[Author's Note:
Greetings, comrades.
As mentioned earlier, I'm already laying the foundation for the next volume. After some reflection, Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) crossed my mind as a potential world to dive into. The themes, the emotional stakes, the swordplay—it all fits beautifully into the kind of story I love telling.
But before I commit, I want to hear from you. If there's another anime world you'd like me to explore—be it something underrated, iconic, or wildly unexpected—don't hesitate. Drop your suggestions. Your input means a lot; we're building this journey together.
As always, thank you for your unwavering support. It's the fuel behind every scene, every fight, and every word.
]
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Sasuke fell silent. His lips pressed into a tight line. Eyes closed. Arms resting on his knees. The storm within him raged silently—confusion, fury, heartbreak—all colliding in a typhoon of emotion.
He didn't move. Didn't speak. Just… breathed.
Across from him, Orochimaru—who had been uncannily silent for the entire revelation—finally let out a soft hiss, his golden eyes narrowing with curiosity." I must say… this is all quite touching, but here's what I want to know—" he leaned forward slightly, lips curling with intrigue, "—how are two people here who should be dead?"
Tsunade, arms crossed firmly under her chest (which drew more attention than she realized), nodded with equal parts suspicion and impatience."Exactly. I've been waiting for an answer too. Are all the dead just waltzing around now… or just these two?"
Naruto turned to the others present. There was a quiet exchange—nods, brief glances—and Naruto let out a small breath, preparing to explain.
But before he could utter a word—
SLAM. The doors burst open.
"Naruto!"A firm, mature voice rang through the room, rich with emotion and irritation. "You forgot to mention someone else Itachi loved, didn't you?"
Naruto froze mid-sentence, dragging his hand down his face with an exhausted sigh."Great… here we go…"
Another voice followed right behind her, male, softer, and slightly exasperated."Izumi, seriously—can you not break doors like that? Again?"
Everyone's attention shifted to the entrance.
Two figures stood there—a woman with dark, sharp eyes, radiating both maturity and sorrow, and beside her, a tall man, calm but alert.
Gasps echoed quietly through the room.
Naruto gave a sheepish half-smile, rubbing the back of his head."Izumi-san… if you want to know who the other person Itachi loved most…"He stepped aside and gestured lightly.
"… Maybe you should just ask Itachi himself."
Izumi just crossed her arms and pouted, looking exactly like a child who didn't get her turn at storytime."Hmph."
"Izumi, wait—were you here this whole time?" Mikoto blinked, tilting her head.
Izumi nodded, slightly embarrassed. "Y-Yeah… Naruto brought us here from the beginning. He told us to wait until he gave the signal. But I—" she glanced away, lips twitching, "I kinda got impatient…"
Naruto grinned and threw a playful glance at Tsunade.
"Well then, Tsunade, I think that answers your question, yeah?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes but smirked. "Mmm. Somewhat. But seriously, Naruto… how the hell did you pull all this off?"She uncrossed her arms and leaned forward slightly."You're still a brat. Yet here you are, acting more mature and tactical than most of the council ever were. What exactly did you do?"
Naruto, being the walking mix of bold and ridiculous that he was, straightened up with a spark in his eyes."Ah, so you're impressed? Good. Then, shall we make it official—ready to accept me as your husband?"
Tsunade snorted—hard. "Not a chance."But her smile had softened, her eyes sparkling in a way that made her answer seem way less final than her words.
Unfazed, Naruto chuckled and finally dropped the truth bomb like it was no big deal."Alright, alright… here's the truth."He gestured to everyone, his tone casual—too casual."I saved Shisui right before he died. Literally seconds before the fall. Then I, Fugaku-ojisan, and Shisui came up with a plan. We created clones of everyone… and replaced the originals. One by one."
Silence. It hit the room like a Rasengan to the gut.
Eyes widened. Mouths opened. Nobody said a word.
"Clones?"
"Everyone?"
"When?!"
"How—what kind of clones!?"
The questions danced in the air like senbon in a storm.
Even Orochimaru—literal genius and mad scientist rolled into one—looked absolutely baffled. His jaw tightened. His eyes narrowed."…Clones…"
He blinked slowly."…Naruto-kun, what kind of monster are you turning into?"
Naruto just winked. "The kind this broken world needs."
"Anyway…" Kurenai's calm voice cut through the lingering shock. "We understand everything that's happened. But what now? What's the next step?"
Anko crossed her arms, her gaze barely leaving Orochimaru, suspicion dancing behind her eyes. "Yeah. You wouldn't have dragged all of us here unless you had a plan. You always have a plan, don't you, brat?"
Naruto nodded. "Dead right."
He leaned forward, hands on the table, his expression shifting from cheeky to serious."I've laid out most of the truth. But now, comes the choice—what do you all think needs to be done?"
There was a pause. Then—
"…A coup?" Yugao's voice was calm but cold, her Anbu instincts cutting right through the fog. "That's what these kinds of revelations usually lead to."
Her words hit like a senbon. All eyes turned toward her, some wide, some narrowed. She blinked, suddenly realizing she'd become the center of attention.
"Hey! Don't look at me like that! I just—said what came to mind!"
Naruto chuckled. "You're not wrong. But… not quite right either."
Brows furrowed. Whispers started.
"Wait… not a coup?"
"Then what is it?"
"But a coup is suicidal."
"Maybe it's necessary…"
"This system is broken…"
The murmurs picked up until Naruto raised a single hand—and the room fell silent.
"Relax." His voice was calm. Calculated. Commanding."I've already planned everything. Every step. Every role. Every outcome. You don't need to guess or panic. All you need to do…" He let the words hang, his eyes scanning each face—Kurenai, Anko, Yugao, even Tsunade and Orochimaru.
"…is to play your part."
Tension tightened like a drawn bowstring.
"I'm not asking for chaos. I'm asking for change, but change through control. Through strategy. Not anarchy."
"You mean a… silent revolution," Orochimaru hissed, the corners of his lips curling upward.
Naruto smirked. "Exactly."
"But… from what you said," Hinata's soft voice pierced the room like a senbon to the heart, "if those four are as powerful and protected as you claim… then what can we really do? Aren't we just… stuck?"
Naruto turned to her—stunned, then amused. With a grin, he leaned in and pecked her on the cheek."Exactly. Smart and gorgeous? I hit the jackpot."Hinata blushed a shade of red rivaling the Uzumaki clan's hair, but he kept going.
"That's why before we move the village—we take out the trash. One piece at a time. Starting with the big four. And for that…" He turned dramatically, pointing a finger like a courtroom lawyer in a drama."...we need our local snake charmer. Orochimaru."
Orochimaru blinked, genuinely taken aback. "...Me?"
"You act surprised," Naruto said, narrowing his eyes. "You think I don't know about your little Chunin Exam stunt?"
"Oh no…" Tsunade cracked her knuckles with a grin that could kill a bijuu. "Don't tell me… what exactly were you planning, Orochimaru?"
"I knew it!" Anko snapped, practically vibrating in her seat. "You're still rotten to the core!"
"It's nothing," Naruto said casually, like he was commenting on the weather. "Just a tiny little plan to assassinate the Third Hokage. You know, light work. With a side of sand—he was gonna team up with the Kazekage of Suna."
The room exploded.
"What?!"
"That traitorous snake!"
"You were going to kill Hiruzen-sensei?!"
Tsunade looked ready to punch a hole in the Earth.
"Tsunade," Naruto said, crossing his arms with a sly smile, "even after everything I laid bare… you still won't betray Hiruzen. You're still softhearted."
Tsunade scoffed, flipping her hair like a queen brushing off a peasant's concerns. "What can I say? I'm not a traitor like Orochimaru, or a perv like Jiraiya. I'm just an innocent woman, once his student."
"Innocent, huh…" Shizune muttered under her breath.
But she forgot—this room is full of shinobi.
Tsunade's head swiveled, her golden eyes narrowing. "Shizune, did you say something?"
Shizune froze. "N-Nothing, Tsunade-sama. Probably just a breeze whispering."
"Mmm. Might be," Tsunade said, lips pursed, though everyone saw the tick mark forming on her temple.
Naruto chuckled and waved the tension off. "Alright, alright, save the domestic drama for later. Orochimaru, continue your little Chunin Exam production. Just… with some rewrites. We're staging Revolution: Konoha Edition."
The snake sage tilted his head, intrigued. The others leaned in, eyes sharp.
"Step one. Orochimaru, do your part as planned. Stir the chaos. Give us the opening act."
"Delighted," Orochimaru hissed.
"Step two. Fugaku-ojisan," Naruto turned to the Uchiha patriarch, "select your top shinobi. You'll be hitting the Root hideout. Danzo will be there. Bring. Him. Down."
Fugaku's Sharingan flared to life, a cold smirk playing on his face. "Gladly. This is personal."
"Step three. As Suna's forces attack—Tsunade, Mom, Kurenai, Anko, Shizune—you girls hit the field. Engage the Suna-nin. Defeat them, don't kill them. This is revolution, not genocide."
They all nodded, but Anko's smirk said she'd still rough them up good.
"And the Root?" Tsunade asked.
"Capture only," Naruto said firmly. "We don't become them. No blood for blood's sake."
"Understood," they replied in sync.
Naruto turned to the rest. "As for you six—Ino, Hinata, Karin, Sakura, ,Haku and Yakumo—you help civilians evacuate. Or, if you feel like cracking some Suna heads, that's up to you."
They shared a look, nodding. Sakura clenched her fist. "Got it."
Then came the big question.
"What about you, Naruto?" Sakura asked.
Everyone turned. The room stilled.
Naruto looked up, a fire dancing in his eyes. "We've got four targets—the highest of Konoha's leadership. Orochimaru and Ojisan take out two."
He cracked his knuckles.
"I'll handle the other two. Alone. And once they fall, I'll move to support whoever needs backup. That's my part."
He stood tall—not a boy anymore, not just a ninja. A leader. A storm cloaked in sunshine.
"Meeting adjourned," he said. "You know your roles. You know what's at stake. We move soon. When the curtain rises… make sure the world never forgets the day Konoha changed."
Everyone rose, eyes gleaming. No more hesitation. No more fear.Only purpose.
And revolution.