Overnight, Konoha grew lively.
Two Hokage advisors, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, were dead.
Former Hokage aide and Root leader Shimura Danzō defected.
Either was enough to shake the ninja world, but happening together multiplied the shock.
Tsunade didn't hide much—instead she made public the crimes of the three.
In short order, the new Hokage won people's love and respect.
After all, Danzō's deeds involved not only ninja, but ordinary villagers.
And he was Konoha's high-up—Tsunade had, in a sense, upheld justice over kin.
That made her all the more convincing.
The First Pot-Kage, Shimura Danzō—who craved the Hokage title all his life—now had no chance whatsoever.
Unless one day he pulled a king's-return comeback.
…
Hyūga compound.
"Was this Tsunade's doing, or Natsume's planning?"
Hiashi wore a pensive look.
He'd read the intel circulating from the Hokage building; some details differed from what he'd learned via Hizashi.
Clearly the latter's version was more truthful.
So what was Natsume's goal?
And what was his relationship with Hokage Tsunade?
Hiashi shook his head. None of that concerned him too much.
Even if Natsume was manipulating Tsunade, Hiashi lacked the power to interfere.
In short, the Hyūga would keep to their rules.
Don't provoke others, and others won't make trouble.
"Have some tea."
Rinka came in. "What are you thinking about?"
"Last night."
Hiashi took a sip and sighed. "Konoha lost three top figures in one stroke—unprecedented since the village was founded."
"Will it affect the Hyūga?"
Rinka didn't understand the intricacies, so she asked plainly.
"No. Might even be a good thing."
Hiashi smiled. "Hizashi might land a Hokage advisor seat."
Though that might unsettle the branch family, no amount of turmoil could stand against the Caged Bird.
"That's good."
Rinka smiled warmly. "Speaking of last night, Natsume came to cook for Hinata."
"…"
Hiashi's mouth twitched.
Good grief!
You're really doing this?
He thought Natsume asking for a cooking warrant was to test him—didn't expect he'd actually cook in their home.
Such idle antics didn't match his overwhelming strength at all.
To Hiashi, a traditional ninja—or noble—cooking was women's work.
"His cooking is good. You should try it sometime."
Rinka swallowed without thinking.
"Forget it. Let him be."
Hiashi couldn't be bothered—and couldn't control him anyway.
"You really plan to let Hinata keep seeing him?"
Rinka was surprised.
You weren't saying that before.
Why this sudden about-face?
By Hyūga rules, if the main-family heir is female, her husband must be a Hyūga of the same generation.
Besides preserving bloodline, it's about control.
"If you knew the details of Natsume's fight with Danzō last night, you'd know why."
Hiashi sighed. "He has Sage Mode now, like Jiraiya."
Rinka wasn't ignorant.
As the clan head's wife, she knew about Sage Mode.
Jiraiya's status and power owed much to it.
In other words, Natsume's future, at worst, was one of the Legendary Sannin; at best—no need to say—Hokage.
"I see."
Rinka nodded.
From now on, she'd be warmer to Natsume—treat him as a son-in-law.
…
Border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Fields.
Orochimaru's secret base.
He looked at Jūgo, who'd had a three-tomoe Sharingan implanted, a bit disappointed.
It wasn't as smooth as with Shin Uchiha—there was rejection, or rather a heavy burden.
It reminded him of Kakashi Hatake.
A once-in-a-generation genius who could have become the next White Fang if he'd followed the straight path.
But after he got the Sharingan, he veered off course.
"Rest for now."
Orochimaru turned and went to the next lab.
Here lay a slab of White Zetsu flesh he'd snatched while sneak-attacking during Itachi's fight with Obito.
He discovered the stuff was a clone of Hashirama's cells.
But not purely—there was something special in it.
Normally, Hashirama cells alone couldn't form a clone.
Too domineering.
Even Danzō's arm needed Sharingan to counterbalance and maintain equilibrium.
Yamato didn't count—his was a human base with Hashirama cells implanted.
All in all, this was likely his greatest prize—no less than a Mangekyō Sharingan.
A huge boost to his artificial human project.
"Orochimaru-sama."
Guren's voice sounded outside.
"What is it?"
He opened the door.
"News from Konoha: Koharu and Homura are dead; Shimura Danzō defected."
Guren paused. "Should we respond?"
Orochimaru and Danzō had too many connections.
If Tsunade chased the trail, it would be easy to find him.
Then, defection would be the only path.
"As expected of Tsunade's temperament."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Move the related data and equipment here."
He didn't want to leave Konoha yet.
Running wild outside was cool, but you lost too many resources.
He didn't want to waste even a second now.
…
Hokage building.
Tsunade held back her anger with great effort.
Every single thing Danzō had done was piled before her.
Hashirama cell theft was only part of it—there were countless other bizarre studies and experiments.
Each violated Konoha's rules.
Tsunade thought of Hiruzen.
Did he know about these studies and experiments?
If he did, that meant tacit approval.
The so-called Will of Fire had rotted at the root.
Tsunade shook her head and picked up a document.
It listed Konoha ninja who had Hashirama cell implants and Wood Release.
Root had raised three—two died last night—one remained.
But that one was loyal to Danzō—hard to persuade.
The Sarutobi clan had more—seven.
All sheltered by Hiruzen.
Tsunade took a deep breath.
Where had the Hashirama cells come from?
They were harvested from her grandfather's corpse.
Danzō and Hiruzen's actions were nothing less than betraying their master and ancestors.
Tsunade grabbed a pen and wrote a Hokage order.
"Shizune, go see the old man and have him transfer these seven to Anbu."
"What if he refuses?"
Shizune scanned the list—important Sarutobi members.
She'd served as Hokage guard and secretary for a while now; she knew the subtext.
"Tell him Wood Release is Konoha's Wood Release, not Sarutobi's."
Tsunade wore her Hokage gravitas, stern and serious. "If he wants to keep his face, he'd better do as I say. Otherwise, don't blame me for forgetting old ties."
"Yes!"
Knowing Tsunade's extreme anger, Shizune left and soon arrived at the Sarutobi compound.
…
"Lord Third."
Shizune handed over the order and relayed Tsunade's words.
"She really said that?"
Hiruzen drew a deep puff on his pipe, incredulous.
"Not a word off."
Shizune was steady and respectful.
Hiruzen fell silent.
He never dreamed Tsunade would one day threaten him.
Her meaning was clear: if you don't hand them over, I'll inform the village.
Then his carefully woven image as Strongest Hokage and Ninja Hero would dissolve.
"Tsunade… better than I expected."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Go back. I'll have them report to Anbu."
Really, Anbu wasn't a big deal.
Call it service to Konoha.
Shizune bowed and left.
"Old man, enjoy your retirement."
Asuma appeared behind him. "You've worried long enough—time to let go."
"You have time to visit me today?"
Hiruzen wasn't angry—he smiled. "How's it going with your girlfriend?"
"I don't get women."
Asuma grimaced. "Don't know why Kurenai's been cold to me lately."
Hiruzen paused.
He might know why.
Kurenai had served as Hokage guard—she likely saw his handiwork and had a change of heart.
Her temperament was a bit like Tsunade's—an iron lady who couldn't tolerate sand in her eye.
Asuma was probably collateral damage.
And Kurenai's father, Yuhi Shinku, was a staunch Will of Fire adherent.
Now the Will of Fire's representative was Tsunade.
A bit cynical, but early on, Kurenai's goodwill toward Asuma owed much to him being the Hokage's son.
Hiruzen was silent for a few seconds. "It's fine. Take it slow."
Asuma didn't mind, waved. "Alright, I'm off on a mission. We'll talk when I'm back."
…
Shizune returned to the Hokage building.
"Finally shaping up."
Tsunade remembered old times and sighed. "How did a fine ninja hero end up like this?"
Shizune didn't dare comment.
After a moment, seeing Tsunade calmer, she asked, "Lady Tsunade, why haven't we seen Natsume today?"
"…"
Tsunade folded her arms. "Shizune, are you too idle?"
"Sorry!"
Shizune bolted.
Tsunade couldn't help laughing.
She brushed a lock behind her ear. Without his mischief, it felt strange.
…
Land of Rain.
Amegakure.
The torrential rain seemed endless.
Uchiha Itachi stood atop a high tower, looking into the distance.
After the night of the massacre, rescued by Uchiha Obito, he joined the Akatsuki.
Seeing Tendo Pain and his Rinnegan, Itachi realized such a terrifying organization existed.
Emotionally and logically, he should gather intel for Konoha.
And after talking with Obito, both realized they'd been duped by Natsume, so they'd reconciled.
"What, staring toward Konoha every day—want to go back?"
Space twisted before Itachi.
A masked Obito appeared.
He used Uchiha Madara's identity.
Itachi didn't quite buy it—Obito didn't display the legendary power.
Beyond Kamui—good for fighting and fleeing—he wasn't all that.
Whereas Madara rivaled Hashirama—peerless.
They didn't match.
But Itachi couldn't deduce Obito's real identity.
"A mission?"
He asked coolly.
Joining Akatsuki was busy work—like Anbu—always on missions.
He also had a new teammate: Hoshigaki Kisame.
A Water Release powerhouse Obito brought from Kirigakure.
Truly strong.
"No, but I have news."
Obito shook his head. "You'll be interested."
"What is it?"
Itachi raised his head slightly, eyes growing cold—thinking of Sasuke.
"That self-styled 'darkness of Konoha,' Shimura Danzō, defected. Funny, isn't it?"
Obito burst into laughter.
"…?"
Itachi didn't find it funny.
He felt more like the house had collapsed.
He'd always assumed Danzō was a faithful bearer of the Will of Fire.
His defection meant he didn't truly love Konoha.
Itachi's cooperation with him to stage the massacre was a cruel joke.
And when Itachi left Konoha, the promise had come from Danzō.
Did it still hold?
Itachi was silent.
Obito laughed for a while. When Itachi didn't join in, he settled down.
"Konoha doesn't deserve to exist, does it?"
"Anything else?"
Itachi asked expressionlessly.
"tsk, no fun."
Obito shook his head.
"Akatsuki members are free off-mission, right?"
Itachi asked again.
"You want to go back to Konoha?"
Obito raised a brow. "You know that's impossible."
"I know."
Itachi's tone was calm. "I just want to deliver a gift to my foolish younger brother."
And, incidentally, gauge Konoha's attitude.
Would Sasuke's situation change because of Danzō's defection?
"Let Kisame go with you."
Obito shrugged. "Safer that way."
Itachi didn't refuse and left the tower.
"Spying on me?"
Obito looked up to see the angel, Konan, in the distance.
He'd never earned her trust.
But Konan wasn't top tier—he didn't care.