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Overnight, Konoha erupted into chaos.
The deaths of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the two Hokage Advisors.
The defection of Shimura Danzo, former Hokage Advisor and leader of Root.
Either event alone would have shaken the shinobi world—but occurring simultaneously, their impact was exponentially greater.
Tsunade made no attempt to conceal the truth, publicly exposing the trio's crimes.
Almost instantly, her reputation as Hokage soared.
Danzo's atrocities hadn't just targeted shinobi—ordinary villagers had suffered too.
As a Konoha elder, his downfall under Tsunade's hand was seen as righteous justice.
The people now viewed her with genuine respect.
Meanwhile, the "First Pot-Shadow" Shimura Danzo—who had spent his life coveting the Hokage title—had lost all hope of achieving it.
Unless, someday, he staged a dramatic "return of the king."
Hyūga Clan Compound
"Was this Tsunade's plan… or Sasame's?"
Hiashi Hyūga studied the intelligence reports from the Hokage Tower, noting discrepancies with the version his brother Hizashi had provided.
Hizashi's account is far more credible.
But what was Sasame's true objective?
And how deep did his relationship with Tsunade run?
Hiashi shook his head.
It doesn't matter.
Even if Sasame controlled Tsunade from the shadows, the Hyūga lacked the power to intervene.
"Stick to tradition. Avoid conflict."
That was the safest path.
"Have some tea."
His wife, Hyūga Rinka, entered with a tray. "You've been brooding all morning."
"Last night's events."
Hiashi accepted the cup. "Three elders gone in one night. Since Konoha's founding, nothing like this has happened."
"Will it affect our clan?"
Rinka wasn't politically savvy, so she cut straight to practicality.
"No. If anything, it's an opportunity."
Hiashi smirked. "Hizashi might even secure a Hokage Advisor seat."
Though the idea of a branch member as advisor would unsettle some, the Caged Bird Seal ensured no rebellion.
"Good."
Rinka smiled softly. "Speaking of last night… Sasame cooked for Hinata."
"…He actually did it?!"
Hiashi's eye twitched.
He'd assumed Sasame's request for kitchen access was a test of loyalty—not a genuine desire to play chef.
Such a trivial hobby clashed bizarrely with his formidable power.
To a traditionalist like Hiashi, cooking was women's work.
"He's quite skilled. You should try his dishes sometime."
Rinka licked her lips unconsciously—last night's meal had been unforgettable.
"…Do as you please."
Hiashi gave up. Resisting Sasame was pointless.
"You're really letting Hinata continue associating with him?"
Rinka blinked in surprise.
His stance had shifted dramatically.
By Hyūga law, the main family heir—if female—could only marry within the clan, ensuring bloodline purity and control.
"If you'd seen Sasame fight Danzo, you'd understand."
Hiashi exhaled. "He's mastered Sage Mode—just like Jiraiya."
Rinka wasn't ignorant of shinobi affairs.
As the clan leader's wife, she knew Sage Mode's significance.
Jiraiya's reputation and strength owed much to it.
In other words, Sasame's minimum potential was Sannin-level—with Hokage being his ceiling.
"I see."
Rinka nodded.
Time to treat Sasame like a son-in-law.
Land of Fire – Land of Rivers Border
Orochimaru's Hidden Base
Orochimaru observed Jūgo, now implanted with a three-tomoe Sharingan, and frowned.
The compatibility was inferior to Shin Uchiha's—the eye strained Jūgo's body, much like Kakashi Hatake's experience.
Such wasted potential.
Kakashi could've rivaled the White Fang, had he not been shackled by the Sharingan.
"Rest for now."
Orochimaru left for an adjacent lab, where a sample of White Zetsu flesh lay preserved.
Seized during Itachi and Obito's clash, this specimen was a clone of Hashirama's cells—but with anomalous properties.
Normally, pure Hashirama cells were too volatile for cloning.
Even Danzo's arm required Sharingan suppression to maintain equilibrium.
This could revolutionize my artificial human project.
Perhaps even surpass the Mangekyō Sharingan's value.
"Orochimaru-sama."
Guren's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Report."
"Konoha's latest intel: Koharu and Homura are dead. Danzo's defected."
She hesitated. "Should we prepare for fallout?"
Danzo and Orochimaru shared too many secrets.
If Tsunade dug deeper, she might uncover their collaboration—forcing Orochimaru into exile.
"Typical of Tsunade."
Orochimaru's tongue flicked out. "Relocate our critical data and equipment here."
He loathed the idea of leaving Konoha.
Exile meant losing resources and test subjects.
And he refused to waste a single second.
Hokage Tower
Tsunade clenched her fists, struggling to contain her rage.
The files before her cataloged Danzo's atrocities—not just Hashirama Cell experiments, but countless other horrors, each violating Konoha's laws.
A chilling thought struck her:
Did Hiruzen know?
If so, his silence meant complicity.
The Will of Fire—corrupted at its roots.
She forced herself to focus, picking up a dossier on Konoha's Wood Release users:
Root had three. Two died last night; the last remained fanatically loyal to Danzo.
The Sarutobi Clan had seven, all under Hiruzen's protection.
Her jaw tightened.
Where did the Hashirama cells come from?
Her grandfather's corpse.
Danzo and Hiruzen had desecrated the First Hokage's legacy.
Snatching a pen, she scribbled an order.
"Shizune. Deliver this to Hiruzen. Demand he transfer these seven to the ANBU."
"And if he refuses?"
Shizune recognized the names—key Sarutobi figures.
"Tell him: 'Wood Release belongs to Konoha, not the Sarutobi. If he values his reputation, he'll comply. Otherwise… I won't spare him for old times' sake.'"**
Her tone left no room for negotiation.
"Understood!"
Shizune hurried out, arriving shortly at the Sarutobi estate.
"Lord Third."
She relayed Tsunade's ultimatum verbatim.
"She actually said that?"
Hiruzen's pipe trembled slightly.
"Word for word."
A long silence followed.
He'd never imagined Tsunade—once his reckless pupil—would threaten him.
Her message was clear:
Hand them over, or I expose everything.
His lifelong image as the "Professor" and "God of Shinobi" would shatter.
"…Tsunade has grown beyond my expectations."
To Shizune's surprise, Hiruzen smiled. "Very well. They'll report to the ANBU."
Transferring them changed little—they'd still serve Konoha.
Shizune bowed and left.
"Father, it's time to let go."
Asuma Sarutobi stepped from the shadows. "You've carried this burden long enough."
"Since when do you visit me?"
Hiruzen chuckled. "How's your pursuit of Kurenai going?"
"Women are… complicated."
Asuma grimaced. "She's been distant lately."
Hiruzen's smile faded.
He knew why.
As a Hokage Guard, Kurenai had likely seen his dirty secrets—and revised her opinion of the Sarutobi.
Moreover, her father, Yūhi Shinku, had been a staunch believer in the Will of Fire.
Now, Tsunade embodied that ideal.
Asuma's status as the "Hokage's son" had once been an asset.
Now, it was a liability.
"…Take your time."
Hiruzen exhaled smoke.
Land of Rain – Amegakure
The Rain Never Stops
Itachi Uchiha stood atop a towering spire, gazing toward Konoha.
After the Massacre, Obito had brought him to Akatsuki—where he'd discovered Pain and the Rinnegan.
Now, he spied for Konoha while pretending loyalty.
His partnership with Obito had mended somewhat—both realized Sasame had deceived them.
"Still staring at your precious village?"
Space twisted before Itachi as Obito—masquerading as Madara—materialized.
Itachi remained skeptical of his identity.
Obito's combat prowess paled compared to the legendary Madara, relying heavily on Kamui.
But Itachi couldn't deduce his true self.
"Mission?"
Itachi's voice was ice.
Since joining Akatsuki, he'd been constantly deployed—much like his ANBU days.
His new partner, Kisame Hoshigaki, was a monstrous water-user Obito recruited from Kiri.
"No. But you'll love this."
Obito's masked face tilted. "Konoha's shadow, Shimura Danzo, has betrayed the village. Hilarious, isn't it?"
He burst into manic laughter.
Itachi's expression didn't change.
Instead, he felt… hollow.
He'd believed Danzo embodied the Will of Fire.
His betrayal made the Uchiha Massacre a cruel joke.
And Danzo had promised to protect Sasuke.
Would that vow still hold?
"…Was that all?"
Obito's laughter died.
"Boring."
"During non-mission periods, Akatsuki members have free movement, correct?"
Itachi's question caught Obito off guard.
"Planning a homecoming?"
Obito's tone turned sharp. "You know that's impossible."
"I'm aware."
Itachi's voice remained flat. "I merely wish to deliver a gift to my foolish little brother."
And assess Konoha's stance on Sasuke post-Danzo.
"Take Kisame with you."
Obito shrugged. "For safety."
For surveillance.
Itachi nodded and vanished into the rain.
"Still watching me, angel?"
Obito glanced up at Konan, hovering silently.
She'd never trusted him.
But her strength was irrelevant to his plans.
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