It was said that when the Rain reinforcements arrived, what they saw was a scene straight out of hell.
Yoru's act of single-handedly slaughtering five hundred Rain shinobi spread like wildfire.
The air was filled with the nauseating stench of burnt flesh. Rain shinobi collapsed on the ground, crying and screaming in despair.
The earth was covered in blood-red magma, waves of heat rolling endlessly.
And that declaration—
"You humiliated five of Konoha. I, Yoru, slaughter five hundred of the Rain!"
—spread across the battlefield like a legend.
Rain Village.
"Outrageous!"
Hanzo was furious.
Once again, it was Yoru.
That man seemed like a curse upon the Rain Village.
He said five hundred—
And he truly killed five hundred.
Hanzo could no longer tolerate such humiliation.
He resolved to personally take action and kill Yoru with his own hands.
"I will tear that brat to pieces!"
"Report!"
Just as Hanzo was about to set out, a Rain shinobi rushed in, his face filled with terror.
"L-Lord Hanzo! Sunagakure has launched an attack! Our border defenses… can't hold!"
"What?!"
Hanzo's expression changed drastically as he grabbed the reporting shinobi.
The so-called "Demigod Hanzo"—
Had lost his composure.
"Damn it! When did we ever attack Sunagakure?!"
He was enraged.
This was clearly someone framing the Rain Village.
Seventy elite shinobi, disguised in Rain uniforms and headbands, armed with kunai and senbon taken from the battlefield—
After Yoru departed, Tsunade had already executed the plan.
They struck Sunagakure's camp, burning more than half of it.
Caught completely off guard, the Sand shinobi were thrown into chaos.
Many were killed in their sleep, swallowed by surging waves and flames.
The casualties reached an astonishing two hundred.
Explosions echoed throughout the entire night, reducing the camp to ruins.
Afterward, Sand shinobi found Rain headbands, senbon, and kunai at the scene.
When the news reached the Land of Wind, the Kazekage and the Sand elders were furious.
They accused the Rain Village of betrayal and immediately mobilized five thousand shinobi, invading the Rain Country and slaughtering both Rain shinobi and civilians in retaliation.
Because most of the Rain Village's forces were already committed to the Konoha front, they couldn't mount an effective defense.
The losses were devastating.
"Lord Hanzo… could this be Konoha's doing?"
A Rain shinobi stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with intelligence.
Hanzo's anger gradually subsided as he looked at him.
"Speak, Qiping."
Qiping Zhizi—the Rain Village's strategist, and one of the few people Hanzo truly trusted.
To earn the trust of such a paranoid man was proof of his ability.
"We are currently locked in a fierce war with Konoha. If Sunagakure joined the conflict without reason, Konoha would likely turn against them as well. That would not benefit them."
He spoke calmly and logically.
"Therefore, I conclude that this must be Konoha's scheme. The one who devised this strategy… is a genius."
Hanzo's eyes flickered.
"…Could it be Yoru?"
Qiping shook his head immediately.
"Impossible, Lord Hanzo. Yoru is too young to come up with such a brilliant plan. I believe this was devised by Tsunade—the granddaughter of the First Hokage."
"We should immediately send envoys to Sunagakure and explain the situation. If possible, we can persuade them to cease their attack."
He paused, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"Perhaps… we can even turn them into allies."
Hanzo's face lit up.
If that were true—
Then this disaster could become an opportunity.
Konoha Frontline Camp.
Senju Senra looked at the report from the left wing, his eyes shining.
When he read Yoru's declaration, his resolve solidified.
Support Yoru.
This was a man destined for greatness.
Although the Senju elders had already expressed their stance during the council, Senju Senra was the one currently holding real power within the clan.
With his support, combined with that of the elders—
The entire Senju clan had effectively aligned with Yoru.
Konoha Village — Kushina's Home.
Konan's face was filled with pride and anticipation.
"Mikoto, Kushina…"
"Yoru won another big victory. Does that mean he'll be back soon?"
Kushina couldn't help but tease her.
"Oh? Our little Konan is falling in love?"
Over time, Kushina and Konan had grown much closer, their bond strengthened by how similar their pasts were.
"That's not true… Mikoto, look, she's bullying me…"
Konan blushed and fidgeted shyly.
Mikoto smiled gently, her expression soft and warm.
"Don't worry. I believe Yoru will return soon. We'll welcome him together."
Kushina's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"I never expected him to be this strong. That declaration of his—it's become incredibly popular in the village."
Yoru's words had spread through Konoha like wildfire.
Children began to idolize him.
Adults felt proud of him.
Just how much of that was natural… and how much was being pushed behind the scenes—no one knew.
Konan and Mikoto gazed into the distance, their eyes filled with brilliance—
As if they could already see the man they longed for.
Hokage Tower.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the report in his hands, his expression both satisfied and conflicted.
Perhaps…
He really could train Yoru to become the next Hokage.
But Yoru's connection to the Senju clan—
Was too close.
Hiruzen frowned deeply.
He was changing.
No longer the bold and decisive leader of the past—
Now, he weighed gains and losses too heavily.
And the power in his hands had made him hesitant.
Root Headquarters.
Danzo stood in the shadows, his single eye gleaming coldly.
"It's time…"
"If I don't act now… the position of Hokage will never be mine."
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