231-235

Chapter 231: The Land of Waves Arc  

Inside the lacquered box lay a withered, dark-red flower—stem, leaves, and petals perfectly preserved.  

The moment Yoru saw it, his pupils contracted. "It really is the Blood Sun Flower!"  

"So, Yoru-dono, are you interested? I can offer you a special discount," Murahara said with a satisfied smile.  

"Deal. I’ll take it." Yoru didn’t hesitate. Why pass up a ready-made solution?  

With that settled, the two moved on to other business matters.  

Meanwhile, Elsewhere in the Land of Waves… 

A fierce battle raged between two opposing forces:  

• Team 1: Tokita Chizuru (A-rank missing-nin, Iwa background) and Ryūseitarō (A-rank missing-nin, Kumo background), mercenaries hired by the shipping tycoon Gato.  

• Team 2: Hatake Kakashi, elite jōnin of Konoha, and his three students. 

The Cause of the Conflict 

The Land of Waves, a small isolated island nation, had its economy strangled by Gato, who monopolized sea trade routes and exploited its people.  

In defiance, the bridge-builder Tazuna began constructing a bridge to connect the country to the outside world—threatening Gato’s profits. Naturally, Gato wanted him dead.  

Tazuna, however, was no fool. He requested aid from Konoha, securing Team 7 (Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura) as his protectors.  

And so, the battle began—two groups clashing as mere pawns in a larger game.  

The Battlefield 

"To think a backwater like this would attract someone of your caliber, Hatake Kakashi," Ryūseitarō sneered. A burly, dark-skinned ex-Kumo nin, he cracked his knuckles. "But without your Sharingan and with three brats weighing you down… how much can you really do?"  

Kakashi’s visible eye narrowed. "Enough to handle you." His grip tightened on his kunai, every muscle coiled for action.  

Behind him, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura faced off against Tokita Chizuru—a gaunt, sickly-looking Iwa missing-nin with sleeves that hid his hands.  

"Heh. Kids like you think you can fight me?" Chizuru’s voice was a raspy taunt. "Go home and drink milk."  

"Shut up! I’m not a kid!" Naruto barked, fists shaking.  

"Idiot! Don’t take the bait!" Sasuke snapped, his Sharingan (one tomoe) flaring red.  

"Oh? The last Uchiha brat?" Chizuru’s smirk widened. "How pathetic—your whole clan’s gone, and here you are, playing hero."  

"You—!" Sasuke’s teeth ground together, his fists trembling with rage.  

"SASUKE, FOCUS!" Kakashi’s shout came just in time—but the momentary distraction gave Ryūseitarō his opening.  

"Got you!" Lightning crackled around Ryūseitarō as he lunged, fist aimed straight for Kakashi’s ribs.  

The battle erupted in full.  

Yoru’s Side 

"That Murahara’s a sly one," Yoru mused as their boat cut through the misty waves. "Using our ‘partnership’ to get free muscle. Typical merchant."  

Behind him, Kimimaro remained silent.  

"…Well, not that I mind," Yoru added, rubbing his nose. "I was curious to see how things would play out here anyway."  

At the end of their negotiations, Murahara had made an additional request: Eliminate Gato.  

In exchange? All of Gato’s assets. Murahara claimed he only wanted "peaceful development"—but Yoru wasn’t fooled.  

"A classic case of ‘kill my rival, and I’ll profit,’" he thought, amused.  

Still, he’d agreed. Why?  

• No consequences for him—Who’d dare retaliate against the strongest shinobi?  

• Sheer curiosity—In the original timeline, this mission involved Zabuza and Haku. Now? Chaos. 

"We’ve arrived, Yoru-sama," Kimimaro said flatly.  

"Good. Let’s see if the show’s started." Yoru stretched his senses—then grinned. "Oh? It has. Come on, this’ll be fun."  

Kimimaro didn’t ask what "fun" meant. His role was simple: follow, observe, and kill if needed.  

Back to the Battle 

"Hah… hah… Not bad, Hatake," Ryūseitarō panted, grinning through sweat. "But how long can you last with three deadweights?"  

Around them, a swarm of rogue nin closed in—reinforcements called by Gato himself.  

The short, suited tycoon twirled his cane, barking orders: "Hurry up and kill Tazuna! I don’t pay you to slack off!"  

Chapter 232: The King's Arrival  

"Hatake Kakashi of Konoha… If you withdraw now, I’ll let you leave unharmed. You have ten seconds to decide. Don’t make me regret this mercy."  

Kato’s voice was tense, his patience thinning. He needed this fight ended quickly.  

Why?  

Because he’d just received word—Yoru had arrived in the Land of Waves.  

And worse, Yoru had allied with Motosamura, Kato’s sworn rival.  

For five years, they’d fought in the shadows, and Kato had emerged victorious, rising as one of the wealthiest men in the shinobi world.  

Motosamura’s influence? Crushed to dust. Even in this impoverished country, he was barely a footnote.  

But now…  

Motosamura had Yoru’s backing.  

There was no doubt—Motosamura would hire Yoru to eliminate him. And Kato knew he wouldn’t survive that.  

That’s why he’d rushed here with an army. Finish off Tazuna, flee before Yoru could intervene—  

"No way! We’re not backing down!"  

Before Kakashi could respond, Naruto shouted back, defiance blazing in his eyes.  

Kakashi didn’t speak, but his gaze said enough—he agreed.  

Tazuna exhaled in relief. If Kakashi had said "Fine, we’ll leave," he’d have been doomed.  

For Kakashi, failure wasn’t an option. A C-rank mission (actually S-rank, but Tazuna lied to cut costs) tarnishing his record? Unacceptable.  

*"So you’ve chosen death. Then kill them all!"*  

Kato snarled, and the rogue ninja surged forward like starving wolves, blades glinting.  

"Sasuke, Naruto—handle the rogues. Sakura, protect Tazuna."  

Kakashi’s orders were calm as he lunged toward Tokita Chigusa and Ryūseitarō, both jonin-level threats. Even two-on-one, he could manage.  

"Leave it to me!" Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles.  

"You’re sending kids against us? You bastard, looking down on us?!"  

The rogues seethed. Did Kakashi really see them as trash, only worth a pair of genin?  

CLANG!  

THUD!  

"ARGH—!"  

The battlefield erupted. Steel clashed, bodies collided, screams tore through the air—  

Sakura trembled, kunai clutched in white-knuckled hands. For a freshly graduated kunoichi (top of the class in theory, not combat), this was hell. The fact she hadn’t fainted was a miracle.  

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"  

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"  

When Naruto and Sasuke weren’t bickering, their teamwork could overwhelm even chunin. Against these rogues? They held their own—but barely. Some were skilled, pushing the duo to their limits.  

"Hatake Kakashi… Today’s the day you die. Heh. Without your Sharingan, you’re nothing. But hey, losing it wasn’t your fault. Not when your enemy was Yoru."  

Ryūseitarō taunted between dodges, smirking.  

"Truth. No Sharingan, no fangs. Just a paper tiger now."  

Tokita Chigusa’s voice dripped venom.  

Kakashi remained silent, but his icy glare betrayed his rage.  

Losing his Sharingan was a stain he’d never erase.  

Because the one who took it—  

Was a monster.  

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"What’s wrong, Kakashi? The man I remember wouldn’t struggle against two A-rank missing-nin. Don’t tell me you’ve gotten this weak?"  

A lazy, mocking voice cut through the chaos.  

Kakashi’s entire body tensed. His head snapped toward the sound.  

Everyone froze.  

A hundred meters away, a young man in black strolled forward, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His half-lidded eyes gleamed with amusement.  

Behind him stood another youth—cold, handsome, sharp enough to make Sakura blurt:  

"Whoa… He’s hot."  

The moment the black-clad man appeared, the battlefield fell dead silent.  

Rogues paled. Some trembled. Even Ryūseitarō and Tokita Chigusa stepped back.  

Sakura gaped. Who is this guy? Why’s everyone reacting like—  

"Naruto. Sasuke. Sakura. Do not let your guard down. Not even for a second. Understood?"  

Kakashi’s voice was a blade’s edge as he positioned himself between his team and the newcomer.  

Sakura’s breath hitched.  

She’d never seen Kakashi this tense. And—was that… fear in his eye?  

"Y-Y-You… Why are you here?!"  

Kato’s scream was shrill. He scrambled behind his men, face white as a corpse.  

"Kakashi-sensei… Who is that?" Naruto muttered, stomach churning. The air itself felt heavy, oppressive.  

Kakashi didn’t answer aloud, but his thoughts were grim:  

"Even the Nine-Tails fears him…? He’s grown stronger since four years ago."  

Chapter 233: The True Monster  

"He is—"  

Just as Kakashi was about to answer Naruto’s question, the black-clothed young man spoke up.  

"Long time no see, Kakashi. Never thought you’d become a jonin instructor now."  

The young man in black was, of course, Yoru. Behind him stood the strikingly handsome Kimimaro.  

"Honestly, I’d prefer not running into someone as dangerous as you," Kakashi replied, tightening his grip on his kunai and stepping back to shield Naruto and the others.  

"Relax, I’m not here for you," Yoru said dismissively, waving a hand. "Now, if the Sandaime Hokage showed up, that might actually interest me."  

His words left Sakura—even Sasuke—stunned.  

Who the hell is this guy? How could anyone be this arrogant, brushing off the Hokage like he was nothing? And Kakashi—Kakashi—wasn’t even worth his attention? Kakashi, the prodigy who made a name for himself across the shinobi world by twelve?  

"Who is he, Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura blurted out, equal parts curious and bewildered. She’d met cocky people before, but this level of audacity was something else.  

"Yeah, Kakashi-sensei! This guy doesn’t even respect Jiji! What a jerk!" Naruto shouted, clearly offended.  

Sasuke gave a slight nod, silently agreeing—and just as eager to know Yoru’s identity.  

"His name is Yoru," Kakashi said quietly, then glanced at Sakura. "You aced your history exams. You should know what that name means."  

"W-Wait… Him?!"  

Sakura and Sasuke gasped in unison, faces paling.  

"Who? Why are you guys freaking out?" Naruto scratched his head, completely lost.  

Sakura took a deep breath, reciting from memory:  

"Yoru. Jonin of Kirigakure. Former ANBU Commander. Known as the White Flash—the strongest shinobi alive. The only man classified as a threat beyond S-rank."  

"Four years ago, he single-handedly threw the entire shinobi world into chaos, triggering the aftermath of the Fourth Great War. He crushed Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and even Konoha—then reshaped the world order as the victor."  

"He was the first—and last—to strip the daimyo of power, directly ruling a nation as its shadow sovereign. The uncrowned king of the Land of Water."  

"Five years ago, he defeated the Raikage and Killer B—twice—forcing Kumogakure into crippling treaties they still haven’t recovered from."  

Sasuke cut in, voice tense:  

"And he did all of that by twelve. No one in history has matched his talent. A true demon of battle—just his name strikes fear into people."  

"He rebuilt Kirigakure’s Seven Ninja Swordsmen, united three jinchūriki under the village, and created a medical system rivaling Konoha’s. He controls dozens of smaller nations, with territory far beyond what’s publicly known."  

"One man dragged Kiri from isolation to becoming the second—no, the true strongest hidden village. His legend suffocates the entire shinobi world."  

"If he stomps his foot, the world shakes."  

Sasuke clenched his fists, a dark thought surfacing:  

"Someone even more monstrous than Itachi… No wonder he looked so powerless whenever the White Flash was mentioned."  

A desperate hope flared in his chest.  

"If I trained under him… Could I get my revenge on Itachi? I have to ask—"  

"W-Whoa… All of that? Just him?"  

Even Naruto, dense as he was, gulped after hearing Sakura and Sasuke’s explanation.  

This guy wasn’t just a prodigy—he was a force of nature. How could anyone be that strong? That accomplished?  

"And he was only thirteen when he did it?!"  

Naruto’s stomach dropped. At twelve, he was still a dead-last loser—meanwhile, Yoru was out there fighting Kage one-on-one. The gap was insane.  

Hearing Sakura and Sasuke’s summary, Yoru turned to them with a sunny smile.  

"Ah, you flatter me. It wasn’t that impressive—just some friendly ‘discussions’ with the Kage. I even invited the Tsuchikage and Hokage to Kiri as guests for a while."  

Kakashi nearly choked.  

"‘Guests’ my ass. Everyone knows you captured every Kage except the Kazekage—hell, even your own Yondaime Mizukage, Yagura, was your prisoner. Who are you trying to fool with that modesty?"*  

(Not that he could talk—he’d been one of those ‘guests’ too.)  

Yoru turned back to Gato, who was sweating bullets.  

"So, Gato-san… Someone paid me to kill you. Would you like to do it yourself, or should I handle it?"  

Naruto and the others audibly sucked in a breath.  

Did he just tell one of the world’s richest men to kill himself—in public?!  

"W-Was it Mura—Murakami?! H-How much did he p-pay?! I’ll give you ten times—!" Gato stammered, trembling.  

"Ah, sorry. I’m a man of my word," Yoru said cheerfully, resting a hand on his sword. "You’ve done enough evil in Wave Country. Consider me… heaven’s retribution."  

Behind Sakura, Tazuna silently cheered.  

Yoru’s gaze then swept over Gato’s hired thugs.  

"You’ve got five seconds to run. My business is with Gato alone. Oh, and a heads-up—I’ll be operating in Wave from now on. Don’t cause trouble on my turf."  

That was all it took. The mercenaries bolted.  

Chapter 234: The Hopeless Gap in Strength  

“So, the two of you intend to stand against me?” Yoru turned his gaze to Ryūseitarō and Tokita Chihiro, who still hadn’t moved from their spots. His eyes opened slightly as he spoke, his voice calm but carrying an inexplicable weight—thick enough to freeze the air around them. A terrifying pressure bore down, forcing even Haruno Sakura and the others to stifle a groan, their bodies buckling under the strain.  

A vision of carnage flashed before their eyes—mountains of corpses, rivers of blood, a nauseating metallic stench that clawed at their senses. It was enough to make their skin crawl.  

“N-no, that’s not it!” The two men, who had been so bold in front of Kakashi, now stammered in panic. “We just… haven’t been paid yet—”  

“I’ll cover your fee. Don’t worry—Yoru doesn’t bully the weak.”  

With that, he tossed them two tokens. “Take these to the Land of Water’s bounty office. You’ll get your money.”  

They caught the tokens, exchanged a glance, and without hesitation, turned and left.  

Until now, Uzumaki Naruto and the others could never have imagined a battle ending so… effortlessly. Just a few words, and the enemy abandoned their mission outright. That’s… insane. And kind of cool.  

Sakura even felt a flicker of admiration rising in her chest.  

Uchiha Sasuke, who had always seemed so impressive in her eyes, now paled in comparison.  

Fireflies can’t compete with the moon.  

Wasn’t there a saying? "Meeting someone so extraordinary in your youth ruins you for everyone else."  

Sakura knew she’d never actually think that way, but the thought lingered anyway.  

“Now then… President Gato. What’s your choice?”  

Yoru’s voice snapped her back to reality as he addressed the now-abandoned Gato.  

“Y-you… y-you…”  

Gato stumbled backward, drenched in cold sweat. He wanted to beg for mercy, but the words lodged in his throat, choking him.  

“Kimimaro. Send him off.”  

Seeing Gato’s pitiful state, Yoru turned away and issued the order.  

“Yes.”  

In an instant, Kimimaro flashed forward, a bone spear erupting from his palm and piercing Gato’s chest.  

“Ghk—!”  

Gato’s eyes bulged, a guttural, animalistic noise escaping his lips. After a few weak twitches, his head lolled to the side, his gaze dulling into lifelessness.  

“Tazuna, was it?”  

Yoru’s attention shifted to the bridge builder sheltered behind Team 7.  

“What do you want with him?!” Kakashi’s voice was sharp, his body tensed for action.  

Meanwhile, Naruto and the others were still processing Gato’s abrupt death. Just like that… he’s gone. A living, breathing man mere seconds ago—now nothing more than a corpse. The brutality of it left them shaken.  

“Relax, Kakashi. You know you’re no match for me. That was true four years ago, and it’s still true now. If I wanted him dead, do you really think you could stop me?”  

Yoru’s mocking tone only made Kakashi’s fist clench tighter.  

Against anyone else—even the Hokage—he’d have confidence. But this was Yoru.  

“What do you want with Tazuna? Killing civilians won’t do your reputation any favors,” Kakashi countered, an uncharacteristic bead of sweat trailing down his temple. Behind him, Tazuna nodded weakly, his face ashen. If even Gato had been powerless, what hope did he have?  

“Hurt him? Don’t be absurd. A master bridge builder like Tazuna is far too valuable.”  

Yoru chuckled, his earlier menace gone, replaced by an almost casual friendliness.  

“I’d like to invite him to participate in the Land of Water’s economic expansion project. There are a few bridges I’d like his expertise on. So, Tazuna—care to consider it?”  

Tazuna blinked, stunned. Yoru… wants me to build bridges? Since when was I that famous?  

“What are the terms? How long would I be tied down?”  

Despite his shock, Tazuna wasn’t foolish enough to agree blindly.  

“Someone will discuss the details with you shortly. If our offer doesn’t suit you, you’re free to refuse.”  

Yoru shrugged, then turned back to Kakashi.  

“The next Chūnin Exams are in three months, right? Hosted by Konoha again, if I recall. I’m looking forward to seeing what your new generation can do.”  

His gaze swept over Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura. “Until then… Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Haruno Sakura.”  

With that, he and Kimimaro vanished, leaving the four of them standing there, bewildered.  

“How the hell does he know our names?!” Naruto blurted.  

But before anyone could respond, Sasuke suddenly shouted—  

“WAIT!”  

Kakashi stiffened. “Sasuke—!”  

Yoru paused, glancing back with mild amusement. “What do you want to ask?”  

He already knew.  

“You’ve met Uchiha Itachi. Fought him, too, haven’t you?” Sasuke’s voice was tight, his expression a mix of desperation and hope.  

For the first time, Yoru’s face softened with something resembling nostalgia.  

“I have. He’s an exceptional shinobi. One of the best in a century—on par with your Fourth Hokage.”  

Sasuke’s fists trembled. “Then… how do I compare? How long until I can surpass him?”  

Yoru laughed—a quiet, almost pitying sound.  

Sasuke’s stomach dropped.  

“Your potential? About the same as your teammate, Uzumaki Naruto.”  

Sasuke’s face went blank. Is this a joke?  

Naruto, meanwhile, grinned. “Hear that, bastard? He said I’m just as good as you!”  

Sasuke’s nails dug into his palms. “So in your eyes… that’s all I am? Then I’ll never catch up to Itachi!”  

The thought burned. Since when was he on the same level as dead-last Naruto?  

Chapter 235: Naruto's Shocking Origins  

"Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not insulting you. I’m just saying you’re severely underestimating your teammate, Naruto."  

Yoru smirked, his voice laced with amusement. "Naruto’s parents? They were legends in their time. And he? He’s inherited everything that made them great. Frankly, if you weren’t an Uchiha, you wouldn’t even be worthy of standing in his shadow."  

Kakashi’s face paled.  

The three genin froze—especially Naruto, whose entire body trembled.  

"Y-You know who my parents are?! Tell me! I—I’m not an orphan?!" His voice cracked between desperation and hope.  

Sasuke’s eyes narrowed. This idiot’s parents were that remarkable? Then why had he never heard of them?  

"If you want to surpass Itachi, with your current skills? You’d need three years of brutal training—and a damn good teacher." Yoru shrugged. "But in Konoha? I doubt—"  

"Enough, Yoru!" Kakashi cut in sharply. "Don’t you dare poison their minds!"  

He turned to the team, voice urgent. "Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura—we’re leaving."  

He was terrified. One more word, and Sasuke might defect. One more hint, and Naruto might turn against the village. Yoru’s words were that dangerous.  

But this time—it wasn’t Sasuke who refused to move.  

He’d already heard enough. The answer, even unfinished, was brutal in its implications.  

No—this time, it was Naruto who stood his ground.  

"TELL ME!" His voice was raw, fists clenched. "Who are they?! Are they alive? What were they like? WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?!"  

"Naruto!" Kakashi barked.  

Sakura grabbed his arm, panicked. "Naruto-baka, stop! Don’t listen to him, or—or I’ll never talk to you again!"  

But Naruto didn’t even flinch.  

"I don’t care." His voice was eerily calm. "Sensei, Sakura… just this once—let me be selfish."  

The pain in his eyes was unbearable. The usual loudmouthed, reckless boy was gone—replaced by something hollow. A lone wolf, bleeding in silence.  

Kakashi’s protest died in his throat.  

Yoru arched a brow. "You sure you want the truth? Once you hear it, staying in Konoha won’t be so… peaceful anymore."  

"TELL ME." No hesitation.  

"Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you." Yoru’s lips curved. "The man who should have been the world’s greatest villain… yet saved it instead. I wonder—how will my influence change your path?"  

Just as he opened his mouth—  

BOOM!  

A gigantic toad crashed between them, twin swords strapped to its back. Kimimaro instantly shifted into a battle stance.  

"Wha—?!" Sakura and Sasuke staggered back. Naruto just stared, uncomprehending.  

"Yoohoo! The world’s most dashing sage, the Legendary Toad Master—Jiraiya-sama—has arrived!"  

A flamboyant voice rang out as a silver-haired man in wooden sandals landed before them, "油" headband glinting.  

"Well, well—White Flash! Long time no see!" He grinned at Yoru like an old friend.  

"Jiraiya-sama?!" Sakura gasped.  

The Toad Sage himself—Jiraiya!  

"Hmph. Should’ve guessed you’d show up." Yoru sighed. "Guess the truth’ll have to wait. Again."  

He smirked. "Though really, this was your job to begin with. After all… you’re one of Naruto’s last living family."  

WHAT?!  

Sasuke and Sakura whipped around to stare at Naruto, who looked just as stunned.  

First Yoru praising his parents. Now Jiraiya—one of the Sannin—being called his family?!  

Since when was dead-last Naruto connected to legends?!  

Jiraiya’s playful demeanor vanished. "Yoru. What the hell are you planning? Trying to destroy Konoha from within?!"  

"Me? I’m just honoring the truth." Yoru’s smile turned razor-sharp. "You think hiding it helps? With his bloodline? With the legacy his father left him? Naruto will become a monster—stronger than you, maybe even his old man."  

"And when he learns how Konoha betrayed him? Well… let’s just say one man could burn this village to the ground."  

Sakura’s blood ran cold.  

Sasuke’s nails dug into his palms. This failure… could surpass me?!  

The Uchiha prodigy, ignored. The dead-last… destined for greatness?