Regardless of whether he was Hokage or not, Sakumo could never stand by and watch Yōwan attack any building in Konoha.
"Shadow Clone Technique."
Jumping down from Susanoo, Sakumo summoned four shadow clones in midair before landing.
The five figures each unleashed their strongest kenjutsu, charging straight toward Susanoo's blade.
Before everyone's eyes, Sakumo's comparatively small blade clashed head-on with Susanoo's massive weapon. Amid the flashing of lightning and white light, even Yōwan, controlling Susanoo, felt a trace of resistance.
Every Konoha shinobi noticed what was happening. They all raised their heads, staring intently at their Hokage's figure.
A violent explosion erupted. The massive Susanoo under Yōwan's control was forced back several steps by the overwhelming push. Immediately afterward, Sakumo's real body burst out from the smoke and dust, ninja blade in hand, thrusting straight toward Yōwan.
Watching the still-glimmering blade approaching, Yōwan stood calmly in place, quietly waiting for Sakumo to close in.
Fuen used Earth Release, hurling the rock rod forward.
At the same moment, Yōwan activated his dōjutsu.
The sudden inversion of vision made Sakumo stumble. Unable to dodge in time, he was pierced straight through by the rock rod.
With a puff of smoke, the struck Sakumo vanished—just a clone, as expected.
Yōwan then voluntarily released Susanoo, a move that immediately terrified Fuen standing nearby.
"Boss, you…?"
Because the dōjutsu was cast in an area effect, Fuen was left half-kneeling on the ground, staring in confusion toward Yōwan's position.
The next instant, a sharp blade pierced Yōwan's chest—the wielder being Sakumo himself, who had managed to stabilize his body in those few seconds and launched an instinctive attack.
"Wood Release: Piercing Technique!"
Grabbing the ninja blade with his hand, Yōwan simultaneously unleashed Wood Release, skewering Sakumo in return.
Everything happened in a flash. By the time Fuen's vision returned to normal, he saw Yōwan standing with a sword lodged in his chest, panting heavily, while not far away Sakumo lay impaled by wooden spikes.
It hadn't vanished—this one was the real body!
Both sides had chosen to trade life for life!
Clearly, Sakumo knew that Yōwan had refrained from using his dōjutsu specifically to lure out his true body, leaving such an opening on purpose.
And knowing he might die, Sakumo had still launched his desperate attack against Yōwan.
Sakumo's intent was simple: he could not allow the massive Susanoo to rampage through the village, nor let its attacks endanger innocent civilians.
"Damn it—Summoning Technique!"
Just as Fuen prepared to finish Sakumo off, Tsunade's furious voice rang out.
A giant slug suddenly appeared, enveloping Sakumo completely.
By the time Fuen summoned another rock rod, Tsunade's fist had already slammed into the ground with terrifying force.
"This is Tsunade of the Legendary Sannin—you are no match for her."
Coughing up blood, Yōwan barely evaded the shockwave Tsunade unleashed, while ordering Fuen to halt.
"Take me away!"
Spewing another mouthful of blood, Yōwan clutched his wound and barked at Fuen to carry him off.
"Yes, Boss."
Seeing the blade buried in Yōwan's chest, Fuen shivered, his face full of anguish. He quickly supported Yōwan and fled into the distance.
"You bastard, stop right there!"
Tsunade was about to give chase when her gaze fell on the blood pooled on the ground. A chilling shudder ran through her, instantly robbing her of her earlier ferocity.
"Tsunade-sama…"
Katsuyu looked at her with concern.
"It's fine. Keep him alive and take him to the main medical corps headquarters."
Checking Sakumo's condition with trembling hands, Tsunade's grim expression softened slightly.
His heart and other vital organs hadn't been hit. If surgery was performed promptly, Sakumo's life could be saved.
With Yōwan retreating, the Uchiha, following prearranged signals, began withdrawing from the battlefield along the agreed routes.
"I'll pursue Yakume—you go support Hokage-sama!"
Clutching his injured shoulder, Tekka barked orders to the police force shinobi gathered behind him. He sent them to assist Sakumo while he himself, dragging his wounded body, pursued Yakume.
"Tsunade-sama!"
With no Uchiha to block them now, the first wave of Anbu quickly arrived at her position.
When they saw Sakumo's body skewered by strange wooden spikes, their faces showed nothing but shock.
"The enemy was severely wounded and fled that way. Go pursue them! You—stay behind and report everything here to the Third!"
None of the Anbu dared oppose Tsunade's orders. They followed them without hesitation.
"Where's Minato? Why isn't he here at such a crucial time?!"
Tsunade frowned, questioning the Anbu about Minato's whereabouts.
"Minato-sama is on a mission in the Land of Hot Water. He cannot return quickly."
The Anbu answered truthfully.
"Damn it, at a time like this of all times…"
None of the familiar jōnin were present. Tsunade realized the enemy had struck with perfect timing. Cursing, she rushed toward the medical corps headquarters.
Whether Jiraiya or Minato, that master and disciple pair were always away at critical moments.
...
Amid the chaos, inside the Hokage's office, the clan heads and several advisors had gathered.
They too had seen Sakumo's clash with Susanoo. By the time they arrived, however, the battlefield was nothing but wreckage and pools of blood—both Sakumo and the intruders gone.
With no other choice, they had come here, hoping Sakumo would appear.
When the doors opened, everyone looked toward the entrance, expecting Sakumo. Instead, it was Sarutobi Hiruzen, his hair already streaked with white.
Behind him followed Shimura Danzō, leaning on his staff.
"Sakumo cannot oversee the village for now. I will take over command."
Hiruzen walked straight to the Hokage's seat, declaring his return to leadership of Konoha.
Those present exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, while inwardly speculating on Sakumo's condition.
"The most urgent matter is to hunt down the unidentified Uchiha who attacked Konoha. Since most of our jōnin are out on missions, I request that the clans mobilize their own forces. Send your best shinobi—we must ensure these people are stopped within the Land of Fire!"
Seeing no objections, Danzō stepped forward at Hiruzen's signal, issuing the cold order.
Hiruzen acted openly, Danzō from the shadows.
This familiar scene made everyone present feel as if they had returned to the era of the Third Hokage's rule.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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