A rumor crosses borders. Old grudges awaken. And one spark is enough to set the shinobi world on fire.
Time passed quietly.
In the blink of an eye, one full month had gone by since the Uchiha and Hyuga officially took their seats as Konoha's new Advisors.
For Alaric, life was… comfortable.
By day, he patiently helped Hinata build up her "tolerance," preventing her from fainting every time there was physical contact.
By night, he and Izumi conducted extremely serious academic research on human anatomy.
As for the Ninja Academy?
He went when he felt like it.
Skipped when he didn't.
After all, being a spoiled young master was literally how he got stronger.
Even if the daily gains were small, quantity made up for it—
Over the month, his fusion rate crept up another 1%.
Naruto, on the other hand, changed dramatically.
Every single day, without fail, he came to train.
With the Nine-Tails no longer interfering, and with Minato and Kushina personally guiding him inside the seal, Naruto's progress was nothing short of terrifying.
His chakra control became razor-sharp.
He mastered Shadow Clone Jutsu and Rasengan far ahead of schedule.
Compared to a month ago?
Night and day.
And then there was Sasuke.
He lived for one thing.
Revenge.
Every day, he chased after Itachi, begging—no, demanding—training.
All so that one day, when Alaric returned to the academy, he could crush him publicly.
Wash away the humiliation.
Prove himself.
But the shinobi world didn't revolve around Konoha alone.
Iwagakure — Tsuchikage's Office
Ōnoki stared at the report in his hands, his expression darkening by the second.
"You're telling me… this is confirmed?"
Across from him, Kitsuchi nodded solemnly.
"Yes, Father. Our agents verified it multiple times."
"Someone in Konoha tried to suppress the information, but we still got it out."
Ōnoki's fingers tightened.
The report described how Alaric Sarutobi had effortlessly defeated Sasuke Uchiha—
How he'd blocked kunai and even a C-rank Fire Style: Great Fireball with his bare body.
A bloodline ability.
Or something even worse.
In the past, Alaric had been nothing more than a clever little wastrel.
Not worth a glance.
But now?
Another monster emerging from Konoha.
"How many wars have we fought them…" Ōnoki muttered bitterly.
"And every time, we gain nothing."
Konoha kept producing geniuses—generation after generation.
And now, even Hiruzen's grandson was stepping onto the stage.
Ōnoki's eyes turned cold.
"You want to hide it?" he scoffed.
"Then I'll make sure the whole world hears about it."
"Spread the news."
"Polish it. Exaggerate it."
"I refuse to believe the brutes in Kumogakure will calmly watch another Minato Namikaze grow up."
A classic move.
Kill with another man's blade.
Kitsuchi's eyes lit up.
"…Understood."
Kumogakure — Raikage's Office
The moment the report hit his desk—
BOOM!
The Fourth Raikage slammed his fist down, obliterating yet another table.
"DAMN IT, KONOHA!"
"How long has Minato been dead?!"
"And they already have another prodigy?!"
"Do they just print monsters over there?!"
Nearby, Mabui calmly made a note—
Replace desk. Again.
The Raikage paced furiously.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Mabui, summon Darui. Now."
Once Darui arrived and finished reading the report, his brow furrowed.
"…Something feels off."
"But I can't prove it."
The Raikage snorted.
"Doesn't matter."
"Notify Killer B and Yugito Nii."
"Prepare for action."
"If we hit Konoha hard enough, Hiruzen will fold."
"He always does."
"Just like with Hyuga Hizashi."
"Force him to hand over Alaric."
Darui hesitated only briefly.
…Given Konoha's history of concessions?
It was entirely possible.
Preparations began immediately.
Troops moved. Supplies mobilized.
Sunagakure
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, stared at the same report with envy.
"Konoha really is blessed…"
But that was all.
After the Third Great Ninja War, Sunagakure was still barely standing.
Three-front warfare had crippled them.
They couldn't even protect their own heroes.
Picking a fight now?
Unthinkable.
Better to pan for gold in the desert.
At least that paid.
Kirigakure
Silence.
The Blood Mist had hollowed the village out.
Seven Swordsmen—dead or gone.
Internal chaos everywhere.
The outside world could burn for all they cared.
Back in Iwagakure
News arrived quickly.
Ōnoki laughed.
"Heh… just as I thought."
"The idiots were bound to bite first."
He leaned back in his chair, eyes glinting.
"Go on, Konoha."
"Let's see how you enjoy the show."
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