Konohagakure – Hokage's Office.
"Kenya, these recent disappearances in the village… don't tell me you're behind them?"
For once, Tsunade had summoned Kenya personally. Unlike her predecessor, Sarutobi Hiruzen, she wasn't one for veiled questions or hidden games. The moment he stepped inside, she confronted him directly.
In recent months, reports of missing persons had piled up—sometimes it was wandering merchants or travelers, sometimes even shinobi of Konoha's clans, those with secret techniques or kekkei genkai.
Because of Tsunade's firm grip on the village, news of these incidents had been tightly suppressed. But she knew better than anyone that if the disappearances continued, the truth would eventually explode into the open.
It reminded her all too much of Orochimaru's old sins—the experiments, the villagers dragged away in secret while the Third Hokage looked the other way.
Kenya's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Oh? Tsunade-senpai's instincts are as sharp as ever. When did you notice?"
Her eyes narrowed. "So you admit it!"
Slamming her palm against the desk, Tsunade rose to her feet. "Why? Why would you do this? Are you trying to follow in Orochimaru's footsteps?!"
"Calm down, Tsunade-senpai," Kenya said lightly, almost amused. "Kyōka Suigetsu's hypnosis is flawless—no one else could possibly uncover it. The only reason I tell you so openly… is because I trust you completely."
"Don't you dare feed me lines like that!" Tsunade's fury boiled over. "Give me an answer now—or I'll treat you the same way the Third treated Orochimaru, and cast you out of this village. Do you believe me?"
Kenya's smile only deepened, as if her threat were a child's tantrum. Slowly, he raised his hand.
"I'm not good at explanations, Tsunade. Results speak for themselves. Danzō experimented with the First Hokage's cells under Hiruzen's watch, all in pursuit of Wood Release. My methods are no different—knowledge requires a price."
Tsunade's fists clenched, her anger only mounting, but Kenya cut her off.
"If you want answers, then see the results with your own eyes. Come with me."
The two left the Hokage's office and walked toward the district that once belonged to the Uchiha.
Though the Fourth Ninja War had ended months ago, the area had been rebuilt—its grand buildings restored to a glory reminiscent of Uchiha Madara's age. Yet the people living here were no longer Uchiha.
"Lord Kenya," the guards greeted respectfully as they approached.
It was late at night, but the sentries stood sharp and disciplined. Strangely, their forehead protectors did not bear Konoha's leaf, but the marks of Sunagakure and Kirigakure.
This was the Ninbu—Kenya's unique division.
Over seventy percent of its shinobi hailed from the Sand and the Mist. Only a minority were from Konoha. Such a force was unheard of in all shinobi history.
After the war, Temari of the Sand, and the Hōzuki brothers from the Mist, Suigetsu and Mangetsu, had all chosen to follow Kenya. Drawn by the legend of Aizen, many young shinobi from their villages soon followed. Even though Kenya no longer used that name, his influence remained irresistible.
Their loyalty had not only improved their own lives, but raised their villages' standards of living as well.
As Tsunade and Kenya walked deeper, the Ninbu headquarters came into view—a gleaming white structure built from Iwagakure's rare silver amber stone, a material usually reserved for jewelry. Its dazzling brilliance in the sun was matched only by the coldness of its touch.
The extravagance of constructing an entire building from it was beyond question. From anywhere in Konoha, one could see it shining among the rooftops like a palace.
Kenya had once thought of naming it Xu Ye Palace, but constraints of this world had prevented his vision. Even so, the structure's presence was commanding.
The echo of their footsteps resounded as they entered the deepest chamber.
"Lord Kenya."
Waiting inside were Kenya's closest allies—Hōzuki Mangetsu, Temari, Hyūga Hanabi, and others.
Kenya gave them a small smile.
"Thank you for gathering. Today, it's Suigetsu's turn, isn't it?"
Suigetsu scratched the back of his head, uneasy. "Yeah… sorry for the trouble."
"There's nothing to fear," Kenya said with a smirk. "Every evolution comes with risk and uncertainty."
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel better…" Suigetsu muttered, grimacing.
Under Tsunade's sharp gaze, Suigetsu stepped forward and knelt before Kenya.
Kenya extended his hand, pressing two fingers against Suigetsu's forehead. A silver-blue orb shimmered into existence—the Hōgyoku.
It floated above his palm before gently drifting toward Suigetsu, stopping just five centimeters from his chest.
Then—
A violent flash of light erupted, flooding the chamber.
Tsunade instinctively raised her arms to shield her face. "What is this? What's happening, Kenya?!"
Kenya's voice came calmly from within the blinding radiance.
"It succeeded only recently. What kind of power it awakens… even I don't know."
The next instant, Suigetsu's body convulsed—countless ice blades burst outward in every direction, filling the room like a storm of crystal spears.
The scale was enormous, rivaling even Gaara's control of sand.
Mangetsu reacted instantly. From his back, the ornate blade Hiramekarei flared to life. With a sweeping strike, black lightning roared forth, twisting into the shape of a monstrous piranha that devoured every shard of ice in its path.