Naruto: Ghosts of the Warring States

Chapter 403: The Ancestor’s Flight

After Obito became the Fifth Hokage, Akio found each day dragging on endlessly.

He'd hit the jackpot yet couldn't spend a single point.

That kind of suffering wasn't something anyone else could really understand.

Obito took office on January 8. Kushina's due date was March 8.

Two full months apart.

Two agonizingly long months.

Konoha itself remained lively as ever.

Hokage appointments, council reshuffles, ANBU rotations, constant motion.

But none of it matched the original timeline anymore, meaning not a single Witness Point to be gained. Akio stirred things up, made his presence felt, and quickly lost interest.

Thankfully, there was still one unruly blond kid to keep him entertained.

With the second-to-third-year promotion exam approaching and with Obito becoming Hokage at just twenty-two, Naruto felt both pressured and inspired. He begged Akio to train him harder.

What Naruto meant was essentially:

"Great Ancestor, please don't go easy on me."

A kid with drive deserved encouragement. Akio had no reason to refuse.

So Naruto received an absolutely brutal pre-exam training regimen.

Akio enjoyed it immensely.

Every now and then, he'd even mutter to himself in mock reflection:

"When boredom strikes, what's the cure? Naruto."

And so Naruto spent nearly two months in what could only be described as hell.

March 1, Konoha Year 56.

Konoha Academy, Naruto's classroom.

"E-Elder Akio… what brings you here today?" Iruka asked respectfully.

"Relax," Akio said with a smile. "I'm just here to meet Naruto's classmates."

He turned to face the room full of children, wearing a warm, welcoming expression.

"Hello, kids. I'm Uzumaki Akio. I'm 124 years old.

You can call me Great Ancestor."

"…Great Ancestor," came a scattered, uncertain response.

Akio nodded.

"Seems some of you don't know who I am. That's fine, I don't mind."

He paused.

"After all, if you don't know me, your future prospects are probably limited."

Several kids immediately looked uncomfortable. Whispers spread through the room.

Shikamaru lowered his head beneath his desk and muttered to Choji,

"Just like Dad said. What a pain."

Choji nodded while chewing his chips.

"Choji Akimichi!" Akio suddenly called out.

Choji jolted, nearly choking, and scrambled to his feet.

"P-Present!"

Akio smiled kindly.

"Easy there. Don't choke. Are the chips good?"

Choji hesitated, then glanced desperately at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru sighed and stood.

"Great Ancestor, Choji thinks they're good. Also… our dads talk about you a lot, so we all know who you are."

Akio's smile widened.

"Sit down. You've got potential."

Then he added calmly,

"Just remember, reputation isn't the same as reality. What you hear from your parents isn't always the full truth."

Shikamaru paused, then nodded.

"Got it."

"Good kid," Akio said. "I'll visit your house sometime soon. It's been a while since I saw your father."

"…He heard that," Shikamaru muttered. "Such a pain."

Akio stepped back.

"Now you should all remember me. From now on, when we meet, call me Great Ancestor. Clear?"

Many of the kids in Naruto's class were practically walking piles of Witness Points.

Worth making an impression on.

As for the actual promotion exams, Akio wasn't particularly interested.

He could tell who'd win every match before it even started and exactly why. The kids lacked the experience for real tactical turnarounds. It was all painfully predictable.

Naruto had improved significantly. Against Sasuke, he even held the advantage for a while, until he lost to the Fireball Jutsu.

Which made sense. Naruto still hadn't been taught any ninjutsu beyond the basics.

Oddly enough, the written test was more entertaining.

Naruto's frantic scratching, the subtle cheating attempts around the room, it all kept Akio smiling.

"Cheating on exams," he mused,

"Really brings back memories from my old life."

There was something else, too.

Hinata glanced at Naruto seven or eight times during the test.

She glanced at Toneri more than ten.

Her expressions were so adorable Akio almost pinched her cheeks.

He figured she was remembering Naruto's earlier comment about "using eyes to cheat" and trying to confirm it.

Definitely not overthinking anything else. Definitely not.

"If Hinata ends up liking Naruto like in the original timeline…" Akio thought.

"…will she end up stuck with that classic dilemma, choosing the one who loves you, or the one you love?"

The exams wrapped up by noon.

Akio arranged a one-month leave for Naruto through Iruka.

Naruto had been sulking over losing to Sasuke again, but the moment he heard he didn't have to attend school, his mood flipped instantly.

"Hey! Great Ancestor, teach me fire jutsu this month!"

Akio smiled.

"Only after you eat a cat."

Naruto froze.

"…I meant Sasuke's fireball. I can learn that too, right?"

"You haven't even learned to walk properly and you want to run?"

Akio scoffed.

"Forget that I should just teach you to fly."

Naruto didn't understand and ignored it.

"Teach me the fireball!"

Akio ignored him right back.

Naruto complained all the way home, until he saw who was waiting.

Minato and Tsunade stood on either side of Kushina as she stepped outside.

Behind them were Kimimaro, Haku, and Karin, each carrying heavy packs.

"Huh?" Naruto blinked.

"Kimimaro? Haku uh big brother? Karin? Why are you here?"

"Spontaneous trip," Akio said cheerfully.

He waved his hand, releasing a sleek flying craft.

"All right, everyone on board!"

Hokage Office.

Since becoming Hokage, Obito's days had been filled with paperwork and minor affairs.

The only matter that truly counted as major was Kushina's upcoming delivery.

Because of that, Obito had been preparing for weeks. With Hiruzen's help, every clan had been coordinated. Konoha's defenses were stronger than ever, especially around Kushina's home.

The security was airtight.

Obito studied the village defense map, trying hard to spot any remaining gaps.

"With all this… and Sensei here too…"

He nodded to himself.

"It'll be fine. Definitely."

Suddenly, an ANBU appeared.

"Hokage-sama. Elder Akio has taken Kushina-sama and departed by flight."

Obito froze.

"…Flight? She's about to give birth! Where did they go?!"

He stared at the ANBU, then realization struck.

"Kakashi? Is that you? Stop messing around!"

"…Idiot."

"…What'd you say? I'm the Hokage! The Fifth Hokage!"

"Idiot."

"Hey! You bastard what was that?!"

BOOM.

The Hokage Office exploded into chaos.