UK:GSW Chapter 425 – The Result of the Shinobi World's Hongmen Banquet and the Capture of Black Zetsu
A grand banquet began at the mansion of the Land of Fire's Daimyo.
The long-prepared Hongmen Banquet had finally arrived today.
Led by the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, the upper echelons of the Hidden Leaf were invited to attend this banquet. The Hidden Leaf delegation numbered over a dozen people.
Among them, aside from the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, Hokage's assistant Minato Namikaze, and Jiraiya, there were also the current upper echelon members from the Ino–Shika–Cho clans. Even the retired Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had left the Hidden Leaf for the first time in a long while to attend as a former Hokage.
This wasn't because Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly wanted to take back power, but rather because it was a tradition: when the Hokage's position changes hands, the Daimyo invites the new Hokage to a banquet, and the older generation of Hokage must attend as well. It was a true ceremony of inheritance and power transfer, representing the complete retirement of the older generation and the passing of power to the new.
Of course, this so-called tradition was being enacted for the first time, since all previous Hokage only took office after the death of their predecessor. A live succession ceremony like this had never occurred before, but the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju had prepared these steps long ago.
In the original history, Hiruzen Sarutobi had done this when passing the position to the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze, and later when the Fifth passed to the Sixth, and the Sixth to the Seventh.
The current situation was simply reviving that tradition.
Naturally, Hiruzen Sarutobi happily attended this banquet simply to complete the inheritance step, bringing his Hokage career to a perfect conclusion and fulfilling the entrustment of his teacher, Tobirama Senju.
However, Hiruzen was completely unaware of the true nature of this Hongmen Banquet, so his mood was quite good. Tsunade and the others did not tell him.
The reason was threefold. First, to let Hiruzen, as a representative of tradition, witness for himself the truth about the Daimyo, and through firsthand experience, realize the untrustworthiness of the Daimyo and the traditional aristocracy.
Second, because if Hiruzen knew beforehand, he would definitely have doubts about whether to move against the Daimyo, thus affecting the plan. Even if he was open-minded and willing to relinquish power, he still represented traditional forces. Therefore, some things could not be revealed to him in advance — they had to let the results speak for themselves.
Third, and most importantly, for the same reason, Hiruzen's mindset could potentially affect the hidden core objective of this operation — taking the opportunity to capture the Black Zetsu of the main world.
To ensure Black Zetsu was captured without fail, it was necessary to keep Hiruzen in the dark.
In fact, it was Tsunade herself who proposed keeping him uninformed, and the other two of the Legendary Sannin agreed.
It could only be said that as a teacher, Hiruzen was indeed unqualified in certain aspects. At least, in an operation that would overturn tradition, all three Sannin did not trust him.
That said, Hiruzen hadn't actually done anything wrong at this point. He had already given up all power, living as a leisurely retiree.
Having him participate this time was also because, after experiencing this Hongmen Banquet, he would definitely become disheartened. When faced with the wave of reform in the new Hidden Leaf, he might not understand it, but he wouldn't interfere or block it. He might even restrain his old friends and persuade them not to hinder or oppose Tsunade's side, instead supporting them.
Still, this last goal was of the lowest priority. After all, with both previous Hokage already in support, even if Hiruzen stubbornly opposed, the previous Hokage could handle him.
However, the current Hidden Leaf leadership still respected this former Hokage, and unless necessary, they hoped he could figure it out himself.
Thus, the Hongmen Banquet began.
The Daimyo of the Land of Fire had his men set up ambushes throughout the banquet hall — some disguised as guards, others as servants. The food and drink prepared for the Hidden Leaf guests were all laced with a secret drug, colorless and tasteless, nearly impossible to detect even for top-level shinobi.
This drug could not directly poison someone, but it had another effect: it would temporarily make the consumer's chakra difficult to control, leaving them weak and powerless.
This ensured that even if the Daimyo and the nobles also consumed the drug, they would be unaffected, since as ordinary people, they did not rely on chakra. Yes — the Daimyo ate it too, to ensure the plan proceeded without suspicion.
Once he saw all the Hidden Leaf guests had consumed the tainted food and drink, the Daimyo's smile widened, his mood soaring to its highest point in half a year.
Noticing the Daimyo's good mood, the clueless Hiruzen smiled curiously and asked, "Daimyo-sama, it seems you're in a very good mood."
Hearing this, the Daimyo smiled and glanced at him. "Yes, my mood is indeed very good — the best it's been in half a year."
The tone and expression made Hiruzen's heart suddenly jolt with unease, though he couldn't understand why. He never imagined that the Daimyo of the Land of Fire would act against the Hidden Leaf's leadership — much less host a Hongmen Banquet to do it.
Then, as if on cue, the Daimyo smashed his cup to the ground, signaling his men to attack the Hidden Leaf delegation.
To ensure success, the entire Daimyo's mansion had been covered by a pre-arranged barrier, and the Daimyo himself was immediately escorted to safety by his elite shinobi.
Those in the know fled quickly, while those uninformed panicked in confusion.
Faced with the sudden attack, the Hidden Leaf leaders were all "startled" — at least, those like Hiruzen who were unaware truly were surprised.
They instinctively tried to counterattack — only to realize in shock that their chakra could not be mobilized, as if some invisible force had seized it.
Without chakra, their strength plummeted, and they were instantly in danger.
Hiruzen's shock and anger rose sharply. He turned toward the safely distant Daimyo, his eyes filled with disbelief and fury. Realization dawned.
The betrayal was incomprehensible. "Daimyo-sama, why? Why are you doing this?"
From the safety of his position, confident in his victory, the Daimyo praised his protectors. Then, hearing Hiruzen's shout, he looked over with a cold smirk.
"Why? Hiruzen Sarutobi, you still have the face to ask why? What is the Hidden Leaf doing right now? As the Third Hokage, you don't know?
"You're just a ninja village! Since you're a ninja village, then stay as a ninja village! You dare touch domains and powers that do not belong to you?!
"Your so-called development is sheer disrespect — an affront to my authority! Unforgivable!
"Since you are wrong, as the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, I have the duty and responsibility to correct this mistake!"
Hiruzen found this absurd. The Hidden Leaf had never touched the Daimyo's power nor colluded with the nobles. This was nothing more than using false charges to condemn them.
But now, the situation was critical. All the Hidden Leaf leadership was here — if they were wiped out in one blow, the village would be finished, and even the Land of Fire itself could collapse.
Thus, though angry, Hiruzen tried to negotiate.
But the Daimyo was resolute — no mercy, no hesitation.
Faced with such ruthlessness, Hiruzen felt despair, but steeled himself: he would protect Tsunade and the others at all costs, ensuring that at least some of the Hidden Leaf's future could escape.
However… Tsunade had already decided. She exchanged a glance with Minato Namikaze. Minato nodded, instantly entering his Chakra Cloak Mode, then flickering away with Flying Thunder God Technique.
In moments, golden light flashed through the banquet hall and throughout the Daimyo's mansion.
One by one, the Daimyo's men were struck down with precise, lethal blows.
The entire process lasted barely over ten seconds.
When the flashing ceased, almost all of the Daimyo's people lay dead, save for a few ministers and the Daimyo himself.
Silence fell.
The Daimyo barely had time to react before a sharp "Eh?" escaped him. Then panic flooded his face.
At that moment, Sasuke Uchiha arrived, his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan spinning. With a single glance, he caught the Daimyo and the survivors in genjutsu.
The Land of Fire's authority had fallen into their hands.
From a distance, Hiruzen stared in shock. Slowly, he turned to look at Tsunade and the others, studying their expressions. Finally, he took a deep breath and gave a bitter smile.
"So… I'm the only one who didn't know about this? Care to explain what's going on?"
Jiraiya stepped forward, grinning, and led his teacher aside to explain everything, making it easier for him to accept.
Meanwhile, outside the capital of the Land of Fire, another cry rang out.
"Ahhh~ Madara-sama~ Save me, Madara-sama~ Why?! Why are you just watching?! Madara-sama~~"
Black Zetsu screamed in terror. He was bound by a scientific ninja tool designed specifically to capture him, sealed with various special sealing techniques.
Present were Uchiha Kei, Uchiha Madara, Orochimaru, and others.
Yes — Black Zetsu had been successfully captured.
Earlier, Black Zetsu had been near the banquet, ready to watch events unfold. But then he sensed Uchiha Madara's call — from just outside the capital.
Surprised and excited, he thought Madara must have finally broken free from his illusions. He rushed toward him — straight into a prepared trap.
Madara even attacked with Truth-Seeking Orbs formed via Yin–Yang Release, but the effect was limited — after all, Black Zetsu was a creation of Kaguya Otsutsuki herself.
Now, fully restrained and nearly sealed, Black Zetsu struggled and wailed.
Madara's gaze was cold. "Black Zetsu, I know your true identity now — Kaguya Otsutsuki's third son. You deceived me for so long, led me down the wrong path… You deserve to die!"
Black Zetsu was stunned. How had Madara learned the truth? But before he could speak, the sealing process was complete, and he was locked inside a black containment vessel.
Thus, the plague that had haunted the Shinobi World for a thousand years was finally ended.
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