Chapter 19: Finally Found You
BOOM——!!
Five jutsu exploded simultaneously, violent energy instantly devouring the entire rooftop! Fire, earth, water, lightning, and wind intertwined in chaos, their terrifying shockwaves destroying all surrounding buildings as dust clouds shot skyward!
Sarutobi Hiruzen stared intently at the explosion's center, his breathing slightly labored. "This should finally..."
However—
The moment the smoke cleared, his pupils contracted sharply!
Yu still stood in place, not even a thread of his clothing damaged, merely raising his eyes with a light smile.
"That's it?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart shook violently! How was this possible?! Even Uchiha Madara wouldn't have dared claim he could completely ignore a combined five-element attack.
"Return, Enma!" He sharply beckoned.
The black cage instantly dissolved, transforming back into a pitch-black staff that flew to his hands. Sarutobi Hiruzen gripped it tightly with both hands, madly pouring in chakra!
Since ninjutsu was ineffective...
"Then we'll settle this with taijutsu!"
The Third's taijutsu was equally formidable. Though his physical condition was limited by age, his elderly frame still burst forth with astonishing speed as he pounced like a fierce tiger! The staff tore through the air, carrying tremendous force as it smashed toward Yu's head!
CLANG——!!
The explosive sound of metal collision echoed across the battlefield as Yu raised one hand, a translucent magnetic barrier materializing before his palm, steadily blocking this mountain-splitting strike!
Air waves exploded outward, sending Sarutobi Hiruzen's white hair flying, though his eyes still burned with unyielding flames.
"It's not over yet!"
He flicked his wrist, and the staff suddenly extended, its shadows raining down like a violent storm! Each strike was precise and vicious, targeting vital points.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Sparks flew as the staff clashed against the magnetic barrier. Sarutobi Hiruzen's assault grew faster and faster, the staff's shadows nearly forming a continuous silver light. Yet no matter how he changed angles or increased force, that translucent barrier remained absolutely motionless, perfectly blocking every attack.
Damn... even taijutsu doesn't work?
Cold sweat beaded on Sarutobi Hiruzen's forehead, his breathing becoming somewhat irregular. It had been a long time since he'd fought with full power like this, yet his opponent—
Was like an immovable mountain, completely unmoved no matter how he attacked.
Just how strong was this guy?
What shocked Sarutobi even more was that throughout the entire battle, Yu hadn't launched a single offensive move!
What was he waiting for?
"Huff—"
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly withdrew his staff and retreated, creating distance. He gripped the staff horizontally across his chest in a defensive stance, his aged eyes locked onto Yu.
"Why did you stop?" Yu raised an eyebrow with an amused expression. "Your taijutsu is much more interesting than your ninjutsu."
Especially that extending staff—it reminded him of a certain mythological figure from his previous life.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't respond, merely adjusting his breathing secretly, buying time.
He had to wait for Danzo to arrive with reinforcements...
As Sarutobi Hiruzen's breathing gradually steadied, he planted the staff on the ground and said in a low voice while catching his breath: "Young man, you should know the truth about the Uchiha massacre—those were all Itachi's own choices, unrelated to Konoha."
Yu's expression suddenly turned ice-cold.
"Ha."
A cold laugh, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze several degrees.
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt bone-chilling cold but still pressed on stubbornly: "While Konoha might bear responsibility for surveillance failures, no matter how you vent your anger, the dead are gone. But the Uchiha bloodline still exists. If you're willing to let go of hatred and bring the remaining clan members back to Konoha..."
His voice slowed, carrying a persuasive tone.
"The Will of Fire burns eternal. Konoha will always be your home."
Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, the mockery at the corners of his mouth becoming more obvious.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart tightened as he prepared to speak again—
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Several figures suddenly materialized, surrounding the area completely.
Danzo walked out slowly, leaning on his cane, his single eye sinister as dozens of ROOT elites followed behind him, their killing intent palpable.
"Hiruzen, it seems you've grown old," he said coldly. "You can't even handle a single brat."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was complex, but he ultimately sighed in relief, warning: "Be careful. His abilities are strange—ordinary ninjutsu don't work on him."
"Finally found you!"
It was Yu who said this, even with a hint of excitement.
Yu slowly raised his eyelids, the corners of his mouth curving into a dangerous arc. The magnetic field around him, previously calm, suddenly began fluctuating violently, the air emitting sharp humming sounds as it twisted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart lurched—this youth who had been passively defending suddenly had his aura undergo a earth-shaking transformation!
"Old fool, do you know why I've been playing with you for so long?" Yu chuckled as he flexed his wrists. "If I'd accidentally killed you just now..."
His gaze moved past the Third Hokage, piercing straight toward Danzo's gloomy old face.
"This rat hiding in the sewers might never have dared show himself."
Before the words finished, Yu's figure suddenly vanished.
"What?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's pupils contracted sharply. Years of battle instinct made him reflexively raise his staff to block—
BOOM!!!
A terrifying force exploded forth, instantly bending and deforming the staff. Sarutobi Hiruzen flew backward like a cannonball, crashing through several buildings before barely stopping, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth before he completely lost consciousness.
The entire battlefield fell silent.
One move... just one move and...
Danzo's single eye contracted violently, veins bulging on the hand gripping his cane as his feet shifted slightly backward.
Through the dust and smoke, Yu slowly withdrew his fist, looking at Danzo like he was staring at a dead man.
"Now, it's time to settle our accounts."
"Stop him!"
Danzo roared in shock and rage while rapidly retreating.
However—
Splat!
Before his pupil could even contract, his entire upper body exploded under Yu's punch! Blood, flesh, and organ fragments splattered like rain across the faces of the surrounding ROOT ninja.
"Tch, used too much force," Yu shook the blood from his hand, frowning with slight regret. "Dying so easily—too merciful for you."
But the next second, his frown smoothed out as excitement flashed in his eyes.
The corpse fragments that should have been scattered everywhere had mysteriously disappeared.
Ten meters away, Danzo emerged unharmed from the shadows.
"Izanagi?" Yu's smile gradually became savage. "Interesting..."
The surrounding ANBU and ROOT ninja finally reacted, kunai, shuriken, and jutsu pouring down like a violent storm.
Yu didn't even glance at them.
"Get lost."
With a light shout, the twisted magnetic field suddenly erupted, causing all attacks to mysteriously deflect three meters from him, instead turning several ninja into sieves with their own weapons.
His figure had already appeared above Danzo.
"Let me see how many times you can resurrect."
"No...!"
For the first time, fear appeared in Danzo's single eye. His hands had only half-formed seals when—
BOOM!
Yu stomped down heavily, directly crushing the ROOT leader into a pulp!
***
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