With One Blade, Overturning Konoha!

“What intelligence do you have to report?”

It was deep into the night.

Inside a room of a high-end resting area in Konoha, Hakken sat on a soft couch with his legs crossed. The woman on his lap had wrapped herself around him like a snake the moment he entered, maintaining her position even now.

“Man… you’re even more attractive than when you came to Kirigakure years ago.”

Terumi’s breathing grew quick as she grasped Hakken’s hand.

“Don’t rush. At least listen to what I have to say first…”

“Before I report anything, as Mizukage, I want to forge a united front with the future Hokage.”

“A relationship far more intimate than simple alliance.”

“Water and fire don’t usually mix, but I think I’ve found a way for them to blend.”

The heat of her Melting Release slowly seeped into him.

“I like men who don’t melt. If you can handle it… then Kirigakure is yours to marry into…”

Wiping away the traces of Melting Release, Terumi leaned in again.

“Woman, do you understand the consequences?”

Hakken shifted, taking the dominant position. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.

Someone delivering themselves to his doorstep.

Why refuse?

He also wanted to know whether the Mizukage truly lived up to her title.

Mizukage… the emphasis being on “water.”

“I want to try… the consequences you mentioned…”

“Mm…”

“Hm? Is this how you use Melting Release? Not bad, Terumi.”

...

“What’s going on with your Mizukage?”

Far from Hakken and Terumi’s room, in another resting chamber, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, the Fourth Raikage A, and the pale-faced Fourth Kazekage Rasa sat together.

Yet in the Mizukage’s seat sat only her guard, Ao.

Ao, now truly one-eyed, had fully become a cyclops, though still strong enough to serve as a bodyguard.

But what angered the other Kage was this:

They had agreed to gather and discuss whether the plan proposed by that certain “big-named” individual could succeed—and to formulate a unified response.

Yet when the time came, the Mizukage did not appear at all, sending only a bodyguard to brush them off.

“Lord Mizukage isn’t feeling well and has retired for the night.”

Ao spoke calmly. “But rest assured, Lord Mizukage said that on the 27th, she will cooperate with you depending on the situation.”

It was clearly perfunctory. Cooperate? Hardly.

Ōnoki snorted, saying nothing.

“Forget it. No need to wait for her.”

Rasa crossed his arms and took a deep breath. “Let’s get to the main point. How likely do you think that person is to succeed?” ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ noⅴelfire.net

“Honestly, whether he succeeds or not, we still have many paths to choose from. The key is whether the four great villages—excluding Konoha—can stand united.”

Ōnoki’s tone was cold.

United.

A glanced at Ōnoki, stroking his chin.

“Everyone, the small villages around your borders… Konoha has absorbed them all, hasn’t it?”

“They’re like nails driven into our territories.”

“The sooner we pull them out, the better.”

The same situation had befallen all four great villages.

Konoha had even taken control of the main routes leading out of their countries.

“What exactly do you mean by ‘united’?”

Rasa looked at Ōnoki with interest.

For the first time, they shared a true common enemy. This wasn’t some political alliance filled with deception—this was genuine unity with the intention of toppling the strongest village.

“No matter whether he succeeds, the outcomes fall into a few categories.”

Ōnoki remained calm. Years of isolation had only intensified his resentment toward Konoha, yet precisely because of that, his clarity as Tsuchikage sharpened now.

“First: he fails, and we do nothing. We lose nothing. It’s just a show.”

“Second: he fails, but his plan inflicts serious damage on Konoha. If at that moment we unite and pressure Konoha…”

“Third: he still fails, but he kills that brat named Hakken Yoru.”

Ōnoki paused, his eyes filled with pure hatred.

“The Tailed Beast Bomb from the fully transformed Nine-Tails—please accept it.”

It was the most mocking sentence he had ever spoken.

With a single backward glance, Iwa Village had nearly been wiped off the map.

He would never forget that agony. That day, Iwa Village suffered catastrophic losses. Nor would he forget how he was forced to bow in humiliation before Konoha’s Wall of Honor.

If even a sliver of opportunity appeared, he would seize it.

“Finally, if he succeeds—not only killing that brat but also collapsing this village—watch for my signal. We must seize the greatest possible benefit.”

“Though that final outcome is almost impossible.”

“What I truly expect are the second and third scenarios.”

Having finished, Ōnoki turned his gaze toward the Raikage.

Relations between Iwagakure and Kumogakure had always been strained, but now it was the Raikage’s turn to speak.

In his eyes, the weakened Sunagakure and Kirigakure were merely supporting roles in this grand plan.

“I agree with your assessment.”

The Raikage glanced at Ōnoki and nodded. In truth, this was exactly what he and Mabui had concluded beforehand. Who would have thought that despite his age, Ōnoki’s mind was still so sharp?

“You’re all certain that man has no chance of succeeding?”

Rasa, however, looked doubtful. Everything they knew about that man was based on rumors.

He had indeed bowed his head to Konoha at the end of the Third Great Ninja War, and like Ōnoki, traveled there to apologize. But that was only because he didn’t want the Land of Wind to end up like the Land of Earth.

Yet now that so many forces had gathered, why was there not even a shred of confidence among them?

“Unless the First Hokage is resurrected, he has absolutely zero chance.”

The Raikage spoke with certainty, glancing at his severed arm before shaking his head. That man’s terrifying blade had been enough to tear through his Lightning Release Armor.

“No. I’d say even if the First did revive, he wouldn’t be a match for that brat.”

Ōnoki frowned. Unlike Rasa, he and the Raikage had both witnessed the terrifying power of that man firsthand. After so many years, the little brat had already grown into a true monster. Just how strong he had become now—no one could say.

“We’ll just see how the situation unfolds. Just don’t act rashly.”

The Raikage sighed. Originally, their visit to Konoha was only meant to observe the strength of Konoha’s new generation. Who would have thought someone would actually dare stir up trouble?

...

“‘That big-named guy’? Just say Orochimaru.”

In Terumi’s room, she lay sprawled on the futon, pretending to be dead, completely devoid of her earlier “overbearing” aura.

Hakken calmly took a sip of his drink as he questioned her.

How should he put it… As expected of Orochimaru—the man whose “Konoha Crush Plan” in the original timeline had almost succeeded.

Hakken had been a little surprised to see Rasa present in person, but what he hadn’t expected was that Orochimaru had already approached the Kage of the four major villages ahead of time and revealed parts of his plan.

According to Orochimaru, as long as the Kage entertained even the slightest thought of action, once chaos erupted in Konoha, they would definitely seize the opportunity to strike.

It was a flawless plan—so flawless that Orochimaru didn’t even worry about anyone leaking information to Konoha.

The reason was obvious. The so-called Five Great Ninja Villages had long been a hollow concept. Everyone knew Konoha now dominated the entire ninja world.

The other four were being suffocated under Konoha’s pressure—they would love nothing more than to see Konoha fall.

So at such a critical juncture, even if they learned of a scheme targeting Konoha, they would never warn them. Between villages, profit always came first. And for profit, they would unite without hesitation.

Orochimaru even dared approach Terumi knowing Kirigakure was actually under Konoha’s influence. Because in his eyes, Kirigakure would never willingly remain Konoha’s subordinate forever. When the time was right, rebellion was inevitable. He even believed Terumi would be the one most eager to support his plan.

Unfortunately, he miscalculated.

On her very first night in Konoha, the Mizukage invited the future Fifth Hokage to her room for a “deep discussion,” and she sold Orochimaru out completely—down to the last detail.

Terumi was no fool.

Yes, Kirigakure didn’t want to live under Konoha’s control forever. Konoha was undeniably strong. But rebellion was not impossible.

She had prepared two gambles: offering herself, and offering Kirigakure—betting on the outcome.

If she won, even if Kirigakure ended up a subordinate, its status would far surpass that of the other villages. If she lost, given her newfound “connection” with Hakken Yoru, Kirigakure wouldn’t be implicated. She might even secure a better life for her people.

Thus, she sold those men out without hesitation.

“Who knows if he’s really Orochimaru anyway? The ‘Oro’ part fits, at least.”

Terumi leaned lazily against Hakken’s chest.

“Nah, as Mizukage I’ve shown you plenty of sincerity. Don’t embarrass me when the time comes. But if Konoha really does fall, I’ll take you to Kirigakure. From then on, you’ll belong to me.”

Click.

Hakken pinched Terumi’s chin, a laugh escaping his lips.

“Seeing how candid you are, I'll share something with you too.”

“Do you really think I'm unaware of Orochimaru's ambitions toward Konoha?”

“Or do you believe we don't know Orochimaru's whereabouts? I know exactly what he and his Otogakure are capable of.”

He knows?

Terumi was stunned, then shook her head with a bitter smile. Was there anything in this world he didn’t know?

“Then why not just kill him outright?”

What puzzled her was that if he knew, why allow Orochimaru to enter Konoha at all? Shouldn’t every potential threat be eliminated?

“Do you think Konoha is fragile? What kind of storm could a mere Orochimaru possibly stir up?”

“Besides… before complete unification is achieved, I simply thought it’d be amusing to play with him a little.”

Hakken leaned in closer to Terumi’s face. “And I’m genuinely curious—how exactly will he please me when the time comes?”

How will he please you?

Terumi trembled slightly. “He can’t possibly… like this servant… use himself…”

“Continue.”

...

Konoha’s nights were always enchanting.

For Hakken, Orochimaru’s impending arrival filled him with genuine anticipation. He never considered Orochimaru a fool. A man who had prepared countless means for his own immortality would never act carelessly.

And that only made Hakken more curious about what exactly Orochimaru had prepared for Konoha.

Just the Edo Tensei of the First and Second Hokage?

That would be insulting.

In truth, Hakken was entirely certain that if Orochimaru relied only on those two, Hakken wouldn’t even need to intervene.

Because the Konohagakure of today was not the fragile, half-fallen village of the original story.

Back then, all three Sannin were absent. Minato died in battle. White Fang committed suicide. The Uchiha clan was massacred. The Hyūga, after the death of Hizashi, would never give their full strength for the sake of Konoha—preserving themselves came first.

Under such conditions, the only ones truly fighting for the village were Kakashi and a few others, and the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Even Danzō didn’t step in.

Jiraiya did return to teach Naruto the Summoning Technique, but he did not participate in the crucial battle—he merely watched from afar as Orochimaru and Hiruzen fought.

Could the Four Purple Flame Formation really stop Jiraiya?

Hakken doubted it.

But he didn’t interfere.

The truth was simple: at that time, Konoha had grown so weak that Orochimaru could fully enact the Konoha Crush Plan.

But that was the original story.

Now, Konoha was overflowing with talent.

Its upper-level combat strength was terrifying.

Setting Hakken aside entirely, Minato had already earned the full acknowledgment of Kurama. With a single call of “Lord Nine-Tails,” he could enter Golden Body Mode and become the true Golden Flash.

And then there was Team Night Owl—any one of those members could shake the entire ninja world. What made Orochimaru think he could challenge such a Konoha?

Shisui.

Itachi.

Fugaku.

Three pairs of Mangekyō Sharingan. Three metaphoric giant mechs activated at once—what exactly did Orochimaru plan to fight them with?

Konoha Collapse? Keep dreaming.

So what exactly was Orochimaru’s trump card?

That curiosity tugged at Hakken’s thoughts.

As for Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Kumogakure, their participation was acceptable so long as they behaved. But if any of them made even the slightest questionable move, Hakken would seize the opportunity to unify the Five Great Nations right then and there.

It would be ahead of schedule, yes—but it wasn’t something he feared.

Inside Terumi’s resting chamber, the atmosphere remained heated and harmonious.

...

The next morning.

A strange-looking group approached the gates of Konohagakure.

“Otogakure?”

Holding the invitation, gatekeepers Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki looked up at the approaching team.

The air around them felt unusually heavy.

Uniform clothing. Identical, eerie eyes.

“Yes. I am the leader of Otogakure and the one in charge of this team. My surname is Ō.”

The cloaked ninja at the front appeared to be a mature woman beneath the hood.

“You may enter.”

The invitation served as official identification and a pass to participate in the exam. Nodding, the gatekeepers allowed them through.

Stepping into Konoha, the woman lifted her head to observe the village.

“Konoha, huh?”

“Finally back.”

“Hakken-kun, you once said you would never remain in this village. It seems you’ve broken your promise.”

“Withdraw. Let me see… the charm of this place.”

As the figure moved forward, the scene at the village gate froze in time.

The ninjas behind Orochimaru all lifted their heads, their cold gazes aligned perfectly.

Kaguya Kimimaro.

The Sound Four.

Several lower-ranked Sound shinobi.

But none of them were the true source of pressure.

The figure standing behind them was.

Crimson hair swayed slightly. Concentric rings spiraled in his pupils. His fists clenched with oppressive weight.

“The Collapse Plan.”

“Is about to begin!”