join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr
Almost the instant that large, perfect head exploded, everyone present was stunned.
Splattering blood and fragments rained down like a fountain onto the faces of those around, soaking their clothes crimson and carrying a sticky, Fishy smell.
It wasn't until the next moment, as everyone present simultaneously looked up at the slender figure standing on the side wall, that their Ninja instincts snapped them back to reality, and they cried out in unison, their voices tearing through the air:
"Sawara Kiri!"
"Enemy attack—!!!"
However, Sawara Kiri merely stood there, his azure eyes glowing with an unusual light under the dim moonlight, looking with grave indifference at all the fully armed Sarutobi Ninja present.
At the same time that voice rang out.
On the city wall at the edge of the Sarutobi Clan territory, figures leaped up one after another.
The Ninja dressed in Anbu uniforms had already received orders; without a sound, they silently drew their Ninjutsu and unhesitatingly swarmed into the former Hokage Clan territory.
The sharp blades gleamed with a solid chill in the night.
However, most of the Sarutobi elites present were also strong individuals who had experienced battle, and they reacted immediately the moment they were attacked.
On the other hand, all the Sarutobi high-ranking officials present were completely blank.
Sawara Kiri?!
How could this be, and at such a time?
Could it be that Uchiha Setsuna's reminder was a trap all along?
The continuous bad news and thoughts filled their hearts with panic, and an uncontrollable rage.
This bastard, he was waiting for us all along!
However, no matter what these Sarutobi high-ranking officials were thinking, Sawara Kiri, standing at the highest point, had already picked up a Hokage order and loudly declared to everyone around him:
"A joint letter from the three offices of the Substitute Hokage Council!"
"Sarutobi Saizo, the Clan Head of the Sarutobi Clan, has led a rebellion, attempting a coup. All who stubbornly resist shall be killed; those who surrender shall be spared!"
This single declaration threw everyone present into chaos. Many of the surrounded Sarutobi Ninja involuntarily looked at their clan elders, attempting to get an answer from these leaders.
However, before they could get a response, they saw more and more Ninja gathering towards them from beyond the side wall.
The ordinary civilians and Ninja within the Sarutobi Clan territory also noticed the commotion, peering out of their windows, following the sounds of shouting and killing.
But upon seeing that they were all Konoha Ninja, their hearts were even more confused.
Unfortunately, no matter what they thought at this moment, tonight's bloodshed was inevitable.
"Hinokami Kagura: Dance!"
The blazing fire formed a circle, easily sweeping over everyone present, directly cutting several resisting Sarutobi Ninja in half at the waist. The air was filled with the pungent, fishy smell of sulfur, iron, and blood.
The girl's figure did not pause in the slightest because of this, sweeping over everyone, her target directly a Sarutobi Clan elder who was still resisting in the center of the crowd.
The Sarutobi Ninja in the center of the scene were at least Chunin level, and the few clan elders leading them had the foundation of powerful Jonin. Although they were no longer in their prime, their eyesight was still excellent.
Almost the instant Uchiha Megumi's figure rushed forward, the hand seals were already completed.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
The booming source of fire continuously erupted from the clan elder's mouth, a highly impactful Chakra wrapped in highly transformed flames, engulfing a huge area of tens of meters in front of him in one go.
This single Fire Release technique alone was enough to rank him among the top Jonin in the entire Konoha.
However, the blazing flames had barely managed to engulf the girl's figure when a straight crack suddenly appeared in the center.
The Crimson Blade, wreathed in a hotter and more aggressive crimson flame, cut through the violent fire around it without the slightest pause and advanced directly.
The Sarutobi Clan elder had barely managed to raise his Kunai to block when the Crimson Blade suddenly struck, cutting through the Kunai blocking him, along with the Sarutobi Clan elder's body.
The mark, a diagonal slash from his shoulder to his waist, split him in two, yet not a single drop of blood splattered.
As soon as the blade had passed, the Sarutobi Clan elder's blood and organs inside his body were completely charred, and subtle black marks appeared on the edges of the cut.
He stammered, trying to say something, but he couldn't even make a sound.
On Uchiha Megumi's body, as she brushed past him, a faint, ethereal shadow could vaguely be seen, blocking all the dust and flames that were about to stick to her.
Leaving no trace.
As Uchiha Megumi's figure flashed past, the Uchiha Ninja following her also made no attempt to conceal their identities. All of them opened their Sharingan, glowing crimson and bright in the night, and with bloody smiles on their faces, they began to slaughter the Sarutobi Ninja.
Clearly.
The Uchiha Clan did not present a token of allegiance like the Hyuga Clan Head because they had already reported to the Substitute Hokage Council through Uchiha Megumi before the Ninja Clan meeting began.
Their Uchiha Clan were Konoha Ninja who firmly stood on the Hokage's side.
Their hearts were filled with loyalty.
Not just them.
"Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
A clear, low shout rose from the crowd. Hyuga Hiashi's figure moved through the crowd like a white shadow, his fingers like blades of Chakra flame, sweeping across several people. Behind him, a series of dull thuds immediately followed.
The Sarutobi Ninja, seemingly unharmed on the surface, had their internal organs completely pulverized into a chaotic mess by Chakra in a short instant.
The Byakugan, with its bulging, grotesque blood vessels, swept across, revealing every detail in the center of the vision, even in the darkness of night.
After only a moment's pause, he immediately rushed towards another group of people.
In addition, there were Ino–Shika–Chō, Aburame, and Inuzuka.
Almost all of the largest Ninja clans in Konoha Village had dispatched Ninja troops to participate in this coup suppression.
The thin flames of the Sarutobi Clan were utterly incapable of stopping such a large-scale extermination by a military force several times their size. Throughout the clan territory battlefield, various shadows, Ninja dogs, and insect swarms flew about chaotically. Occasionally, one could even see Akimichi Ninja, enlarged like giants, slamming several people flat with a single palm, producing extremely dull thuds.
Sawara Kiri, however, did not make a move this time, merely standing quietly on the side wall, watching the various Ninja clans slaughtering the Sarutobi Clan.
His azure eyes, like a hawk's, silently observed everyone's performance.
Like the most rigorous supervisor.
The reason for this was naturally not because he thought his own Ninja weren't dying enough, but because it was indeed necessary.
The Ino–Shika–Chō clans, needless to say, have been the Sarutobi Clan's staunchest supporters since the day the Village was founded, and also supporters of the Senju Clan. Their team, composed of three different types of support abilities, became an indispensable part of Konoha.
To prove their loyalty and usefulness, launching a bloody slaughter against their former patron was naturally the most direct method.
Although the Inuzuka and Aburame did not send many people, they also aimed to demonstrate their status as followers.
Everyone had to act on their stance.
Proving that they truly stood on Konoha's side.
At the same time, this would also cut off the hopes of those smaller Ninja clans who tried to play both sides and become fence-sitters.
Even the Sarutobi Clan, when they wanted to make a move, the Substitute Hokage Council said to kill, so what are you little ones?
However, despite understanding the reasoning.
Jiraiya, standing beside him, couldn't help but let out a long sigh upon seeing this scene of his own Village slaughtering each other.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was their teacher after all, and in fact, many within the Sarutobi Clan had once taught them. Now, to meet such a fate was something a soft-hearted person like him was unwilling to see.
—This was also one of the reasons why Sawara Kiri insisted he come to supervise the battle.
"Kiri-kun."
Jiraiya watched for a long time before speaking, "Once they're all killed, the rest of the Sarutobi Clan should be spared, right?"
"Jiraiya-sama." Sawara Kiri stood there quietly, his tone utterly flat, "That depends on them."
"The Sarutobi Clan's rebellion isn't due to simple hatred and opposition, but purely for profit."
"So, however long they want to fight, we will fight with them."
"This is not something you or I can choose."
Although Sawara Kiri didn't say much, the Sarutobi Clan's attempt to harm his family truly crossed his red line—frankly, if it weren't for his current identity as a Konoha Ninja and his impending succession to a high position, Sawara Kiri would have been justified in single-handedly wiping out the Sarutobi Clan.
Cutting the grass and eradicating the roots, killing the entire family, is a traditional virtue.
Unfortunately, the bonds he was currently entangled in did not allow him to be so decisive.
Hearing this, Jiraiya seemed to suddenly freeze, turning his head to look at the young man beside him whose expression was unruffled.
He suddenly let out a self-mocking sigh.
This child is only sixteen years old, but his mentality is already much more mature than those of them who are thirty years old. It's truly hard to describe.
Is this the original sin of this Ninja World?
However, when will the slaughter, formed by the struggle of hatred and interest, finally stop?
What's more, what about the Great Toad Sage's prophecy of a divine descent?
What exactly does that mean?
Although Jiraiya has a highly developed intelligence network, he is not a very intelligent person; only his simplicity and kindness are his purest shining points.
All sorts of thoughts were cooped up in his mind, and vexation was inevitable.
It wasn't until half an hour later.
The sounds of shouting, killing, and fighting, which had spread throughout the Sarutobi Clan territory, finally gradually ceased.
Whether they tried to resist or tried to escape, all were cut down by Konoha Anbu and a group of Ninja Clan Ninja, leaving the entire Sarutobi Clan territory covered in blood, with a strong, pungent smell wafting through the air.
Only the civilian houses everywhere were deadly silent.
Sawara Kiri, however, merely watched this scene quietly.
After the bodies were collected and the streets were cleaned, he quietly departed.
The next day.
The entire Konoha immediately exploded.
The Sarutobi Clan attempted to launch a rebellion, which was discovered in advance by the Substitute Hokage Council. All high-ranking officials were executed, and one hundred sixty-five rebellious Ninja and over three hundred subsequent resistors were either captured or killed and all imprisoned.
This explosive news immediately ignited the news powder keg.
In just a short morning, the Konoha Daily printed six extra rounds, and the newspaper clearly detailed the entire process of the Sarutobi Clan inciting rebellion and attempting to abduct Substitute Hokage Council family members.
The usually quiet streets were filled with people discussing this matter.
No one expected that the former Hokage family could do such a thing.
Even Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was still in a coma, received a lot of abuse.
However, those were matters for the common people to care about.
The Ninja Clan heads, who were truly facing life-and-death decisions, now gathered in the central conference room beneath the Hokage Building without needing anyone to summon them, trembling as they awaited judgment.
The entire great hall was silent.
No one had expected that the Substitute Hokage Council, which usually appeared quiet, would be so ruthless once they acted.
How many people were in the Sarutobi Clan in total? Over five hundred Ninja were either captured or killed, which essentially crippled more than half of this Ninja Clan's power.
Everyone understood in their hearts.
From today onwards, the Sarutobi Clan would likely return to the ranks of minor Ninja Clans specializing in secret Ninjutsu.
Even whether it would be disbanded altogether was an unknown.
What was even more terrifying was that even a major Ninja Clan like the Sarutobi Clan, which ranked among the top three in all of Konoha, could not withstand a small move from the Hokage Building. What were they, then?
That arrogance, stemming from their Ninja Clan status and Jonin council qualification, suddenly became much fainter this time, as if a basin of cold water had been suddenly splashed on their previously heated heads.
It was a long time later that the three elders of the Substitute Hokage Council finally seemed to have gotten a good night's sleep, as they arrived belatedly.
However, what was most intimidating was the young man who followed behind them, looking handsome and refined, always with a gentle smile on his face.
They had all heard.
Last night, it was this esteemed person who oversaw the various Ninja Clans in jointly eliminating the entire Sarutobi Clan.
That feeling of being watched, as if a thorn was in their back, was still fresh in many people's memories.
Thus, even the original rustling whispers in the hall suddenly disappeared, and everyone quietly waited for the three esteemed people to speak.
Tsunade stood at the front of the stage, her voice calm:
"I presume everyone has heard about what happened last night."
"After a full night of trials and interrogations, the list of internal rebellion within the Sarutobi Clan has now been obtained and will be publicly displayed throughout the Village."
"To prevent similar incidents from happening again, the Hokage Building will supervise the internal organizational structure of the Sarutobi Clan and dispatch corresponding Anbu members to oversee it."
"As for the new Clan Head, it will temporarily be assumed by the Third Hokage's eldest son, Sarutobi Shinnosuke."
Upon hearing this, a clamor arose from the audience.
If they remembered correctly, Sarutobi Shinnosuke should only be ten years old, right?
To let a ten-year-old child serve as Clan Head, this is simply too much—
What's more, what does Anbu supervision mean?
Is the Hokage Building finally extending its hand into the Ninja Clans?
These series of news immediately astonished everyone present, but they dared not voice any dissent—the matter of the Sarutobi Clan was still fresh in their minds; who would dare to cause trouble at such a time?
However, what they didn't expect was that the Uchiha Clan Head actually bravely stood up.
Hyuga Soumin looked astonished, turning to his old rival and old friend, somewhat puzzled.
Then, Uchiha Motoya said very solemnly: "The Sarutobi Clan, as the Third Hokage's own Clan, has now committed such an act of treason against the Village. This already indicates the independence and instability of the Ninja Clan's internal structure. How can isolated individuals who are outside the Village's control be called Konoha's Ninja Clan?"
"I believe that your actions are very appropriate, and I request that this method of Ninja Clan supervision and discretion also be implemented within the Uchiha Clan, to prevent past mistakes from being repeated."
"..."
Many Ninja Clan heads listened to the Uchiha Clan Head's high-minded words, and they were all dumbfounded, staring at his thick-skinned face, unable to imagine that these were words an Uchiha could say.
Not only the small Ninja Clans, but even Hyuga Soumin was stunned, staring blankly at him.
He had only one thought in his mind.
It's over!
They got ahead of us again.
When exactly did this old fox connect with the Substitute Hokage Council? Did their Clan pass a resolution?
Almost the instant he thought of standing up, he saw the Nara Clan Head, not far away, also very wisely stand up:
"I second the motion."
Hyuga Soumin immediately quickened his pace: "Second!"
After these three expressed their stance, several other very discerning Ninja Clans successively stood up and responded.
But soon, the hall became quiet again.
Not everyone was willing to hand over power so easily and be supervised.
If a Ninja Clan is supervised by the Village, can it still be called a Ninja Clan?
However, Tsunade and the others were well-prepared for this scene.
There were plenty of people who wouldn't shed tears until they saw the coffin; intelligent people who could make a decision immediately, like the Hyuga Clan Head, were truly a rare minority.
Seeing that those who needed to speak had more or less finished, Tsunade checked off a few names on the list in her hand, then moved the agenda to the next item.
"Since you all have no objections to this judgment, let us begin the next discussion."
"Regarding the draft proposal for 'Ninja Village and Ninja Clan cooperation in shareholding, and joint operation of Village-run monopoly enterprises for allocation qualifications"..."
The moment they heard this, the Ninja Clan heads who hadn't shouted 'second the motion' felt a sudden thud in their hearts.
A premonition of ill omen arose involuntarily.
As expected.
During the subsequent allocation discussions, those Ninja Clans who had openly sided with the Substitute Hokage Council faction all received significant concessions in the industries they currently controlled.
Although Tsunade spoke of a 'draft proposal', everyone knew that this matter was essentially settled.
Naturally, there were many Ninja Clan heads present who wanted to resist, but the Substitute Hokage Council, having won external wars and purged internal political opponents, had almost entered a period of full expansion.
Even if they wanted to resist, they simply didn't have the ability.
In fact, if they dared to show any sign of opposition now, they might very well be directly branded as Sarutobi Conspirers—who could bear that?
Therefore, compared to the chaotic and noisy meeting last time, no one dared to show any unusual expressions at this formal allocation meeting.
In just one morning, the entire draft proposal for industrial allocation was fully explained.
In the following month, Konoha officially entered a period of comprehensive transformation.
The originally quiet Village suddenly turned into large construction sites, and all previously empty spaces were leveled, with buildings and factories being erected one after another. Even the Konoha villagers, who had struggled through the war, benefited greatly from the work-relief dividends.
Konoha Capsule Transport Group, Konoha Steel, Konoha Chemical, Konoha Ninjutsu Research Center...
This series of unprecedented buildings rose one after another, expanding a new city with complete urban planning to the east.
The merchant caravans and missions, which had gradually dwindled due to the war, also sharply increased during this period.
Although the war on the front lines continued.
However, Konoha's internal transformation had already begun.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for advance chapters | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter | Report issues @discord.com/GVBdncd9Wr