Konoha's Mission Master

"Then I must ask you, colluding with the Hidden Cloud Village's Anbu to kidnap Konoha villagers as bait..."

"Is this what a Hokage should do?"

Two months ago, with the joint guarantee of Kushina Uzumaki and Minato Namikaze, Rina Uzumaki obtained a certificate of permanent residence in Konoha Village. In other words, Rina Uzumaki is now under the protection of Konoha Village and is one of those people mentioned in the Will of Fire who need to be protected.

"To eliminate a threat like you from Konoha, some sacrifices are needed. Since she is a resident of Konoha, she should be prepared to sacrifice herself for the safety of Konoha."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with great righteousness, but Yakumo still felt that he was all bark and no bite.

"I have never threatened the safety of Konohagakure."

"But you are dangerous, and as Hokage, I must nip this danger in the bud."

"Then why didn't you come alone and risk your life to eliminate me for the safety of Konoha? Instead, you brought so many people to surround and kill me. You also understand that in a battle between Kage, these Jonin are just expendable..."

"You lead your thousands of troops, which reveals your cowardly heart. You are old and unworthy of the reputation of a hero, and you are not fit to bear the burden of the Hokage."

"You're talking nonsense! Though I am old, I am ready to sacrifice myself for Konoha at any time!" Hiruzen Sarutobi roared, his face gradually turning red.

As Yakumo said, Hiruzen Sarutobi brought these Root ninjas with him to deplete the enemy's chakra, and now that his true intentions have been exposed, he has naturally lost his composure.

"When you compromised with the Raikage and signed a food export treaty at the expense of the Land of Fire, I saw your cowardice..."

"You're talking nonsense! I'm doing this for peace!"

"Yes, a timid peace."

Yakumo shook his head and said sarcastically.

"I am not afraid of death!"

"Really?" Yakumo asked in return.

“Of course!” Hiruzen Sarutobi replied.

"Then let's fight to the death...!"

Yakumo reopened his eyes, a Sage Mode mark appearing on his forehead. He pushed off with his feet, and the Root ninjas around him tried to stop him, but were dispersed by the sudden burst of chakra.

A bright white beam of light stretched from the sky to the earth.

Swish!

Yakumo briefly hovered in the air, simultaneously creating more than a dozen shadow clones. He coldly watched as Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down upon him.

During the conversation, Hiruzen Sarutobi revealed an extremely pure killing intent, which was the reason why Yakumo made the first move. Taking the initiative... gave him a decisive advantage.

"Fog burial!"

Thick fog rolled in, obscuring the sky and slanting down.

"The technique of concealing oneself in the mist?"

As the sky gradually darkened, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately issued a defensive command, simultaneously forming hand seals to create a rock barrier that enveloped most of the Root ninjas.

Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!

Hiruzen Sarutobi unleashed a massive fireball over twenty meters in diameter into the sky. The intense heat evaporated the dense fog into white steam that rapidly rose into the air, obscuring Yakumo's figure. Nearly a third of the fog was evaporated by the fireball, as if a bite had been taken out of it.

Fire Release: Flame Bullet!

The Root ninjas, who had mastered Fire Release, simultaneously formed hand seals and spat out fireballs, the flames rolling and burning, further evaporating the thick fog.

Water can control fire, but enough fire can also evaporate water. Fireballs rise into the sky and bloom into blazing flowers, turning the sky red. The thick fog is all evaporated into a huge amount of water vapor.

Yakumo remained completely calm. The dense fog was merely a means to conceal his true attack intentions. A dozen shadow clones briefly hovered in the air while simultaneously waving their hands.

"Sage Art: Water Release Gatling Gun - Compassionate Rain!"

In three seconds, 1,300 water droplets fell, rapidly passing through the steam and, accelerated by natural energy, began to shoot towards the barrier created by Hiruzen Sarutobi.

"Boo! Hah! Hah!"

The rock barrier shattered the next second.

The Root ninjas were exposed to the dense, transparent raindrops, as if awaiting judgment, while Yakumo's shadow clones continued to spray transparent water droplets.

The third shadow clone quietly left the battlefield.

*Thud!* Blood splattered, and someone fell.

This is the power of nature, the force of heaven and earth—an attack that no ordinary Chunin could withstand. As death progresses, the damage gradually increases…

"The Vajra Staff, extend!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi landed in the crowd, rapidly waving his Vajra Staff, which subtly formed a black circular barrier to block the densely falling water droplets.

The shadow of the staff was as large as a mountain, the wind howled, and it seemed to swirl into a blue storm. Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze was resolute, and his powerful chakra fluctuations erupted inch by inch.

Rebuild morale.

The Root ninjas each unleashed defensive ninjutsu to assist Hiruzen Sarutobi in resisting Yakumo's attacks.

Yakumo's attacks were like a storm, overwhelming Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Root ninjas, who were unable to lift their heads. Under the influence of gravity, Yakumo descended rapidly.

In his hand, a transparent droplet of water was gathering strength... Yakumo's third shadow clone was extracting natural energy from the shadows, meaning he didn't need to worry about expending it at this moment...

"Immortal Technique - Heart Piercing Strike - Compassion".

Yakumo spoke softly with a calm expression.

This time, the water droplet was even faster, passing straight through the gap between the rapidly spinning Vajra Ruyi Staff's shadows and shattering the head of an elite Root Jonin.

With a soft "plop," blood splattered.

"hateful…"

Blood splattered on Hiruzen Sarutobi's body, causing the latter to roar angrily with bloodshot eyes. This was the first time he had felt so powerless since becoming the Third Hokage, and the Root ninjas had become his weakness.

"You all retreat quickly, I'll fight him alone!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately gave the order.

The Root ninjas immediately retreated in unison, and the Vajra Ruyi Jingu Bang, which had formed a barrier, returned to its normal size. Hiruzen Sarutobi, panting heavily, glared at Yakumo.

"Shh! Shh! Shh! Shh!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi flicked a shuriken with one hand, then quickly began forming hand seals with both hands.

"Ninja Art: Shuriken Clone Technique!"

The shuriken in mid-air split in two, then into four, then into eight, until it burst into a dense rain of shuriken, the sound of weapons slicing through the air drawing ever closer.

Yakumo began to form hand seals.

"Tu Dun·Tu Liubi!"

The earth shook, and a several-meter-long earthen wall quickly rose up to block Yakumo's path. Then, thousands of shuriken were thrust into the surface of the earthen wall, and in the next moment, they gradually began to turn into smoke and disappear.

"drink!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's Wheel of the Vajra Staff, carrying unparalleled power, smashed through the earthen wall and immediately took a few steps forward to approach Yakumo, simultaneously slamming the Vajra Staff down on his head.

Faced with the attack, Yakumo remained remarkably calm. He took a step and a half back, drew his twin swords, and then raised them overhead while holding his breath.

"Immortal Technique - Reversal - Vibrating Blade".

A flash of lightning appeared, and the twin swords in Yakumo's hands were like an elegant and noble dancer, or like the brushstrokes that outlined a perfect painting. The silver-white sword energy was dazzling, and the black arcs of electricity seemed to be able to devour everything.

The twin swords clashed, and a melodious dragon's roar seemed to spread outwards. This time, the fuel that powered the Hatake Secret Scripture was Sage Chakra.

With a loud bang, all was silent.

The shockwave spread out in the next moment, and the surrounding earth was torn apart little by little by the force. Yakumo's feet were driven into the ground like nails, while Hiruzen Sarutobi retreated quickly.

"Sage Art: Water Escape: Compassion!"

The shadow clones around him flung out transparent water droplets. Sensing the approaching danger, Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stopped his retreating steps and simultaneously spun his Vajra Staff with both hands to form a black barrier.

As the water droplet collided with the barrier, Hiruzen Sarutobi used the impact to retreat, while secretly setting a trap. On the other side, Yakumo, wielding his twin blades, charged towards Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The double blades are about to strike, bringing with them overwhelming killing intent.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, on the contrary, smiled.

"burst!"

Several explosive tags suddenly flew up from the ground and flew towards Yakumo at an extremely fast speed. Yakumo swung his sword in a series of rapid circular slashes, tearing the explosive tags to shreds before they could explode.

“This is impossible…” Hiruzen Sarutobi exclaimed in surprise.

This not only requires extremely fast slashing speed, but also precise control to prevent even the slightest leakage of power, otherwise it will break the fragile balance inside the explosive tag and cause an immediate explosion. This level of swordsmanship is simply divine.

"Sage Mode?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at the water droplet mark on Yakumo's forehead and let out an incredulous gasp. He finally understood why the enemy's attack was so powerful. He hadn't recognized it at first because the shape of the mark was different from the three known holy lands.

"You got it right, but there's no prize!"

The double-edged sword clashed with the Vajra Ruyi Staff, and a subtle gust of wind swirled around the blades, creating the sharpest cutting force. Strands of wind coiled around the double-edged sword as it attacked, while the surrounding natural forces were also stirred up.

Yakumo's sword strikes were like a dance, using Sage Chakra to resonate with the power of nature, gradually increasing the power of his double-bladed attacks. His moves became increasingly rapid, and the two-colored sword energy radiated in all directions like an ocean.

The clash between the two stirred up a fierce wind, sparks flew from the point where their weapons collided, and the shockwave plowed the ground inch by inch, sometimes gathering into rolling craters, sometimes piling up into small hills, only to be flattened by the terrifying shockwave the next second.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wields the Vajra Ruyi Staff. His every move is a traditional technique passed down through the Sarutobi clan, emphasizing great strength and overwhelming power... defeating enemies with force and intimidating people with momentum.

However, he was at a disadvantage in a head-on confrontation with Yakumo.

Clang! Weapons clashed, and a fierce wind howled.

The double-edged blade directly deflected the Vajra Ruyi Staff!

Hiruzen Sarutobi used the momentum to retreat, his arms gripping the staff trembling slightly, sensing a peculiar force in the enemy's blade.

While defending against the attacks, he repeatedly shook off his weapon, and the force of this vibration increased as he increased the power of his attacks, as if he were injuring himself.

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not give up the fight. He gripped the Vajra Staff tightly with both hands, his eyes instantly becoming bloodshot, and he desperately swung the staff down!

"A Mountain-Shattering Strike!"

This strike, carrying the force to topple the heavens and shatter the earth, forcefully broke Yakumo's rhythm. The shadow of the staff was like a mountain peak, and it seemed as if Yakumo could hear the roar of the Monkey Demon.

This strike is Hiruzen Sarutobi's strongest close-combat move in combination with Enma, and it is similar to the Heaven Opening Technique. Both of them are about giving everything to achieve the ultimate violence of destroying everything in an instant!

This technique is equally demanding, requiring a massive amount of chakra and stamina, while also ensuring complete harmony between the user and the Monkey King.

At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi reached his peak again.