With One Blade, Overturning Konoha!

Without a doubt, the atmosphere on the training field had completely changed by the time that legendary man arrived. Seeing Konoha’s Kenpachi up close for the first time was exciting, but the tension was even stronger.

Rumors said this man was overwhelmingly powerful. The Konoha Wall of Honor even recorded his achievements: capturing a Jinchūriki alive and taking the Raikage prisoner. And the most unbelievable part? He did all that when he was still a child. Now, no one knew how strong he had become.

“Relax. Just show me your usual level.”

But the tense mood didn’t last long. The gentle voice echoing across the field eased everyone’s nerves. The man simply stood there. Even though most of them had barely met him, he gave off the feeling of a friendly older brother next door. It was a little strange, but comforting all the same.

The assessment began.

The first student to step forward was an ordinary, unremarkable boy. Hakken glanced at the roster in his hand and gave him an encouraging nod.

His name was Mitsui Jiro. The meaning behind his name was simple enough: the second child of the Mitsui family. He didn’t have any special Kekkei Genkai or an exceptional lineage, but he had worked diligently at the Ninja Academy, full of determination.

Hakken never treated anyone differently. Bloodline and background didn’t matter. There were countless roles available in Konoha for aspiring ninja. Even if someone graduated and didn’t want to join a combat unit, they could be trained for the service sector. Ninjutsu didn’t exist solely for fighting. Integrating it into everyday work and life was how things should be.

Take the land Konoha seized from Sunagakure, for example. Was it truly worthless? Not at all. Under Yamato’s guidance, a new reforestation project had already begun. The Earth Release Construction Team and Water Release Cultivation Team were both in desperate need of manpower. Of course, the benefits were far inferior to those in combat units. But with steady effort, anyone could prove their worth.

That was what set Konoha apart from other villages. As long as you were capable, there would always be a place for you.

“P-please take care of me.”

Taking a deep breath, Mitsui Jiro pulled out three shuriken and threw them at Hakken.

The feint began.

Clink, clink, clink—Hakken casually caught all three and flicked them back. Mitsui reacted quickly, dodging sideways and using the leftover momentum to rush in and throw a punch.

Crack.

A dull thud echoed. Hakken didn’t budge. He pointed at Mitsui’s slightly unstable footing, then gave him a light kick.

Thud.

The match ended.

A bit dejected, the boy lowered his head. Hakken walked over, ruffled his hair, and nodded.

“Keep working hard. You’ll definitely pass next year.”

He lost… yet he didn’t feel crushed. Why? After stepping down, Mitsui Jiro watched the next student take the field and bowed deeply to Hakken. Next year, he would work even harder.

But Hakken’s attention had already shifted to the girl now standing before him.

She was the second participant? Looking at her pale pupils, Hakken rubbed his chin.

Hinata Hyūga. The eldest daughter of the Hyūga main family. If nothing unexpected happened, she would inherit that position and bear the burden of becoming clan head.

Thanks to Hakken’s existence, the Hyūga never experienced the tragedy of losing Hyūga Hizashi. That alone had caused countless ripple effects. Under Konoha’s strict system, no child would be foolish enough to bully Hinata at age three. Those white pupils were unmistakably the symbol of the Hyūga. Any villager with half a brain knew that—even children.

Human nature is inherently evil? Please—parents determine the limits of their children’s growth. Hakken’s arrival had changed Konoha entirely, so the scenes from the original story never happened. Even back when he watched the anime, he had thought those “hero saves the damsel” moments were just forced drama.

So… whose back did she look up to now?

Hakken didn’t know. He’d been away from Konoha for years. He had to admit, though, that Hinata’s gentle nature—paired with the courage to rush forward and protect those she cherished in times of danger—was the reason for her growing reputation.

Fresh out of the academy, she was now training under the strict guidance of Hyūga Hizashi.

He looked at Hinata, and Hinata looked back at him. The air felt subtly different.

After a long moment, Hinata bowed properly to Hakken.

“Please... please instruct me.”

That familiar shy demeanor.

It takes time for someone with this personality to gradually grow stronger.

Come to think of it, there's still a gift in his system backpack he hasn't given to Hyūga Hiashi yet. Today he has time, so after the assessment ends, he can go find him for a proper chat.

“Hinata?”

Without rushing her to attack, Hakken stepped forward toward her.

“Mm...”

The sound, as though her voice were stuck in her throat, made Hakken roll his eyes.

“If you fail the assessment, your father will punish you, won't he?”

For a clan that valued reputation so highly, this question was almost unnecessary.

“Don't be nervous. Just show the strength you have during your usual training.”

“If you can't focus now, won't all that effort have been wasted?”

He patted her cheek and stepped back, completely unaware of the crimson flush rising from Hinata’s neck.

No boy had ever touched her face before!

She felt faint...

What should she do?

Her vision started to blur.

But just as she was fading, a cool sensation washed over her and brought her back to clarity.

In her sight was the vast, boundless universe reflected in his eyes.

Those deep blue eyes...

“Are you ready?”

Hakken nodded at Hinata and asked politely.

Her nervousness disappeared.

Those eyes… they gave her strength!

Since she was to give everything...

“Byakugan!”

“Open!”

The test began.

...

The growth of the new generation always drew attention, especially when the examiner was the rumored Konoha’s Kenpachi.

This assessment even attracted ninjas who came just to see Konoha’s Kenpachi in action.

The man did not disappoint them.

Whether the challenger was a civilian ninja or a member of the prestigious Hyūga Clan, he treated everyone the same. He gave each student a chance to display their full power and pointed out which movements were flawed and would leave openings for an enemy.

It was as if this were a live combat lesson taught by Konoha’s Kenpachi.

“Ken-san.”

What people didn’t know was that at the highest point of the Ninja Academy, a relaxed man sat watching the scene below.

Hakken Yoru.

The one guiding the children on the field was nothing more than his shadow clone.

A figure appeared behind him, and the man casually tossed his sake gourd over.

“Used the eye drops?”

Uchiha Eye Drops—an effective measure to slow the loss of Sharingan power, exchanged by Hakken from the System Store.

“Mhm. They work well, but I have a feeling I'll lose my sight someday.”

Itachi sighed.

“Didn't I tell you to stop overthinking things?”

Hakken calmly poked him with a finger, sending Itachi stumbling back a step.

“Next you'll say you want to leave your eyes for Sasuke, right?”

“And that you want me to take care of him later?”

Ugh.

Itachi awkwardly rubbed his head.

That poke had been pretty hard.

But how did Ken-san even know the secret of the Eternal Eye?

He had pieced it together from the faint clues on the Uchiha Stone Monument, ancient clan texts, and the records left behind by the Second Hokage—deducing how one could reach the stage of the Eternal Mangekyō.

And just as Ken-san said, he had indeed been thinking about it a lot recently.

There was no question—he intended to leave his eyes to his younger brother.

But he needed to choose a death that would etch itself deeply into Sasuke’s memory.

It was a heavy thought.

And he was reluctant to part with the Konoha he cherished now.

Unfortunately, this was the fate of the Uchiha Clan.

The legendary Madara Uchiha had used his brother's eyes.

So what was wrong with him, the elder brother, sacrificing his eyes for his younger brother?

“Hey.”

The sharp call made Itachi meet Hakken’s gaze.

The pale blue universe of swirling stars nearly drew him in.

What kind of eyes were these?

Why couldn't even his Mangekyō withstand that power?

Itachi froze.

“I told you about the eyes a long time ago.”

Hakken drove a fist into Itachi’s chest and leaned close to his ear.

“Did you forget, or do you just need a beating?”

“Hm? You idiot?”

...

Finally, it's my turn.

The test was still underway, and as Sasuke walked toward the stage, his entire body trembled with excitement.

It’s been years since he last saw him—Master will definitely be shocked by how much he’s grown!

“Sasuke… do your best.”

His ear twitched as Itachi’s voice reached him. Surprised, he turned his head, and the second pillar froze.

Itachi was still Itachi.

But right now, he looked… rough.

His once handsome face was swollen and red, with dark shadows around his eyes.

Someone actually managed to beat up my brother like this?

Sasuke clenched his fists in fury, his Sharingan flaring open with a single tomoe.

“Nii-san! Who hit you?”

Can I say that?

Itachi let out a bitter smile and shook his head.

In the end, it was his own fault. With Ken-san gone for a while, it felt like losing their central pillar. He’d started overthinking things again.

But now that Ken-san had returned…

He’d said to leave the eye problem to him, so what was there to worry about?

This beating was deserved.

Without explaining anything, Itachi simply shook his head, signaling Sasuke to focus.

Were Sasuke and Naruto the final two?

On the field, Hakken checked the roster and waved them over.

“You two, go together.”

“Remember—use full strength.”

His standards for his disciples were, naturally, not the same as for ordinary graduates.

This was one of the reasons he appeared here in the first place.

Even as a shadow clone, with Hakken’s absurd strength, those two brats had no chance unless some old man popped out and forcibly awakened the Indra and Ashura chakras right now.

Together, huh?

Sasuke nodded without objection.

He understood what Hakken intended.

A master always carries hopes for his students, and the moment a student surpasses their master is one of the greatest points of pride.

Too bad… he was mistaken.

And in this lifetime, he would never see that moment.

The battle began!

In an instant, Naruto and Sasuke were fully engaged. Years of rivalry had built a wordless understanding between them—a single glance was enough.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two sharp bursts cut through the air—not from thrown shuriken, but from their sheer speed.

“These… these are freshmen?”

“That’s insane.”

“...”

Their speed alone left the newly tested students utterly speechless.

Both were already talented, and neither had wasted their academy years.

With Kurama no longer causing trouble, Naruto displayed talent equal to Sasuke’s.

And Sasuke, beyond ninjutsu, wielded his blade with the kind of overwhelming force that seemed like a single strike could split the heavens.

No doubt, the battle among the three had captured everyone’s attention from the start.

Unfortunately, despite their speed…

The moment they closed in, Hakken casually sidestepped Naruto’s kunai and sent him flying with one kick.

Sasuke’s slash was caught between Hakken’s two fingers.

A punch to the stomach followed immediately.

Thud!

Thud!

Both boys slammed into the ground, grimacing in pain.

“He’s so strong…”

From afar, Ino—who had already passed her exam—covered her mouth, staring at the tall figure in the arena.

Beside her, Sakura was equally stunned, unable to even speak.

Hinata simply grasped the hem of her clothes, her cheeks turning red.

The three of them had passed the exam… and they had thoroughly enjoyed the process.

“Is that all?”

Arms crossed, Hakken watched as Naruto and Sasuke struggled back to their feet.

“Hey, Sasuke. At least make big bro draw his sword, will you? If we’re the students he trained, looking this weak is just embarrassing.”

Naruto glanced at Sasuke, unusually serious.

“Got it.”

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke nodded, the tomoe in his eye spinning slightly.

The Sharingan.

Opening it at this age wasn’t particularly impressive, and in his case, it had awakened only because Itachi forced him through emotional stimulation in the Tsukuyomi world.

But once awakened, it represented a fundamental leap forward.

“Let’s go!”

With a low shout, Sasuke dashed forward first.

Naruto, meanwhile, remained where he was, hands forming seals.

Sasuke’s short blade flashed through the air. After several rapid movements, he slammed his palm on the ground, summoning a massive Fūma Shuriken and hurling it straight at Hakken.

Coordination?

It looked almost exactly like how they defeated Ōtsutsuki Kinshiki in the original story.

The difference was that as the Fūma Shuriken approached, it suddenly split into three.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique.

Too bad.

This kind of trick meant nothing to Hakken.

He reached out and, to the shock of everyone watching, caught the spinning Fūma Shuriken instantly in his hand.

One of the remaining shuriken bounced into the air, while the other skimmed past Hakken’s side toward the back.

Before Hakken could comment, Sasuke suddenly revealed a strange smile.

Boom!

A burst of white smoke.

The Fūma Shuriken transformed into Naruto, while the Naruto in the distance had already vanished. At point-blank range, Naruto grinned and swung a punch at Hakken.

Transformation Technique?

The students immediately understood.

But what shocked them even more was that when Hakken moved to block Naruto’s punch, Naruto grabbed his hand tightly instead.

The ground beneath them cracked—and two figures burst upward simultaneously.

Naruto’s Shadow Clones!

At that same moment, a roar came from above and behind.

A figure sped toward Hakken, hidden within the sunlight!

“Rasengan!”

“Chidori!”

In just a few breaths, their coordination was flawless.

Using the Fūma shuriken to draw Hakken’s attention had only been bait so they could get close enough to restrict his movements. Taking advantage of the moment, Naruto used the blinding light to disguise himself as one of the three Fūma shuriken, flying upward, while Sasuke circled behind Hakken.

Their true killing move was the combined ninjutsu of the two of them!

“Not bad. Unfortunately… this level still isn’t enough to make me draw my sword.”

Watching the attacks approach, Hakken smiled slightly. He reached out, grabbed each boy’s hand, and pinched the meridians where their chakra gathered.

In an instant, both the Rasengan and the Chidori vanished.

Thud! Thud!

A moment later, each boy was kicked away again.

Thump.

The two landed in a heap and exchanged a glance before letting out a bitter laugh.

He’s a monster. Our master is a monster.

We’re just his little brothers—how are we supposed to fight that?

Their ninjutsu had been used up without landing a single hit, and more than half their stamina was gone.

But…

Give up?

Impossible!

They struggled to their feet again, the determination in their eyes stirring the hearts of everyone watching.

So what if they knew they couldn’t win?

Giving everything and enjoying the fight—that was what their teacher, Hakken Yoru, had told them from the very beginning.

Just as they were about to charge again, a figure suddenly landed beside them.

“Your strength is… passable.”

“But…”

“Sasuke, Naruto.”

“Congratulations on your graduation!”

That gentle, familiar voice entered their ears. The Hakken who had stood motionless on the field from start to finish vanished with a pop.

The real one had already pulled them into his arms.

So the one conducting the entire exam… Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net

Had only been a shadow clone?

Terrifying.

But somehow, it no longer mattered…

That single sentence—“Congratulations on your graduation”—was all the acknowledgment they needed.

It was enough.