Konoha Village
Five years ago, following the infamous Fourth Kazekage Incident, Konoha had paid Sunagakure an enormous amount of compensation.
The sum wasn't enough to bankrupt the village, but it had still dealt a heavy blow to Konoha's economy. It took years of recovery before the village finally returned to its current prosperity.
Inside the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen calmly practiced calligraphy, brush strokes steady and deliberate.
Suddenly—
"It's bad! Hokage-sama!"
A ninja burst through the door in a panic, dragging a civilian behind him.
Hiruzen sighed and set his brush down.
"What is it this time?" he asked calmly.
"…Did Naruto cause trouble again?"
"He—he painted graffiti all over the previous Hokages' stone faces!"
"…Sigh."
Hiruzen pinched the bridge of his nose.
Outside, several black shadows leapt swiftly across the rooftops.
Twelve-year-old Uzumaki Naruto dashed through the streets, goggles perched on his forehead, laughter echoing behind him as multiple shinobi chased in frustration.
"Stop right there!"
Naruto ducked into an alley with a mischievous grin.
"Hahaha! You'll never catch me!"
He didn't notice the man standing behind him—
A shinobi with a scar across his nose, veins bulging on his forehead.
"HEY—NARUTO!"
"Wah?!"
Naruto yelped and fell flat onto the ground.
"What's with the yelling all of a sudden, Iruka-sensei?!"
Iruka crossed his arms, glaring.
"I'd like to ask you that! What are you doing during class hours?!"
Ninja Academy
Naruto was tied up and placed at the front of the classroom while Umino Iruka lectured furiously.
"Listen carefully, Naruto! You already failed the graduation exam once—once!"
"This is not the time for pranks, idiot!"
Seated in the classroom were the familiar faces of Naruto's generation.
Aside from Rock Lee, Neji Hyūga, and Tenten, the remaining members of the Konoha Twelve were all present.
In this world, the Uchiha clan had never been exterminated.
As a result, Uchiha Sasuke didn't carry the same icy detachment—but the unmistakable pride of the Uchiha clan still showed clearly on his face.
Female students frequently glanced his way.
After all, his looks alone drew attention.
His goal, however, had changed.
No longer revenge.
Now, he sought to bring Uchiha Itachi back to the clan.
That was his brother.
He refused to accept a reality where the pride of the Uchiha became a missing-nin.
Meanwhile — Land of the Heavens (Ten no Kuni)
A small nation on the fringes of the Land of Fire.
Originally, it had no ninja village at all. Any missions had to be submitted to the Fire Country, with Konoha dispatching shinobi as needed.
Two years ago, however, a mysterious group arrived.
They bribed the local daimyo and established a small village known as Gensō Ninja Village.
The scale was tiny.
The number of shinobi was limited.
None of the Five Great Ninja Villages paid it any attention.
After all, Ten no Kuni focused on agriculture and fishing, showing no ambition whatsoever.
Spies from every major village were sent in.
None found anything unusual.
What no one realized—
Was that far beneath the surface, a massive underground base had already been constructed.
This was the headquarters personally ordered by Namikaze Kirito.
Its name—
Gensōkyō.
Over the past five years, Gensōkyō had expanded rapidly.
Genin without backing.
Missing-nin from every village.
Orphans possessing rare bloodlines.
All were absorbed.
And Kirito, as leader, ensured every member was rewarded handsomely.
With Orochimaru handling research and Yakushi Kabuto managing intelligence and logistics, maintaining control was effortless.
For five full years, not a single village or organization uncovered the truth.
Underground Laboratory
Machines hummed softly.
Orochimaru and Kabuto observed carefully as Namikaze Kirito lay on the experimental platform.
Suddenly—
Kirito sat up.
The boy from five years ago was gone.
In his place stood a fully grown young man.
His attire remained simple, but his physique had matured completely.
Fiery red hair tied back in a loose ponytail.
Nearly 1.9 meters tall.
A white shirt worn open, exposing a powerful chest.
A long black coat draped behind him.
His sharp, resolute features carried a presence that could enthrall anyone.
He flexed his body, feeling the changes.
Five years.
The Blackbeard Template had unlocked 45%.
Chakra reserves far beyond Kage-level.
Physical development at 40%
Armament Haki awakened.
This level of strength had already surpassed ordinary Kage.
Though still below Six Paths—
It was undeniably within the realm of a Shinobi God.
Kirito extended his hand.
Wood erupted violently.
Massive trees burst through the wall, tearing it apart and leaving behind a crater.
Orochimaru and Kabuto observed with unconcealed satisfaction.
The cells of Senju Hashirama had fused perfectly.
This was not Yamato's weakened version.
This was true Wood Release—
The power that suppressed eras of chaos.
"…Looks like we succeeded."
Kirito smiled faintly.
Five years had not been wasted.
And what pleased him even more—
Orochimaru had recently discovered a method to deceive the Shinigami.
His parents could finally be resurrected—completely.
"You've all worked hard," Kirito said calmly.
Orochimaru laughed softly.
What shocked Kabuto most was Orochimaru's eyes—
Gone were the serpent pupils.
In their place...
Scarlet Sharingan, three tomoe spinning slowly.
Two years ago, a rogue Uchiha had been located.
Using Kirito's power, the Sharingan had been integrated perfectly.
Not surgically transplanted like Kakashi's—
But fully assimilated.
Freely activated.
Capable of growth.
Orochimaru now possessed the Sharingan as though he were born with it.
How could he not be delighted?
"Boss," Kabuto asked, "now that Wood Release is complete… should we proceed to the next phase?"
Kirito turned calmly.
"The thing I asked you to prepare?"
Kabuto nodded and produced a crystal sphere.
A ninjutsu device he personally developed.
Images flickered inside—
Scenes of Naruto's life in Konoha.
Isolation. Mockery. Loneliness.
Five years' worth of suffering.
Kirito's gaze darkened.
The next stage...
had begun.
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