Born with a great love for the Uchiha

Onoki stared in disbelief at the water mirror released by Uchiha Gen, and the short figure that flashed out from the water mirror.

The same topknot, the same beard, the same bulbous nose...

What flashed out from the [Water Mirror Technique] was none other than the Two Scales Onoki!

The Third Tsuchikage stared at the imposter opposite him, utterly dumbfounded.

The Light of Konoha, he not only copied my old face, but also my [Dust Release]?

That mirror...

What the hell is this?!

"It's about to start, Onoki."

Uchiha Gen gave the order to the clone created by the [Water Mirror Technique].

Immediately afterwards, he floated down toward Iwagakure Village.

Uchiha Gen once told Huang Tu that he came to Iwagakure with the intention of bringing back some "special products" to Konoha.

Looking at Iwagakure Village as a whole.

Aside from [Dust Escape].

What other "specialty" can compare to the two Jinchūriki of Iwagakure?

Rōshi, the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails.

Han is the Jinchūriki of the Five-Tails.

Akatsuki's plan to capture the Tailed Beasts has failed.

It's ok.

Konoha's Tailed Beast Retrieval Plan Has Begun!

Chapter 172 It's not that magma counters fire, but rather that fire counters magma!

Southern edge of Iwagakure Village.

A natural waterfall cascades down a cliff tens of meters high, with a roaring sound and splashing white foam.

Rōshi, the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails, stood on a huge, protruding rock beside the waterfall, looking up at the sky.

Above the sky, the aftershocks of the collision between the two pillars of light from the [Dust Release: Particle Style Detachment Technique] were still spreading in all directions.

Even from such a great distance, Old Purple could sense the terrifying reaction caused by the collision of the two chakra forces in the sky.

'That's Onoki's Dust Release, isn't it?'

Old Zi's brows furrowed, his mood far from calm.

'Why can the Fifth Hokage of Konoha use Dust Release? It was completely outside of our intelligence...'

"Master Lao Zi!"

Two members of the Rock Anbu emerged from behind the pile of rocks beside the waterfall, knelt on one knee, and spoke urgently.

"The Third Hokage has ordered all villagers to evacuate immediately! Please proceed to the nearest shelter at once!"

"Seeking refuge?"

Without turning his head, Lao Zi answered firmly and forcefully.

"The village is in dire straits. Are you telling me to hide in a hole like a turtle in the ground?"

The ANBU ninja wanted to persuade him further, "But—"

"No buts!"

Old Zi suddenly waved his hand, and his wide sleeves whistled loudly through the air.

"Judging from the Fifth Hokage's past actions, he is most likely here in Iwagakure today for the tailed beasts."

"Since the four tails within my body are his target, then I have even less reason to hide."

You can hide from the monks, but you can't hide from the temple.

"You go and protect the villagers. Leave this to me."

The phrase "If you can hide from a monk, you can't hide from him..." coming from the mouth of a wandering monk like Lao Zi sounds strangely fitting.

The two secret agents exchanged a glance, gritted their teeth, and disappeared from the spot.

Only Lao Zi remained by the waterfall.

But while Rōshi could drive away the Iwagakure ANBU, he couldn't get rid of the tailed beast inside him.

"Old Zi..."

The voice of the four-tailed Son Goku came from within the sealed space.

"The amount of chakra that person in the sky has is too enormous; even I can't compare to it."

"Even the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, didn't feel as celestial to me."

"That 'Light of Konoha's' chakra is truly like the sun..."

Old Zi was slightly taken aback.

He had lived with the monkey inside him for decades, and their relationship had never been harmonious.

But this was the first time that Yotsuba had spoken to him in this tone.

"Four tails."

Old Zi responded curtly.

"Even you feel afraid?"

The Four-Tails hadn't had a chance to respond to the Jinchuriki's words.

Light fell from the sky.

Uchiha Gen appeared beside the waterfall, his still-present light shimmering in the mist, creating a pale golden halo that made him appear almost divine.

"The Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Rōshi, right?"

Uchiha Gen spoke slowly and calmly.

"I came for the Four-Tails. As long as you cooperate, I will not harm you or your village."

"You think..."

The Lava Release chakra within Old Purple's body circulated rapidly through his meridian system.

"Would I believe the nonsense of an intruder?!"

boom--

Old Purple clenched his fists tightly, and the [Lava Release] chakra seeped through his body, causing dark red magma to instantly emerge from beneath his skin, enveloping and covering his entire body.

[Lava Release Chakra Mode]!

Suddenly, Old Purple transformed into a humanoid lava projectile and shot towards Uchiha Gen.

His right fist, enveloped in magma powerful enough to melt steel, drew a dark red line of fire through the air and pierced Uchiha Gen's chest with unerring accuracy.

But there was no joy in Lao Zi's eyes at hitting the enemy.

What came back from his fist was not the solid feel of striking flesh and blood.

Uchiha Gen's figure transformed into a streak of light, slowly dissipating in front of Rōshi.

His voice, however, came from behind Lao Zi.

"too slow."

The moment Lao Zi landed back on the ground, he twisted his waist sharply, leaving two charred marks on the ground with his feet.

After turning around, the Four-Tails Jinchuriki stomped his feet on the ground again and charged towards the new location where Uchiha Gen had appeared.

[Lava Release] Chakra condensed on Old Purple's right fist, and the scorching heat turned the dark red magma covering his right arm into an incandescent color, like a golden spear.

The Needle at the Bottom of the Sea!

Lao Zi's counter-attack was executed flawlessly.

But the menacing "Needle at the Bottom of the Sea" struck only air once more.

Gen Uchiha easily dodged Rōshi's attack and even had the leisure to comment on his [Lava Release] ability.

"This magma-like [Lava Release] is definitely different from the rubber version of [Lava Release] used by the Cloud Village's Jonin on the Earth Platform~"

'Too fast...'

Ignoring Uchiha Gen's words, Rōshi gritted his teeth and launched another attack.

However, his attack speed was completely unable to keep up with Uchiha Gen's movement speed.

It seemed the other party didn't want to fight him, but rather just wanted to see how strong he really was...

After yet another unsuccessful attack.

Old Purple landed back on the ground, using the momentum to retreat several steps. As he created distance, he formed hand seals, and his magma-like, scorching chakra surged upwards from his body.

[Lava Release: Scorching River Rock Technique]!

Old Zi opened his mouth wide and spewed out dozens of huge magma balls with a diameter of over two meters.

Each magma sphere contained enough heat to melt the earth. They traced dozens of parabolic arcs in the air, raining down on Uchiha Gen like a meteor shower.

Before the lava fireball even hit the ground, the intense heat distorted the air violently, turning the sky near the waterfall a dark red.

Faced with an attack powerful enough to alter the terrain and environment.

Gen Uchiha raised his right hand, extended his index finger, and a cluster of black flames emerged from the tip of his finger.

With the support of the solar sage chakra of the [Tai Ri Sage Body], this wisp of black flame instantly expanded and grew larger, transforming into a black fireball several meters in diameter.

[Sage Art: Flame Release: Great Fireball Technique]!