Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 164: The Collapse of the Kazekage Tower

In the dimly lit room, Koharu Utatane gazed out of the Konoha Embassy window at the chaos enveloping Sunagakure, her thoughts churning.

Sand Village couldn't even control its own tailed beast. They lacked a suitable jinchūriki and, evidently, the strength to stabilize their village. Should Konoha offer them some "assistance"?

Months had passed since Tsunade stabilized the political landscape in the Land of Fire.

If Konoha were to provide "support" now, it could potentially quell the unrest brewing in the Land of Wind.

Just as Koharu mulled over the possibilities, her attention was drawn to an odd movement from Shukaku in the distance. The One-Tail's massive eyes gleamed ominously, and…

"Three tomoe?"

Koharu squinted, her expression shifting. It seemed Sand wasn't trying to deceive anyone—there was indeed an Uchiha meddling in the village.

However, it was likely unconnected to Konoha. Perhaps one of those Uchiha whom Hyuga Fuji had taken with him?

Her expression turned complicated for a moment before she issued a cold command to the shadowy figure in the corner of the room:

"Inform all personnel stationed here: if any Sand shinobi break into the embassy, engage in combat and then take your own lives."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The ninja melted back into the shadows, disappearing swiftly.

Left alone once more, Koharu's sharp gaze returned to the scene outside.

The Konoha Embassy was a carefully laid trap—every member stationed here was merely a split clone, indifferent to death.

When the moment came, and if the clones were killed on Sand's soil, Konoha would have its justification to deploy troops against the Land of Wind.

Honestly, Koharu mused, Hyuga Fuji had likely planned all of this well in advance. If the Kazekage were to fall and Sunagakure revealed its vulnerability, this embassy would finally fulfill its true purpose.

What a pity… Koharu shook her head slightly, sighing. Who knows where Fuji's attention was currently directed, leaving Konoha behind…

---

"Sensei, if you're alive, why didn't you return to the village earlier? Is that Uchiha responsible for Shukaku's rampage? What's your connection to him?"

Maki's relentless barrage of questions caused Pakura to pause mid-step as they moved across Sunagakure's rooftops. Her face remained cold as she finally spoke:

"He released Shukaku, but I'm here to push the destruction of Sunagakure a step further."

Maki froze, her face paling.

"Sensei… what are you talking about? You…"

She faltered, the words catching in her throat.

As Pakura moved forward, they encountered familiar faces—former supporters of hers—each of them bowing respectfully and awaiting her commands before dispersing to various corners of the village.

The atmosphere grew increasingly unnerving, leaving Maki too afraid to press further.

Pakura continued her unhurried pace through the streets, her path seemingly deliberate.

Familiar sights came into view—training grounds, the ninja academy, shops they had once visited together. But Pakura never stopped.

She walked on, eventually arriving at the village's central square. At the heart of the square stood a monument engraved with the names of those who had fallen in war.

Her name was etched upon it.

"...How absurd," Pakura muttered icily, her voice laced with an indescribable mix of bitterness and detachment.

Maki, overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere, dared not speak as she followed silently.

Their path finally led them to the village's core: the Kazekage Tower.

As soon as Maki recognized the imposing structure, she saw several bloodstained shinobi—Pakura's old supporters—emerging from the shadows.

The sight of their grim expressions and the fresh blood on their uniforms made Maki's face turn pale as realization struck her.

Pakura left her standing at the entrance of the Kazekage Tower and walked inside alone.

Maki glanced nervously at the surrounding shinobi, her voice trembling:

"Why… why are you all doing this?"

"The Fourth Kazekage betrayed Pakura-sama, sending her to her death in the Mist Village. She returned the favor," a female shinobi said coldly, stepping forward.

Her tone was devoid of emotion as she continued, "Maki, isn't it pitiful? A hero of Sunagakure, reduced to such an end."

"No… Sensei died in Iwagakure… didn't she? And she's alive now… isn't this all just a misunderstanding?" Maki stammered, her voice desperate.

"Do you think we're wearing all this blood for fun?" another shinobi retorted with a sinister grin.

He waved his hand at the other bloodstained shinobi. "We made sure to interrogate a few higher-ups first—thoroughly."

His twisted smile stood out against his blood-covered face, but none of the others seemed fazed.

Maki felt a chill creep down her spine as she gazed at them, unable to process the reality before her.

Had the village truly betrayed her teacher?

Had Pakura returned solely for revenge?

---

Inside the Kazekage Tower's meeting room, Ebizo and the village elders faced Pakura's imposing figure. Their expressions were heavy, and after a long silence, Ebizo finally asked:

"You returned… for revenge, didn't you?"

"I won't deny it," Pakura said with a cold smile. "But revenge isn't my only goal. What matters more is achieving what I came here for. If you elders know what's good for you, you'll live to see another day."

The temperature in the room spiked as blazing spheres of Scorch Release energy began to form around her.

"Think carefully before this place is reduced to ash," she warned.

---

"Tsk, women are ruthless."

Tsurugi tossed a lifeless body to the side, shaking his head. "I thought she'd use more subtle methods."

"She waited until the civilians were evacuated," Aburame Shikuro remarked, releasing two black beetles from his hand. "Her methods are effective. Obito's interference disrupted her plans. With Sunagakure's weakness now exposed, the other nations are bound to take advantage. She didn't have time to drag this out."

Tsurugi smirked bitterly. "I knew she couldn't match Hyuga Fuji's level. If it were him, he'd just openly announce himself instead of playing coy. But she insists on trying…"

Shikuro cast a sidelong glance at him. "As someone working to atone for his sins, you're hardly in a position to criticize."

"...I know." Tsurugi's expression soured as he looked away.

From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a fiery glow erupting in the distance. The towering flames were centered at the Kazekage Tower. Squinting against the brightness, he muttered:

"The Kazekage Tower is going to collapse."

---

The once-majestic Kazekage Tower stood engulfed in flames, its proud structure slowly succumbing to destruction.

The inferno raged violently, reducing the proud edifice to a crumbling shadow of its former self. Cracks spread across its base as steel and concrete buckled under the heat.

With a final groaning creak, the tower collapsed in on itself, sending plumes of smoke and dust spiraling into the sky.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Then, as the ash settled, all that remained of the towering symbol of Sunagakure's authority were embers and rubble.

And in the fiery glow, the faces of Sunagakure's shinobi were pale and stricken.

(End of Chapter)

***

If you wish to read all the chapters of this fic till chapter 381 (where it ends) and support me.

You can go to patreon. com /NahinS77