The village of Konoha burned under the crimson dusk.
The peace that had embraced the Leaf moments ago was shattered, replaced by chaos, fire, and the clash of chakra.
The smoke rose in thick black columns, twisting into the sky like serpents, while the cries of shinobi and civilians blended into a deafening symphony of war.
Explosions echoed across the rooftops and the ground trembled with each impact.
The Invasion of Konoha had begun.
Near the eastern side of the village, Hiashi Hyūga stood firm, his white robes stained with dust, his Byakugan glowing like twin moons in the smoke-filled air.
A group of Sound-nin darted toward him, kunai and shuriken glinting with deadly precision.
Hiashi's expression didn't even flicker. He took a deep breath, and his body moved like flowing water.
"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!"
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Each strike was faster than sight. The air cracked with the force of his palms as chakra erupted from his tenketsu points, piercing the enemy's defenses.
The first shinobi barely had time to scream before collapsing.
Hiashi pivoted gracefully, his robe swirling. The next wave charged, but he moved through them like a storm. His every motion was perfect, controlled, and deadly.
A young Hyūga clan member called out, panting, "Lord Hiashi! The western wall—!"
Hiashi's eyes didn't leave the battlefield. "Focus your chakra and do not falter. Protect the civilians. That is your duty as a Hyūga!"
"Yes, sir!"
Meanwhile, in the very heart of the chaos, three shadows stood shoulder to shoulder, backlit by the flames devouring the market streets.
The legendary trio of the Ino–Shika–Chō formation.
Inoichi's eyes narrowed, scanning the swarm of enemy shinobi weaving through the smoke. "There are at least thirty ahead. Half of them with mid-level chakra signatures."
Shikaku adjusted his flak jacket, smirking despite the danger. "Troublesome… but nothing we can't handle."
Beside him, Chōza cracked his knuckles, his massive frame rising like a mountain. "Then let's not waste time talking!"
They moved together in sync, already accustomed to each other and working together.
"Multi-Size Technique!"
Chōza's body expanded instantly, his fist swinging down like a wrecking ball, crushing three enemies in one blow.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
Shikaku's shadow slithered through the dust, catching two enemy ninja mid-hand-sign.
"Gotcha," He muttered lazily, before tightening his hold and forcing them to slam into each other.
"Mind Body Switch!"
Inoichi's body jolted forward, his consciousness transferring into one of the Sand-nin who tried to ambush them from the rooftops. The possessed enemy turned, attacking his own comrades before collapsing under his own blade.
"Perfect," Shikaku said with a satisfied smirk. "Classic formation. It was almost nostalgic, isn't it?"
"Less nostalgia, more survival!" Inoichi snapped, returning to his body, already preparing the next jutsu.
The three veterans continued to fight. Their coordination was flawless, intellect, strength, and precision working as one.
Near the Hokage Monument, Jiraiya stood atop the rubble of a collapsed building, his white hair flowing wildly in the smoky wind. Below him, three massive serpents writhed through the streets, their scales glistening as they crushed walls and shattered stone towers.
"Damn snakes… Orochimaru's really letting loose this time."
He bit his thumb, slamming his palm into the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"
Boom!
The ground split open as a massive toad with a scarred face and a pipe clenched between its lips emerged in a burst of smoke.
It was Gamabunta, the chief toad of Mount Myōboku.
"Oi, Jiraiya! You really had to call me during dinner, didn't you?!"
Jiraiya smirked, wiping blood from his lip. "Sorry, Bunta, but unless you feel like watching Konoha burn, I'd say it's time for some pest control."
Gamabunta grumbled, puffing smoke. "Hmph. Fine. I'll squash a few snakes for you. But you owe me sake after this!"
"Deal!"
With a roar that shook the heavens, Gamabunta lunged forward, slamming his blade into the nearest serpent. The two titans clashed, their movements causing shockwaves that sent dust spiraling across the village.
"Giant Rasengan!" Jiraiya shouted, leaping from Bunta's head and driving his swirling chakra sphere into another snake's skull.
The explosion lit up the sky, scattering the serpentine invaders into pieces.
Across Konoha, almost everywhere, the battles were going, explosions erupting.
The ANBU operatives clashed with Sound-nin in the narrow alleys, masked faces streaked with blood and determination.
Fireballs and wind blades crisscrossed the rooftops, lighting up the smoky air like fireworks.
Medic-nin rushed through the chaos, dragging the wounded to shelter, their chakra-glowing palms shaking from exhaustion but never stopping.
------
The rooftops of the Hokage Tower
The flames of war devoured the Hidden Leaf. The screams echoed across the smoking rooftops, chakra flares erupting like fireworks across the night.
The shattered tiles and burning timber rained down as the teacher and student stood locked in combat, their chakra surging so fiercely that the very air seemed to distort around them.
Hiruzen stood steady, his battle-worn face illuminated by the flickering orange glow of fire and destruction. His robes were torn, his staff firmly in hand, his eyes locked on the pale, serpent-like man standing opposite him.
Orochimaru's lips curved into a sinister smile. His golden eyes gleamed with madness and excitement.
"Hehehe… you've aged, Sarutobi-sensei. Your arms tremble… your chakra is waning. You should have retired long ago."
Hiruzen gritted his teeth. "Orochimaru… even if my body has weakened, my will as Hokage has not. I will protect Konoha… with my life if I must."
The ground between them shattered as they launched forward simultaneously.
Boom!
The Kusanagi flashed through the smoke, its blade extending like a living serpent.
Hiruzen's staff met it mid-air, sparks exploding as steel met enchanted wood.
'He's faster than before… that cursed body of his grants unnatural reflexes.'
Hiruzen twisted his staff, redirecting the blade and counterattacking, forcing Orochimaru back with a powerful strike.
Orochimaru slithered away with a hiss, his body bending unnaturally to dodge.
"Tell me, Orochimaru…" Hiruzen's voice thundered through the chaos, "Who is that man?! Why have you allied with someone who brings nothing but destruction?!"
Orochimaru chuckled darkly, his tongue slithering out as he licked the blood from the corner of his lips. "Since you'll die here tonight, I suppose there's no harm in telling you."
He raised his hand, weaving signs with inhuman speed. "I didn't seek him out, Sarutobi-sensei. He found me."
The ground cracked open beneath Orochimaru's feet as snakes burst out, lunging toward the Hokage.
Hiruzen swung his staff, crushing their skulls with pinpoint precision.
Orochimaru continued, his voice laced with venom and reverence.
"He said we shared a goal. You see… he wants something even greater than this village. And I—" He smiled wider, his golden eyes gleaming, "—I want to see how far humanity can go once it breaks free from moral chains."
Hiruzen's jaw tightened. "So you've become someone's pawn again, Orochimaru. You disappoint me."
Orochimaru's smile faded, replaced by a cold glare. "Pawn? No, sensei… I am simply a curious god experimenting with my creations."
The Kusanagi shot forward again, this time faster, slashing at Hiruzen's chest.
Hiruzen twisted aside, feeling the blade slice a piece of his robe. He countered with a burst of chakra-infused staff strikes, each echoing like thunderclaps.
Orochimaru dodged, but the last one clipped his shoulder, sending him spinning back, blood dripping onto the rooftop tiles. He smirked through the pain. "Ah, that fire in your eyes… even age hasn't stolen it. You still fight for this village that has long forgotten your sacrifices."
"Don't speak of things you don't understand!" Hiruzen barked, slamming his staff into the ground. "Summoning Jutsu—Monkey King Enma!"
With a puff of smoke, Enma appeared beside him, his muscular body gleaming with divine power. "Hiruzen! You look worse than usual!"
Hiruzen gave a faint smile. "No time for jokes, old friend. Orochimaru's gone too far this time."
Enma's expression hardened as he turned toward Orochimaru. "You again… vile snake."
Orochimaru extended his hand mockingly. "Ah, the loyal pet returns. How quaint."
The Monkey King snarled, transforming into a massive golden staff. Hiruzen gripped it and swung with a roar, forcing Orochimaru to block. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the entire building, cracking walls and shattering glass.
"Still holding back, sensei?" Orochimaru sneered, pushing against the staff. "Or are you afraid that if you unleash your full strength… your fragile heart won't survive?"
Hiruzen's breath grew heavy. "Even if this heart stops beating… it will be as the Hokage of Konoha!"
He suddenly leapt back, forming a rapid sequence of seals.
'Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!'
A roaring inferno surged forth, engulfing Orochimaru's position. The snake sannin responded instantly, weaving his own seals.
'Earth Style: Mud Wall!'
A giant barrier rose, shielding him, but the fire was so intense it melted through parts of it.
Orochimaru's sleeve caught fire, forcing him to discard it with a hiss.
'His chakra is immense even now… the old man refuses to die quietly.'
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
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