Chapter Twenty-Four: The Leaf Village Destruction Plan Begins!

On the eve of the formal exam, many unfamiliar faces appeared at the Sasuke residence.

First to arrive were the influential figures of Konoha: the heads of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, the Hyuga patriarch, the Aburame clan leader, Might Guy, Kakashi, and other jonin who either came from the families of Haoyun’s students or recognized his cause. Should the Third Hokage learn of this gathering, he would surely suspect a coup against Konoha’s leadership.

Next came members of the Akatsuki: Nagato, Konan, Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, Deidara, Sasori, and Karin Uzumaki, the most recent recruit, who had been rescued from the Hidden Grass Village at Haoyun's request.

Finally, all three of the Legendary Sannin arrived.

It could be said that, apart from the particularly bloodthirsty Akatsuki members like Kakuzu and Hidan, almost everyone else, including Haku and Zabuza, had gathered here. With such a force, they could easily establish a shinobi village that would rank among the Five Great Nations.

“Karin, Naruto, use the Kagura’s Eye and scan the area within a hundred meters!” Under Sakura’s guidance, waves of consciousness swept across the surroundings, even probing a hundred meters below ground.

“Master, no trace of White Zetsu,” Sakura reported to Haoyun, confirming that no one was observing them.

As for the Anbu, they had already been discreetly redirected by those loyal to Konoha.

“Rest assured. Before coming, I sent Tobi, Hidan, and Kakuzu out on a mission. White Zetsu won’t be able to monitor me so easily!” Nagato said with a cold face. The thought of his life being manipulated by Uchiha Madara—no, by Obito—and Yahiko’s death filled him with a hatred he could barely contain.

If Haoyun hadn’t insisted on caution, Nagato would have dealt with them himself long ago.

“Naruto, coordinate with Lady Tsunade and seal off the area!”

“Understood!”

With a swift set of hand seals, Naruto summoned chains of golden light that filled every space within the residence. Should Obito try to enter with Kamui, his chakra would be sealed in less than a tenth of a second, rendering him utterly powerless.

“Well, now that secrecy is ensured, let’s discuss our main objective.” Haoyun clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention.

“As you all know, Orochimaru will initiate the ‘Konoha Crush’ tomorrow, drawing the Sand Village into an attack on Konoha. This moment is our best chance to seize control of the village…”

As Haoyun spoke of the Konoha Crush, both Jiraiya and Tsunade shot fierce glares at Orochimaru. Orochimaru rubbed his nose, coughing awkwardly; after reading that genetic tome, he had long abandoned his original plan. The one truly orchestrating matters was Haoyun—he was merely the scapegoat.

“And to seize Konoha, we must first eliminate a certain organization and expose its crimes to the world!”

At this, the eyes of half those present lit up. Not only those like Itachi, Sasuke, and Naruto who bore deep grudges against Danzo, but even the heads of the major clans were eager for immediate action.

“So, who will be responsible for attacking Danzo’s base?”

“I will!” The answer came from all sides.

Naruto, Sasuke, and several others raised their hands, more than half the room. Haoyun glanced around—clearly, Danzo was a figure universally reviled.

“Master, let me handle this! If I do not avenge my clan, I am unworthy of the Uchiha name!” Sasuke said through clenched teeth, but no one was willing to let him go alone. After all, who here hadn’t suffered at Danzo’s hands? Even the Nara, Akimichi, and other major families of Konoha had had their promising members targeted by him.

“I’m going too!”

“Sasuke, you’re not the only one with a score to settle with Danzo!”

“I must kill that old villain with my own hands!”

Haoyun raised a hand to settle the clamor. “Let me make this clear: Danzo’s trump card is Shisui Uchiha’s Sharingan, and the Kotoamatsukami technique, which can alter a person’s will. Therefore, I suggest the Uchiha brothers and the Hyuga clan lead the charge.”

Ten days ago, Itachi had also received the genetic serum from Haoyun and now possessed the Rinnegan. Along with Neji, Hinata, and Hiashi, who had all awakened the Tenseigan, their combined ocular power far surpassed what Danzo could muster, even with multiple Kotoamatsukami.

“Hmph, he’s getting off easy!” Those granted the opportunity were elated, while those who missed their chance eyed the Uchiha brothers with barely concealed resentment.

Haoyun paid no mind to their dissatisfaction. Attacking Root was critical, but what good was it if they could not command the whole of Konoha?

“Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka—you three clans will take charge of evacuating civilians with Konan and her team once the plan begins. Their identities will be that of a secret protective force established by the Hokage. Nagato, you and the Aburame and Kurama clans must suppress the village leadership and prevent any internal conflict.”

“No problem. I hope they know what’s good for them,” Nagato replied. Having undergone the serum, the Uzumaki clan’s bodies had transformed into Sage-like vessels. The Rinnegan no longer strained him; in his complete state, the upper echelons of Konoha, even with their clans, were no match for him.

“As for the Sand Village’s attack force…” Haoyun turned to the Konoha Twelve. “Naruto, you handle the One-Tailed Beast. Sakura, you take care of Manda. The rest of you, spread out and intercept the enemy, aid the wounded.”

“No problem! I’ll capture Shukaku for sure!” Naruto adjusted his glasses, looking every bit the scholar. “I want to study the differences between Shukaku’s chakra and Kurama’s.”

Inside the sealed space, Kurama, whose seal had long been undone, huddled in a corner, trembling. The scholarly Naruto was simply too terrifying. Kurama had lost count of how much chakra had been extracted for research. Seeing the dissected foxes, he suspected that if his own body were ever freed, he’d end up on the operating table as well.

“Everyone,” Haoyun stood, his gaze ablaze as he addressed the crowd, “the revolution of the shinobi world hinges on this moment! I ask you all to give your utmost, to dedicate your lives for the rise of the people!”

“For the rise of the people!” the chorus rang out, hands raised, voices fervent.

…

Late that night, Haoyun lay on the rooftop, gazing at the bright moon.

Nearby, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru vaulted onto the roof, each carrying a jug of sake as they settled beside him.

“Can’t sleep? Have a drink?” Tsunade offered him the jug. When she had first returned to Konoha, she had eyed Haoyun with suspicion. But upon seeing quotations from revolutionary leaders and other red-covered tomes, all her misgivings vanished. Only the noblest of spirits could have written those works. She firmly believed that even merely reading and understanding them would inspire anyone to embrace their ideals.

Universal harmony—what a beautiful hope, worthy of lifelong pursuit.

“I’ll drink,” Haoyun replied, taking the sake and gulping it down.

Perhaps, very soon, all those lingering regrets would finally come to an end.