Chapter 118: The Inuzuka-Nara-Yamanaka Alliance Turned by Justice! Bloodbath on Takeshita Street! (10,000-Word Epic)

Just as Nara Shikaku finished speaking, a sharp, startled cry echoed from outside.

"Red! This is the Nara Clan! You don’t just barge into another clan’s residence without so much as a warning!"

Nara Shikaku narrowed his brows and turned toward the sound. Two female ninjas had barged into the Nara Clan’s compound without a shred of courtesy.

One he didn’t recognize. But the other—her face was unmistakable.

—Yuisaki Akane.

He knew her father, Yuisaki Akane’s father, the elite jonin of Leaf Village, Yuisaki Shinkō, who had died during the Nine-Tails Uprising that fateful night. A former mentor of Shikaku’s own. The memory stirred something in him—his expression softened slightly.

He calmly addressed the young woman.

"Red. What brings you to the Nara Clan?"

Akane froze, realizing her own rudeness. She immediately bowed deeply.

"Uncle Nara… Asama… is he here?"

Shikaku nodded.

"He is."

"Then… he's…?" Akane clung to the last flicker of hope.

Shikaku gave a single, flat sentence.

"He’s dead."

He paused, then added, "If you want to see his body one last time, I can take you."

Akane stood motionless. She didn’t even realize how she ended up walking behind Shikaku through the clan’s compound. It wasn’t until she saw the rows of bodies wrapped in white shrouds, scattered across the ground, that she snapped back to reality.

Among them, one corpse lay uncovered.

It was Hiruzen Asama.

Akane went silent.

No matter how much she tried to rationalize it, Asama had been her childhood friend. They’d grown up together. Just yesterday, he’d been standing before her, laughing, whispering strange things. And now… he was just cold, lifeless flesh.

The shock hit her like a physical blow.

Beside her, the other female ninja gasped, clutching her mouth as she stared at the massive blackened hole in Asama’s chest.

"Uchiha Iizumi… How could you do this to one of your own village’s ninjas?"

The words spilled out, raw with disbelief.

Yamana Haiichi, standing nearby, glanced at her with icy disdain.

"Only those with pure hearts and upright morals deserve mercy. Those whose souls are twisted, whose minds are poisoned by sin—what cruelty they endure is no more than they deserve."

The girl was silenced instantly.

Akane stared at the body, her voice hollow.

"Asama… was he really… guilty?"

Haiichi answered coldly, "Who among those killed by Iizumi was innocent?"

Akane had no reply.

She’d heard rumors—wild, terrifying stories—whispered through the village. That’s why she’d come running, desperate to confirm. She knew why Asama had been killed. But somewhere deep inside, she’d clung to a sliver of hope.

Now, that hope was gone.

She took a slow, shuddering breath. Her eyes were distant, lost.

Because like most people, she’d believed Uchiha Iizumi would never harm the innocent. In fact, she’d found herself oddly fascinated by the concept of Absolute Justice—especially with recent rumors painting Iizumi in a new light. The so-called "Uchiha Plague" had begun to seem less monstrous in her eyes.

But who could’ve guessed… that the very justice she found so compelling would turn its blade against her closest friend?

Akane looked down at the corpse, her voice barely a whisper.

"Asama… why did you do this?"

She believed Absolute Justice had no room for the innocent.

She thought Asama had simply gone astray.

Her lips trembled.

Her heart was shattered.

…

"Iizumi-sensei… today, you killed the second son of the Hokage."

Naruto had been stunned when he heard the rumors. He didn’t wait. He ran straight to Uchiha Iizumi, chest heaving, hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.

When he finally looked up, his eyes were wide with disbelief.

"Is it true?"

Iizumi’s expression remained cold, a flicker of anger still in her eyes.

"Yes. Hiruzen Asama gathered the Guardian Ninja Twelve, forming a temporary assassination squad under his command. Their plan? To kill me outside Leaf Village."

She paused.

"Only because Iizumi-sensei was strong enough to survive, they failed. But Tachibana Jiro was severely wounded. I saw him—battered, bleeding, every inch of him torn. They left no mercy. This was no skirmish. This was execution."

Naruto’s blood ran cold.

He knew there was tension between the Hokage and Iizumi-sensei. But he’d thought it was just ideological differences—nothing more than disagreements between old friends.

He’d seen the Hokage treat Iizumi with patience, even warmth. And though Iizumi sometimes spoke harshly, she’d never openly defied the Hokage.

Conflict was normal, he’d thought.

Maybe one day, they’d reconcile.

Maybe the Hokage would finally embrace Absolute Justice, and peace would return.

But now?

Could “handshake” ever be possible between the two?

If their conflict had escalated to violence—into life-or-death enmity—where would he stand?

Naruto’s small mind couldn’t process it.

…

In the capital of the Land of Fire, the Daimyō of Fire Country paced back and forth, his face pale with anxiety. In his hand, he clutched a letter—folded and refolded, studied over and over. It was a message sent by one of the Guardian Ninja Twelve, delivered by a Raven Summon Beast.

The letter confirmed: the assassination plan was underway.

Ten-one guardians, all elite, would overwhelm one Uchiha ninja. Surely, they’d succeed. Asama was so confident when we discussed it…

The Daimyō tried to steady himself.

He didn’t understand ninja strength well—only that jonin were stronger than chūnin, chūnin stronger than genin. Ten-one jonin should be more than enough to defeat one.

And they weren’t just assassins. They carried a mission: bring back the body of the Daimyō’s son.

He had to believe they’d succeed.

After all, Asama was the Hokage’s son. Even if he failed, wouldn’t Hiruzen Sarutobi step in to save his own child?

So the Daimyō pushed down the dread gnawing at his gut.

It’s just nerves. Just fear.

…

Time passed.

Night fell.

Though the Third Ninja War had ended not long ago, most towns in the Land of Fire still bore the scars—bleak, poverty-stricken, struggling to rebuild.

But one place stood apart.

Takeshita Street.

Even under the cover of darkness, the street blazed with light. A city that never slept.

Luxury casinos. Crowded bars. High-end pleasure houses. Everywhere, the air shimmered with decadence. The kind of place that could make even the most disciplined ninja lose himself.

Takeshita Street—a den of vice, a paradise for the corrupt.

Tachibana Jiro, bandaged and limping, looked up at the glowing sign above the street.

"Just stopped by for a rest… never thought I’d end up here. Iizumi-sama… When was the last time we were here?"

"Nine years ago," Iizumi replied. "During the height of the Third Ninja War."

Jiro blinked. "Mrow… Nine years? That’s a lifetime for a cat. But yes… now I remember, Iizumi-sama. You killed two men here. And that’s where you and Hiruzen Shintetsu truly broke apart."

"Yes," Iizumi said quietly. "They fell into darkness. Only death could cleanse them."

"Shintetsu was their mentor. Killing them… it was inevitable."

Iizumi’s face showed no sorrow. No regret.

For her, watching allies fall into corruption—then executing them herself—had become routine. Too many times. Too many deaths.

She stepped forward into the street.

Jiro hurried after.

"I remember…" Jiro continued, voice low. "You didn’t just kill those two, Iizumi-sama. You… wiped out the entire street. That night, over fifty people died."

Iizumi’s voice was cold.

"Too few."

Jiro stiffened.

"Back then, Shintetsu arrived too soon. I’d only just drawn my blade when he stopped me. I was still raw. Still learning. But now… Nine years later."

Her gaze swept the crowded street.

"It’s time for the Ninja World’s evil to fear my blade."

"Tonight… no one will stop Justice."

Jiro felt a surge of energy. The pain in his wounds vanished. His spirit soared.

…

In Leaf Village.

"Hokage-sama is awake!"

The first words Hiruzen Sarutobi heard upon regaining consciousness were from a nurse’s joyful shout.

As he slowly opened his eyes, he saw her dart out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Moments later, Hyūga Menji, Tsunade Konoha, Kakashi, and others entered one by one. Their faces were heavy with sorrow.

They stared at the man in the bed—the Hokage, now aged beyond his years.

"Kakashi… I hope you’ll tell me… all of this… was just a nightmare," Sarutobi rasped, voice weak.

Kakashi lowered his head.

"Hokage-sama… it wasn’t a dream."

"Ah… cruel, Kakashi."

Sarutobi turned his gaze to the ceiling. "Even a dying man deserves a kind lie, doesn’t he?"

Kakashi said nothing. The silence spoke volumes.

Then Tsunade Konoha stepped forward.

"Sunset, Asama’s body is at the Nara Clan. Haiichi is extracting memories. If we find he did nothing wrong—nothing to betray Leaf Village—yet Iizumi still killed him… then Leaf Village will never tolerate a butcher who slaughters his own."

She locked eyes with Sarutobi.

"Sunset… you know what I’m saying."

Sarutobi remained silent for ten seconds.

Then he turned his head slowly.

"I believe Asama would never betray Leaf Village. He was rebellious. He never called me ‘father’—only ‘old man.’ But his anger wasn’t against the village. It was against the scheming, the politics. He loved this village."

His voice cracked.

"He would have died for it."

He paused.

"But… that same devotion… that fire to protect the village… made him cross a line. One he didn’t even realize he’d stepped on."

He whispered.

"The line… is called Justice."

Sarutobi finally understood.

Asama had believed Iizumi was a threat. So he lied to him—used his position as Hokage to free Iizumi. But he’d overestimated himself. Underestimated Iizumi.

And he’d forgotten the Hokage’s warning.

"Sunset!" Tsunade roared. "That Justice is just a twisted kid’s fantasy! You’ve let this go too far! Are you blind?!"

"His Justice isn’t yours. It’s not Leaf Village’s. Not even the Hokage’s!"

"Shintetsu’s death—you endured. But Asama? Are you going to endure this too? Why are you so weak?!"

"Sunset! You lost two sons to him!"

The words struck like lightning.

Sarutobi’s eyes flickered—faint, but real.

"…Shintetsu…"

"…Asama…"

His fingers clenched the bedsheet, veins bulging.

Just then, the door burst open.

"Hiichi? Shikaku? Teizou?"

Hyūga Menji’s eyes narrowed.

Pig, Deer, Butterfly.

The Inuzuka-Nara-Yamanaka Alliance—a power bloc that, while weak alone, was formidable when united.

Yamana Haiichi stepped forward.

"Hokage-sama. Of the eleven Guardian Ninja Twelve, only five had intact heads. The Yamanaka Clan extracted their memories. The plan was confirmed."

He laid a scroll on the table.

"The mastermind? The Daimyō of Fire Country and Hiruzen Asama."

"The Daimyō’s motive: revenge for his son’s death.

Asama’s motives: two-fold. First, he believed Iizumi’s Absolute Justice was too extreme—too dangerous for Leaf Village. Second, he sought revenge for his brother’s death."

Haiichi looked directly into Sarutobi’s eyes.

"This was a premeditated assassination. A crime. A violation of justice."

He paused.

"This wasn’t justice. This was a crime against the law."

Rip!

The bedsheet tore as Sarutobi tore it with his bare hands.

Tsunade spun toward Haiichi.

"Hiichi! What are you saying?!" she snarled. "You call Asama a criminal? A murderer? You say the Daimyō was involved?! And you make Iizumi sound like the victim?!"

"Are you ready to answer for these words?!"

"Yes."

Haiichi’s voice was quiet. But final.

"Hokage-sama, Small Spring, Fire Chief. The Yamanaka Clan stands only with the righteous. Based on the memories, Iizumi was in the right."

Menji’s eyes widened.

The Yamanaka Clan had chosen sides.

And they were standing with Iizumi.

Why? he wondered.

No alliance. No benefit. Iizumi never rewarded loyalty. In fact, he ignored those who even asked for it.

So why would they risk everything?

Were they mad?

Then Nara Shikaku stepped forward.

"Everyone," he said, hands in his pockets. "I agree. Asama’s actions were wrong. Conspiring with foreign ninjas to assassinate a fellow Leaf ninja? By village law, that’s execution."

Haiichi glanced at him—grateful.

"And was Iizumi not entitled to self-defense?"

"His actions were just. Legal. And they align with the Will of the Fire Nation."

He turned to Sarutobi.

"I’ve spoken."

Silence.

Then another step.

Akimichi Teizou—eyes narrow, voice soft—stepped forward.

"The Inuzuka-Nara-Yamanaka Alliance has always stood together. Hiichi and Shikaku’s views… are mine."

Tsunade’s face darkened.

Menji opened his mouth—but no words came.

Sarutobi lay still.

The Anbu in the room lowered their heads.

Kakashi’s eyes flicked left, then right. He realized he should’ve left earlier.

This was a trap.

The air in the room was thick with tension.

"Is that… so?" Sarutobi whispered, voice cracked. "So the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans… all believe this?"

He looked up.

"Perhaps the Uchiha Clan agrees too?"

Could more clans secretly side with Iizumi?

Sarutobi realized… yes.

Because a Hokage’s son, who betrayed the village to kill a fellow ninja… could never be truly forgiven.

Even if Asama believed he was protecting Leaf Village.

His actions were too extreme.

His reasons? Unjustifiable.

Only a few would support him.

And those few? Not because they agreed with him.

But because they hated Iizumi.

Now… the village’s heart had turned.

Sarutobi sighed.

"I’m… tired. Let me rest."

"Sunset!" Tsunade snapped. "He was your only son! Iizumi’s not here. No risk of Molten Release. This is the perfect chance! Why won’t you act?!"

"Can three clans really override your judgment? Your fatherhood? Your pain?"

"Sunset… you’ll regret this."

Tsunade Konoha turned to leave.

"Small Spring, the Hokage’s duty… the balance he must uphold… isn’t as simple as you think."

Sarutobi sighed.

"The Hokage must be supported by the village. If I lose their trust… I lose my place."

He paused.

"Shintetsu understood me. He always did.

Maybe… Asama will understand too."

Tsunade stared at him one last time.

Then she turned, slammed the door shut—hard enough to shake the walls.

…

Takeshita Street.

"Damn… no wonder this is the most infamous den of sin in the Land of Fire. Even at night, you see fools chasing riches. Too bad… they’ll never get to spend it."

In a shadowed alley, a ninja with his forehead protector worn backward stood over a bleeding man, crushing his face under his boot.

In his hands: a stack of 10,000-ryō bills. He counted them with glee.

"Five million… thick as hell. I can barely hold it."

He leaned down.

"Say… you won’t report this, right? You’re not a seasoned gambler. You care about your family, don’t you?"

He grinned.

"You know a ninja can erase you… and your family… in an instant. No evidence. No trace."

"Please…" the man sobbed, bloodied and trembling. "Don’t hurt me… don’t hurt my family… take all the money…"

"All the money?" The ninja laughed. "This is my money, you idiot. You don’t even know how to talk!"

He raised his foot—ready to crush the man’s skull.

But just as his foot lifted—

A sudden force twisted his leg.

CRACK!

His shin slammed into the wall. Pain exploded through him.

He looked down—his right lower leg was pierced by a shuriken, deep into bone and flesh.

"Wha—?!"

He turned—only to see a single blade flash through the air.

SPLUTTER.

The head of Kawama Keiichi rolled across the ground.

A message flashed in the air:

> "Red Mark Criminal. Justice delivered."

Tachibana Jiro leapt over the moaning man, one paw lifting the ninja’s forehead protector.

"Meow… Leaf Village ninja. No scratches on the protector. Not a traitor. This place… is a nest of filth."

It looked at Iizumi.

"Iizumi-sama… we may have to kill everyone tonight."

The man on the ground stared, frozen.

Money—red with blood—scattered around him.

He heard the words.

“Iizumi-sama…”

His mind flashed.

“Iizumi…”

A memory—long buried—flashed.

His pupils widened.

"Uchiha… Sssss!"

"Uchiha Iizumi!!"

…

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!"

A girl, no older than twelve, clawed at her pale gold hair, screaming in frustration.

"Those fat pigs cheated! They rigged the game! They colluded to bleed me dry! How could I lose a million ryō in thirty minutes?!"

"And those creditors… I didn’t say I wouldn’t pay! I just asked for a little time! One or two… so what?!"

"Root’s got money! Why do they always chase me?!"

Kushina’s companion, Shizune, whispered, "Kushina-sama… debt is debt. You’ve lost enough. If you keep going, we won’t even have money for food."

Kushina waved her off.

"Always whining… like you’re—"

She stopped.

Her pace slowed.

"Kushina-sama…?" Shizune asked, eyes widening. "Are we being followed?"

"…I smell blood," Kushina said, face serious. "Strong. Like someone’s been drained."

Shizune froze.

“Blood?”

At that moment, a shadow stepped into the lamplight ahead.

Shizune gasped.

"Uchiha… Investigation Corps?"

She recognized the uniform.

But… this was Takeshita Street, not Leaf Village.

Why was an Uchiha Investigation Corps ninja here?

Both Kushina and Shizune walked forward.

The Uchiha ninja—Iizumi—was walking toward them.

Shizune’s breath caught.

His right hand gripped a ninja sword—its tip still glistening with blood.

She stepped in front of Kushina—protectively.

Kushina had hemophobia.

As the two passed, Iizumi glanced at them. Kushina and Shizune looked back.

Then they parted.

"Shizune," Kushina said, stopping. "…Did you think he looked familiar?"

Shizune blinked.

"Familiar?"

…

"Did you know them, Iizumi-sama?" Jiro asked, eyes narrowing.

Then—a flash.

The black-haired woman… she turned.

She looked… familiar.

"One is one of the Sannin—Kushina. The other is Kato Shizune."

Iizumi spoke.

"I know them. I met them nine years ago, when we first came here. And now… the Sannin’s little princess still lingers in this den of sin."

Jiro’s eyes widened.

"Kushina?!"

Memories flooded back.

“Nine years ago… every time Iizumi-sama killed a criminal, they’d steal the money. That Sannin even pointed out targets—just so she could collect. She wasn’t helping justice… she was chasing debts!”

He shuddered.

The memory was too vivid.

Then—Kushina suddenly spun.

"Shizune!!"

She turned, voice suddenly sharp.

"I remember! That kid… Uchiha Iizumi!"

"What?!"

"He’s the one who nearly burned this street to ash nine years ago! Do you remember? That night… all my debts were wiped clean!"

She grinned wildly.

"He’s back!"

She paused.

"Wait… Justice! He’s here to execute Absolute Justice again!"

Shizune’s blood ran cold.

The nightmare.

The bloodbath.

The night the street burned.

She remembered—every victim had been a criminal. No innocent.

And he’d been nine.

Kushina, still trembling with excitement, turned toward the alley.

"Shizune! Let’s go! He’s gonna kill more debtors! This is our chance!"

Her earlier frustration vanished.

She ran.

"Wait—!" Shizune gasped, scrambling after her.

"Kushina-sama! Wait!"

…

Minutes later.

The door of a high-end entertainment club burst open.

A fat, silk-clad man, surrounded by bodyguards, tumbled out, screaming.

"Run! Run! The killer’s back!"

He didn’t care about dignity. Tears and snot streamed down his face.

"Uchiha Iizumi’s here again!!"

His scream echoed through the street.

But most people didn’t know what that name meant.

Only a few locals turned pale.

Tap… tap… tap…

Footsteps. Calm. Measured.

Uchiha Iizumi emerged from the club, ninja sword now dripping crimson.

His eyes lifted.

A message appeared in red letters before him:

> "The twisted ninja world breeds endless evil. Nine years ago, I killed a batch. Now, another has grown.

> I failed last time. I killed too few. Too weak.

> Tonight… Absolute Justice will cleanse Takeshita Street."

He turned—then walked away.

The guards were stunned.

The man in their midst froze.

Then—his throat spurted blood.

A shuriken had pierced his carotid artery.

No one saw it come.

Blood sprayed across the guards’ faces.

"Killed…"

"Someone’s dead!"

The street erupted in panic.

But Iizumi was already gone.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end