Being a rogue ninja is worse than being Hokage.

"Return to Heaven!"

Neji began to spin, and the chakra surging from his chakra channels formed an absolute defense for him.

But the Rejuvenation Technique isn't only for defense.

The ninja tools that Tenten threw at Neji were all caught precisely by Neji using the terrifying vision of his Byakugan, and then bounced back into the air!

The countless small, bird-shaped explosive clays that were spat out from the beak of the giant white bird high in the sky were all hit and deflected by the ninja tools, causing the explosive clays to explode prematurely in mid-air!

"Is that guy so depraved that he even attacks a hospital?!"

Sakura, who had recently brought Choji to the hospital, also joined the battle and looked up at the sky.

Unfortunately, she didn't have Neji's eyesight. Even if she managed to catch a glimpse of the giant white bird, she would lose sight of it in the blink of an eye.

"This can't go on. We can't rely on Neji for defense alone!"

Li, who was assisting Sakura in fighting and transferring the wounded from the hospital, brought the worst news: "There are too many wounded. We can't possibly transfer them all in a short time!"

This means they must fight an enemy that can fly.

But now they lack even defensive measures, so how can they target the air?

"Leave it to us!"

Just when Sakura and her friends were at their wits' end, a familiar voice came from among the ninjas who arrived to provide timely assistance.

"Ino! Shikamaru—and Mr. Choza!!!"

Sakura exclaimed in surprise, but she was puzzled by the composition of the newcomers.

"That ANBU member named 'Lantern' has gone back to the Hokage's location to provide support."

The clever and perceptive Shikamaru noticed Sakura's doubts. The huge purple barrier in the Hokage's office was far too conspicuous for the Konoha ninjas, who were suffering from poor communication due to their scattered operations.

As a member of the Hokage's Guardian Team, Akari's primary duty is to protect the Hokage.

Their top priority is to protect Konoha Hospital!

Once medical resources are devastated, the number of casualties will only rise sharply!

"I already have a plan!"

Shikamaru said that his words always gave those around him enough confidence.

He looked at Choji's father seriously and said, "Mr. Choji, thank you for your help!"

"Leave it to me, drink—"

Like a "more mature Choji," Akimichi Choza shouted loudly, and his whole body began to swell up instantly.

Super Multiply Technique!

In an instant, Akimichi Choza transformed into a giant, guarding the front of Konoha Hospital.

When Akimichi Choza transformed into a giant, he was so tall that he could look at the white giant bird in the sky at eye level. On the back of the white giant bird stood Deidara, who had previously destroyed Konoha's intelligence department by self-destruction.

"Boy! Konoha is not a place where you can run wild!"

Choza Akimichi suddenly threw a punch at Deidara.

But Deidara easily dodged Akimichi Choza's huge, terrifying fist.

"Damn you, even if I blew up your ridiculously big pig, it wouldn't show my art at all!"

Deidara roared, yet still urged the giant white bird beneath his feet to fly toward the body of Akimichi Choza, who had transformed into a giant.

"That's incredibly rude of you. Mr. Choza is a butterfly that can fly."

"What?!!"

The voice coming from behind startled Deidara.

But Deidara found himself unable to turn back.

Was that giant's attack a feint?

Yes, with that enormous and terrifying body, hiding a few "normal-sized" ninjas would be incredibly easy.

"The Shadow Imitation Technique has succeeded! Now, Ino!!!"

Standing atop the giant white bird, Shikamaru, who had bound Deidara with his shadow, shouted.

The "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio from Konoha has already made their appearance, featuring both the butterfly and the deer.

Then, naturally, it was the pig's turn to deliver the final blow!

Ino, standing in the giant outstretched palm of Akimichi Choza, aimed her hands at Deidara.

The art of turning your mind around!

Enemies caught by the Nara clan's Shadow Imitation Technique will never escape the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transfer Technique!

"Don't try to succeed!"

However, before Ino's spirit could enter Deidara's body, Deidara made a final struggle!

This struggle in a split second will bring the most serious consequences.

Deidara's body began to swell, and Shikamaru, who had personally experienced Deidara's self-destruction attack, immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Ino, stop this technique right now!"

Shikamaru called out to Ino's spirit, which had already entered Deidara's body.

"...No! This technique is irreversible!"

Ino's spirit is expressed through Deidara's words.

Since it was a suicidal self-destruction attack, there was no possibility of "going back on one's word."

Damn it!

Shikamaru cursed angrily, never expecting such a mistake to occur at the last step of his plan.

Even in his anger, Shikamaru managed to remain calm and immediately began to change his plans.

"Then let's get the explosion away from the hospital first! Ino, unleash the Heart-Turning Technique immediately!"

Shikamaru made his decision without hesitation.

"What about you?"

Ino could certainly undo the art of turning her back on him and distance herself from the matter.

But Shikamaru couldn't do that. Once Deidara regained his body, Shikamaru would have to continue binding him with the Shadow Imitation Technique.

At that time, even with Deidara's self-destruct attack, Shikamaru would still die at best!

"You brats from the Nara clan, and you little girl from the Yamanaka clan, you've done very well—leave the rest to me!"

Amidst this urgent situation, a lighthearted voice suddenly rang out.

Both Shikamaru and Ino, who was possessing Deidara's body, instinctively looked towards the source of the sound.

The person who spoke had long white hair and wore a headband with the word "oil" written on it, standing on the body of a large toad.

"Leave it to me, the Toad Spirit of Mount Myōboku, the legendary one of the Three Sannin—Jiraiya!"

Jiraiya formed hand seals, and the next moment, his hair suddenly grew wildly and incredibly, reaching the location of the white giant bird.

Jiraiya's hair wrapped around the giant white bird, then immediately began to shorten, pulling the bird towards him.

"Ino, unravel the Heart-Turning Technique!"

Shikamaru, also atop the giant white bird, once again asked Ino to let her spirit return to her body.

This time, Ino did not hesitate and immediately released the Heart Transfer Technique.

"Nara brat, release the spell and leave!"

Jiraiya also reminded Shikamaru to leave the white giant bird quickly.

But Shikamaru ignored him. It wasn't until Jiraiya's hair finally pulled the giant white bird to the mouth of the giant toad at his feet and opened its mouth to swallow the giant white bird along with the still-expanding Deidara that Shikamaru released the Shadow Imitation Technique and jumped away to prevent himself from being swallowed by the giant toad!

But would simply having a toad swallow Deidara, who had already turned into a human bomb, stop the explosion?

The question that had just arisen in Shikamaru's mind was immediately answered.

bang——

White smoke billowed up.

Jiraiya clasped his hands together and released the summoning technique.

The giant toad that swallowed Deidara vanished from Konoha in an instant.

"This is……"

The sudden action caught Shikamaru off guard.

"Don't worry, I've already spoken to the people at Mount Myōboku beforehand, the toads will be fine."

Jiraiya grinned at Shikamaru, looking like a carefree, mischievous child.

But he quickly looked up again in the direction of Konoha's office, his eyes filled with undisguised worry.

Chapter 83 The Fifth Hokage

"The first one."

As the boy calmly finished speaking, a corpse twisted in an unusual position was thrown in front of Tsunade.

"The second one."

In the blink of an eye, a second corpse appeared before Tsunade's eyes.

Tsunade stared blankly at the two corpses wearing animal masks in front of her.

The deceased were all members of the guard squad directly under the Hokage's command, who had been specially approved by her to serve as her protectors.

"The third one."

The third corpse was thrown at Tsunade again. His mask had been shattered in the battle, revealing a pair of empty, lifeless eyes that happened to meet Tsunade's gaze.

This scenario is just too... tasteless.