The Chakra Fruit—the ultimate goal of the Ōtsutsuki Clan.
A sacred fruit so precious that they would spend millennia cultivating it, even sacrificing entire planets to ensure its growth.
For the Ōtsutsuki, consuming this fruit was the shortcut to godhood.
Though the first Ten Tails had already transformed into a Divine Tree and was devoured by Kaguya—who was later sealed on the moon—Bai Ye remembered that a second Ten Tails still existed.
It simply had yet to mature.
The Next Day
Bai Ye strolled through the streets of Konoha, blending in like an ordinary civilian.
With no detectable Chakra fluctuations, he didn't stand out in any way other than his striking appearance.
As a result, Konoha's Anbu—especially those under Root's command—paid him no attention. They wouldn't waste their time on someone who appeared insignificant.
Interestingly, the number of Anbu patrolling the village was noticeably lower than the night before.
Clearly, news of Danzo's secret base being destroyed had already reached him.
It was likely that some Anbu were now busy investigating the ruins.
A Warm Welcome from Konoha
"Wow, is he a senior ninja from Konoha?"
"I've never seen him before!"
"Hey, little brother, are you from another village?"
"Thinking about settling in Konoha?"
"Hey, young man! I have a lovely daughter, hahaha!"
Since Tsunade had taken over as Hokage, Konoha had been actively working to establish friendly relations with other villages.
As a result, outsiders were welcomed rather than feared.
Unlike during times of war, the villagers now greeted Bai Ye with enthusiasm.
Some were simply curious, while overly enthusiastic shopkeepers and middle-aged men even tried to set him up with their daughters.
Konoha's False Peace
At first glance, Konoha seemed to be thriving.
With the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, dead, and Naruto training in Mount Myōboku to master Sage Mode, the village was undergoing a peaceful transformation.
However...
Bai Ye knew better.
In just a few days, this seemingly prosperous village would be plunged into an unprecedented catastrophe.
Konoha would face near-total destruction.
Countless lives would be lost.
As he observed the streets, Bai Ye also sensed the presence of Anbu agents secretly monitoring the village.
His eyes flickered with disdain.
Danzo and his Root Anbu, who always proclaimed themselves as the "hidden foundation" of Konoha, were conspicuously absent.
Or rather...
Danzo, ever the power-hungry schemer, had likely seen the overwhelming power of Pain and decided to wait in the shadows.
Perhaps he planned to use Pain to eliminate Tsunade and her faction, wiping out the remnants of Konoha's peace-seeking leaders.
Then, once both sides had exhausted themselves, Danzo would emerge as the "hero" who would restore order and claim power for himself.
And in a way, his plan would have worked.
Danzo's Almost-Success
After Pain's invasion, Konoha would be left in ruins.
Tsunade would be unconscious, leaving the Hokage seat vacant.
The Hyuga Clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho alliance, and other noble families would suffer massive casualties.
The village's leadership structure would be in shambles.
At that moment, Danzo and Root would be the only remaining force with no significant losses.
With no opposition left, Danzo would seize control and become the acting Hokage.
His rise to power would be swift and decisive.
However...
That was the "normal" timeline.
A timeline that Bai Ye had no intention of following.
Changing the Course of History
With his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception now enhanced by the Mangekyō Sharingan, Bai Ye had developed a strong resistance to illusions.
With the exception of Infinite Tsukuyomi, no Genjutsu could completely bind him anymore.
This meant he was no longer bound by the waiting game.
Rather than passively watching events unfold, he could accelerate them.
The Plan: Seizing the Land of Fire
The ninja world was a web of complex political forces, each faction vying for power.
For Bai Ye, step one was to start with the strongest nation among the Five Great Shinobi Countries—the Land of Fire.
As an outsider entering the Shinobi world for the first time, Bai Ye had already witnessed how the Revolutionary Army in the One Piece world operated in terms of intelligence and influence.
Now, it was his turn to build a power of his own.
However...
Unlike traditional slow methods of growth, he had no patience for gradual development.
Instead, he would take over an already established faction—one that was ripe for the taking.