Naruto: Infinite Arrivals, Replacing the Akatsuki Leader

The God Blade, Chuan Xia Li, is a civilian from Konoha with no bloodline limit, no special heritage, and no backing. Before entering the academy at age six, he has already taught himself the Body Reinforcement Technique and ninja theory. He can form three hand seals per second, and a single chakra extraction fills his entire body. Iruka is stunned on the spot: "That's almost the level of a genin."

The first ninjutsu he sets his sights on is the Shadow Clone Technique. Others use it to fight; he uses it to grind experience. His original body practices taijutsu while his clones devour theory. When the clones disperse, their experience stacks up, making one day count for three. Lee watches with tears in his eyes. "That's the spirit of youth!"

But Xia Li's ambition goes far beyond becoming an outstanding genin. He knows the Uchiha will be wiped out, and he knows the Akatsuki will collect the Tailed Beasts. Rather than wait to die, he decides to seize the initiative and take Nagato's place as the true leader of the Akatsuki.

While Obito is still going around in circles and Nagato is still struggling with his grief for Yahiko, Xia Li has already used Shadow Clones to raise his three-nature ninjutsu to elite jonin level. He appears in Amegakure under the name "Zero," throwing the Five Kage Summit into an uproar: "Who is the Akatsuki's new leader?" Xia Li stands atop a tower, his eyes chillingly calm through the curtain of rain. "From today on, I'll decide the rules of the shinobi world."

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.