Chapter 128: Hiruzen, He's Old! The So-Called "Prophecy Child"! (10,000-Word Epic Chapter)

“Uchiha Iizumi? That name… sounds familiar…” Akimichi Teizou munched on a bag of chips, furrowing his brow in thought. Before he could grasp the flicker of memory dancing in his mind, a Ninja Cat stepped up behind him.

“Wow, that cat’s really fat!” Teizou blurted out, still staring at the plump feline.

Just then, another figure emerged from the shadows behind him.

Teizou noticed Shikamaru had frozen in place—his face pale, eyes wide, utterly silent.

“Uchiha Iizumi…” Shikamaru whispered, his voice trembling.

Even as a chubby kid, Teizou stared up at the man in the Uchiha Police Force uniform, heart pounding.

“Huh?!”

Suddenly, the piece clicked into place. His eyes snapped wide open, his round face twisting in shock and panic. The half-empty bag of chips slipped from his fingers, thud—it hit the ground, but he didn’t even notice.

He also saw a female ninja trailing behind Uchiha Iizumi.

Teizou finally remembered.

And in that moment, realization struck him like lightning.

Frantically, he bent down and scooped up the fallen chips. Then, grabbing the broom beside him, he began sweeping the ground with exaggerated enthusiasm.

Only when the terrifying figure’s back disappeared into the distance did Teizou collapse onto the ground, drenched in sweat.

Shikamaru finally exhaled.

He stared ahead, relief washing over him as he wiped cold sweat from his brow. “Two days ago, the whole village was buzzing about him killing the Daimyō of Fire Country. Logically, he should still be in the Capital City of the Land of Fire… so why is he back already?”

Though Shikamaru knew his Nara Clan shared a peculiar, unspoken connection with Uchiha Iizumi’s Absolute Justice…

That didn’t stop him from being afraid.

A man’s name. A tree’s shadow. That man wouldn’t hesitate to kill a seven-year-old child if he felt like it.

“Another death is coming,” Shikamaru muttered under his breath.

…

The news of Uchiha Iizumi’s return spread through Leaf Village faster than wildfire—within less than a day. By the next morning, the entire village was in upheaval.

“Iizumi-senpai!!” A young girl sprinted toward him, breathless.

She paused, panting, then bowed deeply. “I didn’t know you’d returned yesterday evening! I’m so sorry I didn’t greet you properly!”

“Mew? How could you forget me?” Tachibana Jiro chimed in, smug. “Newcomer, aren’t you even going to welcome me?”

Izumi immediately bowed again. “I apologize, Tachibana Jiro-senpai—I forgot to welcome you too!”

Tachibana Jiro’s eyes crinkled into a pleased crescent.

Then, Iizumi snapped back to reality. “Senpai… last night, during the clan meeting…”

She recounted everything—every detail, no omission.

Especially the part about how many Uchiha had already accepted Absolute Justice.

Uchiha Iizumi listened, expression blank. Then, coldly: “A boring meeting. One faction obsessed with power struggles, another trapped by Leaf Village’s suffocating rules. Their limited vision will never win the loyalty of all Uchiha.”

“Ah, senpai,” Iizumi added. “The three Uchiha ANBU who stood up first… after the meeting, they found me. They said… if given the chance, they’d like to meet you.”

“I think they’re ready to follow you. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have publicly challenged and mocked Setsuna-senpai and Fugaku Clan Head in front of everyone.”

Uchiha Iizumi nodded once. “Tell them—anytime they wish to meet me, they can.”

“But…” he added, voice even colder, “Absolute Justice isn’t a game for children. It’s not a tool for rebellion. Anyone who chooses it must be ready to defend it with their life. And if they ever betray it—defile it—then they will be judged by Absolute Justice.”

“Justice does not miss a single soul. Not even those who believe in it.”

Izumi stiffened. “Yes, senpai!”

Then, curiously, she asked, “Who’s that?”

Her gaze drifted past Uchiha Iizumi.

There, a short-haired female ninja stood motionless, as if waiting to step forward. She seemed to know Iizumi. They were clearly acquainted.

Aware of being noticed, Mitarashi Anko stepped forward.

She introduced herself: “Mitarashi Anko, Special Jōnin of Leaf Village. And… a criminal.”

Izumi blinked in shock.

Anko turned to Uchiha Iizumi. “I know I still have two years left in Leaf Village Prison. But I want to redeem myself—differently. Like that kid, Naruto Uzumaki!”

She hadn’t lied. Since returning the day before, Anko had been hunting every scrap of information about Uchiha Iizumi.

She didn’t know why. She just had to know. And the more she learned… the more terrified she became.

But the deeper she dug, the more she respected him.

Uchiha Iizumi’s Absolute Justice was pure. Uncompromising. Untainted.

And that respect grew into something she hadn’t expected—recognition.

She realized she no longer felt repulsion toward his Justice. She was captured by it.

Like how she once admired Orochimaru.

But Uchiha Iizumi was nothing like Orochimaru.

The latter was consumed by desire—driven to evil. The former… might never stray down that path.

“I’m not saying this because I’m afraid of prison,” Anko clenched her jaw, staring straight into Iizumi’s eyes despite the crushing pressure. “I mean it. I’m ready.”

“In the Capital City of the Land of Fire, I saw the true depth of the Ninja World’s corruption. So many evils, so much rot. If no one acts to fix it, it’ll never heal.”

“More and more will fall—become like Orochimaru. I… I can’t let that happen again.”

“I have Zetsu’s conviction. It’s stronger than my loyalty to the Fire Nation’s will.”

Every word was raw, honest. No pretense.

After being abandoned by Orochimaru—after he erased her memories—Anko had drifted through life, numb, lost.

Even when Uchiha Iizumi threw her into prison, she’d felt nothing.

Until now.

She knew what she had to do.

She was fighting for a chance.

The silence stretched.

Then, Uchiha Iizumi spoke.

“Purify your sins through faith in Absolute Justice? If you pass the trial… it’s possible.”

Anko’s face lit up—pure, unfiltered joy.

She blurted, “I’ll endure any test! Even if it costs me my life!”

Uchiha Iizumi didn’t flinch. “Remember your words.”

“Uchiha Izumi,” he called.

“Hai!” Izumi snapped to attention, voice booming.

“Return to the Uchiha Compound.”

“Yes!” Izumi saluted, then hesitated. “Senpai… what are we—?”

“Justice will be executed,” Uchiha Iizumi stated, face expressionless.

“Target: Uchiha Setsuna.”

Izumi: “!!”

She glanced at Anko. “You’re coming too. This is your first trial.”

Just one? Anko thought, stunned. This is brutal.

She didn’t recognize the name—Uchiha Setsuna—yet it rang a faint bell.

“Yes!” Anko echoed, mimicking Izumi.

…

Inside the Uchiha Compound.

“Uchiha Iizumi… the brat’s back?” Uchiha Setsuna’s face darkened, storm clouds gathering in his eyes.

If it weren’t for Iizumi, he could’ve forced Fugaku down the day before and claimed the clan leadership himself.

But now, thanks to that madness of Absolute Justice—somehow, Iizumi had brainwashed the young Uchiha.

Fifty percent walked out of the meeting.

Another portion stood with Fugaku.

Even if he forced the vote, he’d never get enough votes.

To Setsuna, Iizumi was a saboteur. A spoiled rotten apple.

And worse—Uchiha Iizumi had killed his grandson. Not just killed him—erased him. No body. No trace.

The old man’s chest tightened. The anger was unbearable.

He’d thought he’d live ten more years. Now, he wasn’t sure he’d make five.

“Could the brat be framing me for my grandson’s crime?” Setsuna thought, clutching his chest. I didn’t personally do it… but I did help him. I gave him secret favors. And that kid… he’d go after me without hesitation.

Is he coming for me now?

The thought chilled him.

He knew what Iizumi was capable of. He’d killed his own blood without hesitation. The Daimyō of Fire Country meant nothing to him.

So what was he to a rebel elder?

Fear surged. He immediately summoned a dozen young Uchiha extremists, surrounding himself like a shield.

Only then did he feel… safe.

…

Meanwhile.

As Uchiha Iizumi approached the Compound, a voice cut through the air.

“Hey, kid! You’re finally back.”

Izumi blinked.

Kid? Was that me? I’ve been in Leaf Village the whole time…

Wait—him?

Her eyes widened.

Could it be… senpai?

She turned sharply—there, a tall, statuesque woman stood in the distance, arms crossed.

Beside her, a black-clad ninja held a pink pig, eyes downcast, clearly shy.

And behind them—standing with his feet on wooden clogs, a grinning, lecherous old man with a white, spiky mop of hair.

What kind of bizarre group was this?

She’d never seen them before.

“Mew! It’s Kushina-sama!” Tachibana Jiro chirped. “And the one behind her… that’s Jiraiya-sama, one of the Sannin of Leaf Village!”

“Ahahaha! Even a Ninja Cat recognizes me!” Jiraiya laughed, puffing out his chest. “Yep, I’m the legendary Jiraiya, the Daimyō of Fire Country’s own Sage!”

Jiraiya… Kushina…

The names flashed in Izumi’s mind.

Her eyes widened further.

The Sannin of Leaf Village?!

Before she could process it, Kushina strode forward—clapping Iizumi on the shoulder like an old friend.

“Kid, those seventy-nine brats? All safely placed in the orphanage. No memories of what happened. Your Sharingan Genjutsu worked perfectly—cleared their trauma.”

She grinned. “But I didn’t expect you’d go this far after cleansing Takeshita Street.”

She paused, eyes narrowing. “That Daimyō of Fire Country… and all those high-ranking nobles… you didn’t even blink.”

Izumi flinched.

Oh no… are these two Sannin here to reprimand senpai?

But Kushina’s reaction was the opposite.

“Kid, you’re amazing!” she boomed. “I told those two old fools you were right. You should thank me!”

Tachibana Jiro added, “Mew, those ‘old fools’ are probably Hyūga Menji and Tsunade Konoha. Even if Kushina-sama didn’t defend you, they wouldn’t dare say a word to you.”

But Uchiha Iizumi’s gaze had already passed Kushina.

It locked onto Jiraiya.

Jiraiya’s eyes mirrored his—complex, searching.

“Back when the Third Ninja War ended… we met, didn’t we?” Jiraiya scratched his head.

He’d once believed Iizumi was the Prophecy Child—rare Dual Bloodline Limit. But after observing him, he’d decided the kid was too extreme.

Now… he was more extreme.

“Yes,” Iizumi said flatly. “I thought someone was following me. Thought it was human traffickers. Until you appeared.”

Jiraiya coughed awkwardly.

Before he could speak, Iizumi continued—calm, chilling:

“I assume you were testing your theory. You thought I might be the Prophecy Child. You wanted to see if your guess was right, didn’t you?”

Jiraiya: “!!”

His shock wasn’t feigned. It was real.

He stared, eyes wide—like a man who’d seen a ghost.

“Prophecy Child?” Kushina frowned. “What’s that?”

Jiraiya said nothing.

He inhaled deeply, steadying himself.

Then, voice strained: “Where did you hear that?”

“You went to Mount Myōgaku?”

“No,” Iizumi replied simply.

He met Jiraiya’s gaze. “The Ninja World holds few secrets I don’t know.”

He continued: “If you place the future peace—or ruin—of the Ninja World on a single Prophecy Child, you don’t need to search. That child will fulfill Justice for the world, whether you train him or not. Purge all evil, and peace follows naturally.”

Jiraiya froze.

The words struck like thunder.

He knows about the Prophecy Child… and he knows who it is?!

How?!

Was this world truly so full of secrets?

Then—a thought.

Jiraiya remembered: he’d heard Iizumi’s Sharingan could see “Past Evil” and “Future Evil.”

Future Evil—that was prophetic.

Had Iizumi seen the Prophecy Child?

And not just seen him—predicted him?

More precisely than the Great Toad Sage?

Jiraiya’s face paled.

…

Hokage Tower.

“Uchiha Iizumi returned… unharmed.” Tsunade Konoha gazed out at the rooftops of Leaf Village, her voice laced with disappointment. “Hiruzen still didn’t act. He chose to tolerate him.”

“A lawless Absolute Justice… left unchecked, one day, even the Anbu and Hiruzen himself won’t be able to control him. When that day comes… Hiruzen will regret it.”

She said regret with absolute certainty.

Hyūga Menji cleared his throat. “Hiruzen has his reasons. And the report says it was the Daimyō of Fire Country’s Heir who stopped him.”

Tsunade scoffed. “If the Leaf Village Hokage wants to act, how could a mere Heir—not even the Daimyō yet—stop him?”

“And the Heir let him go? That means Iizumi threatened him. Otherwise, he’d never forgive the man who killed his father.”

“Who can stand by while their enemy walks freely?”

Hyūga Menji added quietly: “Hiruzen can.”

Tsunade fell silent.

Then, gritting her teeth: “So it’s Hiruzen’s tolerance that’s made Iizumi more uncontrollable.”

“Hiruzen… he’s old.”

Yet she didn’t consider replacing him.

After all—she, Hiruzen, and Hyūga Menji were bound together. Irreversibly.

…

Ninja Academy.

Iruka droned on about shuriken throwing techniques—material Naruto had memorized years ago.

Sasuke yawned, leaning toward Naruto.

“Dunce,” he whispered. “We’ve followed Iizumi-senpai’s Absolute Justice for a while. Why aren’t we getting stronger?”

“Stronger?” Naruto rubbed his chin. “Izumi-senpai said believers gain power after killing Evil Offenders.”

Sasuke froze.

Kill Evil Offenders… to gain Justice’s power?

He looked at his soft, pale hands. He’d never killed anything—not even a chicken.

He clenched his fists.

“Dunce,” he said firmly. “Tonight, we leave Iizumi-senpai. We act alone.”

“Why?” Naruto frowned. “Is it because of him?”

Sasuke nodded. “After Itachi-senpai came… I dream every night. The Massacre. And I’m helpless. Weak. I can’t stop him.”

He needed Justice. And strength.

He didn’t see the two as enemies.

“Hmm… okay!” Naruto pumped his fist. “Let’s do it!”

Then—pause.

“You keep calling me ‘Dunce’…”

Sasuke looked away, guilty.

Sometimes, two minds together… make a genius.

…

“Tell me, Iizumi,” Jiraiya stammered, desperate. “Who is the Prophecy Child? According to the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōgaku—this child will decide whether the Ninja World ends in peace… or ruin!”

“He’ll be my successor,” Jiraiya said, voice cracking. “He’ll be the one to change the world. His choice… shapes destiny.”

He gasped. “If such a child exists… I must guide him. I must make sure he chooses right.”

“Tell me—who is he?!”

Jiraiya’s mind raced.

—A boy who laughs while calling out the names of nine beasts. A boy with emerald eyes.

Nine beasts… green eyes…

He searched his memory. Was there anyone like that?

But Iizumi and Tachibana Jiro remained utterly still.

Only Izumi, Kushina, Shizune, and Anko were stunned.

“Jiraiya,” Kushina said, frowning. “You never told me or Orochimaru about this.”

Shizune whispered, “A child who can decide peace… or destruction…”

Anko felt a chill.

Izumi shook her head. Prophecy Child? Great Toad Sage? Sounds like nonsense.

And Iizumi-senpai? He clearly didn’t believe in it.

He believed Justice would bring peace.

“Does it matter?” Uchiha Iizumi cut in, voice flat.

Jiraiya froze.

“What?”

“You’re placing the fate of the world… on one child. That’s your vision? Your limitation?”

Uchiha Iizumi met his gaze. “You don’t even see why this world is broken.”

“It’s not the Prophecy Child who changes the world. It’s the world that creates many who want to change it.”

“But most are corrupted by its darkness. Their ideals become twisted.”

“Only when the world is corrected—when evil is purged—can anyone become the true Prophecy Child.”

“Then, peace isn’t just possible. It’s inevitable.”

He turned away.

“Tachibana Jiro. Izumi. Anko. Move.”

They followed.

Kushina stepped in, cutting Jiraiya off.

“Didn’t you hear? He said the Prophecy Child isn’t special. Once the world is pure, everyone can be one.”

She added, voice sharp: “If you hand the fate of the world to a single child… that’s not leadership. That’s cowardice.”

“The world isn’t one person’s world.”

Jiraiya stood alone.

The truth sank in.

“…My vision… was too small.”

…

Uchiha Compound.

“Haven’t been back in a while… but I swear, the way people look at Iizumi-senpai… it’s strange,” Tachibana Jiro mused, perched on Izumi’s shoulder.

“Probably because of the failed clan meeting,” Izumi said. “He didn’t even show up—yet the meeting collapsed anyway. Some plans were ruined.”

“Yeah,” Izumi nodded. “More and more people now support Iizumi-senpai’s Absolute Justice… especially within the Uchiha Clan.”

Then—she stopped.

Iizumi-senpai had halted.

She nearly crashed into him.

She stopped just in time.

Up ahead—Uchiha Fugaku stood, his presence blocking the path.

The former Clan Head looked at Iizumi, eyes heavy with emotion.

“Iizumi… why do this? The Uchiha’s Root is frayed. I’d just begun to ease the tension… but you’ve tightened it again.”

“Killing the Hokage’s son. The Daimyō’s second son. The Daimyō himself. The nobles… all of them. You claim it’s justice. But to others…”

“You are Uchiha. To them, you killed them. The village leadership distrusts us now.”

“And Setsuna’s faction… you forced them to act early. As Clan Head, I can’t stop it anymore.”

He exhaled deeply, shoulders sagging.

The weight was unbearable.

And the source? Iizumi.

If not for his extremism… he could’ve balanced the village and the clan.

But Iizumi didn’t answer.

Didn’t even look at him.

One hand pressed onto Fugaku’s shoulder.

A subtle shift. Fugaku staggered sideways.

“Get out of the way.”

The words were cold.

Fugaku stared, stunned.

Then, Iizumi spoke—not to him.

“To Izumi. To Anko. Check your tools. Prepare for Justice.”

Justice?

Fugaku’s blood ran cold.

He knew what Justice meant.

It meant death.

And this was the Uchiha Compound.

Was Iizumi about to slaughter his own people?

And the direction he was walking… was that where Setsuna lived?

Coincidence?

…

“Setsuna-senpai! Uchiha Iizumi is back!” a voice called.

Setsuna paled.

His heart pounded.

But he forced a sneer. “Hmph. A man consumed by his own selfish ideals. The Uchiha will remember his name in shame.”

“He returns like a hero, yet he’s blinded by his own Justice. Maybe he’s been brainwashed.”

A few of the young Uchiha exchanged uneasy glances.

Then—a voice from outside.

“Uchiha Iizumi? What are you doing here?”

“S-s-s-s-s-s—”

Setsuna gasped. His face twisted.

He’s here?

He wanted it to be a prank.

But then—clear, chilling words:

“Investigation Corps. Justice will be executed. Stay back. Or be eliminated.”

Setsuna: “!!”

No… it’s real?

He knew the kid would trace it back to him.

Just because he allowed the drug smuggling… just because he gave them small favors…

Was that enough?

Was this evil?

“Tell them—don’t let him in!” Setsuna snarled.

But a voice cut in: “They didn’t stop him. They let him in.”

Setsuna: “!!”

What?!

He’d called them to protect him!

And they let him in?!

“Setsuna-senpai…” one of the young Uchiha whispered. “He’s… already here.”

Setsuna turned.

His eyes locked onto the figure before him.

And above his head—a red square.

Uchiha Iizumi spoke, voice like a death knell.

“Uchiha Setsuna. Sixty-one years ago—killed your own sister for the Sharingan.”

“Fifty-eight years ago—married a woman to evolve from Two Tomoe to Three Tomoe. Killed her the same night she gave birth.”

“Fifty years ago—killed a clan member who disagreed with you. Destroyed the body. Made it look like a disappearance.”

“Forty-seven years ago…”

“Forty-four years ago…”

Each word carved into Setsuna’s mind.

Memories long buried—he’d forgotten them.

But now… they returned.

And the eyes of the clan… they were looking at him differently.

He felt it.

Something was wrong.

…

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end