301-305

Chapter 301: You're Too Weak, Naruto  

When Jiraiya spotted Sasuke trailing behind Yoru, his eyes narrowed sharply.  

"Why did you bring Sasuke here? You’re not planning to cause trouble in Konoha, are you?"  

His tone had already turned hostile.  

"Cause trouble? Hah, maybe. So, are you going to leave us standing at the gates, or are we welcome inside?"  

Yoru met Jiraiya’s glare with an easy smile.  

"I’ll be watching you. Step out of line, and I won’t hold back."  

Reluctantly, Jiraiya let them pass.  

News of Sasuke’s return spread fast—Naruto came sprinting the moment he heard.  

"SASUKE!!"  

"You’re finally back! Are you okay?!"  

Beaming, Naruto rushed forward—only for Sasuke’s sword to block his path.  

"Sasuke…?"  

Naruto blinked, confused by the icy indifference on his friend’s face.  

"Naruto…"  

Sasuke’s Sharingan spun unconsciously, evolving before their eyes—from one tomoe straight to Mangekyō. Jiraiya’s breath hitched.  

"I came here for one reason."  

A flicker of conflict crossed Sasuke’s face before he tore off his forehead protector and threw it at Naruto.  

"From today onward, we’re strangers. Act like you never knew me."  

"I, Uchiha Sasuke, am no longer a shinobi of Konoha."  

As he spoke, his eyes transformed again.  

"This is—!"  

Jiraiya stared at Sasuke’s Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, equal parts stunned and wary. He’d never seen this form before—but the chilling, malevolent aura rolling off Sasuke set every instinct on edge.  

"What the hell are you saying, Sasuke?! This has to be a joke!"  

Naruto’s voice wavered between forced laughter and desperation. "You’d never leave Konoha! Sakura’s still waiting for you! And the Hokage, Kakashi-sensei—none of them ever treated you like a traitor—"  

"Shut up, Naruto. My decision’s made."  

Sasuke’s voice was steel. "I have no ties to Konoha anymore."  

"I’ve found my purpose. I’ve gained power far beyond any of you. Staying in this village… means nothing now."  

His eyes reverted to normal.  

"Sasuke, what the hell’s gotten into you?! Why would you leave?! Sakura’s—"  

"I don’t care. Even if I have to break your legs to do it, I’m dragging you back! That’s my promise to Sakura—"  

CRACK.  

Naruto’s words died as a hand clamped around his throat, slamming him into the ground.  

Sasuke loomed over him, three tomoe spinning coldly, lightning crackling across his body.  

"See? This is the difference between us now."  

His grip tightened.  

"You’re too weak to stop me, Naruto."  

Chapter 302: You're No Match For Me  

With a casual wave of his hand, Sasuke sent Naruto flying. "Tell Sakura for me—I'm not worth waiting for. She should give up on me."  

Just as he turned to leave, Naruto's furious roar came from behind: "Like hell I will!"  

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"  

In an instant, the sky filled with Naruto's clones, all charging at Sasuke with Rasengans blazing. The sheer force of the attack even made Yoru raise an eyebrow. "That brat's grown up," he remarked.  

Neither Yoru nor Jiraiya moved to intervene. Instead, they watched with amused interest as the battle unfolded.  

"Naruto, I told you—you're no match for me now."  

Sasuke didn't even flinch. With swift hand seals, crackling lightning erupted from his body.  

"Lightning Release: Chidori Current!"  

A devastating wave of electricity—far more powerful than standard lightning techniques—surged outward, obliterating Naruto's clones in an instant. Pop! Pop! Pop!  

Sword drawn, Sasuke moved like a whirlwind, cutting through the remaining clones with lethal precision. In a flash, he closed the gap between them and locked eyes with Naruto.  

"Genjutsu: Body Binding Technique!"  

Naruto's pupils contracted—his body froze, paralyzed by the illusion.  

"Give it up, Naruto," Sasuke said, sheathing his sword. "Unless you tap into that power inside you, you can't win. No… even if you did, it might not be enough."  

"We're done here. Stay out of my life."  

A swift chop to the neck knocked Naruto unconscious. Sasuke glanced at Yoru, then stood silently at his side like a statue.  

Jiraiya studied Sasuke, intrigued. "You've taught him well this past year. I can sense tremendous power in him—enough to unsettle even me."  

"Perhaps," Yoru shrugged. "But credit where it's due—he put in the work. Though lately, he's had… help in unlocking that strength."  

"Enough chatter. Take me to see the Hokage. I’m looking forward to catching up with old friends."  

Yoru grinned, strolling forward as if he owned the place.  

"Lord Third Hokage, we meet again. Glad to see you're still in good health. The shinobi world needs living legends like you."  

Yoru's greeting landed… awkwardly.  

Was it polite? It sounded like an insult. 

An insult? Not quite.  

Unsurprisingly, the Third Hokage and the other Konoha elders didn’t look thrilled.  

"Oh? Third Tsuchikage’s here too! Long time no see. How’s the back holding up, old man?" Yoru cheerfully asked Ōnoki.  

"I’m perfectly fine, thank you," Ōnoki grumbled, his face souring at the sight of Yoru.  

"So you’re Yoru," a new voice cut in. Tsunade stepped forward, eyes blazing. "Just as reckless as they say. This isn’t your damn Mist Village—show some respect in my territory."  

Chapter 303: I'm Actually a Very Reasonable Person  

Yugito and Reiko’s eyes sharpened instantly—no one got to scold Yoru like that.  

But Yoru raised a hand to stop them. "Well, well. As expected of Hashirama’s granddaughter—you’ve inherited his boldness. Fine, I’ll give him that much face."  

"However…"  

He sprawled casually into a nearby seat. "Apologies, but this is just how I am. If anyone’s offended… try tolerating it."  

"Of course, if any of you can make me yield with strength, I’ll shut up without complaint."  

Now that was arrogance.  

He didn’t so much as glance at the Third Hokage’s dark expression, Jiraiya’s piercing glare, or Tsunade’s furious scowl.  

"If this is your attitude toward cooperation, then there’s no need for further discussion. You may leave, Yoru." Homura Mitokado’s voice was stiff with displeasure.  

"The Hokage hasn’t dismissed me yet. Why the hurry?"  

"And are you sure you want me to walk out? Next time you beg Kirigakure for help, good luck getting anyone to answer."  

"Advisor Mitokado, let’s be clear."  

Yoru vanished—reappearing like a ghost behind Homura. "You invited me here. I didn’t come begging."  

"Too fast!"  

The room tensed. Homura’s hair stood on end.  

"Whoosh—"  

Before anyone could blink, Yoru was back in his seat. "So watch your words next time. I’m not known for being… agreeable."  

A warning. A threat.  

The Konoha delegation’s faces darkened.  

"Enough." The Third Hokage’s voice cut through the tension. "Yoru, if you wish to remain in Konoha, you will restrain yourself. Our patience has limits."  

Even retired, the man’s presence commanded respect.  

"Fine, fine. I’ll humor you—what can I say? I’m a peace-loving man."  

A collective mental "Bullshit!" echoed in the room.  

Yoru? Peace-loving?  

This was the man who’d crushed the four great villages in battle. Who’d overthrown his own Daimyō. Who’d built an economic empire through sheer dominance.  

Since when?  

"I’ll need to tread carefully in future trade talks. This man… is terrifying."  

Tsunade studied Yoru warily. To cow so many legends into silence single-handedly—that was true intimidation.  

"Terrifying? Me?"  

Yoru waved a hand. "No, no, Lady Tsunade. Get to know me, and you’ll find I’m extremely easy to work with."  

The room’s synchronized eye-roll could’ve powered a windmill.  

Yeah, sure. And I’m the Sage of Six Paths.  

Later…  

Under the witness of representatives from the other four villages, Tsunade was formally inaugurated as the Fifth Hokage.  

The transition of power was seamless.  

After decades of service, the Third Hokage could finally rest.  

Perhaps… this was the best possible outcome.  

Everything seemed calm.  

The subsequent Five Kage economic summit proceeded smoothly—no clashes, no heated arguments, none of the infighting Konoha’s elders had feared.  

Thus, the United Shinobi Trade Alliance was born.  

The era of global economic integration had begun.  

Chapter 304: Chaos Unleashed  

But… 

Could any place truly stay peaceful when Yoru was around? 

Of course not!  

No sooner had the Five Great Nations finished signing their cooperation agreements than—  

"EMERGENCY, HOKAGE-SAMA!" A Konoha ANBU agent materialized in a panic. "Uchiha Sasuke has infiltrated Root HQ! Dozens are severely injured—he’s now engaged in combat with Lord Danzō!"  

The report sent Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Hiruzen into immediate alarm. Their furious gazes snapped toward Yoru.  

"Care to explain this, Yoru?!" Tsunade’s voice could’ve flayed flesh.  

"Explain?" Yoru tilted his head, unfazed. "I brought him here, yes. But what’s wrong with settling a blood debt?" His eyes flicked to Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. "Frankly, you should thank me. Without my intervention, Sasuke might’ve come for your heads next."  

"You think Konoha is your personal playground?!" Tsunade lunged forward, fist crackling with chakra.  

"DON’T YOU DARE—!"  

Before Yoru could react, Reiko and Yugito moved like lightning. Reiko aimed for Tsunade’s vitals, while Yugito’s body erupted in a cloak of tailed beast chakra, meeting Tsunade’s punch head-on.  

Seeing Reiko’s lethal strike, Jiraiya’s hair lashed out like a whip to intercept her. "Back off!"  

"SHING—!"  

A blade flashed. Jiraiya’s hair severed mid-air, and Reiko was yanked back to safety. Simultaneously, a figure blurred between Tsunade and Yugito—brute force halting both attacks.  

The room gasped.  

All eyes locked onto the culprit: Yoru.  

He’d just neutralized four Kage-level fighters… without breaking a sweat.  

"Tsk, tsk. So violent," Yoru chided, pocketing his hands. "Someone might’ve gotten hurt." His smile was deceptively mild.  

No one dared underestimate him now.  

"Now then… shall we watch Sasuke’s little revenge play? Consider it a progress report on his training."  

Tsunade’s fists trembled. Yoru’s audacity—treating Konoha like his backyard—was unbearable.  

"What’s your real game, Yoru?!" Hiruzen barked, now in full combat garb.  

"Game? I’m just sightseeing… and helping a lost kid tie up loose ends." Yoru’s sleeves fluttered as he shrugged. "An eye for an eye, a clan for a clan. Surely you understand vengeance?"  

"LIES!" Koharu Utatane spat. "Konoha owes Uchiha Sasuke NOTHING! The Uchiha’s destruction was their own doing—a rebellion against the village!"  

"We acted to protect Konoha!" Homura roared. "That wasn’t murder—it was justice!"  

Chapter 305: Die, Danzō!  

Homura Mitokado spoke with righteous indignation, but Yoru couldn’t help but laugh. "Enough. We both know the truth. Save those lies for children—do you really think they’ll work on me?"  

"Why the Uchiha clan was exterminated… you Konoha higher-ups know exactly the reason. If you hadn’t done anything wrong, you wouldn’t fear retribution!"  

With that, he led Yugito, Reiko, and the others straight toward Danzō and Uchiha Sasuke.  

"After them!"  

The Third Hokage and Homura urgently ordered the Anbu. Jiraiya, his face tense with worry, rushed after them as well.  

Meanwhile, the other Kage from neighboring villages watched with amusement.  

So, the Uchiha massacre had some juicy secrets behind it? 

Now this was some good drama!  

"Danzō! Today is the day you die—no one can save you now!"  

Sasuke’s Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan blazed as he glared with murderous intent.  

"Hah… hah…"  

Danzō panted lightly, yet his face remained smug and dismissive. "You? Kill me? Don’t make me laugh."  

"Though I must say, I’m impressed. In such a short time, you’ve gained such… exquisite eyes. Yoru must have put you through hell."  

"You want revenge for the Uchiha?" 

**"Tch. Your clan was evil—they got what they deserved!"**  

"Though, I must admit… your brother, Itachi, was so obedient." 

"We told him to wipe out the Uchiha, and he did it without hesitation—not even sparing his own parents. Tsk tsk. Without him, it wouldn’t have been so easy."  

"SHUT… YOUR MOUTH!!!"  

A surge of cold, malevolent chakra erupted from Sasuke, forming a massive skeletal arm that slammed toward Danzō.  

"Angry? Full of hatred? Good." 

"Uchiha Sasuke, today you’ll follow in your traitor brother’s footsteps—and meet the same end!"  

Danzō dodged in a flash, hands already weaving seals. "Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!"  

A compressed blast of distorted air crashed into the Susanoo’s arm, shattering it on impact and sending Sasuke stumbling back.  

"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!"  

Another jutsu—razor-sharp wind blades sliced through the air, cleaving even the Susanoo’s defenses. Sasuke barely twisted away in time, his skin prickling with dread.  

But before he could recover, Danzō was already in front of him—a brutal kick sent him flying.  

"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets!"  

Danzō inhaled deeply, then spat out a rapid-fire barrage of compressed air pellets—each like a bullet. Sasuke’s body was riddled with holes…  

"Poof!"  

A substitution log took the hit instead.  

Danzō’s eyes flicked upward—just in time to see Sasuke descending from above. He opened his mouth for another attack—  

—When a sudden, deadly chill shot up from below.  

He leapt back just as a chakra spear impaled the ground where he’d stood.  

One second slower, and he’d have been skewered like a dumpling.