Naruto: Linked to Kaguya, Corrupting the Ninja World

Inside the Hyuga Clan compound.

Hinata and Neji, who should have been at school, were kept at the clan's residence by their fellow Hyugas.

At the same time, the other Hyuga clan members readied themselves for immediate battle.

"Listen up!" someone shouted. "Anyone appearing within the Hyuga grounds who isn't a clan member is to be considered an enemy—kill on sight!"

"Understood."

In front of Konoha Cemetery.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was deeply pained. He took a long, heavy breath, trying to calm himself before speaking with deep disappointment toward Tsunade. "Tsunade," he said, "you must leave Konoha."

He then pointed at Hiroki Hyuga. "And you as well, Hiroki Hyuga. Leave this village."

His eyes swept across the other Hyuga clan members. Though he spoke not a word, his expression clearly showed disdain.

"This is my home," Tsunade shot back. "Why should I leave? This village was built by Grandpa, and I am his only descendant. What's wrong with me wanting to inherit everything? I *am* the chosen Hokage by fate!"

"Bravo," Kaguya praised. "That's exactly the kind of spirit one should have."

"You..." Hiruzen panted, his fury rising uncontrollably.

"The person who truly should leave is *him*—Jiraiya."

Tsunade calmly pointed at Jiraiya without even meeting his gaze.

"Third, surely you know how many Daimyos are currently hunting Jiraiya. Keeping such a man in Konoha—do you wish to make our village the target of all nations?"

Jiraiya opened his mouth but remained silent.

"Who changed your mind? Was it Jiraiya? What did he say to you?"

Hiruzen stayed quiet, offering no explanation.

It wasn't clear whether it was out of unwillingness to waste words or simply because he saw no need. Neither of them showed any interest in answering Tsunade's questions.

They treated her almost like a child throwing a tantrum.

This silence only made Tsunade's anger flare even more.

To her, Hiruzen and Jiraiya were two of the last few people she had deep bonds with.

Yet those closest to her now viewed her as an enemy?

A self-mocking smile appeared on her face. "Did he say something? Did he tell you that I will do evil things in the future?"

"I think if I were to appear anywhere else in the world, even a random stranger would not treat me like some monster to be feared. But my teachers and old friends look at me like I'm a wild beast that needs to be locked up. Why?"

Shizune felt her heart ache painfully at those words.

In her eyes, it was nothing but the plain truth.

Hiroki muttered silently to himself: If it were anyone else, they might've turned into a villain already...

Right now, every word from Tsunade came from genuine emotion, nothing like her previous belief that Hiruzen was an imposter. Yet, none of the other Hyuga reacted.

Because they all knew the truth—that the Third Hokage was fake, and the entire story had been a cover-up.

Without a cigarette in hand, Hiruzen still strongly wished for something to smoke to ease his emotional turmoil.

Unlike Jiraiya, he never fully trusted the Great Toad Sage. After hearing Tsunade's words, sorrow unavoidably clouded his heart.

But when he thought about Tsunade wanting him "dead," trying to seize power from him in this way, Hiruzen Sarutobi hardened his heart again.

["To be honest, I've recently been using Yeguoyuedu to keep up with novel updates. It supports multiple sources and offers various voice tones. Available for both Android and iOS."]

"That's exactly why that woman is terrifying," Jiraiya suddenly murmured quietly, breaking his silence. "She can turn people who were once deeply connected into bitter enemies."

Kaguya scoffed disdainfully.

Tsunade glared at him fiercely. "This whole situation is your fault, Jiraiya. You caused these consequences."

"If there really is any demon in this world, it's the one that bewitched you—but you still refuse to see reason."

Tsunade desperately wanted to confront him—why did he place so much faith in what the Frog said? Had he even witnessed this supposed wrongdoing firsthand before making such a judgment?

On what basis did he dare to pass judgment?

"Tsunade, I won't let Konoha follow you down a mistaken path," Jiraiya said calmly, contrasting sharply with Tsunade's emotional state.

If Tsunade became Hokage, Kaguya's faction would have scored yet another victory. More people would remain deceived, and many would unknowingly aid and abet evil.

"Power—you only truly possess what I am willing to give," Hiruzen finally declared.

Tsunade shook her head repeatedly, seemingly overwhelmed with disappointment.

"The ones who should truly leave Konoha are you two. Take your rot, bias, and tyranny—and just get lost!"

With that, she activated her Wood Release chakra and formed the Ram seal.

[Wood Release: Nativity of a Sea of Trees.]

The ground, which had previously borne only grass, erupted as several trees shot up rapidly. Within two or three seconds, the area had transformed into a small forest.

Hiroki carefully estimated its size—easily covering at least nine hundred square meters. It had expanded somewhat compared to the first time he'd seen the technique used, now large enough to qualify as a minor battlefield.

Hiruzen was deeply shocked. Though Jiraiya had told him about it before, this was his very first time witnessing Tsunade actually wielding the Wood Release.

"It's gone…completely out of sight," Danzo Shimura muttered nearby, frowning intensely.

He lifted his metallic right arm, feelings of jealousy flaring inside him.

To better control the transplanted Sharingan eyes, Danzo had implanted gradually cultivated cells across his body. However, Hashirama cells possessed immense invasive properties, meaning his right arm usually required sealing.

Within the expanse of the tree-covered battlefield, Hiroki and others exchanged glances before scattering and vanishing from view, leaving only Tsunade standing where she was.

Inside this forest, friend and foe were clearly separated. Tsunade could absorb chakra from everyone except Jiraiya and Hiruzen.

Jiraiya and Hiruzen had to move carefully—they couldn't yet tell where the others were.

As for members of the Hyuga clan, their vision remained completely unobstructed.

"Master Jiraiya, Third Generation Lord, remember—we're currently standing on sacred Cemetery grounds. Many heroes rest beneath our feet. Please, please don't use any reckless Ninjutsu techniques and damage the graves of these honored fallen heroes."

Hiroki's cheerful words rang into Jiraiya's and Hiruzen's ears, simultaneously earning dark looks from both men.

In this place, they indeed couldn't use large-scale ninjutsu—doing so might awaken whoever lay buried beneath.

"Hiruzen, did you expect this as well? How could you insult those who've devoted themselves to Konoha like this?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a grim expression.

As he spoke, his hands formed hand seals and he used the Summoning Jutsu.

In a puff of smoke, a white-haired monkey wearing a Konoha forehead protector materialized before the three of them.

"Hiruzen, is it really a formidable enemy?" Enma started talking before he even got a clear look at the figures.

When he saw Jiraiya standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, facing off against Tsunade, he hesitated for a moment. "Is Tsunade our enemy?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi solemnly nodded.

As Enma was still trying to make sense of things, Tsunade cut in, "Teacher Sarutobi, it's your own decision that brought us to this point. If you'd simply chosen to die with honor, none of this would've happened. Teacher, why did you choose Jiraiya instead?"

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>