A gigantic three-headed serpent emerged in the heart of Konoha, crushing houses beneath its massive bulk. All three heads spewed thick, rolling smoke—laden with lethal poison.
"Summoning Jutsu: Food Cart Destroyer Technique!"
From the sky, a colossal toad came crashing down, squashing the three-headed serpent flat beneath its weight.
Jiraiya—had arrived.
"This is a headache…" he muttered, watching the rampaging One-Tail and Seven-Tails. "Even for me, there's no way I could take on two tailed beasts at the same time."
His gaze shifted toward the Chūnin Exam arena, to the towering pillar of the purple Four Violet Flames Barrier.
"Sensei Sarutobi… don't you dare die."
"I'm going to help the Third!"
Unlike the ANBU, who could only stand outside the barrier and watch helplessly, Might Guy—having opened the Eight Gates—charged straight for the barrier, intent on breaking through.
But just as he was about to act, Kakashi blocked his way. Giving Guy a meaningful look, he said:
"Believe in the Third Hokage. He's the strongest Hokage."
The word "strongest" was given special emphasis.
Without another word, Kakashi led Genma Shiranui and the other jōnin toward the Sound shinobi attacking the streets outside Konoha.
Konoha Center – Ichiraku Ramen
"One tonkotsu ramen, please."
Inside the shop, only one customer remained—a man wearing a hood, seated in the prime spot at the counter.
Teuchi, looking uneasy, said, "Sir, something's happening outside. You should evacuate with the others."
The man replied flatly, "And you?"
Teuchi's usually narrow eyes took on an uncharacteristic seriousness. "I'm not going anywhere. Ichiraku is my home—no matter what happens, I'll stay here."
Of course, he had already sent his daughter Ayame away with the other villagers to the evacuation point.
"Ichiraku ramen is my favorite food," the hooded man said. "I'm not going anywhere either."
"But—" Teuchi began.
"Relax, old man," the hooded man interrupted calmly. "Leaving a hungry customer unattended… that's not the Ichiraku way, is it?"
"…If you put it like that. Please wait a moment."
Moments later, steaming ramen was set before him.
"Tonkotsu ramen. Please enjoy."
Breathing in the familiar aroma, the hooded man's lips curved in satisfaction.
"Itadakimasu."
Even if I'm just a shadow clone, I'll protect Ichiraku Ramen with my life.
Incidentally, another shadow clone was accompanying Ayame for her protection.
Chūnin Exam Arena – Second Level
"Danzo… that bastard only cares about the Daimyō and leaves us behind."
Once Danzo had taken the Fire Daimyō away, the warden of Hōzuki Castle, Mui, finally got to his feet. Dusting himself off, he pulled a fresh pair of white gloves from his pocket and put them on, then slipped on a mask.
Too much dust—he hated it.
"Of course he did," Kazahana Doto scoffed, hoisting the unconscious Grass Daimyō under one arm. "This pig's heavy."
"Ignorant. Shortsighted. Despicable."
The words came from the Rain Country Daimyō, Rasen—or rather, Nagato of the Uzumaki Clan in disguise. His injured leg had completely healed; "Rasen" was merely an alias.
"That's why he could never become Hokage," said the Land of Demons' Daimyō, Shion—better known as the leader of the Fūma clan. "A fool who sees only immediate gain."
"They all deserve to die," hissed the masked Daimyō of the Land of Waves, eyes blazing toward the Four Violet Flames Barrier. "Everyone in Konoha deserves to die."
"Are you all unharmed?"
The question came from the man posing as the world's greatest tycoon—President Hattori.
At once, they straightened and spoke in unison:
"Uzumaki-sama."
Nagato studied the other Daimyō present, inwardly stunned. He had never imagined that the "ancestor" (Naruto) had silently built such a vast power network for his sake.
When Naruto had first made him Daimyō of the Rain Country, he had been surprised—though not entirely resistant. After all, he had once overthrown Hanzo the Salamander to take control of Amegakure. Replacing a Daimyō was nothing special for someone who saw himself as the God of the Shinobi World.
"In the short term, our esteemed Hokage isn't going to die," Naruto said, glancing toward the battle just beginning between Orochimaru and the Third inside the barrier.
"Come with me, everyone. Let's watch a good show—"
"Hokage versus Hokage."
"Oh, and," Naruto added casually, "bring our friend from Takigakure along. Took me a lot of effort to invite him—after all, the Village Hidden in the Waterfall will be our ally from now on."
Truly worthy of being Uzumaki-sama… the ancestor.
Sasuke appeared beside Naruto then, silently falling into step behind him.
No one seemed surprised—or perhaps they had long grown used to it.
"What are you doing here?" an ANBU demanded, startled to see the group approaching the Four Violet Flames Barrier.
But apart from the Grass Daimyō (who was utterly useless), everyone present was stronger than the ANBU.
"Banshō Ten'in!"
Nagato raised his left hand. The ANBU were pulled toward him as if yanked by an invisible force—killed in an instant.
That brief display of power left the other Daimyō awed. Even the masked Daimyō of the Land of Waves and Sasuke gave Nagato another glance.
To recruit a shinobi of this caliber… indeed, it was befitting of Uzumaki-sama.
"What's the Hyūga Clan's answer?" Fugaku asked, looking steadily at Hiashi.
"Go on—make your decision."
"For the record," Fugaku added, "the Kurama clan and twenty-nine other ninja clans have already chosen to stand with us."
"What?!" Hiashi was shocked.
Konoha didn't even have that many clans—thirty meant more than half of them had already sided with Root, or rather, with the Uchiha.
"Do we even have a choice left?" Hiashi gave a bitter smile.
"Or," said a masked Root shinobi who went by the name "Uzumaki"—in truth, Naruto himself—"you can join the Third in the grave."
One of these Narutos was the real body.
Guess which one.
Hiashi stared hard at Naruto. Even with his Byakugan, he could not discern the man's true appearance—only a blur of meaningless static behind the mask.
"Very well… then from this day forward—"
"The Hyūga Clan shall no longer be divided into Main House and Branch House."
"The Caged Bird Seal is hereby abolished."
"Remove the curse mark."
"This is impossible!" a Hyūga elder shouted before the words had barely left Naruto's mouth.
The Caged Bird Seal was the foundation of the Main House's authority—abolishing it would be unthinkable.
"The Caged Bird—"
Before he could finish, a flash of cold light split the air, and his head fell from his shoulders.
Uchiha Gen calmly slid his long sword back into its scabbard, eyes sweeping over the Hyūga with killing intent radiating like a storm.
"Those who question Uzumaki-sama—die."
"Those who insult Uzumaki-sama—die."
"Those who defy Uzumaki-sama—die."
"Die!" the Uchiha behind him roared in unison.
Countless scarlet Sharingan eyes locked onto the Hyūga.
The sheer pressure from the Uchiha's presence left the Hyūga paralyzed.
Cold sweat poured down Hiashi's back. Even with his Byakugan, he couldn't see how the elder had been killed—only the faintest afterimage.
Such speed… such a sword.
"We are the Forgotten. We are the vengeful souls of the Uchiha.
Anyone who dares stand in our way—will die."
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