"Father!"
Sasuke's Susanoo arm descended toward Hiruzen Sarutobi. Seeing his father in mortal danger, Asuma exploded into motion, lunging forward, hands clad in glowing chakra blades, a sharp Wind Release aura enveloping them. Crossing his arms, he intercepted the skeletal fist.
"Chakra Blade: True Ichimonji!"
Clang!
The Susanoo's skeletal fist slammed into the crossed blades. Sparks flew as purple fragments chipped away from the oversized limb. Asuma had blocked it, but the sheer weight behind the attack was crushing. His arms trembled violently, muscles screaming in protest.
"What a Susanoo…" he gritted out, sweat beading on his forehead. "It's insane…"
"You've got some skill," Sasuke sneered, his eyes narrowing. "But that's enough!"
Sasuke's chakra surged. In the blink of an eye, thick muscle and dark armor materialized over the skeletal arm, swelling its size and power.
Asuma couldn't hold it.
He released his chakra blades and jumped back, grabbing Hiruzen's wheelchair to pull him to safety. But the moment he moved, the other massive Susanoo arm slammed down in his path.
Whoosh!
Bang!
Asuma couldn't dodge in time. The impact sent him flying like a ragdoll.
At the same time, the first hand tightened around Hiruzen. The elderly Hokage, frail in his wheelchair, was lifted into the air, squeezed in the giant's grip like a bug.
Sasuke's lips curled into a cold smirk. "Old man. Got any last words?"
Hiruzen coughed, blood already trickling from the corner of his mouth. Yet, his expression remained strangely calm. He looked at Sasuke with pity in his eyes.
"Kill me if you want. I should have died long ago." His voice was weak but steady. "But you… Sasuke… you can still be saved. Stop this. Carry out your brother's last wish. Don't waste Itachi's sacrifice. Come back."
"Tch. Is that it?" Sasuke scoffed, then clenched his fist. "Then die."
From the distance, Tsunade—who had arrived late due to her poor condition—saw the horrific scene unfold. "Stop!" she screamed.
At her command, the two ANBU flanking her—Zō and Ōkami—charged forward. Behind them, Might Guy roared, "Eight Gates Formation!"
Green chakra erupted from his body, vanishing from the spot in a flash. Kurenai and Shizune remained rooted, guarding Tsunade, but they were too far away.
There was no stopping it.
Snap.
The Susanoo hand crushed down.
Hiruzen Sarutobi died instantly. A torrent of blood erupted from his body, spraying high into the air like juice bursting from a crushed fruit. His eyeballs bulged and popped out under the pressure. It was a gruesome, horrific death.
Just as Hiruzen's body went limp, two figures appeared behind Sasuke—Zō and Ōkami. They completed their hand seals in sync.
"Fire Release: Flame Burn!"
"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Jutsu!"
A vortex of wind-enhanced fire shot toward Sasuke's undefended back.
But a calm voice cut through the chaos.
"Shinra Tensei."
Nagato, his silver hair flowing, appeared behind Sasuke. He raised one hand horizontally. A wall of repulsive force blasted outward, instantly snuffing out the fire and wind technique. The force slammed into Zō and Ōkami, sending them hurtling backward.
At the same time, Guy arrived in front of Sasuke. In mid-air, he twisted his waist, generating immense torque, and lashed out with a double kick.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
Whoosh!
A matching kick intercepted him mid-air.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
It was Naruto. He hadn't shown himself until now. Green steam radiated from his legs, having perfectly mirrored Guy's technique.
Guy landed, stumbling back, his eyes wide with shock. "What?! You know the Eight Gates too?!"
Naruto ignored him, turning his worried gaze to the withered Tsunade in the distance.
Behind Naruto, Sasuke's face flushed red, then immediately turned pale with disgust.
"Idiot! He couldn't hurt me anyway!" Sasuke snapped. "Besides, I don't need a 'girl' to save me!"
The emphasis on "girl" made Naruto bristle instantly. He whipped around, glaring daggers at Sasuke.
"You're the girl! Your whole family are girls!" Naruto shouted, his voice cracking slightly. "According to my brother, I should be a tool of war, not a girl!"
Seeing Naruto's puffed-up, angry face, Sasuke flushed red again, then gagged. The thought that he found Naruto's angry pout cute made him want to vomit.
"Naruto?" Tsunade's voice cut through the air, trembling with disbelief. She stared at the blonde boy. "Is that… really you? Blue eyes, blonde hair… that feeling…"
"It's me, Grandma Tsunade," Naruto said, flashing to her side. "My story is long, but… you're not doing well. Come back to Four Star Village with me. My brother can heal you. You can join us, and—"
"Enough!"
Tsunade shoved him away with all her remaining strength.
"You're not Naruto!" she yelled, her voice raw with anger and pain. "The real Naruto wants to be Hokage! He wants to protect everyone! He would never betray his village, and he definitely wouldn't be a girl!"
"Go away!" she spat. "Next time we meet, I won't show mercy!"
---