The Third Hokage: First Move Send Danzō to Prison

"So, what happened next?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in the group chat.

"Of course, the war ended right there. Things couldn't go on any further."

"I ran straight back to Pops' side. That old man Garp wasn't really gonna drag me off to the execution platform again, was he?"

"Naturally, the Marines couldn't afford to lose face either, so the whole situation came to a stalemate."

Then came the punchline.

"You're right, Third Hokage! Guess who showed up next? Our good old 'Face-Saver' himself. He stepped in and said, 'How about everyone gives me some face and we just let this matter drop?'"

"Sengoku saw the opportunity and took it. No way he'd drag things to mutual destruction with the Whitebeard Pirates."

"That old fox Sengoku must've gotten a call from the Five Elders. I remember his Golden Den Den Mushi started ringing and he immediately kicked it aside. If orders had come through, things might've gone south fast."

"As for us, the Whitebeard Pirates owed Face-Saver a favor in the past. This time, I paid that debt back."

"And that's how the war at Marineford ended. I finally got my revenge! Hahaha!"

"We're throwing a feast right now!"

Having heard all that, Hiruzen Sarutobi now had a full picture of the war's conclusion.

Thanks to the efforts of Itachi, the Hidden Leaf's prized shinobi, the tides of war had been turned. Truly a heaven-sent warrior.

Once Itachi returned with the treasure he'd collected, it would surely help Konoha's rebuilding efforts.

With that in mind, Hiruzen sent a message: "Congratulations, you've completely changed your fate."

A long-silent member of the group, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, finally spoke up: "Congratulations, Ace. The skies are yours now."

"Hah, it was just a few storms along the way," Ace replied modestly.

Hiruzen rolled his eyes. "You're really laying it on thick. Tell Itachi to report back. Tsunade needs to give him a full medical check-up."

…

The deck of the Moby Dick was lit brightly, echoing with laughter that pierced the quiet of night.

Whitebeard sat upon his oversized throne, cradling a barrel of wine as tall as a man. Liquid trickled down his beard with every gulp.

"Gurararara! Tonight we drink until we drop!"

Marco soared overhead as a majestic blue phoenix, his tail feathers scattering sparks that exploded like fireworks across the sky.

Luffy's cheeks were stuffed full, his rubbery arms stretching out for more roast meat.

Jinbe sat cross-legged in the corner, cradling a custom-made oversized sake cup. His wide, fish-like ears twitched happily. "Old man Whitebeard, this truly is a great victory!"

Ace stood at the center of the crowd, his trademark orange cowboy hat tilted askew. His face was still marked by battle wounds, but his smile was dazzling.

He raised his cup high. "To Pops!"

He had changed Whitebeard's fate. He had changed his own. He had changed the fate of every member of the Whitebeard Pirates.

He was basking in the wind of triumph.

"To Pops!!" Hundreds of cups lifted into the night sky, the sake glittering like moonlight.

Uchiha Itachi stood alone by the ship's railing, his black cloak with red clouds fluttering in the breeze.

He held an empty bottle of rum, the crimson gleam of his Sharingan reflecting the shimmering sea. Yet in that reflection, he saw not the ocean but another world.

The joyous noise on the deck was muffled in his ears Marco's hearty laugh, Vista's rowdy yelling, Whitebeard's booming toast...

But now that the mission was complete, everything felt... distant.

The task was done. It was time to return.

He didn't belong here. His destiny awaited in the world of shinobi.

"Itachi, won't you have one last drink with us?" Ace called from behind.

"No. I should be going. And please don't call me that strange nickname again."

Itachi tossed the bottle into the sea and rose to his feet. "Now is the time."

Ace was taken aback. "Not going to say goodbye? You've grown pretty close to them, haven't you?"

"No need. The mission is complete."

Ace clicked his tongue. "Alright then. I'll leave a five-star rating for you, Seven-on-One-San."

He shouted aloud, "Flame-Flame Fruit – Portal Form!"

Just like before, a swirling vortex of fire opened in the air. It spun wider and clearer until it revealed a scene Konoha, under the night sky, with the Hokage Rock glowing in the distance.

Ace looked impressed. "Nice. Nailed the coordinates this time."

Itachi nodded slightly and stepped toward the flaming portal. Just as he was about to vanish, he paused.

"Farewell."

Before Ace could respond, the figure in the red cloud cloak disappeared into the blaze. The flames shrank, then fizzled into glowing embers that scattered with the sea breeze.

Marco had appeared on the mast, holding two bottles of wine. He tossed one down to Ace.

"He's gone?"

"Yeah, just like that." Ace caught the bottle and bumped it lightly against Marco's in salute.

Ace burst out laughing.

"Don't get sentimental. Once he's patched up in Konoha, we'll just hire him again."

Marco leapt down and joined him. "So? Let's hear the whole story. From the day that bastard Blackbeard captured you."

"Alright! Let me start from the top when I got nabbed, and how I ended up calling for backup from another world. Turns out we got along pretty well. Told you I'd give him a five-star rating."

…

The fire vortex vanished above a training ground outside Konoha. Uchiha Itachi landed softly on the earth.

His black cloak still carried the salty breeze of the sea. His eyes reflected the night skyline of the Hidden Leaf Village though it all felt a bit unfamiliar.

In his absence, the village had changed. New buildings had sprouted up, and floodlights now shone on the Hokage Rock so villagers could see the faces of the Four Hokage even at night.

"Third Lord really has some creative flair," Itachi thought to himself.

"Uchiha Jonin," a voice called from the treetops.

A masked ANBU agent wearing a fox-faced mask appeared. "The Hokage requests your immediate presence in the office."

"Understood."

The two raced across rooftops under the moonlight. As they passed the newly developed shopping district, Itachi noticed the Ichiraku Ramen sign had been upgraded to LED lighting. Next door stood a new shop with a peculiar sign filled with large, bold text:

"Official Recommendation from the Third Hokage: The Ultimate Shinobi Game!"

"Authentic Ninja Experience Recreated!"

"Special Research by One of the Five Great Generals: Lord Orochimaru!"

"Even the Fourth Hokage's Son Plays It!"

Itachi blinked. "What... is that?"

The ANBU agent chuckled. "It's a promotional store for the new mobile game 'Naruto Mobile.' The village recently developed a tool called a 'cell phone.' The Third Hokage himself helped design this game it's pretty fun."

Itachi gave a slow nod, but something else tugged at him.

"Orochimaru… Has he returned to the village?"

The ANBU agent smiled. "Yes. He was actually undercover in the Akatsuki. He's back now. And believe it or not, the mobile phone was developed by Lord Orochimaru himself."

"…Huh?"

Was that even real?

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