*The Hidden Rock Village*
"Holy crap, this thing is HUGE!"
The girl gasped in awe at the monstrous figure standing in the center of the underground training ground, its face covered in a grotesque white bony mask.
"But damn, it's ugly.This has zero artistic value," the blond boy beside her muttered, wrinkling his nose. He shot a glance at the old man behind them. "Old man Ōnoki, what the hell did you even buy this thing for?"
"Hmph. To give that old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi a little 'surprise' next year, of course," Ōnoki sneered, tilting his head up. "This is our village's secret weapon—keep it quiet for now."
"I could take down Konoha all by myself! We don't need this junk!" The blond boy, Deidara, scowled, his face darkening.
"You're still too naive, Deidara," Ōnoki sighed, shaking his head. "The Leaf Village isn't as simple as you think."
"I heard they've got some crazy prodigy this time… his name's Hayashi Yuto or something?" The dark-haired girl, Kurotsuchi the Tsuchikage's granddaughter, blinked.
"Exactly, Kurotsuchi." Ōnoki's expression turned grave. "According to our intel, Hiruzen even recalled Tsunade from retirement just to train this kid."
"Tch. Some 'prodigy'!" Deidara scoffed, his lips curling into a sneer. "Just watch, old man! When I get my hands on him, I'll blow him up so badly that even dogs won't recognize him!"
"Don't forget our real objective, Deidara," Kurotsuchi said sternly.
"What's the problem? I can handle both!" Deidara smirked, then rolled his eyes. "And quit acting all high and mighty—it's disgusting."
"Deidara, you little—!" Kurotsuchi's vein bulged in fury.
"Enough." Ōnoki's voice cut through like ice, halting their usual bickering. "Both of you, get out. Rest up while you can. Next spring… It's life or death with Konoha."
"Hmph."
The two teens snorted in unison and stormed out of the training ground, leaving Ōnoki alone beneath the stone statue of the First Tsuchikage.
"Madara Uchiha… did you ever imagine that even a humble village like ours would one day crush Konoha?" he murmured to the silent monument.
*Konoha, Underground Hideout.*
The members of the "Classmate Association" huddled around a circular table, scrutinizing a list of names.
"Even Kirigakure is sending people for the Chunin Exams this time?" Shikamaru rested his chin on his hand, frowning. "And they've even got seasoned ninja mixed in. They're dead serious about winning."
"That's cheating! That's straight-up cheating!" Naruto yelled.
"Shut it, idiot," Sasuke deadpanned. "If anyone's cheating, it's Konoha for sending in Yuto."
"True," Shikamaru sighed. "Other villages are just tossing firecrackers into a pond. Yuto? He turns the pond into the depths of hell."
"Is Hayashi Yuto really that strong?" A calm, skeptical voice cut in.
It came from a black-haired boy standing in the corner—Neji Hyūga. His pale gray eyes fixed on Shikamaru.
Hinata had invited him earlier that day, handing him a "Shinobi World Reformation Plan" pamphlet.
Neji was floored.
The analysis of "clan politics" in the document resonated with him deeply. Like the others, stepping into this secret hideout had blown his mind.
How could a kid younger than him orchestrate something this massive under the Hokage's nose?!
Compared to Yuto, his own "genius" title felt like a joke.
Respect.
He had to admit—Yuto's intellect, strategy, and execution were leagues beyond his own.
But now… was this guy a monster in combat too?
"You just finished the mock battle with us. How would you rate Shisui's strength?" Shikamaru countered with a smirk.
"Unfathomable," Neji admitted.
Even fighting together, they hadn't so much as grazed Shisui's sleeve. Yet, he'd pinpointed each of their flaws effortlessly.
The gap wasn't just wide—it was dimensional. To Shisui, they were less than specks of dust.
"Actually, Shisui was suppressing 99% of his spiritual pressure during that fight," Shikamaru said quietly.
"Spiritual pressure?" Neji raised an eyebrow.
"Think of it as chakra," Sasuke clarified. "Or, to put it bluntly—he was using 1% of his real power."
"Wha—?!" Neji's breath hitched.
He'd considered himself on par with a full-fledged ninja. But these "Classmate Association" members were all stronger than him… and they couldn't touch a 1% Shisui?!
Even the Hokage couldn't be this strong… right?
"According to Shisui, among the Espada—the artificial beings created by Yuto—he's only ranked third," Shikamaru added. "So even if Yuto's weaker than them, it's not by much."
"I… see," Neji swallowed hard, finally grasping the scale.
"Shisui's the '3' in the Espada. I saw the tattoo on his neck," Sakura mused. "I wonder who the top two are?"
"Probably some three-headed, six-armed, fanged monstrosity!" Naruto guessed.
"Fruits are here, everyone~" A cheerful voice sang out as a red-haired woman—Kushina—glided into view, placing a fruit platter on the table.
Silence.
Every eye locked onto the lovely redhead, too stunned to speak.
"M… Mom?" Naruto croaked.
"That's right, sweetie," Kushina patted his head, with a motherly smile. "It's been years. Tonight, we'll have a nice, long… talk at home."
Then, everyone saw it—the bold "1" etched on the back of her hand.
The room went deathly quiet again.
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