"That chakra…!"
At dawn, Naruto's eyes snapped open from a brief rest. The toad-like horizontal pupils without eyeshadow appeared against his sclera, and in the next instant, the three tomoe spun into place.
He burst through the window.
Leaping across the wooden houses in rapid succession, he reached a shadowy figure in just a few exchanges.
The figure wore a black bodysuit and a full head-covering helmet.
Who else could it be but the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi?
"Grandpa Third! You've been reincarnated with Edo Tensei!? Why do you look so young!?"
Though cracks marked his face like all Edo Tensei, there were no age spots or wrinkles. He had returned in his prime.
His dim eyes stared ahead, emotionless, as his hands formed seals.
—Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!
A massive pillar of blazing fire illuminated the pre-dawn darkness and surged toward Naruto.
"So not only your appearance… even your ninjutsu has returned to its prime."
Behind Naruto stood a wooden residence filled with resting shinobi.
Retreat was not an option.
—Sage Art: Fire Break!
With a casual swing of his arm, natural energy condensed into an invisible massive fist, smashing the incoming flames apart.
What followed was a sky filled with Fūma Shuriken shadow clones, each wrapped in powerful Lightning Release.
The sheer number was overwhelming, and every single shuriken crackled with intense lightning.
So this is the Third's true strength in his prime…
But for me now—
This level of attack isn't a threat.
The mark of Yang Release on Naruto's left palm flared as a Rasengan expanded, infused with Shukaku's Magnet Release curse patterns.
—Magnet Release: Massive Rasengan Absorption Sphere!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The overwhelming magnetic force dragged every incoming shuriken into the sphere, crushing them all instantly.
At that moment, eleven shadow clones had already spread out, surrounding Naruto from all directions.
—Analysis Technique: Threefold Barrier Seal!
Three clones near Naruto erected a massive triangular barrier, sealing him inside.
Outside the barrier, the original body and nine clones formed different hand seals.
—Secret Art: Tenfold Ninja Technique!
Boom!
An amplified and multiplied version of the Five Release barrage roared forward like a tidal wave, crashing into the barrier.
The Analysis Technique was a secret art created by Hiruzen in his prime. When paired with a barrier, it produced a unique effect: attacks from inside could not pass through, but attacks from outside could penetrate freely.
Trapping the enemy with the Threefold Barrier and annihilating them with Tenfold Ninja Technique across the boundary—this was Hiruzen's ultimate killing move in his peak years. Almost no shinobi could withstand it head-on.
Crack!
From within the raging flames in front of Edo Hiruzen, a hand coated in molten lava burst through, grabbing his throat and slamming him into the ground.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
All shadow clones shattered instantly.
Naruto's furious voice erupted from his chest.
"Uchiha Akira! Stop hiding and using these cheap tricks! Come out and face me head-on!"
With that roar, molten lava from the Four-Tails Son Gokū surged from Naruto's fist, engulfing Hiruzen completely. The power of Six Paths Yin-Yang Release incinerated both him and the White Zetsu sacrifice into nothingness.
Orochimaru watched calmly.
"Against Naruto's current strength… even if Sensei is revived at his peak using Akira-kun's ability, he's still not enough…"
"But this commotion is sufficient. It will stir chaos and fear in Konoha and pave the way for Karin's group."
He smiled faintly.
"Next, Naruto… this is something you cannot resist."
Whoosh!
In the next instant, a blond man in white appeared before Naruto without warning.
"Dad!"
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Minato had left a Flying Thunder God mark on Naruto. Even though Naruto could now erase it at will—
This was what was called a first-strike kill.
An ambush exploiting information disparity—impossible to guard against.
Whoosh!
Minato grabbed Naruto and vanished instantly with Flying Thunder God.
This was Orochimaru's carefully prepared strategy.
The Third Hokage would act as the vanguard to create chaos, while the Fourth Hokage would teleport Naruto away.
Whoosh!
The Second Hokage Tobirama, already prepared, appeared using Flying Thunder God, bringing Karin, Suigetsu, and Jūgo into the battlefield.
At this moment, Konoha's people were already on edge like startled birds.
"What was that just now!?"
"Damn it, another attack!?"
"Will they not stop until we're all dead!?"
"Where's the Hokage!?"
"Where is he!?"
Karin formed a seal.
—Kagura Mind's Eye!
"Can you find him?" Jūgo asked.
"Yes… I've sensed his chakra before…"
With her eyes closed, she focused—but her thoughts churned restlessly.
Sasuke… why did you ask Orochimaru to do this?
Did Sakura really… die like Orochimaru said?
I'm so worried about you…
And yet I'm so powerless… I can't help you with anything meaningful… damn it!
"Northwest direction! Second building! End room on the second-floor corridor! Target located—Hatake Kakashi! He's unconscious! One guard present—Konoha jōnin, Uzuki Yūgao!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Suigetsu and Jūgo vanished instantly.
Boom!
Twenty seconds later—
Inside a single room designated for critical injuries—
Uzuki Yūgao frowned as the two burst in.
"It's you…"
I am Uzuki Yūgao.
A Twin Flower replica chosen by Lord Uchiha Akira.
My position in Konoha—not too high, not too low—combined with my past as an ANBU and medical ninja, makes me ideal for gathering intelligence.
The Twin Flower I carry is special.
Whenever he wishes, he can switch into my body, read my memories, and observe Konoha through my eyes.
Jūgo spoke, "You're former ANBU medical ninja and Konoha jōnin, Uzuki Yūgao."
Suigetsu added, "We've been ordered to take the person behind you. Mind stepping aside?"
Yūgao narrowed her violet eyes.
I haven't received any orders from Lord Akira.
So this isn't his plan.
If not him… then the only one capable of mobilizing Orochimaru's forces is Uchiha Sasuke.
What exactly are you planning, Sasuke?
It doesn't matter.
My directive is simple—observe, do not interfere beyond my limits.
Jūgo's voice turned colder. "Step aside. Our patience is limited."
"…Sorry, but I can't do that."
She stood and drew her blade.
Crack!
Without hesitation, she drove the blade into her own shoulder.
Pulling it out, she clutched the bleeding wound and leapt out the window.
Suigetsu stared, dumbfounded.
Jūgo paused briefly, then activated his curse mark and smashed the walls and floor violently.
Suigetsu snapped out of it and began slashing wildly as well.
"…Now everyone can report back."
The two grabbed Kakashi and returned to Karin.
Tobirama activated Flying Thunder God again, taking all four away.
The entire operation lasted less than a minute.
From above, Sasuke watched silently, his expression cold.
Kakashi… I'll leave him to you, Orochimaru.
One day, he may need to reclaim the position of Hokage.
And now—
The Sixth Hokage, Hatake Kakashi, has been captured by Orochimaru and is on the brink of death.
Will that be enough… to silence you, Sage of Six Paths?
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