Relics of the Old Era

"Chiriku!!"

Asuma Sarutobi, currently locked in combat with Ao, let out a startled cry.

However, the only response he received was Ao's overbearing Earth Release attack.

"Earth Release: Earth Stone Dragon!"

The ground in front of Asuma Sarutobi trembled violently as a massive stone dragon burst forth from the earth, charging toward him with the force of a landslide.

This forced Asuma Sarutobi to abandon his rescue attempt and hurriedly perform ninjutsu to counter the assault.

Uchiha Itachi, who had been observing from the sidelines, once again found his interest piqued by Yatsuhashi.

In the process of the three of them confronting Chiriku, it was obvious that Yatsuhashi had played a vital, pivotal role.

Strange... how have I never heard of such a person within the clan before? Uchiha Itachi wondered inwardly.

The main reason was that Yatsuhashi's parents were both civilians of the Uchiha Clan, not ninjas.

Furthermore, Yatsuhashi had only awakened his Sharingan and joined the Anbu about half a year ago.

Additionally, since Uchiha Itachi had not yet awakened his own Sharingan, and although Uchiha Fugaku was the head of the Uchiha Clan, he did not possess the qualifications to enter the Ancestral Grounds.

Therefore, it was only natural that Uchiha Itachi did not know Yatsuhashi.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Sugiyama Kenji, who also wore a sash with the character for "Fire" tied around his waist, looked at Chiriku, whose abdomen had been pierced by Kakashi's Chidori, his face full of mocking derision. "Chiriku, to think you've fallen to such a state facing three brats from Konoha; you've completely disgraced the Twelve Guardian Ninja!"

Sugiyama Kenji did not choose to offer Chiriku a helping hand; instead, he slammed his hands together to form seals.

"Mud Release: Mud Swamp Devour!"

The soil beneath Chiriku suddenly churned, turning into a quagmire that threatened to swallow him whole.

Sugiyama Kenji actually intended to bury the severely wounded Chiriku alive right there in the mud.

However, at this critical juncture, Might Guy rescued Chiriku from Sugiyama Kenji's ninjutsu just moments before the mud trap could close.

During the battle just now, Chiriku had already earned Might Guy's respect.

He could die at the hands of Kakashi's Chidori, but he absolutely could not perish at the hands of his own comrade.

Might Guy gently placed the unconscious Chiriku in a safe spot. "This is not the definition of a comrade! Is this the Ninja Way of you Guardian Shinobi?!"

Sugiyama Kenji looked at Might Guy and the others. "Hmph! What meddlesome Konoha ninjas."

Yatsuhashi looked at Sugiyama Kenji before him and suddenly spoke up, "Might Guy, you cover us."

Yatsuhashi could sense that this Sugiyama Kenji was completely different from the Chiriku he had faced before.

The flow of chakra within him seemed to make him one with the surrounding earth.

If someone like Might Guy, who relied on wide-open, high-impact taijutsu, were to get close, he would likely meet with disaster.

Out of absolute trust in Yatsuhashi, Might Guy nodded without a second thought: "Leave it to me!"

Yatsuhashi merely exchanged a glance with Kakashi.

The two of them launched an attack on Sugiyama Kenji with tacit understanding.

"Hmph!"

Facing their pincer attack, Sugiyama Kenji was not only unperturbed but laughed arrogantly instead:

"Am I being underestimated? You two actually came here to throw your lives away?"

However, the next second, "Puchi!"

Kakashi's Raikiri pierced through Sugiyama Kenji's chest.

At the same time, Yatsuhashi's heavy fist landed solidly on the left side of his cheek.

But Sugiyama Kenji did not bleed, nor was he injured.

The parts struck by the two turned into viscous mud.

In an instant, it firmly latched onto the arms of Kakashi and Yatsuhashi.

A cruel smile appeared on Sugiyama Kenji's face, "Got you!"

He prepared to activate the Mud Release: Mud Binding Strangulation Technique, intending to twist their arms off alive.

However, at this critical moment, Yatsuhashi suddenly widened his eyes.

Those scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan were spinning rapidly, which was the unique genjutsu inherent to the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.

A powerful mental force instantly invaded Sugiyama Kenji's mind.

"Urgh?!"

Sugiyama Kenji let out a muffled groan, and taking advantage of this momentary opening, Might Guy, who had been closely watching Yatsuhashi and the other, suddenly launched an attack.

"Konoha Flash!"

In the blink of an eye, Might Guy appeared behind Sugiyama Kenji.

"Youthful Spinning Kick!"

Might Guy kicked Sugiyama Kenji, who was deep in the genjutsu, and subsequently entered his exclusive state of youthful barrages.

A series of taijutsu strikes

caused the binding force of the mud to suddenly slacken, giving Yatsuhashi and Kakashi the chance to break free.

Seeing that Yatsuhashi's genjutsu was about to fail, Might Guy immediately jumped back, putting distance between himself and Sugiyama Kenji.

"Are you two alright?"

"Yeah."

Kakashi panted, his Sharingan also observing Sugiyama Kenji's ninjutsu.

"His ninjutsu is very strange; he can turn his body into a part of the mud, which makes ordinary taijutsu and ninjutsu attacks ineffective against him."

On the other side of the scene, the situation was equally deadlocked.

Asuma Sarutobi was holding his Chakra Blade and continuously attacking Ao.

Sparks flew as blade light intersected with Earth Release.

Hiruzen Sarutobi watched this scene and sighed deeply.

He knew that to end this farce sooner, the only way was to reach the Daimyo Palace quickly.

"Uchiha Itachi, you stay here and be ready to support Yatsuhashi and the others at any time."

"Understood, Lord Hokage!"

Although Uchiha Itachi was puzzled, he still obeyed Hiruzen Sarutobi's order.

After Hiruzen finished speaking, he walked slowly toward the Daimyo Palace all by himself.

However, many Guardian Shinobi had already been stationed along the way to keep watch.

But facing these hostile Guardian Shinobi.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had no intention of stopping.

At some point, over a dozen elite Anbu members appeared behind him.

These elite Anbu were all extraordinary, possessing exceptional strength.

They were the elite Anbu squad led by the Anbu Captain, Ao.

They engaged the Guardian Shinobi who were preparing to block the path one after another.

In an instant, blood splattered everywhere, and cries of agony filled the air.

The scene immediately turned into a chaotic, large-scale battlefield.

Yet, Hiruzen Sarutobi still showed no sign of stopping.

He walked step by step through the fighting crowd until he stood before Kazuma.

"Kazuma."

The pipe in Hiruzen's hand trembled slightly, not out of fear, but out of rage.

His voice was firm as he said, "As relics of an old era, the Guardian Shinobi have no place in this new age."

"Heh."

Kazuma sneered, slowly equipping his Four-Bladed Iron Claw.

"That line should be mine to say to you, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

"The era of the ninja is over. The Daimyo is the master of this nation! The Daimyo is the only King we should be protecting!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent.

He glanced at the gates of the Daimyo Palace not far away.

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Kazuma was now the final obstacle standing between him and the Daimyo.

"Bang!"

With a sharp sound, the white smoke cleared.

A massive Adamantine Staff had appeared in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand.

"If that is the case..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low and commanding.

"Then let us settle this with a fight!"