XX-level Hokage

Only when Mashiro walked up to her did she hurriedly bow and say, "Greetings, Hokage-sama!"

"Don't be so nervous, I'll go in." Mashiro said softly, then turned and walked into the orphanage. The orphanage wasn't very big, and as soon as she entered, she could hear many sounds of playing.

It seemed as if someone was telling a story, and the voice sounded incredibly familiar to Mashiro.

"...In the end, the First Hokage pacified the chaotic world and established Konoha, which allowed us to live peacefully in Konoha." After finishing her narration, Kurenai gently closed the Konoha Chronicle in her hands.

"Teacher Kurenai, the First Lord knew Wood Release, but what kind of ninjutsu is Wood Release?"

"Red Teacher, the First Hokage was so powerful, why didn't he just unify the entire ninja world? Wouldn't the whole ninja world be at peace then?" "Red Teacher..."

As Hong finished speaking, all sorts of questions were raised.

Hong chuckled lightly, about to say something, when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Mashiro's figure through the window.

Her expression instantly became complicated. Hong gently stood up and said to the orphans in front of her, "Let's end today's story time here. Go find the headmistress."

Although they were very reluctant, they quickly went outside.

After all the orphans had left, Mashiro walked in quietly. "I didn't expect to see you here," Mashiro said softly.

"I just finished. Want to go for a walk together?" Hong put the book in her bag, turned to look at Mashiro, and said. "Of course."

The roads between the outer and inner villages are the same, and a river reflects the waning sunlight, bursting forth with a desolate orange hue. Mashiro and Akane stroll along the riverbank.

The shadows on the ground and the reflections in the river create a harmonious interplay of light and shadow.

"Why did you suddenly decide to help out at the orphanage?" Mashiro asked softly.

"Initially, it was at Konan's request. Konoha was short-staffed, and even she had a hard time mobilizing any ninja to help at the orphanage. So, Haku and I would come over to check on things whenever we had free time," Kurenai said with a light laugh.

Konan and Kushina have a good relationship, which is unexpected by Mashiro. She originally wanted Konan, Samui, and Kushina to become friends, but now it seems that Samui and Kushina are closer, and Konan is also closer to Kushina.

As for Hyaku, she maintains friendly relationships with almost all the women around Mashiro.

“Oh, that’s good.” Mashiro said with a smile. “I’ve come to understand some things recently,” Kurenai suddenly said. “?” Mashiro turned to look at Kurenai’s beautiful face.

"After breaking up with Asuma, I thought about many things and considered many things I had never thought about before. I took on many missions from small ninja villages and thus saw many sights I had never seen before."

I think I understand you a little now. "Red looked at the distant sunset, her eyes like rubies, bright and radiant under the orange light."

"This isn't a good thing?" Mashiro said softly. She didn't consider herself a good person, nor did she think that understanding her was a good thing.

Mashiro and Kurenai hadn't talked for a long time; their last conversation was at a recent gathering. After breaking up with Asuma, Kurenai began to distance herself from everyone, including Mashiro.

"What I mean is, I kind of understand why that version of myself fell in love with you. In that dream, I felt three emotions."

Fear, love, and the ridge. "Red turned to look at Shiro and whispered.

"The 'pity'? This is only the second time someone has used that word with me," Mashiro said expressionlessly.

A cool breeze blew by, ruffling the red hair.

Hong pointed at Zhenbai's chest with her finger and said softly, "Your chest is very empty, isn't it? The cool breeze continues to blow."

The wind stirred her truly white hair, along with her thoughts.

Mashiro's thoughts were in turmoil. (Author's note)

Is Quan going to be snatched away by someone else...?

Uchiha Izumi: Let me out! I'm going to go on a killing spree!

Chapter 171: The Spring and the Kaleidoscope

"Is this what you wanted to say?" Mashiro suddenly laughed and said softly. Kurenai didn't say anything more.

"There must be something you need my help with, otherwise you would speak to me in this tone." Mashiro gently brushed aside the wind-blown red hair and spoke.

Mashiro could never refuse Kurenai's tone. Having experienced almost three lifetimes, only Izumi and Kurenai could truly understand what she was thinking.

However, unlike Izumi, Kurenai always remained silent about Mashiro's feelings. Only when she needed something from Mashiro would she reveal her understanding of Mashiro and show the side of herself that captivated Mashiro.

“Let’s move these children to the Konoha Orphanage. They need better care, and many of them are of school age,” Kurenai said softly, looking at Mashiro.

These suddenly appearing orphans cannot be easily accepted, whether for financial or safety reasons, especially during this period.

But Mashiro couldn't refuse the current red, so she sighed softly and said, "As you wish."

Hongwei was slightly surprised, then smiled gently. She hadn't expected Mashiro to actually agree.

At this moment, the red is not the same red from the previous world as the real white. She has no concept of what understanding is. For someone who often hides herself in the deepest part of her emotions, understanding is such a powerful force.

Just as Mashiro said, she couldn't refuse Kurenai at this moment. "Thank you," Kurenai said softly.

“There’s a price to pay,” Mashiro said with a light laugh.

Upon hearing this, Kurenai calmly looked at Mashiro. Mashiro, in turn, glanced at Kurenai's voluptuous figure.

Seeing Mashiro's gaze, Hong opened her arms and said softly, "Please make yourself at home." She no longer resisted.

Mashiro stepped forward lightly, gently embraced Kurenai, and whispered in her ear, "I'll let you go today."

A warm breath brushed against Mashiro's ear, making her cheeks flush. "You seem very different now," Kurenai whispered, reaching out to hug Mashiro. "How am I different?" Mashiro asked with a smile.

“She’s become more carefree and gentle,” Hong said after a moment’s thought. “Do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?” Mashiro asked softly.

"That's good. Perhaps this is how you were meant to be," Hong said softly.

"Perhaps." Back at the villa. In the living room.

Tsunade and Shizune were sitting on the sofa.

"Are you back?" Mashiro asked with a light laugh as she sat opposite the two.

"It would be really inexcusable for me not to come back for something this important," Tsunade said, placing her hand on Shizune's shoulder. "Did you gain anything from your training?" Mashiro asked softly.

"A harvest? Cough cough, perhaps." Tsunade said somewhat awkwardly, while Shizune stood by, on the verge of tears.

While living a peaceful life in Miya, she was suddenly dragged away by her master to train. She initially thought it would be some serious training, but it turned out to be more like traveling around.

In this country, people are often hungry, and the only good thing is that I've lost a few pounds.

In truth, Tsunade herself wasn't comfortable either; life outside was certainly not as good as in Konoha. But she had no choice; she sensed something was off between Mashiro and Shizune. What if something really happened between them? Wouldn't she be in a very awkward position? So, without taking any precautions, she used the guise of training...

Yi pulled Jingyin out to hide for a while.

During her time away from home, Tsunade gradually came to understand that, given Shizune's personality, it would be difficult for her to find a future partner. So, as long as Shizune was willing, she didn't care about anything else, as long as she wasn't discovered.

After figuring things out, Tsunade prepared to take Shizune back to Konoha, but then she received news of the Fourth Shinobi World War on the way. "Then the medical support unit is in your hands," Mashiro said with a smile.

"Was that person really Madara Uchiha?" Tsunade's expression turned serious as she asked, mentioning this.

"In my opinion, it shouldn't be. But even if it's not Madara Uchiha's original body, there must be a very close connection," Mashiro said softly. "Could he really still be alive? My great-grandfather was certain he killed him back then, and it was my second grandfather who disposed of his remains." Tsunade's tone was deep.

He said in a deep voice.

She knew perfectly well how powerful her great-grandfather was, so she felt immense pressure from Ban, who was on par with her great-grandfather.

"Don't worry, Madara can't make a move, at least not now, or the conditions for him to make a move are extremely harsh. If he were really alive and could make a move at will, why would he need to rely on the Akatsuki to collect the Tailed Beasts? Even the Nine-Tails, the most powerful of the eight Tailed Beasts, is just a very strong beast in his hands," Mashiro comforted him softly.

"No, I need to check the Senju clan's treasury. Shizune, let's go." Tsunade stood up and said, then turned and walked towards the gate.

"Lady Tsunade, wait for me!" Shizune smiled at Mashiro upon seeing this and hurriedly followed. "Aren't you going to stay and have dinner with us?" Mashiro asked, watching Tsunade and Shizune leave in a hurry.

Upon hearing this, Tsunade stopped in her tracks, then turned to look at Mashiro and said playfully, "No need, Shizune and I will go out to eat. Someone will eat with you later."

After saying that, he led Jingyin out.

Mashiro was a little confused by Tsunade's words, but she just assumed she was talking about Tsunade and Tayuya and didn't think much of it.

Lying lazily on the sofa, Mashiro called out, "Take it, Tayuya, what's for dinner tonight? I want sushi." "Curry tonight," a sweet voice replied from the kitchen.

Curry? Have you guys learned how to make curry yet? Curry is good too… Mashiro said subconsciously.

But as soon as he finished speaking, he realized something was wrong. The voice was...

"Izumi, is that you?" Mashiro whispered.

"Did you notice? I even went out of my way to change my voice." Uchiha Izumi said with some regret as she walked out of the kitchen. "If only voices were that easy to change." Mashiro said with a light laugh as she stood up.

He walked up to Izumi and gently hugged her. "Welcome back, Izumi."

"When did you come out of Shikkotsu Forest? Has your body recovered?" Mashiro asked softly while eating curry.

"About half a month ago, perhaps because my injuries were quite severe, it took a little longer than expected. After leaving Shikkotsu Forest, I was summoned by Tsunade, and then I traveled with her for a while before returning to Konoha together," Izumi said with a light laugh.

"I knew it! Tsunade suddenly said someone would have dinner with me. Turns out you guys were in cahoots." Mashiro finally understood what Tsunade meant earlier.

"I wanted to give you a surprise, so please, Tsunade-neechan, don't tell you yet," Izumi said softly.

"It's a pleasant surprise, I really like it," Mashiro said softly. Hearing Mashiro's words, Izumi smiled with utmost tenderness.

"By the way, where are Tehan and Tayuya? Aren't they home?" Mashiro asked softly.

“Ya Yu called them out earlier, and they asked me to tell you to go out for dinner tonight. I was thinking of seeing if I remembered how to cook, so I tried to cook for myself,” Izumi replied.

"Oh, I see. It's very delicious, and you haven't forgotten how to make it." Mashiro said while eating her curry.

“I do feel like I’m a bit rusty,” Izumi said, tasting the curry with some dissatisfaction. “You’re setting your standards too high,” Mashiro said.

“Didn’t you tell me this before? Lowering your standards is tantamount to drowning yourself,” Izumi said with a smile. “Really? I forgot,” Mashiro thought for a moment and shook her head.

“Also, there’s something I need to tell you,” Izumi suddenly said, becoming serious. “Hmm?” Mashiro looked at Izumi.

Izumi's eyes suddenly transformed into Sharingan, then one tomoe, two tomoe, three tomoe, and finally the three tomoe intertwined, giving birth to a clover-shaped Tomoe, which slowly rotated.

This is the Mangekyou Sharingan belonging to Uchiha Izumi.

Chapter 172: The Second Soul Imprint

"So it really has been activated?" Mashiro said softly.

"Did you already know?" Quan asked with some curiosity.

"The power of the Sharingan is nothing more than the power of bloodline plus the power of spirit. The Uchiha bloodline is the prerequisite for you to start using the Sharingan, while strong spiritual power is the means to support the evolution of the Sharingan."

As a clone, you naturally possess the bloodline of the Uchiha clan, and since you previously awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, your spiritual power is definitely sufficient. After combining the two and obtaining ample chakra, it's not surprising that you were able to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan.

"Perhaps the reason you stayed in Shikkotsu Forest a little longer was because of these eyes, but of course, that's just my guess," Mashiro explained. "Anyway, no matter what, this is ultimately a good thing. As long as I use Omikami to leave a mark on your soul, we'll both be equivalent to..."

"It's a certain degree of immortality," Quan said with a smile.

"Then I'll leave it to you." Mashiro didn't think anyone could kill her right now, but it was better to be safe than sorry, and besides, this would also ensure Izumi's safety.

As Izumi looked at Mashiro, the clover-shaped Tomoe in her eyes began to spin rapidly. In an instant, she saw Mashiro's soul. This soul was different from Mashiro's current appearance; it was more beautiful and holy, and it possessed only long silver-white hair and light blue Rinnegan.

However, Izumi didn't ask anything; she knew Mashiro would tell her sooner or later.