July 16th, dawn.
The rain that had started the night before still hadn't stopped.
A heavy atmosphere of tension filled Konoha, both inside and outside the village.
Inside the temporary mourning hall set up by the Hyūga clan—
Naruto sat beside Hiashi's body, his hands buried in his hair, head lowered, silent.
Three hours earlier, Hinata had fainted from hyperventilation caused by overwhelming grief. She had been sent home together with Himawari, whose eyes were swollen from crying.
Two hours earlier, Konohamaru had rushed into the hall with news that Sasuke had been attacked in a dark alley.
An hour earlier, Shinki from the Hidden Sand had arrived using a sand-iron clone, bringing news that Gaara had also been attacked.
Then, half an hour ago, word arrived from the Hidden Mist—
The Mizukage had been attacked as well.
Naruto had rushed out as soon as he heard about Sasuke.
The one keeping vigil beside Hiashi now—
was his shadow clone.
Footsteps entered the hall.
Naruto already knew who it was.
His voice came from beneath the shadow covering his face.
"How did the investigation go, Shikamaru?"
Shikamaru replied,
"If all these attacks were carried out by the same person…"
"Then based on witness timelines, the order of the attacks was—"
"The Kazekage, the Mizukage, Mr. Hiashi, and finally Sasuke."
"Only Shinki actually saw the attacker."
"From his description, Sai drew a portrait."
"The attacker has been identified as Hyūga branch family member — Hyūga Taro."
Shikamaru continued,
"The Hyūga main family also confirmed that Taro's behavior recently has been strange."
"Some people even saw him carrying a red fishing rod and basket, matching Shinki's description."
"That tool appears to instantly steal a target's chakra."
Shikamaru's tone grew more serious.
"More troublesome than the weapon itself…"
"…is that Hyūga Taro likely possesses space–time abilities."
Naruto's shadow clone looked up.
"Space–time?"
Shikamaru nodded.
"Yes."
"He appeared at multiple locations in a short time and carried out all four attacks."
"It's hard to imagine him defeating a Kage with clones."
"The only explanation is that he personally possesses a space–time technique."
Naruto lowered his gaze.
"Space–time techniques aren't that unusual…"
"What I can't understand is how even Sasuke got caught."
Shikamaru sighed inwardly.
"It's certain Sasuke let his guard down."
"The interrogation unit reported that after you left the room…"
"Sasuke heard something from the boy Kawaki and rushed out immediately."
"That's when Hyūga Taro ambushed him."
"My guess…"
"From the beginning, Taro's true target was either you or Sasuke."
Naruto shook his head bitterly.
"…Honestly, I wish he'd come find me."
"I want to settle things with him personally."
"Ever since the Chunin Exams, everything that's happened lately has thrown the village into panic."
"As Hokage…"
"…I can only watch as my family and comrades are hurt, and I can't do anything."
"That feeling makes it impossible for me to sit still."
Naruto looked at Shikamaru.
"Shikamaru… what should we do?"
"I feel like I'm trapped in a vicious cycle."
"No matter how hard I struggle, nothing changes."
When Shikamaru saw Naruto's eyes—
eyes filled with darkness and no light—
his heart tightened.
The last time he had seen Naruto look like that…
…was when Neji died.
Shikamaru clenched his teeth.
All of this…
All of this began with Uchiha Akira.
If he hadn't drained the Five Kage nearly dry…
We wouldn't be this powerless now.
Ever since that man appeared…
Nothing in the village has gone right.
Shikamaru forced the thoughts down.
Naruto didn't need complaints.
He needed solutions.
Still—
whenever Shikamaru heard the name Uchiha Akira, something inside him ignited with an uncontrollable irritation.
He took out a cigarette with trembling fingers.
Even though it was disrespectful to smoke in a mourning hall—
he needed calm.
He lit it and inhaled deeply.
Slowly—
his mind cleared.
"Naruto."
"Let's request external support."
Naruto raised his head.
"External support?"
Shikamaru spoke carefully.
"Yes."
"Ask Orochimaru or Kabuto to perform Edo Tensei and resurrect the Four Hokage."
"They could serve as Konoha's defensive force during this crisis."
Naruto's face twisted like he had swallowed something disgusting.
"Shikamaru…"
"Edo Tensei is a cruel technique."
"It violates life and death…"
"And requires a living sacrifice."
"Who would we sacrifice?"
Shikamaru exhaled smoke heavily.
"…Death row prisoners."
"Criminals scheduled for execution in the Land of Fire."
"We negotiate with them and their families."
"No coercion."
"We compensate their families generously and give them honorable funerals."
"Someone will agree."
"This is the only method that balances morality and reality."
Naruto's eyes reddened.
"That's not the issue."
"This goes against everything Konoha stands for."
"If the starting point is wrong…"
"Then the process and result will also be wrong."
"The ancestors who carried the Will of Fire would be ashamed."
"So Shikamaru…"
"Don't mention Edo Tensei again."
Shikamaru sighed again.
"…Then we gather the Tailed Beasts again."
"Seal them all into your body."
"That would at least restore something close to your Six Paths Sage Mode."
"The Tailed Beasts would probably help willingly."
Naruto clenched his fists.
But he still shook his head.
"No."
"They're free now."
"They're living peacefully in their own habitats."
"We don't even know who the enemy is yet."
"And you want to disrupt their lives?"
"How would they feel?"
"No. Absolutely not."
Shikamaru sighed for the third time.
"Then the only option left…"
"…is to take defensive measures against Hyūga Taro."
"He's hiding in the shadows and has space–time abilities."
"If he wants to hide, we won't find him."
"Also…"
"We must use Kawaki as a breakthrough."
Naruto frowned.
"Kawaki?"
Shikamaru nodded.
"Yes."
"What exactly did Sasuke learn from him?"
"Something important enough to make Sasuke rush out carelessly."
"Now that Sasuke is unconscious…"
"The only one who can answer that question is Kawaki."
"For efficiency…"
"I suggest using special interrogation methods."
Naruto thought for a moment.
Then shook his head.
"No."
"We'll question Kawaki."
"But not with those methods."
"I think… I can get through to that kid."
Outside Konoha — Forest
Standing on a tree branch, Koji Kashin quietly observed the village.
A figure suddenly landed beside him.
A beautiful blonde woman with the Roman numeral Ⅰ tattooed on her forehead stood on the branch in high heels.
It was Delta, an Inner member of Kara.
Koji glanced sideways.
"Delta."
"I don't remember calling you here."
Delta placed a hand on her hip.
"I came with permission."
"Besides…"
"You're too cautious."
"So?"
"How far has your investigation progressed?"
Koji turned his gaze back toward the village.
"The target…"
"…is inside that village."
Delta smiled dangerously.
"Oh?"
"Then that makes things easy."
"We storm in."
"Kill anyone who gets in the way."
"And walk out with him."
The Kara Inner member Delta—
who once pushed Naruto to the brink even at full power—
was preparing to launch an assault on the already battered Konoha.
Meanwhile—
"Crack!"
After freezing Urashiki using Umadamura Flow, Akira turned his gaze toward the southwest.
"Let's go."
"To Konoha."
"And take the Nine-Tails."
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SORRY FOR THIS WRITING HERE BUT I SAW A NOVEL -Konoha: Preparing to defect, the system has arrived. BUT THE LAST AUTHOR HAD DROPPED IT AND I WAS THINKING OF TRANSLATING IT WHAT DO YOU PEOPLE SAY SHOULD I OR SHOULD I NOT I WANT YOUR OPINION PLEASE DO MENTION IN THE COMMENT SECTIONS.