Chapter 402 – Third Stage Susanoo!
The Third Hokage watched as the barrier above the Kumogakure camp twisted violently.
The transparent dome shimmered under continuous bombardment, cracks spider-webbing across its surface.
He nodded slightly.
The unit he had brought with him consisted largely of shinobi from the Sarutobi clan. Their clan specialty was ninjutsu.
Though not officially recognized as a "great clan," and carefully downplayed over the years through Hiruzen's own political balancing, the Sarutobi were neither small in number nor weak in ability.
Especially in elemental techniques.
They excelled.
Such a force was ideal for flank and rear support.
In head-on clashes, combat inevitably devolved into taijutsu once forces collided. Throwing large-scale ninjutsu into a chaotic melee risked striking one's own allies.
But on the flanks—or attacking from behind—
They could unleash their full destructive potential.
Wave after wave of powerful Fire Release techniques smashed into the barrier.
The transparent shield trembled harder and harder.
Then—
With one final coordinated barrage—
It shattered like glass.
"Excellent."
The Third Hokage raised his hand.
"All units, advance! Those proficient in Fire Release—prioritize destroying supplies and infrastructure. Move quickly!"
"Yes, Third Hokage-sama!"
Without hesitation, Hiruzen led the charge himself. Konoha shinobi surged forward behind him.
But just as they neared the camp—
They saw Kumogakure forces already mobilizing.
And leading them—
Was Killer B.
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
This was the worst possible outcome.
Their prior reconnaissance had indicated that the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki had departed with a detachment to strike Konoha's main force from the flank.
But now—
It was clear.
That movement had been bait.
A trap designed to lure him out.
Still, there was no time to dwell on it.
Hiruzen's hands flashed through seals in a blur. Chakra swelled around him.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
The ground ruptured, forming a massive dragon head that began firing dense earthen projectiles toward the advancing Kumogakure forces.
He did not pause.
His hands moved again.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
"Combination Ninjutsu—Earth Dragon Flame Flow!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi had mastered all five elemental natures and their transformations.
Though past his prime, he was still at the final edge of his peak.
His techniques were far more powerful than many would expect.
The earthen dragon bullets ignited, transforming into blazing projectiles the size of boulders. They roared forward in torrents of flame toward the Kumogakure ranks.
Killer B's eyes sharpened.
With his left hand, he drew a second blade.
Though capable of wielding seven swords simultaneously, dual blades were more than sufficient.
With fluid, lightning-fast movements—
He slashed.
One.
Two.
Three.
The massive flaming earth projectiles were split cleanly in half, fragments scattering harmlessly to either side.
The battlefield trembled.
And the real clash—
Had only just begun.
After slicing apart the combined technique, Killer B's body suddenly erupted in crimson chakra.
The chakra wrapped around him like a cloak.
He clenched his fists once, eyes locking onto the Third Hokage charging at the front.
Without hesitation, he leapt forward, twin blades flashing as they slashed down toward Hiruzen.
The Third Hokage immediately halted.
Facing a jinchūriki head-on was never something to take lightly.
It was a pity he had no Sharingan—no way to attempt genjutsu control—but he knew exactly what he needed to do.
"Earth Release: Earth Flowing River!"
The instant his feet planted, his seals were complete.
The ground beneath Killer B liquefied into a surging mud torrent. The force of it swept violently toward the Kumogakure camp.
But in the next moment—
The figure within the mud dissolved into smoke.
A substitution log remained behind.
Hiruzen's gaze flicked left—then right—
Suddenly, from behind him came a shrill, vibrating hum, like a swarm of insects beating their wings at terrifying frequency.
Without hesitation, he formed seals again.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Several towering earthen barriers rose just before Killer B's lightning-charged blade could cleave into him.
But the walls did not last long.
With a high-frequency shriek of lightning chakra—
They shattered.
Hiruzen was already prepared.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A raging dragon of flame roared forward.
Killer B swung his blade with brutal force—
The dragon split cleanly in two.
But in the next heartbeat, countless shuriken rained toward him. He drew yet another blade, spinning and deflecting in a blur of steel.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes.
"So that's it… infusing Lightning Release chakra into the blade to increase sharpness."
"Using lightning's high-frequency vibration to surpass even Wind Release's piercing ability."
"Impressive… and extremely dangerous."
Even now, the "Professor" of Konoha analyzed his opponent in moments.
Watching Killer B dodge and counter his Shadow Shuriken technique with fluid efficiency, Hiruzen couldn't help but acknowledge—
He truly had grown old.
But age gave him something others lacked.
Experience.
Just as he began forming another set of seals, a Hyūga shinobi rushed to his side.
"Third Hokage-sama—we have a problem!"
The man was bloodied—unclear whether it was his own or the enemy's.
"What is it?" Hiruzen pulled him back with a leap, narrowly avoiding several Kumogakure ambushers. "Report!"
"The Kumogakure unit that was supposed to attack our main force's flank—has returned!"
Hiruzen paused.
So that flare earlier—
A signal.
Yet instead of panic, a flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes.
He looked around—at the desperate clashes, the screams, the colliding ninjutsu—
Then steadied his breath.
"Everyone—withdraw!"
---
Meanwhile—
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water—
The battlefield had already turned to ruin.
Explosions ripped apart the earth. Shockwaves flattened trees. Dust swallowed the sky.
Countless shinobi stood frozen, staring.
They wanted to fight.
They wanted to charge into enemy lines.
But they couldn't.
Because in the center of the battlefield—
Two monsters were clashing.
Each collision tore the earth apart. Each shockwave could kill dozens.
When power reached that level—
War became a duel.
A stage for only two.
---
Uchiha Fugaku stood within a massive crater, breathing heavily.
His Susanoo still enveloped him.
But the Fourth Raikage had shattered its defenses more times than he could count.
That man fought like a mad beast.
Bone fractures riddled his body—Fugaku could see it.
And yet—
He did not slow.
He did not hesitate.
He simply kept attacking.
Fugaku understood.
This was the resolve of a Kage fighting for his village.
Though Kumogakure had initiated the war—
The Raikage fought for his people.
Fugaku briefly wondered—
Would he fight like that for the Uchiha?
After a moment's thought—
Yes.
If the clan were cornered, he would give everything.
But—
Perhaps there were better, steadier paths than reckless sacrifice.
He exhaled—
And the Raikage was upon him again.
A devastating punch collided with Susanoo's arm.
"I have to admit," Fugaku said coldly, "your speed… your power… even this stage of my Susanoo is struggling to withstand it."
"Big talk," the Raikage snarled, pain clearly radiating through his battered frame. "How much longer can your shell last?"
This stage?
The Raikage caught that phrase.
So there were others?
Impossible.
If there were more, why not use them already?
He himself was fighting at full capacity.
Both legs fractured. Left arm injured.
He was spending his body like currency.
He would grind Fugaku down until that shell failed.
"Perhaps," Fugaku nodded calmly. "I had intended to reserve this power… in case the Eight-Tails interfered."
"But I must admit—you are strong."
"The only one who could defeat you more easily… would be Uchiha Kei."
The name lodged in the Raikage's mind.
That teenage war hero?
What did Fugaku mean?
Before he could think further—
Fugaku's Susanoo arm swept him away violently.
"I suppose," Fugaku continued, chakra surging wildly around him, "it's time to send you off properly."
The Raikage steadied himself.
He did not rush forward this time.
Perhaps he wanted to see.
Perhaps his injuries forced caution.
Fugaku's Eternal Mangekyō spun.
Chakra exploded outward—terrifying, immense.
Blood streamed from his eyes.
The Susanoo expanded.
Fifty meters tall.
Then—
Armor formed.
Layer upon layer of divine plating covered the giant's body.
A mask settled over its demonic face.
Its presence was suffocating.
Like a war god descended from hell.
The Third Stage Susanoo—
Complete.
The Raikage stared, stunned.
Even a man as wild as him felt a chill.
The chakra was overwhelming.
Oppressive.
Inhuman.
How could a human produce such power?
At this moment—
He had never witnessed the future Susanoo of Uchiha Madara.
And what stood before him now—
Had already surpassed his imagination.