[Naruto Grandfather] Chapter 171 - 175

Chapter 171: The War Begins

"I just remembered that I forgot to water the flowers at home," someone in the team suddenly said, making up an excuse to leave.

Uzumaki Chitō's lips curled into a faint smile.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was dead.

Now, that was interesting.

In order to punish Sarutobi Hiruzen, his soul had been pulled from the underworld. Even though Uzumaki Chitō was thousands of miles away, he still held power over his life and death. To ensure he would not take his own life, he had placed a barrier around his soul, preventing any form of suicide.

Yet, despite his precautions, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still dead.

Who could have done it?

Jiraiya? Or perhaps Danzo?

Inside the Hokage's office, Jiraiya and Danzo were deep in discussion when both suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of unease. As if a powerful force had locked its gaze upon them, their bodies stiffened in an instant, bracing for an unseen threat.

After a long moment, the two finally relaxed, though their vigilance did not wane. Their reaction did not go unnoticed, causing Nara Shikaku and the others to exchange puzzled glances.

What was wrong with Hokage-sama and Danzo?

"There's no issue, let's continue the discussion," Danzo finally said, but his tone was slightly off.

He exchanged a glance with Jiraiya. Just now, they had both sensed an overwhelming presence watching them. Could it have been Uzumaki Chitō? If so, when had he offended him again?

For now, it seemed wise to tread carefully.

Though everyone could tell his excuse was a lie, no one pressed the issue. However, Danzo's complexion appeared paler than usual. Could it be the side effects of his forbidden jutsu practice? No one knew for sure.

Regardless, the meeting continued. The primary discussion revolved around Konoha's military strategy and objectives. The Land of Rivers, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Streams—these three smaller nations were identified as Konoha’s main targets for expansion and control.

But Konoha wasn’t the only major force bordering these nations. Iwagakure lay on the other side of the Land of Grass and the Land of Streams, while Sunagakure pressed up against the Land of Rivers.

Jiraiya summoned a few Anbu operatives, handed them official documents bearing the Hokage’s seal, and ordered them to deliver messages to both Iwagakure and Sunagakure.

Once that was settled, he turned to address the gathered leaders. His expression was grave, yet resolute.

"Everyone, prepare yourselves. War is about to begin."

"What war?" Naruto asked in confusion.

Many others also turned their attention toward Uzumaki Chitō, waiting for an explanation. It was rare for him to convene a meeting like this.

Though he was not physically present, his voice echoed clearly throughout the conference room.

"This is a warning," he stated, his tone calm yet foreboding. "War is imminent."

While Shin-Konoha might not be affected immediately, the ultimate goal of their enemies remained unchanged—to see Shin-Konoha fall.

Tsunade, usually maintaining her mature and composed demeanor, narrowed her eyes as she pieced together the information. Then, a realization struck her.

"Could it be... for the Impure World Reincarnation?" she murmured.

As one of the legendary Sannin, a disciple of the Third Hokage, she had come across references to the Impure World Reincarnation technique, though she had never been particularly interested in studying it.

Even so, she understood the fundamentals of the jutsu.

Based on what they already knew, Konoha had at least five individuals being prepared for reincarnation. Among them was Senju Nawaki—Tsunade’s own younger brother—likely meant to be used as an emotional weapon against her. If deployed in the Five Kage Alliance, these reincarnated shinobi would be formidable assets, each possessing power that rivaled two villages’ combined defenses. The weakest among them would likely be at least at the quasi-Kage level.

However, the cost of such reincarnation was immense. The necessary sacrifices alone made it a technique beyond the reach of most villages. With no means to take lives from within their own ranks, their enemies had likely turned to provoking war as a means to gather sacrifices.

As Tsunade explained her reasoning, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Faces darkened with grim determination. No one had expected the Five Kage Alliance to resort to such cruel and inhumane methods just to destroy Shin-Konoha.

"Unforgivable," Naruto muttered, his fists clenched in anger.

"They truly deserve death," Kakashi agreed, his normally calm breathing unsteady with barely restrained fury.

The thought of his father—Sakumo Hatake—being resurrected in such a twisted manner enraged him beyond words.

Just as they were discussing countermeasures, a sudden fluctuation of space rippled through the air at the entrance to the conference room.

The Flying Thunder God Technique.

Recognizing the unique chakra signature, the room's occupants immediately understood who had arrived.

Obito stepped through the doorway, arriving swiftly in Shin-Konoha.

"Naruto," he said gravely, "our scouts have reported that Konoha has attacked the Daimyo’s guards and taken them captive."

Having learned of this, Obito wasted no time in relaying the information to Uzumaki Chitō before teleporting straight to the meeting.

"Those bastards," Naruto growled. "Grandpa should never have spared them in the first place."

"It's no use dwelling on that now," Tsunade interjected. "Lord Chitō always intended for this to be a learning experience for you."

Naruto exhaled sharply, then turned toward the table, where a large map had been spread out. Obito had brought it with him.

The map detailed the anticipated attack routes of the major ninja villages. Every movement had been meticulously tracked by the Akatsuki organization’s scouts.

Naruto's eyes darkened as he studied the battlefield. "Then let me help Grandpa deal with these clowns once and for all."

Chapter 172: Troops Arrive at Daimyo Prefecture

In the Land of Fire, the Daimyo Prefecture was abuzz with tension.

Hikaru reviewed the reports from his subordinates, his expression growing darker with every passing moment. Despite his young age, Hikaru had earned the support of Uzumaki Chito. His natural talent and swift decision-making had garnered respect among the officials, even if some loyalty was questionable.

At least, compared to the previous daimyo, who only indulged in luxury and frivolity, Hikaru was a marked improvement.

When the Konoha Village representatives arrived, accompanied by the former Daimyo of the Land of Fire, a collective unease gripped the room.

Hikaru’s gaze turned icy as he regarded the delegation. Is this the once-revered Konoha Village? What a disgrace.

The tension in the room was palpable. Neither side spoke, the air thick with anticipation as they waited for someone to break the silence.

Finally, the Anbu parted, revealing a figure walking forward with quiet authority. It was the Hokage himself.

Jiraiya’s presence alone was enough to silence any murmurs. His voice was calm yet commanding as he addressed Hikaru.

“Surrender, Uzumaki Chito will no longer interfere in the affairs of the Land of Fire. No harm will come to you,” Jiraiya said. “You can remain the Daimyo, and the Fire Nation will continue to support Konoha.”

His tone hardened. “But if you refuse, you leave us no choice. We will ensure the Fire Nation’s safety, even if it means removing you from power by force.”

The former daimyo, emboldened by Jiraiya’s words, interjected anxiously. “Hokage-sama, didn’t we agree that I would be reinstated as the rightful daimyo?”

Jiraiya’s sharp glare silenced him instantly. Without a word, he kicked the man to the ground.

“I decide who holds power,” Jiraiya said coldly. “You were spared only because we needed a figurehead. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you matter more than that.”

The former daimyo’s face turned pale, a mixture of humiliation and fear washing over him.

Jiraiya’s disdain was evident. To him, this man represented the rot that had weakened the Land of Fire and Konoha itself. His actions had driven key figures like Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai into despair, depleting Konoha’s already strained resources.

But for now, the former daimyo was a necessary pawn. His legitimacy as a symbol was crucial for Jiraiya’s strategy.

Hikaru’s expression darkened further as he listened to the exchange. His hands clenched into fists as he spoke through gritted teeth. “It seems you’ve all forgotten what Shin Konoha represents. You think surrendering will ensure peace? How naive.”

The room’s atmosphere shifted as murmurs broke out among the nobles.

“Maybe it’s best to reinstate the former daimyo…”

“Yes, going back to the old ways might restore stability.”

“This boy, Hikaru, only has power because of Uzumaki Chito. Without him, he’s just an illegitimate child.”

Hikaru glared at the ministers who spoke against him, fury burning in his eyes. Though he longed to silence them permanently, he knew he couldn’t act rashly. The Land of Fire’s stability depended on a delicate balance.

Jiraiya stepped forward, his voice ringing with authority. “My fellow nobles, if you side with us, I promise your interests will be protected. Once the Land of Fire is stabilized, your positions and wealth will remain untouched.”

His words struck like a hammer, and many of the nobles immediately pledged their support.

“Hokage-sama, we trust in your leadership.”

“The former daimyo served us well in the past. It’s time we returned to that stability.”

Hikaru’s gaze swept over the crowd, his heart heavy with disappointment. Cowards, every last one of them.

Jiraiya turned his focus back to Hikaru, his eyes narrowing. “Well? What is your decision?”

The former daimyo’s lips curled into a smirk, silently willing Hikaru to refuse.

Hikaru stepped forward, his voice firm despite the crushing weight of the situation. “I refuse.”

The former daimyo’s smirk widened into a grin.

Jiraiya’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, he prepared to capture Hikaru, intent on imprisoning him. As long as he’s alive, his resistance can be managed.

Before Jiraiya could act, a sudden burst of energy shattered the tension in the room.

Three Rasengan hurtled toward Jiraiya, their spiraling power tearing through the air with a force that shook the walls.

Chapter 173: Suppression of the Bloodline

"Jiraiya, have you fallen so low that you’re now attacking an ordinary person?"

Naruto shouted, his voice filled with righteous anger as he formed a Rasengan in his palm and hurled it toward Jiraiya.

Though it was just a spontaneous attack, the sheer power behind it far surpassed what Jiraiya had once seen from Naruto.

Jiraiya’s eyes widened in shock as he felt the chakra surging within the Rasengan. The intensity was unlike anything before.

There was no time to counter it.

With swift reflexes, Jiraiya leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the attack.

The Rasengan smashed into the ground, erupting with a deafening explosion. A massive crater formed where it struck, sending up a thick cloud of dust and debris.

Amidst the swirling smoke, several chakra signatures emerged.

Jiraiya instantly recognized the powerful presences within.

Tsunade. Kakashi. Might Guy...

The high-ranking ninjas of Shin-Konoha had arrived.

Their strength rivaled, if not surpassed, that of Konoha's elite.

Among them, Hyuga Hiashi activated his Byakugan and immediately locked onto a familiar figure hidden behind the smoke—Hyuga Neji.

His hands clenched involuntarily before loosening again.

The pressure radiating from Neji was overwhelming, unlike anything he had ever felt before.

A sense of oppression settled over Hiashi. This was an instinctive reaction from his own bloodline, an almost primal fear.

How is this possible?

As the clan head, Hiashi prided himself on possessing one of the strongest Byakugan in the Hyuga Clan. Yet, at this moment, his eyes felt weak before Neji's overwhelming presence.

Refusing to accept this reality, Hiashi increased the chakra output into his Byakugan, attempting to see through Shin-Konoha's formation.

But the result was disastrous.

"Ugh!"

A sharp pain shot through his head, and suddenly, he coughed up a mouthful of blood, stumbling backward.

An Anbu ninja quickly moved to support him.

"What happened?" Jiraiya asked, stepping back warily.

For a moment, he thought Hiashi had been attacked by a Shin-Konoha ninja.

This level of injury, despite being at a distance, hinted at a powerful genjutsu or illusion-based attack.

But Hiashi shook his head, his face dark and unreadable.

"It's nothing," he replied in a deep voice. "I tried using my Byakugan to analyze their formation, but it seems I aggravated an old injury."

He was lying.

But as an experienced veteran, Hiashi knew how to conceal his emotions.

The Hyuga Clan had been stagnant for too long.

If Neji had truly surpassed the known limits of the Byakugan, then it would be a revolution for their clan.

If such power existed, then even if the position of Clan Head had to be relinquished to Neji, it would be a price worth paying.

However, right now, Jiraiya and the others must not know of Neji’s evolution.

Jiraiya gave a short nod, accepting Hiashi’s explanation, and refocused on Shin-Konoha’s forces.

But Danzo wasn’t convinced.

He studied Hiashi carefully, his keen eyes filled with suspicion.

Jiraiya could be deceived—but not Danzo.

As the leader of Root, he had access to intelligence networks far beyond the common shinobi. He knew that Hiashi had never suffered any significant injuries, not even during the Third Great Ninja War.

So why was Hiashi suddenly claiming an "old injury"?

He's hiding something…

Danzo narrowed his eyes, sensing that this battle would not be as straightforward as he had hoped.

Even without Uzumaki Chito’s presence, Shin-Konoha was proving to be an overwhelming force.

And unlike Konoha, they had no hesitation in dealing a fatal blow.

Danzo considered his options. Should he retreat?

The Daimyo’s mansion was still isolated from Shin-Konoha's main territory, which meant Konoha could deal with it separately.

But Shin-Konoha itself?

Their forces arrived on time, every time, moving with unnatural precision.

Danzo felt a chill run down his spine. If this continued, they would soon be outmaneuvered.

Meanwhile, on Shin-Konoha’s side, a faint smile appeared on Hyuga Neji’s lips.

He had felt Hiashi trying to probe him.

But in the end, it was Hiashi who suffered for it.

Neji had already transcended the traditional Byakugan. He had unlocked its next stage, guided by the research of Orochimaru.

As long as he continued to grow, his abilities would soon reach unimaginable heights.

Neji was no longer the same boy who once doubted his fate.

Even against Naruto’s half-tailed beast transformation, he was now confident he could fight on equal footing.

His strength had reached a level that few in Shin-Konoha could rival.

As the dust settled, Shin-Konoha’s forces stood revealed.

Naruto, of course, took the lead, standing tall at the front.

Behind him, the high-ranking leaders of Shin-Konoha stood firm.

Among them was Obito, the only member of the Akatsuki assigned to monitor this situation.

Under the looming pressure of Madara, he had no choice but to remain here.

Despite his usual composure, Obito couldn’t suppress a flicker of irritation when his eyes landed on Kakashi.

Every time he saw him, the memory of that damn incident resurfaced—

Kakashi hugging him like a pet dog.

Unforgivable humiliation.

On Konoha’s side, the tension was suffocating.

Each Shin-Konoha leader held power equal to, if not greater than, their Konoha counterparts.

And among them, Naruto, with the Nine-Tails’ chakra, was a force beyond measure.

Silence hung heavy between the two sides.

Then Naruto sneered.

"What’s wrong? Weren’t you all so loud just a moment ago?"

His voice dripped with mockery.

"Who gave you the courage to claim ownership over the Land of Fire?"

Jiraiya’s face contorted in fury.

"What did he just say?"

Naruto’s words had stripped Konoha of its legitimacy in an instant.

It was as if Shin-Konoha had become the true authority over the Fire Nation—while Konoha itself had been reduced to rebels squatting on stolen land.

Even Danzo couldn’t keep his composure.

For all his cunning and manipulative tactics, he never wanted to see Konoha fall this far.

Yet, Naruto had spoken the bitter truth.

Konoha, the village they once ruled, was no longer Konoha.

Chapter 174: It’s Not Easy to Be a Fence-Sitter

Naruto’s words instantly ignited the fury of Konoha’s forces.

No one could tolerate such blatant provocation.

Tensions escalated, and the atmosphere crackled with hostility. The battle was on the verge of erupting.

It seemed that if words failed, fists would decide the outcome.

However, in moments like these, the ones who suffered the most were the officials.

"Damn it! Why does this have to happen?"

All they wanted was to side with the winning team, yet now they found themselves caught between two titans.

If Shin-Konoha had arrived earlier, things might have been different.

But now? They had already pledged loyalty to Konoha.

Could they switch sides again?

Would Hikaru—the young Daimyo—allow them to keep playing both sides?

Anxiety filled the ministers. At this point, all they could do was pray that Konoha emerged victorious.

Otherwise, their carefully maintained neutrality would crumble, and they would pay the price for their hesitation.

Hikaru, on the other hand, finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Naruto.

If Shin-Konoha hadn’t arrived, no matter how defiant he was, Konoha would have inevitably taken the Daimyo's mansion by force.

Sensing his unease, Naruto patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

"Don’t worry, we’ve got this," Naruto said confidently.

Shin-Konoha had prepared for this moment. Their delayed arrival was intentional.

They weren’t just here to fight.

They were here to make a statement.

Naruto turned to Jiraiya, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Jiraiya, is this what you've been reduced to? Bullying kids now?" he said with a smirk.

Jiraiya’s gaze hardened.

"Don’t provoke me, Naruto," he warned. "You’re challenging the authority of Konoha. As long as the Land of Fire’s Daimyo Mansion remains within the Fire Nation, Shin-Konoha has no claim to it. How long do you think you can hold on?"

Naruto scoffed.

"Enough talk," he said. "You came here for a fight, didn’t you?"

At this point, neither side could back down.

If Konoha wanted the Daimyo's Mansion, they would have to take it by force.

Jiraiya exhaled sharply.

"Fine," he muttered. "Let’s see how much you’ve grown."

As he spoke, Naruto's body surged with fiery red chakra, the unmistakable power of the Nine-Tails wrapping around him.

The whisker marks on his face deepened.

Behind him, eight massive tails of chakra emerged, swaying wildly, each one brimming with devastating power.

Naruto's training and bond with Kurama had allowed him to unlock his full potential, achieving near perfect synchronization with the Nine-Tails.

This was his strongest form short of full tailed-beast transformation.

When bitter rivals meet, battle is inevitable.

Naruto lunged at Jiraiya, and the clash began.

To avoid collateral damage, they instinctively moved their fight to an open battlefield, away from the civilians.

For all their differences, both still cared deeply for the people of the Land of Fire.

As the leaders left to fight, the remaining combatants found their own opponents.

Tsunade slammed her foot into the ground, the sheer force causing the surrounding warriors to stumble backward as the earth cracked beneath her.

Her gaze locked onto Danzo, eyes burning with rage.

"Danzo," she growled. "You were responsible for the Nawaki incident, weren’t you?"

Her voice trembled with barely suppressed fury.

She had waited years for this moment.

This anger, this hatred, it had been festering inside her for too long.

The truth had been revealed.

Orochimaru himself had exposed Danzo.

It was he who had proposed the reincarnation of her younger brother, Nawaki.

Danzo had never expected Orochimaru to betray him so quickly.

Though Jiraiya had ultimately made the decision, it was Danzo’s manipulation that had led to it.

And now, Tsunade was here to settle the score.

Danzo stiffened, realizing he had nowhere to run.

Tch. Today is not my day.

For a moment, he regretted not consulting an almanac before making his move.

He could feel the pressure of impending death looming over him.

"Tsunade, I can explain—"

"Explain?" Tsunade’s chakra flared dangerously. "Go to the underworld and explain it to Nawaki!"

She charged forward, her entire body radiating chakra-enhanced strength.

The sheer force of her Superhuman Strength sent shockwaves through the ground with every step.

Danzo backpedaled rapidly.

I can’t win this fight. No way.

He had two choices:

• Fight and get obliterated by Tsunade.

• Run and get chased down by Tsunade.

Not exactly a great set of options.

As he sprinted away, he shouted over his shoulder:

"I’LL LURE TSUNADE AWAY! THE REST OF YOU, HANDLE SHIN-KONOHA!"

The Konoha forces nodded in unison, watching as Danzo bravely fled the battlefield.

What a selfless and noble leader.

Truly, a model for Konoha.

For some reason, his retreat suddenly felt tragic.

Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi knew it was time for him to step forward.

He turned to Neji, his expression unreadable.

"Neji," he said solemnly. "Let’s see how much you've grown."

Chapter 175: King Versus King, General Versus General

As Hyuga Hiashi stepped forward, Hyuga Neji smirked coldly.

Neji still harbored deep resentment toward the Hyuga Clan.

He had always believed that his father’s death was not a choice, but a sacrifice forced upon him by the Hyuga Clan and Konoha Village.

Now, facing Hiashi's challenge, Neji felt nothing but confidence.

Both combatants assumed their stance, activating the Gentle Fist style and preparing their Heavenly Rotation technique.

They wielded the same techniques, but Hiashi’s execution was more polished.

After all, as head of the Hyuga Clan, Hiashi had devoted years of training to perfecting these inherited abilities.

In terms of technique mastery, Hiashi clearly had the upper hand.

But in ninja battles, skill alone was never enough.

Neji had his own trump card—his evolving Byakugan.

Though not yet fully matured, Neji’s Byakugan had already surpassed its traditional limits, allowing him to perceive movements and weaknesses far beyond the normal scope of the dojutsu.

After only a few exchanges, Hiashi felt an immense pressure bearing down on him.

Every one of his attacks was either blocked or countered with ease.

More than that, Neji’s physical strength had become far superior.

Hiashi quickly realized that if the fight continued this way, his defeat was inevitable.

More importantly, he had questions for Neji—questions that couldn't be asked in the heat of battle.

Recognizing this, he strategically began retreating, luring Neji away from the main battlefield.

Neji noticed Hiashi's ploy, but he didn’t stop him.

He was curious to hear what Hiashi had to say.

Meanwhile, Kakashi and Might Guy remained composed, watching the battlefield without immediately engaging.

Their opponents?

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

These three clans were known for their teamwork—they rarely fought alone.

If a fight were to break out, it would be a three-on-three battle.

But the numbers didn’t favor them.

More importantly, they had to protect Hikaru, the young daimyo.

Kakashi spoke coldly, “We’re not fighting. Not here.”

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio exchanged glances before Nara Shikaku stepped forward.

“Then we will also withdraw and wait,” he said.

Shikaku wasn't entirely confident in their odds.

Seeing Hiashi, Tsunade, and Naruto’s battles, he found the level of improvement terrifying.

Naruto was even able to fight Jiraiya head-on.

This only meant one thing:

Kakashi and Might Guy had also grown stronger.

A battle now would risk serious injuries.

More than that, one man still concerned him—the mysterious figure seated in a wheelchair in front of Hikaru.

Shikaku couldn’t get a read on him.

Too dangerous.

That was why Shikaku refused to make a move.

Even though Konoha had superior numbers, he discarded the idea of a test attack altogether.

Obito sighed in disappointment.

"Shikaku truly is Konoha’s strategist."

Even when there was an opportunity, he chose not to act because of the unforeseen risks.

Obito thought back to Uzumaki Chito’s words:

"Do not interfere unless absolutely necessary. Give Konoha's shinobi more opportunities to grow."

Obito had agreed.

So until the moment truly demanded it, he would stay his hand.

Elsewhere on the battlefield, the fights raged on.

Compared to Danzo, who was still running for his life from Tsunade, and Hiashi, who was being completely outmatched by Neji…

Naruto's battle against Jiraiya was evenly matched.

Jiraiya, one of the Three Legendary Sannin, possessed combat abilities at Kage level.

For Naruto to defeat him outright, the only way was to fully unleash Kurama’s power.

But for Jiraiya, the problem was the opposite—he couldn’t easily suppress Naruto.

The older Jiraiya got, the more cautious he became.

He couldn’t shake the fear creeping into his heart.

Naruto’s growth was too terrifying.

In his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, Naruto had achieved Half-Tailed Beast Transformation, pushing Jiraiya to his limits.

Jiraiya was constantly on the defensive, forced to retreat as he searched for openings.

However, every counterattack was instantly blocked by Naruto’s chakra cloak.

It was like striking solid steel.

The battlefield echoed with the sound of relentless impact—the sheer force of their attacks causing shockwaves through the area.

Despite Naruto’s power, his offensive rhythm was still somewhat unpolished.

Jiraiya, with his years of experience, quickly found a weakness.

A chance!

Forming hand seals at high speed, Jiraiya activated a signature technique.

"Ninja Art—Needle Jizo!"

His white hair grew wildly, hardening into steel-like spikes as they shot toward Naruto, aiming to pierce his defenses.

But—

CLANG!

The Nine-Tails' chakra cloak remained completely unscathed.

The sound of metal clashing echoed, loud and sharp.

To an ordinary shinobi, such a bombardment would have been mentally overwhelming.

Yet, at the center of the battle, Naruto simply gritted his teeth, unfazed.

Jiraiya was executing a relentless attack strategy, attempting to drain Naruto's chakra and stamina.

Naruto felt the pressure building.

His chakra form flickered, beginning to show signs of instability.

Jiraiya was wearing him down.

Naruto cursed under his breath.

Damn it!

Even after everything—after all his training—he was still being pushed back.

Still suppressed.

Frustration boiled within him.

"Chakra… explode for me!"