This war started strangely. It began with Kirigakure clashing with Konoha. Then Ōnoki decided to join in, finding any excuse to take a piece of the action.
There were hardly any missions to begin with, and the Land of Wind, lacking natural resources, didn't hesitate to join either. This eventually led to the outbreak of the Third Great Ninja War, all for the sake of resources.
Thinking back to the original story where Kirigakure was crippled, Ren decided to deal with Kirigakure first. That way, he could participate in the war openly and legitimately.
When the Land of Whirlpools joined the fight, starting with Kirigakure, it confirmed Ōnoki's suspicions. The ninja of the Land of Earth immediately launched a fierce attack on Konoha.
Konoha now was far weaker than in the original story. With the death of the White Fang, their strength was stretched thin.
The situation grew even more chaotic. Sunagakure, facing no attacks of its own, began turning toward Konoha as well.
The Land of Earth was poor, the Land of Whirlpools couldn't be defeated, and the Land of Water was too far away. Konoha was near and wealthy—a perfect target.
"Ha ha, the more intense the battle, the better. The plan can finally begin," Black Zetsu said with a dark smile, watching a certain Konoha team.
"Heh, finally, I've caught you," Ren said, sealing the shadowy figure before him to prevent escape.
"Why?" Black Zetsu asked, confused. He had been extremely cautious—using Kirigakure to provoke war, attacking Ren's daughter to distract him, all without revealing himself. Even Uchiha Madara wouldn't have exposed him.
He was in the shadows, Ren in the open. Despite all his precautions, Ren had seen through it. He couldn't understand.
"Why? Because I knew you from the start."
"Madara told you?" Black Zetsu gritted his teeth.
"No. This is something even he didn't know. Ōtsutsuki Kaguya," Ren whispered like a demon.
Hearing that name, Black Zetsu froze as if struck by lightning, then completely broke down. "Uzumaki Ren, how do you know my mother? Tell me… are you Ōtsutsuki?"
"No. I also know what Kaguya was preparing—for dealing with the Ōtsutsuki, right?" Ren replied patiently.
"Then…"
"I have my own way. For now, stay here," Ren said, banishing him.
"Uzumaki Ren…" Black Zetsu seethed with resentment. He had waited a thousand years, carefully planning to rescue his mother, only to have it all ruined. He was filled with hate.
"Finally, we've caught this one. That wasn't easy. Next are the other ninja nations," Ren told Shikaku, ordering him to deal with the Land of Water and stand by for further instructions.
Without Black Zetsu pulling the strings, Ren acted without restraint. He didn't care how the ninja world judged him. After all, his fists were strong. Besides, time would prove that once he took control, the ninja world would be better.
The Land of Fire.
"I heard Konoha's White Fang is dead—or was he framed to death? Third Hokage… it seems you've aged. You actually chose your personal authority over Konoha's strength." Onoki spoke, watching the man holding the long staff.
Hiruzen didn't reply. He deeply regretted it. White Fang had been the decisive force in the Second Ninja World War. One small team of his had nearly restrained the Sand Village alone. For the first time, he hated his old friend.
The same scene played out at the border between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire. The words of the Sand ninja pierced Danzo's heart, yet he felt no regret. If he hadn't acted, the position of Hokage would surely have fallen into the wrong hands.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique." Onoki had no intention of holding back. After struggling to defeat Konoha, this time he had to strike hard and leave his mark.
Hiruzen was no pushover. He immediately countered, blocking Onoki's attack.
"Aren't you getting it yet, Sarutobi Hiruzen? I only need to hold you off. The rest—do numbers matter?" Onoki pressed, attacking his mind as well as his body.
Hiruzen gripped his staff tightly. His hair had started turning white. The thought of his master entrusting Konoha to him, only for him to lead it toward destruction, filled him with shame.
"Your choice, Sarutobi Hiruzen… surrender, and Konoha won't be utterly destroyed." Onoki knew Konoha still had deep roots. Forcibly annihilating them would cost too much.
Hiruzen loosened his fist slightly. He could not lead Konoha to ruin. Surrender was an option. In that moment, he saw clearly: personal authority meant nothing. Konoha only had rights while alive. If defeated, nothing remained.
"From now on, the battlefield is under the Land of Whirlpools' jurisdiction." Ren appeared on the scene with a space-time ninjutsu, chakra erupting from his body.
Everyone's faces changed. Time had left few marks on this man. The sheer volume of his chakra was terrifying.
"Wait, Uzumaki Ren, what do you mean by that? The Land of Whirlpools isn't supposed to fight. Are you abandoning your neutral stance?" Onoki shouted. He had been on the verge of victory. Suddenly falling from the peak to the valley—no one could accept it.
"What can you do if I abandon you?" Ren replied, looking at Onoki.
"You…" Onoki was speechless. He could not argue. Fight the Land of Whirlpools? This man alone could annihilate a nation. The ruins in the Land of Lightning weren't even rebuilt yet.
"Now the Land of Whirlpools decides to join the war. Surrender, or die. I think everyone here understands my position. The Land of Lightning is already history." Ren gazed at everyone present.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Onoki went pale. Ren had cut off their escape. A barrier enveloped them all—a technique they had never seen before. Clearly, Ren had grown even stronger.
"Konohagakure agrees to surrender." Sarutobi Hiruzen decided quickly. He had already been planning to surrender to the Land of Earth before; now it was just a different target, not much of a difference.
"Iwagakure agrees to surrender!" Onoki ground his teeth. He was clearly unwilling. He could have taken a piece of Konoha, but now he had to give it up instead.
"Water Release, Water Stream Slash." Ren unleashed an extremely fast stream of water, cutting through Onoki's leg.
"Iwagakure agrees to surrender." Onoki endured the intense pain and no longer dared to resist, while keeping an eye on Ren. His ninjutsu was too fast; he couldn't react in time.
"Don't worry, I believe your surrender is genuine now." Ren smiled.
Onoki just wanted to curse. Luckily, his leg could be reattached; otherwise, he really couldn't have stood up in future.
"Lord Ren, I would like to know how the Land of Whirlpools plans to deal with us next." Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, speaking humbly.
"Unify the ninja world, then establish a Ninja World Government. Major decisions will require a vote. More than three votes mean approval, and the Land of Whirlpools holds one veto vote." Ren ordered directly.
The two Kage understood. They would become subordinate nations. If Ren lived long enough, their citizens would gradually accept this state, making it very hard to turn the tide in the future.
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