A year had passed in the blink of an eye. It was now Year 46 of the New Calendar. The ninja world had just endured the Third Great Ninja War, and every village was still mourning their losses, licking their wounds. As a result, the entire world was eerily quiet.
But for Kakuzu, things were far from peaceful.
A kunai shot toward his heart, but it was deflected five inches before reaching him. With a swift motion, his thick arm lashed out, seizing Pakura's left hand. Using his superior reach, he extended his grip further.
Pakura suddenly felt a sharp pain in her thigh, bringing tears to her eyes.
"You... bastard!" she spat.
Humiliated, she struggled to take Kakuzu down with her, but before she could do anything, his other hand tightened around her throat. She was completely immobilized, unable even to end her own life.
Seeing the indignation on her face, Kakuzu shook his head.
"Don't give me that look. This is, what, the tenth time you've tried to assassinate me? You keep coming after my life—did you really think I wouldn't retaliate?"
"Let go of me!" Pakura demanded.
Her expression should have been one of both anger and embarrassment. But by now, she was too accustomed to this humiliation. Over the past year, she had attempted to kill Kakuzu countless times, and each time, she had failed. He never killed her—just collected his "interest" in return.
"I must admit, you've made my life quite entertaining over the past year," Kakuzu remarked.
He released Pakura, and she collapsed to the ground, clutching her pale throat, gasping for breath. Frustration welled up within her, almost bringing her to tears. It wasn't just another failed assassination attempt—it was the realization that she had wasted an entire year playing the role of Kakuzu's unwilling servant.
"Your strength is returning..." Pakura muttered bitterly.
A year ago, she had sensed that Kakuzu wasn't at full power. Given his long periods of seclusion, she deduced that he must have been in a weakened state. She had relayed this vital information back to Sunagakure—this had been the perfect chance for their revenge.
But she never received a response. Not just for this message—none of her reports had been acknowledged. Something had gone wrong. The uncertainty weighed on her, making her heart ache. The once-revered heroine of Sunagakure now found herself with tears brimming in her eyes.
Kakuzu, however, was not a man to pity anyone.
He reached down and ruffled her hair. "By the way, I'm getting tired of seeing you in that desert dancer outfit. Change into something else tomorrow."
Pakura slapped his hand away, her face filled with anger and resentment. "What more do you want?!"
"Heh. Seems like your dedication to the village is wavering. If that's the case, you're free to leave. My unit will escort you back."
Turning away, Kakuzu added, "I've prepared new clothes for you. They'll be in your room—choose wisely."
Giving her a firm pat on her bare, smooth back—renowned as the finest in the ninja world—Kakuzu walked away.
...
A few days later.
It was a full-moon night.
"Third Hokage-sama, thank you and the Fourth Hokage for your assistance. We've secured Kushina Uzumaki, and everything should proceed smoothly."
Namikaze Minato, now the captain of the Anbu, had shed his youthful inexperience, replaced by the steady demeanor of a man who carried great responsibility.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, his pipe in his mouth, gazed into the distance.
"I may be retired, but I will never turn my back on Konoha when I'm needed."
Though he had stepped down as Hokage, he often found himself at loose ends. Occasionally, he still acted as if he held authority, but fortunately, the current Fourth Hokage, Sakumo Hatake, never objected.
"I just hope nothing goes wrong..." Minato muttered nervously. He was about to become a father, after all.
Hiruzen chuckled knowingly. "Relax. Kushina has been secured within a barrier. Even if you tried to break in, you wouldn't succeed. Besides, my wife, Biwako, is there to assist. Everything will be fine."
Seeing the confidence in Hiruzen's face, Minato felt reassured. Experience truly did bring wisdom.
BOOM!!!
A massive cloud of white smoke erupted from within Konoha.
"No! That's..." Hiruzen's pipe almost slipped from his mouth.
Next to him, Minato had already vanished with the Flying Thunder God Technique.
By the time he arrived, he found the bodies of fallen Anbu and Biwako Sarutobi lying lifeless on the ground. A masked man, wearing a spiraling pattern over his face, cradled a newborn baby in his arms—while also restraining a weakened Kushina.
"The famed Yellow Flash of the ninja world has arrived," the masked man said. "Looks like I'll have to adjust my plans."
He then lifted the baby and prepared to hurl him to the ground.
...
Ten minutes later, Minato had managed to save Naruto—but the masked man had taken Kushina and disappeared.
At that moment, beneath the full moon, the tails of the Nine-Tails Fox swayed ominously in the air.
"ROOOOOAR!!!"
The Nine-Tails let out an earth-shattering roar, making all of Konoha tremble.
But this time, Minato was not fighting alone.
"Sound the emergency evacuation! I'll hold this thing off!" Hiruzen commanded. His aging body stood firm as he summoned Enma, transforming the beast into the indestructible Adamantine Staff.
Tonight, even if he had to stab the Nine-Tails to death, he would not let it destroy Konoha.
Meanwhile—
"You released the Nine-Tails... Who the hell are you?!" Minato demanded, his gaze locked on the masked man.
"You may call me Uchiha Madara," the man replied, pulling out his chains.
Minato's heart clenched at the mention of that legendary name. Before he could respond—
"Uchiha Madara? Who are you trying to fool?"
A sharp voice cut through the night.
A man with a short blade strapped to his back stepped forward.
"Fourth Hokage, I didn't expect to find you here. What's wrong? Have you abandoned your village?" the masked man taunted, his words hinting at the chaos the Nine-Tails was wreaking.
Sakumo Hatake unsheathed his tanto. "I'll deal with you first."
A chilling gust of wind carried the weight of his killing intent.
"Fourth-sama..." Minato murmured, still catching up to the situation.
"Minato, have you figured out his abilities?" Sakumo asked.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I have some clues."
"Good."
Just as the masked man prepared to phase through an attack, he suddenly felt a blade pressed against his throat.
Sakumo had already moved behind him, gripping his sword at an angle.
"Space-time ninjutsu? Not impossible to counter."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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