Chapter 99
Konoha – Hokage's Office
Jiraiya looked utterly defeated as he walked out of the Hokage Tower, leading Haruta and the others.
As soon as they reached the bottom of the steps, Jiraiya immediately noticed something—
Shattered glass littered the ground.
A broken smoking pipe lay nearby.
Instinctively, he looked up—
The window to the Hokage's office…
A giant hole gaped where the glass should have been.
Recalling what had just happened inside, Jiraiya's already weary face darkened even further.
It had been days since their little "incident" in Iwagakure.
They had successfully returned to Konoha.
But honestly?
Jiraiya almost wished they had died in Iwagakure instead.
"What's wrong, Lord Jiraiya?"
Haruta tilted his head, looking at him curiously.
"You don't seem too happy. Cheer up! We made it back alive and completed the mission!"
"…"
Jiraiya shuddered.
However—he suddenly realized something.
Haruta hadn't called him Captain.
For the first time, Jiraiya felt… relief.
Once upon a time, Captain had been a sacred title—a symbol of a squad's unity and trust.
But now?
Haruta had completely ruined the word.
Ōnoki hadn't given them too much trouble—
Or rather, the moment he saw the Wooden Giant, the Five-Tails, and a massive toad, all aimed at Iwa's reinforcements—along with the threat of reliving something like the Nine-Tails Night…
Ōnoki had immediately backed down.
Some truths were universal.
When logic failed… raw power became the best negotiation tool.
After exchanging information, they were allowed to leave.
But Jiraiya still couldn't bring himself to feel relieved.
"Actually… I am happy."
He forced a very unconvincing smile.
"But Haruta… I don't think I'm qualified to lead you anymore.
"From now on, you guys should just operate on your own."
Jiraiya had been burned—badly.
Both in Iwagakure and back here in Konoha.
He was always the one left holding the bag.
And the worst part?
He couldn't even argue against it.
Because… technically…
It was his responsibility.
Tenzo immediately nodded. For him, framing others wasn't anything new; he had long remembered Lord Danzo's teachings by heart.
Shisui just shrugged indifferently, while Yugao stood quietly to the side. Only Kakashi let out a silent sigh in his heart.
Obito really got caught up in a disaster he didn't deserve this time.
Even though it was clear by now that Obito had fallen, Kakashi still held onto a faint hope that he could bring Obito back—if only to let him face Konoha's judgment.
But at this rate, it seemed like there was no hope left for Obito.
Of course, Kakashi didn't blame Haruta either. Given the circumstances at the time, framing a rogue ninja had been the most appropriate course of action.
Still, it gave him a headache—though not as much of a headache as it gave others in Konoha.
"Don't be angry, Hiruzen."
In the Hokage's office, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado glanced at the shattered glass, broken by Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe. Both of them looked rather helpless.
After all, this incident had caused quite a stir.
"Don't be angry?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his two old friends in frustration. After a long pause, he finally couldn't help but blurt out, "Those fools! Testing the limits of peace by almost starting a war in the village—and Jiraiya of all people led the charge! It's infuriating!"
"You know how Jiraiya and Orochimaru are—such bonds make him act impulsively," Koharu sighed and shook her head.
Homura chimed in with a slight nod, "That's true. But the situation isn't as bad as it could be. At least Onoki has accepted the story we fed him, which means the trouble won't come from our end. Still..."
He trailed off, his expression growing more serious. Hiruzen's own headache deepened.
According to Jiraiya's report, the one who set fire to the Tsuchikage's office was Uchiha Obito. But at this point, who had actually done it no longer mattered.
Because regardless of who had, the culprit now had to be Uchiha Obito.
They couldn't exactly admit Konoha was responsible, could they? That would leave no room for diplomacy and might escalate into a full-blown war.
To reinforce the narrative that Obito was the culprit, Konoha needed to make sure Onoki understood the full extent of Obito's abilities. And so, Jiraiya had been forced to leak that information.
And that was where the real trouble began.
The problem was that Obito possessed both the Senju and Uchiha clans' most powerful abilities. Once that intelligence reached Onoki, a man known for being crafty, he would definitely publicize it—whether to shift attention from Iwagakure's losses or just to disgust Konoha.
And once the entire ninja world found out that Konoha's rogue ninja list included someone like Obito, it would bring endless trouble to the village.
"Forget it. What's done is done."
After a long silence, Hiruzen finally shook his head in resignation.
"Obito's abilities are already exposed. From now on, we'll need to intensify efforts to track and capture him."
"That won't be easy," Koharu remarked thoughtfully. "And we can assume some villages will take an interest in him."
Homura chuckled, "It's troublesome, yes, but not without its silver lining. At least now, if Haruta causes any more trouble, we can always blame it on Uchiha Obito."
Hiruzen shot him a glare, feeling his blood pressure rise.
In all his years, even Jiraiya had never caused this much chaos. But Haruta, a product of Danzo's mentorship, seemed to thrive on chaos and turning minor issues into major crises—all, supposedly, for the good of Konoha.
"Danzo, what have you done?"
Hiruzen thought bitterly about how a promising young talent like Haruta had been turned into a walking disaster.
Danzo had been excluded from this meeting, a clear sign of Hiruzen's dissatisfaction. In fact, Hiruzen had taken to deliberately excluding Danzo from any discussions involving Haruta.
"You really do find joy in chaos," Hiruzen sighed after rubbing his temples for a moment. "Still, given the circumstances, it does make sense to pin certain incidents on Obito when needed."
"By the way, I heard that Shisui Uchiha is thinking about leaving the Anbu?" Koharu asked, tactfully changing the subject.
"Shisui is trustworthy," Hiruzen replied firmly. "At least, I believe so."
He didn't want to discuss the Uchiha clan right now, even though their growing discontent also weighed heavily on him.
There were more pressing matters at hand.
"How are those two that Haruta brought back? And when is Shikaku Nara coming to report in?"
"Jiraiya just left, so it might take some time," Homura said quietly. "As for those two, we're still gathering intelligence, but so far, it looks like they were Danzo's people—and close to Haruta. Something about this situation seems suspicious."
The three seasoned elders exchanged thoughtful glances but chose not to pursue the matter any further.
"Get to the bottom of this and calm things down," Hiruzen ordered. "Also, keep this confidential—especially from Danzo. Haruta's rapid growth is unusual, and we don't want him overthinking things or drawing the wrong conclusions. Understood?"
"Yes," Koharu and Homura agreed.
Haruta's latest report had mentioned his use of some unusual techniques—possibly even Sage Chakra Mode, a technique Jiraiya had barely mastered.
Even more unsettling was that Haruta had managed to summon a wooden golem, one of the First Hokage's signature techniques, and used it to suppress the Akatsuki.
If Danzo provoked him, the consequences could be catastrophic.
"Danzo, sometimes you really push things too far," the three of them sighed inwardly.
"Why hasn't there been any news from Orochimaru yet?"
At Konoha's Root base, Danzo frowned as he waited for an update. Normally, Kabuto Yakushi and Nonō Yakushi should have already met Orochimaru, and by now, Orochimaru should have eliminated them.
Both Kabuto and Nonō were undoubtedly skilled spies, but Danzo didn't believe they could stand against Orochimaru—a true killing machine.
Yet, strangely, several days had passed without any word from Orochimaru, which left Danzo feeling uneasy.
"Lord Danzo!"
At that moment, Ryoma Aburame rushed in, visibly anxious. Danzo frowned slightly at the sight but stayed calm as Ryoma knelt respectfully and presented a scroll.
"Urgent report, my lord."
Danzo's expression darkened as he took the scroll and began reading. The more he read, the more his face stiffened.
"A wooden golem… controlling the Five-Tails… and the Tsuchikage's office burned down…"
Even Danzo, a man who had done countless ruthless deeds without flinching, felt a chill run down his spine. The report didn't name the perpetrator, but the techniques described left him with little doubt.
"Haruta… Did they act on their own? And they went all the way to Iwagakure? Then…"
Danzo's face turned pale. He hadn't expected things to spiral out of control like this. What worried him even more was that he had agents stationed in Iwagakure—and now he feared they had been compromised.
And another chilling thought struck him.
"Did Orochimaru run into that brat Haruta?"
Danzo clenched his fists. If Orochimaru had been killed, or if Haruta had discovered Danzo's secret plans, the consequences would be disastrous.
Still, he clung to a sliver of hope.
"If Kabuto and Nonō die as planned, all will be well…"
Killing them would ensure Orochimaru took the blame and stop any leaks. Danzo muttered to himself, trying to calm down as he stood up and prepared to head to the Hokage's office.
"I need answers—and I need to find out what's happened to Orochimaru."
Before leaving, he glanced at Ryoma and gave a final order.
"Continue gathering information."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
---
"Did you really have to stir up such a storm?"
Back at the Senju ancestral home, Haruta was unaware of the chaos brewing outside. He sat casually, watching Tsunade, who stood nearby with a stern expression. Next to her, Shizune held Tonton in her arms, looking concerned.
"Sensei, I didn't mean for things to escalate. It was Jiraiya who struck first—I was just caught up in the mess," Haruta said with a helpless shrug.
"You expect me to believe that?" Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. She was in a foul mood.
Haruta's latest escapade had nearly given Hiruzen Sarutobi a heart attack. If she hadn't been there to calm things down, she might have ended up as the next Hokage.
To be honest, although Jiraiya wasn't particularly smart, it was entirely possible for him to lose his cool when encountering Orochimaru.
But even then, could he really stir up that much trouble?
Burning down the Tsuchikage's office, capturing the Five-Tails, confronting Onoki, and even threatening Iwagakure with a "Night of the Nine-Tails"—Jiraiya didn't seem capable of such chaos.
In contrast, Haruta, who had once kidnapped the Fourth Raikage right in front of Tsunade and even coaxed her into skimming funds by falsifying "informant fees," seemed like the real suspect.
Thinking of those kickbacks made Tsunade blush. After a moment's thought, she shook her head.
"Forget it. I'm too tired to lecture you. But this time, sensei is really angry. Be more careful from now on."
"Actually, Lord Hokage is probably more upset about the aftermath of all this," Haruta said with a smile, knowing Tsunade was genuinely concerned.
"But there's a way to resolve it. Jiraiya already went to see Lord Shikaku to discuss negotiations with Iwagakure. If things go well, we might avoid serious problems on that front."
Negotiations were always a good sign. Onoki, while hot-tempered, was rational when it mattered.
For instance, when he realized Haruta and the others were ready to target Iwagakure's forces, he immediately understood it was time to talk.
Besides, Haruta had even helped Iwagakure by "eliminating" two spies, and Jiraiya had offered additional benefits. If the talks succeeded, Iwagakure might end up feeling like they had come out ahead.
Of course, the biggest winner was still Haruta himself.
[Task Completed]
[Investigate the Relationship Between the Akatsuki and Orochimaru]
[Task Rating: SS]
[Reward: 12 Free Points]
[Hidden Task Completed: Reveal the Connection Between the Akatsuki and Jiraiya – Part 1]
[Task Rating: A]
[Reward: 8 Free Points]
[Special Reward: Light-Weight Rock Technique (Onoki)]
Looking at his status panel, Haruta felt quite satisfied. Though he hadn't gotten double points this time, unlocking a second hidden task was still a big win!
His first hidden task had been tied to Uchiha Obito, earning him a large number of free points. Unfortunately, he had already drained most of the "wool" from Obito, except for whatever was happening in Kirigakure.
Losing Obito's hidden tasks meant losing a major source of free points, which had left Haruta feeling a bit disappointed.
But now, a new opportunity had appeared, and Haruta couldn't be happier. He was already plotting how to extract even more value from these new "targets."
This was also why he didn't want Jiraiya to leave. It was a lucrative arrangement!
And Onoki's contribution wasn't bad either.
Haruta had always wanted to get his hands on Dust Release, even if he didn't really need it. As a transmigrator, he felt about ninjutsu the way gamers feel about free in-game items.
"I might not use it, but I still want to have it."
Of course, he also understood that, since he and Onoki had only exchanged verbal threats without actually fighting, obtaining Dust Release was unrealistic.
"But this Light-Weight Rock Technique isn't bad at all."
The technique was what allowed Onoki to fly, which meant Haruta had effectively gained a flight jutsu!
Flying was one of humanity's oldest dreams, and Haruta was no exception. As someone skilled in long-range ninjutsu attacks, he knew this ability would greatly enhance both his offensive capabilities and his personal safety.
"Flying high and bombarding enemies from the air—this will make me even more unstoppable!"
Haruta's mood improved. Although this haul wasn't quite as massive as his last one, it was still a great success.
For now, though, he hadn't allocated his free points. He wanted to take some time to think it over.
"Whatever. I don't feel like talking to you anymore."
Tsunade huffed in frustration. Seeing Haruta's absent-minded expression, she let out an annoyed sigh.
"How many times do I have to tell you not to get cocky just because you're powerful? Sure, you're smart—you knew Onoki wouldn't dare cause trouble in his own village, and you gave him a way out.
"But have you thought about the consequences for yourself? You've made so many enemies. Your future won't be easy.
"Even my grandfather, as powerful as he was, still died in the end. My granduncle could use the Flying Thunder God Technique, and he was still killed by rogue ninjas from Kumogakure.
"You're incredibly talented—probably even more so than my grandfather. You've mastered the Wood Golem Technique and even learned Sage Mode.
"But I don't want you to become arrogant. You once said you wanted to be Hokage. If you keep acting this way, no one will support you.
"Instead, your enemies will do everything they can to kill you. And how will you become Hokage if you're dead?"
"..."
Tsunade's words snapped Haruta back to reality. He blinked, momentarily stunned.
Hadn't he always been clear about his goal to become Hokage?
As for making enemies, Haruta felt he had been very clear about his role as a "loyal subordinate" of Danzo, working tirelessly under his command. If anyone had grudges, they should be aimed at Danzo, not him.
"I understand, Sensei."
Even though that was what he thought, Haruta kept those thoughts to himself. Instead, he nodded seriously, putting on a respectful expression.
Then, an idea popped into his head, and he smiled.
"Don't worry, Sensei. I'll remember your advice. How about we make a bet?"
"A bet?"
Tsunade's eyes lit up. She loved gambling.
"What kind of bet?"
"We'll bet your necklace." Haruta pointed to the necklace hanging around Tsunade's neck.
"And what's the bet?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Simple. We'll bet on whether I can live to see that day!"
"You're pretty confident, huh?" Tsunade smirked, though her eyes gleamed with interest.
But Haruta's next words shattered her composure.
"Of course I'm confident! Unlike Jiraiya's so-called 'Chosen One,' who's doomed to die young, I'm not a short-lived loser. Besides, Sensei, you always lose your bets, so I'm guaranteed to win!"
"Guaranteed to win..."
Tsunade appreciated Haruta's confidence—and, admittedly, she did lose most of her bets—but at that moment, she clenched her fists, seething with frustration.
"You little brat! I'll send you flying right now!"
"Wait, Sensei, calm down—"
"You made her mad again, didn't you?"
Yugao returned home with Karin after school, only to find a gaping hole in the wall and Shizune haggling with some construction workers.
Seeing Haruta looking a bit disheveled, Yugao quickly figured out what had happened.
Karin swallowed nervously. Was this... what they meant by "home demolition" ninjutsu?
"It's nothing," Haruta said with a shrug. "I just told Sensei a bit of truth, and she didn't like it."
"Anyway, Yugao, how's Karin been doing?"
"She's doing well," Yugao replied, glancing at Karin.
"I'm keeping up, Haruta-nii," Karin said with a bright smile.
She would never forget that Haruta had saved her and given her a home. Even though everything was still new and unfamiliar, she was truly grateful.
"Good. Keep learning—especially from Tsunade. You'll be a great medic and sensor ninja someday."
Haruta smiled, ruffling Karin's red hair.
"Your hair's really soft. Way nicer than that other Uzumaki's."
"Other Uzumaki? You mean Naruto?"
"Yeah, that kid." Haruta sighed. "He promised to treat us to ramen, but he still hasn't followed through."
"Seriously? You're still upset about that?" Yugao rolled her eyes.
"What can I say? He owes me!" Haruta muttered, thinking about the time Naruto had almost poisoned him with mushrooms. Maybe he'd let Hiruzen be the one to taste-test Naruto's cooking next time.
"Anyway, just don't copy him," Haruta said, shaking his head. Then, as if remembering something, he added, "And don't pick up Tsunade-sensei's bad habits either—like gambling or drinking. Got it?"
"Oh… okay…" Karin nodded, though she wasn't sure if it was really okay to talk about Tsunade like that—even if it was true.
"You're not afraid she'll hear you?" Yugao sighed and shook her head, pulling Karin upstairs.
"Why don't you hide for a while until Sensei cools off? Honestly, you really know how to push her buttons."
"But isn't that why I have you to cover for me, Yugao-senpai?" Haruta teased, winking at her before retreating to his room.
On one hand, Haruta needed to stay out of Tsunade's sight for a while. On the other, he planned to allocate his free points and strengthen himself.
[Haruta Shigaru]
[Overall Physical Stats: LV11]
[Chakra: LV9]
[Abilities: Wood Release LV7, Flying Thunder God LV7, Taijutsu LV6, Cursed Seal LV7, Yin Release LV6, Scorch Release LV7, etc.]
[Free Points: 21]
[Light-Weight Rock Technique adapted to Earth Release, integrated into current Earth Release Level LV7]
Haruta nodded in satisfaction as a flood of information about the Light-Weight Rock Technique, including its usage and "training experience," filled his mind.
Though his Earth Release wasn't quite on Onoki's level, Haruta could now use the Light-Weight Rock Technique to fly with ease.
As for the advanced version, the Super Light-Weight Rock Technique, the only real difference was the amount of chakra output. If he wanted, Haruta could likely use it as well.
"But I don't need to fight falling meteors, so there's no point going that far."
He glanced at his status panel. With 21 free points, there was a lot he could do.
Plus, as his missions grew larger in scope, he earned more free points, which gave him confidence in pursuing well-rounded development.
"My physical stats are already at LV11, and I still need time to adapt to my current body, so I won't invest there for now."
His last upgrade had left him feeling drained, especially when he pushed his stats to LV10 without properly adjusting. Now at LV11, his strength, defense, coordination, and speed had all significantly improved.
Even without chakra, he could hold his own in a fight.
Additionally, he was paying close attention to the effects of his body's bloodline enhancement, though he hadn't noticed any obvious changes yet.
After some thought, Haruta concluded that his bloodline was likely being strengthened and refined, though not in the way the Uchiha or Senju clans could trace their origins back to the Otsutsuki.
His bloodline improvements might instead push him toward greater raw power.
"Maybe one day my kids will inherit my traits and become the next generation's overpowered monsters."
Haruta chuckled at the thought but quickly shook his head and returned to considering his point allocation.
"Let's start by boosting chakra. I didn't increase it last time, so this time…"
Boosting chakra would improve his stamina, chakra control, and chakra quality, which in turn would enhance the power of his jutsu.
[Chakra Level Up: Current Level LV10]
[Remaining Free Points: 12]
Feeling the surging chakra within him, Haruta smiled. The more powerful his chakra, the better he could perform in battle.
"Maybe my chakra will be the next stat to reach LV11," he mused, curious about what changes might occur at that level.
"Next, I'll allocate points to Taijutsu and Yin Release."
Haruta wasn't planning to turn into another Otsutsuki, but he had started paying more attention to his Taijutsu. Even though his raw power was already deadly, he wanted to refine his technique, just like Might Guy.
As for Yin Release, he needed it to further develop Yin-Yang Release, which was a priority for him.
[Taijutsu Level Up: Current Level LV7]
[Yin Release Level Up: Current Level LV7]
[Remaining Free Points: 0]
Haruta felt the changes coursing through his body and mind. With stronger Taijutsu, his Yang Release-based Chakra Mode would also become more effective.
"Next time, I'll make sure my Yang Release Chakra Mode is recognized by the system. Then even if Nagato himself shows up, I won't have to worry."
---
"Obito, we've got trouble!"
While Haruta was in high spirits, Black Zetsu was anything but. In Amegakure's Mizukage's office, Black Zetsu suddenly emerged, looking tense as he addressed Obito.
"What's wrong?" Obito frowned. Black Zetsu's tone hinted at something serious.
Lately, Obito had been keeping a low profile. After losing a chunk of flesh and being left in the dark about certain intel, he hadn't had much choice.
"This…" Black Zetsu hesitated before handing Obito a piece of paper.
"See for yourself."
"A wanted poster?" Obito snorted after glancing at it.
"Konoha is getting desperate. Why are you showing me this? I've seen it before."
"It's not Konoha's," Black Zetsu said after a pause. "It's from Iwagakure… and you're the one they've put a bounty on."
"Iwagakure?" Obito blinked in surprise. He hadn't done anything to provoke Iwagakure—or so he thought.
But when he looked more closely, his expression darkened.
The wanted poster didn't just have his face on it—it also detailed his abilities and identified him as a member of the Akatsuki!
"Do we have a traitor?" was Obito's first thought, but as he read further, something shocked him even more.
"Burning down the Tsuchikage's office? Challenging Onoki's authority? Me?"
"Yep, all you," Black Zetsu said awkwardly, as Obito stood frozen in disbelief.
When had he ever done something like that? And with Wood Release no less, to frame Konoha...
Wait. Wood Release? Framing Konoha?
"Damn it… Haruta Shigaru!"
Obito roared in fury. He'd been lying low in Kirigakure, yet somehow, a massive metaphorical pot had dropped right onto his head.
"Is Onoki insane? Or has he lost his mind? Anyone can see that Haruta is behind this!"
"No, Onoki is actually being very smart," Black Zetsu sighed.
"Iwagakure won't risk going to war with Konoha, and Konoha won't admit responsibility for the incident. So they needed a scapegoat… and you were the perfect fit."
A Uchiha with Kamui who could teleport at will, use Wood Release, and excel in Fire Release? It was almost like the role had been custom-made for him.
"Wait. How did Haruta end up in Iwagakure? And what about the rest of the Akatsuki?" Obito demanded, still furious.
"They went to recruit Orochimaru," Black Zetsu explained with a grim expression. "You were recovering at the time, so I didn't mention it, thinking it wasn't a big deal… but clearly, that was a mistake."
He detailed everything the Akatsuki had learned, then concluded bitterly, "This was all part of Danzo's plan. He tricked everyone."
"Damn it!" Obito snarled, furious at the situation. He had been framed, his abilities had been exposed, and Danzo's manipulations had pushed him to the brink.
"Damn the Five Great Shinobi Villages, damn Onoki, damn Haruta… and damn you, Danzo!"
***
Currently this fic has upto 149 chapter.
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