Orochimaru, a 50-year-old "young" entrepreneur, began pitching his proposal in hopes of securing early-stage support from two investors—Shimura Danzō and Shimura Yami.
For dramatic effect, he even gave the plan a name that sounded intimidating:
Konoha Crush Plan.
As Orochimaru slowly laid out the strategy, Danzō soon understood what he intended. Even Yami showed a rare look of surprise.
This plan was very different from the Konoha Crush Plan he remembered.
Ever since Yami slaughtered so many during a past Chūnin Exam, no other shinobi villages had dared to participate in the joint exams for years.
It was simply too brutal.
They feared another ninja like Yami would appear and wipe out their next generation. If it happened again, entire village lineages could be severed.
But as the era of peace continued, the joint Chūnin Exam evolved into a stage for demonstrating national power and subtle competition between the Hidden Villages.
Konoha's ninjas had become increasingly complacent in recent years. And with the Ninja Academy's reduced curriculum, their quality had gradually worsened.
Noticing this, other villages began rejoining the joint exams. It was cost-effective and good for national image—why not participate?
Just last July, Kumo sent representatives. Some envoys even tried to approach Samui in secret.
Before they could get near the Shimura compound, however, they were struck by lightning from above burned to charcoal on the spot.
Kumo suspected Shimura Yami was behind it. But without conclusive proof, they dropped the matter.
This year's event was even more ambitious.
In addition to smaller villages that had never missed a year, a new face—Otogakure—joined. Among the Five Great Nations, both Sunagakure and Iwagakure would participate too.
Through Orochimaru's coordination, all parties had agreed to the Konoha Crush Plan.
The scale was far larger than what Yami remembered.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, would personally lead the Suna delegation. Representing Iwagakure was elite jōnin Monga.
That name was very familiar to Yami. He was the one who killed Yugao's father—the very man she swore to avenge.
The true trump card behind the scenes was Han, the Five Tails' jinchūriki, known as the Steam Ninja.
Add in Gaara, the One Tail's jinchūriki.
Two jinchūriki, one Kage, and a Sannin.
Orochimaru didn't want Konoha to collapse, he wanted it to die.
Fortunately, one thing hadn't changed: Orochimaru still planned to assassinate the Fourth Kazekage and use his identity to get close to Hiruzen during the exam, carrying out his plan in public.
This was effectively eliminating a Kage-level threat while gaining proximity to the Hokage.
Yami looked at the little white snake before him, eyes skeptical. "Orochimaru-sensei, aren't you going a bit too far?"
The white snake chuckled darkly. "This is just a normal scale of planning. With you here, Yami-kun, if I only relied on a throwaway village like Suna, they'd never agree to such a bold plan. I had no choice but to drag Iwa into it too. As it turns out, both villages are eager to weaken Konoha, so the collaboration was smooth."
Yami had to admit.
Orochimaru truly was the brains among the Sannin. With someone like Yami in the mix, if Orochimaru had only relied on Suna like in the original timeline, the plan would have failed outright. Suna likely wouldn't have even agreed to it.
But now, with both major villages involved, the plan looked far more plausible.
Yami silently praised Orochimaru's foresight, then stood up. "You can work this out with the Old Man. This has nothing to do with me. I only have one condition: when you assassinate Rasa, I want my people involved."
Orochimaru, speaking through the little white snake, frowned. "Yami-kun, dealing with one Kazekage is still within my capability."
He suspected that Yami wanted to steal Rasa's body to use in Impure World Reincarnation.
Yami saw right through his concern and sneered. "I'm not interested in Rasa's body. I just have a personal grudge. If you don't agree, we'll walk away."
After a moment's pause, Orochimaru agreed.
With his answer secured, Yami left.
Only Danzō remained in the room. Orochimaru already understood what this old man was after.
"Elder Danzō, once my sensei is gone, Konoha will fall into the hands of the Shimura clan. Who becomes the next Hokage... will be up to you, right?"
Danzō's lone eye flickered, then slowly closed.
"Root will stay out of this. I'll have Yami stand down from the main battlefield. You and Hiruzen will have the stage."
"But whether your allies and subordinates survive... that's fate."
"That's good enough."
Orochimaru grinned coldly.
The only true variable in the Konoha Crush Plan was Yami.
Through intel from Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru already knew that Yami had mastered Sage Mode.
Combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique, even the Four Violet Flame Formation wouldn't stop him from intervening.
If Orochimaru could eliminate this unpredictable threat, he could give his sensei a grand funeral.
As for Suna, Iwa, or even his own men, Orochimaru didn't care in the slightest. He'd abandon them all without hesitation.
Shimura Residence.
When Yami returned home, he didn't find Pakura or Uzumaki Misa. The entire house was quiet, save for Hikari, who was lying on the sofa reading a novel.
"Oi."
Uchiha Hikari, so absorbed in her book she didn't even greet him, suddenly felt her body lift as she was scooped up like a plush doll.
"What are you doing, touching me the moment you get home?"
Hikari had filled out slightly. No longer fragile like when she first awakened.
Still small, still cute. Just holding her was addictively soothing.
When not out on missions, Yami's favorite thing was falling asleep with her or Izumi in his arms. They were sweet, soft, and comforting.
"You didn't even react when I came back," Yami grumbled, rubbing her spiky hair. "Where's Pakura? And Aunt Misa?"
"Misa-san went grocery shopping. Pakura's probably out on a Root mission."
Trapped in his arms, Hikari couldn't focus on reading anymore. She tossed the book aside and burrowed deeper into his embrace.
One thing led to another, and they went straight to the bedroom to "study the inlay technique."
Two hours later, Hikari lay fast asleep.
Just then, Pakura returned.
Yami tiptoed out of the room and saw her organizing ninja tools. He hugged her from behind.
"You only remember me when you're in the mood?"
Despite being the elder, Pakura never could resist Yami when he was being playful.
"What nonsense. Am I that shallow?"
"Just leave the door open tonight. I actually came to talk business..."
Yami explained Orochimaru's revised Konoha Crush Plan. At first, Pakura was unmoved. But when he mentioned Orochimaru's intent to assassinate Rasa, her eyes narrowed.
"I told him he has to bring my people along for that part."
Pakura frowned. "Why not let me handle it myself?"
Among everyone she despised, Rasa was at the top. The one who had betrayed her.
Though her emotional ties to Suna had long faded after following Yami for nearly ten years, the hatred still festered. She needed closure.
"An extra pair of hands means more certainty," Yami coaxed. "You know how strong Rasa is. If you go alone, there's a chance he escapes."
Pakura nodded reluctantly. Though confident she had surpassed Rasa, she wasn't an assassin, and slipping up was possible.
"Then I'll be the primary attacker. Orochimaru can assist."
"No problem."
Yami easily agreed.
Pakura smiled.
A sunny day in March.
The villagers of Konoha were going about their lives when someone's shouting echoed through the streets.
"You little brat! Stop right there!"
"Uzumaki Naruto! How dare you deface the Hokage Rock again! You're going in solitary!"
"Why is this brat so full of stamina? Block off the escape routes!"
Several chūnin chased after him, drenched in sweat.
It was bizarre. Wasn't this "demon fox" kid supposed to be dead last at the Academy? Why could he run so fast and for so long?
Eventually, they had to surround him like an actual enemy to subdue him.
The gathered villagers weren't even surprised. But when they saw the garishly painted Hokage Rock, many frowned in disgust.
Pinned down by several chūnin, Naruto's teacher Iruka finally arrived on the scene.
Without a word, he smacked Naruto's head, then turned and bowed repeatedly to the other shinobi.
"Iruka-sensei, that hurt!"
"Shut it! We'll talk back at school!"
Iruka apologized again, then grabbed Naruto by the collar and dragged him back to class.
In the classroom, Naruto's disheveled appearance drew laughter.
"Not bad, Naruto. Iruka caught you in just thirty minutes today."
"Yeah, didn't you last a full hour last week? Getting slower?"
Inuzuka Kiba mocked, and Akamaru barked twice for added effect, prompting a round of laughter.
Everyone was used to Naruto's antics by now. But he wasn't embarrassed. He grinned.
At least classmates laughed. The villagers just ignored or hated him. This was better.
In truth, Naruto's school life wasn't bad.
Like all places, the Academy had its cliques.
Other than the aloof "cool guy" Sasuke, the most prominent clique was made up of Karin, Ino, and Hinata.
Thanks to Yami, they were all friends with Naruto, which boosted his social standing.
Unlike the villagers, his classmates didn't treat him with contempt.
"All right, let's go over the important points for the exam."
Iruka restored order to the classroom and briefed everyone on the schedule.
Naruto's smile faded when he heard the Clone Technique would be tested tomorrow.
It was the one technique he struggled with most.
Despite being good at the Transformation Technique, his Clone Jutsu attempts were always a mess.
He didn't realize that his massive chakra pool—mixed with Nine Tails' chakra—was to blame. Clone Jutsu required precise chakra control, and Academy training wasn't enough for someone like him.
After school, Karin invited Ino and Hinata to her house.
That area had basically become Yami's private domain, complete with training facilities, a private cinema, and even hot springs.
Ino and Hinata visited Karin's place more than they stayed at their own homes.
Hiashi didn't mind. Since Hinata was engaged to Yami, spending more time together was good for bonding.
But Ino's father was worried.
His precious daughter was completely under Yami's spell. Whenever he tried to lecture her, she'd plug her ears and run off. And with his wife constantly defending her, he had no way to stop it.
He watched helplessly as Ino and Yami grew closer, just as Shikaku had warned years ago.
Worst of all, Yami wasn't even doing anything on purpose. He could only stew silently at home.
The next day, the final exams began.
One by one, students passed the test.
When Uchiha Sasuke appeared, all the girls swooned. One pink-haired girl in particular was especially excited.
When Naruto stepped up, Iruka offered him encouragement.
"Believe in yourself, Naruto. You've got this."
Unfortunately, Naruto produced only a collapsed, limp clone. Laughter filled the room.
Iruka sighed and marked him as unqualified.
Watching Naruto shuffle out of the room, Iruka felt conflicted. But rules were rules. Passing him anyway would do more harm than good.
Meanwhile, another examiner—Mizuki—took keen interest in Naruto.
Hokage Office.
Hiruzen was discussing this year's genin team arrangements with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura.
Most candidates would be randomly placed under chūnin or special jōnin.
But clan heirs required careful consideration, both for training and political balance.
"This year's Ino-Shika-Chō will go to Asuma," Hiruzen said.
Neither elder objected. They knew Hiruzen was securing political support for his son.
Individually, the three clans weren't particularly powerful. But together, their influence rivaled even the Hyūga.
All three clan heirs had graduated this year.
Normally, someone like Asuma wouldn't qualify to lead such an important team. Someone like Kakashi or another elite jōnin would've been better.
But Hiruzen was determined to give his son something meaningful.
Satisfied, he moved to the next team. "Then for the perception team... Aburame Shino, Inuzuka Kiba, and..."
Bang!
The door burst open.
Yami strode in.
"Oi, Old Man. Did you assign me a team yet?"
(To be continued.)
***
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