The air was heavy.
The battlefield no longer resembled the peaceful forest it once was. Every corner was torn apart — fire-scorched earth, shattered rocks from earth release, steaming craters from water and fire colliding, and long cracks stretching across the ground as though the earth itself feared the battle taking place upon it.
Dust rose into the sky, blotting out the moonlight. The scent of ash, smoke, and destruction filled every breath. The ANBU stood on the perimeter, their bodies tense, their eyes wide behind their masks. This was not just a battle. This was the collision of two overwhelming forces — one representing the village, its history, and the Will of Fire… and the other, Indra Uchiha, representing absolute, unshakable power.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood tall despite his age, despite his exhaustion. His Adamantine Staff glimmered faintly in the fires around them. His face was pale, sweat dripping down, but his eyes burned with fierce resolve.
"Indra Uchiha," he said, his voice echoing across the ruined battlefield. "If the Will of Fire must burn until my very last breath, then so be it. I will protect this village."
He slammed his staff against the ground, and his hands blurred through seals faster than most shinobi could track.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
The night roared as a massive dragon of fire surged forth, the flames so bright they lit up the faces of ANBU standing far away. But Hiruzen did not stop.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A water dragon burst forward, colliding and merging with the fire dragon, creating clouds of boiling steam that surged toward Indra with explosive force.
"Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder!"
Bolts of lightning tore through the steam, electrifying it, making the very mist lethal.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
The wind intensified the storm, scattering the charged steam in every direction.
Finally, Hiruzen's voice thundered again.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
The ground split, and a massive earth dragon emerged, its maw hurling stones and mud into the storm.
Five elements. Five forces. All at once.
The ANBU gasped, their hearts pounding. "He's… he's using all five natures simultaneously!"
Even Kakashi, kneeling and battered, lifted his gaze in awe. This is why they called him the Professor… Hokage-sama truly has mastered everything.
But Indra?
He laughed.
A low, calm, amused laugh that echoed even louder than the thunderclaps. His crimson Sharingan glowed, reflecting the chaos rushing toward him. He stepped forward slowly, as though walking through a storm was nothing more than a stroll in the rain.
"Five elements? A storm of techniques? And yet…" He raised his Kusanagi sword, flames igniting along its blade until it shone white-hot. "...in the face of true strength, this is nothing but dust."
With a single slash, Indra unleashed a torrent of fire so intense that the steam evaporated instantly. The lightning bolts were swallowed by the heat, the earth dragon melted into molten sludge, the wind was consumed, and the fire dragon itself was cut in two.
The clash erupted into a cataclysmic explosion.
The ground split apart, great cracks racing outward like veins of destruction. Dust and rubble shot into the air, covering the battlefield in choking clouds. Shockwaves rattled the bones of every spectator, forcing ANBU to stagger back.
When the smoke cleared, Indra stood at the center, calm and smirking, his flaming sword resting casually at his side.
Hiruzen did not relent. He charged forward with Enma in hand, the Adamantine Staff extending and striking from above like a divine hammer. Indra met it head-on, his flaming blade clashing with the indestructible staff.
Clang!
The sound reverberated like thunder, sparks flying in all directions.
Hiruzen spun the staff, striking from the left, the right, then overhead. Indra's blade intercepted every blow, the heat of his fire scorching the staff, though Enma growled, enduring it.
"Foolish boy!" Hiruzen roared, his strikes faster, harder, heavier. Each one cracked the ground beneath their feet.
Indra only laughed louder. His parries were smooth, almost casual. With each clash, his grin grew wider, his Sharingan gleaming brighter.
Their strikes shook the battlefield. The ground split open in long jagged lines, dust clouds billowed, broken stones flew through the air like shrapnel. Every impact sent shockwaves that threw weaker ANBU to their knees.
"Such brutality…" one ANBU muttered.
"Is this really a human battle?" another whispered.
The battlefield was now scarred beyond recognition.
Here, a massive crater from Hiruzen's fire dragon clashing with Indra's flames.
There, molten rocks from the destroyed earth dragon.
Pools of steaming water, charged faintly with lightning, covered one side.
Gale marks cut across the trees, slicing trunks cleanly in half.
And everywhere — scorch marks from Indra's Kusanagi blade, lines of fire carving the ground itself.
The clash of elements had turned the battlefield into a graveyard of nature itself.
The ANBU watched helplessly.
"Even Hokage-sama's full power… it isn't enough…"
Their voices trembled. The Will of Fire they believed in, the man they saw as the strongest pillar of the village, was being matched — even toyed with — by one man.
Kakashi's fists clenched, his Sharingan eye wide. He's… enjoying this. Every attack, every strike… he's not even fighting seriously. He's laughing.
Danzo's single eye narrowed, his thoughts dark. Yes… just a little more. Let the old fool exhaust himself. When both are weakened, I will act. The throne of Hokage… will be mine.
Indra parried another crushing strike, then pushed Hiruzen back with a flaming sweep of his sword. His voice rang across the battlefield.
"Is this all, Hokage? This is the Will of Fire? A desperate old man swinging his staff, drowning in sweat?"
He smirked cruelly, his Sharingan glowing like a predator's eyes.
"In front of true strength, your so-called will… is nothing but a joke."
The ANBU flinched, their fists clenched, but none could refute. Because Indra was standing untouched — laughing amidst the storm — while their Hokage's breathing grew heavier by the second.
The earth trembled again.
Hiruzen's staff extended, smashing downward with the force of a hammer that could level a mountain. Indra caught it with one hand on his flaming Kusanagi, sparks exploding as the two forces collided. The shockwave split the ground, sending cracks racing outward in spiderweb patterns, dust surging into the air.
The Hokage gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his arms. His body was already battered, his breath heavy. His age was catching up to him, his chakra reserves dwindling after the relentless use of all five elements. Yet his eyes still burned with defiance.
"This village… will not fall to you."
Indra tilted his head, smirking, the Sharingan glowing like a blood moon.
"Fall to me? Old man, it already has. You just haven't realized it yet."
With a push, he shoved Hiruzen back. The Hokage staggered but regained his stance quickly, slamming through another set of hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A roaring dragon of water spiraled forth, tearing through the air.
Indra swung his blade upward, fire coating it in a blazing arc.
The dragon evaporated instantly, turning into a massive cloud of steam that engulfed the battlefield.
Through the haze, another roar came.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Flames twisted through the mist, searing everything. The heat was suffocating, the air burning with every breath. The ANBU had to shield themselves just to watch, their eyes barely able to focus on the fight through the blinding fire.
And then — a shadow cut through the flames.
Indra emerged unscathed, laughing, his sword glowing red-hot.
"Again? And again? How many dragons will you summon before you realize they're nothing but toys before me?"
Hiruzen's staff struck again, clashing with the sword. The Hokage moved with precision and discipline, but his speed had slowed. His strikes were deliberate but lacked the sharpness they carried earlier. Sweat streamed down his face, his arms heavy, but still he pressed on.
Every blow was countered. Every jutsu was dispersed.
The ANBU exchanged desperate whispers.
"Hokage-sama… he's tiring."
"He's given everything… and yet…"
They looked at Indra — calm, untouched, a smirk on his face. His steps were relaxed, his stance unshaken. Not a single wound marked his body.
Kakashi's heart sank as he watched. His own body still ached from his earlier fight with Indra, but what crushed him most was the expression on Indra's face. He isn't struggling. He isn't even trying his hardest. He's enjoying this battle… enjoying watching Hokage-sama exhaust himself.
Danzo's single eye glinted coldly from the shadows. Yes… let the old fool waste what little life he has left. When he collapses, I will act. I will seize the throne. The era of Sarutobi will end, and Danzo will rise as Hokage.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
Hundreds of shuriken split into thousands, a storm of steel raining down.
Indra spun his blade, fire trailing in arcs, burning every shuriken to ash before they could reach him.
Hiruzen slammed the ground. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A massive wall surged up, blocking Indra's forward rush. But the Uchiha simply smirked, coating his blade in fire and slicing straight through the indestructible wall as though it were paper.
The Adamantine Staff stretched, striking Indra from the side. The blow would have shattered stone. Indra raised his sword casually, sparks and flames erupting as the staff met steel once more. The ground beneath them cracked, dust exploding outward.
And then Indra stepped forward, pushing the Hokage back yet again.
Hiruzen's breathing grew ragged. His knees bent, his shoulders trembled. His age weighed on him heavily now. His chakra, already dwindling from his earlier elemental onslaughts, was nearly depleted.
Yet Indra remained unshaken. His breaths were steady, calm, as though this battle was merely a warm-up.
The ANBU stared in horror.
"He's… he's not even tired."
Their hearts sank further with every passing moment. The Will of Fire they believed in seemed powerless against the monster before them.
Kakashi's fists clenched, his Sharingan eye twitching. "Damn it… even Hokage-sama can't…"
Danzo, hidden farther back, smirked coldly. Perfect. Let him fall. When Indra's arrogance blinds him, I will strike. The Hokage's seat… will finally belong to me.
Indra stopped mid-strike, pulling back his blade. His laughter echoed through the battlefield, chilling everyone to their core.
"This is it? This is the man who held the title of Hokage? This is the Will of Fire you all boast about?"
He raised his sword high, flames dancing along its edge.
"In front of true strength, your beliefs, your trust, your precious Will of Fire… all of it turns to dust!"
The ANBU froze, their bodies trembling. None dared to answer. None could. Because the truth was before their eyes — Indra stood calm, untouchable, while their Hokage gasped for breath.
Hiruzen lowered his staff slowly, his chest heaving, his eyes heavy with fatigue.
"… I… have lost."
The words, though quiet, struck harder than any explosion.
The ANBU's eyes widened in shock. Their hope shattered in that instant. Even Kakashi felt his heart sink into despair.
Danzo's smirk widened. Yes… finally. The old fool admits it. The path is clear.
Indra smirked, stepping closer, his Sharingan glowing ominously.
"Do you see now? Do you understand? In front of me, the Will of Fire is nothing but a candle before the storm. And I…" His voice lowered, dangerous and arrogant. "…I am the storm."
The ANBU trembled, unable to respond. Even Kakashi lowered his gaze, feeling the weight of hopelessness press upon him.
But Hiruzen…
He sighed, his expression one of quiet acceptance.
"… Perhaps you are right. Perhaps I have lost. But…" His eyes narrowed, determination flickering once more.
He thought of it. The forbidden technique. The last weapon in his arsenal.
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
The Shinigami itself.
A jutsu that would take his life, but perhaps, just perhaps… end Indra's as well.
His hands trembled. His heart wavered. He hesitated.
Was he ready to pay that price? Was Konoha ready to lose another Hokage in such a way?
The thought weighed heavily.
Indra smirked wider, sensing the hesitation, sensing the internal conflict. He laughed, raising his blade again.
"Decide quickly, old man. Because I won't give you much longer."
The ANBU braced, Kakashi clenched his fists, and Danzo narrowed his eye, waiting, calculating.
The battlefield held its breath.
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End of Chapter
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