The front courtyard had long since been swallowed by blazing flames. Several Ninja Monks lay sprawled across the ground, their fates unknown.
Hiruko stood with his hands hanging at his sides, his gaze sweeping the surroundings like that of a predatory beast, cold and sinister.
He had once been a ninja of the same generation as the Sannin, filled with admiration for their brilliance, yet his own talent had fallen far short. Years of inferiority and resentment had ultimately driven him into the abyss of forbidden techniques. He stubbornly believed that only this way could he surpass the Sannin.
Shinji had never heard any news of Hiruko in Konoha, much less seen him in person. Yet their first meeting was already such a scene of madness and ruin.
The Ninja Monks of the Temple of Fire and the Guardian Ninja rushed over one after another upon hearing the commotion, and chaos erupted in an instant.
"Enemy attack!"
"How did he break in?"
"Damn it!"
Asuma arrived alongside Chiriku and the others. He seemed to have been with the Guardian Ninja all along, and they appeared to get along quite well.
He returned to the edge of the group and lowered his voice as he looked at Shinji.
"What happened?"
"Not sure." Shinji lightly shook his head. "Watch for now. Get into position and stay alert."
Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma exchanged a glance, both tightening their grips on their weapons as they readied themselves.
A figure descended from the sky and crashed heavily into the ground, shattering the blue stone tiles on impact.
Lady Tsunade shook out her short golden hair. When she saw who it was, her pupils narrowed slightly, and her tone abruptly turned grave.
"Hiruko? Is that you?"
"Why are you here?"
Her gaze swept over the unconscious