Chapter 224: Turning Up the Intensity on Revenge Against the Third
Konoha.
Three days had passed since Sakumo Hatake returned from the Land of Rain.
In that time, Konoha had been in an uproar.
The famed Sakumo of the Yuzu , during a classified mission, made a critical misjudgment that not only cost the lives of three young, 15–16-year-old elite ninja who accompanied him, but also led to an attack on a border town. Many were left dead or maimed, and a secret supply depot hidden in the town was destroyed, causing a huge loss for Konoha.
All of this, people claimed, was due to Sakumo 's incompetence.
Under the influence of certain hidden hands, a wave of public outrage surged through the village with one resounding message: "Sakumo should no longer be a ninja."
Rumors spread throughout the populace. Things like "If he keeps going on missions, more comrades will die."
Even veterans saved by Sakumo during the Second Great Ninja War—despite having lost limbs in those battles—came forward in groups to claim that it was his poor leadership that had cost them their arms and legs.
In no time at all, the once-lauded Sakumo —who once had a reputation greater than the Sannin and was hailed as the only candidate for the next Hokage—became a rat everyone wanted to beat.
A clear truth became apparent:
You can't please everyone.
If there is light, there is also shadow.
When the light is flawless, the shadow hides. But when even the slightest stain appears, the shadow expands like ink in water, staining everything.
The furious tide of public opinion crashed down on Sakumo .
Had it been the Sakumo Hatake of the original timeline, he might already be on the verge of suicidal depression.
But now, he was Li Yao's Lightning Clone.
Naturally, he wouldn't collapse so easily.
He was calmly sitting in the ANBU commander's office, reviewing a classified scroll that contained the master codes to Konoha's sensory barrier.
Konoha's barrier system had two types of codes: temporary and master.
Temporary codes changed daily to prevent enemies from infiltrating by extracting passwords from captured allies.
But the master code—known only to the barrier's creator, the Hokage, Danzo, and the ANBU commander—overrode all others and allowed silent passage through the barrier at any time.
Sakumo had never accessed the master code before since he hadn't been on missions. But now, with Li Yao planning to enter Konoha, the Lightning Clone came to record it.
After memorizing the code, he left ANBU HQ and headed to the Hokage's office.
Whoosh!
As soon as he arrived at the entrance, two ANBU guards appeared and blocked his path.
"Commander Sakumo."
Their entire postures were tense, clearly worried he might try to harm the Hokage.
A commander of ANBU being blocked outside the Hokage's office—it said everything about the situation he was in.
"I need to speak with the Hokage," said the Lightning Clone calmly.
"Let him in," came Hiruzen's voice through their earpieces. The two guards immediately stepped aside.
Sakumo entered the Hokage's office, knocked, and walked in.
Hiruzen sat alone, puffing on his pipe. When Sakumo entered, he straightened up and sighed, "I've heard what's happening in the village. You've been through a lot, Sakumo."
The Lightning Clone's expression darkened. A lifeless fatigue flickered in his eyes.
"Hokage-sama, I've come to resign."
Before Hiruzen could respond, Sakumo placed his forehead protector and ID tag on the desk.
"I no longer have the heart to be either an ANBU commander or a ninja. Please accept my resignation."
With that, he turned to leave. From now on, he would focus on developing the fusion of White Lightning and Black Lightning. He had no intention of continuing to serve Hiruzen.
"Wait, Sakumo…"
Hiruzen stood, flustered, about to say something—
But Li Yao's Lightning Clone used Body Flicker to vanish, leaving Hiruzen frozen in place.
This wasn't the development he had expected.
He had imagined Sakumo would be softened by his compassion, growing more dependent and loyal. When the timing was right, Hiruzen planned to step in publicly, defend Sakumo's reputation, and bind him tightly as his personal blade.
But now he had lost control.
Sakumo had resigned outright—not even a registered shinobi anymore.
Hiruzen could no longer assign him missions.
Sakumo was now just a civilian. The Hokage had no jurisdiction over him.
"This…"
Hiruzen's face darkened.
He considered rejecting the resignation, but Sakumo's cold defiance made it clear—pushing too hard could turn him into a rogue shinobi.
And not just any rogue—a Kage-level one with unrivaled speed and offensive power.
Konoha couldn't risk that.
"Fine… let him go."
"At least now he's no longer a threat."
Comforting himself with that logic, Hiruzen turned his focus to the Uchiha.
He picked up a red invitation bearing the Uchiha clan crest. Inside was an announcement:
Uchiha Fugaku, the youngest clan leader of the Uchiha, would be marrying Uchiha Mikoto next Sunday in the clan's territory. Sarutobi Hiruzen was invited to attend.
No "Hokage-sama" in sight—just "Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Such arrogance.
"Uchiha Fugaku…"
"If I remember right, he's only twenty-two this year."
"To become clan head at such a young age—and win by overwhelming support—he must be formidable."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed slightly.
There was no way a man that young could gain unanimous support from all Uchiha factions without immense strength.
"Does he have the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
He hadn't found evidence in the intel, but it couldn't be ruled out.
Hiruzen made a mental note: this new clan head needed closer observation.
Elsewhere—
The Lightning Clone walked through the village. Civilians along the way shot him disgusted looks, muttering stories of how he had caused comrades to die.
Expressionless, he silently soaked in the malice—memorizing every face filled with hate.
"No rush… none of you will escape."
"Once my Fire Clone becomes Hokage, every one of you weaklings will know what it's like to watch your loved ones be humiliated before your eyes."
"Hahahaha…"
He laughed inside. The stronger their hatred, the sweeter his revenge would be.
"Rin, come to my place on Sunday."
"Ah…"
"N-No, I didn't mean—"
From a street corner, a conversation caught the clone's ear. He turned to see a flustered Uchiha boy with goggles stammering to a girl with two blue markings on her cheeks.
"I-I meant… our clan head is getting married Sunday. There'll be lots of good food. Want to come with me?"
"I heard there's a giant squid the size of a house! And a bear paw as big as a hill! And—"
Wildly gesturing, the Uchiha boy tried to impress the girl into joining him for a secret date.
"Hehe…" the girl chuckled. When he finished, she smiled, "Obito, there's no squid that big. And bear paws bigger than mountains? Even the Sannin's summons aren't that huge."
"It's a figure of speech, okay?!" Obito flushed, tripping over his words under the weight of her dazzling smile.
"Rin, please come. There'll be tons of food," he said, eyes gleaming with pure devotion.
Rin shook her head gently. "Sorry, Obito. I promised my mom I'd help at the flower shop on Sunday."
"Ah… I see." Obito's disappointment was palpable, but he forced a cheerful grin.
"No worries! I'll bring you lunch Monday. Don't worry about it—I'll pack the most super-duper-extra-delicious bento ever!"
"Okay." She nodded with a smile, then added, "Kakashi loves squid sushi. Bring plenty, okay?"
Crack!
Obito's bright smile froze.
Kakashi… again.
Damn him!
There's no way you're getting my super-duper-extra-delicious bento!
Obito roared internally, but under Rin's radiant smile, his defiance crumbled.
"F-Fine."
"Just a little. For you."
That was his last shred of dignity.
"Thanks, Obito. Kakashi will really appreciate it," Rin said sweetly.
"Haha… well… uh…" Obito could only laugh awkwardly, mind floating in a cloud of euphoria.
"I'll see you later, Obito. Bye~" Rin waved and turned away without a second glance.
Left alone, the Uchiha boy stood grinning foolishly, waving back like a wind-up toy, staring longingly at her back as she walked away.
(END CHAPTER)
Get 30% off on my Patreon and enjoy early access to new chapters.
You can also purchase the next 100 chapters of the novel directly from my Patreon page.
Hurry up! The promotion ends on March 2, 2026.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Kira1997