belamy20

351-355

Added 2025-06-27 16:49:08 +0000 UTC

Chapter 351: The Supreme Ruler of the Shinobi World

"Sis, isn’t this a bit… excessive? It looks like we’re celebrating a royal wedding or something!"

Yoru couldn’t help but smirk as he took in the scene.

The entire Kirigakure was decked out in red banners and lanterns. Mei Terumī, dressed in a stunning crimson robe, stood at the village gates like a radiant bride welcoming her groom.

"Nonsense! These are the heroes who defended our homeland! They deserve a grand welcome!" Mei shot him a glare, as if to say, Can’t you be serious for once?

Yoru shrugged. "This is just who I am. Doubt I’ll change."

After the ceremony—rewards, speeches, the usual formalities—Yoru strode into the Water Daimyo’s court and issued a decree that sent shockwaves across the shinobi world:

"Deploy the Four Armies. Occupy the Land of Waves, the Land of Rainbows, the Land of Tides… and seven others."

"Any resistance will be met with annihilation."

"Their daimyo will renounce their titles and swear fealty to Water Country. From this day forward, they shall be known as ‘Governors’—ruling under our sovereignty."

He titled this proclamation: "The Edict of Conquest."

The moment the order was given, Water Country’s armies roared in approval, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

But beyond the borders? Panic.

The smaller nations—Waves, Tides, Rainbows—were thrown into chaos. Was this the beginning of total domination?

If Yoru succeeded, Water Country’s territory would expand tenfold, its influence stretching across half the shinobi world. Every major sea route would fall under his control.

Already, the Economic Alliance had made Water Country a financial titan. Now, with outright annexation, its landmass would surpass Lightning and Fire, trailing only Earth and Wind.

But in power?

Unrivaled.

Militarily. Economically. Soon, technologically.

Like it or not, Water Country had become the supreme superpower.

And the worst part?

The other great nations were too busy fighting their own wars to stop him.

Some even wondered—had Yoru planned this all along?

Why else would he have recruited foreign talents just before launching his conquest?

This wasn’t retaliation. This was a calculated takeover.

Meanwhile, Across the Shinobi World…

Kumogakure

The Fourth Raikage and Killer B had ended their battle, sealing the Third Raikage and subduing the former Seven-Tails and Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.

Casualties: 108 dead, 1,380 wounded.

A light toll for a war—but for a village still recovering from Yoru’s past assaults, it was a heavy blow.

They had, however, captured Hama the Traitor—and planned to extract every secret from his skull.

Konohagakure

The hardest-hit of all.

Facing the strongest enemy lineup—Hashirama, Tobirama, Minato, Danzō, Kushina, Sakumo—Konoha had been pushed to the brink.

Without Hashirama’s miraculous intervention, the village would have fallen.

Even now, the wounded overflowed the hospitals.

Only Sakura’s summoning of Katsuyu—and Tsunade’s frantic healing—prevented total collapse.

Iwagakure

"I didn’t expect you of all people to show up."

Ōnoki eyed the newcomers with suspicion and grudging respect.

Sasuke Uchiha. Itachi Uchiha. Kakuzu. Hidan.

"Don’t get the wrong idea," Hidan sneered, jerking a thumb at Itachi. "We’re just here because this guy called in a favor."

Ōnoki turned to Itachi, waiting for an explanation.

"My clan is here. That’s all."

Itachi’s voice was ice, but his eyes—when they landed on Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha—flickered with regret.

"Father. Mother. I…"

For the first time in his life, Itachi Uchiha’s voice cracked.

Mikoto smiled softly. "Foolish child. You did nothing wrong."

Then, her gaze shifted to Sasuke. "And look at you… all grown up."

Sasuke couldn’t stop the tears.

But not everyone was forgiving.

"Enough talk, Itachi! Face your judgment!"

The Uchiha clansmen seethed with rage.

Only Fugaku, Mikoto, Shisui, and one other—Izumi—had ever understood him.

Izumi, who should have been Sasuke’s sister-in-law…

Izumi, who died by Itachi’s hand on that bloody night.

Chapter 352: Uchiha vs. Uchiha

"Traitor! You dared slaughter your own clan—now it’s our turn for revenge!"

"Brothers, attack! Kill this disgrace to the Uchiha!"

"KILL HIM—!!"

A swarm of Uchiha clansmen charged at Uchiha Itachi, their fury igniting the air.

"Itachi… be careful. I can’t control myself!"

Even Uchiha Mikoto, his mother, lunged forward with tears in her eyes.

And Uchiha Fugaku, silent until now, moved like a shadow—cold, relentless.

"Susano'o."

Thanks to Yoru’s treatment, Itachi’s body could now withstand the strain of the Mangekyō Sharingan’s ultimate technique.

Though his eyes had once belonged to Uchiha Shisui, their hue had shifted—from crimson to a piercing amber-gold.

Yet, despite losing his original eyes, his Susano'o still wielded its legendary weapons:

Totsuka Blade, the sealing sword of myth.

Yata Mirror, the absolute shield.

(No Amaterasu? No matter. The Susano'o was enough.)

"HAAH—!"

A single swing of the Totsuka Blade sent Uchiha clansmen flying—bisected at the waist.

"Heh… think you can kill us so easily now, Itachi?"

The severed Uchiha laughed, their bodies already reforming.

"We’re immortal! Let’s play!"

"Fools."

Uchiha Sasuke watched with pity.

"Amaterasu."

His violet Susano'o erupted from the earth, its spear wreathed in black flames.

"DIE—!"

The spear swept through the Uchiha ranks—bodies hurled skyward, engulfed in inextinguishable fire.

"RETREAT—!!"

"What the hell is this fire?! It won’t go out!"

"AAAGH—IT BURNS!"

"Damn it! Both brothers have Susano'o?! Don’t engage head-on—flank them!"

The Uchiha forces scrambled, their confidence shattered.

But then—

"W-what’s happening?! My body—!"

Those struck by Itachi’s Totsuka Blade suddenly froze, their souls sucked into the gourd on his Susano'o’s back.

"No… that’s the Totsuka Blade! Don’t let it hit you—it seals everything it cuts!"

"WHAT?!"

Panic spread. The Uchiha ranks broke formation, scrambling back.

"Running? Pathetic."

Sasuke’s spear shattered the ground, sending another wave flying.

But then—

"Katon: Gōryūka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique)!"

Fugaku appeared before Sasuke, unleashing a firestorm that turned the battlefield into an inferno.

"Tch—!"

Sasuke barely raised his Yata Mirror in time—the impact quaked his Susano'o, heat searing his skin.

"Amaterasu!"

Black flames erupted on Fugaku’s body.

"Forgive me… Father."

A single punch from the Susano'o sent Fugaku cratering into the earth.

But Mikoto was already upon him—her strikes merciless.

This time…

Sasuke couldn’t bring himself to attack.

"Stay back—!"

He blocked with the Yata Mirror, then—

"Genjutsu: Shackling Stare."

His Eternal Mangekyō’s illusion froze Mikoto mid-motion.

"Brother! Now—!"

He yelled at Itachi—seal her while she’s vulnerable!

But then—

"No need, Sasuke."

Mikoto broke free, smiling softly.

"Seeing you both again… I have no regrets."

White light enveloped her—the Edo Tensei unraveling.

(When a soul finds peace, it can reject the reanimation.)

"Take care of each other… my sons."

Her spirit ascended, fading into the sky.

"M-Mother…!"

Sasuke collapsed to his knees, tears streaming.

"Sasuke. Grief is inevitable."

Fugaku reappeared—but this time, no hostility.

"You’ve grown. Not as gifted as Itachi… but your will is stronger."

A rare smile.

"I’m proud to call you my son."

Sasuke stared, stunned.

(Since when did his father praise him?)

"Protect the Uchiha name. Live… for yourself."

Fugaku’s body glowed white.

"I’ll join your mother now. Farewell."

And like Mikoto—he was gone.

"Tch. Useless."

From the shadows, Hyōki (the orchestrator) sneered.

(He’d hoped Fugaku and Mikoto would ravage Iwagakure—but Sasuke ruined everything.)

No matter. The rest of the Uchiha would suffice.

Final Line (Hyōki’s POV):

*"If only I’d reinforced control with Hashirma Cells…!"*

*(A nod to the Edo Tensei’s weakness—strong-willed souls can break free.)*

Chapter 353: The Ultimate Weapon, Uchiha Itachi

"Damn, Itachi was hiding such terrifying power all along? No wonder even Pain feared him back in the day!"

Kakuzu’s green eyes narrowed as he took in the scene before shifting his gaze to the man in front of him.

"Hanzō of the Salamander… This pitiful state of yours is unworthy of the legend you once were."

In terms of age, Kakuzu was no younger than Hanzō—in fact, he was far older.

And so, he had witnessed Hanzō at his peak.

That overwhelming presence, that arrogance that once dominated the battlefield—none of it remained in the broken, weary man before him now.

"Kakuzu… I never expected you to still be alive."

"But if you think you’re a match for me, you’re sorely mistaken."

Hanzō’s pride was unshaken. Even now, he showed no fear.

"We’ll see about that."

Kakuzu’s eyes glinted as he glanced at Hidan. "Let’s go."

"Got it!"

Hidan licked his lips, hefted his scythe, and charged.

Ōnoki’s Side

"Lord Tsuchikage, what do we—?"

The Iwa-nin hesitated, watching as Uchiha Itachi and his allies—now de facto comrades—tore through the battlefield. Their eyes flicked to Ōnoki for orders.

"Leave them be for now. Focus on the enemies in front of us!"

"Tsuchi, Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi—each of you lead a squad to intercept Rōshi and Hān! Fujimura, handle the remaining reanimated forces!"

"Iwata, you take on Jōki Bōi. Watch out for his Explosion Release!"

"As for me…"

Ōnoki’s gaze locked onto the bandaged figure before him.

"I’ll deal with you… Second Tsuchikage-sama."

"I look forward to it."

The Second Tsuchikage, Mū, didn’t hesitate—his body blurred as he retreated at blinding speed.

Uchiha Itachi’s Side

CLANG!

Even Itachi, invincible in his Susanoo, finally met his match.

"Long time no see, Itachi."

Uchiha Shisui stood before him, his own emerald Susanoo clashing against Itachi’s.

Of course—the only thing that could stop a Susanoo was another Susanoo.

"Shisui… It’s been a while."

Itachi’s voice carried a quiet weight before hardening.

"But we’ll catch up later. Right now, I have people to save."

Shisui smirked.

"Then hit me with your genjutsu—Kotoamatsukami."

"You inherited my eyes. You know what they can do. Free me, and I’ll help you."

Itachi paused—then nodded.

His right eye flashed.

Shisui’s pupils contracted.

And in an instant—

He broke free.

"You bastard!"

Hei-san’s rage boiled over.

His perfect pawn, Uchiha Shisui—gone. Just like that.

All the advantages he’d painstakingly built for Iwagakure—shattered by Uchiha Itachi.

"Itachi, handle him. I’ll hold off our clansmen."

The moment Shisui regained control, he took over Itachi’s role, blocking the charging Uchiha clan members.

Their curses rained down on him.

"Traitor!"

"You’re siding with that defector?!"

But Shisui didn’t flinch.

"Shit!"

Hei-san’s face paled as Itachi’s crimson Susanoo barreled toward him.

He scrambled back, desperately yanking Hanzō’s reanimated body as a shield.

But he’d underestimated Itachi.

A single glance from Itachi’s left eye—

And a visible wave of spiritual energy invaded Hei-san’s mind, seizing control.

(He’d given his right eye to Sasuke, losing Amaterasu—but Tsukuyomi remained.)

The moment Tsukuyomi took hold, Hei-san knew he was doomed.

The World of Tsukuyomi

Bound to a cross, surrounded by a hellscape of black and crimson—

Itachi stood before him, coldly driving a blade into his chest.

"Welcome to my world."

"Here, seventy-two hours pass in a single second. So take your time… and enjoy."

"Of course, if you tell me how to undo Edo Tensei, I’ll let you go."

"Go to hell! I’ll never talk!" Hei-san spat.

"Is that so?"

Itachi’s voice was ice.

"Then we’ll do this the hard way."

STAB.

Over and over—

A machine of torment.

Hei-san’s screams filled the void.

Real World

A second later—

Hei-san collapsed, drenched in sweat, gasping.

Itachi’s hands moved in a blur.

"Edo Tensei—RELEASE!"

Light erupted across the battlefield as every reanimated soul was torn from their vessels, ascending to the afterlife.

"Tch. And here I was starting to have fun."

Hidan scowled as Hanzō’s spirit vanished.

"Finally… It’s over."

Ōnoki exhaled in relief. Any longer, and Iwagakure would’ve been doomed.

"Let’s go."

Itachi turned to Sasuke, Kakuzu, and Hidan.

"Hmph. Boring. Don’t drag us into your mess next time."

Kakuzu’s voice dripped with disdain.

"Watch your mouth."

Sasuke’s Sharingan flared.

"You wanna go, brat?"

"Enough."

Itachi cut in, leading Sasuke away.

"We’re leaving."

Kakuzu motioned to Hidan, and the two vanished—leaving the Iwa-nin in stunned silence.

"No time to stand around. We still have enemies to deal with!"

Ōnoki shook off his confusion. Questions could wait.

The battle wasn’t over yet.

Chapter 354: The Strongest Puppet Master

"Charge!"

Facing the last remaining army of several thousand White Zetsu, Ōnoki led the Iwa-nin in their final assault.

…

Sunagakure (Hidden Sand Village)!

The situation here was dire—and now, two unexpected guests had arrived.

"Sasori… It’s really you!"

Chiyo stared at the cold, red-haired young man before her, her voice trembling with disbelief.

"Chiyo-baa-chan… Long time no see."

Sasori of the Red Sand lifted his gaze slightly, glancing at Chiyo before turning to the two figures standing before him—his parents, Kazuo and Mieko.

"Father… Mother… It’s been a while."

For once, the usually expressionless Sasori allowed a faint smile to cross his face.

"Sasori… How are you still so young?!"

Mieko’s face lit up with joy, but confusion quickly followed.

"You turned yourself into a puppet, didn’t you?" Kazuo’s sharp eyes immediately saw through the truth. "Your puppet mastery has reached that level already?"

"Eternal art is the most beautiful. The limitations of a mortal body held me back… so I remade myself."

Sasori’s fingers twitched, unfurling a scroll. With a single hand seal, a deafening "BANG!" echoed as countless shadowy figures burst forth. From the core of his chest—marked with the character for *"Sasori" (蠍)*—a storm of chakra threads shot out, connecting to the emerging figures.

When the shadows finally took form, everyone present gasped in horror.

"No… way. How many puppets is that?! How can one person control so many at once?!"

Kankurō stared at the sky, now blotted out by the sheer number of puppets, cold sweat drenching his forehead.

Every ninja knew: The more puppets a master controls, the stronger they are.

But in Kankurō’s world, the absolute limit was ten puppets—after all, a person only has ten fingers.

Yet today, Sasori shattered that belief entirely.

"So this… is the legendary genius of puppetry, Sasori of the Red Sand…"

Many Sand-nin stood frozen, their faces grim. The sheer scale of his power was terrifying. How could anyone possibly defeat him?

"So you finally perfected this technique, huh?" Chiyo murmured, unsurprised.

"I call it… "Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets." With this, I can conquer a small nation." Sasori’s voice was calm. "Father, Mother… Shall we begin?"

"Come at us!" Kazuo and Mieko replied, their expressions a mix of pride and sorrow.

"SWOOSH—!"

In an instant, the sky rained puppets, descending like a storm of blades upon Kazuo and Mieko.

Meanwhile…

"Art… is an EXPLOSION! "Katsu!""**

Deidara, perched atop his clay bird, cackled wildly as he bombarded the White Zetsu forces. The fireworks of destruction thrilled him.

"Art is as fleeting as the stars—beautiful, yet transient!"

He’d originally wanted to jump into other battles—maybe take on the Fourth Kazekage or spar with Karyū.

But Sasori had warned him: "Don’t interfere too much with Sunagakure’s affairs."

So, bombing mindless White Zetsu would have to do.

Thanks to Sasori holding off Kazuo and Mieko, Kankurō, Temari, and Baki were finally free to intercept Pakura.

For the first time, the battle was tilting in Sunagakure’s favor.

"Thank you, Explosion Release user! You’ve been a huge help!"

The Sand-nin shouted their gratitude as Deidara’s bombs sent the White Zetsu scrambling.

"Tch. Don’t flatter yourselves. I’m not here for you—I’m only here because Sasori-no-danna asked."

Whether Sunagakure lived or died meant nothing to him.

If not for the news that his parents had been reanimated, Sasori wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.

Otherwise, the two of them would still be somewhere in the shinobi world, enjoying their freedom.

Back to Sasori…

"SHING!"

"CRACK!"

"BOOM!"

A hundred puppets moved with lethal precision under Sasori’s control—blades flashing, strikes merciless.

The Sand-nin could barely breathe just watching, let alone imagine facing it themselves.

"Even Kazuo and Mieko… are being completely overwhelmed?!"

The two had once been pillars of Sunagakure, their strength rivaling even Hatake Kakashi’s. Together, they could challenge a Kazekage.

Yet now, they were utterly outmatched.

"THUD!"

"GUSH!"

Finally, with two final strikes, Kazuo and Mieko collapsed, their bodies battered beyond repair.

"Sasori… You’ve surpassed us. We’re no match for you now."

Though their bodies slowly regenerated, their fighting spirit was gone. Nearby Sand-nin moved to seal them—

"FWOOSH!"

—But Sasori stopped them. He hadn’t come here to let others lay hands on his parents.

"Is there… a way to keep you here? Permanently?"

His fist clenched slightly, his voice uncharacteristically vulnerable.

"I… want to see you both a little longer."

For years, he had ached for this moment. Now that it was here, the thought of them disappearing again left him empty.

"Foolish child… We belong to the world of the dead. It’s not right to defy nature."

Mieko struggled against the reanimation’s control, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Sasori… Forgive us for leaving you so young. Getting to see you again… was more than I ever hoped for."

Her voice broke. "I just wish… I could stay… watch you grow…"

Kazuo gripped her hand, looking at Sasori with quiet resolve.

"The rest of your journey is yours to walk alone. It’s time for us to go."

With their final wish fulfilled, Kazuo and Mieko released themselves from the reanimation, their forms dissolving into light.

Chapter 355: You’re Not Worthy

"Tch…"

As he watched his parents' souls ascend, Sasori's fist clenched tightly.

If only they could have stayed a little longer…

"Sasori! I won’t allow you to cause chaos in this village!"

Chiyo’s sharp voice cut through the air. Still locked in battle with Karyū, she glared at him.

"Relax. I have no interest in Sunagakure."

His expression ice-cold again, Sasori turned to Deidara. "We’re leaving."

"Eh? Already, Sasori-no-danna? I was just getting started!"

Deidara pouted, clearly unsatisfied.

"Then stay. I won’t stop you."

"…Nah. Art’s been served for today anyway. Let’s go."

With that, the two vanished as abruptly as they’d arrived.

Neither Sunagakure’s forces nor Genji dared to stop them.

Who had the strength—or the nerve—to stand in Sasori of the Red Sand’s way?

But Genji’s face twisted in fury.

Thanks to Sasori and Deidara’s interference, his forces had been decimated. The tide had turned—Sunagakure was winning.

Yet he couldn’t retreat.

Kagenojō would never forgive failure.

He had no choice but to fight to the bitter end.

Meanwhile…

"Forgive me, Chiyo-sama… for the trouble I’ve caused."

Karyū, finally subdued, spoke softly as the sealing jutsu took hold. "Please… watch over Gaara from now on."

Chiyo nodded solemnly.

Her gaze flickered to Rasa, still locked in combat with Gaara.

"Rasa… you should be grateful for such a devoted wife. Without her, you’d never have held onto the title of Kazekage."

Without Karyū’s influence and goodwill, Rasa’s rule would have crumbled long ago.

"Damn it!"

Genji’s scowl deepened as Karyū’s sealing was completed.

Things were spiraling out of control.

"That damn Sasori… why’d he have to meddle?!"

If not for him, none of this would’ve happened!

Gaara vs. Rasa

"Gaara… You’ve grown skilled at controlling Shukaku’s power. Good. My training wasn’t wasted."

Rasa’s voice carried a hint of pride.

"Don’t you DARE bring that up— YOU’RE NOT WORTHY! "

Gaara’s calm shattered. Monstrous chakra erupted from him, sand swirling violently.

"You were never a father. You don’t get to judge me!"

Rasa’s twisted "tests" had forced a child to tame a monster.

Because of him, Gaara’s childhood was a nightmare of isolation and bloodshed—even his beloved uncle, Yashamaru, had died by his hands in a grief-stricken rage.

Because of him, Gaara had become a demon feared by his own siblings.

"I am your father. Of course I’m worthy." Rasa crossed his arms, unmoved.

"I said you’re NOT— SABAKU FŪSA! "

The desert itself roared to life, a tidal wave of sand crashing toward Rasa.

"Hmph. Pathetic."

A golden shield of Gold Dust effortlessly blocked the assault.

"Oh?"

Gaara’s fingers twitched—and the ground beneath Rasa erupted, swallowing him whole in a crushing vortex.

"You can control two sand streams at once?!"

Rasa’s eyes widened briefly before he scoffed. "But sand can’t hold me. My Gold Dust is superior!"

"BREAK—!"

His chakra exploded outward—yet the sand refused to yield.

"It’s useless, Father."

Gaara’s voice was colder than the desert night. "I mixed your Gold Dust into the sand. Its defense is now several times stronger. In your weakened state, you can’t escape."

"And even if you could… I’ve laced it with Shukaku’s sealing power. You’ll be sealed regardless."

Rasa stared at his son in disbelief.

Since when did Gaara fight with strategy over brute force?

What had happened after his death to change him so much?

"Now disappear."

Gaara crushed his fist—and the sand collapsed inward, sealing Rasa away.

"I’ve… never seen Lord Kazekage this furious. Just how much does he hate the Fourth?" murmured a stunned Sand-nin.

Genji’s Last Stand

"Got you, boy."

With Karyū dealt with, Chiyo moved like lightning—her chakra threads already coiled around Genji before he could react.

"Tch! You think it’ll be this easy?!"

He tried to wrench free—but his body refused to obey.

"W-What?! Why can’t I move?!"

"Ohohoho~ Young man, I’ve done nothing but turn you into my puppet." Chiyo’s smile was deceptively sweet. "Once my threads take hold, struggling is pointless."

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Now, two choices: