The shockwaves from the fierce battle had already reduced buildings within a twenty-meter radius to rubble.
Inside the ruined street—
Konohamaru gripped a kunai with both hands, desperately holding back the massive armored blade attached to Ao's left arm.
His feet were already buried deep in the cracked stone pavement.
Feeling the overwhelming force pressing down from above, Konohamaru couldn't hide his shock.
What kind of strength is this…?!
The only people I've seen stronger than this are Lady Tsunade and Sakura when using the Strength of a Hundred Seal!
Ao's terrifying strength came from a scientific ninja tool embedded inside his body.
The device enhanced muscle output through a reverse pressure amplification system—technology developed by Amado based on data from Konoha's scientific ninja research.
Combined with the weaponized arms installed on Ao's body, it allowed him to fight with the strength of an elite jōnin.
Ao glared down at Konohamaru with eyes like brass bells.
"So this is Konoha's jōnin?"
"Pathetic."
"Don't underestimate me!"
Konohamaru gritted his teeth.
His left hand twisted slightly into a strange seal.
Hidden beneath his sleeve—
A scientific capacitor ninja tool, similar to Boruto's, activated.
A Rasengan suddenly shot out from it and flew straight toward Ao's face.
"What?!"
Caught off guard, Ao hurriedly retreated, barely avoiding the Rasengan as it grazed his cheek.
After the airship incident where his comrades died, Konohamaru had specifically asked Katasuke to equip him with scientific ninja tools as a precaution.
He hadn't expected to use them so soon.
Taking advantage of the opening created by the Rasengan, Konohamaru drew a weapon from his waist—
A chakra blade, identical to the one his uncle Asuma once used.
Wind chakra surged across the blade.
It transformed into a razor-sharp Wind Release weapon.
"Big Brother Naruto already has enough on his shoulders!"
"This time I'll share the burden!"
Konohamaru flashed forward.
The wind blade sliced straight toward Ao's throat.
— Laser Burst Cannon!
Suddenly—
Ao raised his armored right arm.
From the barrel between the three metal claws—
three golden laser blasts fired in rapid succession.
"What?! That arm is supposed to be a close-combat weapon!"
Konohamaru's chakra blade knocked away the first two shots.
The third blast struck the blade and knocked it from his hand.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Three nearby houses were swallowed by the explosions.
Using the pressure amplification system to strengthen his legs, Ao suddenly appeared in front of Konohamaru.
So fast! I can't form hand seals in time!
Konohamaru instinctively tried to activate his scientific tool again—
But one of Ao's claws slipped into his sleeve and ripped the wrist device off his arm.
Ao inspected it and sneered.
"Hmph."
"Konoha's tools are still these outdated capacitor models?"
"They're nothing compared to our organization."
"Now!"
Konohamaru quickly formed another Rasengan in his left hand and slammed it toward Ao's face.
"Heh. Idiot."
Before the Rasengan could land—
Ao smashed the armored gauntlet directly into Konohamaru's skull.
THUD!
"Urgh!"
Konohamaru collapsed face-first onto the ground.
The Rasengan dispersed.
"If all Konoha ninjas are this weak…"
"I could wipe out this village by myself."
Ao bent down and lifted Konohamaru into the air with the three iron claws of his gauntlet.
"D-damn it…"
Konohamaru struggled in pain.
How did things end up like this…?
Ao stared coldly.
"I'll give you one chance to live."
"Tell me where Kawaki is."
"Kawaki?!"
Konohamaru's heart shook violently.
So this guy is from the organization behind that boy…
Stay calm.
Buy time.
The Yamanaka sensory team must have noticed the disturbance.
Reinforcements should arrive soon.
"Who exactly is Kawaki?"
THUD!
Ao's knee slammed deep into Konohamaru's stomach.
"GAAAH!"
Konohamaru screamed.
Blood and saliva spilled from his mouth as his eyes bulged.
Ao said coldly,
"Idiots don't get to ask questions."
"I'm asking."
"You answer."
"But it's good you know Kawaki."
"Now tell me where that little bastard is."
"And your suffering will end."
Little bastard…?
Looks like this guy really hates Kawaki.
"Speak!"
Konohamaru forced out a laugh despite the pain.
"Heh… hah…"
"You'll never get anything from me."
"Konoha shinobi would rather die than surrender to force!"
"Never!"
Ao sneered.
"Idiots stay idiots to the end."
"Then die."
Just as he prepared to finish Konohamaru—
his eyes shifted toward the alley behind him.
A small stone rolled out from the shadows.
"He… he noticed us…"
Himawari whispered nervously.
"That was intentional."
"The one he's looking for… is me."
Kawaki stepped out in front of her, casually tossing another stone in his hand.
After leaving Naruto's house, he had followed Himawari here.
He originally planned to apologize for what happened at the table.
Instead—
he walked straight into this battle.
Kawaki glanced back at Himawari.
"If I deal with that guy…"
"…will you forgive what I said earlier?"
Himawari frowned.
"He just beat Uncle Konohamaru."
"You'll only get yourself killed!"
"Konoha-maru, huh."
Kawaki replied indifferently.
"The guy who struggled against basic mechanical puppets and still lost eight teammates?"
"I hate the way you talk!"
"Do you always have to be so harsh?!"
Kawaki looked at her serious expression.
Then sighed.
"Fine."
"I take it back."
"If I don't do anything, that Konohamaru guy will die."
"He did escort me to the Hokage."
"I'll save him as repayment."
He turned back toward the battlefield.
"Hokage's daughter."
"Stay back."
Kawaki stepped out of the alley.
Ao's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Kawaki!"
"You actually showed up yourself!"
"HAHAHA!"
"Looks like you know resistance is pointless!"
CRACK.
Kawaki crushed the stone in his hand.
"Ao."
"Put that guy down."
"I'll play with you."
Ao froze for a moment—
Then burst into wild laughter.
"Did I hear that right?!"
"That's hilarious!"
"You heartless beast who only cares about yourself…"
"…protecting a Konoha ninja?!"
"I almost feel sorry for this village."
"And for their Hokage."
Just as his feet landed—
a calm voice sounded nearby.
Akira smiled faintly.
"Looks like we arrived at just the right moment."
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