XX-level Hokage

“I’ve lived far, far longer than you. I have plenty of time to find the stone tablet left by Hagoromo and modify it,” Black Zetsu said. “Modify it?” Madara seemed to realize something.

"Infinite Tsukuyomi isn't a technique to grant people peaceful dreams, but rather to concentrate everyone's chakra, making it incredibly vast. You acted for this purpose, driven by me—no, by Kaguya's consciousness," Black Zetsu said, slowly detaching from Obito's body and turning into a pool of black liquid, which adhered to Madara's body, which had transformed into a white ball of flesh.

"Did I really do that?" Madara said in utter despair.

"Just like you used Obito as a pawn, you yourself are also a pawn." After Black Zetsu finished speaking, Madara swelled up again, growing larger and larger until he floated into the air.

"Why did it turn out like this, Hashirama? Where did I go wrong?" Madara looked at Hashirama lying on the ground with a hint of despair before his eyes were covered by Black Zetsu.

As Hashirama lay on the ground, looking at Madara, he wanted to do something, but was completely powerless to do anything.

Immediately afterwards, the white fleshy ball covered by Black Zetsu underwent a change in shape. First, long silver-white hair grew out, then long horns like rabbit ears were revealed, and then the Rinne Sharingan opened.

Ultimately, Kaguya was born.

Upon seeing Kaguya appear, everyone—from Mima and Hashirama to Sasuke and Naruto—was filled with astonishment.

"This is the mother of the Sage of Six Paths..." Naruto's expression was extremely serious. "Otsutsuki, Kaguya!" Sasuke said, sweating profusely.

Under the blood-red moon, Kaguya opened her eyes. Her silver-white hair shimmered with a faint silver light, and her milky-white eyes were incredibly holy. Combined with her exquisitely beautiful face, she was like a fairy descended from the moon palace.

Kaguya glanced around, her silver-white hair instantly growing longer as she attacked Naruto and his companions. Faced with Kaguya's sudden attack...

Sasuke and Naruto could only retreat, and Hashirama instantly used Flying Lightning Bolt to dodge as well.

Kaguya drifted over and arrived in front of Sasuke and Naruto. Looking at the two of them, she said softly, "Indra and Ashura, huh? But they seem incomplete."

"Mother, there is another Great Wood Spectrum nearby," Black Zetsu said from within Kaguya's sleeve. Hearing this, Kaguya turned and looked around.

Seeing this, Mashiro no longer concealed herself and released her aura. Kaguya instantly locked onto Mashiro and looked at her.

Two pairs of milky-white eyes met, and Kaguya felt a strong sense of awe.

Appearing instantly in front of Mashiro, Kaguya reached out and stroked Mashiro's front. After a moment, her hands trembled slightly as she hugged Mashiro tightly. "It's been a long time, Kaguya," Mashiro whispered.

"Thank goodness, Mashiro, you're still alive." In an instant, Kaguya's coldness began to fade; she was never a cold person to begin with.

For Kaguya, Mashiro is her support and reliance. When Mashiro is not around, she has to face everything alone. Indifference and ruthlessness are her best weapons. But when Mashiro is around, she can let go of all pretense.

"It's alright, it's alright." Mashiro gently stroked Kaguya's hair and said softly.

For Kaguya, everything after Mashiro left was too difficult. Whether it was the threat from her clan or the betrayal from her child, she felt completely lost.

Chapter 216: The Three Worlds

"Mashiro, why did you leave without saying goodbye?" Kaguya asked.

After she ate the fruit of the Divine Tree, she used her chakra to cover and sense the entire ninja world, but she still couldn't sense any trace of Mashiro.

“We can talk about that later. Let’s undo the Infinite Tsukuyomi first, and then leave everything to me,” Mashiro said softly. Hearing this, Kaguya nodded, her Rinne Sharingan flashing, and the moon began to lose its red hue.

Seeing this, Mashiro easily released Kaguya and came to Naruto and the others. "Mashiro-neechan, what's going on?" Naruto asked, full of confusion.

"Black Zetsu was the child of Kaguya Otsutsuki, the progenitor of the ninja world, and the younger brother of the Sage of Six Paths. He sensed Madara's evil intentions and thus infiltrated the Akatsuki organization."

Kaguya's resurrection was Black Zetsu's last resort to stop Madara. "Mashiro explained with a smile. "I see." Naruto had no doubts.

“Indeed, without the birth of the progenitor of chakra, Madara would have been unstoppable,” Sasuke said softly. Because of his fascination with Mashiro, he didn’t doubt her words.

Meanwhile, Mikima and Hashirama looked at Mashiro with suspicion. Given their limited experience, they naturally didn't believe what Mashiro said. Mikima was about to say something when Hashirama stopped him with a look.

"It seems the Fourth Shinobi World War is over," Hashirama said with a somewhat complicated expression. "We have to thank the Hokage for their help," Mashiro said softly.

"Sixth Hokage, I entrust Konoha and the ninja world to you," Hashirama said in a deep voice.

"Well then, goodbye, First Hokage and Second Hokage." With that, Mashiro released the Reanimation Jutsu from the two of them.

With the end of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the giant tree sank back into the ground, and the Allied Shinobi Forces' ninjas gradually revived. The Fourth Shinobi World War thus came to a close.

"We really owe the Fourth Shinobi World War a great deal to the Hokage; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"It's a pity that the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and the Fourth Hokage have already returned to the place of their deaths."

"Didn't we still need the Sixth Hokage? We should have known, the Sixth Hokage played a decisive role in this war." "That's right, that's right! I personally witnessed the Sixth Hokage's duel with Madara Uchiha; he was unbelievably powerful. The key is that the Sixth Hokage is still so young. I really envy the ninjas of Konoha for having such a Hokage."

"Back then, as a Konoha ninja, I felt it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call Lady Mashiro the Goddess of Shinobi; she surpassed even the First Hokage." As news of the war's end spread, details of the battle's events also circulated, especially since it was witnessed by tens of thousands of ninjas.

No one doubted the reliability of the news; Mashiro's prestige in the ninja world was unparalleled.

This can be gleaned from the conversation of these ninjas. Kumogakure, Tsuchikage's office.

"Did the Hokage really defeat Madara?" Onoki asked Hirotsuchi in disbelief.

"Although it's incredible, it's truly a fact I witnessed with my own eyes, and the Sixth Hokage defeated Madara who had absorbed the Ten-Tails," Huang Tu said solemnly.

Ōnoki remained silent for a long time, then muttered to himself, "I really am getting old."

He then turned to Huang Tu and said, "After we return to the village, we will formulate a new diplomatic policy and establish full diplomatic relations with Konoha." "Yes," Huang Tu nodded earnestly.

Not only Tsuchikage Onoki, but also the other three Kage, in the Mizukage's office in Kumogakure.

"Lord Mizukage, that's the detailed account," a Jonin from Kirigakure respectfully reported to Mei.

Mei Terumi remained dazed, as if she wasn't listening to the Jonin's words.

"Lord Mizukage, in my opinion, we must change our attitude towards Konoha as soon as we return to the village, and it would be best to form an alliance with Konoha..." Ao began to speak of his thoughts.

But at this moment, Terumi Mo's mind was still replaying a memory. After the Five Kage fought Madara, all four Kage except Mashiro fell into a coma.

However, midway through, because her chakra was not completely depleted, Terumi regained consciousness. Then she witnessed Mashiro's battle against Madara, and saw Madara's crushing defeat.

The immense power that Mashiro displayed at that time was almost completely imprinted in Mei Terumi's mind, especially Mashiro's transformed form and those light blue Rinnegan eyes. Whenever she thought of it, Mei Terumi's heart would race.

Kumogakure, Raikage's office.

"...Lord Raikage, what should we do next?" Darui asked.

"Putting aside the Hokage's immense strength, just based on her kindness to our Cloud Village, we should cultivate good relations with Konoha," A said earnestly.

"Understood, Raikage-sama." Darui instantly understood A's meaning. Kumogakure, Kazekage's office.

"I never expected her to be so powerful," Kankuro said with some emotion.

“She has always been strong,” Gaara said, recalling the oppressive feeling Mashiro had given him during the Chunin Exams.

"It seems that Temari staying in Konoha was indeed a good choice, especially for us Sand Ninja," Kankuro said with a self-deprecating laugh. Gaara remained silent.

When Mashiro returned to the office, she found Izumi injured and rushed her to Tsunade. After examination, it was found that Izumi's fatal wound had mysteriously healed, but she was unable to wake up due to excessive blood loss.

So Mashiro used the Shadow Legion to first send Izumi to Konoha Hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office in Kumogakure, Mashiro was alone with Kaguya.

"...So, because of the dragon vein, I returned to my own time, which is why I left without saying goodbye." Mashiro was lying on the bed with Kaguya in his arms, telling the story in a soft voice, half-truthfully and half-jokingly.

"So that's how it is." Kaguya leaned against Mashiro's chest, feeling Mashiro's unique presence. "Aren't you angry with me for not telling you the truth back then?" Mashiro asked softly.

“For me, as long as you are alive, that’s enough,” Kaguya said obediently. “Then what about Kaguya? And why were you sealed away?” Mashiro asked softly.

“When you left, the Zhong rebelled not long after, the emperor allied with the well, and Azhu died. Helpless, I ate the fruit of the divine tree, gained great power, and quelled the rebellion of those people.”

I was terrified then. I was afraid of my people's arrival, and I was also afraid of your departure. I needed strength.

However, the birth of Hagoromo and Hamura took away some of my power, so I could only create an army and use the characteristics of the Divine Tree to regenerate some civilians into new life forms.

But in the end, Hagoromo and Hamura discovered this and sealed it away. "Kaguya calmly recounted the story, as if nothing that happened was of any importance."

"By the way, about the birth of Hagoromo and Hamura, how were they born?" Mashiro asked curiously.

Kaguya's face suddenly turned red, and her tone became incredibly gentle as she said, "Do you remember the surprise I told you I had for you?" Mashiro nodded gently.

"Hagoromo and Hamura are actually your children," Kaguya said softly.

Upon hearing this, Mashiro's mind went blank. She remembered that she hadn't had a chance to do anything to Kaguya yet, and even if she had, she shouldn't be pregnant.

Seemingly noticing Mashiro's confusion, Kaguya continued, "The Otsutsuki clan possesses a special secret technique that allows one to obtain offspring through prayer! At that time, I collected a great deal of your aura and used it to perform this secret technique."

Through a secret method, your bloodline was analyzed into three parts and combined with mine, thus giving birth to our three children: Hagoromo, Hamura, and Zetsu.

The three of them inherited parts of your and my power, but because the power Jue inherited was too unique, it could never take shape. Therefore, I always kept it with me, and it was it that ultimately saved me.

This is why Kaguya is very tolerant of Hagoromo and Hamura. If it weren't for the fact that they both possessed a portion of Mashiro's power, Kaguya would have turned them into chakra long ago.

Hearing Kaguya's words, Mashiro felt helpless; she understood now.

The Sage of Six Paths inherited the bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan and Mashiro's Sharingan. Hamura Otsutsuki inherited the bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan and Mashiro's Byakugan.

As for Zetsu, he inherited the bloodline of the Otsutsuki clan and the shadow power of Mashiro. However, since shadow power does not exist in the Naruto world, this is why Zetsu never takes human form.

Just as Mashiro was about to say something, a system notification sounded. [System Task Completion: Two-thirds]

Then Mashiro's consciousness appeared in a blank space.

"Congratulations, host, the mission is two-thirds complete," the system said.

"A mission? Isn't the system's mission to become the emperor of the ninja world? Based on the completion rate, it should be over 90% by now," Mashiro asked softly.

"Due to reincarnation, the timeline of this world has been divided into three parts: the past, the present, and the future."

Therefore, you must not only become the emperor of the ninja world in the present, but also in the past and future, and these must be connected to form a coherent timeline. You traveled to the past, met Kaguya, and changed the past. Because of your changes, nothing unusual has happened in the present, and a reasonable timeline has been established.

Thus, the timeline connects the past and the present. "The system explained."

"What you said back then didn't seem that complicated," Mashiro said softly upon hearing this.

I only learned about this before I fell into a deep sleep. According to the previous host, it would have been enough to change the present and the future, but because I brought your soul here to replace it...

"The world you are in, the world where Li Mo is the host, and the world that originally had no transmigrators—these three worlds have become intertwined, and therefore, the mission has been divided into three parts: the past, the present, and the future," the system continued.

Qi Bai couldn't say anything about this, and could only ask, "Then what about the future? Do I have to go to the future again?"

"Yes, host, you must travel to the future and modify it," the system said. "I understand. How do I get there?" Mashiro asked softly.

"Kill the person who smuggled himself in, and he will take you to the future..." After saying that, the system went silent as if the power had been cut off. Mashiro also came to her senses.

"What's wrong, Mashiro?" Kaguya asked blankly.

"Nothing?" Mashiro gently kissed Kaguya on the cheek. (Author's Note)

Ye Fu has more surprises in store.

Chapter 217: The Spring of the Empire

At night, after Kaguya fell asleep, Mashiro quietly went to the balcony. "Come out?" Mashiro said softly.

A pool of black liquid emerged from the ground. "My lord," Black Zetsu said.

Mashiro stretched out her hand, and a long, black shadow stretched out, completely covering Black Zetsu. After a moment, the shadow faded away. "As expected, the power of the Shadow Legion," Mashiro said with some emotion.