Yōkō returned to two hours earlier.
Uchiha Madara had picked the perfect time, right on the night of the full moon.
There were still two hours until Uchiha Madara's assault on Konoha. Yōkō had ample time.
[Mochizuki's Arc activated!
The host has only one chance of resurrection per month, reviving on the previous night of the full moon upon death.
Reward: One lottery chance:
1- Secret Technique: Multi-Size Technique;
2- Secret Technique: Super Thrust;
3- Akimichi Pill.]
After his chakra reserves reached their limit, the options no longer included chakra amount.
Yōkō chose the Multi-Size Technique.
A Yang Attribute nature transformation, it could enlarge a part of or the entire body, drastically increasing strength and size.
This technique had endless wonderful uses. Kyōi and the others were in for a treat.
Yōkō put on his mask, stood on the rooftop, and made a hand signal towards a specific tree canopy.
The Anbu within the canopy vanished with a Body Flicker, going to notify Squad Leader White Ram to meet with the Vice Minister.
White Ram's body flickered before Yōkō, nodding repeatedly as command after command was relayed.
The entire Anbu began to move.
Off-duty Anbu received emergency summons orders; all available Anbu assembled at the base.
After arranging the Anbu affairs, Yōkō said to Kyōi:
"Kyōi, close the izakaya early today. On this night of the full moon, let's take the child and go for a walk together."
The May evening temperature was just right.
Rare for Kōji to be in such a mood, Kyōi held their child and left the izakaya with Yōkō.
Yōkō decided on a direction, and they headed towards the Hokage Rock on the north side of the village.
Within the mountains and underground beneath the Hokage Rock were Konoha's emergency shelters.
Recalling Uchiha Madara's actions in his previous life, Yōkō felt that even if the entire Konoha was destroyed, the face of Senju Hashirama would remain unharmed.
If Uchiha Madara were to invade, Shelter Number One beneath Hashirama's face would definitely be safe.
Senju Hashirama was dead, but the bond between him and Uchiha Madara still deeply influenced Madara.
After arriving at the base of the Hokage Rock, Yōkō spoke seriously: "Kyōi, sit on this bench.
Tonight, someone will come to open the shelter passage.
Remember what I say, when the shelter passage opens, you must quickly proceed to Shelter Number One.
Remember, Shelter Number One."
Kyōi rarely saw Kōji so tense and quickly nodded.
In the blink of an eye, Kōji had disappeared with a Body Flicker Technique.
Konoha Hospital was also near the Hokage Rock.
Yōkō Body Flickered to Konoha Hospital and pushed open the door to Tsunade's office.
He needed to stop Tsunade, make her return to the Senju Clan Compound to protect Kushina, and not be distracted by the Wood Clone Susano'o outside the walls.
"Princess Tsunade! I've received intelligence that someone intends to kill Princess Kushina tonight!"
Hearing this, Tsunade's breathing became rapid, her chest heaved greatly, her deep V-neck dress straining open to reveal more snowy white skin.
"What! Who! Who wants to kill Kushina?"
Tsunade ran through many names in her mind, one ranking highest, the most likely.
Shimura Danzo... Tsunade thought, have you finally lost patience?
Kushina was the village's ultimate weapon, and Danzo had always wanted to control it.
"Uchiha Madara!"
Hearing this name, Tsunade was stunned. Why Uchiha Madara?
She asked: "I heard Uchiha Madara treats the Uzumaki clan well. There's a red-haired boy named Uzumaki Nagato following him.
What exactly is Uchiha Madara's attitude towards the Uzumaki clan? Why would he come to kill Kushina?"
Yōkō said: "It's complicated, Princess Tsunade. Please believe me. After tonight passes, I will explain everything to you."
Tsunade nodded: "I understand."
"Princess Tsunade, do not leave the Senju Clan Compound tonight. You must protect Princess Kushina. If necessary, I will also come to the Senju Compound. I must go now."
Yōkō left Konoha Hospital and immediately headed to the nearby Hokage Building.
Half an hour had passed. He still had an hour and a half left, enough time to strive for the rapid evacuation of Konoha's civilians.
Inside the Hokage's Office, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo, Danzo, and other high-ranking officials were locked in a heated argument over the Guardian Ninja Captain rotation system.
Hatake Sakumo was not a man of many words, but to ensure Konoha's fairness, he had to argue alone against several elders.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was the first to turn his head, looking quizzically to the side.
Black Ant Body Flickered into the Hokage's Office through an open window. He whispered to Yellow Dog:
"Lord Yellow Dog, Lord Fox has issued an Anbu assembly order. All Anbu without missions are currently moving towards the Anbu base in the Forest of Death."
Yellow Dog relayed this message quietly to the Third Hokage.
Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned.
As the Anbu Vice Minister, Fox certainly had the authority to summon the Anbu. But shouldn't he have consulted the Hokage first?
Others, seeing the Anbu seemed to have important information, fell silent.
Hatake Sakumo also took a break; he was tired from arguing, unable to even convince Nara Rokaku.
If even the Jonin Commander didn't support him, then his idea had no chance of being implemented.
At that moment, Yōkō Body Flickered into the Hokage's Office.
Yōkō also went straight to Yellow Dog's side and whispered:
"Lord Yellow Dog! My Wood Release reconnaissance has detected a large number of Uchiha Madara's subordinates near Konoha Village!
The situation is suspicious. Uchiha Madara may be planning a surprise attack on Konoha!"
Yōkō glanced at the clock on the wall, thinking he still had over an hour to evacuate the civilians.
Upon hearing Yellow Dog's report, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately looked at Danzo.
He had ordered Danzo to use Wood Release to set up some measures within Konoha to monitor Uchiha Madara's subordinates.
Had Danzo's surveillance detected nothing?
He knew Danzo's Wood Release was inferior to Fox's, but Danzo's sluggishness still disappointed Sarutobi Hiruzen somewhat.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't hesitate and immediately gave the order:
"Tonight's discussion is over!
Rokaku, immediately issue orders for an evacuation drill!
A night drill simulating the evacuation of civilians in a short time frame when Konoha is under attack during war!
Ensure all villagers enter the shelters as quickly as possible!"
Hearing this, everyone else stood up.
The so-called 'drill' was merely to avoid causing panic. Someone was likely planning to attack the village, hence this major operation.
Yōkō thought, Sarutobi Hiruzen still has some decisiveness, choosing to believe me at this moment.
Nara Rokaku rose from the sofa and immediately left the office to arrange the evacuation drill.
After issuing the order, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned and asked: "Fox, how confident are you?"
Yōkō didn't dare to speak in absolutes. If Uchiha Madara sensed something and didn't attack Konoha tonight, Yōkō would be guilty of falsely reporting military intelligence.
"Seventy percent confidence."
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought for a moment and said, "Seventy percent is not small. Tonight, no one is to leave. Maintain alert at all times.
Black Ant, notify Orochimaru and Tsunade to come to the Hokage Building!"
Hearing the Hokage summon Orochimaru and Tsunade, the others finally realized the severity of the situation.
Yōkō thought, I just told Tsunade not to leave the Senju Compound under any circumstances, and now you're summoning her here. Will she listen to you or me? Hard to guess.
Outside the window, Ninja Hawks circled in the sky, emitting clear cries.
Shinobi leaped across rooftops, relaying the orders issued by Nara Rokaku.
Everyone in the Hokage's office abruptly turned to look out the window, then successively vanished with Body Flickers!
The next instant, the high-ranking officials were already on the rooftop terrace of the Hokage Building.
Konoha was a semicircular village with the Hokage Mountain as one edge. Now, from the east, southeast, southwest, and west directions of the village, four blue Susano'o had appeared.
The Susano'o wielded serpentine swords, cleaving through Konoha's walls!
Yōkō's heart jolted as he realized that no matter how early he gave the warning, once Uchiha Madara discovered Konoha was prepared, he would launch his attack forcefully.
If Uchiha Madara were here, he might even sneer, how could the resistance of ants affect his plans?
Even with Yōkō's early warning, a scenario where civilians were fully transferred simply didn't exist.
A loud roar came from the distance!
The four Susano'o had breached Konoha's walls from four directions.
Seeing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen immediately said:
"Intercept the messenger to Orochimaru! Tell Orochimaru not to come to the Hokage Building, but to intercept the Susano'o directly to the south-southwest!
Danzo, take Root and block the Susano'o to the west!
Fox, take a few Anbu squads and block the Susano'o to the east!
Where is Tsunade! Konoha Hospital is only over three hundred meters away. Why hasn't Tsunade arrived yet!"
An Anbu Body Flickered into existence: "Lord Hokage! Princess Tsunade has returned to her clan compound! She said she must protect the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced towards the direction of the Senju Compound, his eyes full of disappointment, but he said nothing.
He looked at Nara Rokaku and said, "Rokaku! It seems you cannot command from the center. Take the Ino–Shika–Chō clans and use the Akimichi Clan's Multi-Size Technique to deal with the Susano'o to the village's southeast!"
Rokaku nodded. He wasn't skilled in combat, but the village was short-handed. Even if the Ino–Shika–Chō clans had to throw their lives at it, they must stop one Susano'o.
Danzo said: "We must absolutely not allow the Uchiha clan to have contact with Uchiha Madara again! Order the Uchiha clan to stay away from the Susano'o and be responsible for evacuating civilians!"
Hearing Danzo's reminder, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
If the Uchiha clan joined the fight and awakened another Mangekyō, it would be troublesome.
The awakening of the brothers Uchiha Mahiru and Uchiha Kirika had ultimately led to Mitokado Homura's death at the hands of Tobi.
Such a thing must not be repeated.
Sarutobi Hiruzen added: "Order the Military Police Force to evacuate civilians and not approach Uchiha Madara!
Yellow Dog, take the Anbu to supervise the village, especially monitor the Uchiha clan. Under no circumstances allow anyone to take advantage of the chaos!"
Hatake Sakumo quickly asked: "Lord Hokage! Please send me! I cannot be absent from tonight's battle!"
"No!" Sarutobi Hiruzen said. "If Uchiha Madara has returned to Konoha, he would never just destroy the walls.
These Susano'o, while powerful, are likely just released by clones.
Uchiha Madara's true body is the key to tonight's battle!
You and I will stay here as the reserve force. The moment Uchiha Madara's true body appears, that's when we join the fight!"
Hearing this, Hatake Sakumo nodded.
Yōkō moved swiftly, covering the distance to the eastern part of the village in two or three leaps.
The Susano'o's lightsaber was spinning and slashing, carving a circle beneath it.
The bright blue light of the lightsaber illuminated Hyūga Tasuku's face!
It was terrifying. This chakra giant was terrifying. His Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms was utterly useless.
Just as he thought he was doomed, he heard a voice.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees!"
In front of Hyūga Tasuku, dense, thick trunks of maple trees suddenly sprouted!
The lightsaber had just smashed a watchtower squad into minced meat, but it became entangled in the forest created by the Wood Release.
A Wood Dragon appeared above their heads.
Hyūga Tasuku turned and saw an Anbu shinobi wearing a white hooded cloak and a fox mask.
"Go evacuate the civilians. I'll hold this thing off here."
Hyūga Tasuku followed his squad leader in retreat. As he turned his head, he saw two thick Wood Dragons, one coiling from front to back, the other from back to front, entangling the blue skeletal giant.
In just over ten seconds, the blue skeletal giant weakened to the point it could no longer maintain its form.
Was this the legendary number one secret technique of Konoha's founding, Wood Release?
Today, he would remember an Anbu, Vice Minister Fox.
Yōkō sharply turned his head and saw the Complete Body Susano'o that had suddenly appeared within the Senju Clan Compound!
***
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(End of Chapter)