With One Blade, Overturning Konoha!

Spring gives way to autumn, and the days and nights cycle onward.

After the Third Shinobi World War came to an end, the weather-worn Five Great Shinobi Villages all returned to rebuilding, ushering in their own baby boom. The leaders of the four villages that had once besieged Konoha felt nothing but regret.

Only Terumi was deeply grateful for the decision she’d made back then. Thɪs chapter is updated by ɴovelfire.net

Especially when she heard that the Tsuchikage of the Land of Earth, Ōnoki, and the Kazekage of the Land of Wind, Rasa, had personally traveled to Konoha to apologize for what they’d done. After that, she completely abandoned any thought of ever resisting Konoha.

Compared to the other three great villages, Kirigakure had only lost a few high-ranking officials. Being a subordinate village had its advantages. All they needed to do was obey Konoha’s demands unconditionally.

At least not many had died. The relief felt pitiful, yet it was the truth.

Once news of the two Kage traveling to Konoha spread across every corner of the ninja world, a quiet era officially began.

No one knew when Konoha—madly hoarding resources and gathering strength—would erupt again. But preparations had to be made early.

With nearly every village having suffered grievous losses, peace became unavoidable. They all waited.

Waited for the next opportunity.

But compared to the other villages, Konoha’s growth speed had multiplied many times over.

With abundant supplies and wealth, the clearest change was the explosion in population and overall size. Konoha’s territory alone had expanded three times already.

A fourth expansion was already on the horizon.

The ANBU’s entry standards remained as strict as ever, yet that division was no longer synonymous with darkness. Ninjas threw themselves into missions with reckless enthusiasm, all for the chance to join ANBU.

The surge in missions pushed the shinobi’s abilities to new heights.

The name Night Owl now echoed throughout the entire ninja world.

An unwritten rule had been accepted by all major villages:

“Should you encounter any member of the Night Owl Team during a mission, you may abandon the mission without penalty!”

It was both a sign of respect for Night Owl and an acknowledgment of Konoha’s overwhelming strength.

As for how to recognize the Night Owl Team—it wasn’t a secret at all.

That Hokage short-sleeved armband wrapped around their arms was the clearest proof. Only those who had contributed greatly to Konoha, and earned universal recognition, were worthy of wearing the Hokage armband.

Of course, it was only a symbol of honor, not a title that granted authority.

But even so, shinobi hungered for that symbol all the more.

Everyone pushed forward toward the same goal. The feeling was indescribable—exhilarating and fulfilling.

And that young man had fulfilled his promise!

Did Kumogakure exploit Konoha’s weakness to force Hizashi Hyuga to his death?

Did the Uchiha Clan scheme rebellion, only for Itachi Uchiha to slaughter them alone?

None of that existed.

This was the reborn Konoha!

…

Time slipped by in the blink of an eye... Another early spring had arrived. The new term at the Ninja Academy was beginning, and this year’s enrollment list had stirred up a wave of anticipation and curiosity among the shinobi.

Standing on the newly renovated academy grounds, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at the list in his hand, feeling unexpectedly sentimental. Fully retired now, he had taken on the role of guiding Konoha’s new generation. He had already abandoned the flashy, hollow indoctrination of the past. The phrase “Strongest Hokage” no longer appeared in textbooks.

Passing down sincere teachings and protecting the jade of Konoha—this was the duty and resolution the Third Hokage had set for himself after all that had happened. As for the names engraved on the Wall of Honor—perhaps that was his regret. But he was still alive, and as long as he lived, it meant he hadn’t given up on earning that final accomplishment.

Longevity truly had its perks. For instance, he could watch these children enter the academy and tell them the things a shinobi should always bear in mind.

Lowering his head again, he felt a wave of emotion at the names on the list. He’d been given the privilege of supervising their entrance exam, and a small thrill rose within him.

The Hokage’s son, the young spark of the Uzumaki Clan—Naruto Uzumaki.

The second son of the former Uchiha Clan Head, Sasuke Uchiha—the younger brother of that Night Owl Squad member.

The heirs of the new generation of the Ino–Shika–Chō secret arts clans.

The Hyūga Clan Head’s cherished daughter, the Byakugan Princess—Hinata Hyūga.

And several more from the secret arts families: Kiba Inuzuka of the Inuzuka Clan, Shino Aburame of the Aburame Clan. Along with Neji Hyūga, Tenten, and Rock Lee from the previous year—they were collectively known as the Konoha Twelve Strong.

Even now, Hiruzen wasn’t entirely sure what that title was supposed to mean. What mattered more was that the nickname had come from that terrifying man’s own mouth.

Konoha’s Twelve Strong, huh. Interesting.

The academy grounds were already filled with people—teachers and students alike. This generation of new students had quite the spotlight on them. The Hokage’s son. And the prodigy whispered about within the Uchiha Clan.

“Heard there are two real fighters in this batch.”

On the raised platform, Neji Hyūga stood with his arms crossed, staring down at the gathering crowd.

“Which two?”

Lee asked beside him, puzzled.

“The Hokage’s son and the Uchiha Clan Head’s son. They’re called Konoha’s Rising Stars.”

“My father said that besides their status, they were also trained by someone from the Night Owls. Their strength is no joke.”

“They’re the ones I’m determined to defeat.”

Neji took a deep breath, his body trembling slightly—battle spirit flaring at the thought of facing other prodigies. He could earn that man’s recognition too.

Defeat them?

Lee scratched his head. Now that he thought about it, that man he bumped into at the training grounds was also a member of the Night Owls.

Neji hadn’t said everything. Defeating those two wasn’t just about proving himself. His father had told him: To defy fate and change the Hyūga Clan’s system of main house and branch house—it all came from that man’s words. He needed that man’s approval.

Even though he’d never met him.

Only by defeating the geniuses trained by that man could he enter his line of sight.

Neji took another breath, then suddenly turned to Lee.

“I’m standing here because I have Byakugan and can see clearly. Why did you come all the way here?”

Right. This place was far from the field—without Byakugan, he shouldn’t be able to see anything. So why was he here?

“Neji, you don’t know?”

Lee smiled, his bowl-cut swaying lightly in the wind.

“Actually, I’ve got that Byakugan thing too.”

You’ve got it too?

Neji jolted.

“Byakugan! Open!”

With Lee’s explosive shout, his pupils rolled upward, his eyeballs twisted strangely, and the whites of his eyes flipped completely white.

This was supposed to be the Byakugan?

Neji almost threw up.

Well... For a guy who could use a Spiral Fart, a fake Byakugan wasn’t surprising.

Sensing something, Neji frowned—and his real Byakugan activated. The two figures facing off on the field made his heart skip a beat.

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Naruto Uzumaki.

The entrance exam had begun.