Chapter 248 — The Arrival of Uzumaki Naruto
Yusuke narrowed his eyes at the Asura Path. A sharp gaze flashed across his face—then, in the next instant, a devastating wave of spiritual pressure burst from his body. The force was overwhelming enough to pulverize the Asura Path in a single moment, reducing it to scattered debris.
"Yusuke-sensei!" Choji shouted, staring at him with absolute admiration.
"Get your father out of here immediately."
Yusuke's tone was calm yet absolute. Just from his voice alone, it was clear his words were not to be questioned. He remained standing in place, not moving even an inch.
"Naruto… that kid still hasn't come back? Do I really need to intervene myself?" Yusuke murmured, staring blankly over the ruined village.
He exhaled softly.
"Tsunade's chakra… it's nearly drained. Looks like the casualties in Konoha are considerable."
His expression didn't change—not even slightly.
"Alright. I'll wait a little longer. If Naruto and Toneri still don't return… then I'll step in. But honestly… all of you stubborn old fools really must have a death wish."
His cold voice echoed lightly, and then—his figure vanished.
…
Inside the Hokage's office, Tsunade stood with a stormy expression.
"You two, stop spitting nonsense!" she snapped at the two senior advisors beside her.
"Do you think I wanted to become Hokage for fun?!"
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane froze in fear.
"W-What are you planning to do, Lady Tsunade?!"
"What else?" Tsunade replied icily. "ANBU! Remove them from my sight!"
She grabbed both elders and threw them harshly to the floor.
"In my opinion? We should just kill them."
A voice drifted from the doorway.
Yusuke walked in with slow, relaxed steps.
"Where the hell have you been?! Why are you only showing up now?!" Tsunade barked, glaring sharply at him.
"I just ran into someone I used to know."
Yusuke shrugged casually.
"But really… it's better if we kill them. There's no benefit in letting them live."
His words drained all color from the two advisors' faces. Their bodies trembled violently.
"That's not allowed, Yusuke!" Hiruzen Sarutobi said as he entered the room.
"You're not Hokage anymore, Sarutobi." Yusuke met Hiruzen's gaze with cold indifference. "And tell me—have these two ever done anything truly beneficial for Konoha?"
"That…" Hiruzen faltered, unable to deny it.
"Fine," Yusuke continued, voice icy. "If you want them alive, then give me something in return."
"…Alright. So long as they are not killed, I will accept whatever condition you set," Hiruzen replied at last, lowering his head.
"Good. Then have these two hand over their entire fortune and every asset they own. And one more thing…"
Yusuke's eyes narrowed.
"The Hokage must send an immediate summons for Danzō. He is to bring all of Root and intercept Pain. I know none of the Root shinobi have stepped onto the battlefield yet."
"What?! That bastard!" Tsunade exploded. "While the village is being destroyed, he chooses to hide?!"
Yusuke smirked faintly.
"Remember? During the last Shinobi World War, he always preached that Root existed to protect Konoha. Well, now that the village is under attack—where is he?"
His voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Go, Hiruzen. Tell Danzō—if he doesn't move… I'll kill him myself."
"…Understood." Hiruzen turned away, shame and fury twisting his expression.
The two advisors could only slouch weakly on the ground.
Their authority came from Tobirama's political inheritance, reinforced by Hiruzen's leniency. Along with Danzō, they had embedded themselves deeply within Konoha's leadership.
Now, their influence crumbled—along with the safety of their families.
"Take these two away," Tsunade said coldly. "I'm sick of looking at them."
…
"What about Kurenai?" Yusuke asked.
"Don't worry. I already moved her to the Sky Island. Your father and Kakashi are there too, so she's safe," Tsunade answered.
Yusuke nodded.
"Good. Tsuna-chan… I'll summon the true body of the Slug Sage soon. Control them and protect every wounded ninja."
"For what purpose?"
"Because Pain is about to use his greatest technique. When he does… Konoha will be completely destroyed."
"You can't stop him?" Tsunade asked, her voice tight.
"I can. But I won't."
Yusuke's expression was empty.
"Even if I disagree with Nagato's ideology, there's one thing he said that's true—only by experiencing pain can one understand suffering. And this time… it's Naruto who must become the savior."
He continued calmly,
"Afterward, spread Naruto's identity across the world."
"Naruto is strong, but what if he loses to Pain?!" Tsunade protested.
Yusuke's lips curled faintly.
"Relax. That's why I ordered Danzō to go first. Let him drain Nagato's chakra. Nagato right now is far healthier than he was in the original timeline—Naruto won't win if he fights him immediately. But once Danzō joins the battle, the tide will shift."
"What about the villagers?" Tsunade asked again.
"They'll be fine. But they need to… die once."
Yusuke said it so casually it chilled the air.
"What do you mean?" Tsunade stared in confusion.
"Just stay in this office and don't interfere. Let things unfold the way they must. I guarantee—after this, Konoha will rise stronger and more prosperous than before."
Tsunade fell silent.
No matter how insane Yusuke's words sounded… he had never been wrong before.
She chose to trust him completely.
…
Far away, Nagato sat pale and shaking.
"Nagato, are you alright? What happened?" Konan asked anxiously.
"Hatake Yusuke has returned."
Nagato's voice was heavy.
"He killed the Human Path and Asura Path effortlessly."
"He deceived us…" Konan whispered, brows furrowed.
"No. I don't think that's it. Yusuke wouldn't do something like that without purpose. But with the situation as it is… we have no choice but to use that technique. After that, we retreat immediately. The Nine-Tails Jinchūriki isn't in the village."
"If you use that technique, your life force will be drastically reduced!" Konan protested.
"There is no other way. If not… we won't escape."
He ordered the Animal Path to summon the remaining Six Paths back. After absorbing their chakra, the Deva Path slowly rose into the sky.
"Feel true suffering," its cold voice thundered throughout the air.
The sky darkened.
The wind ceased.
Then, without warning—
"Chō—Shinra Tensei!"
A blinding flash erupted, followed by an immense gravitational shockwave radiating outward from the center of Konoha.
Everything—houses, trees, towers, walls—was ripped apart and hurled away, disintegrating in moments.
"T-That… that's not human!" a villager screamed.
From the outskirts, the people could only watch helplessly as their home vanished, swallowed in an instant.
Before long, Konoha disappeared from the earth's surface.
A great village—one of the Five Kage strongholds—flattened by the power of a single man.
…
Moments after the destruction, many of the surviving shinobi emerged from the protective body of the Slug Sage.
"W-Where are we?" one shinobi muttered shakily.
"Is this… Konoha?"
They looked around—eyes widening in horror.
Every direction showed only rubble, ash, and devastation.
"Is this… real?" Sakura whispered, disbelief in her voice.
Then, with sudden determination, she shouted—
"Naruto!"
In the center of the ruins, a massive Summoning Seal lit up. A deep rumble echoed across the field as three giant toads appeared—two human figures standing atop them.
…
Uzumaki Naruto had arrived.
Ōtsutsuki Toneri stood beside him.
Naruto looked around, his face turning pale.
"This… is Konoha?"
"No mistake about it. This is Konoha," Fukasaku replied heavily.
Even he hadn't expected the village to be reduced to nothing.
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