With One Blade, Overturning Konoha!

Night had fallen. The Central Tower within Konoha's Forest of Death appeared eerily sinister under the cloak of night.

Perched atop the diamond-shaped tower stood the ninja world's titans—mostly prominent figures. In the center were the elite from various ninja villages, now reduced to spectators. At the very bottom stood the clueless genin, still methodically conducting the Chūnin Exams.

Sasuke and Akadō were now engaged in their second battle. Glancing upward, Sasuke felt a bit lost. He couldn't shake the feeling that he should be the one stepping in at this critical moment. Sharing this same thought, far away, was Naruto, rubbing his chin with a completely bewildered expression.

The atmosphere up there felt so weird.

“Alright, the battle begins.”

Hayate Gekkō scratched his head, beckoning to Sasuke and Akadō to begin.

But Sasuke wasn't the only one confused. Akadō was equally perplexed. He was an undercover agent for Orochimaru of Otogakure. With the Konoha collapse plan already underway, was it really appropriate for him to be playing make-believe with a kid?

Glancing at Sasuke before him, Yoroi Akadōi let out a cold snort.

In that case, this would have to be over quickly.

Take out Sasuke, then go support Lord Orochimaru!

Whoosh!

The battle officially commenced. Without a moment's hesitation, Yoroi Akadōi charged forward. With his ability to absorb chakra, close-quarters combat was his specialty! As long as the close combat lasted a moment, he could drain his opponent's chakra dry!

Too bad.

The Sasuke of today wasn't the original story's angsty teenager, cursed by Orochimaru's seal, unable to freely manipulate chakra, or even hesitant to activate his Sharingan. He was a genius swordsman who had inherited the will of Konohagakure's King of Normal Attacks!

Drawing his katana, he struck straight down!

Through his crimson Sharingan, the charging opponent was riddled with openings.

Swish!

The Asauchi blade traced an arc, locking directly onto Akadō's neck.

“The gap is too vast.”

“Whether in combat experience or mastery of force, Akadō is no match for Sasuke ‘860’.”

Hayate Gekkō shook his head, about to declare the match's outcome.

But the Akadō, his katana pressed against his throat, seized the moment Sasuke relaxed in his certainty of victory. He surged forward once more, slamming a fist toward him.

Thud!

The blade sank deep into his chest. Sasuke let out a cold laugh and stepped back.

“No one knows the outcome until the very last moment of battle. Never lower your guard until your opponent is dead.”

“Those were my master's words.”

“And the relaxation you saw? That was merely the relaxation I chose to show you.”

The dashing youth departed the arena as the Akadō figure collapsed heavily to the ground. Possessing unique abilities yet lacking the space to showcase them.

That is the gap!

When your opponent is me, you have already lost!

In that instant, Sasuke's aura surged to its peak!

The second match: Uchiha Sasuke is the victor.

Hayate Gekkō announced the result with a cough.

The third match continues...

The Chūnin Exams below continued, though the venue had been partially destroyed by Hakken and Nagato, which still had some lingering effects.

Meanwhile, the situation above had felt strange from the very start.

Leaders of the ninja world had gathered, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the Five Kage Summit.

A simple analysis suggested three distinct factions.

The Konoha faction, the Orochimaru faction, and the neutral ninja world faction.

The Konoha faction was led by Hakken Yoru, with the Night Owl Team fully assembled. Joining them were Tsunade, who had jumped into the fray at the last moment, along with key figures like the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The Orochimaru faction was more complicated.

It wasn’t simply a group of villains under Orochimaru’s command, but more of a collaboration between him and former Akatsuki members.

What was even more terrifying was that among the individuals summoned through Edo Tensei, two of them were unlikely to be easily manipulated.

Black Zetsu, Obito, Orochimaru, and Nagato, who lay motionless on the ground.

The voices of the narrators came from the three coffins: Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha.

The third faction consisted of the Kage leaders from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, excluding the Hokage, as well as bewildered village heads from various other lands.

The number of people was a bit chaotic, but one thing was certain.

There was confusion everywhere.

Take Madara Uchiha, for example.

He was completely lost as to what was happening.

Nagato lay on the ground, motionless, looking no different from a stray dog.

His disciple, Obito, kept shaking his head and sighing at him, but Madara couldn’t understand what he was trying to express.

And why was Hashirama revived as well?

Edo Tensei was supposed to be just that—Edo Tensei. Bringing him back like this only made things more complicated.

The most important thing, however…

Madara squinted his eyes, arms crossed, and turned his gaze toward Hakken Yoru.

That guy just said he would fight ten versions of himself.

Was he drunk?

Even a peanut wouldn’t get someone this drunk, right?

Who does he think he is?

Madara was utterly confused, deep in thought.

Meanwhile, the third faction—the small team of Kage—stood together.

Ōnoki was shivering uncontrollably, his body wracked with cold. Thankfully, Rasa was there to offer him a slight bit of support; otherwise, he might have collapsed right there, unable to stand back up.

"Hey, is it really necessary? It's just Madara Uchiha."

Rasa frowned, giving off an air of not taking Madara Uchiha seriously.

"Just?"

Ōnoki's eyes widened. "Do you know what you're saying? That's Madara Uchiha!"

To this day, he couldn't forget that scene. A single glance from that towering man had sent him stumbling back, trembling and frozen, powerless to stop Madara from beating the Second Tsuchikage senseless. Back then, he was still just a boy. So much had changed since. In the end, the alliance between Iwagakure and Konoha had collapsed. The Second Tsuchikage was gravely wounded. All because of that Mangekyō Sharingan! He still couldn't shake the psychological shadow from his youth.

Glancing around, Ōnoki trembled as he tugged at Raikage's sleeve.

"Who would've thought Orochimaru's trump cards were these people."

"If it were just the First Hokage, maybe he wouldn't be able to turn the tide. But now, with Madara Uchiha..."

Time to pick sides? Newest update provıded by novel fire.net

The Raikage frowned. Just as they'd discussed before coming to Konoha, Orochimaru seemed to have gathered forces capable of challenging Konoha! What now?

"Kazekage, Mizukage, what do you say?"

Clenching his remaining fist, the Raikage's breath quickened. The moment to turn the tables had arrived. The time to resist Konoha's tyranny was now! A coward was unworthy of being the Raikage of Kumogakure.

Turning to Rasa and Terumi, A awaited their response. The situation was now clear: either join Orochimaru in rebellion or stay subservient to Konoha. Whichever they chose, they would fight!

Unfortunately, aside from Rasa showing some reaction, Terumi didn't even glance back, her eyes fixed on the battlefield. Two cowards!

A gritted his teeth. Fine. He decided to observe a little longer. An eerie silence lingered in the air.

Even Orochimaru seemed taken aback by how calm the atmosphere had become after the Edo Tensei ritual concluded.

"Though I’m not sure what the situation is now..."

"But that caster over there—this Edo Tensei has restored me to near my original strength."

"After all, I created this technique. How could a mere Edo Tensei bind me?"

Ultimately, it was the summoned Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, who shattered the silence!

"Madara Uchiha has been resurrected too. This must be Konohagakure. Things seem rather complicated."

"At this point, there's no other choice, Aniki!"

"I'm moving!"

Click!

In that instant, Tobirama Senju's body suddenly stiffened. He stared at Orochimaru in shock. His body, which had been about to move, froze completely.

"Tobirama, you're slow on the uptake."

Hashirama sighed helplessly. "Feel it carefully. This offering is filled entirely with my cells, strengthening the bonds of the Impure World Reincarnation."

"Great-uncle! Second-uncle!"

As she spoke, Tsunade suddenly rushed over from afar, landing before the two. Who would have thought she could see her former family again?

At this moment, Tsunade could no longer conceal her emotions. Tears streaming from her eyes spoke volumes of all she had endured over the years.

"Little Tsuna... you've grown so much."

Looking at his direct descendant, Hashirama Senju seemed somewhat moved. He glanced left and right, a hint of confusion in his eyes. He spread his sensory perception.

After a moment, Hashirama opened his eyes. Something felt off.

"Where are the others?"

Turning back to Tsunade, Hashirama Senju asked curiously. He had indeed ordered the Senju Clan to conceal their surname and live in Konoha. Yet Tsunade's lineage was direct Senju blood. Even assimilated into Konoha, he should have sensed the clan's uniquely vast chakra.

But the people around him—including those below—carried no familiar aura whatsoever. Only Tsunade stood before him.

"Well, Lord First, I think you should ask my teacher about that—the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."

Orochimaru grinned, seemingly finding his opening.

Right. Even if Edo Tensei was beyond his control, his goal had been singular from the start.

Take down Sarutobi! Prove his own worth.

They're all dead. Those who assimilated into Konoha became ordinary people. That faint bloodline can't even be considered part of the Senju clan.

Tsunade gave a bitter smile, seemingly reluctant to recall that past.

To this day, he still couldn't understand why they sent Nawaki, a child who had just graduated, to the battlefield. Clearly, Konoha gained nothing from the Second Shinobi World War—it was an invasion, yet they fought to the absolute limit.

Dead?

What happened?

Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama instantly turned to look at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his expression unreadable.

There's nothing to explain. Ever since Tsunade returned, Hiruzen knew this day might come.

“Lord First, Master Tobirama.”

“This matter is my failure to the Senju Clan.”

Bowing to both men, Sarutobi's gaze hardened. “That was my incompetence. Letting Danzō run rampant was also my mistake. And I have the courage to bear all the consequences.”

“Tenzō!”

“But before that, I must purge the traitors within Konoha. Cleanse our own house!”

“Please do not stand in my way.”

Enma had already been summoned, transforming into the Golden Staff. Hiruzen Sarutobi flung aside his robes, revealing the battle armor clinging to his body. It seemed he had long since discerned Orochimaru's true identity, though he had never voiced it.

Old man.

Orochimaru's expression darkened. “How did you discover me...?”

“The glint in your eyes—concealing malice and ambition. I noticed it long ago.”

Sarutobi shook his head bitterly. “Just as I always have. Just as I sensed you never ceased your human experiments.”

“Despite that, I pretended not to know.”

“In that war-torn era, your talent was extraordinary.”

“That’s why I hoped you would carry on my legacy.”

“That’s what I believed back then.”

A long sigh escaped him as Sarutobi's gaze hardened.

“But my naive thinking back then led to today’s catastrophe.”

“Perhaps I should never have let you go that day!”

“That remains the gravest mistake of my entire life.”

“So even though your aura has changed, your appearance altered, your eyes still burn with the same unyielding ambition!”

His eyes?

Orochimaru pinched a seal, his expression cold. This teacher truly understood him.

“Saru, I think you should first explain the matter of the Senju Clan.”

The controlled Tobirama Senju wore a solemn expression. “I entrusted Konoha to you. Now you tell me only Tsunade remains of the Senju bloodline?”

“Don’t change the subject. I demand an explanation!”

“Explanation? What explanation do you want? What does the Senju clan even mean?”

Just as everyone was engrossed in that grand wave of curiosity, a voice struck like a cold blade.

Madara Uchiha, arms crossed, casually crushed a tile beneath his foot. Instantly, a gaping hole nearly caused the floor to collapse.

“I simply want to know what the hell is going on right now.”

A savage aura instantly radiated out. Madara Uchiha's gaze shifted to Obito standing beside him.

Then he began walking forward step by step.

He wanted to understand the current situation—why he'd been resurrected through Edo Tensei instead of the natural cycle of rebirth.

And how far along the Eye of the Moon Plan had progressed.

These were the questions Madara Uchiha sought answers to!

As for the Hokage of Konoha Village's concerns—what did they have to do with him?!

He advanced step by step toward Obito. Yet, as he passed Orochimaru, Madara paused upon seeing the latter forming hand seals. He tilted his head, fixing his gaze directly on Orochimaru.

“You're the one who cast the spell?”

Here it comes!

Orochimaru was desperately trying to control the Edo Tensei, yet the man before him didn't even flinch. With remarkable composure, he simply pulled open his collar and glanced inside.

“So you know the secret of my body.”

“Yes. The secret of Yin-Yang fusion.”

Orochimaru nodded, sweat pouring down his face. “You, resurrected with a special offering, will surpass even my prime!”

“Hm?”

Madara froze, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You... have seen my prime?”

“I've longed to witness it, Madara Uchiha—the legendary power.”

Forming hand seals, Orochimaru seemed intent on manipulating Madara's body to turn the tide of this awkward battle!

But Madara merely glanced at Orochimaru with the disdain reserved for insects, then strode step by step toward the distant Obito.

Take control!

He walked while forming seals.

“Caster, forbidden Kinjutsu aren't child's play.”

“Pfft. Though I don't know how, since I've been revived, the Eye of the Moon Plan will have me, Madara Uchiha.”

His hands accelerated, slamming fiercely into the ground.

The next moment, the ferocious Madara let out a low growl.

“A technique created by a lowly piece of trash, and you dare try to trap me, Madara Uchiha?!”

Silently cursing Tobirama Senju, Madara's entire body began to glow with a white light.

“Edo Tensei!”

“Release!”

When the thread connecting him to the deceased snapped, Orochimaru was utterly defeated.

Are you kidding me?

This thing can actually be undone?!

Freed once more, Madara finally approached Obito and looked him in the eye.

At that moment, all eyes in the vicinity turned toward them.

The identity of the masked Madara Uchiha had been exposed the moment the real Madara was resurrected.

So who was this man?

The individual who had once collaborated with Akatsuki and crossed paths with Obito was filled with confusion.

Only Minato and Kakashi let out a sigh.

“How is the Eye of the Moon Plan progressing? Why do I sense the presence of several tailed beasts down here, instead of within the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?”

“And why use such a crude method to revive me?”

“Obito?”

Squinting at Obito, Lord Madara's voice was low. “Lord Madara, Obito didn't capture a single one!” Instead, Black Zetsu hurriedly answered respectfully.

“I think you should ask a different question.” Obito frowned and pointed toward Hakken Yoru.

“For instance, who is he?”

Who is he?

Madara swept him with a cold glance. “Just a brat. A worthless fool who fancies himself capable of taking on ten Madara Uchihas.”

“A mere speck of sand, not even half my worth!”

BOOM!

CLANG!

A massive blade sliced through the air, narrowly intercepted by Madara's Susanoo shield above his head.

In that instant, Madara's eyes blazed with spiritual energy.

Hmm...

CRASH!

Susanoo's shattered. Madara staggered back over a dozen steps before finally halting.

The brat he'd dismissed hoisted his katana again, thumbs up toward Madara. Then, right before his eyes, he spun 180 degrees and plunged the katana downward with brutal force.

“A mere speck of sand, not half my worth!”

“That line belongs to me.”

Liquor burned his throat.

Hakken grinned.

Things were getting more and more interesting.