, there's still a chance to resolve this. The Uchiha are part of Konoha, and if you have any grievances, you can return. The Hokage will surely accept you."

Kakashi didn't have time to ponder why there was an additional Uchiha, apart from Sasuke and Itachi. In his analysis, this Uchiha was likely sent by Hagoromo Gengetsu. After all, Sasuke had once followed Hagoromo Gengetsu, so it was unlikely he would "defect" again. If he could bring this Uchiha back to their side and weaken Hagoromo Gengetsu's forces, it would be ideal.

If not...

Kakashi gave Guy a look, and Guy understood immediately.

"Return to Konoha? Uchiha?" Hagoromo Gengetsu sneered. Instead of answering, he directed the question to Sasuke, who, without disappointment, firmly stated, "Uchiha is Uchiha! Konoha is Konoha."

With Sasuke's clear stance, Kakashi knew there was no room for negotiation. Just as he prepared to signal an attack, the buzzing sound of flying insects suddenly filled the air.

Turning, they saw a swarm of Parasitic Insects carrying two people. Shino, who had been silent until now, adjusted his sunglasses and explained, "My insects discovered members of the Tsuchigumo clan and brought them over."

Soon, the unconscious En no Gyoja and Tonbee were brought over. As they awakened from the genjutsu, En no Gyoja, noticing Tonbee beside him, urgently addressed Hagoromo Gengetsu, "What did you do to Yō?"

Ignoring the question, Hagoromo Gengetsu patted Sasuke's shoulder, "Prepare to leave." With their business concluded, there was no reason to linger. Sasuke nodded.

Seeing this, En no Gyoja urgently called out to the Konoha ninjas, "These two came for the Tsuchigumo clan's forbidden techniques. You must stop them!"

No reminder was needed. Kakashi had already signaled, and they charged at Hagoromo Gengetsu and Sasuke. Hagoromo Gengetsu, seeing this, casually formed several hand seals.

Fire Release: Majestic Demolisher Flame!

Chakra gathered in his throat, and as Hagoromo Gengetsu exhaled, a vast expanse of flame surged forth like a tidal wave, sweeping toward the charging Konoha ninjas.

"What powerful Fire Release!" Kakashi's pupils contracted. Without hesitation, he slapped his hands on the ground.

Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!

A massive earth wall rose up, but this time, Kakashi had no time to carve a dog head on it. 

Within moments, the Earth-Style Wall couldn't withstand the fire's impact and crumbled with a loud bang, with the flames continuing to advance. "This should suffice," thought Hagoromo Gengetsu, watching the rolling sea of fire. Assuming the main quest would complete automatically after his encounter with Kakashi, he had no desire to linger. Grabbing Sasuke's shoulder, he prepared to leave.

Suddenly, a sharp sound of spatial friction and tearing filled the air. Hagoromo Gengetsu's pupils narrowed slightly. Changing his mind, he hurled Sasuke away and braced himself.

Boom!!!

A violent explosion erupted around Hagoromo Gengetsu.