Chapter 153 - The Reproduction Plan
The moment that cold voice echoed across the arena, Ōnoki felt as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his burning heart.
Cold… too damn cold!
Crap—it's him! The god of death himself!
There was no mistaking that voice. Ōnoki knew it well—it belonged to none other than Kazane.
Ōnoki had always regarded Kazane as an eternal threat. He'd plotted in secret, searching for ways to eliminate him.
In fact, the only reason Ōnoki dared to show up and provoke Hiruzen Sarutobi so openly today was because a spy planted in Konoha had informed him that Hiruzen had lost his power struggle with Orochimaru.
Now, all of Konoha's key positions were filled with Orochimaru's people.
Hiruzen was nothing more than the principal of the Ninja Academy. He no longer represented Konoha.
So, as one of the Third Hokage's lifelong rivals, Ōnoki seized the chance to strike while the old dog was down.
But he never expected that Kazane—of all people—would suddenly appear here.
Even if he disliked Hiruzen, there was no doubt that Kazane would stand up for him.
And Kazane wasn't just Konoha's new pillar—he was also the kind of guy who'd crash the Five Kage Summit if he felt like it.
This wasn't someone easy to deal with.
—
Kazane stared at the "startled" Ōnoki, a glint of icy sharpness flashing in his eyes.
A wild, domineering aura erupted from him, instantly filling the entire arena with pressure.
Though Kazane's true focus was on Ōnoki, everyone present felt the crushing weight of his presence.
The previously chatty shinobi all fell silent, their faces tense as their attention shifted toward Kazane.
Most of the Genin here had never seen real war— their instincts screamed danger.
They didn't know who this man was, but their bodies knew: stay away.
As for the shinobi being directly targeted—Ōnoki felt it the most.
Kazane's footsteps drew nearer, and the very air around them thickened with killing intent.
To Ōnoki, even the ever-present gray clouds over Kirigakure now seemed to morph into terrifying demons marching behind Kazane.
Though he regretted mocking Hiruzen so casually, Ōnoki's pride as the Tsuchikage wouldn't allow him to back down in front of everyone.
So he gritted his teeth and released his own killing intent to counter Kazane's.
But time had dulled his edge. He was no longer in his prime.
Kazane, in contrast, stood at the peak of his youth, forged through countless life-or-death battles.
Their auras collided—and it was no contest.
Each step Kazane took caused the wood under Ōnoki's feet to creak and crack.
Even his once-proud posture began to bow under the pressure.
Unbeknownst to others, the Four Great Shinobi Villages had already formed a secret alliance to weaken Konoha.
This year's Chūnin Exams were designed to exhaust Konoha's forces and morale.
All Genin from the other villages had been ordered: target and kill the Konoha participants.
And if a confrontation occurred with Kazane or Orochimaru, the other Kage would intervene together.
Now, that moment had come.
From across the stands, Killer Bee and the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, exchanged glances. Both sighed inwardly.
Ōnoki, why'd you have to poke the hornet's nest?
They hadn't even started the plan against the Konoha Genin, and already their alliance risked exposure.
Still, they had no choice.
They moved to Ōnoki's side and released their chakra to help resist Kazane's pressure as he approach.
This, at last, piqued Kazane's interest.
A faint smile crossed his lips as he intensified his own wild, overbearing aura.
But the three opposing Kage, who didn't even want this fight in the first place, stood no chance in spirit.
With each step Kazane took up to the viewing platform, the three were forced to retreat slightly under his overwhelming force.
Those below began to whisper—who was this man who could suppress three Kage at once?
There was only one name that came to mind.
Hatake Kazane.
The recognized strongest man in the shinobi world.
Just as Ōnoki and the others were about to buckle under the pressure, a bodyguard leapt onto the platform—Aka, one of Ōnoki's personal protectors.
He stood behind his Kage, adding his chakra to the resistance.
But he was a defensive specialist. His presence barely helped.
The tide had already turned.
Even Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage, couldn't sit still.
He hadn't expected Kazane to exert dominance in such a public venue—especially in front of the feudal lords of the Five Nations.
Still, if he didn't step in now, Ōnoki and the others would be completely humiliated.
Reluctantly, he joined the group and added his own aura to the mix.
Rasa held no grudge against Kazane. In truth, they had no history of enmity.
But the problem was Konoha's overwhelming power.
Sunagakure was too close.
If Konoha ever turned its gaze outward, Sand would be the first to fall.
Now five Kage stood together, their auras converging to face Kazane head-on.
The platform groaned beneath them, ready to collapse.
Only the five feudal lords seated beside Hiruzen remained unaffected—shielded by his presence.
Even elite jōnin from every village couldn't handle the pressure. One by one, they leapt from the platform.
Even the Fourth Raikage, A, known for his hatred of Kazane, could only stand silently in the arena, watching as Kazane radiated terrifying power.
If the elite jōnin were struggling, how could the Genin endure?
They stood paralyzed, awed by the sheer magnitude of Kazane's strength.
Even Kirigakure's jōnin gathered around the platform at their superiors' command, ready to act—though they trembled inside.
Despite having fought in the Third Shinobi World War, even they were nervous seeing Kazane in person.
Still, pride as jōnin forced them to stand tall and wait for Yagura's signal.
At the center of everyone's attention, Kazane found the whole thing quite entertaining.
But he'd seen enough.
He'd confirmed the alliance between the four villages.
It was time to end this farce.
He took a single step forward, eyes glowing red.
A blast of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him like a storm.
The overwhelming pressure washed over all five Kage like a tidal wave.
They staggered back, helpless before the force.
The entire arena fell silent.
But Kazane was already bored.
They were too weak.
Yes, he had the boost from his Haki, but it didn't change the fact—they couldn't threaten him.
A year ago, Kazane's normal state was only jōnin level.
But when he opened the Eight Gates and used Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he could overpower all Five Kage combined.
Now, thanks to Orochimaru and Tsunade, his base strength had broken through.
He was at the Kage level even without buffs. (Except for the Fourth Raikage, A, who wasn't present.)
At this point, if Kazane wanted a challenge, he might have to wait for Uchiha Madara to become the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki.
Though, that seemed unlikely now.
After all, just days ago, he'd seen Obito at Konoha's gate.
Even if Madara found a new pawn, with Kazane guarding the Nine-Tails, who could possibly steal it?
Without all nine tailed beasts, there'd be no Ten-Tails, no Sage of Six Paths Madara.
Invincibility really is lonely…
Just then, Hiruzen Sarutobi stepped forward.
Offering a way out for everyone, he said, "It's almost noon. The Genin are still waiting. Let's begin the exam."
Kazane said nothing. He turned and found a seat.
Now wasn't the time to burn bridges. The Third Shinobi World War had ended only a year ago. Konoha, like the other villages, was still recovering.
They were encouraging population growth—aggressively.
Kazane and Orochimaru's long-term plan was clear:
Rapidly reproduce.
Train a new generation.
Expand influence from Konoha across the Land of Fire.
Seize control of the country.
Slowly absorb and assimilate the other villages.
Not through conquest, but through integration.
Yes, Kazane could wage war now and win.
But that would only bring corpses and hatred.
Instead, they would build prosperity—develop technology, boost the economy, attract nobles and merchants.
They would use subtle political influence to take over the Land of Fire.
Then, use that prosperity to draw migrants from the rest of the world.
In time, they would swallow the other villages without shedding a drop of blood.
And with Konoha's current strength, none of the other four villages could stop them.
If they dared stir trouble, Kazane wouldn't hesitate to pay them a visit.
What Kazane didn't know was that in the shadows of the shinobi world, a new threat was already on the move…
---
Konoha – Rear Forest
In a quiet grove behind the village, the air suddenly warped.
A masked man stepped from the distortion of a black void.
Surveying the familiar woods, he removed his mask, revealing a scarred face with the signature blank expression of Uchiha genius.
Uchiha Makoto.
Gone for some time, he now stood at the edge of the village, watching how much it had grown in his absence.
A mix of nostalgia, resentment, and envy danced in his eyes.
"Konoha… I'm back."
Makoto hadn't wanted to confront Kazane yet.
Not until he was sure that Madara's teachings had made him strong enough.
But a few days ago, Black Zetsu informed him: Kazane had left the village.
He'd taken the Genin to Kirigakure for the Chūnin Exams. He wouldn't be back for at least two weeks.
Makoto waited patiently, confirming Kazane's absence before slipping into the village.
As for Orochimaru and the others?
After everything Madara had taught him, Makoto didn't even see them as a threat.
In his eyes, there was only one true opponent in the entire shinobi world—
Hatake Kazane.