The Jade General Guarding the Heart

On the other side, the battle had also reached a white-hot intensity a short while earlier.

Just as Kazuma spread his arms, preparing to manipulate the lightning orb to harvest the remaining Anbu members, a roar erupted.

"Roar--!"

The massive Enma had appeared at his side before he even realized it.

Damn it! Am I being underestimated, Hiruzen!

Kazuma was shocked to his core. He hurriedly used his Four-Bladed Iron Claw to block, sparks flying from the metallic collision, and only then managed to force back the berserk Enma.

At the same time, the figure of Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged from the smoke. His hands moved in a blur of seals, "Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

Instantly, an earth dragon erupted from the ground, spewing a viscous stream of mud toward Kazuma, who could only defend himself in a sorry state using Earth Release.

It turned out that the one struck by the lightning orb just moments ago was merely a Shadow Clone Technique of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Right then, a sharp glint flashed in Kazuma's eyes. While blocking with Earth Release, he split his focus to control the lightning orb in the air, and a bolt of lightning suddenly struck Enma, who was preparing to ambush him.

"Squeak--!"

Even for Enma, known for his indestructible adamantine body, his movements stalled for a moment the instant he was struck by the lightning.

"Die, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

Kazuma seized this momentary opening and formed seals with his hands, "Earth Release: Earth Prison Dome!"

"Hum!"

A massive rock cage instantly bound Hiruzen Sarutobi within. This cage could not only trap enemies but also continuously drain the chakra of those trapped inside.

"Now is the time!"

Kazuma roared, attempting to guide the lightning orb in the sky once more to strike the trapped Hiruzen Sarutobi.

However, at that very instant, the lightning orb in the sky suddenly faltered, its radiance dimming significantly.

"What is happening?!"

Kazuma discovered in horror that one of the four formation points of Lightning Style: Lightning Illusion Flash of Lightning had temporarily lost its response.

Hiruzen Sarutobi also seized this fleeting opportunity.

"Enma!"

Enma understood immediately. He instantly transformed back into the shape of the Adamantine Staff and spun as he flew toward the cage, shattering all the rocks that were binding Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Simultaneously, the Adamantine Staff flew back into Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand, and without even looking, he hurled it violently toward Kazuma.

"Enma: Adamantine Prison Wall!"

Having learned from his previous mistake, Kazuma did not try to meet it head-on but instead retreated rapidly, attempting to put distance between them and wait for the right moment to manipulate the lightning orb in the sky for another attack.

However, the Adamantine Staff actually split into countless clones in mid-air, and the dense swarm of Adamantine Staffs formed an inescapable net, constructing an impenetrable cage around Kazuma in the blink of an eye, trapping him firmly inside.

"Kazuma, you have no chance left!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi did not cease his ninjutsu.

He formed hand seals and unleashed, "Five Elements: Great Barrage Technique!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned four Shadow Clone Technique entities at once.

Together with his original body, they unleashed ninjutsu of five different attributes: fire, lightning, water, earth, and wind.

"BOOM--!"

A massive explosion swallowed everything, leveling the area where Kazuma stood to the ground.

When the smoke and dust cleared, Kazuma, trapped within the cage, was already on the verge of death.

He lay on the ground, beyond any hope of recovery.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at him from above, "Kazuma, you have lost."

"No! I haven't lost yet!"

Kazuma stared at the lightning orb in the sky, which had begun to plummet after losing control.

Even as black blood spilled continuously from the corners of his mouth, he laughed maniacally, "Hahaha... Hiruzen Sarutobi... in the end, you are the ones who will lose!"

"Heh."

Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped his Adamantine Staff.

He squinted at the massive lightning orb about to crash down from the sky.

"How could we, who possess the Will of Fire, possibly lose?"

Just as he prepared to swing his staff to knock the lightning orb away, he saw the orb of destruction, suddenly dissipate on its own in mid-air, vanishing into a sky full of electric snakes without a trace.

"Hm?!"

Hiruzen was stunned, then immediately understood.

"It seems Kakashi and the others have succeeded."

He looked down at Kazuma, who lay at his feet with a smile on his lips, though he had already lost his life.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed deeply.

Then, he hoisted the heavy burden and walked step by step toward the gates of the Daimyo Palace.

The surviving Guardian Shinobi along the way, seeing the Kazuma in Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand, dared not even breathe, bowing their heads and retreating in succession.

The main hall of the Land of Fire Daimyo Palace was resplendent in gold and jade.

The Daimyo of the Land of Fire, with his bloated body, slumped in his seat of honor.

His face had long since lost its former arrogance, replaced only by fear and pallor.

When Hiruzen Sarutobi walked in, dragging the lifeless, bloodied corpse of Kazuma, the Daimyo's body visibly recoiled.

"Third Hokage..."

The Daimyo stammered.

His eyes darted away, "W-what is the meaning of this?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled as he tossed Kazuma onto the floor.

The massive body hit the ground with a dull thud.

"Daimyo-sama, I was worried that Kazuma might have relayed the wrong message; he said you intended to abolish the Hokage system."

The Daimyo looked at the fallen Kazuma on the ground.

A surge of intense disgust and displaced anger welled up in his eyes.

Back then, Kazuma had sworn to him with absolute certainty that he would destroy Konoha.

But what was the result?

Konoha is perfectly fine, yet you have ended up in this pathetic state.

Truly unforgivable, you traitor!

"No! Third Hokage!"

The Daimyo stood up abruptly from his seat.

His voice trembled with agitation, "This is purely that traitor Kazuma trying to sow discord between us!"

The Daimyo's face was plastered with a hypocritical smile, "You know, I have always been the firmest supporter of the Hokage system!"

He pointed at the corpse of Kazuma, as if it were the most disgusting trash in the world.

"What Guardian Shinobi? It was all just that fool Kazuma acting on his own!"

"A petty villain who sows discord deserves such an end!"

"Reward!"

"Someone, bring a grand reward for the Third Hokage!"

However, the vast hall remained empty, with no one responding to the Daimyo's call.

"..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

This brief silence pushed the Daimyo's nerves to the breaking point.

Beads of cold sweat even began to break out on his forehead.

Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at the body on the floor, the man who had once treated the Daimyo as his King, and sighed once more.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly pulled himself together.

He solemnly proposed, "Lord Daimyo, since the Guardian Shinobi are so incompetent, why not disband this unit? Your safety shall be fully managed by us in Konoha."

Hearing this, the Daimyo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He nodded hurriedly, fearing he might be a step too slow.

"Good! Very good!"

He clapped his hands, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"The Guardian Shinobi had ulterior motives; I suggest we abolish them immediately!"

"As for my safety, it shall of course be fully entrusted to Konoha! Konoha's ninja are the only ones who are truly loyal!"

At this, Hiruzen Sarutobi also felt a weight lift from his heart.

After all, the Land of Fire still required the Daimyo to manage taxes and internal affairs.

He still needed to maintain the delicate balance where the Daimyo provided the village with its economic foundation, while the village provided the Daimyo with military protection.

As long as this balance remained, Konoha would not perish.

Outside the hall, the last sliver of dark cloud in the sky was finally pierced by the sunlight.

The Guardian Shinobi who had originally stood guard around the Daimyo Palace had long since been replaced by an elite Anbu squad.

Though the surrounding sunlight was warm and solid, it could do nothing to mask the thick scent of blood lingering in the air.