The attack on Konohagakure during the joint chūnin exams spread quickly throughout the entire shinobi world.
Before anyone even had time to be shocked, more news followed.
"Although Konoha was attacked by criminals and forced to interrupt the chūnin exams, the problem has been resolved. The exams will restart in one month."
That was the entirety of the short, simple announcement. Nothing more was revealed.
This left the shinobi world baffled. Ordinary people had no idea what had really happened, but the higher-ups of the great villages already knew plenty.
"What? The Kazekage is dead? And Gaara has fallen into Konoha's hands?"
Inside Sunagakure, when Chiyo heard Ebizō's report, she immediately rose to her feet.
"Damn it! Has he gone mad? Why would he make such a choice?"
"According to the intelligence, Konoha was under attack at the time. The Kazekage may have thought Konoha couldn't hold out."
Ebizō let out a long sigh, his heart weighed down by frustration.
"And with the Raikage siding with them, he chose to form an alliance. But in the end, both of them were killed by Kitagawa Gen."
"That boy… Kitagawa Gen, Konoha's new White Fang?"
"Yes. According to reports, he seems to have mastered Dust Release. Not only did he crush the One-Tail, he also killed the Kazekage and the Raikage."
"That brat…"
Chiyo had met Kitagawa Gen herself. She could never forget the moment when, in the blink of an eye, he had pressed a blade against her throat.
And yet, in such a short time, had this man already grown to such heights?
"He's no brat anymore. At this rate, he'll become the Fifth Hokage—at the latest, the Sixth."
Ebizō sighed again, his voice lowering as he looked at his aging sister.
"We must prepare. Konoha may not have said anything, but they will act."
"You mean… war?"
"It's possible. The daimyō has been cutting our budget year after year. Our morale is already low, our numbers few. And now Gaara is in their hands…"
"I understand. We truly do need to make preparations."
Saying this, Chiyo slumped back into her seat. Already old, in that moment she seemed even more drained of life.
Lose, and you must accept it. In this world where the weak are prey to the strong, a single misstep means plunging into an abyss.
...
"What?! My brother is dead?!"
If Sunagakure had received the news, then naturally Kumogakure had as well.
When Killer B heard it, he could no longer stay seated. He shot to his feet, ready to charge out, but was immediately blocked by Dodai.
"Killer B, you must not be reckless! Where are you going?"
"Where? Of course—to avenge my brother!"
"Are you insane? That's not revenge, that's suicide!"
Dodai looked at Killer B, who was brimming with rage, and could only sigh helplessly.
He understood well how deep the bond between Killer B and the Fourth Raikage ran. As a senior within the village, he knew better than anyone the policies they had shared.
Killer B always looked like a fool, a clown who never cared for the whispers, the scorn, or even the violence directed at him within the village.
But beneath it all, he carried his duty—and above all else, he had his beloved elder brother, the Fourth Raikage.
"Killer B, your impulsiveness won't accomplish anything right now."
Dodai clung tightly to Killer B, speaking with bitter earnestness.
"Konoha was attacked, so they'll only be tightening their defenses. And Kitagawa Gen—he single-handedly killed two Kage."
"That alone will give Konoha immense confidence. They won't let us off easily, so we must remain calm!"
"Kitagawa Gen…"
"Yes, Kitagawa Gen. The new White Fang of Konoha. The Silver Flash. No doubt, before long he'll be called something like 'the Kage Slayer' as well."
Dodai looked at Killer B's dark expression, drew a deep breath, and spoke with grave seriousness.
"That's why we can't lose our heads. If we do, we'll lose every chance we have. If you act recklessly and he marks you, then you'll never even get the chance to avenge your brother."
Both great villages were left numb by the sudden, devastating news. But Konoha remained unshaken.
Though the attack had led to stricter vigilance, the village had quickly returned to its normal rhythm of life.
"Argh, so frustrating!"
At one of Konoha's training grounds, Naruto sat beneath a tree, his face clouded with gloom.
"Why did I suddenly feel sick at that moment? Otherwise, I definitely would've beaten them down and earned everyone's recognition—then I could've become Hokage!"
"Idiot. We weren't even allowed to fight. Even if you were fine, it wouldn't have mattered."
Sasuke, sitting nearby and panting lightly, rolled his eyes. His words made Sakura, Ino, as well as Kiba and Chōji all nod in agreement.
Kiba, never one to hold back, glanced at Kitagawa Gen standing nearby, then grinned.
"Look at Gen-senpai. He took down two Kage all by himself. He's as strong as the Hokage himself. He's not Hokage yet—so why should you be?"
"Damn it…"
Naruto clenched his fists tight. Kitagawa Gen, standing off to the side, coolly twisted the knife.
"Besides, you might not even pass the chūnin exams. What Hokage are you dreaming about?"
"…"
Naruto's face darkened, his mood dropping further.
"You bastard! I'll definitely pass!"
"Relax. As long as I'm here, you won't."
"…"
Naruto's face instantly turned green. Was this guy serious?!
"Senpai."
Ino ignored Naruto, tilting her head curiously toward Gen.
"The assessment a month from now won't change, right?"
"No changes. Don't worry."
Kitagawa Gen smiled and nodded.
"There were some accidents, yes, but nothing major. And isn't having an extra month to prepare a good thing for you?"
"True… but that also means the others have a whole month to prepare too."
Shikamaru, still half-asleep, rubbed his pineapple-shaped hair, wearing an expression that screamed "what a drag."
But Kitagawa Gen didn't like that one bit. He sighed, then gave Shikamaru a long, quiet look.
"Yet you've also lost quite a few competitors, haven't you?"
"…"
"They all went down together with their Kage, didn't they?"
"…"
"With such a golden opportunity before you, what are you complaining about?"
"…"
The kids were left stunned by Kitagawa Gen's words. He wasn't wrong.
But… wasn't it a bit too blunt to put it that way?
"Well then, I've guided you all through the whole morning. Time for me to go train."
Kitagawa Gen glanced up at the sun hanging overhead, then finally rose to his feet.
"From here on, you'll train on your own."
"You just want to avoid that Deidara guy, don't you?"
Naruto muttered under his breath, but Sasuke was more curious.
"Senpai, you're still going to train?"
"Of course. Even the Pervy Sage went to Mount Myōboku to train."
Kitagawa Gen gave Naruto a sharp smack on the head and spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"He's already got one foot in the grave, yet he still works that hard. I can't fall behind. Besides, the Hokage also entrusted me with something."
"Huh? Don't tell me… some incredible jutsu?"
Even with his head aching, Naruto's eyes lit up. The others perked up as well, curiosity plain on their faces.
"You could say that. But it'll take some serious study."
Gen nodded. This time Sarutobi Hiruzen had indeed given him quite a lot—though the gift left him at a loss for words.
'Wood Release…'
What Hiruzen had entrusted him with was all the Wood Release material Konoha still preserved, along with some of Senju Hashirama's personal notes.
Most likely, it was because Gen had demonstrated Dust Release that everyone's expectations for him had risen so high.
'Looks like they expect me to measure up to myself.'
Gen couldn't help but feel a little stiff about it, though it was all within his expectations.
Ōtsutsuki Genshiki had already reached that level of power—naturally, someone had to be able to stand against him.
And since his own performance had stood out so much, it was only natural that those hopes had landed squarely on his shoulders.
'No matter. It's all the same. First, I'll finish absorbing the One-Tail and the fragments of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.'
What he longed for most now was his reward. He was eager to see just what those two rewards would bring him.
"Well then, give it your best. I'll be off."
With those words, Gen's figure vanished instantly, leaving behind only the awestruck gazes of the rookies.
"Amazing… so that's the Flying Thunder God?"
Kiba licked his lips, while Shikamaru gave a small nod.
"Yeah. That was the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"Tch! I'll definitely catch up to him one day. This time, I'm going to give it everything I've got!"
Though Naruto was jealous, his eyes burned with determination. Sasuke's gaze was just as resolute.
"I need to work harder too. Kakashi-sensei said that if I can earn Gen-senpai's recognition, I might be able to learn his Purple Lightning."
Sasuke had no other thoughts left in his mind. After witnessing Kitagawa Gen's strength, he was consumed by a single conviction:
Gain Kitagawa Gen's acknowledgment.
Learn Kitagawa Gen's power.
And finally—kill Uchiha Itachi!
"I have to keep working harder…"
...
While Sasuke was still lost in thought, Kitagawa Gen had already slipped quietly out of Konoha. His figure now appeared in a forest within the Land of Fire.
"This spot will do."
He casually chose a place to sit, then drew a deep breath and immediately activated his system. At the same time, he took out the fragments of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
Looking at those massive chunks before him, he couldn't help but consider something.
"They say Uchiha Madara's fan was actually made from the roots of this thing?"
"In that case, should I make one for myself too, just to mess with Madara later?"
Though the thought amused him, Gen knew his priority was meeting his own needs first.
If there were leftovers, maybe he'd consider it. If not—then so be it.
"Let's begin..."
Centering his focus, Gen murmured softly. In an instant, the vast chakra of the One-Tail surged into his body!
At the same time, he decisively called upon the power of the Source of the Divine Tree, placing his hand against the fragmented remains of the Demonic Statue.
[Buzz—]
With the roar of chakra, the fragments instantly dissolved into countless specks of light, resonating in harmony with his own chakra!
"This is…"
Suddenly, Gen felt it clearly—within his body, the Source of the Divine Tree seemed to expand.
Stimulated by the fragments, the Source of the Divine Tree grew larger, its "capacity" deepening, its absorption of the Dragon Vein accelerating!
[Boom—]
All at once, Gen felt as though every strand of chakra inside him erupted with a thunderous detonation. His bloodline surged and boiled anew.
The One-Tail's chakra poured into the Source of the Divine Tree, fusing with its power and driving straight into his eyes!
"This sensation…"
Gen whispered, as a sharp sting lanced through his eyes, while the boiling of his bloodline left him nearly immobile.
His chakra had grown wilder, more frenzied than ever before. His unique chakra roared skyward.
And most alarming of all—he could faintly feel something beginning to grow from the top of his head.
At once, the realization struck him—
"Damn… I'm actually growing horns."
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---