Torifu Akimichi Dies in Battle, The Last One Standing

"Expansion Jutsu: Cannonball!"

Unwilling to sit idly by, Torifu Akimichi's chakra transformed into the power of Yang Release. His body swelled massively, the upper-ninja vest shredding apart as his head and limbs retracted into his torso, forming a colossal black sphere that rolled toward Uchiha Takeyasu, crushing everything in its path.

Thick tree trunks along the way shattered like willow catkins, doing nothing to slow Torifu's rolling momentum.

"It seems among the six of you, when it comes to risking your life, you surpass Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

Uchiha Takeyasu observed the Yang Release chakra coiling around Torifu's entire body. The sheer volume of chakra was astonishing—any ordinary ninjutsu attack striking Torifu directly would be crushed and dispersed on impact.

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

Too lazy to probe with low-level jutsu like the Great Fireball, Takeyasu's Mangekyo spun as his chakra surged. From his mouth, he spat three streams of flame that writhed like furious dragons. Under his control, they flexibly stretched their serpentine bodies through the air, then struck Torifu from the left, center, and right.

Boom!

The shockwave from their collision swept through like a typhoon, snapping Takeyasu's clothes taut. Tachibana, nestled in his collar, shrank back in fear, leaving only a pair of sneaky cat eyes peeking out, excitedly watching the charging Cannonball.

Scattered flames began igniting the nearby trees. Amid the blazing inferno, the massive Cannonball gradually ground to a halt. With a roar of "Super Expansion Jutsu," a giant over twenty meters tall rose up—his sheer weight enough to crush a ten-meter hill—and completely cast Uchiha Takeyasu in his shadow.

"Super Push Hand!"

Torifu's enormous palms expanded even further, descending like two stacked mountain peaks. The oppressive pressure made Takeyasu's breathing labored; the surrounding air compressed tightly, making him feel as if he were submerged in a river—every movement costing far more effort than usual.

"A Yang Release secret technique not to be underestimated."

Tachibana, still in his arms, looked up at Takeyasu's ever-present smile and blinked her cat eyes, feeling not a shred of worry—this young man, ever since becoming a ninja, had always carved a path of light through even the harshest trials.

"Too bad you're up against the wrong enemy."

"Amenotokotachi!"

He likened his left eye's ability to a full-surround, no-blind-spot map, and his right eye's ability to instant teleportation on that map—the two complemented each other perfectly.

"Impossible!"

"That's Space-Time Ninjutsu, like Lord Tobirama's Flying Thunder God!"

Torifu Akimichi gaped in shock as Uchiha Takeyasu suddenly appeared on his shoulder. By the time he tried to cancel the Super Expansion Jutsu, it was too late—all his chakra was poured into his giant palms, and his body was already tilting forward under the momentum of his own force.

He knew Takeyasu wouldn't die from his Super Push Hand. He'd anticipated him dodging left or right, meeting force with force, or even shamelessly burrowing underground—but he never expected Space-Time Ninjutsu.

All his contingencies had come to nothing. The star of death was already flickering above his head!

The Akimichi Clan specialized in overwhelming opponents with raw power. Their massive size granted immense strength but severely hampered agility, often causing them to miss their targets and leaving huge openings.

(If only I had a Yamanaka or Nara clansman with me now—I'd just need to aim and attack.)

(Did my family make a mistake sending me to serve under Lord Tobirama?)

(If I'd formed an Ino-Shika-Cho team like the elders, even a Mangekyo Uchiha would be a fightable opponent!)

Realizing his death was imminent, and that Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two wouldn't escape Takeyasu's pursuit either, Torifu's life flashed before his eyes. His giant palms slammed into the ground, sending a thunderous roar through the area.

The earth shook as dust shot skyward. Uchiha Takeyasu drew his katana, coating it with Wind Release chakra's ultimate cutting property, which shimmered like a transparent stream of light.

"Uchiha Style: Wind Cutter Slash!"

With a flick of Takeyasu's wrist, a thread-thin gleam flashed. Blood sprayed from Torifu Akimichi's neck as his super-expanded body shrank back to normal size in an instant. Like Kagami Uchiha, he was decapitated.

The increase in Ascension Points confirmed it—with the system, no one could fake death before him.

"Lord Takeyasu, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others fled that way."

After Torifu's death, Tachibana happily licked her master's chin. She swore on her ninja cat honor that she'd never speak of the Space-Time Ninjutsu she'd just witnessed, but she would gladly spread word of today's feat—so everyone could see how formidable her master was!

"Mm, my Tachibana is both sharp and capable."

"Meow~"

With a casual Earth Release jutsu, Takeyasu buried Torifu Akimichi. He actually held some goodwill toward this enemy—even a proud Uchiha wished for comrades who would stand firmly behind him.

(Hm, and the Akimichi Clan's secret techniques—these super-secret arts that any man would want—I need to get my hands on them. The ninja world doesn't decree one partner for life.)

"Lord Takeyasu, if you don't hurry, they'll get away."

"They won't escape."

Reining in his wandering thoughts, Uchiha Takeyasu stepped forward.

(Torifu is dead.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other two, racing through the forest, could no longer sense the earth-shaking commotion behind them. The giant form of Torifu Akimichi, visible from afar, had vanished—they all knew what that meant.

With grim faces, each pondered their own strategy.

No one wanted to die if they could help it.

So, whether they survived the Butcher of Humans' pursuit depended on their individual luck.

This thought struck Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu simultaneously—if one of them had to be the target of certain death, Hiruzen's odds were greater than both of theirs combined.

The shrewd Hiruzen Sarutobi also sensed this from the silent gazes behind him. He sighed inwardly. At this point, the team's trust was shattered. There was nothing left to say.

"Everyone, scatter and flee. Whoever makes it back, makes it back."

"We must expose Uchiha Takeyasu—no, the Uchiha Clan's conspiracy—to the village. Let everyone in Konoha know that the Uchiha openly colluded with Kumogakure to assassinate our Second Hokage. Add to that their earlier partial rebellion, suppressed by Lord Tobirama, and the Uchiha Clan will have no foothold left in Konoha."

"Danzo and Takefu won't have died in vain."

With that, Hiruzen Sarutobi's speed abruptly increased as he ran along the shortest route back to Konoha.

(This bastard!)

Continuing to follow Hiruzen Sarutobi meant being nothing more than natural cannon fodder behind him. With no other choice, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura exchanged a glance before splitting off and fleeing in opposite directions.

"All of you are just struggling in vain."

Uchiha Takeyasu's tracking ability, honed through countless cycles of hunting and being hunted, was a master-level skill. He quickly discerned that the three had adopted a plan of scattering escape.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Two shadow clones set off to pursue Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, while Uchiha Takeyasu's main body followed the trail of Hiruzen Sarutobi's Chakra, tailing him all the way.

With his exceptional leg strength, Uchiha Takeyasu blocked Hiruzen Sarutobi's path at the forest's exit.

Ten kilometers away lay the stationed ninja forces of Konoha. If he could just break out of the forest, reinforcements would arrive swiftly. Then the Uchiha Clan would be hunted by everyone, and he himself could ascend to the position of Hokage.

(I can't act on impulse now.)

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face shifted through several expressions as he gripped the Adamantine Staff tightly. Staring at Uchiha Takeyasu, he said in a low voice, "Takeyasu-san, must it really come to this?"

"I have already been designated by Tobirama-sensei as the Third Hokage. If you let me leave, I swear the Uchiha Clan will secure a seat among Konoha's high ranks. Even the future Fourth Hokage—given your age, Takeyasu-san, you would have a chance at it too."

Facing the endless promises Hiruzen Sarutobi was throwing his way, Uchiha Takeyasu's eyes flickered. The memories from his two shadow clones had already entered his mind, and a faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.

Seeing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled as well.

"I'm smiling because Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura have already been slain by me. What are you smiling about?"

Uchiha Takeyasu looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, whose expression had turned as ugly as a man coming home to find his wife engaged in a group activity, and spoke with a cheerful tone.

"You're the last one left of the Kage Guard. Better get on the road soon, so your good companions won't get lonely on the way."

"Besides, once I kill you all, who else but me can claim the seat of the Third Hokage?"

"The blade of the Uchiha Clan remains as sharp as ever!"