[Chat Group For The Death] Chapter 116 - 120

Chapter 116: Destroying the Sarutobi Clan? What a Bold Suggestion!

Namikaze Minato felt lost and deeply saddened.

Inside the chat group, he expressed his confusion:

Namikaze Minato: Why is this happening? Uzumaki Naruto is the son of the Hokage and the hero who imprisoned the Nine Tails. Shouldn’t that be seen as an even greater honor? Why is he treated like this instead?

Senju Hashirama: Jinchūriki are heroes who seal the tailed beasts, so why do the villagers hate them?

Gengetsu Hōzuki: First Hokage, are you truly ignorant, or just pretending? Jinchūriki may imprison the tailed beasts, but they also carry the risk of losing control.

Senju Hashirama: Losing control?

Gengetsu Hōzuki: That’s right. If a Jinchūriki fails to suppress their tailed beast, the beast takes over their body, turning them into a rampaging monster.

Pirate King Roger: I get it now! Jinchūriki are basically walking bombs—ticking time bombs that could explode at any moment. That’s why people fear and avoid them.

Namikaze Minato: I understand... To the Konoha villagers, Naruto isn’t a hero who sealed the Nine Tails. He’s just a potential disaster waiting to happen...

Lucas: His potential danger is only one reason for their hatred. The other is their resentment toward the Nine Tails itself. When the Nine Tails attacked Konoha, it caused immense destruction and loss of life. Many villagers transferred their hatred from the beast to Naruto.

Senju Tobirama: But why? Plenty of ninjas understand the relationship between Jinchūriki and tailed beasts. Shouldn’t they know better than to blame Naruto?

Gold Thief Woonan: Second Hokage, I think I can answer that. Remember our discussion about how ordinary people persecuted Doflamingo’s family?

Doflamingo: Fufufufu~ Why bring me up now? The way ordinary people treated my family isn’t something I enjoy remembering.

Senju Tobirama: That situation was different. The Doflamingo family once enjoyed the privileges of the Celestial Dragons, so people resented them after they fell. What does that have to do with Naruto?

Gold Thief Woonan: Everything. The commoners couldn’t take revenge on the Celestial Dragons, just like Konoha’s villagers couldn’t take revenge on the Nine Tails. So instead, they found a scapegoat. Doflamingo’s family was a convenient target back then—just like Naruto is now.

Golden Lion Shiki: Shihahaha! Second Hokage, weren’t you the one who said this kind of anger and resentment was understandable? I remember you defending this kind of behavior before.

Senju Tobirama: No, this isn’t the same! Doflamingo’s family benefited from the Celestial Dragons’ status, but Naruto and the Nine Tails aren’t even on the same side! They’re enemies!

Doflamingo: Does that really matter? The villagers weren’t looking for logic. They just needed a punching bag. You don’t actually believe ordinary people are inherently good, do you?

Senju Tobirama fell silent, unwilling to continue the argument.

Doflamingo: The ordinary people you and the Marines protect are no different from me. The only difference is that they lack the ability and courage to do evil. That’s why they appear good. But if you assume the worst of them, you’ll often find the truth.

Namikaze Minato clenched his fists.

Namikaze Minato: Setting aside the villagers’ reaction, what about Konoha’s leadership? Especially the third hokage—he promised me he would take care of my son.

Senju Hashirama: Right! And wait… how did the villagers even find out Naruto was a Jinchūriki? That information should have been classified.

Uchiha Madara: Who else could have spread it? Only Konoha’s higher-ups had access to that information. Yet, no one stopped the rumors. The answer is obvious.

Namikaze Minato’s expression darkened.

Namikaze Minato: Sarutobi Hiruzen…? He told me he would protect Naruto, so why would he deliberately harm him?

Lucas: Maybe because he did it for Konoha.

Namikaze Minato: For Konoha?

Lucas: Think about it. The Nine Tails attack devastated Konoha. People lost loved ones, their homes, everything. Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t erase their grief, but he could give them a convenient outlet for their frustration—Naruto. Letting them vent their anger on a single child helped maintain order. It kept them from directing their resentment at Konoha’s leadership.

Golden Lion Shiki: Shihahaha! "It’s good for their health"—what a pragmatic excuse!

Namikaze Minato’s anger grew.

Namikaze Minato: Fine! I was the one who decided to make Naruto the Nine Tails’ Jinchūriki. This situation is my fault. But even so, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t even ensure my son’s basic needs? A child his age shouldn’t have to catch fish just to eat!

Senju Tobirama: Is Konoha really that financially strained?

Lucas: Oh, not at all. Let me tell you a little secret—Sarutobi Hiruzen’s grandson lives in comfort. He eats well, dresses well, and is respected by everyone in the village. He even has a personal Jōnin tutor!

Namikaze Minato’s rage boiled over.

Namikaze Minato: What is the meaning of this? Did he hold a grudge against me for becoming the Fourth Hokage? Did he take it out on Naruto?

Lucas: Oh, no, it’s nothing personal. Here’s another fun fact—Sarutobi Hiruzen regularly visited Naruto. Sometimes, when Naruto caught and roasted a fish, the old man would even come over and help himself to a bite.

Whitebeard :"That Sarutobi Hiruzen… How shameless can he be? The poor kid can barely feed himself, and he has the audacity to take food from him? I really want to punch his head into his stomach!"

Lucas : "No, this is exactly where Sarutobi Hiruzen’s cleverness lies. Uzumaki Naruto isn’t afraid of starvation—what truly terrifies him is loneliness, the feeling of being rejected by everyone. By eating his fish, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't just taking advantage of him; he was also sending a message that he acknowledged Naruto’s existence. In a way, he was the first person to walk into Naruto’s heart."

Senju Tobirama  : "Tsk… Why didn’t I realize before? That old bastard actually has such a calculating mind. I was too slow, thinking he was just a kind, self-sacrificing heir of the Will of Fire."

Uchiha Madara :  "So he isolated Naruto from the entire village on purpose, only to become his first 'friend'? What a cunning old man, playing these pointless mind games."

Lucas :  "From a brighter perspective, as the leader of Konoha, it’s understandable. He wanted to ensure that the most important weapon of Konoha remained firmly in his hands."

Namikaze Minato : "It’s all my fault… I turned my own son into Konoha’s weapon."

Fire Fist Ace  : "What were you even thinking, making your own son a container for a tailed beast?"

Namikaze Minato  : "The Nine Tails is an incredibly powerful force. I believed my son would be able to control it. Maybe… maybe it was just a father’s blind faith in his child."

Lucas  : "Might as well have thrown him off a cliff and hoped he’d stumble into some miraculous treasure."

Namikaze Minato: "…"

Lucas  : "Back then, were you thinking about suicide? You say you planned things out carefully, but at the end of the day, it’s hard to call you responsible. You and Roger might be legends in your own worlds, but when it comes to parenting… you both failed miserably."

Senju Tobirama  : "Lucas, just now, you said that from a bright perspective, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn’t entirely wrong in keeping Naruto close. But what about from a dark perspective?"

Lucas  : "If we look at it from a darker perspective… He wasn’t controlling Konoha’s Jinchūriki. He was controlling his Jinchūriki. That’s a big problem. But instead of just speculating, listen to what these Konoha shinobi have to say."

Outside World

Kurenai Yuhi and Mitarashi Anko led Lucas to a high-end residential area. Kurenai gestured toward the surroundings and explained, "This used to be the home of the Senju clan, Konoha’s founding family. But after their decline, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans took over this area."

Lucas smirked. "I see. Are these two families particularly well-loved in Konoha?"

Mitarashi Anko scoffed. "Loved? Hardly. The head of the Sarutobi clan is the Hokage, and the head of the Shimura clan is his closest advisor. With those connections, the ninjas from these two families got all the easiest, highest-paying missions. Of course, they thrived."

Back in the chat group, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama fell silent.

If the Senju clan had truly faded away for the sake of Konoha’s progress, they could have reluctantly accepted it.

But the reality in front of them told a different story.

The Sarutobi and Shimura clans had only grown stronger.

Had Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō truly had no selfish motives in eliminating the Senju clan?

Their once-insignificant families had become powerful enough to rival entire armies.

Senju Tobirama: "Now I understand why Sarutobi Hiruzen clung so desperately to the Hokage seat. If he lost power, his entire clan might be wiped out."

Namikaze Minato: "Yeah… The difference in treatment is obvious. A Hokage who has stepped down or died is worthless. Just look at the difference between my son and the Third Hokage’s grandson."

Senju Tobirama  : "Lucas, wipe out the Sarutobi clan for me!"

Senju Hashirama : "Tobirama, are you serious?"

Senju Tobirama  : "Of course, I’m serious. The Sarutobi family are ninja, just like any other. Konoha has grown too powerful; cutting them down is a necessary step. Better to deal with them now than let them cause problems once the Fifth Hokage takes power."

Outside World

A voice suddenly called out. "Kurenai, what are you doing here?"

A man with a thick beard stepped out of the Sarutobi estate, looking amused as he greeted Kurenai Yuhi from a distance.

Kurenai frowned in irritation. "That’s Sarutobi Asuma. The Third Hokage’s son. He’s been pestering me in the name of ‘pursuing’ me. It’s annoying."

She turned to Lucas with a look of disgust.

Lucas nodded. A father like that, and it’s no surprise the son is just as shameless.

Sarutobi Asuma’s eyes flicked to Lucas and then back to Kurenai, his expression shifting as his mood soured. "Who’s this guy?"

Lucas smirked. "You don’t deserve to know."

Before Asuma could react, Lucas casually raised his hand. A massive water dragon roared to life and slammed into Asuma, sending him flying across the courtyard.

Senju Tobirama’s techniques had been passed down to him, and Lucas had already surpassed the original master. He didn’t even need hand seals to unleash Water Release techniques anymore.

Lucas dusted off his hands. "Second Hokage, I accept your request."

He turned toward the Sarutobi estate, his smirk widening.

"Destroying the Sarutobi clan? Sounds like a great idea."

Chapter 117: Weak on the Outside, Strong on the Inside!

Senju Hashirama watched in the chat group as Lucas effortlessly unleashed his brother Water Style ninjutsu, drowning the Sarutobi and Shimura clans in mere moments. A heavy sigh escaped him.

Senju Hashirama: Isn't this too much? There were innocent people among them...

Doflamingo sneered.

Doflamingo: First Hokage, no one in this world is truly innocent. Everyone carries some form of guilt. Saying they’re innocent is just naive.

Senju Tobirama responded coldly.

Senju Tobirama: Brother, this is all for Konoha. The Sarutobi and Shimura clans had grown too powerful—just like the Senju clan before them. If eliminating the Senju was necessary for Konoha, then eliminating these two clans is just as justified. Only through their disappearance can Konoha truly thrive.

His expression darkened.

Deep down, he refused to admit this was personal revenge.

But if Konoha's higher-ups had once sacrificed the Senju clan for the "greater good," then it was only fair to sacrifice the Sarutobi and Shimura clans in return.

Why should the Senju clan have perished just to make room for these two families?

If the Senju could be sacrificed for Konoha, then why should the Sarutobi and Shimura be spared?

Sword God Ryuma: First Hokage, your thinking is too soft. To achieve a brighter future, sacrifices are inevitable. When I planned to open Wanokuni’s borders, I was prepared to slaughter half the population if necessary.

Senju Hashirama sighed.

Senju Hashirama: But there were non-combatants among them, people who weren’t shinobi…

Gengetsu Hōzuki: First Hokage, you’re just as weak as you were back then. At the Five Kage Summit, you lowered your head to the other villages, humiliating yourself. That had never been done before or since.

Senju Tobirama snapped back.

Senju Tobirama: My brother did it for peace! You act like he had no choice, but he was strong enough to enforce his ideals. He didn’t have to kneel—he chose to talk to them because he believed in kindness. Do you really think any of you could have stopped him?

Uchiha Madara smirked.

Uchiha Madara: Oh, he was strong enough, no doubt about that. But instead of using that strength, he chose to grovel, to beg for peace. Do you think the other villages respected him for that? No—they saw Konoha as weak, something to exploit.

Doflamingo laughed.

Doflamingo: Fufufufu~ That’s human nature. The world isn’t kind. Show weakness, and people will take advantage of you. Tolerance doesn’t earn respect; it only invites more abuse.

Lucas remained indifferent.

Lucas: First Hokage was lucky. His strength wasn’t just for show. If Konoha hadn't been as powerful as it was, his foreign policy would’ve doomed the village. If you don’t believe me, look at the fate of Doflamingo’s family.

Golden Lion Shiki: Shihahaha! Doflamingo’s idiot father willingly gave up his status as a World Noble, thinking he could live peacefully among ordinary people. His sacrifices were even greater than yours, First Hokage.

Doflamingo’s laughter was filled with resentment.

Doflamingo: Fufufufu~ That’s right! My father wanted to live as an equal with commoners, so our family paid the price. But ordinary people didn’t see our sacrifices. They only saw that we’d lost our privilege, so they took the chance to stomp us into the dirt.

Lucas: If I recall correctly, at the first Five Kage Summit, Sunagakure’s First Kazekage demanded that Konoha hand over its most fertile lands. The audacity! A weakling demanding tribute from the strong, as if it was his right.

Gengetsu Hōzuki: Oh, I remember that! I was there as the First Mizukage’s escort. It was hilarious! The weakest of the Five Villages had the nerve to threaten Konoha—"Give us land, or we won’t sign the peace treaty!"

Whitebeard: Peace treaties are meant to protect the weak, not be used as a weapon against the strong. The real problem isn’t the world—it’s that First Hokage was too weak-willed.

Uchiha Madara’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

Uchiha Madara: Oh, he wasn’t weak at all—when it came to dealing with me, he was more than willing to be ruthless. But against outsiders? He was spineless. He prayed for peace like a beggar, yet he crushed his own people without hesitation.

Lucas: So don’t just blame Sarutobi Hiruzen. The root of Konoha’s problems started with the First and Second Hokage. Sarutobi Hiruzen merely followed their example.

Senju Hashirama: What do you mean?

Lucas: After the Fourth Hokage died, Cloud Village sent envoys to Konoha—not to offer condolences, but to take advantage of the situation. They targeted the Hyuga clan, failed to kidnap the clan leader’s daughter, and then killed themselves on Hyuga territory.

Senju Hashirama: That makes no sense…

Uchiha Shisui: I know this! Cloud Village claimed that Konoha had murdered their "diplomatic envoy." They demanded the head of the Hyuga clan in compensation, or they would declare war.

Senju Tobirama: Don’t tell me Sarutobi Hiruzen agreed…

Lucas: Relax. Sarutobi Hiruzen may be incompetent, but he’s not that stupid. He wasn’t about to hand over a powerful bloodline to an enemy village.

Senju Tobirama let out a breath of relief.

Senju Tobirama: Then what did they do?

Lucas: They executed the clan leader’s twin brother instead. The man was part of the Hyuga branch family, and his death didn’t "cost" Konoha much. When he died, the Hyuga’s curse seal activated, destroying his Byakugan. Cloud Village got nothing.

Gengetsu Hōzuki mocked.

Gengetsu Hōzuki: Ahaha! Classic Konoha! Always so accommodating! Such tireless effort for "peace." You should be so proud.

Senju Hashirama felt like he was about to explode.

Senju Hashirama: How could they do this?!

Uchiha Madara’s laughter was full of contempt.

Uchiha Madara: Isn’t this exactly what you wanted? Sarutobi Hiruzen followed your ideals perfectly! If we hadn’t been strong enough back then, the other villages would’ve devoured Konoha just like Cloud tried to devour the Hyuga.

Back then, Konoha had the God of Shinobi and Madara Uchiha, yet Sunagakure’s First Kazekage still dared to blackmail them. If Konoha hadn’t been as strong as it was, the other villages would have united against them, simply because Konoha controlled the most fertile lands in the shinobi world.

Senju Tobirama: No, that shouldn’t have happened! Even if they inherited my brother’s philosophy, they shouldn’t be so foolish. Strength demands kindness, weakness demands toughness—that’s how you prevent war! Have they forgotten what I taught them?

Tobirama scowled in frustration. He admitted that, in the early days of Konoha, he had been naive. But the First Shinobi War had opened his eyes.

He had personally trained Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others—there was no way they had forgotten his teachings.

Lucas: Don’t underestimate Sarutobi Hiruzen. This might actually be a strategy to kill two birds with one stone. By sacrificing the Hyuga patriarch’s younger brother, he not only avoided war but also reinforced control over Konoha’s shinobi. First Hokage preached peace, and Second Hokage enforced control—Sarutobi Hiruzen inherited both philosophies perfectly.

Senju Tobirama: Suppressing the ninja? When there are external enemies to fight, and they’re still focused on internal power struggles?

Lucas: It’s inevitable. Sarutobi Hiruzen and his generation lack the overwhelming power of the First Generation. They can’t intimidate foreign threats, and they can’t fully suppress internal conflicts.

Uchiha Shisui: If their goal was to suppress the ninja… well, after Hyuga Hizashi’s death, the Hyuga clan certainly became much more passive.

Lucas: Not just the Hyuga clan. Even the commoners in Konoha grew more arrogant toward shinobi. Some civilian children even bullied the Hyuga clan leader’s daughter openly, seeing her Byakugan as something monstrous rather than a noble bloodline.

Namikaze Minato: A child’s attitude is just a reflection of the adults around them… just like how Naruto was shunned by the other kids. The Third Hokage really had his own way of “managing” things.

The Real World

Lucas stood amidst the ruins of the Sarutobi and Shimura clan compounds. His Water Style had flooded their entire land, and now, enraged shinobi rushed toward him, weapons in hand.

A storm of kunai and shuriken cut through the mist, heading straight for him.

Lucas barely glanced at them before raising his hand.

A wall of towering waves surged up, swallowing the projectiles in an instant.

Several shinobi shouted, fury and panic in their voices:

“Who the hell are you?!”

“How dare you attack the Sarutobi clan? You’re dead meat!”

“Third Hokage is one of us! You won’t get away with this!”

“Elder Danzo is from the Shimura clan! Do you even know what you’ve done?!”

“Kill him!”

Some shinobi hesitated when they saw Kurenai Yuhi and Mitarashi Anko standing beside Lucas.

“The two women with him are Konoha shinobi—are they being controlled?”

“Doesn’t matter. We kill them all!”

The battle erupted. Fire, lightning, wind blades, crushing boulders, and torrents of water exploded in Lucas’s direction, filling the air with heat and steam.

A massive cloud of mist and smoke rose where the attacks landed.

The shinobi paused, waiting for the dust to settle.

“Did we get him?”

Before they could react, a gust of wind swept through, blowing away the mist.

Lucas stood completely unharmed, a mocking smirk on his face.

“You think something like that would even leave a scratch?” His voice was laced with amusement.

Kurenai and Anko stood beside him, untouched.

Lucas raised a single hand.

"Water Style: Heaven Weeps."

Dark clouds gathered above, swirling ominously. In an instant, drizzling rain began to fall.

But this was no ordinary rain.

Each droplet gleamed like liquid steel.

The moment it touched the enemy shinobi, screams of agony filled the air.

The rain pierced through their bodies, slicing through their flesh as though a thousand needles of water had stabbed them all at once. Within seconds, they collapsed—lifeless.

“STOP!”

A furious roar echoed through the battlefield.

From the distance, Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared, clad in his Hokage robes, flanked by a squad of Anbu shinobi.

His face was pale with rage as he took in the devastation. His clan—his people—annihilated.

Hiruzen’s fists trembled as he locked eyes with Lucas.

“Who… are you?” he asked coldly.

Lucas grinned.

“Good question!” He spread his arms mockingly. “Let me introduce myself—Lucas. I was hired to destroy the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Mission accomplished.”

Hiruzen’s expression darkened.

“An enemy village ninja? A mercenary? Doesn’t matter,” he muttered. “Once you’re dead, I’ll have your memories extracted.”

He bit his thumb, forming hand seals in an instant.

“Summoning Jutsu—Monkey King Enma!”

A massive, aged ape appeared beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, his sharp eyes locking onto Lucas.

“Hiruzen,” Enma spoke, his voice deep and rumbling. “Who is this man?”

Hiruzen’s voice was like ice. “I don’t know. But he destroyed our clans, and for that, he must die. Enma, transform into Adamantine Staff!”

Enma nodded, his body morphing into a golden, diamond-hard staff. Hiruzen gripped it tightly, his stance steady but hesitant.

He didn’t attack immediately.

His gaze shifted between Lucas and the battlefield behind him, taking in the destruction. He was waiting.

Waiting for reinforcements.

Inside the Chat Group

Whitebeard: What’s this old guy doing? He’s armed and ready—why isn’t he attacking?

Lucas: He’s Hokage. Why take unnecessary risks? Shinobi techniques are unpredictable. What if I had an instant-kill move? He’s waiting for backup.

Golden Lion Shiki: Then why don’t you attack first?

Lucas: I’m waiting for his forces to gather—saves me the trouble later. I also want to see how the Uchiha react to this situation.

Uchiha Clan Compound

Inside the Uchiha district, Uchiha Fugaku stood in shock.

“You’re telling me the Sarutobi and Shimura clans… are gone?”

A Uchiha ninja nodded eagerly.

“It’s true! Third Hokage is already on the battlefield. A fight could break out any second. Patriarch, this is our chance!”

Another shinobi burst into the room, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

“Shall we act now?”

They wanted a coup. If they took advantage of the chaos, they could eliminate Konoha’s leadership—and blame everything on the invader.

Fugaku hesitated.

“…Not yet. We’ll observe first.” His eyes darkened. “Something about this doesn’t feel right.”

Was it a trap?

Or was this genuinely the perfect moment for the Uchiha to rise?

Chapter 118: This Is Not the Konoha I Want!

Outside World – Konoha Village

More and more Konoha shinobi arrived, surrounding Sarutobi Hiruzen as reinforcements poured in.

In addition to the Anbu forces, the civilian ninjas and the clan shinobi had also gathered. The streets of Konoha were flooded with combat-ready forces, their eyes burning with rage as they took their positions.

Inside the Chat Group

Golden Lion Shiki: This is the strongest shinobi village in the Ninja World? What a joke! If I were still alive, I could conquer this place on my own.

Senju Tobirama: Konoha has weakened significantly. I don’t see many strong ones here. There are a lot of shinobi gathering, but barely any Kage-level ninja.

Pirate King Roger: Agreed. Maybe they’re not particularly weak, but they’re definitely not impressive. Shouldn’t Konoha have at least one powerhouse to act as its figurehead?

Lucas: Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were anomalies—far beyond the standard. For ordinary shinobi, the Kage-level is the limit. The old man across from me? He’s a Kage-level ninja.

Whitebeard: Kage-level? Hmph! From what I see, their strength is comparable to Marine Vice Admirals or the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Maybe they could put up a fight against an Admiral, but they’d lose quickly.

Senju Hashirama: How many Kage-level ninjas does Konoha even have now?

Lucas: Konoha’s Kage-level count? About three and a half.

Senju Hashirama: Three and a half? Who are they?

Lucas: One is Sarutobi Hiruzen. One is Uchiha Itachi. Another is Uchiha Fugaku, the Uchiha clan head. And the "half" is Shimura Danzō.

Fire Fist Ace: Wait… so Konoha only has three and a half Kage-level ninjas, and two of them are Uchiha? Shouldn’t the Uchiha clan win if they ever fought Konoha?

Lucas: No. Even though the Uchiha technically have more top-tier fighters, that half a Kage-level difference won’t win a war. While the Uchiha have the advantage in high-tier combat, they’re outnumbered in both mid-tier and low-tier combat forces.

Golden Lion Shiki: Why does mid-tier or low-tier even matter? If the top fighters clean up the battlefield in minutes, isn’t the fight already won?

Lucas: No, and that’s the key difference between the Ninja World and the Pirate world. Shinobi may have devastating attack power, but their bodies aren’t superhuman. Unlike you guys, even Uchiha Madara could be killed by an ordinary iron weapon.

Golden Lion Shiki: Wait… stabbed to death by a normal iron weapon?!

Lucas: Yes, exactly what you’re thinking. Even an untrained civilian could kill a Kage-level ninja under the right circumstances.

Pirate King Roger: That’s insane! When we grow stronger in the Pirate world, our bodies also become tougher. Doesn't that happen here?

Roger wasn’t wrong.

In the Pirate world:

• Garp could take an axe strike from a Marine Captain in his sleep and only get a small scratch.

• Whitebeard survived a magma punch through the stomach, fought with half his head blown off, and still managed to say his final words.

• Zephyr was riddled with laser holes from Kizaru yet still shattered the ground with his punches.

But if Uchiha Madara (without Hashirama Cells or Six Paths power) suffered the same injuries, he would die instantly—despite being strong enough to devastate entire battlefields.

Lucas: The training system in the Ninja World is different from the Pirate world. Here, very few people focus on body strengthening. Their raw strength has no direct connection to their physical endurance.

Uchiha Shisui: That’s precisely why weaker shinobi have a chance to kill stronger ones. Even a Kage-level ninja could be taken down by a Jōnin, Chūnin, or even a Genin if caught off guard.

Golden Lion Shiki: If that’s the case, then the importance of top-tier fighters is much lower in this world. You can’t build an empire with just one powerhouse like in the Pirate world. The entire system is different.

Senju Tobirama: Forget that for now. What I really want to know is—why does Konoha have so few Kage-level ninjas? A massive village like this should have more than three and a half! Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzō are practically fossils already.

Lucas: Konoha should have more Kage-level ninjas… but thanks to Sarutobi Hiruzen’s disastrous decisions, they don’t. Without his incompetence, Konoha would have at least four more Kage-level ninjas.

Senju Hashirama: What happened to them?

Lucas: The first was Hatake Sakumo, the former head of Konoha’s Anbu forces. On a critical mission, he prioritized saving his comrades over completing the mission, which caused Konoha to suffer massive losses. When word spread, the villagers turned against him, branding him a disgrace. Unable to bear the shame, he committed suicide.

Senju Tobirama: ???

Senju Tobirama: Are you kidding me? How can a Kage-level ninja be so fragile that a little gossip pushes him to suicide? That’s impossible.

Namikaze Minato: Second Hokage-sama, it’s true. They say Hatake Sakumo was deeply ashamed of his actions. Because his decision caused Konoha massive losses, he felt he had no choice but to take his own life to atone.

Senju Tobirama: What kind of nonsense is that?! If he truly felt guilty for causing a loss to Konoha, he should have lived and worked to make up for it. Suicide doesn’t fix anything! What exactly was this "huge loss" he caused, anyway?

Namikaze Minato: Eh… I’m not sure.

Senju Tobirama: You don’t know? Then the Konoha villagers sure as hell didn’t know either! They had no clue what the mission was or how it even failed, yet they still scolded Hatake Sakumo into death?

Doflamingo: Fufufufu~ Isn’t that how people work? If a commoner suddenly gets a free pass to insult someone powerful, they’re not going to waste it. They don’t care if the criticism is justified—they just enjoy the moment.

Senju Hashirama: Young man, you have a very negative view of people.

Doflamingo: No, First Hokage. You’re just too idealistic about people. You think ordinary people are kind and simple, but that’s because you’re not one of them. You’ve always been above them, looking down from your high position. They don’t dare show you their true nature.

Doflamingo: But if you were one of them, you’d see their ugly side. Ordinary people may act humble and obedient in front of the powerful, but amongst themselves? They’ll tear each other apart. If they ever get a chance to vent their frustration on someone superior, they won’t hesitate.

Senju Tobirama: Enough of that! What I care about is how the villagers even learned about Hatake Sakumo’s failed mission. He was the captain of Anbu—his assignments were supposed to be classified!

Lucas: Didn’t you already guess? That’s why I called it Sarutobi Hiruzen’s dirty trick.

Senju Tobirama: You’re telling me Sarutobi Hiruzen saw Hatake Sakumo as a threat? But the Hatake clan isn’t even a major family…

Lucas: It wasn’t about his clan. It was about his potential. He had too much power, too much respect, and lacked the "Will of Fire" that Konoha’s higher-ups wanted.

Senju Hashirama: I understand the part about strength and prestige, but what do you mean by "Will of Fire"? Hatake Sakumo wasn’t a traitor—why wouldn’t he have it?

Lucas: First Hokage, you misunderstood. I’m not talking about your "Will of Fire"—I’m talking about the Will of Fire required by Konoha’s higher-ups and Hokage.

Senju Tobirama: Explain.

Lucas: It’s simple. Recommending someone for Hokage? Just say they have the Will of Fire. Rejecting someone for Hokage? Just say they don’t have the Will of Fire. The Will of Fire is just a tool—it means whatever they need it to mean at the time.

Senju Tobirama: …Are you saying Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others thought Hatake Sakumo wasn’t qualified to be a Hokage, but were afraid of how much power and respect he had?

Lucas: That’s my guess.

Senju Tobirama: Then tell me—what are the actual requirements to be a Konoha higher-up or Hokage?

Lucas: Let me put it this way… in the future I see, every single Hokage is one of your disciples or their descendants.

Senju Tobirama: ???

Senju Hashirama: Wait, so besides me, the rest of the Hokage are all somehow connected to Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Lucas: Yes!

For the first time, both Senju brothers were speechless.

They had accidentally turned Hokage into a family succession system—but Sarutobi Hiruzen had taken it a step further.

He turned it into a master-apprentice succession system, ensuring only those trained in his ideology could ever sit in the Hokage’s chair.

Lucas: You don’t need to feel bad. The later Hokage are still connected to you in some way. Even Tsunade becomes Hokage.

Senju Hashirama: Sigh… This is not the Konoha I wanted.

Lucas: Don’t worry. It’s not the Konoha I want either. That’s why I’m going to remake it. But first, let’s deal with the situation outside.

Senju Tobirama: Wait! Why isn’t Danzō here? Shouldn’t we wait for him?

Lucas: Don’t worry. Danzō’s not coming.

Senju Tobirama: What? You wiped out his entire family, and he’s just staying put?

Lucas: Think about it. His clan is gone, and there’s nothing he can do to bring them back. So why would he rush here? Even if he does come, he won’t fight himself—he’ll let Sarutobi Hiruzen handle it. If Sarutobi suffers heavy losses, that increases Danzō’s chances of becoming Hokage.

Senju Tobirama: …Are you telling me he’s still fighting for power after his entire family was wiped out? Is something wrong with his brain?!

Lucas: It’s not about logic. He believes he has a higher purpose. In his mind, Konoha needs him more than it needed his family.

Doflamingo: Fufufufu~ "Giving up everything for a dream?" Now that’s funny. Even I can’t claim to do something like that.

Lucas: Exactly. He thinks he’s sacrificing everything for Konoha, but really, it’s just an excuse to justify his own power-hungry nature.

Lucas paused before adding,

Lucas: Danzō didn’t act during the Nine Tails Rebellion, and he’s not acting now. He’s not wasting his resources unless he’s certain he can benefit. He won’t move unless he’s sure he can win. That’s how he operates.

Chapter 119: Kaleidoscope of the Soul!

"Very good!"

"Except for Shimura Danzō and those root ninjas who ran off to hide when danger struck, everyone from Konoha has gathered."

Lucas scanned the Konoha shinobi surrounding Sarutobi Hiruzen, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You have nowhere to run. Surrender!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen gripped his Adamantine Staff, his voice carrying an authoritative weight.

"Surrender? What a joke!" Lucas sneered, his golden eyes gleaming. "Do you really think I waited here just to let you all gather?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s expression darkened instantly.

"Relax! There’s no conspiracy, no tricks. I simply gathered you all here because it's more convenient for me to make an announcement."

Lucas paused, his smirk widening. "Now, I officially take over Konoha."

"Insolence!"

"How dare you!"

"You're courting death!"

As expected, his words ignited the fury of the Konoha shinobi. Some even turned to Hiruzen, waiting for the order to strike.

Sarutobi Hiruzen, naturally unwilling to let such an opportunity for a grand performance slip, furrowed his brows in mock concern.

"What happened to the two Konoha kunoichi beside you?" His voice was filled with suspicion. "I refuse to believe they would betray the village."

Lucas shrugged casually.

"They were under my genjutsu. If you want, I can release them."

With a snap of his fingers, Mitarashi Anko and Yūhi Kurenai blinked awake.

"What… What did you do to us?"

Kurenai gasped, immediately leaping back while forming a series of hand seals. A powerful illusion enveloped Lucas.

Behind him, a towering tree sprouted, its thick vines twisting around his body. From the tree, Kurenai emerged, a sharp kunai in her hand, lunging forward.

Break.

Lucas activated his Mangekyō Sharingan, his pupil power shattering the illusion instantly.

Then, he activated his Gold-Gold Fruit ability. The ground beneath his feet turned into liquid gold, swallowing Kurenai and Anko in an instant, solidifying around them like statues with only their faces exposed.

"Kurenai!"

"Anko!"

The Konoha shinobi hesitated, shocked to see their comrades restrained so effortlessly.

"What kind of bloodline limit is that?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had been preparing to attack, halted momentarily, wary of Lucas’ ability.

"You want to analyze my abilities and find a countermeasure?" Lucas scoffed, shaking his head. "Pointless!"

RUMBLE!

The earth trembled as a massive Wooden Dragon erupted from the ground, its golden eyes gleaming menacingly.

Lucas chuckled.

"Use jutsu to defeat jutsu!"

"Use Konoha's own power against Konoha!"

"It's time for a performance, Konoha shinobi."

"Are you ready?"

The Konoha shinobi stared in disbelief.

"Wood Style?!"

"This… This is the First Hokage’s Wood Style!"

"How can an outsider use Shodai-sama’s technique?"

Even Sarutobi Hiruzen looked stunned.

"Are you a descendant of the Senju Clan?" he asked cautiously. The idea seemed plausible, especially given Lucas’ vendetta against the Sarutobi Clan.

Lucas smirked.

"Wrong answer. I have nothing to do with the Senju Clan."

Hiruzen let out a sigh of relief. But then, his face turned grim.

"Then you… Are you one of Orochimaru’s experiments?"

Lucas burst into laughter.

"Trying to play the sympathy card now? Sorry, it won’t work!" His eyes turned cold. "I told you—I’m taking over Konoha. If you don’t like it, you can die."

With those words, the Wooden Dragon lunged at Hiruzen, forcing him to counter with his Adamantine Staff.

"I’ll handle the dragon! You—take down the caster!"

Hiruzen shouted, struggling to parry the wooden beast.

"Yes, sir!"

The masked Anbu shinobi immediately charged toward Lucas.

Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!

Lucas didn’t move. He simply stood there as the ground beneath him exploded with gigantic wooden roots, twisting and coiling like living serpents.

Anbu members who couldn’t react fast enough slammed into the thick roots and collapsed unconscious. Some were impaled by sharp wooden spikes, while others were entangled, unable to move.

Zzzzt!

Amidst the chaos, a sharp sound crackled through the air.

"Raikiri!"

A fierce, electric-blue glow illuminated the battlefield.

From within the tangle of roots, Hatake Kakashi emerged, his right hand coated in blinding lightning.

With a shout, he compressed the energy into a single, concentrated sphere of pure lightning chakra.

CRACK!

The glowing sphere shattered the roots around him. Kakashi's eyes locked onto Lucas.

In a flash, he dashed forward, Raikiri tearing through the trees in his path as he aimed directly at Lucas.

Senju Tobirama: "Among all these Konoha Anbu, this one is a bit interesting."

Senju Hashirama: "Being able to tear through the trees from Deep Forest Emergence means that his jutsu is at least S-rank. This kid has the potential to reach Kage level. Konoha still has some promising talents."

Namikaze Minato: "That technique… Is that Hatake Kakashi?"

Senju Tobirama: "You know him?"

Namikaze Minato: "He’s my disciple and the son of Hatake Sakumo, the one the group leader mentioned before."

Whitebeard: "He’s Sakumo’s kid? His father was forced into suicide by Konoha’s higher-ups, yet he still serves them?"

Lucas: "Whitebeard, you underestimate the influence of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others. When Hatake Sakumo died, even his own son believed it was justified."

Pirate King Roger: "Are you serious?"

Namikaze Minato: "It’s true. Back then, Kakashi believed his father’s death was his own fault for ignoring the mission's priority. The shinobi rule is simple—completing the mission comes above all else."

Pirate King Roger: scoffs "What a load of crap. So they sacrifice their own comrades just to get a job done? And this is what they call being a ninja? Disgusting!"

Namikaze Minato: "I don’t fully agree with that rule, but I couldn’t change the prevailing mindset of the shinobi world. Even though Kakashi convinced himself that his father was in the wrong, Sakumo’s death still left a deep scar on him."

Lucas: "Exactly. The shock of losing his father pushed Kakashi to graduate early. He threw himself into missions, killing without hesitation, becoming a cold and emotionless shinobi."

Senju Tobirama: "Graduating early? That means he was a prodigy from the start."

Lucas: "Yeah. He had strong talent and received elite training from his father. It’s no surprise he stood out at a young age."

Namikaze Minato: "It’s a shame, though. He became too cold and detached. After his teammates died, I tried my best to pull him out of the darkness, but… I died before I could see the results."

Senju Hashirama: "Group Leader, did he ever come out of the darkness?"

Lucas: "How should I put it? He no longer prioritizes missions above everything else. His current philosophy is— ‘Those who break the rules of the ninja world are trash… but those who abandon their comrades are worse than trash.’"

Senju Hashirama: "Hah! That’s a much better mindset! This kid has a good heart!"

Pirate King Roger: "Not bad at all. He’d make a fine crew member."

Whitebeard: "The old man wouldn’t mind taking him as a son."

Lucas: "Don’t get ahead of yourselves. That quote? It’s not even his own. He got it from his dead teammate, Uchiha Obito."

Lucas: "Back when Kakashi was still stuck in his ‘mission over everything’ mindset, Obito scolded him for it. And just moments after saying that line, Obito was crushed by a boulder while saving Kakashi. Their other teammate, Nohara Rin, later sacrificed herself by forcing Kakashi to kill her, to prevent disaster from befalling Konoha."

Whitebeard: "..."

Senju Tobirama: "..."

Senju Hashirama: "..."

Pirate King Roger: "..."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Damn… His life is a tragedy."

Golden Lion Shiki couldn't help but feel emotional.

His life had been filled with hardships, but at least it had been straightforward—he fought, he lost, he fought again. Kakashi, on the other hand, carried a past soaked in sorrow, betrayal, and loss.

Shiki glanced around the group. In terms of pure tragedy, perhaps only Doflamingo could rival Kakashi.

Namikaze Minato: "How… How could this happen? He never told me."

Lucas: "With experiences like that, who would even want to remember them, let alone talk about them?"

Senju Tobirama: "This child has suffered enough… Someone let him catch a break already."

Meanwhile, in the real world—

Kakashi sprinted through the forest of writhing wooden roots, dodging Lucas' relentless attacks. Sharp branches stabbed from every direction, forcing him to jump, duck, and weave.

Lucas smirked.

"Alright, let’s end this."

Since the Second Hokage had spoken, Lucas decided to give him face.

A thick vine lashed out from the forest, striking Kakashi clean on the neck.

Thud!

He collapsed unconscious, bringing an end to his tragic game of cat and mouse.

Suddenly—

Gah!

A pitch-black shadow slithered toward Lucas, latching onto him. An invisible force locked his body in place.

Shadow Binding Technique!

Behind him, the head of the Nara Clan, Nara Shikaku, formed a hand seal, successfully restraining Lucas with his family’s signature jutsu.

At the same time, another figure made his move.

Mind Body Switch Technique!

The Yamanaka Clan Head aimed both hands at Lucas, launching his consciousness forward, attempting to seize control of Lucas’ body.

However—

"Get lost!"

Lucas' Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life, intricate scarlet patterns forming in his eyes.

A surge of pure mental energy erupted from his body, violently shattering the shadow connection beneath his feet and repelling the invading consciousness.

"!!!"

The Nara and Yamanaka clan heads staggered back, both reeling from the backlash.

Nara Shikaku: panting "W-What… What kind of power is this?"

The surrounding shinobi were frozen in shock.

"Not only does he have the First Hokage’s Wood Style, but also the Uchiha Clan’s Mangekyō Sharingan?! Who in the world can stop him?"

Shikaku’s body trembled.

He had expected Lucas to be strong, but this was beyond anything he had imagined.

Lucas chuckled.

While he could use all of the Mangekyō Sharingan’s abilities without visibly activating its pattern, he believed in keeping a sense of drama in life.

"A Mangekyō Sharingan without its glow lacks soul."

From the side, Uchiha Fugaku had been preparing to attack, but now he hesitated.

His initial plan was to side with Sarutobi Hiruzen. No matter how one looked at it, Lucas’ overwhelming power meant he would soon take control of Konoha.

And an outsider ruling Konoha? Unacceptable.

But now—

Mangekyō Sharingan.

Only a true Uchiha should possess that power. And yet, Lucas had awakened it effortlessly.

Fugaku narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.

Even if an outsider transplanted a Mangekyō Sharingan, controlling it to such an extent was nearly impossible.

Case in point: Hatake Kakashi.

A well-known genius, but even he struggled with his Sharingan.

Chapter 120: Not Easy to Deal With? You're Overthinking It!

Sarutobi Hiruzen, locked in battle with the wooden dragon in the distance, grew anxious the moment he saw Uchiha Fugaku lowering his weapon and showing signs of surrender to Lucas.

"Uchiha Fugaku! What are you doing?!" Hiruzen roared while swinging his staff at the wooden beast. "That man is an enemy of Konoha! Pick up your weapon and fight!"

Uchiha Fugaku turned his gaze towards Hiruzen and smirked. "Lord Third, I'm merely resolving this in my own way." He crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Didn't you just ask about his identity?"

Hiruzen's grip on his staff tightened. "Uchiha Fugaku!" His frustration was evident, but there was nothing he could do at this moment.

All he could do now was pray that Lucas wasn't truly an Uchiha. If he was, and if he aligned with Fugaku, then Konoha would undoubtedly fall under the rule of the Uchiha clan.

Lucas chuckled at Fugaku's reaction. "It's a shame, really," he said. "I'm not actually part of the Uchiha clan."

Fugaku's eyes narrowed. "If you're not an Uchiha, then how do you have the Mangekyō Sharingan? Even if you did somehow awaken it, an outsider wouldn't be able to control its activation so easily."

Lucas replied calmly, "This power was given to me by a certain Uchiha spirit—Uchiha Shisui. He entrusted me with it so I could change the fate of the Uchiha clan and prevent their extinction."

Fugaku's eyes widened. "What did you just say?"

The other shinobi around them were just as shocked.

Lucas's Mangekyō Sharingan... was given to him by the spirit of Uchiha Shisui? That had to be a joke!

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiruzen, still fending off the wooden dragon, took a closer look at Lucas's Mangekyō pattern. His expression shifted from disbelief to grim realization.

The pattern in Lucas's eyes... was identical to Shisui's.

Mangekyō Sharingan patterns were unique to their wielders. No two people should have the same design.

Hiruzen clenched his jaw. If what Lucas claimed was true, then the implications were dire. Could this explain why Lucas had gone after the Sarutobi and Shimura clans?

His mind raced. He couldn't let this truth come to light. His reputation, his legacy—everything would crumble. More importantly, he wasn't even sure if Lucas was telling the truth. There was no way he would let morale falter over such a claim.

Fugaku observed Lucas's Mangekyō for a moment longer before speaking. "You claim to be saving the Uchiha clan, yet here you are trying to take over Konoha. How does that justify your actions? Did you destroy the Sarutobi and Shimura clans for the sake of the Uchiha?"

Lucas let out a short laugh. "I wiped out the Sarutobi and Shimura clans because they posed a danger to Konoha. The same reason the Senju clan was destroyed." He smirked. "In fact, the First and Second Hokage personally entrusted me with this task. They wanted me to remove the threats that would corrupt Konoha from within."

“Because you see… I have the abilities to talk to this spirit, and they gave me this strength to do all of this”

Silence.

Hiruzen’s face darkened. The surrounding Konoha shinobi were stunned.

Was that the true reason for the Senju clan’s downfall?

Seeing the wavering resolve in his men, Hiruzen quickly shouted, "Don't listen to his nonsense! There is no way that the late Hokage would entrust him in such task? There is no way the spirit of the late heroes would give him their power? What a ridiculous lie! If you believe him, you're all fools!"

Lucas, unfazed, simply shrugged. "Believe whatever you want. I never needed your trust to take control of Konoha."

As he spoke, the ground beneath them began to tremble.

Massive vines, each as thick as a human body, burst forth from the earth. They spread out in all directions, weaving together into an impenetrable web that engulfed everything in sight.

The entire battlefield was ensnared.

Within seconds, every single Konoha shinobi, including Sarutobi Hiruzen, was entangled—suspended midair, bound tightly by Lucas’s Wood Style.

Dangling helplessly from the vines, the shinobi could only watch in horror as Lucas stepped forward, surveying them with amusement.

"From now on, I will be the one controlling Konoha." He smirked. "Does anyone have any objections? If you don’t want to submit to me, now’s your chance to speak up."

Hiruzen’s fury boiled over. "Controlling Konoha?! Don’t be ridiculous!" He glared at Lucas, his voice filled with defiance. "The Will of Fire burns in every shinobi here! Do you think you can rule over us through force alone?!"

Lucas grinned. "Tsk, tsk… So stubborn."

In an instant, he raised his hand—then spat out a thin, piercing water arrow.

The projectile shot through the air, striking Hiruzen directly in the heart.

The Third Hokage barely had time to react.

His eyes rolled back. Blood seeped from the wound.

And then, just like that—

Sarutobi Hiruzen was dead.

The supreme leader of Konoha… had been killed like a mere insect.

For a moment, there was absolute silence.

Then, the reality of the situation settled in.

Fear gripped the hearts of the Konoha shinobi.

Before, they had thought of Lucas as a mere anomaly, a powerful force, but nothing more. Yet now—after seeing the way he casually dispatched Hiruzen—his true nature became terrifyingly clear.

He wasn’t just powerful.

He was unstoppable.

Lucas turned his gaze toward Hyuga Hiashi, who had remained silent throughout the entire battle.

"Hyuga head, I’ll ask you once," Lucas said, his voice casual. "Are you willing to join me? Or do you prefer to follow Hiruzen to the grave—along with the rest of your clan?"

Hiashi hesitated for only a moment before bowing his head. "I am willing to follow you."

His voice was steady. "To be honest, the Hyuga clan has never been closely tied to Konoha. When we were oppressed by the Cloud Shinobi, Konoha did nothing to protect us. Instead, I was forced to sacrifice my younger brother."

Hiashi’s expression was calm. He had no love for Hiruzen.

And Lucas…

Lucas looked like someone worth following.