pdf-ebookys Chapter 454 After the War, Danzo
Chapter 454 After the War, Danzo
Chapter 454 After the War, Danzo
Menma's question about "peace" was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, creating heavy ripples in young Sasuke's heart that lingered for a long time.
He fell silent, his throat choked with too many thoughts, too many memories, too many cruel realities that were difficult to put into words.
Peace?
After the Fourth Shinobi World War, after countless sacrifices were made, Kaguya Otsutsuki was sealed away, and Naruto and Indra and Ashura's karmic entanglement was finally resolved, the shinobi world did indeed enter a relatively peaceful period.
Years later, Naruto achieved his dream of becoming the Seventh Hokage of Konoha, dedicating himself to promoting his ideals of peace and understanding.
A new alliance was signed between the five great nations and the five great ninja villages, resulting in increased exchanges and a significant reduction in conflicts.
On the surface, the war seemed to have receded from this land, and people began to rebuild their homes and enjoy the long-lost peace.
The ninja world seems to have truly entered a period of "peace".
However, this is only the "surface".
Having spent a long time wandering alone in the shadows of the ninja world, investigating the remnants of the Otsutsuki clan and various potential threats, young Sasuke understands better than anyone the fragility and hypocrisy of this "peace."
Behind the polite diplomatic rhetoric of the high-ranking officials of the five great ninja villages lies deep-seated suspicion, covert competition in military development, and the clandestine plunder of other countries' resources and talent.
The so-called "peace" is largely based on Naruto's absolute strength, which surpasses Kage level, and the deterrent effect of Naruto himself as an "Uchiha" who is detached from the outside but could intervene at any time.
This is a false peace under the balance of power, like a city built on an active volcano, seemingly prosperous but actually fraught with danger.
Beyond the five major powers, there are buffer zones that are either ignored or intentionally manipulated by the great powers' rivalry.
The Land of Rain, the Land of Grass, the Land of Fields, the Land of Waterfalls, the Land of Hot Springs —
War, conflict, famine, and oppression have never truly ceased.
The missions entrusted by the Great Ninja Village often become catalysts for bloodshed and conflict among these smaller nations.
Every day, people die from hunger, from war, or from being pawns casually placed by powerful figures.
Naruto tried his best to promote aid and exchanges, but it was a drop in the ocean and could not shake the interest structure and chain of hatred that had been formed over hundreds of years.
Even within the seemingly united Five Great Ninja Villages, there is far from a monolithic entity. The Hidden Cloud Village's covetousness of the other villages' bloodline limits has never ceased; the Hidden Stone Village's obsession with Onoki; the Hidden Mist Village's Blood Mist policy, though changed, still retains considerable influence due to its lingering xenophobic tendencies; and the Hidden Sand Village's instability stemming from resource scarcity—
Each village has its own agenda, preparing for the next potential conflict or redistribution of interests.
Naruto barely maintains a balance with his personal charisma and strength, but how long can this balance last?
ten years?
Twenty years?
When Naruto and he grow old, or when new variables emerge that could disrupt the balance, will this false peace collapse instantly?
Moreover, the threat from the Otsutsuki clan from outer space is like the Sword of Damocles, always hanging over them.
Momo-style, Kim-style, Ura-style —
One after another, they appeared, and this time Urashiki found an ally in this timeline, who was an Otsutsuki he had never seen before.
Just how many Otsutsuki are eyeing this ninja world?
Faced with such an enemy, the five great ninja villages cooperated on the surface, but secretly each held back, and information sharing was limited. The moments when they could truly work together wholeheartedly and without reservation to fight the enemy were few and far between.
This "peace" appears so pale and powerless in the shadow of the Otsutsuki clan.
Menma just watched the young Sasuke quietly; his silence was the best answer.
This powerful figure from a parallel universe, this hero who once joined hands with his best friend to save the world, may also have deep doubts and feelings of powerlessness about the peace of the world he was trying to maintain.
As for why Menma could ask such a question with such certainty, young Sasuke was not surprised.
The strength displayed by the opponent, especially that golden Tenseigan, might allow us to glimpse a part of the trajectory of time and destiny.
Who knows how far into the future we can "see"?
What young Sasuke truly cared about was Menma's purpose in calling them out for a private talk.
Is it merely to expound on spacetime theory, demonstrate power, and issue a declaration?
Or is it a warning to these two "outsiders" not to try to intervene in the Ninja World War that is about to break out in this timeline because of his unification of the Ninja World?
or----
Is there another motive?
After a long silence, young Sasuke slowly raised his head. Having recovered, he looked at Menma and asked another question that had been lingering in his mind: "So, according to you, because of the variables you brought into this spacetime—"
"Will the trajectory of this spacetime be completely different from ours, developing in a direction that is entirely unpredictable?"
"Everyone who lives here —"
"Sasuke, Naruto, Hinata, Kakashi—will the fates of everyone be drastically altered?"
This is a philosophical question, and it also concerns how he views his "self" and "deceased friends" in this time and space.
Menma, sitting on the large rock, seemed to have a hint of admiration for the young Sasuke's ability to grasp the core issue so quickly.
"Not bad." He nodded, his movements light but with a certainty.
"Different choices at each crucial juncture will lead to entirely new futures. From the moment I was born, this timeline has already embarked on a completely different path from the history you know."
A slight smile played on his lips, his voice carrying an almost arrogant confidence: "As for where it will specifically go—"
Mianma paused slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the river and forest before him, projecting onto a grander vision of the future.
He said slowly, "It will depend on my will."
This is a declaration of absolute confidence in one's own power, in controlling one's destiny, and in shaping history.
Young Sasuke could sense that the other person wasn't boasting, but rather stating a goal that he was working hard to make a reality.
This Menma not only wants to fight against the Otsutsuki, but also wants to personally reshape the order and future of the entire ninja world, and deeply imprint his will into the history of this time and space.
Faced with such an existence, young Sasuke had mixed feelings.
This person, who is trying to influence and change the course of the ninja world single-handedly, has methods and goals that are too much like a villain.
"By the way, speaking of which—" Just then, Menma suddenly changed the subject, breaking the somewhat heavy atmosphere.
He tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over young Sasuke and Boruto, a hint of amusement in his voice: "Your time travel using the 'Plow' consumed a huge amount of energy. It'll probably take some time to replenish the chakra required for the journey, won't it?"
Young Sasuke's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained expressionless.
The other party even knows that "type" needs to be charged?
However, considering that the other party had also traveled through time, Bian felt relieved.
Menma continued, "So, how about it, interested—"
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze seemingly carrying a hint of interested invitation.
"Would you like to visit my Star Kingdom?"
guest?
Young Sasuke frowned, several thoughts flashing through his mind in an instant, the first instinctive reaction being vigilance and suspicion.
Invite them to the Star Kingdom?
What is the purpose?
Are they eyeing the "Type" of the treasure they possess, which allows them to travel through time and space?
Or do they want to extract more information about the Otsutsuki clan and the future history of the ninja world from these two "future travelers"?
Or perhaps he wanted to keep them temporarily in the Star Kingdom to prevent them from doing anything that would interfere with his plans at this crucial juncture in time and space?
Young Sasuke quickly assessed the situation.
Although the other party's strength was unfathomable, their aura was calm at the moment, and the invitation did not sound forceful, even carrying a sense of casualness that it was up to them whether they came or not.
More importantly, young Sasuke did not sense the same naked greed and voyeurism from the other party as Orochimaru did towards special physiques and bloodline limits.
The way Menma looked at them was more like she was looking at two interesting variables.
and----
A figure, buried deep in the heart of young Sasuke and almost blurred by the passage of time and cruel reality, slowly resurfaced in the depths of young Sasuke's mind after his brief conversation with Uchiha Shisui from this timeline.
That gentle, strong figure from my memory, who ultimately fell in a pool of blood alongside her father.
He dared not vividly recall that figure in his midnight dreams, fearing that the piercing pain would once again overwhelm him.
She is still alive, in the Land of Stars.
But then, the young Sasuke shook his head.
In this timeline, Mikoto Uchiha is ultimately not his mother.
The "Uchiha Sasuke" in this timeline will also have a completely different life trajectory from his own.
Young Sasuke had some guesses about why Shura saved Mikoto's life, but he didn't want to have too much to do with this timeline.
Excessive contact and entanglement will only bring unnecessary chaos and pain.
"No, we—" the young Sasuke said coldly, intending to refuse.
"Yay! A visit to the Star Kingdom?!" However, before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a curious and excited voice beside him.
Boruto was just feeling somewhat depressed and confused by the heavy "parallel universe" theory conversation between Menma and young Sasuke.
Upon hearing that they were going to visit the Star Kingdom, their eyes lit up instantly, and their curiosity about this unusual space-time completely overwhelmed their previous tension and vigilance.
He took a half step forward, his face beaming with undisguised excitement and intense interest: "I've heard of it! The Land of Stars!"
They say there's a lot of advanced technology there! Even Lexus cars? Is that true?
Seeing Boruto's energetic and curious eyes, which were almost identical to those of a young Naruto, and his somewhat reckless excitement, Menma seemed amused.
He let out a laugh, which sounded somewhat gentler.
"Leica? That's a bit of an antique."
"In our Star Kingdom, the iteration and upgrading speed of Thunder vehicles is even faster; now, high-speed rail is becoming widespread."
"High-speed rail?" Boruto blinked; the term was new to him.
"What is that? Is it faster than a Thunder Chariot?"
"Of course." Menma explained to the curious Boruto, "Ordinary Thunder Trains have a speed of about 100 kilometers per hour. The high-speed rail on the main lines connecting the various counties of the Star Country can reach an operating speed of about 350 kilometers per hour, and some experimental models can be even faster."
"Three hundred and fifty kilometers?!" Boruto quickly did the mental calculation and his face showed an expression of amazement.
"That's almost 100 meters per second?! That's more than three times faster than Konoha's Lightning Chariot! Amazing!"
It is not difficult for a ninja to exceed the speed of sound in a short burst of speed. Some Jonin can maintain an extremely high average speed even during long-distance raids.
But that is personal strength, the ultimate expression of chakra and taijutsu.
High-speed trains and other modes of transportation represent a country's infrastructure, industrial strength, and strategic transportation capabilities!
The ability to safely and stably transport massive and heavy carriages over long distances at speeds of nearly 100 meters per second demonstrates a level of technology, materials, energy, and control that far surpasses that of the major ninja villages in the current ninja world!
This is not just about speed, but also about overwhelming national strength and technological prowess!
Boruto's interest was completely piqued. He temporarily forgot his fear of Masahiro, his eyes shining as he bombarded the country with questions: "Does the Land of Stars have hamburgers? Do they have bubble tea? Do they have those super-sized movie theaters where lots of people can watch together?"
"And—games! Are there any game companies? Are there? Are there?"
Seeing Boruto's expression, Menma couldn't help but chuckle.
This kid is practically a carbon copy of Naruto.
The heavy atmosphere from before was instantly broken, and the relationship between the two became more relaxed and even closer.
"We have them all," Menma answered confidently, even with a hint of teasing. "There are probably more burger flavors than you know, and you can add a lot of toppings to your milk tea—it's definitely the kind of stuff you've never tried before. Movie theaters not only have movies, but some also offer VR experiences. There are also quite a few game companies, and even VR gaming equipment that will keep you entertained for hours."
"Wow—!!!" Boruto exclaimed dramatically, his face full of longing. He couldn't help but tug at young Sasuke's sleeve and shouted, "Master, Master! Let's go take a look! Anyway, it'll take a long time for the 'Type' to recharge! Let's go see!"
Looking at Boruto's expectant eyes, and then at Menma, who seemed to have just casually extended the invitation and was now leisurely watching the two of them, young Sasuke sighed silently in his heart.
He knew that Boruto's words made sense.
The "Plow" does indeed need time to recharge. Konoha has just lost the Third Hokage, and if they stay in Konoha, they will probably get involved in other troubles. There is no point in them wandering around.
Going to the Star Kingdom is certainly fraught with danger, but it is also an excellent opportunity to observe the biggest variable in this spacetime up close and to gather firsthand intelligence.
Since they dared to invite us, aren't they afraid of being seen?
Moreover, given the strength and control that Menma has demonstrated, if they really wanted to harm them, they wouldn't need to be so roundabout.
More importantly————
The information that his "mother" was still alive was like a curse, silently fermenting in the softest part of his heart.
Reason told him he should stay away, but in some corner of his heart, a faint voice that he had suppressed for too long was stirring restlessly.
Go take a look ————
Even just a glimpse from afar —
Let's see how she's doing —
Will suffice.
Once this thought arises, it spreads like wildfire and is difficult to contain.
Young Sasuke remained silent for a few seconds before finally looking at Menma again: "Since you have extended such a kind invitation, then I will take the trouble to do so."
Menma didn't seem surprised by his agreement, and simply smiled and nodded: "Welcome to visit."
Meanwhile, in Konoha Village after nightfall.
Under the efficient leadership of Shikaku Nara, Konoha Village, which had just suffered heavy damage, has been restarted with great difficulty and has entered a tense but orderly post-war cleanup and recovery phase.
After confirming their safety, the civilians who had taken refuge in various underground shelters were carefully guided by ninjas back to the surface, returning to their homes that had become unfamiliar or even ruins.
The air was filled with a strong smell of burning, gunpowder, and blood.
On the east side of the village, the streets are littered with signs of battle, including collapsed houses, burnt remains, scattered ninja tools, and corpses that have not yet been completely cleaned up.
The medical ninjas bustled about in the makeshift treatment stations, the groans of the wounded and the cries of those who had lost loved ones echoing intermittently in the oppressive night, adding to the desolation.
Most of the returning villagers only saw the devastation of the eastern part of Konoha, which had been destroyed by the main force of the Sound Ninja.
Collapsed walls, a commercial street reduced to ruins, a destroyed park —
-
These things were enough to terrify them and fill them with sorrow.
After all, this was the first time in over sixty years since Konoha was founded that an enemy had breached the village.
But what they didn't know was that behind the Hokage Rock, in that area sealed off by the highest level of security and personally guarded by the Hokage's elite ANBU, lay an even more shocking and terrifying sinkhole with a diameter of over ten kilometers!
The truth about that place was strictly kept secret, known only to the Konoha leadership and the elite ninjas who participated in the final stage of the battle.
To ordinary villagers and most junior ninja, it was merely a "dangerous collapse zone formed by fierce fighting," and no one was allowed to approach it.
The Hokage Building was brightly lit.
Although a small team from the Land of Stars broke into the place during the battle and stole many secret techniques, leaving the walls cracked and many windows broken, it still stands as a symbol of order and authority amidst the chaos of Konoha.
After arranging the most urgent external tasks of cleanup, rescue, and security, Nara Shikaku, exhausted but not daring to relax in the slightest, along with the heads of the great ninja clans such as Hyuga Hiashi, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza, arrived at a top-secret conference room deep inside the building.
The atmosphere inside the meeting room was even heavier and more stagnant than the post-disaster chaos outside.
In the center of the room sat a simple yet solemn black coffin.
The coffin lid was open, and a person lay quietly inside.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He changed into a clean Hokage robe, the wrinkles on his face appearing particularly deep under the light, his eyes closed, his expression serene, as if he had simply fallen into a deep sleep.
Yamato removed the mask of the Dark Guard, revealing a slightly tired face. He was kneeling beside the coffin, using a clean white cloth to gently and meticulously tidy up the Third Generation's remains, smoothing out the last wrinkles on his robes.
His movements were meticulous, his eyes focused and sorrowful.
As the third-generation leader of the Dark Division, he had extremely deep feelings for the old man who had saved him from the root.
The room was already packed with people.
Besides Shikaku and others, many Jonin from Konoha gathered here.
Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi, Hayate Gekko, Anko Mitarashi, Ibiki Morino
Genma Shiranui, Raido Namiashi, Aoba Yamashiro —
On every face, young or mature, was a deep sadness, solemnity, and a profound worry about the future.
The sacrifice of the Third Hokage not only marked the fall of a leader, but also symbolized the end of an era and the ensuing power vacuum in Konoha.
The two advisor elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, had also arrived long ago.
They stood a little distance from the coffin, their gazes fixed on the coffins of the three generations, their faces ashen, their eyes filled with a sorrowful sense of loss for their kind.
They were not only contemporaries of the Third Hokage, but also teammates who grew up together, witnessing the rise, glory, and hardships of Konoha. Now, seeing their old friend leave first, the feelings in their hearts are indescribable.
Upon seeing Shikaku, Hiashi, and the others enter, Mitokado Homura was the first to break free from his grief. He pushed up his glasses, and the gaze behind the lenses regained its usual calm.
He walked to Shikaku's side and asked softly, "Shikaku, has the situation outside stabilized?"
Mitokado Homura's voice was very low, but it still reached the ears of every Jonin clearly in the deathly quiet conference room.
Everyone's gaze, including Yamato's as he was preparing the body, shifted slightly and turned toward Nara Shikaku.
This Jonin squad leader, known for his wisdom, is currently the one in charge of the overall situation.
Shikaku's face was etched with deep fatigue, and his eyes were heavily puffed out. He exhaled and replied in a low voice, "Yes, Advisor Mitomon. The most urgent treatment of the wounded and the sealing off of the danger zone have been completed. The public sentiment has been initially calmed, and the patrol and security system has been re-established."
"The cleanup of the remaining Sound Ninja is also underway, and no enemies posing a significant threat have been found so far."
"The area behind the Hokage Rock has been designated as a high-level controlled zone, directly managed by the Anbu, and any unauthorized personnel are prohibited from approaching."
His report was well-organized, but behind every sentence lay a tremendous workload and heavy pressure.
Mitokado Yan nodded, but his expression did not improve; instead, it became even more somber.
He glanced at the Third Generation in the coffin, then at Shikaku, hesitated for a moment, and asked in a voice barely audible to the two of them the earth-shattering secret that lingered in the hearts of the many shinobi present, yet none dared to speak of it lightly.
"Shikaku—Yamato's previous report—regarding Orochimaru and the Third Hokage's final conversation—Yoshikawa—could it really be—still alive? That Menma—is really his child?"
Although he spoke in a very low voice, everyone present was an elite Jonin with keen senses, and his words instantly stirred subtle ripples in their hearts.
Kakashi's single eye suddenly contracted, Might Guy stared wide-eyed at Kakashi beside him, Asuma clenched his fist tightly, and Kurenai covered her mouth—
Everyone's breath caught in their throats.
Before his death, the Third Hokage told Jiraiya and Yamato, along with other nearby Anbu ninja, his suspicion that Shura was Minato.
Although Menma later transformed into a demon and fought a great battle against two mysterious enemies, Orochimaru's statement that the Fourth Hokage was still alive was heard by many members of the Anbu.
Being asked this question by the advisor elder at this moment undoubtedly puts this explosive information in front of all the high-ranking Jonin of Konoha.
Shikaku's expression grew even more serious. He slowly shook his head, his voice equally low: "Orochimaru's words cannot be entirely trusted."
.
"He is skilled at manipulating people's hearts and creating chaos. Moreover, he can resurrect the First and Second Hokage using the Impure World Reincarnation technique, and he may also resurrect the Fourth Hokage."
His analysis was reasonable, neither completely denying nor confirming it, but pushing everything to the possibility of "Orochimaru's conspiracy".
This is currently the safest approach.
After all, if the Fourth Hokage were still alive and his child had become an enemy of the village, the uncontrolled spread of this news would be a devastating blow to the already fragile morale of Konoha and the emotions of the common people.
Mitokado En understood Shikaku's implication and nodded slightly, but his brows remained furrowed.
He knew what Shikaku was worried about.
During the Nine-Tails' rampage, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and his wife, Kushina Uzumaki, sacrificed themselves, leaving behind only an infant named Naruto with the Nine-Tails sealed within him. This is the official record of Konoha.
However, they had heard from Hiruzen Sarutobi that Kushina was pregnant with twins, but the other child went missing during the turmoil and its fate was unknown; it was always assumed to have died young.
Menma's age does match, and they checked Menma's personal information immediately after the war, discovering that he appeared at the Konoha orphanage almost out of thin air.
However, what puzzled them was why Menma, who was only twelve years old, possessed such great strength, and the timeline of Shura's appearance.
According to known information, Shura first appeared in the ninja world and displayed terrifying strength about nine years ago when an envoy from Kumogakure attempted to steal the young lady of the Hyuga clan. He then ran into Shura, who was also in the Hyuga clan's territory for some unknown reason, and was killed.
After that, Shura became active in the ninja world, attacking Kumogakure and Konoha multiple times, but always managed to escape unscathed, and the two great ninja villages were helpless against him!
Nine years ago, if Menma really was Minato and Kushina's child, how old was he back then?
Three years old?
How could a three-year-old child possess such terrifying power?
Numerous mysteries surround the truth, which remains elusive.
However, there is no doubt that Shura is the biggest and most direct threat to Konoha at present.
Just as the atmosphere in the meeting room became even more tense due to the Mitokado inflammation issue, and everyone had their own thoughts, the heavy door of the meeting room was pushed open again.
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
At the entrance, an old man leaning on a wooden cane slowly walked in.
Half of his face and right eye were wrapped in layers of bandages, leaving only his left eye exposed, which was cold and sharp, like that of a hawk.
Wearing a traditional gray kimono with a dark coat over it, her aura was as heavy as a mountain, yet she also carried an unsettling sense of gloom.
It was none other than Shimura Danzo, the leader of the Konoha Roots.
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