Chapter 118: Grave-Digging! The True Purpose of Wood Release?
"This is a total pain in the ass!"
In the Land of Whirlpools, Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his camp, agonizing over the current negotiations.
This time, it wasn't some petty border skirmish—it involved a tailed beast. A Three-Tails level mess.
He never thought he'd one day be negotiating over the ownership of a tailed beast.
"This… isn't how I pictured it at all."
Negotiating the fate of a tailed beast usually meant victory in war. It was about redrawing the map—resetting the rules of the ninja world.
The last person who did that was the First Hokage, back when Konoha stood at its absolute peak.
In this chaotic ninja world, only those with overwhelming personal power could rewrite the rules.
Everyone else? Just pigs rolling around in the same muddy pit.
And right now, he was the pig—tricked by the Mist Village and forced to take the fall.
Redefine the rules of the world? Yeah, right.
If he made even the slightest move toward the Three-Tails, disaster would be knocking at his door.
"I need more time…"
Hiruzen sighed. Konoha might not be what it used to be, but it was still on the rise.
Especially with talents like Haruta. Given time, Haruta could take Konoha to its former heights.
So for now, he had to play it safe. Just like when he handed the Hyuga that infamous "one life or one family register" dilemma—he wouldn't provoke conflict unless absolutely necessary.
"Lord Hokage, an urgent message from the village—please take a look."
At that moment, Kakashi rushed in, handing him a scroll with a grave expression.
"An emergency dispatch?"
Hiruzen quickly took the scroll and stood up. Before reading, he issued orders.
"Bring Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shikaku. Now."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi gave a crisp nod and left immediately.
Hiruzen unsealed the scroll and began reading.
But as his eyes scanned the contents, his body suddenly froze.
"A massive battle in the village? An entire forest leveled… even the surrounding mountains are gone?!"
"And the shockwaves were felt throughout Konoha?"
His expression turned grim.
Something big had just happened.
> "Unknown cause of battle. Unknown participants.
However, traces of massive chakra were detected—complex and chaotic, likely indicating a multi-party confrontation."
"No bodies were found... but the Aburame clan's insects were discovered at the scene?"
"Confirmed—identified by Aburame Shibi as their clan's signature insect control techniques."
"Danzo Shimura was presiding over the situation?"
Reading the contents of the scroll, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a deafening buzz echo through his head.
Any one of these facts was chilling enough on its own. But together?
He could hardly breathe.
"Only a handful in the entire shinobi world could generate that kind of destruction. And in Konoha…"
And those "handful" included two prime suspects—Uchiha Shisui, wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Haruta, the mysterious prodigy who had awakened Wood Release.
Sarutobi knew well that Haruta had mastered techniques as advanced as the Wood Golem. Both Jiraiya and Kakashi had reported on it.
As for Shisui—he had fully unlocked his Mangekyō and could wield Susanoo. A terrifyingly capable shinobi.
By all logic, these two shouldn't have fought each other.
Even if something had triggered it unintentionally, who could have guessed? He was the one who personally paired a Senju descendant and a Uchiha together—trying to bridge the old wounds with new bonds.
But now, Sarutobi couldn't ignore the shadow of his longtime "friend," Shimura Danzo. The Aburame clan's insects were evidence enough.
Yes, the village wasn't supposed to meddle in clan affairs—but there were always ways to ease tensions.
Root's destruction was satisfying, Sarutobi couldn't deny that—Danzo was never one to toe the line—but Root was still a necessary force.
And allowing Danzo to rebuild it… well, he'd hoped it would blunt Danzo's ambitions while keeping his strength in check.
Of course, he had his own motives too—Danzo's Hokage dreams had always been a threat. By letting him forcibly conscript clan talent, he had basically sabotaged Danzo's future path to the Hokage seat.
But now?
He just wanted to slap himself a dozen times over.
Yes, Root had been rebuilt. But Haruta's sudden rise had made Danzo's ambitions surge.
Sarutobi had no doubt—Danzo had made his move the moment he left the village.
The insects left behind were Aburame Ryoma's—a loyal hound of Danzo's.
Danzo's target had to be Shisui. The boy with the Mangekyō had been on Danzo's radar for ages.
And with Shisui gone—a calm, powerful figure with charisma—Uchiha's descent into madness would only accelerate.
Everything Sarutobi had worked for was crumbling.
Worse yet, he couldn't say a word.
He would have to cover for Danzo.
Because no matter how outrageous it was, Konoha could never publicly admit that it had turned on its own.
Even if they spun it as "Shisui attacked first," no one would believe it. Danzo's reputation was already toxic.
Especially now, with the village under pressure inside and out, this scandal couldn't be allowed to spread.
"Shimura Danzo, you—"
Sarutobi clenched his fists. The next moment, dizziness overwhelmed him and he collapsed onto the table in front of him.
---
"Hey, old man! You dragged us here so urgently—what's going on?"
Tsunade's voice rang out. What followed was a wave of chaos.
"What the hell?! What is this, some kind of prank?"
"Hey! You'd better not die on me, old man! I'm not interested in becoming Hokage!"
"Wake up! Come on!"
---
"Still no news?"
"No, Clan Head. Nothing."
Back in the Uchiha compound, Uchiha Fugaku sat with a storm brewing in his heart.
Shisui… had vanished. Like a ghost.
Despite all their efforts, they couldn't find the clan's prodigy.
The signs were becoming clear—Shisui had likely been involved in that devastating battle. And he hadn't made it out.
"Clan Head… Shisui might have fallen."
Uchiha Yatsushiro's face was grim. He didn't want to believe it, but reality was pressing down hard.
"We cannot let Konoha trample us like this. Acting against us without restraint—it's unforgivable!
Even though the news hasn't fully spread, people are starting to suspect. And with the Third not in the village, now might be the time—"
"Shut your mouth."
Fugaku cut him off sharply.
"Now is not the time for this. If we act rashly, we'll be the ones without justification."
"Without Shisui, we've lost a key strength. Moving now would just play into our enemies' hands."
Yatsushiro clenched his fists. He understood… but to just let it go?
"We're at a critical juncture. We can't afford emotional decisions."
Fugaku was fuming inside, but he forced himself to stay calm.
"Everyone in the village is on edge. The entire place is on high alert.
Yes, the Uchiha are strong—but not strong enough to take on all of Konoha."
"Don't forget our original plan. To control the village, we need to control that man—Hiruzen Sarutobi."
Fugaku's scalp tingled. He knew his clan had always carried a misplaced confidence.
But as clan head, he couldn't afford such illusions. He'd seen the classified reports.
Tobirama had once used Flying Thunder God to defeat Uchiha Izuna—even though Izuna also had the Mangekyō.
And Hashirama? He had crushed Madara.
Tobirama hated the Uchiha to the core—who knew how many weapons he had left behind?
And now Konoha had another ninja with both Flying Thunder God and Wood Release. If he snapped, he could wipe them out in a heartbeat.
That's why Fugaku's strategy had been to target Konoha's "Four Pillars"—the true powerhouses.
With him and Shisui's Mangekyō combined, they could quickly eliminate them. Then, sharing the spoils with other clans… well, the Nara, Akimichi, and Yamanaka had always sided with whoever won.
As long as they won—and made the right offers—the rest would fall in line.
"We need to stay calm. Do you understand?"
Fugaku looked at Yatsushiro, who still seemed dissatisfied, and sighed.
"And don't worry. We won't let Shisui's death go unanswered.
But for now, have the clan lay low. Focus. That's the only way we'll succeed."
"…Understood, Clan Head."
Though reluctant, Yatsushiro nodded.
"Then go."
"Yes, sir."
Fugaku patted him on the shoulder and watched him leave.
Once he was alone, he let out a long, weary sigh.
He was furious—he wanted revenge. But he knew he couldn't act. Not now.
The Uchiha weren't ready. Not without Shisui.
Is this some kind of warning? he thought bitterly. Fine. Message received. I'll keep my head down—for now.
But this isn't over, Danzo. I know this was you.
Fugaku clenched his fists and turned away, not realizing a pair of eyes had been watching from the shadows the entire time.
---
"They're planning to move against the Hokage?"
"And Danzo… the man in Shisui's letter really was you, huh?"
Konoha and the Uchiha were both on the brink of madness.
At the center of it all stood two men—Danzo and Haruta. Two extremes.
Danzo was giddy and pretending to be blind. Giddy, because for now, he held the reins. Even a temporary taste of power made him feel like a god.
But blind—because he knew he was guilty as hell.
He was doing everything he could to steer things away from the truth.
And he couldn't understand—he made a move. Haruta made a move. Yet somehow he ended up the one under fire?
At this point, pretending to be innocent was his only defense.
---
Meanwhile, Haruta was far more relaxed.
As a man on the payroll, he'd done his job. What collateral damage his "workplace" caused?
That was the boss's problem. No way he was taking that burden on.
---
"You're seriously too lazy."
In the ancient Senju residence, Yugao stared in disbelief at Haruta sprawled out like a noodle on the couch.
"The entire ANBU is scrambling like crazy, and here you are—slacking off. How shameless can you be?!"
"But didn't you come back too?"
Haruta blinked innocently, flashing her a playful grin. Yugao's irritation only grew.
"That's because you dragged me back! I was in the middle of a mission!"
With such a huge event rocking the village, ANBU had been tasked with investigating.
But Haruta couldn't care less.
Investigate himself?
No thanks.
"That whole mess? Forget it. You won't find anything anyway."
He sat up, grabbed Yugao by the hand, and pulled her into his lap despite her yelp of surprise.
Breathing in the soft fragrance on her, Haruta chuckled.
"You haven't noticed? All the major clans are technically investigating—but no one's actually doing any real work."
"And higher-ups are tight-lipped. If you can't see the writing on the wall, you're just being naïve."
Do you have to hold me like this to explain it?
Yugao turned her head away, flustered. Feeling his arms around her waist, she sighed helplessly.
Even though she was used to Haruta's affectionate antics, this was pushing it.
"So… you know some of the truth?"
She played along, casually trying to wriggle free—only to find Haruta tightening his grip.
"More or less."
Haruta nodded and, after a moment of thought, spoke slowly.
"Some people crave power so badly they lose themselves… They think they control everything—but in the end, they're just mantises chasing cicadas."
"The higher they climb, the harder they'll fall. But that's not our concern. I'd rather be right here, watching the sunrise with you."
"You sound like some cryptic monk."
Yugao huffed, half annoyed, half amused. She could tell Haruta was hinting at something—but she didn't understand it.
Nor did she care.
All she wanted was to enjoy flowers… and spend her days peacefully with the one she liked.
Yugao had always been strong-willed—that was part of her charm. She never saw it as a flaw.
But right now, it was getting a little too real.
"Don't push your luck, Haruta."
Feeling Haruta's hand wandering a little too high around her waist, Yugao smacked it with a sharp thwap.
"How old are you again? Why are you so damn reckless all the time?"
"Almost sixteen. Pretty much old enough, right?"
Haruta blinked innocently—but inside, he was cursing.
If only I'd transmigrated a few years earlier…
He was the same age as Kabuto—both of them were just kids when Naruto was born and the Nine-Tails incident happened.
Now, in Year 55 of the Hidden Leaf, almost 56, he was about to turn sixteen.
If he'd crossed over earlier, say around Kakashi or Yugao's age group, he wouldn't have had to wait this long!
Still, being younger had its perks—especially since he had a thing for older women.
"Hmph, so young and already this shameless."
Yugao gave a small snort but didn't struggle anymore. She leaned back fully into Haruta's embrace. Her cheeks reddened slightly, but she still asked,
"Say… you've never told me what your dream is. Mind sharing it?"
"Me?"
Haruta raised an eyebrow. Why was everyone suddenly interested in his dream?
He'd already answered this question twice before—but seeing her expectant face, he decided to just go with it.
"My dream? Easy. Marry a few more wives and live a good life."
"…What?"
For a second, Yugao didn't react. But when the words registered, her expression shifted.
Marry a few more wives?
Excuse me??
She immediately tried to wriggle out of Haruta's arms, but he hugged her tighter, sighing.
"I mean… ideally, I'd just want to stay with you. But realistically, you and I both know it's complicated. It's not something either of us can control."
"What do you mean?"
Yugao frowned. But then, a thought clicked.
"…Wood Release?"
She wasn't clueless. Years in the ANBU had taught her enough. She'd heard the rumors—Wood Release, Konoha's ultimate power.
The kind of power the village would absolutely try to manipulate, no matter what.
"Yeah. It's Wood Release."
Haruta made a show of sighing helplessly, and the fact that Yugao stopped struggling told him his excuse worked.
Honestly, he had to admit—choosing Wood Release was the best move ever.
It let him bluff his way through any situation and gave him the perfect justification to do whatever the hell he wanted.
Even now, using it as a reason to deflect an awkward conversation was paying off.
"Even if I didn't want to, I doubt the Third Hokage and the higher-ups would leave me alone. So, I'd rather be honest with you."
Would Hiruzen actually go that far? Haruta wasn't sure. But it was definitely possible.
In his memory, Sasuke only ever had Sakura and one kid. And Konoha never intervened—probably because Kakashi and Naruto were in charge.
Kakashi, burdened with guilt over Obito, wouldn't dare push Sasuke. Plus, Sakura was his and Tsunade's student.
And Naruto? No way he'd meddle in his best friend's love life.
But Hiruzen and the old guard? They'd done so many unethical experiments to recreate Wood Release.
Now that the real deal had reappeared, would they just let him be?
Hell no. They'd probably beg him to "increase production."
"Wood Release, huh…"
Yugao murmured. Then she tilted her head back, looking up at him.
"Let me ask you something. Do you really like me?"
"Like?"
Haruta raised an eyebrow. Now wasn't the time for words—it was a time for action.
Without hesitation, he lowered his head and kissed her.
But within seconds, his eyes snapped open. He pulled back, clutching his lip.
"Tch! Senpai, what was that?! You bit me!"
"You deserved it, pervert! Serves you right!"
---
Time passed. A month went by in a blink.
At the Hokage Tower in Konoha...
Danzo sat on a couch, reading a scroll. But his gaze kept drifting to the Hokage's chair.
That seat... someday, it will be mine.
"Bastards. What are you two still doing here?"
He glanced over at Koharu and Homura—his ever-watchful thorns.
He didn't dare get reckless with them here. Still, he had considerable influence over them. For now, that was enough.
"Danzo!"
Just as he was basking in smug satisfaction, a voice echoed from the door—and Danzo nearly flinched.
Shit. That damned monkey—Hiruzen's back?!
The doors burst open, and in stormed his old comrade, anger written all over his face.
For a moment, Danzo felt real fear.
He hadn't forgotten how Root had been surrounded by ANBU last time.
But he quickly steadied himself. What's done is done. Fear was useless now.
He'd prepared thoroughly. Besides, Hiruzen couldn't act rashly—not anymore.
"You're back, Hiruzen?"
Danzo stood, calm and composed, not even bothering to address him as "Hokage."
"How did the talks with Kirigakure go?"
"Talks? You really think that's what I came back to discuss?"
Hiruzen's rage erupted. His voice trembled with fury.
"What the hell have you done, Danzo?! Do you even realize the damage you've caused, you bastard?!"
"Calm down, Hiruzen."
Koharu and Homura quickly stepped in. Honestly, they didn't want to be involved.
They understood both sides.
Yes, Danzo was extreme—but the Uchiha clan was preparing for something.
If they didn't act, would Konoha be labeled weak?
And yet, they understood Hiruzen too. Timing mattered—and Danzo had chosen the worst possible moment to ignite the powder keg.
They stayed silent, caught between loyalty and logic.
"Calm down? How the hell am I supposed to calm down?!"
Hiruzen roared.
"You think blowing up half the village to chase your ambitions is putting the village first?!
We could've still negotiated with the Uchiha, brought them back from the brink. But you—what the hell did you do?!"
"Hmph. I know exactly what I did."
Danzo stood firm. If he showed weakness now, everything he'd built would crumble.
"They're already preparing a coup in broad daylight! Uchiha Itachi is in the ANBU, and he's Fugaku's son. You think he's not passing intel to his father?
They know they're being watched, and they still act like this isn't treason?"
"You think you can still bring them back? You're delusional, Hiruzen!"
Everyone assumed Itachi was leaking info in both directions—a triple agent.
But the Uchiha clan showed no sign of changing course. Instead, they just kept hoarding resources.
At this point, wasn't it obvious they were going to rebel?
Danzo had struck preemptively. And to him, that was justified.
Besides, the mission didn't even go well—he'd failed to acquire Shisui's Mangekyō. Worse, he'd lost his own Sharingan taken from Uchiha Kagami.
But could he say that out loud?
Hell no.
That blast was devastating. Haruta's attack had turned his body to ashes—losing the eye was practically lucky.
So he swallowed his anger, cursing Haruta silently while pretending to be unshaken.
"Even so, that doesn't give you the right to act without approval!"
Hiruzen didn't buy a single word of it. His fists were clenched so tightly they trembled.
"If you keep doing this, the whole village could fall apart!
I told you—the Uchiha are still our people. We could've reformed them. Used them to build something new!
But you… you've done nothing but weaken Konoha!"
Hiruzen didn't want to eliminate the Uchiha.
He wanted to reshape them—to create a "New Uchiha" for the future of Konoha.
Even if they were unstable, their power was undeniable.
If they could raise more shinobi like Shisui or Kagami…
Konoha would soar.
But Danzo had eliminated Shisui.
How could Hiruzen not be furious?
"Konoha doesn't need unstable time bombs like them!"
Danzo barked back, unrepentant.
"You know what our teacher said about them. Stop dreaming.
I've already proven they are the cancer within Konoha. Why won't you accept it?"
"Proven? You call that proof? Don't act like I don't know what you did!
And now we have Haruta. With Wood Release, we have the power to counterbalance them!"
"Temporary peace means nothing. They will rise again."
"Enough, Danzo! I'm the Hokage!"
"You'll regret this, Hiruzen!"
Their voices echoed across the tower, growing louder and louder—neither side willing to back down.
But as Danzo shouted his final words, his face had gone pale.
Again with the "I'm Hokage" line?! Say something new, damn it!
And deep down, he knew—his threats were all bark now. All he could do was throw one last shout as his eyes drifted toward the door.
---
"All right, both of you, that's enough."
A calm voice finally cut through the shouting.
Koharu Utatane couldn't stand the shouting anymore. With a sigh, she stepped forward to stop them.
"There's no point in arguing now. What we need to focus on is how to handle the aftermath."
"She's right. This isn't the time for infighting."
Homura Mitokado nodded, rubbing his temples. He was getting a migraine just standing there.
"Let's deal with what's in front of us. What's done is done. Take it as a warning to the Uchiha."
A warning?
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, forcing down the fury boiling in his chest.
A new Shisui, the next Kagami… and you're calling that a "warning"?
"Where's his body? Where are his eyes, Danzo? Hand them over."
His voice was low, but cold as steel.
"There's nothing left," Danzo replied flatly. "Not even ashes."
That response made Hiruzen laugh. Not because it was funny—but because he didn't know if he wanted to throttle the man or cry.
---
"Sensei, you're back already?"
"You bastard, I've been gone for over a month and that's what you say?!"
Outside the Senju clan compound, Tsunade had Haruta by the collar, roaring in frustration.
Yugao stood awkwardly behind him, forcing an apologetic smile. She hadn't realized how much time had passed either.
"What's with the attitude? You two act like you're not even happy to see me."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, then shoved Haruta back—right into Yugao's side. They stood side by side, flustered under her gaze.
She eyed them carefully, and though she didn't say anything… her expression said it all.
"Hmph! I finally come home and this is the welcome I get? You two disappoint me."
"Come on, Sensei, of course we missed you."
Haruta smiled innocently. On the outside, he was being polite. On the inside, though? He was grieving the end of paradise.
While Tsunade was away, life had been great.
No real ANBU assignments, no lectures, no stress. Danzo had taken all the heat for everything, and Haruta didn't have to lift a finger.
Shisui was quiet and well-behaved after realizing how deep the rabbit hole went. He knew the rules better than Haruta did. All Haruta had to do was occasionally drop off supplies.
Of course, he'd already marked Shisui with the Flying Thunder God seal. No way he was letting that guy run off without backup.
And after that little "Wood Release talk" with Yugao—well, even though their relationship hadn't been defined, it was clearly more intimate now.
He got away with more teasing, more touching, and even though she still guarded herself like a hawk, life was comfortable.
He'd even been daydreaming about giving her back rubs when Tsunade ruined everything by returning.
---
"So," Tsunade said, stretching as she flopped down onto the tatami in her room, "I hear things got exciting while I was gone. Care to explain, Haruta?"
Before he could open his mouth, Yugao cut in.
"Sensei, the village is still investigating. We're not clear on the details ourselves. Information's scarce."
Haruta blinked, glancing at her. Tsunade gave a knowing smile but said nothing—just shook her head.
"Of course you don't know. And I'll bet none of the other clans are digging too hard either."
"…Mm."
Yugao nodded. She'd heard the same thing from Haruta himself. Still, it shocked her that Tsunade already saw through it all.
"Looks like some people are really losing their minds," Tsunade muttered.
That startled Yugao—because Haruta had said nearly the exact same thing.
Haruta, on the other hand, just chuckled. Of course she'd see through it all. Future Fifth Hokage, after all—even if she acted like a lazy dog most of the time.
She'd been shadowing Hiruzen lately too. She probably already knew half the story.
"Maybe," Haruta said softly, "to some people, just being alive is a crime."
Yugao turned to look at him, puzzled.
"They thought if they just stayed quiet, bowed their heads, didn't fight back… they'd be left alone."
"But the truth is, to certain eyes… the mere fact that they exist is the crime."
He didn't name names, but Tsunade understood.
She pursed her lips. "That's not completely fair. They had their own problems too."
She was clearly thinking of her grandfather. Haruta got it.
Tobirama Senju had done terrible things, but he'd listened to Hashirama at least. He hadn't wiped the Uchiha out.
In fact, when Uchiha Setsuna—the original rebel—was arrested, he wasn't executed. He just did some time.
Tobirama even gave the Uchiha the entire Police Force, a department that had military, judicial, and law enforcement power—all but legislative.
But instead of integrating, the Uchiha walled themselves off and turned the whole thing into a self-contained fortress.
Tsunade wasn't wrong—they had made their own mistakes.
Haruta thought they were all just a bunch of lunatics anyway.
Yugao, meanwhile, looked totally lost. Their coded back-and-forth was way above her head.
---
"Anyway, enough of this," Tsunade waved lazily. "Let the old monkey deal with the fallout. It's not our problem."
"Agreed," Haruta nodded. He really didn't want this conversation to go further.
He'd already walked a thin line with Shisui. If they dug any deeper, he might end up being the one with the blade in hand next time.
---
"So how'd the talks go?"
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "After that mess in Konoha? Who had the time?"
She grinned.
"Jiraiya's staying behind for now. And so is the Fourth Mizukage. No way I'm letting that menace back into the village."
"But… Konoha should still keep Jiraiya safe, right?"
Haruta raised an eyebrow. If Jiraiya got stuck in Whirlpool Country, he'd be left without a team leader again!
"Isn't it a waste to leave a legendary Sannin over there?"
"That's up to the old monkey," Tsunade shrugged. "But I doubt he'll keep Jiraiya there long."
She knew Haruta's concerns—but didn't press him. Honestly? She didn't mind.
Haruta was her Senju clan's hidden weapon. If Jiraiya had to cover for him, so be it. That was what comrades did.
Besides, who'd dare punish a Sannin anyway?
---
"Also," she said, stretching again, "I'm taking some time off. You, Yugao, and Shizune are coming with me."
"…Huh?"
Haruta blinked, then smiled.
The village was unstable. Staying put was a bad idea, especially since Tsunade probably sensed that he had something to do with the chaos.
Taking a little "vacation" would cool things down—for everyone's benefit.
And for Haruta?
"Looks like I can finally experiment with the White Zetsu cells."
His eyes glinted with anticipation.
"But more importantly—"
He grinned.
"Time to start grave-digging!"
...
If you wish to read 50+ ahead and support me:
[email protected]/NahinS77
Change @ to a