Konoha is the enemy. Everything is Konoha's fault.
Without Konoha, the Land of Fire would not be like this.
Without Konoha, we would not need to leave our homeland.
Father's whispers, those obsessions mixed with ambition and unwillingness, became his only spiritual pillar.
Sora sat atop the Box of Ultimate Bliss, lifeless eyes sweeping across Hozuki Castle below, already reduced to ruins.
Among broken walls and rubble, no breath of life remained.
Indescribable emptiness and hatred intertwined. He murmured quietly, "Without Konoha, Father would not have become a Land of Fire criminal..."
"Without Konoha, he would not have been killed..."
"Without Konoha, I would not have become like this..."
Sora once again transformed into a monster, grasping the Box of Ultimate Bliss and flying toward the direction in his memories.
"Everything is Konoha, is the Hokage's fault..."
"Cough... cough cough..."
Muen slowly opened his eyes. Intense bodily pain and chakra overexertion's weakening sensation struck simultaneously.
Muku...
He struggled to rise.
"Your injuries have not fully healed yet. Do not move recklessly."
Muen followed the voice. A blonde woman.
"You are...? Where is this place?"
"This is Konoha's hospital. You were brought here by Konoha shinobi. The youth and girl with you are in the adjacent ward. They are fine."
Muen's taut nerves relaxed slightly.
"Hozuki Castle, what happened? Did you open the Box of Ultimate Bliss?"
Konoha had known after all. However, at this point, concealment held no meaning. Muen explained everything, including Kusagakure's plan, their wishes, then what occurred after opening the Box of Ultimate Bliss, even including Kazuma and Sora's matters.
"I see. That Kazuma, and that child, to meet such an ending..."
After hearing everything, Tsunade frowned deeply, murmuring quietly before turning to leave the ward. The situation proved far more troublesome than imagined.
A Sage of Six Paths ninja tool opened, Hozuki Castle destroyed, Kusagakure's upper echelon nearly completely eliminated, a Nine-Tails chakra vessel mutated into a terrifying monster...
Because the situation was so serious, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned all advisors plus the jōnin commander. Kakashi and Shuji, being coincidentally present, also attended the meeting.
The Box of Ultimate Bliss being opened was already fact. The monster Satori transformed from Sora possessed formidable strength. How to handle it also required consideration.
Homura Mitokado pushed his glasses, first expressing conservative opinion. "Hozuki Castle is located on an isolated island. Even now destroyed, its influence may not necessarily affect Konoha short-term. This is bitter fruit Kusagakure brewed themselves. We have no reason to expend precious combat power cleaning up their mess."
Koharu Utatane nodded in agreement. "Before clearly determining the Box of Ultimate Bliss and that monster's specific threat level to Konoha, we should concentrate resources on ensuring our village's safety and the Chūnin Exam's smooth progress. Rash intervention will only increase risks."
Shimura Danzo was an interventionist, yet he also approved maintaining conservative stance currently.
"Root's initial interference disruption aimed to prevent Kusagakure obtaining wish-granting power. If the Box of Ultimate Bliss's effect merely releases a monster, then overly actively participating holds no meaning."
A weapon even the opener could not control held no seizure value. The only regret Danzo felt was that the Nine-Tails chakra vessel Sora had been so wastefully squandered by Kusagakure.
Nara Shikaku crossed his hands, supporting his chin, calmly analyzing known intelligence. "According to Kusagakure jōnin Muen's account, that monster Satori possesses flight capability, meaning its activity range is absolutely not limited to Hozuki Castle's area."
"Satori's destruction of Hozuki Castle, whether caused by the Box of Ultimate Bliss intentionally twisting the opener's wish as Kusagakure's opener, or because the Box of Ultimate Bliss craves living humans, remains unclear."
"If the former, its next target will very likely be Kusagakure headquarters. If the latter, then the entire shinobi world must face this disaster."
"Regardless of which, it will inevitably impact Konoha. We must prepare in advance."
After contemplating briefly, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "First, inform the leaders of allied villages currently staying in the village—Sunagakure's Elder Chiyo, Hidden Cloud's Dodai-san and others—about the Box of Ultimate Bliss and Hozuki Castle's situation."
First, establish Kusagakure's responsibility, clearing Konoha's liability, avoiding potential future troubles.
"Shikaku, immediately begin formulating combat plans targeting the Box of Ultimate Bliss and that monster. Required specific combat data can be obtained by questioning Muen in detail at the hospital."
"Understood." Nara Shikaku rose and immediately left the conference room.
"Homura, Koharu," Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward the two advisors. "Communication and coordination with allies, I entrust to you both." The two advisors nodded and also rose to depart.
Finally, his gaze settled on Tsunade and Danzo.
"Tsunade, village internal security plus Chūnin Exam emergency preparations, you have full authority."
"Got it."
Finally, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked toward Shimura Danzo. "Danzo, intelligence tracking outside the village and preemptive action when necessary, assigned to Root."
Shimura Danzo rose silently, leaning on his cane and disappearing through the doorway.
Only Tsunade, Kakashi, and Shuji remained in the Hokage's office.
At this time, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said, "Shuji, though I apologize greatly, this time I fear we need your strength."
"That Satori is a monster produced by the Box of Ultimate Bliss absorbing Nine-Tails chakra. Wood Release may produce different effects."
"Please temporarily resume your ANBU identity and accompany me to monitor that monster's movements."
Existing intelligence already indicated the monster named Satori absolutely could not be handled by jōnin-level shinobi. Facing enemies possessing air superiority, even Tsunade struggled to exert full power. With Jiraiya absent, only his personal presence could enable timely effective response.
"Yes."
Then each dispersed. Kakashi's mission was remaining on guard. Against such unconventional enemies, he currently lacked response methods. The village also required sufficient combat power present.
As Shuji prepared to head to ANBU for equipment change, Tsunade called out to him.
"Be careful."
Shuji's steps paused briefly. He turned his head slightly. "During combat, I am always cautious."
"Stop arguing with me at times like this!" Tsunade's eyebrows immediately shot up. "Going through such effort bringing me back, doing so many things, do not die so carelessly!"
After brief silence, Shuji nodded lightly.
"I understand."
"...Anyway, that is all. Go prepare quickly." Tsunade seemed somewhat uncomfortable, waving her hand to urge his departure.
After the emergency meeting, Konoha's actions did not escape those keen-nosed foreign village shinobi. Soon, with Sunagakure's Chiyo and Hidden Cloud's Dodai leading, each village's team leaders were invited to a temporarily arranged conference room.
Koharu Utatane represented Konoha, briefly reporting Hozuki Castle's upheaval and Box of Ultimate Bliss-related information. The content underwent careful processing, emphasizing Kusagakure's unauthorized actions and the disastrous consequences triggered.
After brief silence, Chiyo spoke first. "The Box of Ultimate Bliss? Kusagakure did something foolish, actually pinning the village's strength on a ninja tool of unknown function."
Hidden Rain Village and Takigakure's two leading jōnin made no statements.
Hidden Cloud's leader Dodai wore serious expression. "I see. So this was the situation. If Konoha requires it, I am willing to represent Hidden Cloud Village in providing necessary assistance regarding this matter."
Speaking thus, he looked toward Konoha's two advisors. "Of course, for such a significant matter, I also earnestly request Konoha's assistance transmitting intelligence to Hidden Cloud immediately, so Lord Raikage can make corresponding judgment and preparations."
Not that Dodai was particularly warm-hearted, but rather he judged that regardless of Satori's intentions, judging from geographical position, among the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Konoha would be first affected.
The Box of Ultimate Bliss sounded like something possessing only side effects, holding no value for Hidden Cloud.
Under circumstances of extremely low benefits and potentially high losses, controlling the potential battlefield within Land of Fire's borders was undoubtedly the choice most aligned with Hidden Cloud's interests.
Homura Mitokado responded politely. "Thank you for your goodwill, Dodai-san. Assisting intelligence transmission is naturally appropriate. We will arrange it immediately."
"As for addressing the Box of Ultimate Bliss matter, Konoha remains in the assessment phase. Currently, we will not trouble everyone."
Setting aside whether Dodai alone could contribute much, if Hidden Cloud personnel died participating in Konoha's Chūnin Exam, who knew what waves that would stir.
This sudden trouble could presently only be shouldered by Konoha itself.
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild