Under the setting sun, the Village Hidden in the Leaves was bathed in the glow of dusk. The quiet and serenity of the scene were intoxicating.
But how many people truly understood that this peace and tranquility were built upon the blood and bones of those who came before?
Ordinary chūnin like Teacher Okamoto were countless during the Second Great Ninja War—so many that even in death, few would remember their names.
"Leo, in this little time I have left, I just want to be a real teacher—someone who cares for his students!"
"Konoha has many problems. It's impossible for the village to take care of everyone or make everything right.
But it's still young, Leo. You have to understand that, and believe that it will become better in time."
"Don't hold a grudge against it. Give it a chance."
As Leo walked through the streets, Okamoto-sensei's final words echoed endlessly in his mind.
Heading to the battlefield meant certain death—but even knowing that, Teacher Okamoto had answered the village's call without hesitation.
In such an era, someone had to stand up.
Even if they were as insignificant as dust, they would still burn with all their light and heat before fading away.
"If Konoha does not betray me, then I will fight for Konoha!"
That was the conclusion Leo reached. He refused to live his life under anyone's control. He would grasp his own fate—nothing more, nothing less.
To repay kindness with kindness, to return hatred with vengeance—such was his creed.
He quickened his pace toward his small home. By the time he arrived, the sun had completely sunk beneath the horizon, and the night sky was dotted with countless stars.
Creaaak.
He pushed open the wooden door. The room was silent. Leo lit a candle, and in an instant the dim room was illuminated.
He stood still, eyes locked on the desk not far away.
A black-and-white scroll lay quietly upon it.
Frowning, he stepped forward and unrolled it—only for his expression to change drastically.
On the scroll were just a few words:
"Kushina—outside Konoha, in the Forest of Death."
No signature. Just a brief message. The target was clear—him.
Before he could react further, the scroll suddenly burst into flame with a whoosh, turning to ashes without leaving a trace.
"Who…?"
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Uchiha."
Almost instantly, he identified his enemy—the Uchiha clan.
Within Konoha, they were the only faction he had crossed paths with.
Especially that morning, when Uchiha Shiro had been humiliated on the village street—someone with his vindictive personality would never let it go.
But how could Kushina possibly be in Uchiha Shiro's hands? She was definitely under the protection of a powerful ninja!
Leo quickly dismissed the thought. Even in the original story, Kushina—Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails—had once been kidnapped by Cloud ninja.
This was a trap. A deathtrap set for him.
Whether or not Kushina had really been captured, he had to go.
"Uchiha Shiro—you're courting death!"
Killing intent flashed in Leo's eyes. He changed into his black night-ops gear and sped toward the Forest of Death.
At the same time, Konoha's intelligence network began to stir into motion.
Hokage Building
A masked ANBU knelt on one knee before the Third Hokage.
In front of the Hokage's desk stood a young woman, barely in her twenties.
She had long, pale blonde hair, fair skin, and bright, lively eyes. A hint of playful arrogance curved her lips.
Over her gray-and-white fitted shirt, she wore a light green cloak with a bold "Gamble" character emblazoned on the back. A black sash cinched her slender waist, and her… overly-developed chest seemed almost ready to burst from her top.
There was no mistaking her identity—
Tsunade, granddaughter of the First Hokage Senju Hashirama, princess of the Senju clan, student of the Third Hokage, and one of the future Three Legendary Sannin.
Tsunade crossed her arms, frowning as she listened to the ANBU's report.
"Leave us," Hiruzen Sarutobi said when the ANBU finished.
With a puff of white smoke, the ninja vanished.
Tsunade's calm expression suddenly twisted with anger.
"Old man, those Uchiha are getting way too arrogant! Aren't you going to do something about them?"
Hiruzen gave a helpless smile, puffing on his pipe. Smoke curled around his face as he spoke slowly:
"The Uchiha control Konoha's Police Force—it's not easy to touch them. But this Uchiha Shiro's challenge to Leo… yes, that's clearly a premeditated trap. Their clan's pride is too small. They can't even tolerate a single academy student."
"Leo? That name sounds familiar…" Tsunade muttered.
"You've forgotten already? He's the survivor of that village wiped out by the Sand ninja—the boy you rescued yourself on that mission, Tsunade," Hiruzen reminded her.
"Ah, right! No wonder it sounded familiar. But how'd that kid end up offending the Uchiha?" Tsunade frowned, puzzled.
Most of her time was spent training—or gambling—so she rarely paid attention to village gossip.
"Heh, three months ago that boy beat one of the Uchiha half to death. Word is, the guy still can't get out of bed." Hiruzen chuckled.
A mere student had humiliated the proud Uchiha, and now they'd sent a jonin to handle it. Pathetic.
"Serves them right! Those arrogant bastards needed someone to teach them a lesson!" Tsunade exclaimed.
"True, it must've felt good at the time. But knowing the Uchiha and their grudges… their revenge has finally come."
Hiruzen paused, then added thoughtfully:
"Strange thing, though—this Leo boy seems to have some kind of special bloodline, something akin to super strength."
"Super strength bloodline?" Tsunade's eyes brightened with sudden interest.
"Old man, I've got somewhere to be! Oh, and if the gambling hall owner comes by looking for me, tell him to send the bill to you, okay?"
Before Hiruzen could answer, she vanished with a poof.
The Third Hokage blinked, then let out a helpless laugh.
"That girl… she's already spent the Senju fortune into the ground, and now she's coming for mine."
He walked to the window, gazing at the village blanketed at night.
"Leo… child, this is all I can do for you now. The rest is up to you."
He thought back to earlier that day, when Chūnin Instructor Okamoto had come to speak about Leo. The memory left him heavy-hearted.
But as Hokage, there were limits to what he could personally intervene in. The interests of the village always came first.
The Forest of Death
Leo arrived alone at the appointed place.
In the distance, he saw Kushina tied to a tree, struggling weakly.
But as soon as he stepped closer—poof!—she turned into a log.
"Substitution Jutsu."
He wasn't surprised. Kushina was under the protection of high-level shinobi; she wouldn't be captured so easily.
Rustle… rustle…
The leaves stirred.
A long shadow emerged from the depths of the forest.
Under the pale moonlight, Uchiha Shiro's face came into view—eyes filled with killing intent.
(To be continued…)
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