Master, Please Become a Hokage

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The teams moved swiftly, covering vast distances as the sun rose and set over two days. Eventually, they reached the coastline of the Whirlpool Country.

The sound of crashing waves filled the air. Without hesitation, the ninjas channeled chakra to their feet and stepped onto the sea's surface. No boats were needed—this was the way of the shinobi.

As the mist parted, Koharu's sharp gaze scanned the land ahead. "We've arrived… the ruins of the Whirlpool Country."

Despite its small size, the Whirlpool Country had been a crucial ally of Konoha. Its destruction had been a great loss. Koharu stepped onto the shore and raised her arm. "The assessment begins! Eliminate all enemies—leave none behind!"

With that command, the teams scattered in different directions, beginning their sweep of the ruins.

As Ryo's team moved inland, the beach gave way to dense jungle. Nature had reclaimed the ruins, covering them in thick vegetation. "Though small, the Whirlpool Country's terrain is complex. It would take three hours to cross at full speed. It's still larger than the Land of Waves and other minor nations," Ryo noted.

Baiyun Hayama, a former classmate and expert in Wind-Style sword techniques, suddenly stopped. A crunch echoed under his foot. He looked down and grimaced—it was a human skeleton.

As they advanced, more bones appeared in twisted, lifeless forms. "These are the remains of the Whirlpool Country's people," Kei said in a quiet tone. Even his usual cheerfulness had dimmed.

At the rear, Hinata Ruri walked in silence. Her pale eyes seemed distant, lost in thought. A heavy atmosphere settled over the team.

Ryo glanced toward Minato's group. Kushina had gone pale, covering her mouth. Minato whispered softly to her, but the grief was evident on her face.

Ryo clenched his fists. "This land belonged to the Whirlpool Country. No other nation has the right to claim it."

Yet, he couldn't ignore the truth—Konoha had done the same in the past, invading smaller nations like the Land of Rain. The cycle of war was endless.

"If you invade another country, one day, they'll come for revenge," Ryo muttered.

Minato, perched on a hillside, sighed. "When does the cycle end?"

Ahead, the ruins of a town came into view. The shattered remnants of buildings lay silent, surrounded by scattered bones. Kushina couldn't hold back her tears any longer.

"That's true," Ryo said. "But the cycle only stops if we choose not to invade others first."

Minato gave a small, uncertain smile but said nothing more.

A sharp cry from Kei snapped them out of their thoughts. "Here! I sense a chakra presence!"

Following Kei, they entered an underground passageway. The Whirlpool Country had relied on subterranean structures for survival, creating a labyrinth beneath the surface.

Deeper in, they found a series of sealed rooms. Ryo examined a set of charms on a door. "This is an altered Fox Heart Technique—an illusion meant to obscure vision. But it's weakened with time."

With a simple movement, he tore the talismans away, revealing a hidden stone door.

Baiyun tightened his grip on his sword. "Do we cut through?"

Ryo found the mechanism and pressed it. The door rumbled open, leading them inside.

In the dimly lit chamber beyond, a single sarcophagus stood, its surface etched with words:

'My beloved… Kato Dan's grave.'

Kei exhaled sharply. "That's… Princess Tsunade's lover."

A long silence fell over the group. The past was still alive within these ruins—waiting to be uncovered.