Roaring Golden Lion in Konoha Village
The Golden Lion's Roar
Transmigrated into the world of Naruto, becoming an ordinary shinobi of Konoha.
A mundane life? Impossible.
A dual-wielding swordsman blessed with the power of the Float-Float Fruit—
Before you stands the man who has perfectly inherited the will and might of the Golden Lion.
This era will belong to him.
---
Konoha Year 37 — Late Second Shinobi World War
Beneath the towering Hokage Building, chaos brewed.
"You bastard! Didn't you promise me you'd bring Nawaki back alive!?"
Senju Tsunade's furious voice shook the courtyard. Her hands clenched Orochimaru's collar, pulling him close. Her beautiful face, usually calm and confident, was twisted with rage and heartbreak.
After entrusting her younger brother, Senju Nawaki, to Orochimaru's care, she had received only news of his death in battle.
"Talk to me, Orochimaru!" she screamed. "Say something!"
That was her brother—her only family left in the world.
"I…"
Orochimaru's lips trembled. Held tightly by Tsunade's grasp, he could only give a bitter, helpless smile. His golden eyes avoided hers—too ashamed, too hollow to meet them.
It was this moment—this loss—that first planted the seed of darkness in Orochimaru's heart.
Human life is too fragile… too fleeting…
"Tsunade, calm down! Orochimaru didn't want this either!"
Jiraiya stepped forward, his voice heavy with sympathy. As her teammate and friend, he understood her pain. Nawaki's death was cruel beyond words—anyone in her place would break.
"Calm down?" Tsunade roared, trembling. "That was my brother—my only brother! My only family!"
Since the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had taken office, the once-great Senju Clan had dwindled. With Nawaki's death, Tsunade stood alone—the last true heir of the Senju name.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade… I truly am," Orochimaru whispered. He could offer nothing but guilt and apology.
Around them, the courtyard filled with shinobi—veterans, clan members, and elite guards—but none dared to intervene. The Sannin were legends already, their names whispered in awe across the Ninja World.
Everyone could see it—Tsunade was a lit powder keg. One spark, and she would explode.
---
"Sure enough… it's this point in time."
In the watching crowd, a young man of fifteen or sixteen squinted his golden eyes. Twin swords hung at his waist, their hilts gleaming faintly in the afternoon light.
Aoyama Ryuyun—that was his name.
Though he had lived in Konoha for more than ten years, Aoyama Ryuyun remembered everything.
The timeline, the events—he knew this scene all too well.
This was the moment Senju Nawaki's death tore Tsunade's heart apart.
Ten years in this world had turned the once-naive transmigrator into a hardened shinobi.
"Tch."
He clicked his tongue, unimpressed. Having survived the carnage of the Second Shinobi War, Aoyama Ryuyun had long grown numb to death.
Besides, he didn't even know Senju Nawaki personally.
With a faint scoff, he turned to leave.
But—
"Who's there!?"
The courtyard fell silent.
The sound of his dismissive tsk cut through the tense air, and every head turned.
Tsunade's eyes snapped toward him, her fury seeking a target. She released Orochimaru and locked onto the golden-haired youth.
"You…" Her voice was cold as steel. "Do you have something to say about my brother's death?"
The entire area froze. All eyes turned toward Aoyama Ryuyun.
"…Aoyama Ryuyun," Orochimaru murmured, recognition flickering in his gaze. "Konoha jōnin—the one they call the Golden Lion?"
His snake-like eyes narrowed with curiosity. He had heard rumors, but this was the first time he'd seen the man in person.
"The Golden Lion?" Jiraiya muttered, rubbing his chin. "The sword prodigy who appeared after Konoha's White Fang?"
He remembered now—the genius swordsman who rose after Hatake Sakumo, famous for his twin blades and ferocious lion-themed techniques.
Unlike the calm, kind smile of Jiraiya's pupil, Minato Namikaze, this youth carried a wild, untamed aura. His arrogance wasn't born of vanity—it was instinct.
Aoyama Ryuyun was like a lion: proud, unrestrained, and utterly fearless.
"This kid's in trouble," Jiraiya sighed, shaking his head. "He just walked straight into the line of fire."
Even so, he was prepared to step in if Tsunade went too far. After all, they were all comrades of Konoha.
Orochimaru said nothing, his attention fixed on the impending confrontation.
---
"Hm?"
Aoyama Ryuyun halted mid-step, turning his gaze lazily toward Tsunade. His eyes burned with an untamed arrogance—like a king surveying a mere subject.
Even in the face of one of the Sannin—the granddaughter of the First Hokage, the student of the Third—he did not flinch.
"You bastard!" Tsunade shouted, veins pulsing on her temple. "Does my brother's death amuse you that much?!"
Her fury radiated like heat from a volcano.
"So what?" Ryuyun replied coolly. His tone was flat, unconcerned, almost mocking.
"You—!"
Her fist clenched tight. That arrogance—that complete lack of remorse—was unbearable.
"Super Strength Fist!"
"Clang!"
Ryuyun's hand moved like lightning. The sound of steel rang out as one of his blades met Tsunade's devastating punch.
The ground beneath them cracked from the impact. Dust and wind burst outward.
The Golden Lion had drawn his claws.