Even a ruler as powerful as Emperor Wu of Han in ancient times found his empire's vitality drained, his treasury empty, and his commoners in tears after finally defeating the Xiongnu. After World War II, the British Empire plummeted from its throne as the world hegemon to a mere second-rate power.
Hiruko had no intention of repeating such history. This wasn't twelve years into the future; the Third Shinobi World War had only just ended. These hidden villages hadn't had time to recuperate—how could they possibly withstand the financial drain of a prolonged, high-intensity siege?
In truth, the enemy's patience was even thinner than Hiruko had anticipated.
Four days later, news arrived that three outposts on the flank of the Konoha defense line had been overrun. This time, a well-prepared Minato Namikaze did not hesitate. Taking Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and the Third Hokage with him, he charged toward the enemy's coordinates.
Tsunade and Danzo remained behind to guard the rear. Minato knew full well that this was likely a trap. However, remembering the "trump card" Hiruko had left him for such an occasion, he decided to seize the opportunity to end this war once and for all.
The group blurred through the forest, following the trail of intelligence until they reached their destination.
Under the harsh sunlight, Hanzo of the Salamander, wearing his signature respirator, sat motionless in the shadows cast by several massive boulders. He sat in silence, seemingly lost in thought. A faint purple mist swirled around him—the venom of the Black Salamander, a poison so lethal it was legendary.
Thirty meters away lay a heavily injured Konoha squad. Hanzo could have ended their lives with a mere flick of his wrist, but he hadn't. Instead, he sat in the shade, sipping an ice-cold bottle of Konoha-branded Cola he had scavenged, waiting with chilling indifference for the main force to arrive.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Can you all still move?" Minato asked with a gentle, reassuring smile.
"Yes!"
"Then leave this place immediately."
The wounded shinobi supported one another, hobbling away from the clearing as quickly as their injuries allowed.
Silence fell over the scene. A raspy, aged voice vibrated through Hanzo's respirator. "Jiraiya... Orochimaru... it has been a long time. To think you have grown to such a level."
"This time, it's your turn to lose," Jiraiya countered.
"Heh... perhaps."
In the original history, Hanzo was a complex man. His life was split into two halves: the first as the "Demi-God" who terrorized the ninja world and led the Hidden Rain to victory against Iron, Sand, and Leaf alike; the second as a paranoid, stagnant ruler waiting for Pain to end his life.
But right now, Minato didn't care about Hanzo's legacy. He struck instantly, launching a volley of specialized kunai that cut through the air like shooting stars. Simultaneously, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Sarutobi Hiruzen began weaving hand signs with fluid, practiced precision. They didn't care why Hanzo had abandoned his neutrality to act as a mercenary for the alliance; in their eyes, he was an enemy of the Leaf.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
With a thunderous crash, the mighty Gamabunta materialized, his massive frame resembling a shifting mountain. Beside him, Orochimaru's Manda slithered out of a rift in space, flicking its crimson tongue. Even the Third Hokage summoned Enma, the Monkey King. The battlefield was suddenly crowded with legendary creatures, the air heavy with the scent of an approaching storm.
"Another troublesome opponent, eh?" Gamabunta grumbled, scratching his head.
Manda, ever arrogant, hissed at Orochimaru. "Orochimaru! This time, I want a hundred sacrifices!"
"Heh, this time will be more than enough to satisfy you," Orochimaru replied coldly.
Gamabunta was about to toss back a retort when a sudden blur interrupted them. A massive salamander erupted from the shadows, slamming into Manda with bone-crushing force. Though it looked bloated and fleshy, its movements were terrifyingly agile. Upon impact, it unhinged its jaw and sprayed a jet of purple venom. Manda, unable to dodge in time, was engulfed in the toxic mist, his massive body instantly paralyzed.
Minato didn't wait. He blurred forward like a golden flash, closing the distance to Hanzo.
As the titans clashed, a clone of Hiruko watched from the periphery. He had predicted this wouldn't be a simple fight. Hanzo was almost certainly the bait. While the "Sannin" and the Hokages could handle Hanzo easily, the battle was a setup. Hiruko's clone remained hidden, his eyes fixed on the unfolding tactical landscape.
After a brief, high-speed exchange, Hanzo managed to force Minato back. Looking at the young Hokage's blinding speed, Hanzo let out a weary sigh. "I really am getting old..."
He closed his eyes, performed a series of rapid signs, and split into several Water Clones that scattered in different directions. It was a clumsy, almost perfunctory feint, but Minato didn't hesitate. He pursued the retreating Hanzo, followed by the others. They were confident—even if the Stone and Cloud leadership were waiting for them, the combined might of Konoha's top brass was not easily overcome.
They chased him until Hanzo suddenly skidded to a halt. He turned back and fired a signal flare into the sky.
The flare erupted with a blinding brilliance, turning night into day. Immediately, the air began to churn with three distinct, mountain-shaking pulses of chakra.
The Konoha veterans realized instantly they had walked into a masterpiece of an ambush. But even for them, the sheer volume of chakra was staggering. This wasn't human chakra. It was the weight of Tailed Beasts.
Before the era of "Giant Susanoo" battles, Tailed Beasts were the ultimate deterrents. On a battlefield, their power was synonymous with absolute destruction. Had Hiruko not captured Yugito Nii earlier, there likely would have been four.
"Get back!" Jiraiya roared.
The three pulses of energy condensed and took physical form. Emerging from the forest were the Four-Tails (Son Goku), the Five-Tails (Kokuo), and the Eight-Tails (Gyuki). Their roars shook the very foundations of the earth as they encircled the Konoha party.
Roushi, already in his Tailed Beast State, didn't hesitate. These weren't the unstable outbursts of amateurs; these hosts had spent years honing their synchronization. Killer B, the Eight-Tails host, was a Perfect Jinchuriki. Together, their combined pressure was enough to suppress even the Nine-Tails.
To seal their escape, a massive barrier rose around the perimeter. While not unbreakable, it would hold them long enough for the slaughter to begin.
Two familiar figures leaped from the shadows: Fourth Raikage A and Third Tsuchikage Onoki. Including Hanzo, that made three Kage-level fighters and three Tailed Beasts against Konoha's four.
"The advantage is mine!" Onoki thought, his heart racing with anticipation.
Minato Namikaze, however, merely let a confident smile play across his lips. "Fourth Raikage, Lord Onoki... you certainly think highly of us. Bringing three Tailed Beasts to the party?"
"Fourth Hokage, you have already lost!" the Raikage's voice boomed like thunder. A was never one for cowardice; he was a man who would charge a legend like Madara Uchiha without a second thought. His physical prowess was such that he could shatter Susanoo ribs with raw strength.
Naturally, he believed this was the end for Konoha.
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