The pure white mask fell away with the drop of his left hand.
Aizen vanished.
Uchiha Kenya had finally stepped onto the stage!
"Y-You…!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was utterly speechless.
Unlike the childish face from four years ago, the twenty-year-old Uchiha Kenya had matured into a man whose presence was overwhelming. Yet, even so, Hiruzen recognized him at once.
"I see…"
Orochimaru's voice trembled, a strange mix of fear and exhilaration lacing his laughter.
"In the battle four years ago, you didn't die at all. Instead, you killed Rasa. Not only that, you used that flawless illusion to deceive all of Sunagakure, making them believe you had fallen to Rasa's hands. And for the past four years, you have ruled the Sand from the shadows!"
Even a schemer like Orochimaru had to admire him.
What an unfathomable mind!
If such a man became an enemy… it was simply unimaginable.
Orochimaru drew a long breath. "So, Sunagakure now belongs entirely to you."
Before Hiruzen could recover from his shock, Kenya smiled faintly.
"No, Orochimaru, you still haven't guessed it all."
"I first placed Rasa under my control, letting him believe he had killed me. Then, once inside Sunagakure, I eliminated him completely."
His tone dropped, calm and terrifying.
"And my true goal was never just Sunagakure… but the entire Shinobi World."
Rumble!!!
A thunderous crash shook the air. Both Hiruzen and Orochimaru turned sharply.
From within the village, a monstrous beast emerged—towering like a mountain of sand, etched with violet markings across its body.
"That's… One-Tail, Shukaku!?" Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.
Konoha was already under siege—giant serpents summoned by Oto-nin were wreaking havoc outside the walls, and now a Tailed Beast rampaged within the village itself!
The situation had turned into a nightmare.
"Lord Hokage," Kenya said mockingly, "instead of worrying about Shukaku, shouldn't you be asking where he's been unleashed?"
Hiruzen froze. Then his expression twisted in horror.
The beast was rampaging through the eastern district of Konoha—right where the Sarutobi clan made their home!
Kenya's eyes narrowed with a trace of nostalgia. "It brings back memories. After I seized Sunagakure, the first thing I did was gather the three children of the Kazekage and make them my students. In my eyes, there was no one more fitting than Gaara to succeed as Kazekage."
"You…" Hiruzen clenched his fists, but Kenya's voice silenced him.
"It took me a long time to reach that lonely child. In truth, once Rasa died, Sunagakure needed a new shadow. Not me, but Gaara. From the moment I became his teacher, I resolved he would one day wear that hat. His sister admires me as well, and together, they'll manage the village faithfully even in my absence."
Kenya's gaze shifted back to Hiruzen, his smile sharp.
"Because what I desire isn't the Sand… but Konoha. The most beautiful jewel in the shinobi world."
"Villain!!!"
Hiruzen's fury burst forth. He stomped down, sending tiles whirling into the air like shuriken. The sound of their spin cut through the wind like blades.
As expected of the Hokage—even such a makeshift attack carried the strength of a C-rank jutsu.
But—
Boom!!!
An overwhelming pressure erupted from Kenya's body. His spiritual energy surged like a crushing tide, forming an invisible wall that shattered the tiles into dust.
"Do you really think Konoha can be taken so easily? Everything you just revealed has already been heard by the Anbu outside the Four Purple Flame Formation—"
Hiruzen's words froze in his throat. His eyes went wide.
He remembered.
Kenya's Complete Hypnosis.
Kenya chuckled knowingly. "It seems you recall Kyōka Suigetsu's power. Indeed, what those Anbu outside see and hear now is a completely different reality from what you do."
"To them, it appears that I am fighting alongside you against Orochimaru. And in the end, this little play will close with your death—while I, narrowly surviving, drive Orochimaru away."
His lips curled into a cruel smile.
"Konoha will thank me for saving the village. And by your own appointment, I will become its hidden guardian, the unseen hero… a role that completes the mission of Aizen."
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes trembled. "To think you planned this far… Then even the Uchiha massacre…"
"You know the truth about Itachi!?" Hiruzen's voice cracked.
Kenya's laughter echoed coldly. "Why do you think I conveniently took sick leave for three whole months before the Uchiha made their move? Itachi wished for the clan to be remembered as noble martyrs. I had no such desire. As for revenge… I never once considered it."
He stepped closer, Kyōka Suigetsu gleaming in his hand.
"Don't worry, Hiruzen. You'll die a hero defending the village. Tsunade will return and take your place as Hokage—just as Konoha was once ruled jointly by Senju and Uchiha when it was first founded."
"The new Konoha will be governed by Senju Tsunade and myself, Uchiha Kenya. As for Sarutobi and Shimura… it's time for you to step down from the stage. This beautiful village was never meant for you."
His blade slid free, and he advanced slowly toward Hiruzen.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Orochimaru's applause echoed eerily. His lips twisted into a dark smile. "Even down to selecting the next Hokage… I must admit, Kenya-kun, you terrify me. To oppose you would be madness. Aizen… no, Kenya."
"Tsunade…?" Hiruzen's heart sank. He wanted to deny it, yet even he could not help but acknowledge the truth.
Kenya's plan was flawless.
Perfect. Impeccable. Without the slightest weakness.
Unless… someone could stop him here.
Unless… someone could kill him now.