Chapter 193: Thank You for Standing in Front of Me!
Three days later, Konoha Research Department.
Hakken waited calmly outside. Itachi and Sasuke had already been wheeled into the operating room.
The eye transplant surgery, performed jointly by Tsunade and Orochimaru, didn’t require too much concern. All that was left was to wait for the outcome.
It was worth noting, however, that due to age-related factors, Sasuke’s transition from the three tomoe to the Mangekyō Sharingan had been exceptionally difficult.
Fortunately, at the last moment, Hakken decisively stimulated him with Indra’s Chakra.
The newly awakened Mangekyō Sharingan possessed the same abilities as in the original story: Kagutsuchi and Amaterasu. One released black flames, the other controlled their shape.
For a Shisui-type Mangekyō Sharingan to have these abilities was quite favorable.
As for Madara’s Shisui-type Mangekyō Sharingan abilities, Hakken had inquired about them once before. They were similar to passive abilities that amplified ninjutsu and enhanced agility.
No wonder his Fire Release techniques were considered borderline forbidden jutsu—it all made sense now.
With the eye transplants completed and the specialized transplant potion for red eye disease from the System Store, Hakken was certain that when they stepped off the operating table, Konohagakure would have two new eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
However, Sasuke’s current physical condition was not sufficient to activate the complete Susanoo. Hakken was well aware of this limitation.
Mastering Susanoo required both time and experience. Sasuke was still young—there was no need to rush his development.
Indra’s Chakra had already been channeled by Hakken and was gradually merging with Sasuke’s own body.
One thing was certain: even if Sasuke and Naruto were to die in the future, the Indra and Ashura chakras would not be reincarnated. The individuals who controlled those chakras had completely disappeared.
Indra and Ashura would reach their end, fully absorbed by Naruto and Sasuke, becoming their power forever.
As for how far that power could grow, Hakken didn’t concern himself with it. He preferred to let things develop naturally.
In short, they had gained power far easier to master than in the original story. Their future achievements would hardly be insignificant.
As for Itachi’s Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Hakken was eager to see it. In the original story, Itachi had given his eyes to Sasuke. He would never witness that crimson, fully formed Susanoo.
Just how powerful would Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan make him? Hakken had no idea.
Ding.
The surgical indicator changed to “Completed,” accompanied by a pleasant chime.
Two hospital beds were wheeled out by Medical-nin. Though their eyes were bandaged, both patients appeared stable.
“Success.”
Orochimaru nodded to Hakken, a hint of envy in his expression.
The procedure had gone smoothly. After all, being blood relatives meant no rejection issues with the eye transplants.
He envied the sheer power of their eyes, the pinnacle of the Sharingan, at such a young age. It was truly terrifying.
“Good work.”
Hakken nodded to Orochimaru, about to say something, but he was cut off by the intense gaze of Tsunade beside him.
“What about me? Didn’t I work hard?”
Narrowing her eyes, Tsunade leaned close to Hakken and muttered three words:
“Borrow? Understand? Come?”
This guy was getting bolder by the day.
Earlier, he had come to her, blushing, asking if she had time, offering to treat her to a meal—a subtle way of expressing his feelings.
But now, these three terse words basically summed it all up.
Shrugging, Hakken showed no fear.
Tsunade had already forgotten her original intentions. After all, she and Hakken lived in the same courtyard, and it wasn’t unusual for master and disciple to head into battle together.
She’d just have to get used to it.
“Get some rest.”
After saying this to Itachi and Sasuke, Hakken tugged Tsunade away.
Borrow?
Understand?
Come?
This time, I’ll push you to the brink of despair.
...
A period of relative calm began.
The categorized Ninja World operated smoothly, with frequent reports of success reaching the Hokage's office, driven by the major ninja villages.
Hakken appeared punctually at the office each day, glancing briefly before departing. The remaining tasks fell to his personally appointed assistant, Minato.
The workload wasn’t heavy. Yet his training continued unabated.
The Demon Sword Zaraki Kenpachi, the Instinct Power White Hollow, the Great Swordsman Mihawk. The three templates solidified and advanced daily.
For Hakken, each day involved heading to the training grounds to swing his sword and sweat freely. At night, he'd return home to ponder whether to enter a certain maid's quarters, discuss the revival of the Mitarashi clan with Anko, or join Anko's best friend, Kurenai Yūhi, in her room to plot grand schemes. Or perhaps take Yūgao Uzuki for a private bath. Or check on Hinata or Ino's development.
Such are the troubles of an ordinary life.
He cherished this existence.
Unadorned, yet never dull.
But for Konoha’s new generation, navigating the daylight hours proved relatively arduous.
Right now, Konoha had gathered all the top young talents from the ninja world. Take, for example, Kurotsuchi from Iwagakure, the Suna Ninja Triumvirate from the Land of Wind, Samui—who had surrendered to Hakken both mentally and physically, originally the disciple of the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki—from the Land of Lightning, and Chōjūrō from Kirigakure, among others.
As for the more unique ones, there were ninjas like Kaguya Kimimaro from Otogakure.
Orochimaru had already surrendered.
Having lost his purpose, Kimimaro sought out Hakken for a detailed discussion and ultimately decided to remain in Konoha.
At the Konoha Special Training Camp, they were united as one, no longer needing to question their existence's value or meaning. They shared a single goal: To complete the rigorous training imposed by Hakken Yoru, the world’s foremost ninja.
This was an immense honor for them.
The advanced training for the Chūnin Exams.
Though they didn’t know where this power would be used once the ninja world solidified into its current form, the Fifth Hokage, Hakken Yoru, had said that after some time, he would expand the Night Owl Team and the ANBU. By then, the first tournament for the strongest ninja would also begin.
To secure a high ranking and give their former village an answer, they were willing to put in the effort.
And on a certain night...
Hyūga Neji, who had trained exceptionally hard during the day, arrived at the Fifth Hokage Yoruya Hakken’s doorstep. He knelt heavily on the ground, banged his head three times on the floor, then turned and left.
The reform of the Hyūga Clan was complete.
During the Chūnin Exams, when chaos erupted in the exam grounds, Neji’s selfless courage deeply impressed Hyūga Nezumi.
He understood that the moment the Hokage-sama had spoken of had arrived—the time to directly abolish the Caged Bird System.
That day, the Hyūga clan was ablaze with light. Countless ninjas from the branch houses gathered outside Hiashi’s residence, expressing their gratitude with wild, frenzied emotion.
Hiashi Hyūga himself was somewhat stunned by the scale of this outpouring.
He vaguely recalled the words spoken by the Hokage-sama.
“You can try it. Once the restrictions are lifted, they will strive even harder to protect the main house, rather than harboring thoughts of rebellion. Gratitude is always easier to control than constraints.”
He believed this profoundly.
And Hakken fulfilled his promise to Neji Hyūga, becoming the greatest benefactor of Neji’s life—a figure he would look up to forever.
The unification of the ninja world progressed steadily. Especially after Madara Uchiha joined ANBU, the pace became downright astonishing.
Only after witnessing Madara Uchiha’s formidable combat prowess did the ANBU ninjas truly grasp the magnitude of the foe their Hokage had defeated.
Perhaps due to the Rinnegan, or some other factor.
Madara Uchiha’s complete Susanoo far surpassed Itachi Uchiha’s in scale.
A single swing could cleave through mountains of considerable size.
Excessively powerful.
Under such overwhelming might, the Konoha-led allied forces swept through the ninja world, gradually subduing resistance factions.
Within just three months, the rebel forces had completely surrendered.
It was only natural.
At this moment, Konohagakure embodied the pinnacle of combat power!
Victory reports poured into Konohagakure.
Parallel to this, the names on the Wall of Honor in the village’s central plaza grew ever longer.
Some had fallen heroically in battle.
Others had slain enemies with valor.
But regardless of their fate, they were all destined to be remembered by the people of Konohagakure.
Finally, the frequency of victory reports began to slow.
Yet this was no cause for concern.
It signaled something else entirely.
The signal of the Ninja World’s complete unification!
The final moment had arrived.
The words spoken by Hakken Yoru during the Chūnin Exams have come true!
He led Konoha to completely quell the flames of war, ending a conflict that had raged for over a thousand years!
He did it.
He truly did it!
At this moment, Konoha has reached its true zenith.
The First Shinobi Village?
No. From this moment onward, the Ninja World has only one name.
Konoha.
Regionalized governance, multi-departmental administration, national borders transformed into district boundaries.
The Land of Water was renamed the Maritime Capital, vigorously developing tourism. The establishment of docks allowed the abundant resources of the sea to be fully utilized.
The mountains of the Land of Lightning, transformed into new land through the united efforts of Team Nightingale, are now organizing the citizens to cultivate crops with all their might.
The Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, under Yamato’s leadership, are embarking on afforestation projects. A more prosperous life awaits them in the foreseeable future.
As the policies took effect, countless people bowed deeply toward Konoha, the heart of the continent.
After unification, the feared tyranny and heavy taxes never materialized.
The expanded Konoha ANBU ninja merely supervised and inspected their labor, never deliberately causing trouble.
The improved lives they now enjoyed led them to fully submit to Konoha’s rule, bowing to the wisdom of Hakken Yoru.
This was true peace!
Jiraiya, who had traveled the Ninja World, had resigned from the Night Owl Team. He recorded every detail of the world’s transformations in his newly written book.
A man like him was destined to dislike fighting and killing.
But this book was titled The Legendary Life of That Man. It chronicled the life story of Hakken Yoru, telling the tale of a legend.
Jiraiya had decided to publish this book widely.
Not for profit, but to help people better understand the legends within Konohagakure.
He vowed to spend his remaining life traversing every corner of the Ninja World, using his pen to show people how hard life truly is. He would also relay information about unstable regions back to Konohagakure via summoning beasts, allowing the Hokage to decide how to handle them.
As for the Daimyō of those nations?
Keep the useful ones; abolish the nobility of the useless ones.
Only through proactive effort could one attain a better life.
A good life was reserved solely for those who held goals within their hearts.
It depended entirely on whether one was willing to spend their remaining years drawing closer to their aspirations.
This was a reincarnation of the Will of Fire.
Beyond mere protection lay a deeper meaning.
It would later become the ninja way of Naruto.
Speak plainly, and deliver on your promises!
...
“I don't know how to put it…”
Half a year after the reforms began, at Konoha's Hokage Rock, now expanded once more.
Uchiha Shisui gazed down with a smile, while beside him, the slender Uchiha Itachi lifted his head to stare at the sky.
“What?”
Itachi lowered his gaze to Shisui.
“I don’t know how to describe my love for Konoha,” Shisui continued softly. “I guess, even if I die, I’d want my blood and soul to remain in some corner, silently watching over this village.”
Shisui chuckled to himself. Transformed by Hakken, he had finally seen everything he had hoped for. He felt a deep sense of relief.
Back then, he had taken the gourd of sake tossed to him by that man and taken a sip.
If he had dismissed that man’s thoughts with contempt back then, where would he be now?
To have known that man. To have become his close friend.
Though he hadn’t achieved true mutual understanding like Itachi, becoming the shadow of Hakken, he was still content.
He had left his mark on that man’s life—“friend” was a word that truly fit him.
Suddenly, he thought back to the early days of the Night Owl Team.
Back then, it had just been Itachi Uchiha, Hatake Kakashi, and Hakken Yoru.
He himself had been sent on a mission to seize Hakken’s sword.
Pondering this, Shisui smiled to himself.
Lord Danzō’s path had ultimately been misguided.
But perhaps his original intent had been similar to Hakken’s?
Still, none of that mattered now.
The days he had spent traveling to the Land of Lightning with Yagami, Itachi, and Kakashi—he would cherish them forever.
Supporting each other, relying on one another, entrusting their backs to those they trusted.
That was the true essence of being a ninja!
“You’re still so sentimental,” Itachi said, crossing his arms as he took a few steps forward. He looked at Konoha, then glanced at the carving of Hakken’s face on the Hokage Rock, offering a small smile.
“I wonder what Ken-san is up to now.”
...
Meanwhile, at a budget hotel.
Tsunade, now too broke to afford a suite, struggled to her feet.
That bastard was already gone.
Failed again!
Could it be because I’m getting old?
What about the Senju Clan’s bloodline?
Tsunade sighed heavily.
The revolution remains unfinished. She’d have to keep striving.
Well. She was used to it anyway.
“Achoo!”
Hakken sneezed as he stepped out of the hotel.
Lately, for some reason, he kept feeling like someone was talking about him.
“My lord, truly I feel... if you wish to leave descendants... I am the most suitable match for you...”
“Why waste the seed...”
Kaguya murmured softly in the spiritual realm.
“You don’t understand. This is challenging—like scoring in a soccer match. The harder the shot, the more satisfying it is when it goes in.”
Hakken declared with solemn conviction.
The principle is the same. After all, Orochimaru said his body is fine—just the odds are slightly lower. But with frequent attempts, it won't be an issue.
“Besides, I’m still young and have no desire to tie my obi around a child.”
Adding one last remark, Hakken leapt onto the highest point of Konohagakure.
“My world—do you understand it now?”
Refreshed, Hakken took a satisfying swig of baijiu before addressing Kaguya.
“Hmm, I understand. My previous approach was rather foolish.”
Snuggling into Hakken's embrace and nuzzling him, Kaguya remarked wistfully.
“Foolish is an understatement.”
“The Ōtsutsuki Clan cultivated the God Tree's fruit, refined it into elixirs, and consumed them to attain eternal life and immense power.”
“Relatively speaking, could their power, bolstered by the Rinnegan, be countered by White Zetsu alone, relying on Infinite Tsukuyomi?”
Hakken sighed, running a hand over the horns on Kaguya's head.
White Zetsu defeating the Ōtsutsuki trio to protect Earth?
Hakken couldn’t help but laugh.
What kind of twisted logic was this woman thinking?
“But timing-wise, it's almost perfect.”
Gazing toward the distant planned district nearing completion, Hakken’s expression softened into a smile.
Konoha had ascended to the core of the ninja world.
And as its Hokage, he naturally advanced further, becoming the leader of the entire world.
Since he was about to be crowned king, an upgrade in his treatment and status was only fitting.
But to be honest, the idea of building a luxurious mansion hadn’t originated with him.
Rather, after witnessing the changes sweeping the ninja world, ordinary people—eager to contribute to Hakken—had spontaneously organized themselves to petition for the construction.
The feeling of being trusted was profoundly satisfying.
This palace-like residence was likely the greatest reward he’d received in all his time.
The ninja world was now completely unified.
Everything was progressing in a positive direction.
And just as these tranquil days continued...
A single piece of news spread from Konoha across the ninja world.
The Fifth Hokage, Hakken Yoru.
The leader of the ninja world.
Undisputed strongest individual.
Would hold his grand wedding ceremony in one month.
All Konohagakure representatives were invited to witness the ceremony in Konoha.
For the peaceful ninja world, this news was explosive.
In this world, no one would refuse Hakken Yoru’s favor.
Naturally, they were also eager to witness this moment of aspiration.
Yet, those setting out for Konoha harbored some doubts.
Their questions centered on the other party in this grand wedding.
Everyone knew the Ninja World’s strongest was notoriously womanizing, keeping maids in pairs.
He surely had countless female companions.
Yet now, news of his wedding arrived—so who truly held the greatest place in Hakken Yoru’s heart?
They desperately wanted to know the answer.
Thus, attending this wedding meant not only witnessing an epic moment but also discovering which fortunate maiden had won his heart.
He was the unrivaled master of the ninja world!
To become his partner must surely bring immense happiness?
The news spread.
Almost simultaneously, leaders from major and minor ninja villages set out for Konoha together.
Though a unified nation, it preserved ninja village traditions to the greatest extent possible. Hakken did not force all ninja across the world to wear Konoha forehead protectors.
Frankly, most didn’t deserve to wear Konoha's forehead protector anyway. Entering the village required passing through layers of screening!
The ninja village systems were preserved, but the final decisions and village management were controlled by Konoha.
That was sufficient.
Moreover, as people witnessed their lives steadily improving, resistance naturally faded.
The grand wedding hadn’t even begun.
Yet the atmosphere in Konoha had already reached its peak.
The village, ablaze with lights and revelry, stirred a deep longing in the hearts of its people.
The smiles of blessing on their faces seemed to pay homage to the completed royal bedchamber in the distance.
Meanwhile, in a certain corner.
Two plump, bulky figures lingered on a rooftop.
“I say, my half-brother, shouldn’t we send something for the boss’s wedding?”
Grasping a gourd flask, Yin Kurama asked Yang Kurama.
“Of course! But what should we give? I suggested using the images from the Two-Tails' mind as background music for the bride, but Yugito tore me to shreds.”
Yugito Nii was the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki.
As for what the Two-Tails saw, it knew exactly.
Just like that day when Yugito screamed.
The Nine-Tails had seen similar things within Kushina and Mito.
Unfortunately, the Two-Tails was a female cat. After just a quick glance, it went back to sleep.
It had no interest in human affections and dared not look further.
A Tailed Beast serving as a maid must share the same resolve as its mistress.
As for letting Kurama unleash that thing?
That'd be suicide.
“Then what do we do?”
Yin Kurama scratched his head and asked.
“Dammit! I’ve got it!”
His eyes lit up. Yang Kurama grabbed his half-body and caught the moonlight, dashing out of Konohagakure.
...
Day after day passed. The guests arriving at Konoha grew ever more numerous. Even Jiraiya, who had been traveling abroad, returned. Finally, that day arrived.
Being in the anime world, Hakken didn’t bother with many formalities. Clothed in a long black robe, he finally arrived at the entrance to the bedchamber. But to the astonishment of the guests, the one he held by the hand was merely a woman who didn’t seem particularly remarkable.
Yūgao Uzuki.
When she waited for him in her wedding kimono during the bitter winter, Hakken knew he owed her a ceremony. No need for anything overly grand. In truth, the news of the wedding was only leaked because Shikaku and Minato felt it necessary to maintain Hakken’s prestige by inviting other ninja villages. Essentially, Hakken wasn’t one for excessive fanfare. But since he was doing it, he would do it right.
A colorful carpet stretched from the newly built palace all the way to the cherry blossom grove within the Uchiha Clan grounds. Hakken loved cherry blossoms. Using that spot as the final reception area mirrored a scene from Naruto’s wedding in the original story. He walked out of the palace holding Yūgao’s hand.
But things were clearly not as simple as the guests imagined. Tenten, Ino, Hinata, and Sakura emerged slowly behind them, tugging at Yūgao Uzuki’s long wedding kimono with faces brimming with envy. Exquisitely adorned, they radiated pure beauty. Yet it was certain that once they moved into the palace, they would all belong to one man.
The Ninja World’s top ninja was notoriously womanizing—everyone knew it, and those in Konoha understood. But after the four girls emerged, several more figures appeared behind them. This time, the guests were clearly stunned. Especially when they noticed the women behind them were also dressed in bridal gowns—they were utterly bewildered.
The Ninja World. It seemed there had never been a wedding like this before. This was womanizing in broad daylight. Indeed, those with great power never lack for female companions.
Yūhi Kurenai was remarkably composed, even chatting and laughing with the woman beside her, Azuki. She didn’t sense anything amiss. Azuki had indeed managed to slip in. The two maids behind her flushed slightly.
Konan and the two Yugito Nii never imagined this day would come. Yugito seemed somewhat better, but Konan was in a complete daze. Had she married? To the very devil she once feared? Why did a flicker of joy stir within her? She hadn’t understood until that man personally draped the wedding gown over her shoulders.
Had she fallen? Indeed, she had. The one who brought peace to the world had transformed from hatred to indifference, then from indifference to attraction. And now, she had laid down everything, leaving only adoration.
These three remained relatively composed. Only the last person to emerge seemed utterly mortified. Tsunade, pulled along by Terumi, stepped out awkwardly. When Tsunade—forced into the wedding gown by Hakken—appeared among the group, Orochimaru and Jiraiya, watching from afar, froze briefly. But their expressions quickly shifted to congratulations, and they called out “Congratulations!” to Tsunade from a distance.
Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya, shook his head silently, and said nothing. He must have anticipated this outcome when he led Hakken Yoru to find Tsunade. Hmm. It no longer mattered.
The procession moved forward. When they reached Minato’s side, Hakken halted.
This man. Had altered the life trajectory originally set for Hakken Yoru! Without him, Konoha’s ultimate resolution would likely have been entirely different. Destroying it alongside Orochimaru was surely what Hakken Yoru intended. Now he stood there. Yet his identity was peculiar.
Last night, Hakken Yoru found Minato. He had spoken only one sentence to him.
"I would like you to come to my wedding... as my father."
At that moment, Minato's eyes were red.
Now, however, they brimmed with relief and emotion.
“All this time...”
“There’s something I never told you.”
Standing before Minato, Hakken grinned. Beside him, Yūgao Uzuki stared in shock at her own arm.
A distinct glistening mark was etched upon it.
“Thank you, at the ANBU base.”
“For standing before me!”
He bowed deeply to Minato. When he lifted his head again, his expression had softened into calmness.
“Between men, words are unnecessary.”
Minato nodded, his sunlit smile shining through.
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
...
At that moment, the earth trembled.
People looked up at the sky in terror.
Nine Tailed Beast Balls formed a perfect katana shape as they shot skyward!
The Two-Tails, residing within Yugito’s body, was naturally absent.
But the two Nine-Tails compensated for the missing star, completing the Nine-Star Constellation.
The Tailed Beast Balls exploded.
They resembled the most spectacular fireworks imaginable.
Indeed, nothing could rival the awe-inspiring display of Tailed Beast Ball fireworks.
“Damn, that’s art!”
Far away, Deidara slapped Kisame hard across the face.
“Why’d you hit me?”
Kisame kicked Deidara’s backside.
“Calm down, we’re getting married.”
Meanwhile, Naruto and Sasuke flanked the pair, their expressions stern with warning.
Going wild was fine, but not here.
“Boss!”
“Boss!”
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two bulky figures sprinted toward them.
They finally crashed into Hakken’s arms.
The two Kurama, still as adorable as ever. He loved this gift—that sword had finally cut through the ninja world!
This is my ninja world.
He smiled, gazing up at the sky.
Hakken murmured softly,
“Where leaves dance, fire endures forever!”
“The fire will continue to illuminate the village and nurture new leaves to sprout!”
“This unyielding Ninja World, the invincible Konoha…”
“I’ll be waiting for you, Ōtsutsuki.”
The cherry blossom grove.
Fragrant petals danced in the air.
People raised their cups in celebration, drinking heartily.
The legend continues—this man will ultimately be crowned king.
His story. Has only just begun!