Chapter 117: The Real Konoha Crush, a Time of Life and Death!
[The ninja of Konoha tried many methods, attempting to find your main body or prevent your shadow clones from entering the village, but all attempts failed. Hiruzen Sarutobi even threatened to declare war on Iwagakure, but it's doubtful even he believed his own words.]
[In the end, a powerless Konoha sent the ninja you are familiar with to sue for peace. Looking at Tenten, Ino, Sakura, and Hinata, you find it amusing. Konoha seems to be at its wit's end, even pushing out ninja who have just graduated from the Academy.]
Akiyama Makoto was not surprised by this. After all, having his friends plead the case seemed far more normal than Danzō directly killing the Hokage's son. Moreover, he was also very curious about the girls' attitudes toward him at this moment. Although his high affection with them wasn't fake, as the youngest generation of Konoha's rookies, their loyalty to the village was also unquestionable.
When he and Konoha were placed on opposite ends of a scale, what choice would they make?
The answer was somewhat beyond his expectations.
[You thought they would become distant from you because of what you did, but the first thing they do when they see you is ask if you are injured and if you are living well in Iwagakure. After chatting with them for a while, you realize that the dissatisfaction within Konoha towards Hiruzen Sarutobi has reached its limit.]
[This dissatisfaction had actually existed ever since Namikaze Minato's sacrifice. After the Nine-Tails' attack, the number of Konoha ninja decreased dramatically, and the village's strength and economic situation deteriorated rapidly. At that time, the ninja of Konoha worked together, thinking they could overcome the difficulties, but to this day, the situation has not improved.]
[Your plight became the fuse that ignited this dissatisfaction: as a civilian genius, without having committed any crime, you were directly driven out of Konoha by Danzō. Konoha lost a large number of elite ninja as a result, yet the main culprit, Danzō, remained unpunished under Hiruzen's protection. To this day, no one has even seen him.]
[Many people expressed their goodwill to you through the girls and had no intention of being your enemy. Some even advised you that, as a civilian, you didn't need to pay any attention to the title of "rogue ninja." You just needed to live your own life well in the Land of Earth, and Konoha would never send ninja to disturb you.]
It dawned on Makoto. It seemed these clans had reached a consensus behind Hiruzen's back, deciding they did not want to make a mortal enemy of him. As expected, a ruler like Hiruzen, who was growing older but clung tightly to power, would incur the resentment of almost everyone outside of his own clan. Not only was he blocking many people's paths, but his immense unpredictability had become a Sword of Damocles that no one could tolerate.
Seeing this, he temporarily lost the desire to continue tormenting the ninja of Konoha. It wasn't because he was merciful, but because the Chūnin Exams were about to begin. Once Hiruzen died, the situation in Konoha might change dramatically. He also wanted to see what the village would become.
But what he didn't expect was that his simulated self would pull another stunt.
[For the sake of the girls, you give up on your plan to continue humiliating Konoha, but you demand that they revoke the bounty on you, Anko, and Kurenai. At the same time, you ask all the girls to go back and think about a question: in the future, would any of them be willing to leave Konoha with you.]
He wanted to give his simulated self a thumbs-up. How could he even propose such a request that no one would possibly agree to?
Well, considering his mood at the time, maybe he really would do something like that. In his eyes, Konoha no longer had any dignity to speak of. But he still didn't think anyone would agree.
Yet the answer once again exceeded his expectations.
[The girls leave with complicated expressions. The next day, they all send you replies. They do not agree directly, but they also do not refuse directly. Almost all of them say they need to wait a few years before giving an answer. You feel this is the result of someone guiding them, wanting to use this method to stall you for a few years.]
[You don't particularly care. In any case, in Iwagakure, you already have Kurenai and Anko. During this period on the run, your relationship with Kurenai has heated up rapidly. With Anko's encouragement, you are only waiting for the right opportunity to complete the final step.]
He stared at the words in surprise. The girls' answers were within his expectations, but when had he gotten Kurenai? Although he did want to take the opportunity to win her over... had such an important plot point just been skipped over?
After the simulation is over, he thought, I must go back and appreciate the process and details with a critical eye.
He had thought this plotline was over, and the Chūnin Exams would be next. But the following development left him dumbfounded.
[Baki seeks you out, wanting to get to know the famous Konoha rogue ninja. He extends an invitation: the Sand Village is willing to offer you the position of Kage Advisor to join them. At the same time, he introduces you to Temari, who blushes and awkwardly greets you. What this means is self-evident.]
[Simultaneously, your main body receives a message from Iwagakure. When you return, you find that Kurotsuchi has already become good friends with Kurenai and Anko. The reason being that Kurotsuchi is learning makeup techniques from them. In this respect, Iwagakure has almost no research at all.]
[With so many people making such obvious moves, you see the meaning clearly. But you choose to let nature take its course. After all, you are about to become a father, and you have the beautiful and motherly Kurenai waiting for your comfort.]
[On this day, Anko kicks you out of bed, claiming she is not feeling well. In the living room, you encounter Kurenai wearing a red, semi-transparent silk negligee, drinking alone but with two cups prepared. You drink together, reminiscing about your time in Konoha. You promise her that you will make her as happy as you've made Anko. Kurenai accepts you.]
The real Makoto now had only one thought. Is this simulation over yet? I must go and critique this immoral behavior! He just didn't know if he and Kurenai had consummated their relationship in time for her to get pregnant and have a child. He had been coveting her stats for a long time.
[Your relationships with Anko and Kurenai have stabilized, which makes you ignore the invitations and hints coming from all directions. The people of Konoha also get used to your sudden appearances, and gradually, many begin to treat you as an ordinary Konoha citizen, completely ignoring the fact that you were previously a wanted man.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi begins to live in deep seclusion. Many matters are now handled by Koharu and Homura. You realize that a serious power crisis has appeared in Konoha. At the same time, the village is about to face the crisis from the Sand Village. In your eyes, the situation in Konoha is dangerous.]
The real Makoto cooled down and began to consider this problem. In the original Konoha Crush plot, although Konoha's high-end combat power (the Jōnin) barely suffered any injuries, their low- and mid-rank forces suffered heavy losses. The Nine-Tails' attack, the Uchiha massacre, and now the Konoha Crush... if a power crisis and his own variable were added to this mix, could it really lead to a massive crisis that would destroy Konoha?
The more he worried about something, the more likely it was to appear in the simulation.
[The Chūnin Exams begin, proceeding according to the original plan. However, because Kurenai has come to Iwagakure, Asuma is dead, and the original Team 10's combat power is reduced. Team 8, furthermore, has been completely disbanded. This indirectly leads to Sasuke being severely injured in the second exam, losing his chance to participate in the third.]
Seeing this, his heart skipped a beat. It's really happening, isn't it?
[Gaara's original opponent was Sasuke. Now, it is Neji. Neji is directly crippled by Gaara. Subsequently, Gaara successfully transforms into Shukaku in the Chūnin Exam arena, dealing a devastating blow to Konoha.]
[Hiruzen Sarutobi dies in battle. Elite Jōnin like Kakashi and Guy are also seriously injured. In the end, Jiraiya has to use Sage Mode to beat back Shukaku, defeat the three-headed snake, and clear the battlefield, saving the day.]
[At the same time, the armies of Iwagakure and Kumogakure are already massing on the borders. The Akatsuki, who were not yet ready to begin the Tailed Beast retrieval plan, have also gathered, as if waiting for an order to be given.]
[The Konoha Crush plot, led by the Sand Village, is over, but the real collapse of Konoha has only just begun.]
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