Time passed quickly. More than half a month had gone by since the Konoha Crush Plan.
For Orochimaru, the outcome had been neither victory nor defeat. In the original timeline, Sarutobi Hiruzen had taken his arms, but now, with Uchiha Kenya manipulating events, Orochimaru's situation was… complicated.
He had already received word that Kenya had returned to Konoha, and for the moment, he had no intention of targeting the village again. More importantly, he had no desire to become enemies with Kenya.
It wasn't fear of strength alone—though Kenya was formidable. It was his mind. His schemes ran deeper than Orochimaru's own. Even when facing Hiruzen at his peak, Orochimaru hadn't felt such caution.
Both Sarutobi and Danzō were masters of manipulation, yet in Orochimaru's eyes, their craft was but a fraction of Kenya's.
Still, his ambitions remained. Uchiha Sasuke was too valuable a vessel to abandon. Orochimaru planned to send the Sound Four, led by Kimimaro, to bring Sasuke to him.
But one question haunted him: would Kenya intervene to protect Sasuke, the last of his clan?
Just as he hesitated, something unexpected happened—Sasuke came to him. On his own.
And not only that… he had found Orochimaru's hidden base, a feat few could manage. Orochimaru relocated constantly, never remaining in one location for more than a month, to avoid pursuit.
"Let me test my new strength," Sasuke said coldly, stepping forward.
The Sound Four bristled.
"Don't think that just because Lord Orochimaru favors you, you can act so arrogant!"
Infuriated, three of them lunged—Kimimaro alone held back.
Minutes later, the dim base echoed with the cries of defeat. The Sound Four lay broken at Sasuke's feet, writhing on the ground. His Three Tomoe Sharingan glowed with a sinister light.
Kimimaro remained still, watching silently.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. So much growth in just half a month… this power feels reminiscent of Uchiha Kenya himself.
He smiled, lips curling into a thin line. "Impressive, Sasuke-kun. My vision was not wrong."
Sasuke's gaze was sharp, his tone icy. "So? How do you plan to make me stronger? By stealing my body? As long as you can give me the strength to kill Itachi, I don't care."
Orochimaru chuckled. "You've grown, but you're still not ready to endure my rebirth. Come with me."
Sasuke frowned but followed in silence.
Inside, Orochimaru's thoughts spun. Did Kenya send him here? What is your game, Uchiha Kenya?
Hiruzen had died as a hero—yet in despair and regret. Orochimaru had no intention of sharing that fate.
Konoha, mid-July.
The air was hot and heavy, though for Kenya, it was still far more comfortable than the blistering desert winds of Sunagakure or the suffocating humidity of Kirigakure.
At Konoha's main gate, the welcoming party waited—Nara Shikaku, Kakashi, and other senior shinobi.
Kenya and Tsunade remained in the Hokage Building.
An Anbu operative suddenly appeared, kneeling. "Hokage-sama, Lord Kenya. The delegations from Sunagakure and Kirigakure have arrived. Shikaku and the others are escorting them now."
Kenya's eyes flickered with amusement. "Both arrived together? What a coincidence."
Tsunade adjusted the Hokage's hat, her usual casual air vanishing as she adopted the commanding presence of the Fifth.
Soon, outside the Hokage Building, the leaders of three great villages stood face to face.
"Teacher!" Temari called, her face alight with joy. Were it not for the formality of the occasion, she would have rushed into Kenya's arms.
Kenya gave her a warm smile.
Then a familiar, lilting laugh rang out.
"My, my… to think the great Aizen-sama, who once aided us in reclaiming Kirigakure's true identity, was none other than you. You really did deceive us all."
Terumi Mei's eyes glittered with amusement as she studied him.
Kenya replied with his trademark composed smile. "Circumstances forced my hand, Mizukage-sama. It was nothing more than necessity."
"Is that so?" Terumi Mei leaned her cheek against one hand, her manicured finger tracing playfully along the corner of her lips. "Then perhaps you can explain to me your answer back then?"
Temari's expression darkened, her eyes blazing at Mei. This woman was insufferable!
"Enough chatter. Let's go inside."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, stepping in to cut the tension. She shot Kenya a sidelong glance full of disdain. This kid hides behind masks, but he's no saint either.
And with that, the Three Shadows stepped into the Hokage's hall, where history was about to shift.