Chapter 125: The Image of the Third Hokage Is Ruined Forever! Kushina: "Jiraiya, your mindset is too narrow!" (10,000 words)

Mitarashi Anko had witnessed the entire confrontation between Uchiha Iizumi and the Hokage-sama. She never expected the Hokage-sama to be so thoroughly outmatched—so much so that, in the end, he was left speechless, his face ashen with fury and defeat.

Perhaps the Hokage-sama had hoped to stand alongside the Heir of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, using that alliance to pressure Uchiha Iizumi. And by doing so, he could claim the moral high ground—positioning himself as the righteous enforcer of justice against the Uchiha.

But the Hokage-sama hadn’t counted on the Heir being the first to surrender.

The truth? The Heir was simply desperate to survive.

Wait…

Hold on.

As Anko’s thoughts reached this point, she froze, her mind swirling with suspicion. Something didn’t feel right.

Was the tension between the Hokage-sama and Uchiha Iizumi truly real?

Or was it all a performance?

Could the Hokage-sama really have had no involvement in Iizumi’s open assassination of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire?

And if the Hokage-sama had arrived so urgently with Anbu Ninja at his heels—was it only to supervise the execution? Or was he there to finish the job… if Iizumi failed?

Now, the Heir of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, still reeling from the grief of losing his father, stood firm in the name of "Absolute Justice"—uttering cowardly words with no shame.

Was it possible he had seen through the act?

That this whole event was not a personal vendetta… but a coordinated power grab by the Leaf Village against the Daimyō of the Land of Fire?

Had the Leaf Village grown tired of being just a military force?

Anko’s mind raced.

“!!”

The flood of realization struck her like lightning. Her gaze locked onto Hiruzen Sarutobi—now filled with a strange, almost knowing expression.

Then, it hit her.

That’s why the Heir had looked at the Hokage-sama with such a peculiar expression earlier—just like she was now.

The atmosphere grew thick with silence. Iizumi, as always, showed no interest in breaking it. The Hokage-sama, perhaps embarrassed, seemed unsure whether he should step in.

Finally, Anko cleared her throat.

“The Land of Fire cannot go a day without a leader. Right now, the most urgent matter should be the proper burial of the late Daimyō of the Land of Fire, followed by the selection of a new Daimyō. Not wasting time on pointless debates.”

Silence.

Three seconds passed. No response.

Her heart sank. Had she misread the situation?

Then, from the corner of her eye, she saw it—the Hokage-sama was staring at her with an expression so unnerving, it felt like he’d seen a ghost.

Beside him, Uchiha Iizumi remained utterly indifferent.

And the masked Anbu Ninja around them… she knew they were watching her. She just couldn’t prove it.

Even the Heir of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire was staring at her now—eyes wide with panic.

Anko: “…!”

Oh no. She had definitely said the wrong thing.

“Y-yes!”

Just as she was about to crumble under the weight of her mistake, the Heir forced a strained laugh. “The ninja lady is absolutely right. The Land of Fire’s immediate priority… is indeed as she said.”

Anko could hear the tremble in his voice.

Had her words sounded like a threat from the Leaf Village?

She glanced at the Hokage-sama—his face was ashen, like the world had collapsed.

Then the Heir continued, voice cracking:

“Please, Hokage-sama… remain in the Capital City of the Land of Fire for a few days. Attend your father’s funeral personally. And allow both Iizumi-sama and the Hokage-sama to jointly nominate the next Daimyō of the Land of Fire.”

Hiruzen Sarutobi: “….”

He was finished.

Ruined.

He couldn’t even imagine how the entire Ninja World would view him if this became public.

All the hatred toward Uchiha Iizumi for assassinating the Daimyō would now be redirected at him—the Hokage of the Leaf Village.

Even the Heir of the Daimyō now subconsciously believed this entire chain of events was orchestrated by him—or at least, connected to him.

Soon, he wouldn’t just be the target of global scorn—he would become the symbol of betrayal, of hypocrisy, of unfaithfulness.

The nobles of the Land of Fire would look at him with suspicion. When news reached the Leaf Village, the entire ninja clans would see him as a scheming, power-hungry tyrant—someone whose ambition had grown too large for the village to contain.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to drag Anko back to the Leaf Village Prison and lock her away for decades—just so she could reflect on her terrible mistake.

He regretted letting her out.

“Hokage-sama?”

The Heir’s hesitant voice snapped him back.

Hiruzen’s eyes were vacant, his face a mess of red and green. He forced a weak, twitching smile.

“…Yes.”

It was the most reluctant “yes” ever spoken.

He had no choice. As Hokage, he had to attend the funeral of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.

But to be forced into this misunderstanding—to be seen as the mastermind behind the assassination?

This would shatter the image of the Third Hokage—his legacy, his honor—forever.

And worse? He’d be forever humiliated in front of Iizumi.

While Iizumi stood openly, honorably…

Hiruzen would be the one hiding in the shadows, playing dirty.

…

“From a time perspective, Jiraiya should have already arrived at the Capital City of the Land of Fire by now. He may have already met with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire and others.”

Inside the Hokage Tower, Hyūga Menji stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing out the window.

“If Uchiha Iizumi truly intended to assassinate the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, then Jiraiya and Iizumi have likely already clashed.”

“Whether it ended in victory or defeat… we’ll only know when Jiraiya sends word back. Fortunately, the Ninja World now has long-range communication tools—messages travel fast.”

“Come to think of it, this technology was invented by Orochimaru before he defected. Back then, he thought he could win the people’s hearts with a small, convenient tool—useful for daily life—to compete with Minato for the Hokage title.”

Hyūga Menji sighed, lost in memory.

He was getting old.

Tsunade Konoha snorted.

“You really believe Jiraiya would fight Uchiha Iizumi? Don’t forget how he tolerated that boy in the village.”

“If it weren’t for his indulgence, Iizumi would’ve never grown so powerful—no one could’ve controlled him.”

Hyūga Menji exhaled.

“Jiraiya wasn’t tolerating him. He was using him. At least, you can’t deny that during Iizumi’s time in the village, the Uchiha extremists never dared to stage a coup.”

“But once Iizumi left… Jiraiya immediately grew anxious. He feared the Uchiha extremists would rise. Even worried that Uchiha Itachi might massacre the entire Uchiha clan.”

He turned his gaze to a corner.

There, a small Anbu Ninja stood motionless—silent, still.

It was Uchiha Itachi.

Hiruzen hadn’t brought Itachi to the Capital City. Instead, he’d assigned him to guard Hyūga Menji.

It was a double move:

One, to keep a powerful weapon within the village.

Two, to keep an eye on Itachi.

But Hyūga Menji suspected there was another reason.

Jiraiya feared that if Itachi went to the Capital City… he might do something even worse.

After all, according to Iizumi’s prophecy, Itachi was capable of anything for the Leaf Village—sacrificing even his own clan.

What if he went even further? What if he killed the Daimyō of the Land of Fire?

Hyūga Menji knew the Hokage didn’t want to take that risk.

He couldn’t gamble.

He pushed the thoughts aside and continued.

“But when it comes to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, it’s different. Jiraiya won’t let Iizumi run wild forever. There’s a limit. A line.”

“If Iizumi crosses it… he’s no longer a tool. He’s a threat.”

“I believe Jiraiya knows exactly how serious this is.”

Tsunade Konoha’s expression softened slightly.

She stared out the window.

“Let’s hope the only ones who return to the village are Jiraiya and the Leaf Anbu.”

…

One hour later.

Outside the Leaf Village.

“Leaf Village… I haven’t come back since we stopped interfering in ninja affairs.”

Kushina looked up at the gates, her eyes filled with complex emotion.

She could’ve returned in less than a day—her speed as one of the Sannin of the Leaf Village made it possible.

But she was carrying seventy-nine children—too young to care for themselves.

Even with Jiraiya’s help, it had taken days.

Jiraiya, now looking utterly broken, slumped under the weight of five children—two on his left, three on his right, and two strapped to his back.

“Finally… back…”

He nearly cried.

He should’ve never followed her out of curiosity.

Instead, she’d dragged him into forced labor—no room for refusal.

It was worse than fighting Orochimaru.

Even though the Takeshita Street orphans were surprisingly well-behaved… they were still children.

“Never again… I’ll never babysit kids again!”

Jiraiya’s scream of despair was genuine.

Kushina ignored him.

She headed straight for the Hokage Tower.

But she was told—Third Hokage was not in the village.

“Invited to the Capital City of the Land of Fire by the Daimyō?”

Kushina narrowed her eyes.

Before she could speak, she ran into Tsunade Konoha emerging from the Hokage’s office.

Years had passed. Tsunade Konoha’s face was aged, wrinkled—Kushina almost didn’t recognize her.

But Tsunade Konoha recognized Kushina.

“Kushina? Oh, right. Your student came back early and told us you’d be returning soon—with seventy-nine Takeshita Street orphans. She said they’re probably outside.”

“Don’t worry. The Leaf Village won’t neglect these poor war orphans. They suffered greatly in the slums. The orphanage will take good care of them.”

Her gaze flicked to Jiraiya.

“And… you didn’t mention him.”

Kushina waved dismissively.

“He followed us. Clung like a leech.”

Jiraiya: “???”

Before he could protest, Kushina cut in.

“Old man Jiraiya didn’t go to the Capital City on the Daimyō’s invitation. No evidence, but my instincts tell me it’s not that simple. Right?”

Tsunade Konoha paused. She hadn’t expected this.

She didn’t elaborate.

Instead, she said:

“Kushina… you’ve decided to stay out of ninja affairs.”

Kushina’s tone was sharp.

“Don’t play dumb. You know what’s going on.”

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes.

“Honestly, I’m curious. Tell us, Tsunade Konoha Advisor? Nothing bad will happen, right?”

Tsunade Konoha’s voice dropped.

“…It’s about Uchiha Iizumi.”

She paused—then delivered the bombshell.

“Jiraiya suspects Iizumi tried to assassinate the Daimyō of the Land of Fire. You two should already have a guess about what Jiraiya plans to do.”

Jiraiya: “!!”

Kushina: “!!”

“Assassinate the Daimyō of the Land of Fire? Are you kidding?!”

Kushina scowled.

“That Uchiha brat wouldn’t dare.”

Tsunade Konoha smirked.

“You’re still blinded by him.”

But Kushina wasn’t done.

“If he did kill the Daimyō… he’d do it openly. Not in secret.”

She paused, stroking her chin.

“Wait… if he really wanted to kill the Daimyō… he wouldn’t stop at one.”

“He’d kill everyone in the Capital City. Not just the Daimyō. The entire elite. The entire power structure.”

“He hates evil offenders. To him, no one is above justice—no matter their rank.”

Kushina clenched her fist.

“He’d turn the Capital City into a bloodbath. It’d be worse than the Short Side Street.”

Tsunade Konoha: “….”

What the hell? Why does she sound enthusiastic?

Shouldn’t she be furious? Disgusted?

She couldn’t understand Kushina’s mindset.

But then she remembered—Kushina was one of the Sannin. She’d abandoned her duties. Lived in gambling dens. Never cared.

So why would she be normal?

Her opinion of Kushina dropped.

She spoke coldly.

“If Iizumi does this… Jiraiya will leave him there. Forever. Because his actions have crossed every line.”

“The Daimyō… the nobles… they’re untouchable.”

…

Inside the Uchiha Compound.

The standoff had lasted an hour.

Uchiha Setsuna and the radical elders’ faces were dark with fury. Their eyes burned with malice—fixed on Fugaku and the two moderate Uchiha elders.

Outside, the young Uchiha generation had divided into two factions.

Even though the radicals were in the majority… a direct clash would only benefit the Leaf Village.

Setsuna knew it.

He’d already lost.

Fugaku would lose.

The Leaf would win.

That was the worst possible outcome.

So he sat in silence—unmoving, waiting.

“Fugaku,” Setsuna finally broke the silence, voice dripping with venom.

“You’re waiting for the Third Hokage to come here? You’re planning to wait?”

“You’re betraying the Uchiha Clan. You’re shaming us. The history of the Uchiha will remember you. You’ll be etched in shame.”

Each word was torn from his teeth.

Fugaku remained expressionless.

“Setsuna, the one who should be on the shame pillar is you. Your actions bring no benefit. Only ruin.”

“You don’t care about the consequences. You don’t think about what comes after. You only want to feel powerful.”

“And you… don’t understand the power of the Leaf Village. Your arrogance… will kill every Uchiha.”

Setsuna’s hands trembled.

“You think I’ll destroy the Uchiha? Fugaku! You should be telling your son that!”

“You want to convince me? Fine. Prove it. Kill your own son. Then I’ll believe you.”

“If you won’t… you’re just a Hokage’s puppet.”

He glared at Fugaku.

“I won’t accept a puppet as our clan leader. I demand a new election—by the elders’ decree!”

The other elders nodded.

One said:

“Fugaku. According to Uchiha tradition, if three elders believe the current clan head is unfit, a new election can be held.”

Another added:

“Your weakness has disappointed us. Let’s follow the rules. We’ll hold a new election.”

“Don’t worry. The rules don’t ban former clan heads from running. Your support will determine your fate.”

He folded his arms, calm, as if the matter was already settled.

Fugaku’s face darkened.

…

Capital City of the Land of Fire.

Daimyō of the Land of Fire’s Mansion.

The Anbu Ninja no longer needed to hide.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had gathered them.

He sent some to investigate how many nobles had died the previous day.

Others were assigned to protect the Heir of the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.

He feared Iizumi might strike again.

The numbers came back—within hours.

1,549 dead.

Hiruzen staggered.

At least 90% of them were nobles.

Hundreds of powerful families—gone.

One day. One man.

Uchiha Iizumi had just annoyed every elite family in the Land of Fire.

Some were wiped out completely—no survivors.

Hiruzen imagined them—bones cracked, bodies split open, eggs shattered.

“Report everything to the Leaf Village,” Hiruzen said, voice hollow.

“Tell Ryōjin and Konoha.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama.”

“Wait!”

He snapped back.

“Where is Iizumi? And his Ninja Cat?”

The Anbu exchanged glances.

“Hokage-sama… we reported that Uchiha Iizumi left the mansion thirty minutes ago. We don’t know where he went.”

Hiruzen: “….”

He searched his memory.

Yes. He had been told.

But he was too stunned—too furious—to process it.

Now, horror struck.

“He… didn’t stop?”

Hiruzen whispered.

What if he’s not satisfied with 1,500?

He immediately ordered more Anbu to find Iizumi.

And track what he was doing.

Less than ten minutes later…

Another report.

Worse.

“Hokage-sama! Uchiha Iizumi has struck again!”

“He wiped out seven noble families in the southern district.”

“The Investigation Corps—hundreds of warriors—were slaughtered.”

“Dozens of merchants. Thirty-odd ‘innocent bystanders’—all executed under his ‘Justice’.”

“Most were killed. A few survived—maimed, thrown into prison.”

“And… he killed several rogue ninjas. And Leaf Village ninjas on mission.”

“Another five hundred dead.”

Hiruzen stood frozen.

He didn’t ask why they didn’t stop him.

Because they couldn’t.

Only the Hokage himself could slow Iizumi down.

But he couldn’t watch him every second.

“…Asama…”

He closed his eyes.

His rebellious son—dying, last words echoing in his mind.

What a mess.

Could he even blame a dead man?

Asama had only wanted to protect the village.

But he’d underestimated Iizumi.

…

When the report reached the Leaf Village—thousands of miles away—Hyūga Menji was stunned.

His face twisted in disbelief.

“Daimyō of the Land of Fire… killed by Iizumi.”

“Over a thousand nobles… dead.”

“The Heir… chooses to bury the past. No revenge. No grief.”

“Jiraiya couldn’t stop him. He arrived too late. And when he tried to act… the Heir’s stance forced him to back down.”

“…This…”

Hyūga Menji was speechless.

He called for Tsunade Konoha.

But when she arrived… so did Jiraiya and Kushina.

Hyūga Menji stared.

How did they get back so fast?

Before he could ask, Tsunade Konoha spoke.

“Did Jiraiya send new intel?”

Hyūga Menji wordlessly handed her the report.

She glanced at it—then her face twisted.

“UZIHA IIZUMI!”

She gripped the paper so hard, it nearly tore.

Her eyes blazed with fury.

“He is the greatest threat to the Leaf Village. The only one.”

“Danzō’s crimes? They’re nothing compared to this!”

“What is he doing? Is he trying to destroy the Leaf Village?”

“Does he even respect the Fire Nation’s will? The concept of a shinobi village?”

“Is he a traitorous, backstabbing dog?”

She gasped, panting.

She couldn’t imagine surviving in that blood-soaked city.

“Let me see.”

Kushina snatched the report.

Jiraiya leaned in—then was shoved away by a sharp slap.

Kushina’s eyes widened.

“He actually killed the Daimyō of the Land of Fire?!”

“Killed who?!”

Jiraiya, now flat on the floor, scrambled up, staring at the report.

He froze.

Even he, the legendary author, had no words.

A Leaf Village ninja killing the Daimyō of the Land of Fire?

Unthinkable.

And worse? It wasn’t a stealth assassination.

Iizumi entered openly.

Walked into the Daimyō’s mansion.

Killed the Daimyō in front of the Heir.

Then slaughtered nobles.

Merchants.

Commoners.

Ninjas.

All under the banner of “Absolute Justice.”

Jiraiya read the report—and felt like he was drowning in blood.

Uchiha Iizumi… a Dual Bloodline Limit prodigy… was slaughtering like a butcher.

No one could stop him.

“Old man…” Jiraiya said, voice heavy.

“He’s given up on stopping Iizumi. The Daimyō’s son won’t seek revenge. If even he doesn’t care… what can an outsider like you do?”

He looked at Kushina.

“You used to support Iizumi’s Justice. But now… after this? Can you still?”

Kushina looked back.

“Jiraiya… is he really uncontrollable?”

“No. But his actions… not everyone can accept them.”

Jiraiya knew what she meant.

The people he killed… weren’t innocent. Not even the Daimyō.

But the world isn’t black and white.

Some deaths cause more harm than the lives they take.

Jiraiya shuddered.

What if the Daimyō of the Land of Fire’s death becomes a precedent?

What if every village starts killing their leaders?

What if the nobles lose all respect?

The Pandora’s Box had been opened.

“Kushina… he broke the rules,” Jiraiya sighed.

“Some rules are wrong. But they still contain people. Break them… and the chaos will be endless.”

Kushina shook her head.

“You’re the one who’s wrong.”

“Not because the rules are broken, the world goes mad. It’s because the rules were the madness.”

“Jiraiya… what if the world was already broken? What if everyone’s mind was already twisted?”

She paused.

“Maybe… it’s time you stop looking at Orochimaru.”

“You only see one man ruining the Leaf Village.”

“But you don’t see the whole world.”

“Uchiha Iizumi showed me the real ninja world.”

“So I don’t see his actions as wrong.”

She crossed her arms.

“Letting evil live… is itself injustice.”

“Why should ordinary people be spared? Just because they’re powerful?”

“Why give mercy to the oppressors… but not to the victims?”

She locked eyes with Jiraiya.

“If you still think Iizumi is wrong… then our values are different. Your vision is too narrow. Your mindset is too small.”

She exhaled.

She remembered Takeshita Street.

The horror. The rage. The weight.

Jiraiya was silent.

He’d only heard about it from her.

But he’d never seen it.

He didn’t understand the fire in her soul.

He thought Kushina had been changed too much.

But he also knew—crossing her now would ruin their friendship.

Hyūga Menji and Tsunade Konoha stared at each other.

Both saw the same shock.

How could Kushina be so convinced?

They’d only seen Iizumi once—briefly.

Yet she believed in his justice.

It was terrifying.

Even if kids like Naruto, Sasuke, or Iizumi were drawn to it—understandable.

Even Yamana Haiichi—because of his clan ties.

But Kushina?

She was one of the Sannin.

She shouldn’t be this… converted.

“Absolute Justice…” Hyūga Menji whispered.

“It’s even more dangerous than we thought.”

Tsunade Konoha said nothing. Her face was like stone.

…

Two days later.

The Capital City of the Land of Fire.

A simple funeral for the Daimyō of the Land of Fire.

The truth could no longer be hidden.

The people—already numb from the bloodshed—were stunned again.

“Leaf Village’s ninja… Uchiha Iizumi… killed the Daimyō of the Land of Fire… days ago.”

“And the mansion? It acted like nothing happened.”

“Even at the funeral—Iizumi showed up.”

The news spread like wildfire.

People felt like they were trapped in a genjutsu.

Reality and illusion blurred.

And soon, the truth reached every corner.

“Daimyō of the Land of Fire… killed by a ninja…”

In the Nakamura Clan’s hall—reputable, respected.

“Even the Daimyō was killed… and his son says nothing.”

The Head of the Nakamura Clan trembled.

“If Iizumi killed the Daimyō… and we dared to do evil… I’ll kill my own son. My own grandson.”

No one argued.

They were all terrified.

They’d only lost three members. They were lucky.

“Let’s not bury them,” said one elder.

“Expel them from the clan. Their bodies… dump them at the funeral parlor. No ceremony.”

No one objected.

The Head of the Clan nodded.

“They brought shame. They crossed the line.”

…

Similar scenes played out across the city.

The name “Uchiha Iizumi” became a permanent scar in every survivor’s soul.

A fear that would never fade.

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end