The opportunity had come!
Before that Uchiha brat could unleash Susanoo, cut him down!
Just like when I killed Izuna Uchiha, I only need one strike!
Seizing the moment when Uchiha Takeyasu had just spent his strength and had yet to recover, Senju Tobirama tossed the three Flying Thunder God Kunai at his waist. They landed in front of Uchiha Takeyasu in a triangular formation.
Senju Tobirama is coming!
Uchiha Takeyasu slashed diagonally, knocking two of the kunai aside. His Mangekyō Sharingan reflected Senju Tobirama's every move—even the trembling hairs on his face were relayed to his brain. Under the flawless observation of his left eye, [Amenotokotachi], Senju Tobirama moved!
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
There was no time to knock away the last Flying Thunder God Kunai with his katana. Just as Uchiha Takeyasu prepared to dodge to the side, Senju Tobirama vanished from before his eyes.
A lethal killing intent from the Flying Thunder God Kunai behind and to the side made Uchiha Takeyasu's scalp tingle and his hair stand on end.
"Flying Thunder God Slash!"
Unlike the Byakugan, the Hyuga Clan's bloodline limit that granted 360-degree vision, the Sharingan's normal field of view was no different from an ordinary person's.
In the blind spot of Uchiha Takeyasu's normal vision, Senju Tobirama's eyes were devoid of joy or sorrow. A flash of light glinted at his waist as a short blade slashed toward Uchiha Takeyasu's abdomen. That naturally evil Uchiha brat—this is the end for you! I'll study your body thoroughly. You'll have a place in Impure World Reincarnation!
But Senju Tobirama was shocked to discover that his blade had struck nothing!
The handsome youth in a Samurai Outfit—the evil Uchiha brat—had suddenly vanished!
"Waiting for the instant an opponent lets down their guard, then delivering a fatal blow. That's always been your style."
The icy blade moved faster than the taunting voice. Senju Tobirama instinctively used the Flying Thunder God Technique to retreat, only to feel his body grow lighter. His left hand was gone, and warm blood sprayed from the stump.
The searing pain assailed his mind, driving his thoughts into overdrive.
He can use Space-Time Ninjutsu too!
This is bad. I have to retreat at once!
The only possible explanation surfaced immediately. Realizing he couldn't stay in one place for long—and that killing Uchiha Takeyasu was impossible—Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth and drew on the last of his Chakra.
But before he could use the Flying Thunder God Technique again, Senju Tobirama saw his own lower body, severed from him, and Uchiha Takeyasu behind it, flicking his blade to shake off the blood.
"So it was me who met my end..."
"Evil Uchiha brat..."
Seeing Senju Tobirama curse the Uchiha even at the very end, Uchiha Takeyasu thoughtfully provided Fire Release cremation services, ready to help Senju Tobirama become one with nature.
Nearby, Kinkaku and Ginkaku stared blankly at the scene.
The change from attack to defense had happened in the blink of an eye. By the time the brothers came to their senses, Senju Tobirama's body had been split in two and was burning fiercely. He was well and truly dead.
The four dead men brought back through Impure World Reincarnation also turned to ash and vanished, their souls returning to the Underworld.
Watching Uchiha Takeyasu continue to smile, the arrogant and overbearing Kinkaku and Ginkaku became fully alert. The thought of calling off the fight crept into their minds. Their opponent could use Space-Time Ninjutsu, and they no longer controlled the flow of battle. If they kept fighting, they wouldn't gain anything either.
They didn't think the two of them would lose if they joined forces, but Senju Tobirama had died so quickly that they had to think carefully. They hadn't even gotten to enjoy the spoils of their rebellion yet. Was it worth continuing to fight a powerful foe?
As for Uchiha Takeyasu having killed countless Kumogakure shinobi, Kinkaku and Ginkaku simply ignored it. They weren't friends or family, and if they died, so be it. People died every day in the Ninja World.
They weren't the Raikage. They had no interest in taking responsibility for the weak.
The brothers exchanged a glance. Kinkaku put away the Basho Fan and spoke. "We killed our own Raikage, and you killed your own Hokage. What does Takeyasu-san plan to do now?"
"What do I plan to do next? That's a good question."
His crimson Sharingan fell on the brothers, putting Kinkaku and Ginkaku on guard at once. They cloaked themselves in Nine-Tails Chakra to block any genjutsu attack.
"Don't be so tense. Relax."
Having accomplished everything he had set out to do, Uchiha Takeyasu began to think things over.
Kinkaku and Ginkaku were among the stronger fighters at Kage Level. Their Tailed Beast Transformation alone could crush Hiruzen Sarutobi, while Shimura Danzō would die in a single exchange. So, from a personal standpoint, Uchiha Takeyasu hoped they would become Ascension Points.
On the other hand, from the perspective of the Third Hokage, they would be more useful alive than dead. They could throw Kumogakure into chaos. After brazenly killing the Second Raikage, they would have a very hard time taking control of the village when they returned.
The next generation's designated Raikage, the Third Raikage, A, was no pushover. And with so many followers around the rightful heir, it would be strange if Kinkaku and Ginkaku didn't leave a river of blood in their wake.
Kumogakure's overall strength would inevitably decline at a visible pace.
Uchiha Takeyasu didn't think he would lose. After weighing the pros and cons, he asked, "Do you have the Second Raikage's body? I can trade you Senju Tobirama's."
"We do. What do you want it for?"
Kinkaku and Ginkaku exchanged a glance. Ginkaku took a scroll from behind his back, glanced at the charred remains at Uchiha Takeyasu's feet, and twitched his mouth. "Well... Forget it. We have no use for this thing. You can have it. Catch."
The bodies of powerful shinobi were valuable assets in the Ninja World, especially those from bloodline clans and Kumogakure shinobi who specialized in Nintaijutsu. An experienced ninjutsu expert could potentially uncover secrets from studying a corpse.
Uchiha Takeyasu created a Shadow Clone to take the scroll. The cautious move earned him a measure of respect from Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
When the scroll was unsealed, a corpse appeared—only half a body, head included. Its dark face wore a fierce, disbelieving expression, making it clear at a glance that the man would have been excellent at growing cotton.
Without changing his expression, Uchiha Takeyasu sealed the corpse back into the scroll. He waved to Kinkaku and Ginkaku, smiling. "Then this is where we part. You've slain the Second and defended Kumogakure's honor. You're both powerful men—the Third Raikage and his advisor."
"Huh, so you can do that?! You people from the Land of Fire really are devious."
Kinkaku and Ginkaku hadn't imagined things could be handled that way. It was as if a door to a whole new world had opened before them. Their fierce faces forced out a smile more painful than tears. "You've slain the Second Raikage, powerful Third Hokage! Perhaps we'll meet on the battlefield next time!"
"I look forward to it."
Unwilling to keep talking to the ill-mannered Kumogakure brutes, Uchiha Takeyasu turned and left.
This time, he would return to Konoha as the hero who had avenged the Second, Senju Tobirama, and his Kage Guard by slaying the Second Raikage—and set his sights on the Third Hokage's seat!
Before you continue