-----
-----
While the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the others were still reeling in shock, Kars had already devoured part of Tsukikage Junjin's flesh.
Then, using the bones of his own body as weapons, Kars launched a barrage straight at the Third Hokage and his companions.
Seeing this, the ANBU operatives snapped back to attention. A towering ANBU suddenly darted to the front lines.
His hands moved with lightning speed, forming hand signs, before both palms slammed onto the ground at the same time.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Chakra surged in torrents, flowing directly into the earth beneath him.
Moments later, the ground trembled and cracked. A massive, solid wall of earth shot up from the ground, blocking the path of Kars's bone projectiles.
Clang… clang… clang…
The sharp metallic clashing rang out as the bone spikes slammed against the chakra-formed wall.
Yet Kars didn't rage—he grinned. Reforming his body and transforming his arms into wings, he coiled his tail around the Sealed Book scroll.
Without a second thought, he kicked off the ground and leapt over ten meters into the air. His wings flapped furiously as he tried to soar higher.
But at that exact moment, the Third Hokage hurled his Vajra Staff and formed hand signs, channeling Wind Release onto it.
The staff began spinning rapidly in midair, creating a violent wind with immense suction that pulled Kars downwards.
Kars sprouted two wings again, flapping desperately to fight the downward pull.
Yet Hiruzen's technique was too powerful. Despite his efforts, Kars continued to fall.
Seeing this through visual sharing, Uchiha Genichi knew that if he didn't act immediately, Kars would be captured by Hiruzen and the others.
Without hesitation, Genichi summoned Cerberus from within, commanding it to take its full Sealed Beast form. He used a Dimensional Door to teleport it onto the Hokage Tower's rooftop.
As soon as Cerberus appeared, it spread its wings and surged toward Hiruzen and the others.
Not getting too close, Cerberus opened its jaws, and fire chakra began swirling violently inside it.
"Flame Roar!"
A massive pillar of fire shot toward the Vajra Staff in front of Hiruzen.
Caught off guard by Cerberus's sudden arrival, everyone's attention had been on Kars, leaving them a split-second too slow to react.
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. He had no choice but to momentarily ignore Kars and use Water Release to block Cerberus's attack.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Kars's rib bones pierced through his flesh and transformed into jet-like vents, blasting him further upward.
Within seconds, his four wings flapped at blinding speed, and he shot toward the skies beyond Konoha.
Once Kars was out of danger, Cerberus's body glowed with golden light. A circular magic circle, a golden six-pointed star with a sun emblem at the center, appeared beneath it.
Amplified by the magic circle, Cerberus spread its wings again. Its massive lion-like body transformed into radiant golden light, soaring into the sky.
In moments, Cerberus had climbed nearly a kilometer high, also heading beyond Konoha.
[Emotion +23 from Aburame Shifu]
[Emotion +35 from Yamanaka Haruno]
[Emotion +45 from Sarutobi Mito]
[Emotion +29 from Nara Shikayama]
[Emotion +689 from Hiruzen Sarutobi]
"…They can fly!"
Seeing both Kars and Cerberus escape, Hiruzen Sarutobi barked at the surrounding ANBU.
"Alert the advisors and summon all village Jonin! Lock down the village. ANBU Team Three, pursue them immediately. Under no circumstances must the Sealed Book leave this village!"
With that, Hiruzen led the charge himself, pursuing Kars and Cerberus, with eight ANBU from Team Three close behind.
Meanwhile, two Shadow Guard members used Shunshin no Jutsu to rush toward the residences of elders Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado.
Within ten minutes, Konoha's ninja were fully mobilized. They sealed off all village exits and imposed martial law.
Meanwhile, five more ANBU teams, totaling forty elite operatives, left the village that night to support Hiruzen and his group.
Though most villagers and ninjas didn't know exactly what had happened, the martial law and heightened alert made it clear something major was underway.
"....."