The Eight-Year-Old Me Became Hokage

When Might Bai found Danzo, he was sparring with Sarutobi and the others. Even though Kazekaze was just a seven-year-old child, Danzo still took their match seriously. After all… This was a monster who had adapted to survival training in just half an hour!

"Danzo."

Might Bai called his name before explaining why he was there. As expected, the moment they heard that Kazekaze wanted to fight today, Sarutobi and the others' expressions twisted in disbelief. Especially Danzo— He looked like he had just swallowed two pounds of flies.

"It's only been a day! What is Kazekaze even thinking?!"

With his monstrous talent, maybe in half a month, he'd have some chance. But now? Kazekaze was trying to close a ten-year gap in a single day. It was pure delusion.

"This match is a joke," Danzo said bluntly.

The others felt the same way. Even Might Bai still couldn't wrap his head around it. A seven-year-old challenging a seasoned Chunin like Danzo? Even if he was the grandson of the First Hokage, that was too ridiculous! Might Bai could already see the outcome— Kazekaze getting utterly crushed and questioning his entire existence. No matter how talented he was, the age gap was just too big! Danzo's arms were longer than Kazekaze's legs. If Danzo just held Kazekaze by the forehead, the kid could flail his arms and legs all he wanted— he still wouldn't reach him!

And that wasn't even considering their massive difference in strength and experience. With Sarutobi and the others accompanying him, Danzo arrived at the training ground. Tobirama stood with arms crossed, eyes closed, completely calm, While Kazekaze was in the middle of his warm-up routine.

"Lord Tobirama."

Danzo stepped forward from the group, glancing at Kazekaze's confident expression, Trying to understand where in the world this kid's courage was coming from. At first, Danzo assumed this was just Kazekaze being childish— But to his shock, Tobirama's face was completely serious.

"Danzo, are you ready?"

…

'He's seriously letting me beat up Kazekaze?'

"But… Lord Tobirama, Kazekaze is just—" Danzo started to protest, but Tobirama cut him off.

He already knew exactly what his student wanted to say.

"Danzo, you only need to do one thing in this match—hold nothing back and defeat Kazekaze with your full strength!"

Tobirama's voice was firm and unquestionable. This wasn't just a message for Danzo— It was also a message for Kazekaze. If Kazekaze thought that being the First Hokage's grandson meant Danzo wouldn't dare go all out against him— Then he was gravely mistaken. No member of the Senju Clan should ever have such a pathetic mindset!

"Might Bai, you will be the referee," Tobirama commanded.

If this was a match, it needed to be treated like one. But also— Tobirama was a little worried about Kazekaze. He still didn't understand where this confidence came from, But he knew that Danzo wasn't as weak as Kazekaze might think. Especially his Wind Release techniques, which were some of the best in Konoha. If Kazekaze found himself in serious danger, Might Bai was there to intervene. It was obvious— Tobirama did not believe Kazekaze could win. And neither did Sarutobi, the others, or Might Bai— They all thought he was going to lose miserably.

"I understand," Might Bai nodded before stepping into the center of the training field.

He had never been a referee before, But he had seen plenty of official matches during the Chunin Exams. He gestured with his hands, signaling Kazekaze and Danzo to take their positions— Each standing five meters apart.

"As the referee, I will now explain the rules," Might Bai began. "This is a controlled match—if I determine that either fighter is in serious danger, I will immediately stop the fight. Any objections?"

As he spoke, his eyes were locked onto Danzo. His tone sounded less like a match explanation and more like a warning specifically for Danzo.

"No problem."

Kazekaze answered nonchalantly, already preparing himself.

Sigh… Danzo shook his head in frustration, his lips curving into a bitter smile.

He still couldn't understand Kazekaze's way of thinking. Confidence was good— But blind confidence? That was just stupidity.

"Kazekaze-sama," Danzo said, his expression turning serious. "You heard Lord Tobirama's instructions just now. Even though you are the grandson of the First Hokage, I will not hold back in this match! As a ninja, you should already have that level of resolve. And honestly, treating a battle like a game is something I can neither understand nor accept. So…"

Danzo took a deep breath before speaking his next words.

"If you want to back out, now is your chance—I don't want to hurt you."

Yes, Might Bai had said this would be a controlled match— But Danzo was still worried he might break Kazekaze's ribs with a single kick. Their physical differences were simply too massive. Sarutobi, Kagami, Koharu, Homura, and Torifu all watched intently, Secretly nervous for Kazekaze.

'Danzo is taking this seriously.'

Tobirama had not expected Danzo to be so firm— And now, he was even more certain Kazekaze would suffer a crushing defeat.

'He's going to get completely destroyed.'

But this was his own fault. Tobirama had given him half a month to prepare. He was the one who threw away that time.

'He's treating this like a joke. Let this be a lesson for him.'

Tobirama even started to think— Maybe all his praise had made Kazekaze arrogant. Using Danzo's overwhelming strength to bring him back down to earth might actually be a good thing. Meanwhile, Kazekaze calmly observed Danzo's posture— The way he spoke as if he was guaranteed to win.

'Danzo, my dear little brother… Go ahead and use your full power. Then you'll realize—if effort alone was enough, why would cheat systems even exist?'

"If there are no other objections, then I declare—the match begins!" With Might Bai's shout, Kazekaze and Danzo's fight officially started!

Sarutobi, Kagami, Koharu, Homura, and Torifu watched nervously, Praying that Danzo would show mercy when necessary. Tobirama and Might Bai stood silently, Ready to step in at any moment to stop the fight. But then— Something happened that no one expected. The very instant the match began, Kazekaze clenched his fists, Lowered his stance, And— 

"First Gate—Gate of Opening—OPEN!"