NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

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As the incident unfolded, Hiruzen's clones shifted him back to the Hokage Monument training ground.

Soon after, the coffin disappeared. One of the clones addressed the gathered crowd,

"Everyone, civilians, disperse. The funeral of Lady Riasu Uzumaki will take place tomorrow at 12 p.m."

With that, eight clones vanished, leaving only two behind to speak with the ninja of the various clans.

One of the remaining clones clapped his hands and launched Wood Style: Home Creation Jutsu.

In moments, the destroyed Hokage office was restored to its previous state. He waved his hand, summoning the necessary equipment to furnish the office.

Seeing this, the surrounding ninja were flabbergasted. Their eyebrows raised in astonishment, and some began whispering.

"Is this the legendary Wood Release, the God of Shinobi's Kekkei Genkai?"

"Shhh! Even if it is, don't say anything now."

Meanwhile, the other clone carried the coffin of Riasu back. Inside the Hokage meeting hall, the remaining jonin gathered.

The clone began speaking, "What happened to the village's security? Where were the police force and ANBU?"

The Yin Division commander stepped out from the shadows and responded,

"Hokage-sama, even we do not know what happened. The ANBU guards stationed at the Hokage office entrance reported seeing you enter, otherwise we didn't find any traces."

Hiruzen's clone raised an eyebrow and spoke coldly, "How could I have entered when my clones were training, and the main body was in Takigakure?"

The Yang Division commander added, "We should question the ANBU, Hokage-sama."

Shortly after, an ANBU arrived and knelt before the clone. "Speak. What happened?"

The trembling ANBU answered, "Yes, Hokage-sama. While guarding the Hokage Tower with one other ANBU, we spotted you entering.

We greeted you, but after that, we only sensed your clones arriving. We didn't notice anything else, other than that."

As the ANBU finished speaking, another clone of Hiruzen arrived and reported,

"There is a remnant of a sealing jutsu outside the Hokage office. It was invoked from within. The barrier wasn't one of ours—it was drawn by someone else.

The intruder swiftly assassinated Riasu and disappeared. Since we had withdrawn most of the ANBU from the Hokage Tower, leaving only two to guard the gate, it created the perfect opportunity for the attack."

The other clone added, "So, a ninja with a powerful transformation jutsu infiltrated the Hokage office and carried out the assassination. That can't happen, come here you...."

He called the kneeling ANBU, soon the clone placed a hand on his head, "The transcription seal, and foreign chakra invasion, he was put under Genjutsu along with the other."

Mito uzumaki spoke, "A pre-planned assassination, with such carefulness."

Both clones pondered the situation before coming to a realization. "Could it be...?"

Without finishing the thought, they vanished in a flash, reappearing inside the Hokage mansion moments later.

One of the clones inspected the seals and remarked, "The seals are intact, but there's residual foreign chakra here."

The other clone added, "The sealing formation for the tailed beasts is also intact. It seems even Black Zetsu couldn't sense it. But how did he bypass the barrier?

We reconstructed the entire village barrier, didn't we? After that, we also reinforced the Hokage office barrier."

The first clone shook his head.

"It's unlikely that Black Zetsu himself could have bypassed it. He's must be a jonin or, at most, an elite jonin level.

Even if he's received upgrades, he would be at most quasi-kage level. However, Yin-Yang Release has the power to negate any jutsu or Kekkei Genkai, including barriers.

That would explain it, because we did the same thing in Uzumaki Village barriers didn't we, even without Yin-Yang Release?"

"Even so, the Yin and Yang Division ANBU were outside the village, guarding key positions.

Half the division was sent to gather intelligence, and with the Hyuga and Uchiha police forces deployed on the battlefield, the village's defenses were stretched thin.

Meanwhile, the main body was away, and we clones lack the sensory perception of the original."

Another clone concluded grimly, "This all happened in just a few hours while the main body was away from Konoha."

"The Black Zetsu must have tracked two of the tailed beasts we captured. The Three-Tails is still out of his radar, but the recently acquired Seven-Tails must have drawn his attention.

His plan may have been to capture a tailed beast or to prevent us from using Riasu as a jinchūriki."

"But that doesn't fully explain why he suddenly came and killed her. What information could he have hoped to gain?"

Listening carefully, the other clone realized something crucial.

"Black Zetsu has the ability to manipulate others' wills. If he attaches himself to someone, he can control them and access their consciousness.

He likely wanted to read the memories regarding any tailed beasts in Konoha."

Pausing, he added, "Given how much information he seems to have obtained about us, it's possible that some White Zetsu clones are already inside the village.

They might have learned about our capture of two tailed beasts. The Two-Tails and the Seven-Tails are now at risk of being tracked by other villages."

After this grim assessment, both clones returned to the meeting hall. One of them addressed the assembled ninja,

"The enemy intended to extract information from the memories of high-ranking officials regarding the tailed beasts we released.

They attempted to control Riasu's mind to force her to reveal secrets, but she resisted and died heroically, protecting the village's secrets."

As the clone concluded the report, a heavy silence settled over the room. The words sank in, and the expressions of the gathered ninja turned somber.

Mito broke the silence, asking, "What about Hiruzen's main body? How was he injured?"

The clones explained, "He was injured by black chakra receiver rods—these rods can block chakra circulation.

Additionally, he was caught in a genjutsu. We're currently assessing his condition and will inform you swiftly."

With that, the meeting ended, and the clone gave final instructions.

"All villagers are to disperse. Deploy every available sensor ninja to monitor the village. We must remain vigilant."

The clone then generated a scroll to inform the commanders on the front lines to withdraw to their original positions.

Finally, both clones disappeared, heading to check on Hiruzen's condition.

Upon arrival at a newly formed barrier where Hiruzen's body was suspended inside a coffin, they shared information about his condition through memory transfer.

One of the clones spoke, "That chakra rod destroyed his heart's meridian channel, and a foreign chakra has invaded his chakra pathway and pool, interfering with his healing.

The chakra was sealed in lower body, which already disperse after his chakra pathway and pool were destroyed.

Even his yin and yang seals were disrupted, preventing recovery from the foreign chakra. Let's see what happened."

One of the clones bypassed the seal and carefully removed the rod. As soon as he did, he gained the memory of what had occurred.

The clone, with a rageful expression, said,

"That damn son of a bitch Madara is trash, and he, Hiruzen is too dumb.

He tried to test his full strength and gauge the power of the Six Paths, knowing that he could use the Flying Thunder God technique to escape whenever he wanted.

He even forgot to guard against Genjutsu of Sharingan and Rinnegan, which Uchiha is know for. Did he hit his head while fighting?"

The other clone, having also gained Hiruzen's memory, nodded and added,

"Indeed, he's too dumb. Genjutsu boosted by Rinnegan is too powerful, even a fleeting moment is all it takes to seal the deal."

Another clone also chimed in, "Yeah...! we prepared for every jutsu of Rinnegan, but we were defeated by Genjutsu."

Others also nodded in support.

One of the clones then realized something and spoke,

"Wait a minute... it seems like world interference. You know how main characters become dumber as they grow more powerful?

It happens in almost every world. No matter how intelligent they were, they eventually act recklessly. Is Hiruzen's fate increasing?"

The other clones also realized it and replied,

"Yeah, how did we forget that? Main characters have plot armor, and while they won't die, they often encounter numerous opportunities but always act stupidly too.

Along with that their are many disasters which will also come. It seems the world's fate is interfering."

One of the clones began calculating Hiruzen's fate using his sealing prowess, which had reached the domain of time, space, and fate.

He confirmed, "It's true. Every interference we make seems to boost our fate and luck. Its like we are plundering it."

Another clone spoke angrily, "This subtle manipulation by the world's fate... this is what I hate the most. It seems even this world must be destroyed."

Another clone nodded. "Yes, these manipulative forces are always meddling. But first, let's wake him up.

He became too dumb to even remove the chakra rod himself. Besides, we didn't create the Art of Creation Rebirth, did we?"

The clones agreed. "Yes, it seems like a lesson to wake us up. We were too focused on adventure and kingdom building. We need to change our approach."

"Yes, let's do it. First, create the Art of Creation Rebirth, and then regenerate Hiruzen's heart and Chakra Pathway System."

The clones began working on creating the Art of Creation Rebirth, while others entered the time chamber to remove the residual chakra of Madara from Hiruzen circulation System.

After hours of effort, they successfully filtered out the foreign chakra and perfected the Art of Creation Rebirth. All the clones gathered and prepared to begin.

One clone approached Hiruzen's floating body in the time chamber and formed a seal. "Reverse Art: Creation Rebirth Healing!" he said.

Another clone stepped forward and unsealed the Seven Tails' collected chakra stored inside Hiruzen.

As the Art of Creation Rebirth progressed, the tailed beast's chakra permeated Hiruzen's body like a protective cloak.

The Yang-style Tail beast chakra, combined with the healing technique, regenerated his punctured heart and repaired the damaged chakra pathways.

His wounds began to close, and his injuries healed completely.

Another clone arrived and reversed the seal, bringing Hiruzen's mind out of suspended animation.

Soon, Hiruzen's consciousness began to recover. Seeing his clones and recognizing the familiar environment of the training ground, he remained silent, letting the memories and sensations sink in as his body continued to regenerate.

Once fully healed, Hiruzen stood up. His emotions churned violently; losing his wife had been too sudden, a shock he couldn't easily overcome.

His chakra flared slightly as he muttered in a low, rage-filled voice,

"I have lost two lives—Riasu and our unborn child. He was killed before he could even be born."

His eyes were bloodshot with fury as he continued, "I will never forget this incident, Uchiha Madara.

Just like how you took my wife and child, I will drag your brother from the Purgatory, torture his soul in flames, and desecrate his body, you will cry in your brother's misery."

At that moment, two more clones returned. Hiruzen turned to them and asked,

"Was it Madara? It seems Zetsu escaped, huh? His mother... I will deal with her too. You will all suffer so much that you'll beg for a quick death—but I will never grant you one."

Realizing that the funeral was taking place, Hiruzen vanished, appearing near Riasu's grave but concealing his presence.

One by one, people placed white lilies around her grave. An Uzumaki ninja stepped forward and began recounting her life's journey from Uzushiogakure to Konoha.

"Riasu Uzumaki, a jonin of Uzushiogakure who later joined Konoha, single-handedly clashed with the Mizukage and halted the Kirigakure advance on Uzushiogakure.

In Konoha, she served as the Hokage's advisor and protected the village's secrets with her life.

She was the First Lady of Konoha. In her memory, we honor her bravery. May her soul find peace in the Pure Land."

As her story was recounted, everyone present was astonished by her valor.

The funeral ended without any sign of the Hokage being present. Unknown to them, Hiruzen sat silently on a tree branch overlooking the grave.

One of the clones spoke, "It seems even her Mind's Eye of Kagura couldn't detect Black Zetsu's transformation technique. Truly formidable.

Even in the original timeline, no one fully understood his abilities, only that Kaguya created him and gave him Yin-Yang Release, and the ability to merge with and control other."

Another clone chimed in, "Should we study the Reanimation Jutsu, main body?"

Hiruzen nodded in agreement and said, "Yes. Let's begin researching it, I didn't realise we would need it this soon.

Also, send a clone to Chiyo of Sunagakure. Her One's Own Life Reincarnation technique must be acquired.

After that, I will secure the Dragon Vein of Roran and the Gelel Vein as well."

The clones agreed, and soon they all vanished. On the same day, one of Hiruzen's clones began cleaning up the village, and a slaughter commenced.

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