The second wave to arrive was the Konoha Military Police Force.
In other words, the Uchiha Clan.
"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall will burn your feet." Seeing the Uchiha Clan about to charge up, Hatake Sakumo, who had come to hand things over, reminded them.
But Uchiha Fugaku merely curled his lip and paid it no mind.
Already the Deputy Chief of the Konoha Military Police Force, he was in his twenties. Among ninjas, that was already an age when one ought to have matured...
But perhaps it was the Uchiha Clan's bloodline, or perhaps life had yet to smooth down his edges—he still had a bit of that adolescent delusion in him.
The clan elders all said that once his son was born, he would mature somewhat.
But Uchiha Fugaku disagreed.
Raising a son was something he had never done, but surely it would be simple enough?
Burn his feet? Uchiha won't think it's hot. Even if it is hot, it's merely part of a ninja's training! With that thought flashing through his mind, Uchiha Fugaku leaped onto the Earth-Style Wall.
The other Uchiha followed suit.
Hatake Sakumo raised an eyebrow, silently wrapped Chakra around his footwear, and stepped up beside Uchiha Fugaku.
Uchiha Fugaku regretted it the instant he stood on it.
He had thought it would only be a little hot. After all, the earthen wall had looked fine from the other side.
As a ninja, endurance training often involved exercises that bordered on self-torture...
But once he got up there and looked down—
The center of the earthen wall had already melted, taking on the viscous texture of magma while continuously conducting heat upward.
What profound Fire Release! Was this the Third Hokage's work? He melted through such a thick layer of earth and stone? Uchiha Fugaku had wanted to quietly gather Chakra while no one was looking.
But from the corner of his eye, he noticed Hatake Sakumo silently watching him, his eyebrows twitching.
"Hot, isn't it?" Hatake Sakumo wore an innocent expression. "You should still use Chakra to protect yourself..."
Uchiha Fugaku had wanted to keep putting on a brave front, but seeing that the other clan members were also about to lose their composure, he reluctantly nodded.
"Lord Sakumo is right."
The Anbu laughed heartily. No one could see them behind their masks anyway.
What was this?
A black-bellied airhead versus a tsundere?
Uchiha Fugaku activated his Sharingan. The Chakra fluctuations within the field drew his attention.
"What kind of technique is this?" Uchiha Fugaku murmured.
He reacted that way because, in his vision, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was covered from head to toe in a hard black layer. Even the staff in his hand was covered by it, as though it were made of black diamond...
"It feels like some sort of Earth Release? Probably a Hardening Technique of some kind?"
Hatake Sakumo analyzed it seriously. "Judging by Lord Third's intentions, he probably wants to cover his entire body and maintain it at all times, similar to Kumogakure's Lightning Style Nintaijutsu?"
"Wouldn't that affect his mobility?"
Uchiha Fugaku pondered. "Most Earth Release Hardening Techniques have that side effect. And while mobilizing Earth Release Chakra, it should also affect the casting of other ninjutsu..."
"Besides, maintaining a Hardening Technique constantly would consume quite a lot of Chakra, wouldn't it? Lord Third, he..."
Uchiha Fugaku suddenly trailed off.
No matter what, discussing a Hokage's dwindling Chakra was a sensitive topic.
But Hatake Sakumo looked at him curiously. "You mean Lord Hokage doesn't have enough Chakra?"
Uchiha Fugaku covered his face. He truly had no way of dealing with Hatake Sakumo.
Who said Hatake Sakumo was rigid by nature? In his view, he was clearly a deceptively harmless, deeply repressed man!
"I never said that! What I meant was... was..."
Uchiha Fugaku chose silence.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke gave Uchiha Fugaku a surprised look.
This clan was truly hard to judge.
Not only did they love acting cool and aloof, their social awareness was also remarkably low. After just a few words, he was already sharply commenting that his own father was too old to maintain several techniques.
Yet they were fairly reliable too. They had arrived not much slower than the Anbu, and the Military Police Force had carried out its duties well enough.
They had a sort of beauty to them—like rebels who wanted to rebel but lacked the resolve...
A truly divine rabbit duality.
As for the technique Hiruzen Sarutobi had used, he called it: "Earth Style: Earth Spear: Full-Time Coverage."
It truly was an Earth Release Hardening Technique, and it did possess the side effects Uchiha Fugaku had mentioned.
But those applied to other people.
For the current Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose Chakra was abundant and who understood the Five Releases inside and out, those drawbacks did not exist.
"A ninja's body is far too frail, like a cannon made of glass..."
"I must protect myself at all times! Not a single bit of Chakra that should be used can be spared!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and exhaled a massive cloud of smoke into the field, covering the Rashomon Formation.
Fire Release Chakra gathered at his fingertips, and flames erupted at once!
"The form of Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning won't be blocked by the Rashomon..."
Hatake Sakumo's eyes lit up. "And Lord Third isn't affected by the Hardening Technique. He can still freely use the Five Releases."
"As expected of Lord Third..."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan stared intently at Orochimaru, and he unconsciously offered another sharp assessment. "That vitality and posture... he's practically a monster..."
Within the vision of his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Orochimaru had been struck by the Fire Release, yet appeared unaffected. Like a snake, he continuously shed his skin and slithered across the ground.
Was that still human?
"Oh, you mean?" Hatake Sakumo once again prepared to speak with a face full of curiosity.
"No, no, Lord Sakumo, I wasn't thinking anything..." Uchiha Fugaku's face darkened.
Why could he never keep his mouth under control?
Did he really need to marry and have children to become more mature? Would that even work?
The Anbu present were struggling to hold themselves together.
First, he said Lord Hokage was old. Then he commented that Lord Orochimaru was not human...
What a brutally blunt Uchiha!
Within the field.
Hiruzen Sarutobi formed two hand seals in an instant, and a massive Water Dragon Tornado rose from the ground.
Water and fire collided, unleashing superheated steam.
The Rashomon, whose internal structure had been damaged by intense heat, suddenly contracted upon encountering cold water. Cracks immediately appeared across the gates.
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his Adamantine Staff, Chakra coiling around it, and charged straight into the steam...
Wind Release empowered the staff as he swung with all his might!
At once, several Rashomon were blasted apart by the shockwave empowered by that tremendous force, exploding into fragments!
Uchiha Fugaku's Three-Tomoe Sharingan captured the scene, but his mind had yet to process it.
What he saw was this:
Hiruzen Sarutobi charged into the water and fire, then swept away both the steam and the towering Rashomon with a single strike of his staff...
Huh?
Shimura Danzō and Root had seen the scene as well, along with Jiraiya, who was carrying Asuma and Kakashi, and Tsunade.
"Damn it, Old Man snapped! He's going to clean house and kill Stinky Snake!" Jiraiya's vision went dark. He tossed the two little beans to Hatake Sakumo beside him and prepared to enter the field to stop the fight. "Spare him, Old Man!"
"It's not a capital offense! It's not a capital offense!"
Hatake Sakumo casually tossed the two children to Shinnosuke nearby.
Asuma and Kakashi were thrown back and forth without any ability to resist.
At that moment, Kakashi, hailed as the Ninja Academy's greatest genius, finally realized the gap between Ninja Academy students and veteran Jonin. Deep disappointment washed over him.
It washed over Asuma as well.
Hatake Sakumo instantly blocked Jiraiya's path. "Lord Hokage has not given the order for anyone to enter."
Jiraiya jumped anxiously. "What if Stinky Snake gets beaten to death? Be flexible, Lord Sakumo!"
Uchiha Fugaku's expression turned solemn.
Hatake Sakumo was so fast that even his Three-Tomoe Sharingan had difficulty tracking him.
If it came to close combat...
As expected, a great reputation is never without merit.
But as Uchiha Fugaku stared at Hatake Sakumo standing immovably before Jiraiya, with one hand even hovering over his White Fang short sword while his gaze intimidated Tsunade, who also seemed ready to move, he began offering another sharp assessment.
This is a family matter. Stopping others like this—wouldn't that offend people...?
Besides.
Thinking of the Third Hokage's violent offensive, Uchiha Fugaku felt his teeth ache. Didn't Clan Leader Isshin say the Third Hokage was old? Where exactly does he look old?
With a strike like that, even the legendary Susanoo probably wouldn't be able to take it head-on!
Shimura Danzō's eyes were somewhat vacant.
Hadn't this old fellow been crushed by the pressures and anxieties brought by being Hokage?
With the vitality he was displaying, even at his peak, he had only been about this strong!
What did this mean?
Had a serious illness brought him enlightenment, or had some previous Hokage possessed him? Maybe he ought to find time to run a fever himself...
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued forming hand seals in midair.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Rampart!"
An entire stretch of earth was forcibly raised by Hiruzen Sarutobi. Under that impact, Orochimaru, who had been hiding within it, had no choice but to reveal himself.
His hit-and-run plan had failed.
But the spar was not over!
Master and disciple exchanged a glance, confirming each other's condition.
There was no need to stop.
Orochimaru reached into his own throat and pulled out a finely crafted Ninja Sword. As he slashed at Hiruzen Sarutobi, he shouted, "You fool, Jiraiya! Watch from the side and don't interfere with my sparring match with Sensei!"
"If you come down too, all the better. I can test your strength while I'm at it..." Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted as he swung his staff.
Jiraiya immediately wilted, but quickly perked up again. "Old Man, beat Stinky Snake to death!"
Master and disciple began clashing with Ninja Tools.
Blade and staff collided. Orochimaru's vertical pupils contracted, and he inwardly cursed. No, when did the Old Man become this strong? He isn't much weaker than Tsunade...
Orochimaru's whole body trembled as ripples surfaced across his skin. He actually dissipated the force in this manner.
This was thanks to his unique technique, Soft Physique Modification.
If anyone else tried that, internal bleeding would be the least of their problems...
"Good lad, invulnerable to blades and spears, immune to water and fire..."
The more Hiruzen Sarutobi fought, the more excited he became. The thrill of wielding extraordinary power and the freshness of seeing such varied ninjutsu intoxicated him.
"Try taking this strike!"
More and more Chakra accumulated upon the staff as Hiruzen Sarutobi swung it down with all his strength.
Boom!
Orochimaru's pupils contracted. The instant blade and staff met, he sensed something was wrong. He rapidly turned sideways to deflect the force and was blasted away through the air.
The Adamantine Staff smashed into the ground, instantly opening a massive crater and sending sand, stones, and broken earth flying everywhere.
Uchiha Fugaku wrinkled his nose, bared his teeth, and felt deeply moved.
No wonder the Uchiha Clan lagged behind the Hokage Faction...
Looking at the intensity of this master-disciple clash, anyone unaware of the truth would think this really was a purge of the family!
Look at them. They were genuinely fighting with real weapons.
If he had a son in the future, he would have to educate him this way too!
He would have to throw him onto the battlefield from childhood, so he could properly experience the intensity of the ninja world!
"Sensei, your surname is Sarutobi, not Senju!"
After being blasted away, Orochimaru inwardly complained before lying flat on the ground and opening his mouth wide. A giant snake shot out from his throat and charged directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Mucus trailed along the snake's body. When it touched the ground, it was like some acidic substance, giving off corrosive sizzling sounds.
During this time, Jonin arrived one after another, along with some Chunin and Genin.
Naturally, they arrived in batches. The Sarutobi Clan's allies, Ino-Shika-Cho, were among the first to arrive in this wave.
"Just in time!"
It was unclear whether he meant the ninjas or Orochimaru's attack, but Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted and swung his hardened fist straight at the snake's head without hesitation!
The blown-apart snake head sent flesh and blood flying everywhere.
From the lower half of the snake's body, a brand-new Orochimaru emerged and launched a heavy punch at Hiruzen Sarutobi's abdomen!
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of dodging and ferociously threw a punch as well.
The two traded punches, each taking several steps back.
Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze around. Nearly everyone had arrived, so he stopped his offensive.
"Youth really does have the advantage over age. That punch will have this old man recovering for several days..." Hiruzen Sarutobi rubbed his ribs, feeling the ache as he spoke sincerely. "I truly no longer have the fine physique of youth. You weren't hurt, were you, my old disciple?"
Sure enough, a single Earth Release: Earth Spear simply was not enough. Even after he had pondered how to strengthen it, it still was not enough.
He still had to learn some other Nintaijutsu. Something that could attack and defend was simply too useful.
"Sensei, don't you think saying that hurts me a little?"
Blood poured from the corners of Orochimaru's mouth. Paired with those words, it was rather comical.
He rarely showed such an unguarded expression. "Whose fists are stronger? Sensei, I'm human too! Of course coughing up blood counts as being injured!"
"Definitely yours. This Old Man only has this body of flesh. That move just now was pretty good—teach me when you have time." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he replied, giving him a thumbs-up.
"This was a combination of Yang Release's form and nature transformations, wasn't it? And there was a hint of the Summoning Technique too..."
He was referring to the Orochimaru-style Substitution Technique.
Orochimaru's expression grew slightly complicated.
For a moment, he somewhat missed that stubborn old man from the past.
Somehow, Orochimaru had a feeling that if his teacher, known as the Professor of Ninjutsu, started piling ninjutsu onto himself like he had...
Something terrifying might happen.
"Though the time has not yet come, I am very pleased with your growth."
"Excellent, Orochimaru..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi walked over, loosening his muscles. He placed one hand over his injured area and the other against Orochimaru's injured chest. A soft green glow rose from his hand.
Orochimaru's thoughts stirred. Seeing the contemplative expressions on everyone's faces, the corner of his mouth curled upward.
"With Sensei's current state, if he got serious, I really wouldn't be able to save face today..."
"Stopping things at just the right moment, then treating my injuries in public..."
There was no doubt that he was giving Orochimaru plenty of face while subtly leaving room for everyone's imagination.
Who had spread the rumor that Orochimaru and the Third Hokage were growing apart?
Couldn't they see this scene of "a kind father and filial son"? It was clearly a heartfelt display between master and disciple!
"Although you won, I need to take this bell back. I'm used to keeping it there." Hiruzen Sarutobi carefully placed the bell back into his Ninja Tool Pouch.
The corner of Orochimaru's mouth rose even higher.
At that moment, Hizashi Hyuga of the Hyuga Clan arrived. The Anbu, Root, and other ninja who had arrived before him cast meaningful looks his way.
The Hyuga Clan should have been the first to detect activity within the village. They had the Byakugan.
They also excelled at Taijutsu, so their travel speed certainly would not have been slow...
But why had they arrived so late?
Facing those scrutinizing gazes, Hizashi Hyuga could only suffer in silence.
There was no helping it. Villages had village rules, and clans had clan rules.
As a member of the Branch Family, he had no way to make decisions on his own.
Although he had discovered it immediately, he still had to report to the Hyuga Main Branch and wait for the elders to make a decision.
Going back and forth naturally took time.
This generation of the Hyuga Main Branch had adopted a policy of "taking no sides." They were unwilling to involve themselves in village affairs unless war broke out.
Seeing that the duel had ended, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, who had arrived with the third wave of ninja, exchanged a glance.
Utatane Koharu stepped forward. "Hiruzen, what are you doing?!"
She had wanted to ask why he had caused such a huge commotion without informing her...
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze turned stern. "Advisor, address me by my title while on duty! Now is not the time for you to speak."
Utatane Koharu was left speechless. She wanted to say something more, but when she saw that extremely serious look in his eyes...
She ultimately chose to shut up.
Hiruzen Sarutobi rapidly formed hand seals.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
In an instant, the training ground was engulfed by a swamp. The debris from several Rashomon gates and the remains of countless venomous snakes were all dragged deep underground.
Then, with exquisite Fire Release, crimson-white flames scorched the earth at full power.
In the blink of an eye, the mud swamp was baked dry, while blade-like Wind Release precisely sliced away every uneven part of the ground.
The training ground became neat and level.
"The Old Man's Chakra reserves are incredible..." Orochimaru stared at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose face was not flushed and whose breath was steady, and fell into thought.
This string of ninjutsu looked like it was merely cleaning up the training ground.
But if it landed on people...
How many ninja could survive such large-scale ninjutsu bombardment? He was practically a walking harvesting machine...
Clearly, Orochimaru was not the only one thinking that way.
The Chunin and Genin looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi with worship in their eyes.
His youngest son, Asuma, stood dumbfounded. "Wait, Dad is this strong? Isn't he way stronger than Sensei?"
One middle-aged ninja dressed in a green jumpsuit, with thick eyebrows and a heavy beard, even burst into tears. "Lord Hokage, is this the youth of the Hokage? I feel like I'm about to burst into flames!"
That eye-catching outfit drew Hiruzen Sarutobi's attention, and he gave the man a friendly nod.
Shimura Danzō, meanwhile, sank into reflection. He roared inwardly, That sly Hiruzen! When did he cultivate the Secret Technique of Yang Release? He's actually regained his youth...
That day, he was wearing the Hokage Hat, and I didn't even notice!
Hiruzen Sarutobi clasped his hands behind his back and shook his head with a sigh. "Still getting old..."
He took out his signature Tobacco Pipe, lit it, and took a deep drag.
Then he shouted in a deep voice, "All ninja present, assemble!"
At that moment, the ninja quickly assembled before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This was not only out of respect for the title of Hokage.
It was also out of admiration for overwhelming strength.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took in the scene before him.
Just as he had thought, in an extraordinary world, connections and authority were naturally important, but strength was an absolutely inseparable part of the equation.
He drafted his speech in his mind.
The upcoming address was the true "main event" of this duel!
Everything before this had merely been setting the stage.
PS: Here's a big update of over five thousand words~
Still asking for follows and favorites. The book has already been signed; it'll just take another couple of days, so everyone can read without worry.
This time, I've prepared an outline. I'm definitely going to become a writing machine that explodes with updates after release and finishes the book!
Xiaofan has been thinking about building up some chapters these past few days, preparing to update at fixed times so everyone can read more comfortably.
Before you continue