All these years, Hiruzen had hidden Yakumo well. Hardly anyone in the village even knew she existed. So how had Shigeo found her?
The Third Hokage smiled faintly. "Our village has other matters to handle right now. The investigation can wait. Oh, by the way, First Shadow, perhaps you haven't heard—the second round of the exams has ended. All three teams from your Nanmo Village have advanced successfully. Truly remarkable! To think that at just eighteen, you've built a new nation and become its first Shadow—and your disciples are excelling too! Ha-ha! Come, let's discuss this inside…"
As he spoke, Hiruzen shot a subtle glance to the side. A few shinobi stepped forward, attempting to take Yakumo from Shigeo's grasp—but he stopped them with a simple gesture.
"Hold it. So this is how you plan to brush it off, Third Hokage? Killing demands repayment in blood. Debt requires repayment in kind. You've schemed against me time and again—did you really think I would forgive you forever? I spared your life once, out of respect for my master, Tsunade-sensei. But since you clearly bear me malice, why not settle this openly—here, in the arena. A fair duel. Win or lose, live or die, no regrets."
As his words fell, Chakra surged from his body, golden light enveloping him completely.
Their gazes collided—two titans locked in silent fury. The air grew heavy; even the watching shinobi felt their hearts seize.
If Shigeo fought here, the destruction to Konoha would be unimaginable.
They hadn't forgotten that battle nine years ago in the northern Forest of Death. His Susano'o, his colossal Butsuzōka Futsu (Buddha Manifestation), and the explosion when he broke the Book of Seals—none of it were things Konoha could endure again.
Time seemed frozen. Everyone waited for the Third Hokage's reply. If he accepted a public duel, Konoha would immediately shift into maximum defense.
From the side, the elder of Kirigakure smirked. "What's wrong, Lord Hokage? Still hesitating? Lord Shigeo has already challenged you."
Even those who had once fought against Shigeo—ANBU, Jōnin, veterans of the northern siege—knew full well who stood superior between them.
And Hiruzen himself knew better than anyone—he couldn't win.
If he could, he would have captured Shigeo long ago instead of weaving endless traps. He plotted because direct confrontation meant defeat.
"I admit it," Hiruzen said suddenly, voice steady but eyes fierce. "I sent Kurama Yakumo to the ruins of Uzushio. I used dreams to lure you there—because I wanted revenge for Shimura Danzō! He was my comrade, my brother, a hero of Konoha! I had to avenge him!"
Gasps filled the courtyard. No one had expected him to confess so directly.
The Fourth Raikage, A, gave a cold laugh. "Spare us the righteous speech, Third Hokage. You just wanted the Tailed Beast inside him, didn't you?"
Those words struck deep. The other village leaders' eyes gleamed coldly.
The Tailed Beast within Shigeo was something they all coveted yet could never reach. Who wouldn't want such power? Who wouldn't want to know how he wielded every Kekkei Genkai—how a man of the Hyūga bloodline could freely switch his eyes to the Sharingan after once being blind?
Each unanswered mystery about him could shift the balance of the shinobi world.
All eyes turned to Shigeo. Hiruzen's proud words meant nothing now—he had admitted his crime before witnesses from every great nation.
"Good," Shigeo said with a calm sneer. "At least you're honest this time. Everyone knows I killed Shimura Danzō. Yet you dare call that man a hero? Funny. The Daimyō of the Land of Fire once described him with four words—'A stench for eternity.'"
He tightened his grip. Crack! Yakumo's wrist broke under his hand. Her scream split the air.
Then Shigeo used Shōton: Shinkei Dansetsu Shōka (Crystal Release: Neural Shatter Crystallization). A crystalline pulse struck through her nerves, destroying sensation completely.
Yakumo shrieked again, the proud defiance gone. "Ahhh! Stop! Please! It's true—it was the Third Hokage! He ordered me! He said if I killed you, he'd tell me who murdered my family! It was all his plan!"
Her words echoed through the square for everyone to hear.
Hiruzen's face turned ashen. His reputation—his years of careful facade—shattered.
Then—BOOM!
An explosion tore through the village, shaking the ground.
Before anyone could react, the "Fourth Kazekage" standing behind Hiruzen lunged forward. His hand, sharp as a claw, aimed straight for the Hokage's chest. Hiruzen twisted aside, kicked upward, and the two clashed violently.
"Stay out of this!" roared the disguised Orochimaru. "This is between Sunagakure and Konoha!"
Fūton (Wind Release) erupted from his palm, sweeping through the courtyard.
More explosions followed across the village. The Konoha shinobi who had been surrounding Shigeo quickly retreated to respond to the chaos.
Everything changed in an instant. One moment, it had been Shigeo challenging the Hokage; the next, Sunagakure and Konoha were at war.
The commotion swallowed everything else. Koharu, the Konoha elder, hurried forward, her tone pleading but composed. "Lord First Shadow, please, come with me. There seems to be… a misunderstanding between Konoha and the Sand Village. Once the Third resolves this matter, you'll receive an explanation."
She shot a glance at the kunoichi behind her—Kurenai.
Understanding immediately, Kurenai stepped forward, gently took Yakumo from Shigeo's hand, and rushed her toward Konoha Hospital.
From now on, Yakumo would never hold a paintbrush again.
Konoha was in chaos. The other nations' leaders stayed clear of the fighting and were escorted to the conference chamber.
Meanwhile, Gaara, Temari, Kankurō, and their Suna comrades were already engaged in combat with Konoha's forces.
The Konoha Collapse Plan had begun.
Koharu led Shigeo into the administrative offices, while the other Kage and delegates gathered separately for safety.
So much for "joint cooperation" or "united exams."
Between great nations, there was only interest—never friendship.
Sunagakure had promised eternal alliance with Konoha, yet at the first opportunity, they turned the Chūnin Exams into war.
(End of Chapter)
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