Chapter 99: Going Mad
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!" A group of Iwagakure shinobi stood in a row, rapidly forming hand signs.
Under coordinated teamwork, the originally finger-thick earth spears multiplied several times in length and thickness. Like a barrage, they formed a dense rain of spears, tearing through the air with whistling sounds as they covered Konoha's side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spun the Adamantine Staff in his hands like a windmill, creating layers of afterimages that shattered all the piercing earth spears. His hands also rapidly formed signs.
"Compound Ninjutsu: Wind and Fire Wall!"
He opened his mouth. A fireball formed in his throat, then a whirlwind immediately followed, rapidly fusing with the fireball ahead.
Fire Release and Wind Release merged together. Fire borrowed wind's momentum, wind aided fire's might. In an instant, they formed massive flames that sprayed from his mouth, sweeping overwhelmingly toward Iwagakure's side.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Responding roars immediately rang out from Iwagakure's formation. Several Iwagakure shinobi simultaneously pressed their hands to the ground. Chakra surged madly into the earth. The ground trembled violently as thick earth walls rapidly rose from below, completely covering the Iwagakure shinobi behind them.
Blazing flames crashed head-on into the earth walls, immediately exploding with deafening sounds. Sparks scattered everywhere, continuously scorching the walls.
Amidst crackling explosive sounds, yellow earth rapidly hardened and became brittle, producing a pottery-like texture.
Hiruzen Sarutobi swung his Adamantine Staff and charged forward first, shattering an earth wall to pieces. A group of ANBU followed closely, rapidly rushing into Iwagakure's formation and beginning a massacre.
Ōnoki flying overhead frowned, waving his hand. Another wave of shinobi quickly moved forward for support, rapidly forming hand signs.
Hiruzen Sarutobi swung his Adamantine Staff, shouting loudly: "Extend!"
The originally ten-foot staff immediately thrust out, instantly growing dozens of feet long.
Hiruzen Sarutobi leveled the extended staff and swept forcefully—like autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves—sending this wave of charging Iwagakure flying.
But before he could retract the staff, his hands suddenly felt resistance. Someone had grabbed the Adamantine Staff.
He looked up in alarm to see an energy giant suddenly rising from the ground, gripping the staff with one hand while its other hand hammered down heavily toward him.
"Susanoo!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi cried out in shock, quickly releasing his grip and leaping backward. But as he retreated, the Susanoo advanced even faster. In a flash, that giant fist was already above his head.
"Lord Hokage!"
Nearby ANBU shinobi cried out in alarm, rushing over to block the attack with their bodies, protecting Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Sarutobi, you fucking dog! Die!" Yasushi's face filled with excitement as he shouted, increasing the Susanoo's attack speed several notches.
His eyes locked firmly on Hiruzen Sarutobi, waiting to flatten him and those ANBU shinobi into meat paste together.
"I knew you'd come!"
An explosive shout suddenly rang out. The ANBU ninja blocking Hiruzen Sarutobi's front opened his eyes wide. Suddenly, Sharingan traces appeared in his pupils. The tomoe spun rapidly—one eye became three-tomoe while the other transformed into a Mangekyo.
When Yasushi's gaze met that Mangekyo, his vision blurred. Then the surrounding environment distorted. All colors began fading into black and white.
"Tsukuyomi!"
Yasushi first felt alarmed, then surprised, then finally delighted. He couldn't help calling out repeatedly:
"Itachi?!"
"Itachi?!"
"Is it you, Itachi?!"
Yasushi mobilized his ocular power, breaking through Itachi's Tsukuyomi space. A brown Susanoo already stood before him, shield raised high, protecting Hiruzen Sarutobi behind it.
Itachi removed his ANBU mask. Looking at that familiar face full of killing intent before him, Yasushi's heart practically exploded with joy.
"Itachi!"
"You're still alive!"
"Wonderful!"
"So wonderful!"
"I should have realized—you definitely know Izanagi too!"
Yasushi's face twisted hideously. Arms spread wide, his Mangekyo spinning wildly, he screamed madly.
As for Hiruzen Sarutobi escaping the Susanoo's attack because of this—that didn't matter at all.
What was Hiruzen Sarutobi compared to his beloved Itachi?!
Itachi kept a cold expression, waving his hand. Those ANBU shinobi immediately leaped forward, surrounding Yasushi in the middle.
Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped his Adamantine Staff. He and Shisui positioned themselves front and back, trapping Yasushi between them. Looking at Yasushi, he said coldly:
"Itachi told me your vindictiveness is strong. You definitely wouldn't miss this opportunity of four villages besieging Konoha. You'd certainly come assassinate me."
"I didn't believe it before. But now it seems only Uchiha truly understand Uchiha."
"Uchiha Yasushi, you betrayed the village and murdered comrades—your crimes are monstrous!"
"Since you came today, don't think about leaving!"
Yasushi's gaze never swept toward anyone else, only sticking fixedly on Itachi before him.
"Hehe... hahahahaHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAH!!!!"
Yasushi pressed one hand to his forehead, head tilting back. The laughter rolling from his throat made even the air tremble.
"If I'd known Itachi was still alive, I should have come long ago!"
"Now even if you drive me away, I don't want to leave anymore!"
His voice suddenly rose sharply, carrying a sobbing tone yet full of excitement. Initially containing somewhat suppressed wild joy, it instantly exploded into nearly insane roaring—like a dying beast finally finding its prey.
"Itachi!"
"Do you know how happy I am seeing you alive?"
"You're my beloved dear friend, my brother from another mother!"
"HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAH!!!"
Yasushi laughed until his face twisted completely. The Mangekyo in his eyes spun like pinwheels. Tears streamed freely outward.
His arms embraced before his chest, his face showing inexplicable emotion. His mouth corners split into an exaggerated, grotesque arc. Cold white light flashed on his teeth. Saliva dripped down the corners of his mouth. Tears and snot covered him completely—like an Alzheimer's patient, his emotions beyond self-control.
This mad appearance bore no resemblance to a normal person whatsoever.
The Konoha crowd felt a chill shoot up from their feet along their spines straight to their skulls, instinctively gripping their shinobi tools tighter.
"Attack!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly waved his hand. With one command, those ANBU shinobi rapidly formed signs, slapping the ground forcefully. A large circular pattern of runes quickly spread across the ground. Then chains crawled up from the surface, climbing along the Susanoo's legs upward.
But Yasushi paid no attention whatsoever, only roaring loudly:
"Itachi!"
"You better watch carefully with those big eyes!"
"Watch how I destroy everything you cherish bit by bit!"
With Yasushi's roaring, the Susanoo around him grew larger and larger. Its armor grew thicker and thicker. Chakra fluctuations became more and more violent.
He raised the staff in his hands high and brought it down toward Hiruzen Sarutobi's head.
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