Itachi had been secretly observing everything from the sidelines.
But as he watched the Anbu get slaughtered, he couldn't help but speak up:
"Hokage-sama, it seems the only way to end this technique is to take down Kaede."
Hiruzen frowned. "But according to what you said, we can't even locate his real body!"
Itachi took a deep breath. "That's why I need your help."
He leaned in and whispered his plan into Hiruzen's ear.
But once Hiruzen heard it, doubt clouded his expression.
Itachi actually wanted him to…
If Itachi harbored betrayal, executing this plan would be dangerous.
Sensing Hiruzen's hesitation, Itachi urged, "Hokage-sama, we're running out of time. Please trust me!"
"And as long as we can pin Kaede down, he won't be able to focus on the Anbu anymore."
"Even if we can't break the illusion, at least it'll stop the one-sided massacre."
Those words struck a nerve.
Looking at the Anbu falling behind him, Hiruzen finally steeled himself.
"I'll go!"
Wielding the Adamantine Staff, Hiruzen charged straight toward Kaede.
A powerful strike—only to see the image vanish into mist.
"Damn it! As expected, another illusion!"
Cursing under his breath, Hiruzen went on full alert.
As expected, a sharp blade came flashing at his back.
He turned and swung his staff once more—another illusion!
"Such a nuisance… Guess I really have to rely on Itachi now. I just hope he doesn't…"
Gritting his teeth, Hiruzen braced for more.
At that moment, Kaede's true body emerged beside Itachi.
"Trying to sneak up? Did you really think I didn't know you had Shisui's eye?"
Kaede rose from the ground beneath Itachi like a ghost.
Before the fourth stage of Susano'o, it had a fatal flaw: it couldn't guard from below!
Kaede lunged with a piercing thrust aimed at Itachi's head.
"You never change, huh? Always so cautious, no matter how many times we fight."
Itachi sighed inwardly—then took the stab to the head.
But Kaede paused. The sensation was off.
"A genjutsu of crows? Guess you were always prepared."
If Itachi had fooled him, it must've been during the earlier Kyōka Suigetsu activation.
After all, the two of them had fought countless times over the years. They knew each other's habits all too well.
But this time… things had changed.
Kaede's upgrade through the Hōgyoku had improved him in every way.
The pierced Itachi scattered into a dozen crows—one of which reformed into his body beside Hiruzen.
With that, Itachi's Susano'o around Kaede vanished.
Kaede twirled his blade. "Two Kage-level opponents, huh? A little troublesome… but that's what makes it fun."
Itachi and Hiruzen didn't respond. They exchanged a glance and launched a pincer attack.
One-on-one, they had no hope. But together, they stood a chance.
Itachi led with a barrage of kunai and shuriken to block Kaede's movements.
But Kaede didn't even try to dodge.
With dazzling swordplay, he deflected every projectile.
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "Kaede's swordsmanship… it's even sharper than before!"
His strikes were so fast that even the Mangekyō could barely track them.
Meanwhile, Hiruzen finished his seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"
A blazing dragon roared skyward and then lunged toward Kaede.
Kaede scoffed. "Your fire release is pathetic."
Without weaving any hand seals, he raised his hand to his lips.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Arrow!"
A sharper, denser red flame arrow launched toward the fire dragon at blistering speed.
The two attacks met—Kaede's pierced right through Hiruzen's and continued its course.
Compared to Kaede's technique, Hiruzen's fire release was utterly pitiful.
"That broke through it?!" Hiruzen was shocked.
His Sarutobi clan prided themselves on fire jutsu.
He'd faced many fire-style users over the years.
Even elder Uchiha could only stalemate with him.
But Kaede? His flames were on another level.
This wasn't just a jutsu—it was almost like a Kekkei Genkai!
Still, it wasn't time to be amazed.
Seeing the flaming arrow coming, Hiruzen quickly made more seals and slammed the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
A massive wall of dirt rose up, tens of meters wide and thick.
And it barely worked—when the flaming arrow hit, the entire wall glowed red hot, then…
Boom!
It shattered completely!
Fortunately, it absorbed the arrow's energy.
"We blocked it," Hiruzen sighed in relief.
But then—
"What are you even relieved about? That was just a fire jutsu."
Kaede's voice whispered chillingly in his ear.
He had thrown a marked kunai while the wall blocked vision—and then used a dōjutsu to teleport.
Now, he stood right beside Hiruzen.
With no mercy, he stabbed directly at Hiruzen's throat.
Death was upon him. He could smell it.
There was no time to block with the staff.
"Hokage-sama, look out!"
Boom!
A crimson skeletal arm smashed down at Kaede—Itachi had struck!
Had Kaede followed through, he might've killed Hiruzen, but at the cost of being crushed by Susano'o.
But Kaede didn't hesitate—he teleported away instantly.
Trade his life for Hiruzen's? Not worth it.
Only then did Hiruzen exhale in relief.
He was still alive.
It was only thanks to Itachi's vigilance that he was saved.
Compared to Itachi, his combat instincts were rusty beyond belief.
Itachi landed beside him and said gravely, "Hokage-sama, against Kaede, we mustn't let our guard down even for a second."
Hiruzen nodded and sighed, "Looks like I've been too comfortable for too long."
Kaede, from a distance, sneered.
"At least you know it."
"You old fossil, clinging to power like it's worth something."
"Konoha would be ten times stronger without you."
"Just slit your own throat already. Do the world a favor."
Hiruzen chuckled bitterly. "I may be old, but I think I've still got ten good years left."
"At the very least, I'm not dying before dragging you down with me."
At that moment, Itachi leaned in again and whispered:
"Hokage-sama, have you noticed? Kaede's been fighting us with his real body the whole time."
"Could it be…?"
Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
Was it possible that Kaede could no longer use Kyōka Suigetsu?
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]