Chapter 117: 113: Escape From Konoha (4)
"Why... why must it end like this?" In the quiet forest, Fuyuma, covered in wounds, lay on the ground. Surrounding him were several fallen Konoha ninjas with Ayane, who had only a bit of dust on her, standing out prominently.
"It's quite unfortunate, Fuyuma-senpai. I didn't originally intend to kill you. But when you insisted on getting involved, it seems I had no choice." Ayane said, casually twirling her kunai as she slowly approached Fuyuma.
"Why are you doing this? Hiashi-sama believed in you so much..." Fuyuma didn't quite understand, blood spilling from his mouth as he gasped for breath.
His forehead protector slipped down, revealing the caged bird seal.
"At first, maybe it was for freedom. Later on, I'm not so sure." Ayane replied.
"That was to protect..."
Sploosh!
Without mercy, Ayane impaled Fuyuma's throat with her kunai, twisting it.
"I've had enough of your excuses. Since the day I was born, it's been nothing but endless talk, talk, talk. I'm tired of it. Can't you give me a reason I can accept?"
Ayane pulled out the kunai, its blade stained with the blood of a fellow clansman, and with her black hair swaying, she continued forward into the darkness of the forest.
...
The water continued to rise, forming a massive lake within the forest and even beginning to encroach toward the village.
Waves of water surged forward, heading straight for Tokukaze to engulf him.
The huge figure of the Baku descended, pushing back the water and giving Tokukaze a chance to catch his breath.
At this moment, Hiruzen also arrived here. His Summoned Staff extended, he aimed it at the half-exposed head of the python.
With a splash, the python submerged into the water, disappearing from view.
Hiruzen'sStaff struck the water's surface, causing water to splash.
Suddenly, lightning emerged from the water's surface.
The Baku and Konoha ninjas were all paralyzed by this unexpected lightning.
The ferocious shadow of the python reappeared beneath everyone's feet.
Accompanied by a roar, all the Konoha ninja within the attack range were sent flying, and the Baku struggled to maintain its footing on the water.
"Damn it!" Danzo gritted his teeth.
Water Release combined with Lightning Release; this was a formidable opponent.
The python opened its huge mouth and charged into the air, creating surging waves. Even the Anbu and jonin from Konoha were barely able to maintain their positions.
Hiruzen supported himself with his Staff, holding the python's mouth open, preventing it from biting down.
In the vacuum water sphere within the python's head, Shiraishi, seen through the transparent flesh and blood of the python, locked eyes with Hiruzen and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"This posture of yours is quite ugly, Professor."
His voice penetrated without any hindrance.
Hiruzen's eyes burned with anger. He grasped the Staff tightly, causing lightning to wrap around the python's body through the staff.
However, the lightning didn't last long and disappeared, absorbed by the python.
It could indeed absorb Ninjutsu. It seemed that physical combat was the only option now. Hiruzen's mood grew increasingly solemn.
"It seems it's over." Shiraishi murmured to himself.
"Yaaahhh!"
A loud yell suddenly rang out, taking everyone by surprise.
Instinctively, Shiraishi turned his head, and the python did the same, getting kicked in the process.
Splash!
Unable to withstand such a powerful impact, the python began to roll on the water's surface, and even the vacuum water sphere inside its head became unstable, causing ripples.
The person who arrived was covered in blue steam, and a beastly aura erupted outward from within him. Veins bulged at his temple, clearly visible on the surface of his skin.
His arrival not only surprised Shiraishi and the others but also other Konoha ninja, whether they recognized him or not, including members of Anbu and Root, all wore expressions of astonishment.
"Who is this guy?" Shiraishi glanced at the newcomer, who was dressed in a tight green suit with a comical hairstyle and thick eyebrows. Was there someone like him among Konoha's high-ranking ninja?
But the blow that had just sent the python flying... no matter how you looked at it, it seemed like the attack of a very suspicious Konoha high-ranking ninja.
"He's Might Dai, my student Might Guy's father." Ruri explained, and after hearing her words, Shiraishi's eyes widened in surprise.
"I don't recall any such individual among the high-ranking ninja."
Shiraishi furrowed his brow. A powerful hidden high-ranking ninja of the Konoha?
"Actually, he's a Genin." Ruri added, causing Shiraishi to look at her strangely.
Even Raimei and Ameyu, who were present, couldn't help but turn their heads.
This level of strength... a Konoha Genin ninja?
Are they kidding?
Even among the high-ranking ninja, only the most elite could unleash such an attack. Moreover, it appeared to be purely physical combat, making it impossible for the python to absorb it.
"Indeed, he's a Genin. And due to his weak strength, he's often ridiculed as the 'Eternal Genin.'"
Shiraishi was rendered speechless. If he didn't know Ruri's character, he would have thought she was joking.
A low-ranking ninja... ridiculed as the 'Eternal Genin'...
This Konoha low-ranking ninja were truly terrifying.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama. I disobeyed orders because I couldn't stand by. But you only ordered the Chunin ninja to retreat, and I'm a Genin, so can't I ignore orders as well?" Might Dai said with fiery enthusiasm.
"Is that so? Then I'll allow you to join the battle." Hiruzen took a deep breath and agreed to let Might Dai fight alongside them.
"Thank you very much."
Might Dai turned around and looked at Ruri in the python's head. "Why would you do something like this? Guy holds so much respect and admiration for you. He said you taught him many ways to become stronger."
"Such a meaningless question." said Ruri, her tone cold.
"Is it?" In other words, at this moment, they were enemies. And one doesn't show mercy to enemies, even if they were former comrades.
The giant python lunged forward, launching an attack on the Konoha ninja who had struck it with Taijutsu.
Thud!
The dull sound of impact ceased, and with it, the massive body of the python came to a halt. The shockwave that followed caused ripples in the water surrounding the python, creating an unsettling sensation deep in one's soul.
A mere human, blocking the python's assault with his own body. Shiraishi looked down from above, and his gaze towards Might Dai became deadly serious.
This Genin... was truly formidable. In comparison to the Third Hokage, this Genin posed the greatest threat to his Water Clone.
"But... how long can this explosive power last?" Shiraishi could see the immense strength within Might Dai, but it was clear this power was derived from a forbidden jutsu and not his natural abilities. Using forbidden jutsus came with significant risks and concerns about sustainability.
"At least until I've taken you all down!" With a punch, Might Dai sent heavy air projectiles towards the python, causing it to roar and retreat. The surface of its watery body rippled with chaos.
"Well done!" Danzo cheered for such an attack and commanded his Beast to assault the python. The giant hooves trampled the serpent, and its jaws ruthlessly bit into the python's body, mercilessly crushing it.
"Expansion Jutsu!" Tokukaze enlarged his hand and swung a giant fist to beat down on the python's body.
In an instant, the tide turned. The python retreated in distress, preparing for a counterattack.
Both sides were preparing for their most powerful attacks, releasing them in their prime state.
"Five Release Great Combo Technique!"
Hiruzen and his four clones simultaneously exhaled, each releasing a large-scale ninjutsu of a different nature.
A raging tsunami.
A roaring pillar of devouring fire.
A terrifying mudslide.
Lightning piercing through the air.
And a storm engulfing everything.
The five nature transformations merged into one ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Ruri's Fire Release was also released in one breath.
The temperature around them was rapidly rising, and the air was filled with intensely dry heat.
Waves of fire surged like a tsunami, dancing wildly, turning the night into a crimson sea.
Through the air, everything before their eyes was burned and twisted to a grotesque degree.
The water surfaces they passed by continued to evaporate, and the trees floating on the water turned into flying dust in an instant.
A terrifying collision and entanglement of overwhelming attacks filled the sky, followed by a earth-shattering explosion.
Scattered flames, thunder, storms, rocks, and water waves.
Konoha ninjas watched all of this in shock. They couldn't believe this was a battle between ninjas.
What was even more astonishing was that Ruri, facing their Hokage's most powerful attack, managed to withstand it, evenly matched.
"Is this... still a battle between ninjas?"
Many Konoha ninjas swallowed hard. No, they couldn't interfere in a battle of this level at all.
Entering this battlefield, it was only a matter of time before they were drawn into the humblest death, which was completely normal.
This place was simply an arena for monsters.
"Truly deserving of the Professor, my strongest Fire Release had no effect at all."
Ruri's expression remained calm.
Shiraishi looked around, somewhat speechless, as he noticed the water level continuing to drop.
"Continuing like this, it feels like this forest with a radius of ten kilometers isn't enough for all this turmoil."
Hiruzen focused intently. Although he still had plenty of chakra left, he felt that this stalemate wasn't a solution. It seemed like there was only one option...
Just as he was about to take action, Shiraishi made a new move. There was a surge of water within the giant snake, and Kushina was separated from it, falling at Shiraishi's feet.
Shiraishi picked up Kushina by the collar and then turned to the astonished Konoha ninjas.
"Let's call it a day, shall we? I have no interest in the Nine Tails. I'm done with this woman, so I'll return her to you."
With that, he tossed Kushina without any hesitation.
Thrown out? Hiruzen and the other Konoha ninjas were somewhat incredulous. Wasn't that the Nine Tails? Wasn't the power of a tailed beast enticing to him?
Was he really discarding her so casually?
"Kushina!"
A figure flashed into the air, and Minato caught Kushina as she fell.
Splurt!
Crimson sprayed out!
Minato's body stiffened, and he looked down. A pitch-black blade of shadow extended from Kushina's body, piercing through his heart.
"Cough!"
He coughed up blood, and his vision blurred. As he descended, his eyes met Shiraishi's, who, beneath the pouring rain, had emotionless eyes.
"A ninja's secret lies in concealing information, striking enemies with a single blow. Revealing this crucial ability carelessly to your enemy is equivalent to foolishness. But being able to eliminate the most threatening ninja and exposing this important ability is completely worthwhile. You are the most troublesome one, Minato, compared to the stagnant higher-ups."
Shiraishi slowly turned his back, and the corner of his eye could still catch Minato's falling figure.
In the midst of the pouring rain, the splattering blood was so beautiful and alluring.
"Farewell, Minato. I apologize... I'll mourn you later."
The giant python turned to dust on the water's surface, and the rest of the people also disappeared in the smoke.
"Minato!"
"Damn it!"
"Where are the medical ninjas? Someone who knows medical ninjutsu, hurry!"
"Where's Lady Tsunade?"
In the dark night, only the frantic and anxious shouts of the Kinoha ninjas remained.
...
As dawn approached,
The torrential rain continued within the Konoha.
Uchiha Rindo, having recovered from his injuries, walked through the streets of the Uchiha Clan. The pervasive sadness that hung over the village had nothing to do with him.
He arrived at an old-style mansion within the clan, and the maids who passed by him bowed in respect.
Passing through the corridor, the courtyard was shrouded in gloomy rain.
Soon, he reached the door of a room, where two Uchiha Jonin stood guard as protectors.
Without a word, Rindo gestured to them and entered the room.
An elderly man lay beneath the covers.
Hearing someone enter, he opened his eyes drowsily and asked weakly:
"Is that you, Rindo?"
He inquired.
"Yes, Elder Sora, it's me."
"How are things going?"
Rindo softly reported to Elder Sora at his bedside:
"As you expected, Ruri led a group of our people, and they've safely left Konoha."
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