Konoha's Status Bar Ninja

As the morning sun rose, the sleeping Ancient Land of Zen slowly began to awaken.

Inside the ruler's palace, with the mobilization of a large number of guards, a series of orders were swiftly delivered to the surrounding nobles and ministers—as well as to the country's three ninja squad leaders.

With such a large commotion, the hidden Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Ryōma immediately realized what was happening.

Their captain had made his move.

Lead the enemy into the trap and wipe them out in one stroke!

Without hesitation, the two tailed the three ninja leaders of the Ancient Land of Zen, sneaking into the palace and hiding just outside the great hall where the assembly was taking place.

Inside the hall, nobles and ministers arrived one after another.

Once all the high-ranking officials had entered, the palace guards—not under Hajime's control but following the ruler's orders—closed the heavy doors with a creak.

Only then did the ruler make his appearance, sitting solemnly upon the throne.

The nobles, unaware of anything strange, all bowed in greeting.

But the three ninja immediately sensed that something was off.

The ruler's eyes… his demeanor… it was like he was sleepwalking.

Something's wrong.

The three exchanged glances and were just about to act when—suddenly, vines erupted from beneath their feet, wrapping tightly around their legs.

When did this happen?!

All three were shocked. They tried to sever the vines, but in that very moment, countless vines burst from the floors and walls. Amidst a chorus of shocked cries and screams, they rapidly spread throughout the hall.

In the blink of an eye, the once-spacious hall was overtaken by trees and vines. Everyone inside—including the three ninja—was bound and hoisted into the air.

Immediately after, the life force of everyone caught in the vines began to drain rapidly, their vitality being devoured by the Wood Release vines. Their bodies began to wither before their eyes.

Outside, the palace guards heard the commotion and rushed to open the doors—but shadows flickered, and one by one, the guards fell to the ground, powerless.

"You two—Cerberus, Pegasus—you're in charge of the remaining ninja."

Hajime's voice reached the ears of Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Ryōma.

After dealing with the guards, the two exchanged a glance and sprang into action.

As expected of our captain—he eliminated the entire leadership of the Ancient Land of Zen in one swift blow.

...

Inside the palace, Hajime stepped from the shadows, glancing at his "artwork" before forming a hand seal and creating a Wood Release clone, which left immediately.

The city outside remained peaceful. On the streets, people bustled about, children laughed and played—no one knew that their country's ruling class was now hanging like drying herbs in the palace hall.

The Wood Clone moved swiftly across rooftops, using the markings Nonō Yakushi had left behind to find her.

But what made Hajime frown was the sight of Nonō with a small girl—just three or four years old—fast asleep on her back.

Meeting Hajime's eyes behind his mask, Nonō timidly looked away.

"Later, take the kids and go play about a kilometer from here."

And with that, Hajime vanished.

Not long after—

In the area Nonō had designated, children from several households walked the streets together, their cheerful voices ringing like silver bells.

Within this group of children, Nonō—an unfamiliar face—no longer stood out.

Most importantly—

Hajime had cast Nehan Jōsha no Jutsu (Temple of Nirvana Technique) over this district, putting everyone into a collective trance.

Standing atop a rooftop, Hajime silently watched Nonō lead the children away.

So I still have a shred of humanity left, huh?

No wonder nearly everyone in the shinobi world ends up insane.

Hajime sighed, a storm of killing intent surging within his chest.

With a blade in hand, a thirst for blood is only natural.

How I want to destroy this disgusting world…

And yet, out of nowhere, he suddenly thought of the Sage of Six Paths.

That damn ghost… still lingering in the world, probably watching through some cosmic livestream.

In an instant, Hajime's killing intent vanished without a trace.

"What am I anyway? Just a little shrimp in the ocean…"

Scoffing at himself, Hajime checked the time—almost ready.

A Rasengan formed in his palm. The spinning sphere rapidly expanded, letting out a shrill whine as it transformed into a Wind Release: Rasenshuriken.

He pressed the spinning blade to the ground. A brilliant light erupted outward, forming a massive orb of energy that continued to expand.

The glowing sphere spread rapidly, its dense chakra needles piercing and disintegrating everything in its path.

When the orb reached a diameter of more than one kilometer, it suddenly imploded.

BOOOOOM!

A violent roar erupted as air currents collided, creating a terrifying shockwave. From the epicenter, a storm tore across the landscape, reducing buildings to debris and sweeping them into the chaos.

One kilometer away, the moment she saw the glowing sphere, Nonō Yakushi led the children to take cover behind a sturdy wall.

Within seconds, a howling gale engulfed the area, carrying with it thick, choking sand and plunging the surroundings into a scene of pure apocalypse. For several kilometers, the world looked like it was ending—people screamed, running in terror.

Some were blown into the sky, some rolled helplessly along the ground, others crushed by collapsing structures…

At that moment, the peace and quiet of the Ancient Land of Zen was completely and utterly destroyed.

...

Southern Border of the Ancient Land of Zen

Beneath an unremarkable sand dune, there lay a hidden encampment.

A Suna-nin stationed there to monitor the Ancient Land of Zen saw the blinding flash of light in the distance—and instantly realized:

Someone has made their move!

He bit his thumb and quickly formed hand seals.

Summoning Technique!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

With puffs of smoke, three sand foxes appeared.

"Inform them—move out immediately!"

With his command issued, the Suna-nin canceled the summoning.

Each sand fox was dispatched to a different Suna-nin squad positioned at small oases to the east, west, and south of the Ancient Land of Zen.

Given the magnitude of the disturbance, it was likely even more distant outposts could feel the tremor.

But as watchers, their mission was clear: observe and report—no matter what.

...

Back in the Ancient Land of Zen

In the aftermath of the storm, Yakushi Nonō glanced at the dazed children, now freed from the genjutsu. Seeing they were unharmed, she turned and sprinted toward the devastated zone, immediately beginning to rescue the wounded.

Within the royal palace, Hajime left behind a Wood Clone, then leapt away.

Moments later, he regrouped with Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Ryōma.

"Retreat," Hajime ordered, leading the way northward.

But before they could leave the country, Ryōma suddenly spoke up, "Captain, Suna shinobi are closing in."

Ryo nodded grimly, "Looks like they've been lying in wait, monitoring everything from the outside."

"Captain, do you think there's an ambush up north too?"

Without slowing, Hajime replied indifferently, "We'll know soon enough."

...

At the Same Time

Two Suna-nin squads, approaching from the east and west, made a direct beeline for the royal palace.

When they arrived, they found every guard unconscious—none dead.

A brief inspection was all it took before they quickly advanced toward the main assembly hall.

But just as they prepared to storm inside, a blinding light suddenly burst from within the palace.

"Careful!"

"Scatter!"

The two squad leaders reacted instantly, using Body Flicker to retreat.

The intense light swallowed the entire palace, expanding rapidly outward.

It looked as though the explosion would engulf the Suna-nin—but then, just as suddenly, the sphere contracted, accompanied by a deafening boom. A storm burst forth from the epicenter.

Several Suna-nin didn't react in time and were flung away by the blast.

When the storm finally settled, the Suna-nin reappeared—disheveled and battered—only to find the site of the royal court reduced to a massive crater.

The scene of Hajime's operation… completely destroyed.

The two Suna-nin jonin exchanged a glance, then shouted in unison:

"Pursue them!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Streaks of afterimages darted northward.

...

Meanwhile

At the site of the other Wind Release: Rasenshuriken explosion—

Nonō Yakushi, drenched in sweat and covered in dust, worked feverishly. Her clothes were ragged from helping victims and deliberately tattered to avoid exposing her identity as a shinobi.

As she administered basic first aid, several figures suddenly appeared.

A Suna-nin squad had arrived.

"What destructive power…"

"Damn bastards—completely reckless!"

The Suna-nin voiced their displeasure one after another.

Chiyo frowned but barked a short command, "Hurry and help the wounded!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

The three squad members immediately spread out to begin rescuing the injured.

Chiyo's figure blurred as she appeared before Nonō.

Startled, Nonō stumbled back—only relaxing when she saw the Suna forehead protector.

"You… you're from Sunagakure?" she asked timidly.

Chiyo gave a slight nod. "Do you know who caused all this?"

Nonō shook her head blankly. "I… I don't know either."

Chiyo scanned the roughly bandaged victims, then crouched down and asked, "Where did you learn medical techniques?"

Nonō lowered her gaze. "My father was a samurai. I learned from him and my mother."

Seeing the young girl covered in bruises, Chiyo sighed inwardly. She didn't offer comfort, but instead stood and said, "Come help me. I'm a medical-nin—I can save them."

With that, Chiyo immediately began examining and treating the victims Nonō had already stabilized.

Nonō hesitated briefly, then ran forward to assist.

...

On a Sand Dune

Aburame Ryōma caught an incoming insect and, after a brief telepathic exchange, reported, "Captain, two Suna squads are on our trail."

Hajime nodded, formed the seal, and created a Wood Clone to stay behind. Then he led Inuzuka Ryo and Ryōma eastward.

In the desert, travel must follow paths with oases and water sources—otherwise one could easily be lost in the endless sea of sand.

So even if it meant risking a confrontation with Suna forces, Hajime had no choice but to take this route.

The trio departed.

The Wood Clone waited silently for less than fifteen minutes before multiple figures appeared in the distance.

The two Suna-nin squads had arrived.

They spotted Hajime at once.

"Just one person?"

A Suna-nin raised an eyebrow and extended a single hand. His sensory technique quickly confirmed, "Yeah. Only one."

"Probably a clone—to buy time," another speculated with a scoff. "They think that can stall us?"

The jonin squad leader, Sagara, barked, "Don't get cocky!"

"This guy's probably elite ANBU from Konoha."

"Yuta, take your team and circle around. We'll deal with this one and catch up."

Yuta nodded and changed course, preparing to bypass Hajime's clone.

But atop the dune, Hajime's clone immediately clasped his hands together, forming the Ram seal.

Wood Release: Nativity of a World of Trees!

With a sweeping gesture, massive vines burst from the sand, expanding rapidly and surging toward the Suna-nin squads like a tidal wave.

The Suna-nin were stunned, and Yuta's group, who had been trying to bypass the dune, halted and quickly formed hand seals.

Wind Release: Thousand-Faced Wind!

Wind Release: Net Formation!

Wind Release: Kamaitachi!

Wind Release: Sandstorm!

And more…

One by one, the Wind Release techniques erupted, stirring up terrifying storms laced with razor-sharp wind blades and slicing gales that shredded everything in their path.

The advancing vines were immediately sliced apart, torn into pieces by the turbulent winds.

But new vines rapidly grew from the severed ends, continuing their relentless surge toward the Suna-nin even after the windstorm had passed.

"Damn it—is this the legendary Wood Release secret technique?!"

"Fall back first!"

Jonin commanders Sagara and Yuta shouted in succession, forming hand seals and spewing gusts of chakra-infused wind, unleashing another violent storm.

But just as the other Suna-nin attempted to retreat and prepare their next jutsu, vines suddenly erupted from the ground beneath and around them, coiling like serpents to wrap around their bodies.

"My chakra!"

"Damn it, these vines are absorbing chakra!"

The Suna-nin cried out in panic.

As the vines absorbed their chakra, they grew even faster, spreading wildly and engulfing the entire squad.

Sagara and Yuta's faces twisted with shock. They quickly drew their blades and slashed at the oncoming vines, cutting down one tendril after another.

They darted through the battlefield, trying to rescue their comrades—but it was no use.

"If we don't break out now, we'll be trapped too!"

Sagara shouted.

Yuta gritted his teeth, looked back at his entangled teammates, then reluctantly abandoned them and sprinted outward.

But just as he broke through the tree line, a figure suddenly flashed into view.

Startled, Yuta raised his blade to block—

Hajime's kick slammed into the sword with overwhelming force, sending both blade and man flying back into the sea of trees.

As Yuta scrambled back to his feet, two vines had already wrapped around his arms—then his legs, then his torso.

"Damn it…"

He cursed under his breath, then released his sword. Forming a sign with both hands, Wind Release chakra gathered at his fingertips, sharpening into deadly wind blades.

Wind Release: Wind Blade!

The wind blades shot from his fingers, slicing through the vines.

He landed on his feet, sweeping his arms and launching blade after blade, cutting down the advancing vines.

Meanwhile—

Sagara's eyes widened as he stared at Hajime's blade, which had pierced through darkened skin.

He looked down—his abdomen had been impaled by a wooden spike. As he moved, the spike branched inside him, splitting through his insides. Blood sprayed across Hajime's clothes.

The corpse collapsed.

Hajime turned and charged back into the forest of vines.

Moments later, Jonin Yuta was completely entangled in a dense web of vines. His chakra was continuously drained, fueling more and more vines that eventually consumed and buried him entirely.

Wood Release: Binding Burial of the Tree Realm!

With both Suna-nin squads eliminated, the Wood Clone transformed, its body turning to bark and growing into a towering tree.

...

Nightfall.

The border of the Land of Rivers came into view.

But suddenly, the black pup on Inuzuka Ryo's shoulder began barking furiously.

"Captain—we're walking into an ambush!" Ryo warned in a low voice.

The trio stopped, eyes fixed on the dense forest ahead—it loomed like a monstrous beast, ready to devour anything that approached.

At that moment, a swarm of insects flew in from behind and landed on Aburame Ryōma.

"Captain, we're surrounded," Ryōma said calmly.

...

(End of Chapter)

✨✨✨

Support me on Patreon/RedX43 - Read up to 40+ Advanced Chapters There!

✨✨✨