"Begin."
"The first step—seize control of Konoha's Grand Barrier."
On a summoning scroll, a white snake appeared, spitting out a smaller scroll before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Shimura Danzo, his body wrapped in bandages, took the scroll and opened it, scanning the contents once more.
A cold smile crept across his face.
"Move."
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Figures shot out of the courtyard like rain, scattering in all directions. Danzo followed behind them.
Surrounded by so many operatives, he felt completely at ease, as if Konoha itself were already in his grasp.
Normally, such a large group of ninjas moving openly through the village would immediately draw ANBU attention. But today—nothing. No interception. No questioning. As if the ANBU were blind.
"Excellent," Danzo sneered. "With fires breaking out everywhere, ANBU must be scrambling. They really thought catching those obvious pawns would keep Konoha safe. Naive."
"I've reclaimed Root. Konoha is full of holes—wide open to me."
"Between Geno's explosive tags and the traps I planted at more than a dozen critical points, most of ANBU's strength will be tied down. Uzumaki Naruto—no matter how strong you are—how much can you possibly handle?"
Danzo looked around. The village still appeared calm.
Villagers occasionally glanced up, startled by the figures leaping across rooftops—but that was all.
Danzo even met their eyes, nodding politely, wearing a rare, gentle smile.
"After this upheaval, some of you may be injured. Some may die. But that's fine—it's a necessary sacrifice. When I become Hokage and rebuild Konoha into something stronger, you'll understand. Even in the Pure Land, you'll feel proud."
Lost in his fantasy, Danzo's smile grew warmer—almost radiant.
"Hmph. Psycho," a villager muttered, shuddering and lowering his head.
That smile was terrifying.
"Are we really firing the flare?"
"Do you dare disobey Uzumaki Jonin's orders?"
"But once it goes up, the enemy will launch a full assault. The village will fall into chaos—people will get hurt."
"And if we don't fire it, do you think they won't attack? Don't kid yourself—there's more than one signal."
"…You're right."
"Fire it."
Whoosh!
A sharp screech pierced the sky. A trail of white smoke rose, then exploded into a dazzling, blood-red firework.
Crimson. Blazing. Impossible to miss.
"Here it comes," Danzo murmured, eyes narrowing in delight.
"Here it comes."
Inside the arena, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Rasa, Ai, Onoki, and Yagura all turned toward the sky at the same time. The same thought crossed every mind.
So it begins.
Outside Konoha, countless hidden ninjas stared at the red flare, cruel light flashing in their eyes. Killing intent surged like a tidal wave.
On the walls, ANBU and stationed shinobi instantly tensed.
They had been warned. The moment the signal appeared, the enemy would rise.
"No matter what, do not let them breach Konoha!"
"Invade Konoha? Over my dead body!"
"This road is closed!"
The shinobi roared in unison, battle spirit boiling over.
"Move!"
"Go!"
Across Konoha, explosions erupted at defensive nodes. Smoke, dust, and fire burst skyward.
In an instant, the village shifted from calm to chaos.
"What's happening?! An invasion?!"
"So loud—how many enemies are there?!"
"Don't stand there! Hide—now!"
"Basements! Get the children inside!"
Panic spread through the streets as civilians fled for cover.
Moments later, the roads were empty—no people in sight. Only shadows leaping across rooftops.
Thunder, flames, collapsing earth—the sounds of battle shook the sky.
"So this is what Naruto meant… the Konoha Collapse Plan."
Sasuke stood alone in the empty training ground.
Fighting echoed from every direction.
He wanted to help. Desperately.
But he stayed.
"Naruto said: your only task today is to stay here and stop one person. Nothing else matters."
"Who?"
"You'll know when you see him."
"Kill or capture—your choice. When the time comes, fight without holding back."
As a ninja, following orders was instinct.
And Sasuke trusted Naruto.
Today, his world narrowed to a single task.
"Coming."
Sasuke's eyes snapped open, sharp and alert.
Dozens of figures rushed toward the training ground.
"…This is more than promised," Sasuke thought grimly.
They landed in formation.
"The Uchiha kid?" Danzo narrowed his eyes, sensing something off.
But seeing the Root operatives behind him—and only Sasuke ahead—he relaxed and stepped forward.
"Danzo… Shimura Danzo!"
The moment Sasuke saw his face, the fire in his chest exploded.
He would never forget that face.
Years of suppressed hatred surged back all at once.
"Shimura Danzo," Sasuke said coldly. "This road ends here."
"You've got nerve," Danzo laughed. "A mere chunin thinks he can stop me? Do you know your place?"
"I don't even need to move. The people behind me can tear you apart."
"And you Uchiha—born evil. Perfect. I'll kill you today. Then I'll deal with your brother, Uchiha Itachi, and reunite your family in the Pure Land."
"What did you say?" Sasuke froze. "My brother… isn't dead?"
"Oh?" Danzo smirked. "You didn't know?"
Laughing, he leaned closer.
"Want some truth? Do you know who really slaughtered the Uchiha clan? Who killed your parents?"
"…Wasn't it you?" Sasuke asked, voice icy.
"That's the official story," Danzo sneered. "The real murderer was your beloved brother—Uchiha Itachi."
Sasuke felt like he'd been struck by lightning.
The world went white.
Danzo reveled in the sight of Sasuke's pale face.
"Kill him," he ordered calmly.
Root moved.
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