Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess

Orochimaru smiled. "Sensei, it seems you still don’t understand what Sasuke truly wants. What he seeks is power—real power. After watching his entire clan wiped out by his own brother, that kind of hatred... a person like him could never forget it."

In truth, the Third Hokage had assigned Sasuke to Kakashi’s team in hopes of steering him away from revenge.

Because Kakashi had once walked that same path.

But even Kakashi couldn’t change the inevitable.

Clearly, the Third Hokage had underestimated the depth of Sasuke’s obsession with vengeance.

He remained silent.

"There’s also Riku," Orochimaru continued, "He would never willingly allow Sasuke to leave the village."

"That’s true," the Third Hokage agreed. "But if Sasuke truly insists on leaving... would Riku stop him? He’s not Naruto. He doesn’t have that kind of bond with Sasuke."

Orochimaru understood Sasuke’s situation perfectly.

He could tell that while Riku got along with nearly everyone on Kakashi’s team, his relationships were superficial. He made no real effort to grow close to anyone.

The Third Hokage knew some things about Riku. And if Sasuke truly decided to defect... perhaps Riku really would just let him go.

All he could do now was hope Sasuke would come to his senses and abandon the path of revenge.

Meanwhile, as the First and Second Hokage stood resurrected by the Impure World Reincarnation, they remained silently observing. Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, despite their conversation, hadn’t let their guards down.

Their fight hadn’t paused—only their words aimed to shake each other’s resolve.

To Orochimaru, the First and Second Hokage were simply high-level enforcers under his control.

Listening to the conversation, Hashirama seemed reminded of his own troubled past with Madara.

He sighed. "It seems that every generation faces its share of tragedy. This Riku... Orochimaru seems to value him highly."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Riku is the boy I mentioned earlier—the one who might already surpass me in strength at age twelve. He’s also Sasuke’s classmate."

Hashirama was taken aback. "Oh? So they’re like Madara and me. Then surely their bond must be strong."

The Third Hokage hesitated. "I wouldn’t go that far. They’re in the same class, yes, but the difference in strength between them is vast. Knowing Riku’s personality... if Sasuke chose to leave the village, Riku probably wouldn’t try to stop him."

"I just hope Kakashi can."

Senju Tobirama, unlike his brother, didn’t care much about Sasuke. But Riku intrigued him. "What’s the story with this Riku?"

The Third Hokage didn’t know much, either. He knew Riku had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, and that his power likely exceeded Jōnin level. But according to Orochimaru, Riku was already at least Kage-level.

And once someone had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, that kind of leap in power wasn’t surprising.

"He’s mastered your Flying Thunder God Technique, Sensei," the Third Hokage explained. "And he wields it with great skill. His strength is impressive. Just as Orochimaru said—Riku’s combat experience is enough to defeat him."

Orochimaru chuckled. "Seems you know very little about Riku. He didn’t tell you what really happened during the Forest of Death, did he?"

"Though it was quite an embarrassment for me... he used the Flying Thunder God Technique and a Lightning Style jutsu to kill me. If not for my resurrection through the Curse Mark, I’d be dead."

"And that Lightning Style technique—its power was on par with a Forbidden Jutsu. Perhaps even super S-rank."

Hearing the details, the Second Hokage gained a clearer understanding of Riku.

Definitely Kage-level. Possibly even beyond.

And most shocking of all—he was only twelve.

Even Tobirama hadn’t been that formidable at twelve.

Such talent was beyond comparison to ordinary shinobi.

Even Hashirama was amazed. "To have that level of strength at such a young age... he may be even more gifted than I was."

"And he’s mastered your Flying Thunder God Technique," he added. "That alone places him at a stable Kage-level."

"Indeed," he nodded. "Konoha has produced a remarkable successor."

The Third Hokage also nodded in agreement. "I had actually planned to train him to become the Sixth Hokage—after Kakashi serves as the Fifth. Kakashi is Riku’s current teacher and the most well-rounded Jōnin in Konoha."

"But Kakashi is currently stuck at a bottleneck. He’s an Elite Jōnin, but can’t quite break through to Kage-level."

"Still, in a few years, I believe he’ll surpass it. When that happens, I’ll feel secure handing Konoha over to him."

"But right now, I have to deal with this villain. Otherwise, he’ll bring destruction upon Konoha."

Orochimaru chuckled and drew two kunai inscribed with talismans.

He stabbed them into the bodies of the First and Second Hokage.

In an instant, their consciousness faded completely.

Orochimaru laughed. "Enough reminiscing. The battle begins now. After I kill you, Sensei, I’ll reduce Konoha to ashes."

Orochimaru was confident in his plan.

The Third Hokage stared at him grimly.

Yet he felt no regret.

He knew Riku’s strength.

He knew that even after his death, Konoha would survive.

Because Riku would continue to grow—into a towering tree whose branches would protect the entire village.

Riku wasn’t like others. He wouldn’t crumble under pressure like Hatake Sakumo.

And with strength already at Kage-level, Riku had strong support in Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato—all main pillars of Konoha’s Jōnin forces.

As long as Jiraiya or Tsunade could be brought back to the village, Riku would have the environment he needed to flourish—and in time, make Konoha stronger than ever.

Strong individuals were the foundation of every shinobi village.

And someone with Riku’s talent—he could become a legend. Perhaps even greater than the First Hokage.

Of course, that was just the Third Hokage’s hope. But even if Riku didn’t surpass Hashirama, he would certainly match the peak strength of the Second Hokage—or the Third Hokage himself.

And in these times, that level of strength was more than enough.

In fact... the Third Hokage believed Riku might grow into a leader like Senju Hashirama himself.

Because at twelve years old, with power already at Kage-level, Riku’s talent had already surpassed what Hashirama had shown at the same age.

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