Chapter 117: If Hashirama Could Do It, Why Not Me?
That night—no one in the Hidden Leaf slept.
The quake, the crumbling hills, the golden light that lit up the entire night sky... every shinobi in Konoha was jolted into action.
Under the cold glow of the moon, silhouettes flashed through the trees. Elite ninja raced through the forest, headed toward the site of the explosion.
But when they arrived—every single one of them was stunned.
The once-dense forest was gone. Mountains had been carved apart. The ground had ruptured into a colossal ravine that hadn't existed just hours ago.
It looked like hell itself had broken loose. If this level of devastation had happened inside the village...
They didn't even want to imagine the consequences.
"What the hell happened here...?"
Yamanaka Inoichi and Akimichi Chōza stood in stunned silence. As village guards left behind in Konoha while Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shikaku had departed on a mission, the two bore the responsibility for whatever this was.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio never split up lightly, but this time, duty had demanded it.
Not only they, but many other senior shinobi had stayed behind to stabilize the village.
"Looks like tonight's situation is way beyond what we expected... What happened with the Sensory Division?"
Uchiha Fugaku arrived, arms crossed and tone neutral—but his eyes cold. As head of the Sensory Division, Inoichi was squarely in the hot seat.
"The Sensory Team picked up the disturbance immediately," Inoichi replied, voice tight. "We just… didn't expect this."
Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward, gesturing toward the deep gouge in the ground.
"Can anyone identify what caused that? It seems like Wind Release... but the aftermath feels... off."
"This kind of destruction..."
Fugaku furrowed his brow, stepping closer.
And then it hit him.
His gut twisted with a chill. That mark...
"That looks like a slash made by something enormous," Chōza said suddenly.
He specialized in Expansion Jutsu and was familiar with the kind of destruction giant beings could cause.
He'd fought alongside Jiraiya before, after all.
"Remember Jiraiya-sama's summoning beast? It wielded a blade—huge, tens of meters long. A swing from that could carve out something similar. Not quite like this, but close."
"Inoichi, any intel?"
Fugaku was barely holding back his concern. This level of destruction... only Susanoo came close.
And now, he needed to hear it from the sensory captain.
Inoichi sighed. "Multiple chakra signatures. All powerful. At least four."
"Hey, you're all here too?"
Inuzuka Tsume arrived, nodding to Hiashi before speaking.
"The situation's complicated. Multiple combatants. I even picked up traces of insects—it's probably the Aburame Clan's. Is Shino's father here?"
"I'm right behind you."
From her shadow stepped a cloaked figure, face hidden behind shades and a high collar. Aburame Shibi.
"I followed you the whole way. Didn't you notice?"
"..."
Tsume scratched her head awkwardly before forcing a laugh.
"Well, some things never change, huh? Still as creepy silent as ever. Anyway, let's focus on the mission."
"..."
Shibi adjusted his sunglasses, unfazed. He was used to it by now.
"I did find insects. And yes, they're of our clan... but mutated. Stronger venom, more destructive.
Only one of our members specializes in that type—and he's housebound due to a unique constitution. He hasn't left home. So, no... these weren't deployed by us."
"Not from your clan?"
Fugaku's eyes flickered. He saw an opportunity—and he took it.
"Then maybe... maybe Iwagakure infiltrated us? The Kamizuru Clan also uses insects."
"They've already been defeated. Besides, this wasn't their technique. It was ours."
Shibi shook his head. He exhaled slowly.
"Truth be told, aside from the Uchiha and Hyuga, our clans do face... recruitment. Targeted, quiet recruitment. Maybe..."
"That's enough, Shibi."
Before he could finish, Chōza cut in, shaking his head.
"Let's focus on the matter at hand. Some things are best left unspoken."
Inoichi nodded quietly. The Yamanaka were no strangers to such manipulation either.
Hiashi raised an eyebrow and glanced at Fugaku with a half-smirk.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, fists clenching slightly. He'd heard the rumors.
Konoha wasn't supposed to interfere in clan affairs—it was an unspoken rule.
The Uchiha had never faced that issue... so he'd never paid attention. But now? With this event? And this level of destruction?
Suddenly, everything pointed toward one person.
"Clan Head Fugaku," Hiashi said, tone sharp. "This... seems more complicated than we thought."
"Especially since it might involve that man."
"Indeed. Let's all hope it doesn't spiral further."
Fugaku frowned. The meaning behind Hiashi's "white-eye sarcasm" wasn't lost on him. He paused, then spoke.
"This has nothing to do with the Uchiha. Just as Clan Head Shibi said—this matter doesn't involve the Uchiha... or the Hyuga.
But if it does involve us, if it turns out someone intends to sacrifice our people for some scheme...
Then the Uchiha will not stand by quietly."
Hiashi's expression twisted. He shot Fugaku a glare. He knew what that jab meant.
It was aimed squarely at the Hyuga.
Silence fell over the group.
Well—except for Hiashi, who was mentally cursing Fugaku's ancestors.
Everyone else, though? They were all thinking the same name.
Shimura Danzo.
---
Meanwhile, in a crumbling underground lab beneath Konoha...
"Lord Danzo, I'm sorry," Haruta said, dusting off his coat. "We couldn't recover Uchiha Shisui's body."
Danzo stared blankly.
"His green chakra avatar was overwhelmingly strong. My Wood Release couldn't breach it… so I had to escalate."
Danzo said nothing. His mind was still trapped in the memory of that golden figure, burning like a god in the night sky.
That kind of power... was beyond comprehension.
"What... was that?" he finally asked, his voice low. "That golden chakra... is that your power?"
"Yes," Haruta nodded calmly. "Something I developed from what Lady Tsunade taught me."
"I combined Wood Release with Sage Mode. Technically, it's a variant of Sage Jutsu.
The First Hokage used Sage Mode to unleash his True Several Thousand Hands technique. I'm nowhere near that level... so I had to get creative."
Not strong enough...? Had to get creative...?
Danzo opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
This man had just one-shot a Susanoo. Not just cracked it—obliterated it, along with the user!
And he called that "not strong enough"?
Honestly, Danzo felt a flicker of fear.
This kind of power... was beyond what he could control.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi ever discovered the extent of Haruta's abilities, he'd be locked down instantly—cut off from Danzo's influence.
"And with that kind of strength... can the Cursed Seal even control him anymore?"
Danzo couldn't help but wonder. Truthfully, he'd considered this possibility for a while now.
To the weak, cursed seals were shackle and brand.
To the strong? They were insults.
Haruta had probably already begun searching for a way to break it. That's why Danzo had tried using Orochimaru to keep him in check.
He loved to say, "Ninjas are tools. Emotions are weakness."
But Danzo knew—deep down—that was only a truth for the weak.
The strong? They had to be bound with will, with ideals, with hatred, loyalty, and bonds.
"Protect Konoha" was one such ideal.
Using Orochimaru, killing Kabuto and Nonō—those were methods of binding Haruta with vengeance.
Danzo was a master of manipulation, and he knew how the darkness worked.
"You've done well, Haruta."
His voice was calm, though his mind was spinning.
"You may not be at the First Hokage's level yet, but honestly—how many in the Shinobi World even come close to your potential?"
"..."
Haruta blinked.
Why was his 'boss' suddenly complimenting him like this?
Still, he couldn't help agreeing. With enough freedom points, his power really was limitless.
"And this knock-off Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion... hits harder than I expected."
He thought back to that moment—when he slashed Shisui's third-stage Susanoo in half.
The thrill was incredible.
In sheer destructive force, it was probably on par with Madara's fifth-stage mountain-cleaving Susanoo slash during the Fourth War.
One slash.
That was all it took to destroy Shisui's ultimate defense—and everything around it.
And that? That was just one move.
Haruta couldn't help but grumble inwardly—Seriously? That slash from Madara was just a lazy swing, and I had to go full ultimate mode for mine...
"Is my ultimate move weaker than a basic attack?"
But he was self-aware. Uchiha Madara's fifth-stage Susanoo, even without the Rinnegan, was no small feat—it was his ultimate. Without the god-tier enhancements of the Rinnegan, Madara's Susanoo still had limits. The key difference? Madara could sustain his longer.
Haruta glanced at his own stamina estimate.
If I go all-out with this move, I might manage a few swings at best.
Not because his body couldn't take it—but because his chakra would bleed dry.
"This jutsu… really is a chakra monster."
He had plenty of chakra thanks to his Level 12 physique, and his system's [Chakra] stat had been maxed to Level 10. But even that was barely enough for the golden slash he'd pulled off earlier.
Luckily, the jutsu allowed him to scale the power output. He could tone it down, trade raw strength for endurance.
"Appreciate the kind words, Lord Danzo," Haruta said with a humble nod, all while mentally reviewing his "Golden Wheel Reincarnation Burst." The experiment had been a success. He was already considering variations.
No need to summon a mecha-sized chakra avatar when he could just barehandedly tear one down.
Of course, none of this made it to Danzo's ears. Instead, Haruta wore a carefully crafted look of fatigue.
"Uchiha Shisui's dead. No body. And after that lightshow, the village will be swarming with investigators. We should—"
"Forget it," Danzo interrupted with a shake of the head, expression sour.
That Mangekyō Sharingan... gone.
Though Shisui's death was inconvenient in the short term, it also rid Danzo of a dangerous Uchiha. With Shisui out of the picture, the rest of the clan would be easier to control.
Now, his focus shifted.
Haruta.
And the power he'd displayed.
Wood Release, Sage Mode—and something new.
Danzo's greed burned stronger than ever. But he knew better than to let it show. Suppressing his desire, he spoke in a low tone.
"You've overexerted yourself. Return and rest. I'll handle everything else.
Also, I'll provide you with every scrap of intel on Orochimaru—past and present."
He paused, then placed a hand on Haruta's shoulder.
"Orochimaru was Hiruzen's student. It was his sentimentality that allowed Orochimaru to flee untouched.
But I'm different. I reward those who outperform expectations. That's how Root operates.
You've proven yourself, Haruta. I'll authorize expanded access to Root intel. Whatever information you need, it's yours.
And I promise you this—I'll help you get your revenge. Kabuto and Nonō were my subordinates too."
---
"Disgusting."
Haruta's figure reappeared in a secluded wooden cabin via teleportation. He glanced at the specialized kunai etched with Flying Thunder God seals, still glowing faintly on the floor.
The memory of Danzo's "warm, paternal encouragement" still made his stomach churn.
If he didn't already know what kind of scum Danzo truly was, he might've been fooled.
But Haruta had served the man for years—slave labor in every sense of the word.
He remembered the early days in training camps, the beatings, the emotion-erasing brainwashing sessions, the cursed seals, the assassinations.
One-man massacres of entire bandit camps—women, children, elders included.
And through it all, Danzo sat on his throne of shadows.
Haruta hadn't killed him back then... only because he couldn't.
Now?
He could.
But just killing him would be too easy. That debt—had to be repaid with interest.
"If I don't end up as one of the most feared names in the shinobi world, I've failed myself. But don't worry, that day's not far off…"
Three years had passed since he'd broken away from Root. And in that time, he'd made Danzo's name very popular—maybe not always intentionally, but the result was the same.
Let the bastard get famous… until the climax hits and history remembers him for the monster he is.
Haruta chuckled and shook his head. Danzo probably thought he was hiding his greed well.
Too bad for him—Haruta had been in the game too long. And he still remembered everything from before he reincarnated here. Danzo's obsession with the power of Senju and Uchiha was practically public knowledge.
"Not to mention, he's probably already salivating at my abilities…"
---
"You still alive in here?" Haruta stepped deeper into the ruined cabin, brushing aside debris.
He found Shisui inside—bloodied, breathing hard, his Susanoo armor long since broken.
"You're lucky I held back a bit. Though I guess even then, you still look like hell."
Haruta tossed him a small bottle.
"This place was used by the Fourth Hokage for training. His Flying Thunder God seal is still active—makes it a perfect hiding spot for now."
Shisui groaned. "You seriously were trying to kill me, huh…"
Third-stage Susanoo was already pushing his limits, both physically and mentally. It was powerful—but still just shy of Madara's top-tier defense.
That's why Haruta's golden blade had shredded through it like wet paper.
Luckily, the real Haruta had used a Wood Clone. The moment the blade connected, he teleported Shisui out with a pre-placed seal—right before the blast wiped out everything.
But even then, Shisui had taken heavy damage just from being near the impact.
"If I really wanted to kill you, you wouldn't be talking right now," Haruta snorted, sitting down across from him.
He took out another bottle. "These were made by Lady Tsunade. Pretty useless for me, but they'll help you recover. You're on your own from here though—I'm almost tapped."
"Thanks." Shisui downed a pill. Almost instantly, the pain dulled.
Tsunade's reputation in medicine was no joke. Even Chiyo's poisons hadn't stumped her.
The ingredients smelled familiar, though…
"Didn't the Nara Clan hoard these herbs…?"
Haruta shrugged.
---
After a while, Shisui sat up, breathing more steadily.
"Can you tell me now? What's your plan?
You saved me. Why? So I can try again later? If that's it—then don't worry. I'll finish the job if I get another chance."
"Hold on." Haruta raised a hand. "You're still stuck in your own one-track mind.
You only understood one layer of this whole mess. The rest? You ignored it completely."
"One layer?"
Shisui frowned.
Haruta leaned back against the wall, sighing.
"Sure, attacking the external problem head-on—like killing Danzo—is one way to solve things.
But you never asked the real question: how deep is the rot?
You think removing Danzo changes anything? You think people would believe the Uchiha suddenly became saints?
Even if Danzo died, the village would suspect you even more. You have no leverage. No influence. No narrative.
You forgot the second half of change—internal transformation."
Shisui clenched his fists, silent.
Haruta continued.
"I get it. You care about your clan. It raised you—like the village raised you. You want to protect it.
But you've ignored a critical point. Some of your clan members have already changed—and not for the better.
Danzo's to blame, sure. But why did your clan split into factions in the first place?
Now tell me—how much power does your Clan Head have?"
Shisui hesitated. "He governs the clan… so, a lot."
"Right. Then why hasn't he united the factions under one voice?"
Haruta's voice was curious—almost playful.
"Even in Root, we're trained to align ideology before executing a mission. Once a plan is decided, everyone executes.
But the Uchiha? Two camps. Constant friction. And your Clan Head? He just... watches.
Some say he's listening to everyone. I say he's just covering his ass.
Maybe he wants you at odds. It keeps his power stable."
Those words hit like thunder.
Shisui had never thought about it that way. But now... he couldn't unthink it.
What if... the real failure was internal? What if the collapse had been years in the making?
"If during the Nine-Tails Incident, the Uchiha had taken a firm stance and rejected the accusations immediately—would things have spiraled like this?"
The more he thought about it, the more cracks appeared in his once-stable beliefs.
Everything pointed back to one person.
Their Clan Head.
---
"You starting to get it?"
Haruta saw the color drain from Shisui's face.
"You killing Danzo wouldn't change a damn thing.
The Uchiha's fall was never about just one enemy. You're trying to solve a chessboard with a single move."
He paused.
In the original timeline... I don't think you ever figured that out. You just killed Danzo, closed your eyes, jumped off a cliff, and left Itachi to carry the weight. Haruta sighed thinking about it.
Shisui didn't argue. He couldn't.
Not now.
"Then what about you?"
His voice was quiet, but it carried weight.
"What's your stake in this? Why save me? Why even care about the Uchiha?
I've seen the records. You're Danzo's subordinate. And Senju and Uchiha—aren't they supposed to be mortal enemies?
Whose side are you really on?"
Haruta spread his hands with a half-smile.
"Me?"
He chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm Danzo's subordinate. But don't confuse that with loyalty.
You fight for the will you believe in. Not the man who commands you.
I'm under Danzo—but I'm not his warrior.
I follow my own beliefs."
As for the Senju and Uchiha clans—if the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara could join forces to build the Leaf Village, then why can't I do the same?
Besides, the Uchiha are part of Konoha. I'd rather see this clan contribute to the village's future, whether openly or from the shadows.
What Haruta really wanted to say was: What the hell do the Uchiha have to do with me? I just want some strong enforcers!
Inheriting Danzo's "legacy" was his top priority, but that legacy was meaningless without powerful subordinates to back it up. The future would be filled with chaos—he needed capable talent in reserve to face what was coming.
Of course, Haruta wasn't some kind of saint. He didn't plan to keep everyone around.
Only those who listened and obeyed would be considered. As for the rest? Not his problem.
Frankly, he'd be happy to see some of those guys die off. That way, after he "dug them out of their graves," his silver tongue would sound that much more convincing.
But these thoughts were best left unsaid. As a seasoned schemer, Haruta didn't need to show his cards. Instead, he handed Shisui a perfectly noble-sounding excuse.
"The First Hokage managed it. So, are you planning to do the same?"
Sure enough, Shisui seemed to understand what Haruta was getting at. After all, Haruta was now known to be a direct descendant of the Senju clan.
"I was being naïve," Shisui said with a bitter smile. "I've always been a step behind you. Ever since three years ago, when you understood what the Hokage truly felt for Naruto, I started falling further and further behind."
He couldn't forget that first meeting. Back then, Haruta had left him utterly embarrassed—and that was the first moment Shisui realized Haruta was no ordinary ninja.
"Rest up. You've got a lot to think about. Things are only going to get harsher from here."
Haruta patted Shisui on the shoulder and stood up.
"The abyss is right in front of us. You have to ask yourself—will it be a few deaths, or the annihilation of your entire clan? You already know the answer."
"The Hyuga clan faced this same choice. In the end, they made theirs. Now, it's your turn."
"Take your time recovering. I hope to see you rise again as the leader of a reborn Uchiha—one that will be great once more."
Haruta didn't launch into a flowery speech, but his words hit deep. Make the Uchiha great again—that line struck right at Shisui's core.
"…I get it. But aren't you afraid I'll rat you out?"
Shisui leaned back, seemingly more at ease, but he couldn't help asking.
Haruta gave him a look like he was staring at an idiot.
"You're seriously asking that? You're already dead. Danzo wouldn't be able to explain your survival—everyone believes he tried to kill you."
He shrugged, exasperated.
"If you show up alive, it'll only prove him right. And that'll bring your clan's doom even faster."
"One more thing—don't even think about reaching out to anyone. You're officially dead. Keep it that way."
"Because if you don't… next time, I'll lead the Root myself and wipe out the Uchiha."
"Tch, fine. I get it."
Shisui sighed, fully aware of how serious this was. He had left a letter for Itachi, and now he couldn't even deliver it. But if he tried anything rash, Haruta wouldn't hesitate to bring the blade down on his clan.
Haruta wasn't going to let himself be exposed. And Shisui… he couldn't betray Haruta—or the Uchiha.
Now, all he could do was trust his younger brother, Uchiha Itachi.
As he watched Haruta's silhouette fade into the distance, Shisui suddenly spoke again, his tone soft and thoughtful.
"You were planning to take down Danzo from the start, weren't you? I was just another piece in your game."
"Rest, Shisui. Don't overthink it."
Haruta glanced back, then turned away again. But before he left, he flashed a rare smile.
"My experiences—and the world I grew up in—taught me a lot. Gave me my code. My direction."
"I never believed in the coming of a long, dark night—because I'll always hold the torch high!"
---
That night, Konoha was far from quiet. A terrible battle had erupted in the village, leaving countless shinobi sleepless.
All night, the search and investigation teams combed the area, trying to find any clue.
But the scene had been devastated by a blow that could rival the Fifth Stage of Susanoo. Nothing was left—no trace, no clue.
All they found was a shattered trail of chakra—and traces the Aburame clan was working hard to keep hidden, with the help of other clans.
Some things simply couldn't be publicized. All matters would have to wait until the Third Hokage returned.
All they could do now was compile the details into written reports and send them up the chain. The higher-ups of Konoha were far beyond their reach.
"Something did happen, didn't it?"
Late at night, Uchiha Fugaku returned home and immediately ordered the clan to find Shisui.
But no matter how they searched, Shisui was nowhere to be found.
A gnawing sense of dread filled Fugaku's heart. Could his worst fears be coming true?
Shisui was the hope of the Uchiha—and now he'd disappeared without a trace. Add Danzo's suspicious involvement…
How could Fugaku not be worried?
"Please let him be alright. Search again. Search everywhere!"
Fugaku was in turmoil. He barely understood what was happening inside Konoha anymore—his own son had kept too many secrets from him.
Even if Itachi was a spy, the intel he passed on was always limited. Too limited. But as a father, he had no choice but to trust him.
---
"This should be the place."
Elsewhere, a bloodied and battered Uchiha Itachi staggered into a training ground, standing before a tall tree.
It was the place where he and Shisui used to train—the very spot Shisui's letter had directed him to visit after everything was over.
He didn't know what was waiting for him here, but he was certain it had everything to do with tonight.
"A letter… again?"
Still bleeding, Itachi quickly searched the area. Soon, he found it—buried under the roots.
He ripped it open and began to read.
> "I'm sorry, Itachi.
If you're reading this, then either you've already killed me, or I died before your eyes.
Don't mourn. This was the only choice left to me. The only way to save the Uchiha.
I once dreamed of using my eyes to change everyone's minds…
But a friend reminded me—doing that would only make people more suspicious.
If we want lasting peace, we have to remove those who've always seen the Uchiha as enemies—who want to prove the Uchiha are the source of all evil.
There are those who, from the start, have treated our clan as villains.
They've used every tactic to pressure and push us, trying to force us down the path they desire.
I can't understand why. Maybe it's just different standpoints.
We tried to integrate the Uchiha into Konoha, to protect both clan and village…
But maybe because of Madara's shadow, they believe the Leaf is better off without us.
So I made my choice—to become the avenger who ends it all with my own life.
And you, Itachi… you'll be the hero. You'll kill me.
That title will stabilize the clan. Stabilize the village.
You're the son of the clan head, a member of the ANBU. With this title, you'll have the power to hold things together.
You're the most gifted Uchiha I've ever known. I'll complete my mission—even if it costs me my life.
The rest… the burden of the clan, the village—it's yours now.
I believe in you.
—Shisui Uchiha"
Drip. Drip.
Itachi stood there, motionless, reading the letter. No sobs. Just silent tears.
His fists clenched. His eyes shut.
"Clan… Village… One clan, one village…"
He whispered to himself.
Then, suddenly, he let out a cold laugh.
"How pathetic… Everything about this… destroyed you. Destroyed me. Destroyed all of us."
His eyes snapped open—blood-red Sharingan spinning with deadly resolve. He whipped out a kunai and hurled it at the wall of the training ground.
Thud!
The blade embedded itself squarely in the center of the Uchiha crest.
The message was clear.
"Shisui… Since you believed in me—"
He raised his head slowly, his eyes now showing the intricate pattern of a Mangekyo.
"Then I'll find my own way… to uncover the truth between Uchiha and Konoha."
To him, between a clan and a village—he yearned for peace.
Peace for the village.