Chapter 296: Two Matters
That night was destined to be a sleepless one for the people of Konoha.
When the ordinary residents of the village emerged from their shelters, they were greeted with the sight of their home in ruins. Many of the familiar ninja they once knew had perished in a single night.
Tears flowed freely as people witnessed the devastation—their homes reduced to rubble, their loved ones lost forever.
They had hoped that after the end of the Third Shinobi War, peace would last for at least a few more years. Yet, not even two years had passed, and Konoha had already suffered another catastrophic blow.
Many villagers, while deeply saddened, managed to suppress their grief. However, as they reached the heart of the village, where the destruction was most severe, the sight was overwhelming. Few could hold back their sobs.
Tonari stood silently, watching their reactions. He knew this was something Konoha had to endure.
But it was through such trials that Konoha's people became stronger and more united.
---
"Ryoma, what are the casualties in Root?"
Unlike in the original timeline, this time both the Root and Anbu forces had actively participated in the battle.
Ryoma, looking tattered and somewhat disheveled, appeared beside Tonari.
"Root suffered ten fatalities. Nearly everyone was wounded to varying degrees, and five members were critically injured to the point of losing their ability to carry out future missions."
Tonari felt a pang of heartache.
These Root ninjas were his most loyal subordinates, trained through rigorous selection. Most of them were at least Chunin-level, with many reaching Jonin-tier strength—each one a valuable asset.
But unlike regular Konoha shinobi, Root members had no past, no future, and no personal identity.
They were disposable tools—meant to serve and die in silence.
"Bury the fallen Root ninjas in the lowest level of the Root base," Tonari ordered, his tone solemn.
"Engrave their codenames onto the Root Memorial Stone—let them become part of Konoha's foundation."
"Understood!"
"As for those who are too injured to continue their duties, assign them to instructor roles. They will train new members."
"Understood!"
Ryoma bowed, then disappeared into the shadows.
Tonari then gave similar orders for Anbu, though Anbu operatives were different from Root.
They had official identities in the village. When they died, their families were entitled to compensation.
Their sacrifices would be honored, and their loved ones provided for.
---
"Sasuke, call for a high-level Konoha meeting. We need to discuss the aftermath of the Nine-Tails' attack and how to handle our enemies moving forward."
Tonari issued this command to Sarutobi Sasuke, the eldest son of Hiruzen and the current Anbu vice-commander.
"Understood, Fourth Hokage!"
Sasuke swiftly left to summon the necessary figures.
If there had been any lingering doubts about Tonari's capabilities before, those doubts were now completely erased.
From this day forward, Konoha would recognize him as the strongest ninja in the village.
Those who doubted need only visit the southwest corner of the village, where a massive crater remained from his battle with Madara Uchiha.
If that battle had taken place in the village center, Konoha would have been reduced to nothing but ashes.
It was because Tonari fought outside the village that most of the civilian casualties were prevented.
Thus, the majority of the dead were ninja, while most civilians survived.
Soon, figures draped in battle-worn attire gathered in Konoha's council chamber.
Despite their disheveled appearances, Tonari's sharp gaze could distinguish those who had truly fought from those who had merely pretended to contribute.
---
"I'm sure you are all aware of the disaster that just struck Konoha."
Tonari's voice echoed through the chamber, commanding undivided attention.
He swept his gaze across the room.
In attendance were:
Hiruzen Sarutobi – the former Hokage, here to observe.
Nara Shikashin – Captain of the Jonin Corps and Hokage Advisor.
Orochimaru – One of the Legendary Sannin, Head of Konoha's Research Division.
Nara Shikaku – Tonari's chief strategist and right-hand man.
Sarutobi Sasuke – Vice-Commander of Anbu.
Yakushi Nonō – Recently promoted Vice-Commander of the Medical Corps.
Heads of Konoha's Intelligence, Interrogation, Operations, and Communications Departments.
Clan Leaders – including the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Aburame, Hyūga, and Uchiha clans.
Tonari let the silence linger for a moment before continuing.
"I know that many of your clans and divisions have suffered great losses," he said, his voice steady.
"But Konoha itself has suffered even more."
Everyone's expressions remained solemn.
"You are all curious about who unleashed the Nine-Tails, aren't you?"
"And I know many of you want to know who I fought in the southwest of the village."
At this, the room fell into absolute silence.
The battle between Tonari and Madara had been on a completely different level—so terrifying that even Konoha's strongest had been forced to watch from a distance.
It was beyond their understanding.
Even among the former Kages, only the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had ever fought an opponent like that.
---
"Uchiha Madara."
A deafening silence followed—before the room erupted.
"IMPOSSIBLE!"
Uchiha Fugaku, the head of the Uchiha clan, stood up immediately, his face filled with disbelief.
Most of the other council members also reacted in shock, but none were as agitated as Fugaku.
Even Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had already suspected this, visibly tensed.
Unlike the others, Hiruzen had lived through the era of Madara Uchiha.
He knew exactly what that name meant.
"That's… impossible," Fugaku said again, his voice trembling slightly.
"Madara Uchiha should be long dead. His body was recovered and buried by the Second Hokage himself."
"There's no way he's still alive after all these years."
Tonari sighed.
"Fugaku, I understand your skepticism. But tell me…"
"Have you ever seen another ninja who can control the Nine-Tails?"
Fugaku opened his mouth to argue—then froze.
Tonari had a point.
There was only one person in history who had ever controlled Nine-Tails like that.
Uchiha Madara.
Defeated, Fugaku sat back down, his expression dark.
"But Madara wasn't alone," Hiruzen said, his voice heavy.
"The one who freed Nine-Tails—who was it?"
Tonari frowned slightly.
"That person… I didn't recognize. But I do know this—he also had the Mangekyō Sharingan and a space-time jutsu."
Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.
"Another Mangekyō user with a space-time technique…"
Eyes turned toward Fugaku.
The Uchiha clan head was now in a truly difficult position.
---
1. Expand Anbu and recruit talented clan members.
2. Host a Chūnin Exam across the entire ninja world.
"If Cloud Village still refuses peace, I will personally crush them into submission."
No one dared to oppose him.
Hiruzen opened his mouth—but closed it again.
Tonari was the absolute authority now.
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