The Final Battle with Shendu (Part One)

Konoha Village, the Hokage Building.

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was oppressive. The senior officials of Konoha, including Shimura Danzō, studied the intelligence in their hands with grave expressions.

The news that Zhi Qiang, a new member of the Hidden Organization, had appeared was no longer all that important. Just moments ago, a spy stationed in Iwagakure had reported that the Land of Fire's capital had fallen, seized by the snarling Arlong. Even worse, a more powerful dragon had appeared, defeated the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, and taken the Talisman.

There was also the fierce battle that had erupted in the Land of Frost. According to eyewitnesses there, they had seen a green monster riding a four-legged dragon streak across the sky. Then a battle had broken out at a place called the Graveyard of Mountains.

And the other side... apparently could use Susanoo, a technique once wielded only by Uchiha Madara...

"Hiruzen! Don't you understand? That Susanoo! The accursed Uchiha must have been hoarding the Talismans, which is what drew that so-called demon here!"

Danzō was true to form. He seized every chance to slander the Uchiha Clan. As far as he was concerned, Shendu and the others were irrelevant. His mighty Konoha was invincible! The priority was to suppress the Uchiha Clan.

"Enough, Danzō. Now isn't the time to discuss this. That dragon's leader is what we need to focus on."

Judging by what Uncle had said before, the one scouring the world for Talismans was undoubtedly Shendu.

As for Shendu's strength... Hiruzen didn't know who the Uchiha he had fought was, but considering that even an old and powerful shinobi like Ōnoki had been unable to resist, Shendu's strength was likely astounding...

The Monkey Talisman had been taken by Zhi Qiang of the Hidden Organization, but the remaining two Talismans were both in Konoha. How could Sarutobi Hiruzen not be worried?

Handing over the Talismans was out of the question. The Horse Talisman alone saved Konoha a fortune every day, let alone the Dragon Talisman, which possessed great power and could serve as a universal energy source—even replacing chakra.

"Shouldn't we check on Uncle first?"

When it came to dealing with demons, Uncle was unquestionably the expert. Ever since he learned that Shendu had been resurrected, he had stayed cooped up in his room, making spells.

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to go find Uncle, someone suddenly knocked on the Hokage's office door.

"Come in!"

Two Anbu Ninja entered, holding a filthy, disheveled boy between them, and brought him before Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Lord Hokage! Honored advisors! We just caught this suspicious, skulking fellow outside the Hokage's office!"

"You're... the Daimyo?!"

The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen saw the boy's face, he sprang to his feet in shock. Although he hadn't attended Enshi Shu's inauguration ceremony, he knew what the boy looked like.

"What?! That's the Daimyo?"

Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō all looked utterly astonished. How had the ruler of a great nation ended up in such a state?

Still, it made sense. Given the capital's current situation, Enshi Shu was lucky to have made it to Konoha alive. And as for how they could verify his identity...

"His muscles are slack, there's no sign he's ever molded chakra... and he doesn't appear to have used the Transformation Technique..."

Enshi Shu looked little better than a beggar, but the Fire Daimyo Exclusive Robe he wore still stood out. Sarutobi Hiruzen could tell at a glance that it was made from the finest cloth, reserved for the Daimyo's family. There was no way it could be counterfeit.

"Daimyo, please go to the place I've arranged for you and get some rest. As for the demon trying to usurp your throne, leave him to us in Konoha!"

Enshi Shu had neither power nor wealth now; he was entirely powerless. But the deeply ingrained way of thinking in this world led Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others to immediately decide to help him reclaim his throne.

After all, Konoha was already going to fight Shendu. Earning credit for helping the rightful ruler return to power would be even better.

The Daimyo had barely left when Uncle, Chixing, and Yellow Sponge entered the Hokage's office.

"Uncle, how are preparations coming for the... er... 'spell' to subdue that demon?"

"Oh, dear! A spell to seal a demon is very difficult! Uncle needs more time!"

Just as Uncle was complaining about how complicated the spell was, several more Anbu Ninja hurried in. "L-Lord Hokage! That demon is already above Konoha!"

"What?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shot up from his chair in shock. He hadn't expected Shendu to arrive so soon!

"Pass on my orders! The Genin are to evacuate the residents to Kage Rock. Gather the rest of the shinobi and follow me—we'll buy Uncle some time!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders quickly spread throughout the village, and Konoha went on full alert.

"Danzō! That includes your Root!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen took off his Hokage Cloak, revealing the black, close-fitting combat uniform beneath, along with a shinobi helmet topped with overlapping plates.

"Hiruzen, take this!"

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to leap out the window, Utatane Koharu called out to him. She took out the Horse Talisman, which had been kept in Konoha Hospital.

"Thank you..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stowed the Talisman and leapt out the window. After using the Body Flicker Technique several times across the rooftops, he reached the center of the battlefield.

—Bam!

Shendu stepped into Konoha Village. The wall behind him had been completely destroyed, and the shinobi patrolling the village were the first to engage him.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Lightning Release: Lightning Beast Tracking Fang!"

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Ninjutsu of every nature filled the sky, covering a vast stretch of ground. But the moment Shendu swung his head and exhaled Bolo Breath, the flames swallowed them all.

"So ordinary ninjutsu won't do much against him...?" The Anbu squad leader considered this, then ordered the others:

"Find a way to restrain him! We just need to buy time!"

Beside Shendu's enormous body, as huge as a transport truck, Konoha's buildings seemed as flimsy as paper. A light brush from him was enough to reduce them to rubble.

Buildings collapsed one after another. Tiles flew, and dust billowed. The moment Shendu's vision was obscured, the Anbu squad members formed Hand Seals and launched their techniques in succession.

"Lightning Style: Four-Pillar Bind!"

Chakra erupted as four stone pillars burst from the ground. Crackling bolts of electricity shot toward Shendu in the middle. For a moment, even he felt pain. He stretched his neck and roared.

"Earth Style: Clay Drop!"

Seeing Shendu convulse from the electric shock and fall temporarily paralyzed, another Anbu Ninja seized the opportunity and formed Hand Seals again.

A mass of red clay dropped from the sky, landing around Shendu. The sticky clay covered his body and pinned him firmly between the four lightning pillars, while further obscuring the area.

"Lightning Style: Sixteen-Pillar Bind!" The Anbu Ninja who had formed Hand Seals earlier did so again, upgrading the Four-Pillar Bind. More stone pillars surged up from underground, increasing the voltage and paralyzing Shendu.

The pillars rose fully and stood by the village gate like a microwave oven. The last Anbu Ninja formed Hand Seals:

"Fire Style: Bisque Technique!"