Naruto: The Sage Body of Konoha

Heiyan has returned.

Or rather, he had never truly died.

Though gravely wounded by Tashigi's suicide attack, he had prepared in advance—his Shadow Clone inside the barrier had absorbed enough natural energy.

Thus, he successfully entered Sage Mode.

Combining Sage Transformation with Sage Mode, Heiyan fully recovered his injuries within minutes and reached peak battle readiness.

As for the "Heiyan" who seemingly perished earlier—it was clearly just a Shadow Clone infused with Sage Art.

"Kakuzu, kill him!"

Black Zetsu cried out in shock and rage when he saw Heiyan appear.

Upon hearing that, Kakuzu immediately formed seals at lightning speed. His Wind Release, Fire Release, and Lightning Release masks opened their mouths, glowing brilliantly.

In truth, even without Black Zetsu's command, he would have attacked anyway—after all, Heiyan carried a bounty of one hundred million ryō, making him Kakuzu's top target on assassination lists.

Therefore, Kakuzu unleashed his ace-in-the-hole technique without hesitation.

[Earth Grudge Fear: Final Shot]!

[BOOM!]

Three beams of light shot from the masks on his shoulders and chest, twisting together before merging into one terrifying Chakra Cannon, blasting straight toward Heiyan.

This one blow had the power to shatter half of Mist Island.

Naturally, Heiyan wouldn't wait idly for death.

Facing Kakuzu's overwhelming jutsu, he showed no fear. Clasping his hands together, refined Sage Chakra surged into his throat, then he opened his mouth and spat outward.

[Sage Art: Storm Release Light Fang]!

[Shoooooo!] 

A thick laser beam as wide as a bowl erupted from Heiyan's mouth, surging forward with immense force.

Compared to Kakuzu's flashy display, this beam looked simple at first glance. In reality, however, the horrifying Natural Energy it contained was completely condensed—no leakage whatsoever.

One side—a Chakra Cannon fusing three nature transformations: Wind, Fire, and Lightning. 

The other—a Storm Release laser enhanced by Sage Art.

They clashed head-on.

[BOOM!]

A massive explosion, accompanied by blinding white light swallowing everything, turned the entire world pure white.

Within this ocean of whiteness—

The black stitched creature over two meters tall—Kakuzu—had the upper part of his body cleanly severed by the beam. His original head along with the Wind Release and Fire Release masks flew high into the air.

He had now lost two more hearts.

With both fighters unleashing their ultimate jutsu, the result became clear in an instant.

Actually, if Kakuzu were at full strength, he wouldn't have feared Heiyan even in Sage Mode. However, during previous battles, Hiashi Hyuga and Fugaku Uchiha had already destroyed two of his hearts, significantly weakening his power. Against a fully restored Heiyan now, he stood no chance.

And this was exactly what Black Zetsu had anticipated.

His reason for sending Kakuzu to fight wasn't for victory—it was to stall Heiyan and buy time.

Gritting his teeth, Black Zetsu slashed his hand through the air. A black-colored portal slowly formed.

Then, shooting Heiyan a look brimming with hatred, he dashed into the portal while clutching Kakuzu's final Lightning Release heart.

"[Kekkei Mora – otsutsuki Teleportation?]"

Heiyan frowned as he watched Black Zetsu and Kakuzu disappear into the dark portal.

Yomotsu Hiraizumi was an ultimate space-time jutsu that allowed free movement between dimensions. It surpassed even techniques like Kamui and Flying Thunder God in power.

It seemed Heiyan's suspicions were correct—Black Zetsu truly could wield part of Kaguya Otsutsuki's abilities, though this power had limitations. Each use consumed a finite resource.

That explained why Black Zetsu chose not to fight Heiyan to the death—he needed to conserve strength for his "millennium plan."

Likewise, killing Black Zetsu would be extremely difficult for Heiyan.

All he could do was stay alert and prepare for the enemy's next strike.

After driving off Black Zetsu and Kakuzu.

Whoosh!

Heiyan activated [Flying Thunder God] and appeared beside Fugaku and Hiashi.

"Heiyan!" "Captain!"

The two men were overjoyed to see Heiyan return from the dead, tears welling up in their eyes with joy.

"Give me your hands."

Softly, Heiyan took their hands and began channeling his Yang Release chakra into their bodies.

"My eyes...the pain is gone."

Both felt their Yin Release-damaged vision fully restored, like water to a thirsty soul.

This was the power of yin-yang balance.

After healing his two companions.

Whoosh!

Activating [Flying Thunder God] once more, Heiyan teleported to where Tashigi had fallen into the sea. From behind, he shot out an Adamantine Sealing Chain, plunging it into the water.

Thanks to his powerful sensor abilities enhanced by Sage Mode, Heiyan found Tashigi without effort and quickly pulled him from the depths.

Tashigi really had some luck—thanks to Heiyan's timely interference, his self-destruction only partially succeeded, leaving him barely alive.

Unfortunately, he had now become a vegetative state, making little difference from a corpse.

Strapping Tashigi to his back, Heiyan reunited with his two companions.

Time to leave.

Before departing, Heiyan took one final look at Mist Island. This once-criminal island, ravaged by earlier battles, now lay in ruins. Everyone inside the Golden Exchange either lay dead or had fled.

Just half an hour ago, this place had been the thriving hub of Kiri's black-market operations.

Now it was a deserted wasteland.

After seeing all that destruction, Heiyan decided to go all out.

Thus—

[Sage Art: Water Release - Great Waterfall Technique!]

Unleashing his full strength, Heiyan created a terrifying tsunami that completely engulfed Mist Island. Dozens of meter-high waves swept away luxury cruise ships anchored along the beach and destroyed every building on the island.

When the tsunami finally receded, less than a third of the island remained above sea level, barren and exposed. The thick fog that had covered this island for centuries also completely dissipated.

"Let's go."

After completing this task, Heiyan exchanged smiles with Fugaku and Hiashi before the three strode across the sea together.

Half a day later, at dusk.

Under the setting sun, a ship emerged on the calm ocean surface, its bow packed with silhouettes heading straight toward Mist Island.

The ship carried the Third Mizukage of Mist, the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist, and hundreds of ninja. After Tashigi lost contact, they received news from Mist Island and mobilized at full strength under the leadership of the Third Mizukage.

At the bow stood the Third Mizukage wearing his Kage's robe with long black hair flowing behind him. Eyes closed, he remained silent.

Behind him stood the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist, each wielding unique blades. Legend claimed that together, these seven warriors could conquer a small country overnight.

Even these battle-hardened veterans, who had seen countless battles and spectacular clashes, were visibly shaken by the sight of what had become of Mist Island.

"What… exactly happened here?!" cried one shinobi.

The Mist ninja stared at the ruined wasteland before them — it was nothing like the island they once knew.

According to their intelligence, there had been a battle here involving Heiyan, Tashigi, Gato, and an unidentified third party.

And now, everyone was gone — vanished without a trace. The island itself was practically gone too.

"Mizukage-sama, what should we do?" asked Fuguki Suikazan respectfully as he stepped beside the Third Mizukage. Wielding Samehada, he ranked among the strongest members of the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist.

"Four things," answered the Third finally opening his eyes, speaking with a cold, emotionless voice.

"First, find Tashigi by any means necessary and reclaim Saiken at all costs."

"Second, take over Gato Company's operations and gain control over every sea route."

"Third, select a new location and rebuild the Golden Exchange as quickly as possible."

"Fourth…"

His voice paused briefly at this last point before dripping with murderous intent, "Issue immediate bounties on Heiyan, Fugaku Uchiha, and Hiashi Hyuga."

"Yes!"

Fuguki Suikazan and others nodded sharply in agreement.

Summer, July 6th, Konoha Year 30: Heiyan, Fugaku Uchiha, and Hiashi Hyuga stormed the Golden Exchange in the Land of Water, slaughtering hundreds and sinking Mist Island in a cataclysmic blast.

The world of shinobi was shaken to its core.

On that day, bounties for Heiyan, Fugaku Uchiha, and Hiashi Hyuga reached the staggering sum of fifty million ryō in the underworld.

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** on the weekend!