Naruto's chakra became even darker in his five-tailed state. At the same time, the power he displayed grew increasingly formidable.
His crimson eyes stared fixedly at Hiruzen Sarutobi. They were filled with displeasure from being sent flying earlier.
Suddenly, the five tails that were dancing wildly in the air extended like tentacles. They wrapped around several massive boulders within the ruins.
Boosted by the immense strength of the Nine-Tails, these five boulders hurtled toward the Third Hokage like high-powered cannonballs.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"
As the "Professor of Shinobi," Hiruzen Sarutobi was highly skilled in all five nature transformations. He immediately summoned an earth wall for defense.
A series of crashing sounds followed. The earth wall summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi collapsed abruptly the moment it made contact with the boulders.
Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly dashed forward. He swung his long staff, shattering the remaining boulders one by one.
"Sarutobi, why has the Nine-Tails appeared again?"
Enma, serving as Hiruzen Sarutobi's weapon, spoke with a heavy tone.
Since becoming Hiruzen Sarutobi's summon, he had experienced many battles. Among them, the one he dreaded most was undoubtedly the fight against the Nine-Tails.
He originally thought the Nine-Tails had been sealed firmly enough last time. He hadn't expected to fight it again after only a few years.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed upon hearing this. He said somewhat apologetically, "I'm sorry, Enma. I have to ask you to fight alongside me once more."
Sensing the desolation in Hiruzen's tone, Enma joked, "Such pessimistic words don't sound like they should come from the 'Shinobi Legend.'"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a bitter smile. "It can't be helped. Everyone has to accept getting old."
Enma's tone became sharp. "Don't think so much. Isn't it just the Nine-Tails? Let's go, Sarutobi!"
"Yeah."
The Third's gaze became steady once more. He released the Adamantine Staff and formed hand signs.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
With several puffs of white smoke, four identical copies of Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared on the battlefield.
The five Hiruzens moved in unison, charging toward the five-tailed Naruto.
"We must use the fastest speed possible to seal the Nine-Tails back up!"
"Understood."
The four shadow clones answered in unison.
Seeing that the enemy had not only failed to flee but was actively charging at it, the Nine-Tails' rage reached a new level.
Terrifying power was released from its paws. The ground beneath it shattered instantly. Naruto vanished into thin air and reappeared before the leading Third at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
Before the latter could react, a fist wrapped in a massive amount of Tailed Beast chakra smashed down cleanly.
"Boom!"
The sound of an air explosion rang out.
This was immediately followed by the sound of the ground collapsing.
Although the Hiruzen Sarutobi who was hit instantly vanished into smoke, the terrifying power released by the Nine-Tails still reached the ground. It blasted out a huge crater over ten meters in diameter!
"Is this the power of a Tailed Beast?"
Many people present had joined the Anbu later. This was the first time they truly and directly felt how terrifying a Tailed Beast's power was.
A simple punch in an incomplete state had already surpassed the specialized offensive ninjutsu of most ninjas.
This was the horror of a Tailed Beast!
After one clone was defeated, the remaining three clones and the original body stood around the Nine-Tails. They formed signs simultaneously.
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
The ground in front of the first clone suddenly became muddy. Then, the brown mud surged and rolled, forming a fearsome mud dragon that pounced toward the Nine-Tails.
Seeing this, the clone standing to the Nine-Tails' right also cooperated perfectly. It spat out a vast sheet of searing flames: "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Combined Ninjutsu: Earth Dragon Flame Stream!"
The surging flames quickly merged with the earth dragon. The mighty earth dragon, wrapped in burning fire, charged at the Nine-Tails with an invincible posture!
However, the performance of the man called the "Professor of Shinobi" didn't stop there.
While these two clones cooperated to use a combined ninjutsu, Hiruzen Sarutobi's original body and the other clone were not idle.
The former performed the "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu" to create a massive water dragon. The latter used Lightning Style ninjutsu, releasing a terrifying electrical current that wrapped around the surging water dragon.
"Combined Ninjutsu: Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!"
One earth dragon and one water dragon—one carrying rolling flames and the other surrounded by surging electricity—pincer-attacked the Nine-Tails from front and back!
Unable to dodge in time, the Nine-Tails was bitten hard by the two fierce and mighty dragons. Immediately, a terrifying explosion erupted from between the dragons!
Water, earth, fire, and lightning...
Various elements mixed together to form an explosion of staggering power!
The fragile ground could not withstand such an explosion and shattered instantly. The energy waves from the explosion even surged toward the sky, creating a spectacular sight.
"Is this the true strength of the Hokage?"
"He truly lives up to being called the 'Shinobi Legend' and the 'Professor of Shinobi'..."
The ninjas watching the battle sighed with emotion.
Combined ninjutsu, which they might not succeed in even once in a lifetime, seemed effortless for the Hokage.
Furthermore, he released two entirely different combined techniques simultaneously. Even Simu, watching from the side, was amazed by such mastery of ninjutsu.
"Tsk tsk. No wonder Hiruzen Sarutobi could become the Hokage. This strength is truly terrifying."
Simu marveled.
At this time, Danzo's gaze also slowly withdrew from the explosion created by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hearing Simu's words, he gave a somewhat disdainful cold laugh. "Monkey always likes these flashy, impractical things. Only Wood Style is the strongest power to suppress the Tailed Beasts!"
Simu crouched on a piece of ruin, tilting his head while resting his chin on his hand. "Since Lord Danzo is so powerful, why did Hiruzen Sarutobi become the Third Hokage instead of you back then?"
These words directly broke through Danzo's defenses. His exposed eye glared at Simu with fury as he barked, "Presumptuous!"
He drew a kunai from his pouch and spat out a large amount of Wind Style chakra to wrap around it, slashing at Simu!
The Wind Style chakra detached from the kunai, forming a crescent-shaped slash that flew toward him.
Simu jumped nonchalantly, easily dodging Danzo's attack, which only sliced the ruin rocks beneath his feet in two.
Subsequently, Danzo released a large number of Wind Style techniques to attack, but all were easily dodged by Simu.
Compared to the minor skirmish over here, everyone's attention was primarily focused on the battlefield of Hiruzen Sarutobi and the Nine-Tails.
Under everyone's expectant gaze, a dark red chakra tore through the rolling smoke over the massive crater like a sharp sword, piercing the sky!
A strong airflow and a terrifying, heart-stopping aura instantly erupted from the pit. All the surrounding smoke was swept away in one breath!
Naruto had evolved again!
At the center of the explosion, the monster-like Naruto tilted his head toward the sky. A massive amount of Tailed Beast chakra formed a dark red pillar of light that shot straight into the clouds.
Fear, omen, and hatred permeated the air, weighing heavily on the hearts of everyone present.
This is bad...
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave.
His previous attack had not only failed to stop the Nine-Tails from unsealing further but had also enraged it, causing even more chakra to leak out.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's worries were correct. On the surface of Naruto's body, which was shrouded in dark red chakra, pieces of bone-white skeletal structure began to appear. His tails had increased to six, moving one step closer to the Nine-Tails' complete form.
"It seems I can only use sealing jutsu."
The strong airflow continuously swept past Hiruzen Sarutobi's graying hair.
Sealing jutsu was Hiruzen Sarutobi's final resort and the responsibility he had to bear as the Hokage.
He slowly tore off his Hokage robe, letting it fly away with the wind to reveal the ninja combat gear he had already donned underneath.
The Leaf headband on his forehead was slowly tightened. A rare expression of absolute determination appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face.
"Everyone, evacuate immediately!"
"I will deal with the Nine-Tails!"
This time, a breathtaking courage erupted from Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged and withered body.
This courage even made his somewhat hunched frame seem tall.
The surrounding ninjas looked at each other, hesitating.
Kakashi and Guy, the elite Jonin rushing from the distance, also felt the Nine-Tails' terrifying aura.
Originally, they were prepared to go and help, but they stopped in their tracks after hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's command.
Guy, dressed in a green jumpsuit, looked worried. "Kakashi, the Nine-Tails' strength is so terrifying. If we don't go to support him, the Hokage might be in danger!"
But Kakashi expressed a dissenting opinion, stating seriously, "Guy, at such a critical moment, we must trust the Hokage unconditionally. After all, that is... the strongest person in the Leaf!"
After speaking, Kakashi turned his gaze elsewhere. "Guy, leave the Nine-Tails to the Hokage. What we should deal with now are the rebelling Uchiha and the Jashin Religion members hiding in the Leaf!"
For some reason, Kakashi felt that compared to the Nine-Tails and the Uchiha, the Jashin Religion hiding in the shadows might be the Leaf's greatest enemy.
As for Guy, although he was very worried about the Hokage's safety, he also knew he was nothing except for his taijutsu.
Kakashi's overall perspective and awareness were far superior to his own. Therefore, following Kakashi was the right move!
"In that case, let's burn our youth and finish off all those who dare to harm the village!"
Having made his decision, Guy stopped hesitating and charged toward the rebelling Uchiha with a loud shout.
"This is the Nine-Tails' aura."
Itachi Uchiha climbed out of the ruins once more. He looked at the red pillar of light rising into the sky in the distance, his face full of worry.
He turned to stare at his father and questioned, "For the coup to succeed, the Uchiha actually chose to unseal the Nine-Tails?!"
Fugaku sighed and said calmly, "Itachi, this is a coup. If it fails, the entire clan will be wiped out! No means are off-limits!"
Itachi found it difficult to accept. "But once the Nine-Tails is unsealed, the village will suffer even greater losses!"
Tears of blood continuously flowed from Fugaku's eyes. He walked toward Itachi step by step with his already unstable Susanoo.
"You are too naive, Itachi. The village can choose to destroy the Uchiha. Can't the Uchiha rise up and fight back?"
With that, Fugaku Uchiha suddenly accelerated. Carrying the massive Susanoo, he brought a blade down heavily!
Itachi hurriedly dodged to the side.
But the continuous attacks soon left him with nowhere to hide!
Soon, Itachi was forced into a corner of the ruins.
"Itachi, you have failed."
Fugaku's blood-red eyes were filled with disappointment in Itachi.
Facing this desperate situation, Itachi leaned against a broken wall and smiled faintly.
"Father... your chakra should be reaching its limit soon, right? Like this, you probably won't be able to defeat the Anbu elite and the Hokage anymore."
By exhausting Fugaku Uchiha's chakra, Itachi's goal had actually been achieved.
Without chakra, Fugaku could no longer use his Mangekyo to end this battle in a lightning strike. Even if he defeated his son, he was definitely no match for the rest of the Leaf.
The Uchiha had no hope of a comeback.
Unless...
Another sufficiently powerful Uchiha appeared to control the fully unsealed Nine-Tails with powerful ocular prowess.
In that case, they might be able to replicate the Nine-Tails' attack.
Fugaku Uchiha continued toward Itachi, his expression grim. "No matter what, I will personally eliminate you, the traitor, Itachi."
Itachi acted perfectly at ease. "Come, father."
The moment Fugaku stepped into the ruins with his Susanoo active, dense layers of Paper Bombs suddenly appeared on the ground beneath him.
Not just the ground—the surface of every rock in the entire ruins turned into sheets of Paper Bombs!
Itachi slowly formed a sign and said calmly, "Although I cannot trap you, who also possesses the Mangekyo, in an absolute illusion, I can still disturb your perception slightly."
Although Fugaku could resist Itachi's genjutsu with his own Mangekyo, Itachi's genjutsu was ultimately superior to Fugaku's.
Therefore, he didn't choose to control the other party with genjutsu. He only slightly altered Fugaku's visual perception so that his eyes "ignored" the thin layer of Paper Bombs covering the ruins.
But such a subtle change was enough to decide the victory on the battlefield!
As Itachi formed a sign with one hand, all the Paper Bombs lit up with sparks.
The next second...
"Boom!"
A continuous series of explosions rang out. The flames released from these dozens of Paper Bombs instantly enveloped Fugaku and the Susanoo covering him, forming a terrifying explosion!
"Truly unbelievable, this duel between father and son..."
Shikaku and Choza had just coordinated to take down an Uchiha Jonin. They then saw this scene of soaring flames and couldn't help but sigh with a hint of sadness.