Powerful Lava Release Ninja, False Heavenly Transfer Technique

Bang!

In the Hokage's office, a crimson figure punched the desk to pieces, roaring in anger.

"Third Hokage, hand over the murderer immediately! Otherwise, we'll go to war!" Raikage advisor Dodai demanded forcefully, his anger boiling over.

He was enveloped in crimson magma, the terrifying heat distorting the air and causing Kakashi, Tenzo, Nara Shikaku, and others guarding the Third Hokage to change their expressions.

Lava Release Chakra Mode.

This was a technique exclusive to Lava Release bloodline ninjas. Their entire body was wrapped in scorching lava, capable of melting anything it touched while simultaneously enhancing defense. It was a rare and powerful bloodline ninjutsu possessing both offensive and defensive capabilities.

Dodai was not only a lifelong Raikage advisor but also Kumogakure's only Lava Release bloodline ninja.

He possessed exceptional wisdom and foresight, and was also Kumogakure's main combat force, with strength second only to the Raikage and the Eight-Tails jinchuriki.

Drip... drip...

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, frowned deeply. He took large puffs of his pipe, the rich tobacco scent emitting a pungent odor when roasted by the intense heat.

"Dodai, before we discuss that, please explain why your subordinate would attempt to abduct the legitimate daughter of the Hyuga Main Family?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Dodai, various schemes and plots flashing through his mind.

Although Kumogakure's desire to plunder the Byakugan bloodline was obvious, he still didn't want to easily give up the chance for peace.

Dodai had seen through Hiruzen Sarutobi's intentions during the negotiations over the past few days. He immediately shifted the blame and stated firmly:

"Abduct? What abduction? That legitimate daughter of the Hyuga Main Family wasn't even harmed. All I know is that we came with peaceful intentions, yet the person died in Konoha, and the deceased is Mōshibi, who was slated to be the next Raikage."

Dodai's eyes turned red as he stared intently at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his voice filled with sorrow. "Damn it, we sent our most outstanding ninja to foster peace, and you assassinated Mōshibi."

"I now have ample reason to believe that you, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, have no intention of peace. You are merely using peace as an excuse to destroy Kumogakure's most promising next generation."

"If that's the case, then let's go to war!"

Having placed a heavy accusation on Hiruzen Sarutobi, Dodai became even more aggressive.

He completely ignored the Konoha side's explanations, assumed a combat stance, and began to form hand seals rapidly.

"Lava Release: Adhesive Ball."

"Kasai, Heavenly Transfer Technique, relay the news of war!"

Swoosh...

Astonishing Lava Release chakra was quickly converted into rubber and expelled from Dodai's mouth, forming a sphere that instantly protected Kasai behind him.

"Yes, Lord Dodai."

Kasai wiped the tears from his eyes, his gaze filled with hatred, and began forming hand seals frantically.

The two cooperated with flawless precision.

This move stunned everyone on the Konoha side.

Hiruzen Sarutobi held a puff of smoke in his mouth, forgetting to exhale, while Kakashi, Tenzo, Nara Shikaku, and the others were greatly alarmed.

Only Danzo, hidden in a separate compartment, rejoiced inwardly.

"Quick, stop him! Cough, cough, cough..." Hiruzen Sarutobi yelled, choking on the smoke.

Fearing that Kumogakure was serious, he ignored the burning pain in his throat and urgently said, "Dodai, calm down! Quickly stop the Heavenly Transfer Technique. My Konoha sincerely wishes to foster peace. Mōshibi's death was an accident, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation."

"Explanation? Just lies. Third Hokage, do you really think I'm a child?"

Dodai remained unmoved, evading the surprise attacks from Kakashi and Tenzo, deliberately exposing Kasai behind him.

Nara Shikaku immediately seized the opportunity and used his clan's secret shadow ninjutsu.

"Shadow Binding Technique."

A dark shadow extended from Shikaku's feet and shot towards Kasai.

Nara Shikaku, the Hokage's strategist, knew that Dodai was not the priority now; the crucial target was Kasai, who could transmit the message.

The moment their shadows connected, Kasai's frantic hand seals came to an abrupt halt, like a machine being unplugged.

"Hoo..."

Seeing the Heavenly Transfer Technique halted, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly appeased him, "Dodai, calm down. Give me one day, and I will provide you with a satisfactory answer. If war breaks out, Kumogakure will lose many more lives."

"A satisfactory answer? Hmph, the only satisfactory answer is to hand over the murderer, Hyuga Hiashi."

Dodai seized the opportunity, slightly retracting his Lava Release chakra, and said coldly, "My Kumogakure also desires peace. I hope Konoha will not disappoint me. I only want Hyuga Hiashi's corpse to appease the deceased Mōshibi. If you cannot give me a satisfactory answer by tomorrow morning, Kumogakure will not hesitate to repeat the Battle of Mount Kibana."

During the Battle of Mount Kibana, Konoha was pushed to its doorstep, resulting in tens of thousands of ninja deaths and severely weakening Konoha.

If it happened again, who knew how many more would die, and Konoha might decline from that point on.

Hiruzen Sarutobi absolutely refused to let such a thing happen.

He knew this was Kumogakure's strategy, likely aimed at the Byakugan, but he dared not gamble.

Furthermore, Kumogakure had lost an outstanding ninja, and the Fourth Raikage, A, was notoriously strong but not very bright. If things went wrong...

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt bitter, and for a moment, he recalled Danzo's previous suggestion.

But the next moment, he cast that terrible thought aside and said in a deep voice:

"Dodai, tomorrow morning, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer. For now, stop."

"Hmph, fine. You have one day."

A moment later, Dodai, with Kasai, slammed the door and left.

The Hokage's office was a mess, with unhardened magma everywhere and burned documents.

Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but take out his pipe again, took two deep puffs to calm himself, and then said to the people behind him:

"Tenzo, I'll trouble you with repairing the building. Kakashi, go notify the Clan heads of the Hyuga Main Family and Branch Family. Shikaku, go invite the two advisors."

"Yes, Lord Hokage."

As they were about to leave, Hiruzen Sarutobi thought for a moment and then added, "Kakashi, the Uchiha compound is right next door. Go find Fugaku and ask him to bring Shisui along as well. They were absent from this battle."

Kakashi froze, instantly understanding that the Third Hokage was displeased with the Uchiha.

But it was true.

As the great clan in charge of Konoha's security forces, and with this battle taking place adjacent to the Hyuga clan, it was only logical that the Uchiha would be the first to provide support. However, not a single one of them had appeared, clearly harboring other intentions.

"I understand, Lord Hokage."

After Kakashi turned and left, Danzo immediately walked out from a partition.

With a dark, mocking smile on his face, he said, "Hand over Hyuga Hiashi? Hmph, I guessed correctly. Kumogakure truly has wolfish ambitions. Hiruzen, I told you, you would regret this. What now?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi was already frustrated, and being mocked by Danzo now made him lose face instantly. Angrily, he retorted:

"Danzo, I am the Hokage. Watch your tone."