"You—!"
Owl's body trembled as he felt the abnormal changes spreading through him. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Natsuhiko.
He had always been wary of him.
From the very beginning, he had sensed that something about Natsuhiko was off—something he couldn't fully grasp, yet could never ignore. It wasn't just instinct; it was certainty. He had never truly trusted this man.
After all, this was someone bold enough to act within the ANBU headquarters itself, someone who had even entertained the thought of striking against Murashima Takumi.
A dangerous individual.
Not just dangerous—but powerful, ambitious, and utterly unpredictable.
Even after Natsuhiko had risen to the position of ANBU division commander, even after earning a degree of trust from the Third Hokage, Owl had never let his guard down.
Because he knew—Hiruzen's trust was limited.
And as an ANBU, vigilance was second nature. Add to that their past conflicts and Natsuhiko's identity as a member of the Senju clan, and trusting him had never been an option.
And now…
Everything he had feared was proving true.
This man—this damned man—had truly been harboring ill intent all along.
"Don't look so shocked," Natsuhiko said calmly, his voice returning to that familiar, gentle tone. "You already had your suspicions, didn't you?"
His gaze rested quietly on Owl, almost as if they were having a casual conversation rather than standing on the edge of life and death.
"I could feel your distrust toward me from the very beginning. I don't even know why, but… it's not exactly surprising."
"You bastard…!" Owl forced the words out through gritted teeth. He could feel the strange chakra inside him growing stronger, spreading through his body, locking his muscles in place.
He knew.
He was going to die.
"Are you planning to turn against Konoha?" he demanded hoarsely. "The village has done nothing to wrong you—why would you do this?!"
"No, no… you've misunderstood something."
Natsuhiko shook his head lightly, then dragged Owl's stiffened body toward the corner of a nearby building. Glancing briefly at the Nine-Tails' advancing form, he let out a faint chuckle.
"Konoha is my village. Why would I harm it?"
He paused, his tone still soft, almost amused.
"But there are… certain people I wouldn't mind dealing with."
For a moment, he released his grip, turning his attention again to confirm the Nine-Tails' direction before shifting his gaze back.
Owl, having had a moment to steady his thoughts, seemed to realize something.
And when he did, his face grew even darker.
"…You didn't attack me just for the sake of it," he said slowly, disbelief and hatred mixing in his voice. "Your real target… is the ANBU commander, isn't it?"
His eyes locked onto Natsuhiko, filled with venom.
"You stopped me so I couldn't deliver the authorization order. Without that order, the commander won't act—even with the Nine-Tails rampaging through the village. And that gives you the chance to eliminate him!"
His voice trembled with anger.
"You're insane. Completely insane! Aren't you afraid your actions will be exposed?!"
Natsuhiko said nothing at first.
Then, slowly, he reached up and removed his mask, revealing his face beneath—still carrying that same faint, unchanging smile.
He stepped closer and crouched down in front of Owl, studying him carefully.
Truth be told, Owl was impressive.
Sharp-minded, quick to react—he had pieced together Natsuhiko's intentions in no time at all. It was no wonder he had earned Hiruzen's trust, serving as the link between the Hokage and Murashima. That role was not an easy one.
"…Very perceptive," Natsuhiko said softly, rising back to his feet as he looked down at the now completely immobilized man. "You figured it out faster than I expected."
He gave a small nod, as if acknowledging a worthy opponent.
"I can only say, congratulations on guessing correctly."
His smile remained unchanged.
"…Unfortunately, there's no reward."
A faint chill lingered in his voice.
"You'll just have to take that secret with you… to the Pure Land."
"But you don't need to feel lonely," Natsuhiko continued softly, his tone almost conversational. "Your old friend will be joining you soon enough. And honestly, there's no need to overcomplicate things."
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze calm.
"Did you really think something like this wouldn't be discovered?"
He gave a faint shake of his head.
"No—it will be discovered. That much is inevitable. But what does it matter? As long as the Nine-Tails incident is handled properly, everything that comes afterward… can be smoothed over."
As he spoke, Natsuhiko slowly stepped back, his hands already forming seals with fluid precision.
"The reality is this—Hiruzen Sarutobi is not exactly a good Hokage. That's not to say he doesn't put Konoha first—he does. But he's too confident. Perhaps it's because of all those years of success that he's come to believe he's always right."
A faint, almost imperceptible smile lingered on his lips.
"And because of that, he believes everything must proceed according to his will for Konoha to prosper. Along the way, he's done quite a few things… that leave a bitter taste."
His voice remained even, devoid of overt emotion, as though he were simply stating facts.
"Times have changed. People have changed. But he hasn't. It's almost as if he doesn't realize how many people resent him… or perhaps he does, and simply believes he can control it all."
His eyes flickered faintly.
"Just like how he thinks I'm trustworthy. Of course, I know he doesn't fully trust me—but he doesn't believe I'd go this far. And by the time he realizes it… it'll already be too late for him to act freely."
He paused briefly.
"Just like now."
At that, Natsuhiko fell silent.
His dissatisfaction with Hiruzen stemmed partly from his clan, partly from his own position. But even so, he did not deny the man's capabilities.
After all, Hiruzen had inherited the political legacy of the Second Hokage and carried it to completion—finishing what had been left undone. That alone was no small feat.
When Hiruzen first rose to power, opposition must have been fierce. The Senju, the Uchiha, even the Uzumaki—none of them would have accepted it easily.
Of course, this was only Natsuhiko's speculation. Those three clans had ultimately suffered the most, and few were willing to speak openly of what had happened in those days.
Yet despite all that resistance, Hiruzen had stabilized his rule, guided Konoha through the Second Great Ninja War, and continued to develop the village.
Such accomplishments were anything but simple.
They spoke of a man with formidable skill and an unyielding hand.
And Natsuhiko had always believed in one thing—when facing an enemy, especially a dangerous one, you could never afford to see only their flaws.
On the contrary, their strengths had to be understood just as clearly.
Only then could their weaknesses be truly grasped.
He knew there was always a chance his actions would be exposed. In this world, nothing could remain hidden forever.
Perhaps it would never come to light.
Or perhaps it would be uncovered that very night.
But no matter the outcome, he was certain of one thing—so long as he performed well tonight, Hiruzen would have no choice but to accept it.
And if Natsuhiko demonstrated enough strength… enough influence… and if Minato Namikaze survived—
Then this entire matter would likely be buried.
After all…
It would be "for the stability of Konoha."
"Sage Art: Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
The moment his hand seals were completed, a torrent of chakra surged forth, infused with senjutsu chakra, and shot toward the Nine-Tails like a raging current.
The attack struck with overwhelming force.
"ROAR—!"
The Nine-Tails let out a piercing howl of pain.
This was senjutsu chakra—one of the most potent forms of power within the chakra system. Even opponents at the level of the Six Paths could be harmed by it, let alone the Nine-Tails.
Under the eyes of all who watched, a massive gash tore open across the beast's shoulder.
And unlike before—
The wound did not heal quickly.
The Nine-Tails seemed to have been thoroughly provoked. With a furious roar, it accelerated straight toward Natsuhiko, its massive form tearing through the ground with every step.
Seeing this, Natsuhiko gave a small, satisfied nod.
"Go in peace," he said quietly to Owl. "At the very least, you'll be remembered as someone who died protecting Konoha. You've fulfilled your duty."
As he spoke, he drew out a kunai and began stepping back, his movements cautious and measured. He had to make absolutely certain Owl would die here. If by some chance he didn't, then Natsuhiko would finish the job himself—and, if necessary, reduce the entire area to rubble to erase any traces.
"You… damned… bastard…"
Owl clearly understood what was about to happen. He tried to struggle, but his body refused to respond. The strange chakra flooding his system had completely paralyzed him—so thoroughly that even his speech had become slurred and broken.
He couldn't comprehend it.
What kind of chakra could invade his body and leave him like this—utterly helpless?
Behind him, the overwhelming presence of the Nine-Tails grew closer and closer, its suffocating chakra pressing down like a mountain. Despair tightened around his heart with every passing second.
"ROAR—!"
A deafening, furious howl erupted behind him. The ground trembled as the colossal beast approached, each step shaking the earth itself.
And then—
A vast shadow fell over him.
Accompanied by a thunderous rush of wind, something enormous descended from above.
"BOOM—!"
The impact was catastrophic.
Buildings in the surrounding area collapsed instantly, reduced to ruins under the sheer force. Explosions echoed one after another, filling the air with chaos and destruction.
And by then…
Natsuhiko was already gone.
...
In the distance, atop a lone standing utility pole, Natsuhiko stood upright, bathed in the cold, silver glow of the moon. His gaze remained fixed on the spot where the Nine-Tails had just crushed everything beneath its foot.
He watched in silence for a long moment.
Only after confirming the outcome did he withdraw his gaze.
Then, with a faint flicker, his figure vanished once more.
...
BOOM!
The earth quaked again as one of the Nine-Tails' massive tails swept across the area, obliterating yet another stretch of buildings.
Meanwhile, at the Konoha Police Force headquarters, every Uchiha capable of fighting had already assembled.
In truth, they had been on standby for some time now, ever since receiving orders from the Fourth Hokage to remain vigilant and prepared for combat at any moment.
They respected him.
Not only did he maintain a relatively good relationship with their clan head, but his strength alone commanded acknowledgment.
The Uchiha were a proud and warlike clan. They recognized power—and as long as that power bore them no ill will, they were willing to follow it.
Standing at the entrance of the compound, Fugaku Uchiha gazed at the towering Nine-Tails in the distance, drawing in a slow breath.
It was a terrifying existence.
But no matter how fearsome it was, he knew they could not stand by and do nothing. As part of Konoha, they had a responsibility to act. And besides… the Sharingan held a certain advantage against the Nine-Tails.
"Everyone," Fugaku called out loudly, his voice firm and resolute. "We move out!"
"Yes, Captain!" the assembled Uchiha responded in unison.
These were the clan's elites. Though their internal stances might differ, when faced with a crisis of this magnitude, they were united in action.
And notably, they addressed him not as "Clan Head," but as "Captain."
This was not a matter of internal authority—
This was war.
"Good."
Fugaku gave a slight nod, his gaze briefly sweeping over the elders behind him before turning away.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, leading the charge toward the Nine-Tails.
This time, they weren't fighting for any individual.
They were fighting for Konoha—for the village their ancestors had helped build.
"Stop right there!"
Suddenly, several figures clad in ANBU attire appeared, blocking their path in an instant.
Uchiha Fugaku frowned deeply as he watched the scene unfold before him. And when he saw the old man approaching—leaning on a cane—his expression darkened even further.
He knew exactly who this man was.
A figure who stood at the head of a vast, shadowy organization outside the formal structure of Konoha's ANBU—a man despised by nearly every major clan in the village.
Shimura Danzō.
"…Lord Danzō," Fugaku said, forcing down his displeasure. No matter how much he loathed the man, openly offending him was not an option. "Is there a problem?"
"You are not to mobilize," Danzō replied bluntly, his tone leaving no room for discussion. "Remain here and submit to our supervision until this incident is over."
"…What do you mean by that?" Fugaku's face hardened, his voice low and strained as if forced through clenched teeth. "Lord Danzō?"
"What do I mean?" Danzō lifted his chin slightly, his voice cold and indifferent. "Surely you've seen it."
His gaze turned toward the distant Nine-Tails.
"Don't tell me… you haven't noticed its eyes."
The moment those words fell, Fugaku froze.
The momentum he had carried moments before vanished completely.
Of course he had noticed.
Those eyes—
They were unmistakable.
The Sharingan.
According to records within the clan, the Sharingan possessed the ability to control tailed beasts. But that knowledge had long since faded into legend, disappearing alongside Uchiha Madara himself.
In other words… Fugaku couldn't do it.
And now, with the Nine-Tails rampaging through Konoha under what was clearly Uchiha control, there was only one conclusion—
Whoever was behind this… was not a member of their clan.
At least, that was the most likely truth.
Of course, there remained the faint possibility that someone within the clan had uncovered some lost method or forbidden knowledge.
But that possibility was so small it was almost laughable.
And more importantly—
It didn't matter.
No explanation would be accepted.
Fugaku's fists clenched tightly beneath his sleeves as he struggled to contain the storm of emotions within him. His thoughts churned rapidly, weighing his options, searching for a path forward.
But after a long silence…
He exhaled.
A heavy, defeated breath.
Shaking his head, he took a single step back.
That step said everything.
He had chosen to yield.
Not because he wanted to—but because he had to. The Uchiha's position within the village was already precarious. Pushing further now would only invite disaster.
Behind him, the assembled Uchiha couldn't hide their reactions.
Frowns spread across their faces, and a deep sense of humiliation and resentment settled in their hearts.
They had been ready to fight—to risk their lives against the Nine-Tails for the sake of Konoha.
And yet…
The village did not trust them.
It did not even grant them basic respect.
Instead, it sent people to watch them—to restrain them.
This blatant suspicion only fanned the flames of anger within them.
But they had no choice.
Their clan head had made his decision.
And so, they could only obey.
Even if resentment and fury burned within them, even if they could not understand why Fugaku had chosen this path…
He was still their leader.
And they would follow.
Among them, Uchiha Shin watched everything in silence.
Within him, frustration and helplessness intertwined—but beneath those emotions, something else stirred.
Excitement.
So he had yielded.
Fugaku had finally yielded.
Ever since choosing his side over a month ago—ever since sending Shisui into the ANBU—Shin had been waiting for an opportunity.
He had hoped to change the current state of the police force, even attempting to reform it by incorporating civilian shinobi into its divisions, just as Natsuhiko had suggested.
But it had been futile.
Fugaku had rejected the proposal outright, leaving no room for discussion.
And it wasn't just him.
The elders who stood on opposing sides had reacted even more fiercely, crushing the idea before it could take root.
In truth, this matter should never have reached their ears in the first place—yet somehow, it had. That alone was enough for Uchiha Shin to realize that Fugaku must have played a role behind the scenes.
And because of that, his disappointment in his clan head deepened further.
The seed that had long been buried in his heart seemed to sprout wildly at that very moment.
Now… he could finally see it.
An opportunity.
He saw Fugaku retreat. He saw him hesitate. He saw him make a mistake.
And in that instant, Shin knew—his chance had come.
Shimura Danzō was undoubtedly a man to be feared, but how many people had he actually brought with him?
Just a handful of Root operatives—and himself.
And what were they here to do?
To aid the Hokage. To protect Konoha. To fight against the Nine-Tails.
The answer was simple.
So simple, in fact, that it barely required thought.
Shin knew exactly what choice he should make.
He also understood why Fugaku had found himself in such a dilemma—why he had ultimately chosen to yield.
Because he feared the implications.
He didn't want to escalate tensions with Konoha, nor did he want to offend the current leadership.
But to Shin…
That was nothing more than weakness.
Indecision. Hesitation. A lack of resolve when it mattered most.
Did he really believe Danzō, with so few people at his side, would dare to clash with the entire Uchiha clan at a time like this—when they were moving to save the village?
"…Lord Danzō."
With that thought, Shin suddenly stepped forward, his eyes burning with anger as he spoke.
"You're here to stop us—but tell me, is this the Hokage's order… or your own decision?"
"…Hm?"
Danzō had been satisfied seeing Fugaku back down, but the sudden emergence of this defiance caused his expression to shift slightly.
Frowning, he asked coldly, "What are you implying, Uchiha Shin?"
"It's very simple."
Shin raised his voice, ensuring every Uchiha present could hear him clearly.
"If this is the Hokage's command, then show us the official order."
His gaze sharpened.
"And if you don't have one… what right do you have to stop us? Or are you planning to just stand by and watch as the Nine-Tails ravages Konoha?"
"Hmph."
Danzō's expression turned colder still.
"The Sharingan in the Nine-Tails' eyes—is that not proof enough that this is connected to your clan? Monitoring you is the best way to protect Konoha."
"I see," Shin replied, a faint edge creeping into his tone. "So this is your decision alone, Lord Danzō."
He had already understood the meaning behind Danzō's evasive words.
And now, his voice carried a hint of mockery.
"You truly have quite the authority. Tell me—under what identity are you issuing orders to us? Do you think… you're the Hokage?"
At that, Danzō's face darkened completely.
His cane slammed heavily against the ground as chakra surged violently within him, his posture shifting as if ready to strike at any moment.
At the same time, the Root operatives behind him reacted instantly, their stances tightening as tension filled the air.
The situation became razor-sharp in an instant.
Even Fugaku seemed momentarily stunned, as though he hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
"You dare defy my orders, Uchiha Shin?" Danzō demanded, his voice grinding with suppressed fury.
"Defy your orders?" Shin answered calmly, his tone unwavering. "You are not the Hokage. You have no authority to command us—nor the Police Force."
Then, without hesitation, he raised his fist.
This time, his voice rang out even louder.
"Members of the Uchiha clan—are you willing to accept such baseless orders, without any official command from the Hokage?!"
"…No!"
The answer came as a unified roar.
All the resentment that had been building within them finally erupted in that single shout.
As Uchiha Shin forcefully pushed back against Danzō, the clan members had already turned their eyes toward him. None of them had expected that this so-called "nice guy" within the clan would reveal such an unyielding, iron-willed side.
And yet, it was precisely this side of him that struck something deep within them.
The frustration, the resentment, the anger they had long suppressed—all of it surged to the surface at once. Especially when Shin raised his voice and questioned them so directly, they found themselves unable to hold back any longer.
"Then tell me—are you willing to stand here and watch that monster destroy our home while we do nothing because of baseless suspicions?"
"NO!"
"And are you willing to sit here, waiting for death, accepting groundless accusations while being monitored like criminals?"
"NO!"
Each response came louder than the last, their voices swelling with conviction. With every answer, their stance grew firmer, their resolve sharper, until hesitation was completely burned away.
After asking his questions, Shin turned his gaze back to Danzō.
"You heard them, Lord Danzō."
"You… damn you all!"
Danzō clenched his teeth, fury flashing in his eyes as his body tensed, ready to act.
And yet—he didn't move.
He didn't dare.
This time, he had not brought enough men with him. In truth, he no longer had the authority to mobilize many at all. Although Hiruzen had allowed him to retain his position as the head of Root, there was one strict limitation placed upon him—
Without a direct order from the Hokage, he could not deploy his forces freely.
It was a restriction he had only experienced once before, during the earliest days of Root's founding and his initial rise to power. For nearly twenty years since then, he had never felt so constrained… so humiliated.
"Lord Danzō," Shin continued, casting him a sidelong glance, his tone tinged with faint mockery, "you're not thinking of attacking us, are you?"
He paused deliberately before adding,
"At a time when the village is in its greatest danger, you would strike against ninja preparing to defend it… what exactly are your intentions?"
With that, Shin no longer spared Danzō another glance.
He stepped forward, moving to the very front, and without the slightest hesitation, began walking toward the Nine-Tails.
For a moment, the other Uchiha hesitated.
After all, their clan head, Fugaku, still stood where he was, unmoving.
But that hesitation didn't last.
The unit under Shin's command within the Police Force moved first, following him without question toward the battlefield—and that was all it took.
One by one, the rest of the Uchiha fell in behind them, their silence heavy with determination as they marched forward together.
In the end, only Danzō remained behind, his face twisted with fury… and Fugaku, whose expression had grown complicated, tinged with quiet defeat.
—
After dealing with Owl, Natsuhiko wasted no time and moved out alone.
Earlier, for the sake of caution, he had remained in place, waiting.
Only after his sensory perception confirmed that Owl had truly been crushed into nothing more than pulp beneath the Nine-Tails' foot did he finally withdraw from the area, observing for a while longer just to be certain.
ANBU operatives were never easy opponents. Each of them specialized in unique techniques, and without fully understanding Owl's abilities, Natsuhiko had no intention of taking unnecessary risks. He refused to leave behind any possibility—no matter how small—of an unforeseen complication.
Now that he was completely certain of the outcome, there was no reason to linger.
He still had important matters to attend to.
He needed to alert the ANBU to mobilize against the Nine-Tails… and at the same time, eliminate the greatest obstacle standing in his way within their ranks.
Even he had to admit that taking advantage of such a situation to remove certain individuals was… less than honorable.
But opportunities like this didn't come twice.
And Natsuhiko had never claimed to be a man of honor.
Even if his actions bore some resemblance to Danzō's methods, he knew there was a fundamental difference between them.
"Danzō has probably already stopped the Uchiha," he thought calmly as he moved.
"His actions are entirely driven by personal bias—he's pinning everything on them and denying them any chance to act."
If the accusation was proven, Danzō would reap significant gains.
And even if it wasn't… it likely wouldn't cost him much.
After all—
He was the leader of Root.
Danzō's selfishness, however, was fundamentally different from his own.
That man had no intention of involving himself in the Nine-Tails incident at all. From beginning to end, he had merely blocked the Uchiha clan, dragging them down with suspicion while using that as an excuse to preserve the strength of Root rather than risk it against the Nine-Tails.
Natsuhiko, on the other hand, truly intended to fight.
To stop it.
That single difference alone marked a clear line between them.
—
It didn't take long before Natsuhiko arrived at the ANBU headquarters.
By now, nearly all available personnel had already gathered—those off duty, those without assignments, even members from the interrogation division and a large number of reserves. Aside from himself, the other two Division commanders had also arrived with their subordinates, each of them visibly tense, ready and waiting for the final command.
And yet…
Murashima Takumi stood at the front, completely still.
Though their faces were hidden behind masks, Natsuhiko could clearly sense the unrest simmering among the gathered ANBU. They were dissatisfied—deeply so.
As Natsuhiko stepped inside and swept his gaze across the room, a faint smile curled beneath his mask.
Just as he had expected.
This man was waiting for orders.
To Murashima Takumi, such behavior was perfectly natural. Without explicit authorization, he would never act.
But to the others… this restraint was unbearable.
Because outside, their home was being destroyed.
"Everyone, listen up!"
Natsuhiko strode quickly to the front and raised his voice.
"By order of the Third Hokage—all ANBU are to mobilize immediately and prepare for deployment!"
"Hold it."
The moment the command left his lips, Murashima Takumi frowned and cut him off sharply.
"Nightingale, what do you think you're doing? Do you have the Hokage's official order?"
"Commander," Natsuhiko replied calmly, turning to face him, "the Third Hokage did issue a command."
"He entrusted it to Owl. However, on our way here, Owl was attacked by the Nine-Tails… and killed. His body was crushed underfoot."
He paused briefly, his tone steady.
"I'm afraid… there's no way to recover the order."
His explanation caused Murashima Takumi's brow to furrow.
There had been an order—but it was lost because Owl died?
On the surface, it sounded reasonable.
But why had they drawn the Nine-Tails' attention? Why had Owl, the one carrying the order, been the one to die?
Too many questions.
And for Murashima Takumi, unanswered questions meant one thing—
He could not act.
"Issue no movement," he said decisively. "Without the Hokage's official order, no one is to deploy."
"Commander…" Natsuhiko's voice remained gentle, but now everyone could hear the chill beneath it. "The Nine-Tails is ravaging the village. The Hokage is risking his life outside. As the head of ANBU, remaining idle… doesn't seem appropriate, does it?"
"You possess the Flying Thunder God Technique," Murashima Takumi replied without the slightest change in expression, his gaze cold and unmoved. "Go retrieve another order."
"Otherwise… ANBU will not move."
His words left the entire room in stunned disbelief.
Even after everything had been said—even now—he still refused to act without a written command?
Yes, it was true that Natsuhiko knew the Flying Thunder God Technique.
But could he really locate the Hokage in such a short time?
As ANBU, they understood the technique well enough. No one believed Natsuhiko conveniently had a marked kunai placed beside the Hokage at this moment.
"So that's how it is…" Natsuhiko murmured softly. "No matter how chaotic things become outside, you won't move?"
"An order is an order," Murashima Takumi declared coldly. "Unless I die, no one will defy it."
"I see…"
Natsuhiko lowered his gaze slightly, as if in thought.
Then, slowly, he lifted his head.
"In that case…"
A faint smile appeared beneath his mask.
"As you wish."