"Hey, you..."
Dizzy and disoriented, Sasuke heard a strange voice.
"How come you're so weak?"
As the voice reached his ears, Sasuke finally saw the man who had suddenly appeared before him.
In this mist-filled unfamiliar space, the man's face became increasingly clear.
He was a long-haired man with small braids by his ears and short eyebrows.
"Indra?" Sasuke was slightly taken aback, muttering in disbelief.
Indra coldly stared at him, his tone carrying an almost imperceptible sense of helplessness and disdain. "You've inherited my memories, so why are you still this pathetic?"
Sasuke's face flushed red, momentarily unable to respond.
How could this be considered pathetic?
Achieving three tomoe at the age of nine was truly a once-in-a-lifetime genius-level talent in the history of the Uchiha Clan!
He just needed a little more time.
Indra sighed softly. "I can help you become stronger, but on one condition—you must stay away from that blond brat."
Sasuke had inherited Indra's memories, and conversely, Indra had also gained access to Sasuke's.
He could seize control of Sasuke's body at any moment, but Ashura's chakra remained attached to Naruto. The two had been entangled for over a thousand years; every time he reincarnated, Ashura would follow suit.
Once he appeared, Ashura would surely show up just as eagerly.
After that, no matter what he tried to do, that annoying guy would always interfere.
"Left, Left..."
A childish cry repeatedly echoed in his mind. He blinked awake to see the blond boy staring at him with wide, worried blue eyes.
"Sasuke, you're finally awake," said Naruto, exhaling in relief upon meeting Sasuke's gaze.
Without acknowledging him, Sasuke glanced around.
So, Orochimaru had actually kept his promise, moving them away from the battlefield.
At this moment, Orochimaru was collecting some personal belongings.
Naruto watched the scene with mixed feelings, secretly hoping Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze could get away soon.
Otherwise, he wouldn't know where else to go.
Turning his gaze back, Sasuke cast a calm glance at Naruto's lonely figure. Remembering what Indra had said, he made up his mind to find an opportunity to distance himself from Naruto.
...
Elsewhere.
The battlefield where Konoha shinobi and Jiraiya's group fought.
Although each pair occupied their own battleground, Might Guy and the Fourth Raikage (A) had definitely traveled the farthest.
Sweat soaked through his clothes, yet Guy still burned with enthusiasm. His eyes burned with fire as he locked onto the powerful, spiky-haired man before him.
"You did your best," the Fourth Raikage (A) sneered.
Though this body felt nothing, at this moment, fighting against Guy strangely gave him a thrilling sensation—a satisfying battle.
"Once more, Gate of Wonder, open!" Guy shouted.
Blue steam began to rise from his body as sweat evaporated under the strain. Ignoring the searing pain, he charged forward with terrifying momentum toward A — Fourth Raikage.
Even the air around him seemed compressed.
"Good!" Fourth Raikage roared in response, showing no fear whatsoever.
...
Since being warned by Yugao, the Konoha ninjas had been treating this battle with caution.
Jiraiya had finally resolved to end this fight swiftly.
After all, Naruto was likely waiting for him.
"Minato, finish it quickly," Jiraiya said, turning toward Minato.
Minato nodded gravely.
At worst, without using the Flying Thunder God Technique, his speed alone remained among the fastest in the ninja world.
After giving instructions to Minato, Jiraiya exchanged a glance with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
It was as though they could read each other's thoughts—one unleashing an Earth Release, the other a Fire Release.
[Composite Ninjutsu: Earth Dragon Fire Stream]
A fire-breathing earth dragon emerged from the ground.
That wasn't enough. Hiruzen Sarutobi then summoned several shadow clones.
[Five Chakra Natures: Great Combination Bullet Technique]
Suddenly, a devastating wave of Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth Releases surged toward the ordinary ninjas.
The destructive power was spine-chilling.
Those regular shinobi were filled with terror.
In the original story, this move even blocked Tobi's attack when fused with Yamato.
"The Third really means business."
Hiroki sighed, releasing repulsive force behind himself to further increase his speed.
At the same time, he gathered green light in his palm and shot it in that direction.
Not all shinobi were at Yugao or Guy's level, capable of dodging purely through speed.
And not everyone possessed spatial ninjutsu like Izumi's divine ability.
Faced with this flawlessly combined five-element jutsu from the Third Hokage, other ninjas—including Anko—began panicking.
Just as they didn't know what to do,
Wind, Lightning, Water, Fire, and Earth elements converged at one point. Suddenly, a green beam shot over. Upon collision, the Five Great Bullets' power actually started diminishing.
"It's fading... No way!" The Konoha ninjas were shocked.
At this moment, Hiroki finally came into view.
"Was that him?!" Jiraiya frowned at him while Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared deep in thought.
"Anko, take the others and leave," Yugao scanned the area, realizing they couldn't offer much help.
Anko hesitated but instead of retreating with the others, she simply stepped back a few paces.
Yugao glanced at Izumi Uchiha, who was wrapped in White Zetsu, thinking that being protected by White Zetsu should keep her relatively safe from harm.
"Izumi, use the sword techniques you learned from me."
Izumi hesitated briefly before drawing her long sword.
She had to admit, since her eyes evolved into Mangekyou, she had become overly reliant on her Sharingan.
First, Yugao charged toward Minato.
Izumi, her Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated, silently copied the movement, charging forward as well.
Sarutobi and Jiraiya attacked Hiroki Hyuga from both sides.
The only ones still standing calmly in place were Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya, and Hiroki Hyuga.
"Jiraiya, he must be quite important," Sarutobi began.
"Him..."
Before Jiraiya could finish speaking, Sarutobi continued, "Think carefully. There have been many times when he directed Tsunade's actions and controlled Yugao Uzuki."
Recalling the events, Jiraiya gave a slight nod.
"We don't know exactly how he relates to Kaguya, but he's definitely beyond someone like Yugao Uzuki," Sarutobi stated.
"Oh my, finally figured it out, huh? Leaving you two alive won't do," Hiroki Hyuga said playfully.
Despite his words, he remained vigilant.
There was one technique these two possessed that deeply troubled him: The Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
If the Shinigami got hold of him, he couldn't predict what might happen.
"Master Jiraiya, I originally wanted you to die by Tsunade's hands—dying with unfulfilled love turning into eternal tragedy—but now I guess I'll have to do it myself." Hiroki casually mentioned his previous dark fascination.
"Tsunade becoming like this... was it your doing?" Jiraiya barely suppressed his anger.
"No," Hiroki Hyuga shook his head. "It was actually you who kept pushing her further away."
Jiraiya took a deep breath.
Glancing at the two, Hiroki continued, "I actually considered making you two turn on each other in battle. But without anyone watching, it feels kind of pointless. Forget it."
Hiroki shrugged as he said.
"Jiraiya, I'll buy us some time," Sarutobi told his companion beside him.
They still didn't understand exactly what had happened before—whether Hiroki erased or absorbed their techniques. If he truly had that power, ordinary ninjutsu would be useless. Only Jiraiya's Sage Art might stand a chance.
Jiraiya understood his meaning. He felt heavy-hearted because he hadn't prepared anything beforehand.
Drawing upon natural energy on the spot would probably take some time.
Might as well not drag this out any longer. Glancing at the battle involving Yugao and others, as well as some chakra surges appearing elsewhere, Hiroki remarked.
From his tone, it seemed nothing about these two held any significance for him.
[Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique]
Sarutobi and his shadow clones launched a flurry of shurikens at once.
A dense shower of throwing stars appeared from all directions, completely surrounding Hiroki from every angle, leaving him nowhere to escape.
Since ninjutsu proved ineffective, after brief consideration, Sarutobi decided to use physical attacks instead.
Hiroki merely cast a calm glance.
The shuriken suddenly froze midair.
As if everything had stopped instantaneously.
Immediately afterward, all the shuriken fell to the ground.
"Third Hokage, you should've died long ago. It's already been more than enough time surviving this long."
Suddenly feeling indifferent toward the confrontation, Hiroki Hyuga activated his ability again.
Jiraiya was confused, unable to grasp why Hiroki didn't proceed with any action after delivering those harsh words.
Just as he was trying to make sense of things,
Suddenly, Sarutobi's body started dissolving.
Everything became unpredictable.
What had just happened to Obito was now happening again—this time to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
His body shattered into pieces, scattered across the ground.
At this moment, Jiraiya seemed to understand something.
This wasn't the release of the Impure World Reincarnation technique. What Obito had just experienced hadn't been a voluntary disappearance either.
Most likely, it had something to do with the newly emerged Hiroki Hyuga.
"Teacher..." Jiraiya murmured, feeling a deep sense of loss inside.
"How was he defeated?" Minato stared in disbelief at the scene before him.
More importantly—how could one even defend against such a thing? Jiraiya silently added in his mind.
"Honey, did you figure it out?" On Mount Myoboku, two small frogs crouched in front of a crystal ball, watching events unfold within it. Shima asked.
"...It must be related to the soul, like the elder mentioned," Fukasaku replied after a pause.
"Then how can we fight back?" Shima pressed on.
"I don't know. Maybe the elder does." After shaking his head, Fukasaku hesitated briefly and said, "Let's bring them all back first."
Back in the ninja world,
Hiroki returned to his own body, looking at Jiraiya with obvious interest.
Just then, Izumi urgently spoke up, "Hiroki Hyuga, Jiraiya or the Fourth—who should we keep?"
"Them...? What's going on?" Hiroki hesitated slightly.
"We're running out of time..."
"Jiraiya." Without hesitation, Hiroki answered immediately.
Before his words had fully faded, Izumi turned her gaze toward Jiraiya. In the same instant, Minato Namikaze turned into smoke and vanished before everyone's eyes.
Jiraiya found himself completely paralyzed, unable to move at all.
A moment later, the sensation finally disappeared.
Izumi's eyes became even more painful to look at, bloodshot red.
"Take her back," Hiroki softly said.
Now he finally got it.
Back when they were in the Country of Hot Springs, Jiraiya had once been rescued through Reverse Summoning.
Now, those frogs were probably pulling the same stunt again.
An extension unfolded from Izumi's mask, covering even her eyes, as White Zetsu took control of her body and led her away from Orochimaru's base. Once they reached an area without sealing formations, they tunneled underground back to Konoha.
"It seems like you've been abandoned, Master Jiraiya."
As he spoke, Hiroki entered Jiraiya's spiritual world.
"Fighting me here? Don't you think you're being too confident?" Jiraiya smiled.
"Obito Uchiha and the Third Hokage both thought the same way at first," Hiroki said while seizing control of this realm, step by step approaching Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's face darkened. "Did you eliminate them the same way? Devour them?"
"That's right."
"...After consuming so many consciousnesses, can you still maintain your own identity?" Jiraiya whispered solemnly.
"Honestly, that's not your concern, Master Jiraiya. People like you, who always stay lucid, still end up becoming someone else's puppet. That frog is merely using you for revenge."
"..."
"It ends here. Let her remember you with sorrow, not with pain, hatred, or confusion drowning out the sweetness she once held dear."
"Is that so?"
"Whispering these words, Jiraiya's spiritual form gradually faded into nothingness.
Scenes from his entire life surfaced in his mind.
It's over... no matter right or wrong, everything is no longer my concern... At least someone will remember me... Tsunade will too...
At the same time, Naruto suddenly vanished before Orochimaru and Sasuke.
Both were momentarily stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
A faint smirk curled Sasuke's lips. "Orochimaru, can we leave now?"
"Shouldn't we wait for him?" Orochimaru asked with a playful expression.
Sasuke snorted in contempt.
"Sasuke, aren't you at least a little worried about Naruto?" Orochimaru pressed.
"Tch," Sasuke scoffed coldly, "who cares about that loudmouth loser anyway."
Mount Myoboku.
Naruto and Minato materialized behind Elder Fukasaku and Lady Shima at the same time.
"Frog Sage, what's up now?" Naruto asked puzzled.
Elder Fukasaku ignored him, pushing the Crystal Ball — the one he had been watching — toward Shima and said calmly, "Take it away and destroy it."
"This is from Master Jiraiya..." Naruto muttered, watching flickering images briefly appear on its surface.
"Elder Fukasaku, why should we destroy it?" Minato questioned.
As the person who best understood Jiraiya's current perilous situation, the old sage's attitude only deepened Minato's anxiety.
If this Crystal Ball was recording Jiraiya's circumstances, why destroy it? Did that mean it would never be used again?
"There's no point in watching anymore," Elder Fukasaku sighed lightly.
"Does this mean that Master Jiraiya...?" Minato couldn't bring himself to finish.
Avoiding the topic, the elder warned them carefully, "Minato, Naruto, if you ever encounter any blue-eyed Hyuga clansmen again, try not to get too close — they're too strange..."
Minato remained silent.
Naruto, however, shouted, "Frog Sage! Let me see how Master Jiraiya's doing right now!"
Minato pulled him back.
"Naruto, even Master Jiraiya needs rest sometimes..."
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