"I advise you to think carefully before making a decision," Kakashi said with rare solemnity. "The Chunin Exams… are not a Ninja game or playing house.
Once you step into the examination hall, it means you will face real danger, and possibly even a life-or-death test."
He seemed to want to give his students some time to process, but then, as if remembering something, he called out to the three who were about to leave, adding a heavy piece of news.
"Oh, and one more thing… consider it a warning.
Just a few days ago, one of your graduating classmates, that guy named Changyue…"
He briefly recounted what happened: Changyue's squad took a C-rank escort mission, but on the way, they encountered a rogue Ninja from the Hidden Mist Village.
For some reason, that Changyue chose an axe as his main weapon.
During the battle, he accidentally fell victim to a rather low-level Genjutsu from the opponent.
Then, he started babbling, shouting strange things like '486,' completely immersed in the illusion, wildly swinging his axe at empty space… and as a result… he was bitten to death by the opponent's summoning beast, a snow rabbit used as a decoy.
After hearing this news, Naruto's face showed no obvious reaction.
He and that guy named Changyue… had never even exchanged a word.
Naruto's mind was entirely focused on a comprehensive assessment and sense of crisis regarding the upcoming Chunin Exams.
The Chunin Exams… this seemingly ordinary promotion assessment, according to the original trajectory, concealed a destructive attack on Konoha—Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan!
Naruto quickly listed the potential threats from Orochimaru's plan in his mind.
Orochimaru himself, a powerful Sannin, an expert in forbidden Ninjutsu.
The rampaging Ichibi Shukaku, the terrifying Tailed Beast formed when Gaara of the Hidden Sand Village loses control.
The entire Otogakure: a Ninja Village established by Orochimaru, which would launch a full-scale attack on Konoha at that time.
Yakushi Kabuto: a deeply hidden spy, excellent in both medical Ninjutsu and strategy.
The Edo Tensei of the First and Second Hokage; fortunately, Orochimaru's Edo Tensei Jutsu was still incomplete, and the summoned First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, was far less than one-tenth of his peak strength.
Fortunately, the Jutsu was incomplete; otherwise, just the power of the First Hokage at his peak would have made it impossible to play… But at the same time, Naruto also clearly realized that he had changed too many things, and the butterfly effect could very likely cause the original plot to deviate in unknown ways.
However… the power he now wielded was far greater than before, completely unafraid of Orochimaru's threat!
His mind conjured the list of core combat members of the [燼] organization who had already assembled.
Uchiha Shisui, the Shisui of the Body Flicker, possessing Amaterasu, Tsukuyomi, and Susanoo.
Kakuzu, the experienced, five-lived monster of Earth Grudge Fear.
Deidara, the explosion-release genius pursuing ultimate explosive art.
Zabuza Momochi, the Demon Man of Hidden Mist, skilled in silent assassination.
Haku, a young man with the rare Ice Release Bloodline Limit.
And… not long ago, while organization members were searching for Sasori of the Red Sand, Kisame Hoshigaki—successfully recruited under the identity of [Menma]!
That happened a while ago…
Deep within a damp, dark cave on the border of the Land of Water.
The bonfire crackled, its dancing flames the only source of light and heat in the dead silence, barely dispelling the cold and moisture seeping through the rock fissures.
A burly figure sat silently crouched before the fire.
The orange-red firelight illuminated a bewildered, ferocious face—grayish-blue skin, distinct shark-gill-like markings on both sides of his jaw, sharp, serrated teeth, and small but fierce eyes.
Overall, he looked like a shark that had left the ocean and was forced into human form.
Dressed in the standard uniform of the Hidden Mist Village Anbu, the most striking feature was the massive object on his back, tightly wrapped in white bandages.
It was none other than the Hidden Mist rogue Ninja, Kisame Hoshigaki.
However, what was utterly inconsistent with his fierce appearance was his current gaze.
Those small eyes, which should have been filled with ferocity, now stared blankly at the flickering flames, as if wanting to cast his own soul into them to be consumed.
Comrades? Village? What did these concepts, which once supported him in wielding his blade, truly represent?
In his mind, scenes from the past surged uncontrollably.
During Anbu missions, the astonished and bewildered eyes of those "comrades" he had personally executed in the name of "protecting the Village" before their deaths… Were they truly threats?
Or were they merely objects to be eliminated simply because they "might" leak information?
As comrades, why was the only path left in the end mutual slaughter?
Following that was an even deeper irony.
The top-secret information he had risked his life, even staining himself with the blood of comrades, to protect, was then easily sold out by the superior he served.
That "loyalty," which he had exchanged for the lives of countless "comrades," turned out to be just a disposable pawn in a higher-level game.
If the so-called camaraderie was false… then why was the information he killed comrades to protect also false in the end?
The meaning of missions, loyalty to the Village, all his beliefs collapsed in an instant.
Everything he had always held as sacred was rotten from the root, filled with nauseating falsehoods and utter betrayal.
He killed the superior who betrayed everything.
Using the blade he was given, named "protecting the Village," he slit his throat.
The warm sensation of blood splattering on his face was far more real than the bonfire in this cave.
But then what?
He became a rogue Ninja, killed his superior, broke free from that false cage… then what?
A vast sense of bewilderment and an even deeper despair, like the thick fog outside the cave, enveloped him tightly.
The flames danced in his eyes, but they could not illuminate any path forward.
In this vast world, where was he, Kisame Hoshigaki, supposed to go?
"Found you.
It must have been hard for you, hiding and sneaking around all this time."
A strange, deep male voice came unexpectedly from the shadows at the cave entrance.
"The Village of the Bloody Mist policy… really gave me a great gift."
Kisame's muscles instantly tensed; almost instinctively, his hand gripped the hilt of Samehada behind him, and he felt the restless squirming of the blade beneath the bandages.
Who is it?! The Hidden Mist pursuit squad?
He stared intently in the direction of the voice, his eyes flashing with vigilant ferocity.
The atmosphere in the cave suddenly solidified, leaving only the crackling of the bonfire and the approaching, unhurried footsteps.
However, when that figure fully emerged from the shadows, revealing his distinctive features in the flickering glow of the bonfire, Kisame's large frame trembled uncontrollably, as if a bolt of lightning had exploded in his mind!
That fox mask with a peculiar curve at the corner of its mouth, the dark robe… This attire had long become an ominous symbol, striking fear into the hearts of people in the Ninja World.
It was the leader of the [燼] organization himself—Menma!
This was Kisame's first time seeing this mysterious leader in person, but he was no stranger to the name and image of "Menma."
When he was still a tool of Hidden Mist, one of the highest priority directives he received was that in any mission, if members of the [燼] organization were confirmed to be encountered, and they showed exploratory intent, all "comrades" who could potentially leak information must be eliminated immediately, at all costs… especially this leader!
"Hmph hmph hmph… ha ha ha…" Kisame let out a low, hoarse laugh, tinged with self-mockery and amusement.
"It really is… an unexpected 'big shot' visiting.
So, Lord Menma, what brings you here in person today?"
Beneath the mask, a trace of surprise indeed flashed through Menma's mind—according to the original story, Kisame should have already been recruited by Obito by now.
It seemed that in this timeline, certain "scripts" had indeed deviated.
A butterfly effect?… But since that guy doesn't know what he's busy with and missed this train… then I'll gladly accept this 'great gift.'
Facing Kisame's wary and probing questions, Menma slowly raised his hand, making a calming gesture.
"Kisame, your blade has stained itself with countless unseen impurities for that false 'Village.'
You have witnessed the darkness and betrayal hidden beneath 'order' earlier and more profoundly than most people in this world."
"Now, everything you once fought to protect has cast you aside like a worn-out shoe, which precisely proves how illusory and fragile the old order is."
Menma's gaze pierced through the fox mask, looking directly into Kisame's eyes, which were filled with confusion and ferocity.
"I am not here to offer pity, but as a 'fellow traveler' walking in the real world, I extend an invitation to you—an invitation to join an organization that dares to confront and intends to reshape this false world."
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"