Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 142: The Most Notorious S-Rank Missing-Nin in History!

Hyuga Fuji chuckled softly. "Such words—perhaps they hold a glimmer of hope for a turning point."

"Perhaps." Tsunade did not refute him.

After all, Tobirama Senju was her family, the Second Hokage of the village. Seeing him following Hyuga Fuji made it hard for her to view Fuji as a mere missing-nin.

Moreover, Tsunade had seen Fuji's actions firsthand. Since he had not openly declared his motives, she could not subjectively judge him as evil.

But…

Turning her head calmly, Tsunade said, "You've mastered Konoha's secrets and forbidden jutsu, yet your heart no longer belongs to the village. You are no longer an ally, but an enemy."

When the time came, she would show no mercy.

"Good resolve."

Seeing Tsunade's unwavering determination, Hyuga Fuji smiled. "Those of you who are hesitant, stay behind if you wish."

"…"

Seeing no response, Fuji began walking toward the doors of the Daimyo's palace. "Then let us part ways here. Those of you who choose to follow me, come."

Inside the grand hall, aside from Tsunade and Yakumaru, the other ninjas all gathered behind Hyuga Fuji.

Yakumaru's expression remained cold, while Tsunade stood in front of the Daimyo's seat with her back to them, her face calm.

From the moment they entered the hall, these ninjas had been silent, showing no emotion. Tsunade had long understood that these were Fuji's subordinates.

As Fuji passed by Yakumaru, the latter spoke in a low voice: "I never truly understood you, so I'll uncover everything bit by bit. Once I have enough strength, I'll find you. I have so many questions to ask. Just you wait!"

He hadn't let go of his anger but had temporarily suppressed his confusion under Tsunade's orders.

Hyuga Fuji didn't reply, merely walking out of the hall. Outside, the gathered ninjas stepped aside, unwilling to block his path.

And so, Konoha's ninjas watched with conflicted expressions as Hyuga Fuji and his followers left.

When Fuji was far out of sight, one of the ninjas finally spoke, his voice trembling. "Can this really be considered a defection?"

They hadn't dared to stop him, and Lady Tsunade had chosen not to as well. The so-called missing-nin had walked out right in front of them, unchallenged. What was this?

It felt more like they had been abandoned by Hyuga Fuji…

"Defection? He's the one who spared us."

Another ninja's expression was complex. "After the Fourth Hokage's death, who in the ninja world can stop him? Who dares to stop him?"

Previously, there were two individuals marked by all nations as 'encounter and abandon the mission.'

After the Fourth's death, only Hyuga Fuji remained.

And now, the first missing-nin in history to warrant immediate retreat had been born.

"In his eyes, what are we, really?" a middle-aged ninja murmured.

"Who knows? Maybe just background characters in a play?" Another ninja tried to lighten the mood, jokingly adding, "The entire Konoha, outmaneuvered by one man—"

His words abruptly stopped, and the surroundings fell silent once more.

In their line of sight, figures began to appear behind Hyuga Fuji, one after another, like shadows.

Kurama… Uchiha… Nara…

One hundred… five hundred… two thousand…

Familiar and unfamiliar ninjas alike stood behind Hyuga Fuji, aligned against Konoha.

The Konoha ninjas stationed throughout the Daimyo's palace stared at the scene in a daze, unable to suppress a single overwhelming emotion—fear.

Among the followers were their friends, their family members. Yet, those individuals looked back at them with indifference before resolutely following Hyuga Fuji.

Why? Was it genjutsu? Had Fuji controlled them?

Why could they follow Hyuga Fuji so decisively?

…

Before the Daimyo's seat, Tsunade stood silently for a long time.

When even Tobirama Senju was willing to stand behind Hyuga Fuji, the number of people loyal to Fuji within Konoha was likely terrifying—a reality she had already prepared herself for.

Hyuga Fuji sitting in the Daimyo's seat earlier had been a clear indication. The Daimyo's palace had been under his control all along.

Of the ninjas who entered the palace, more than half likely belonged to him.

But for Konoha, this was a division it had to endure, perhaps even a necessary one.

If Konoha's strength declined to this extent, the great nations would no longer be willing to gamble everything for mutual destruction. Hyuga Fuji taking so many people would focus the attention on him, giving Konoha and the Land of Fire a chance to breathe.

A ninja who mastered the Flying Thunder God, who orchestrated the downfall of a nation and village's system, and who led to the demise of the Daimyo—no ninja village could afford to ignore him.

Still, Tsunade found no solace in Konoha's fracture.

'Later, I'll go destroy some splitting techniques to vent.'

Tsunade allowed herself a moment of bitter humor.

Thinking back, it all seemed to have started with the splitting technique.

Without the splitting technique, Fuji wouldn't have been able to lift the Caged Bird Seal, wouldn't have risen to the position of Hokage's assistant, and many events would have played out differently.

Now, Konoha had fractured, and the old order of the Land of Fire would inevitably splinter, setting the stage for opposition and further division.

The splitting technique… truly a cursed jutsu, living up to its name.

Tsunade smiled bitterly. Only after Fuji and his followers were gone and the other ninjas entered the Daimyo's palace did she compose herself, turning to sit in the seat Fuji had vacated. With a steady voice, she declared:

"From this day forward, I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire!"

…

"Quite a calm departure," Tobirama remarked as the distant commotion reached his ears.

"Yakumaru will question and struggle, but Lady Tsunade cannot. Her position and identity demand that she remain calm, draw clear boundaries with us, and yet not act."

Hyuga Fuji glanced at Tobirama. "And with you present, it was destined to be a quiet departure."

Tobirama smirked. "I thought you'd leave some cryptic words behind to send them chasing after the truth in confusion."

Hyuga Fuji's expression remained calm. "What would be the point? A meaningless performance? Lady Tsunade has already defined our relationship—enemy, not friend."

"…Fair enough."

Tobirama seemed to reflect for a moment before adding, "In such a short time, Tsunade seems to have undergone a transformation. For that, I suppose I should thank you."

"She only lacked the motivation. She has never been short on resolve or action."

"I know," Tobirama said. "There's still some unfinished business I need to handle with the Technology Development Bureau. It might take a few days."

Fuji glanced at Tobirama. "Go ahead, but I doubt you'll stay long."

Tobirama frowned.

Most of Konoha's systems were his creation. Their so-called review processes would pose no challenge to him. His alias hadn't been exposed, and Konoha couldn't see through White Zetsu's transformation technique. How long he stayed was entirely up to him, wasn't it?

Confused by Fuji's comment, Tobirama couldn't deduce the answer. He simply replied, "We'll meet again," and disappeared.

Watching him leave, Fuji turned to look at the ninjas lingering far behind his group.

These were Konoha ninjas who had stayed behind, confused by their comrades' decision to follow Fuji. Yet, lacking the courage to step forward, they were now too late.

As Hozuki Gengetsu and Mu appeared beside Fuji, a massive Reverse Summoning Barrier enveloped them.

A barrier capable of traversing dimensions made transferring within the same world effortless.

Watching the distant, panicked reactions of the ninjas, Fuji spoke softly:

"Farewell, everyone."

I hope that next time, you'll be prepared.

…

May 30, Year 47 of the Hidden Leaf Calendar:

Hyuga Fuji, the former Hokage's assistant, defected from Konoha.

His actions led to the downfall of the Daimyo and others in the Land of Fire, collapsing the one nation, one village system.

He became known as—The Feather of Ruin!

To the Daimyo of the great nations, he was deemed the most notorious S-rank missing-nin in history!

(End of Chapter)

To read an advance 180+ chapters

Support me at [email protected]/NahinS77

Change @ to a

Or go to that website and search NahinS77