Konoha's Ninja Clans Gather

Uchiha Compound.

Fugaku Uchiha stood beneath the eaves.

His gaze passed over layer upon layer of rooftops, fixed in the direction of the Hokage Building.

"Clan head."

"The Anbu are making a major move."

"It's not just the Anbu."

"According to reports from the outer patrol units, Root's rats have also mobilized in full force."

Just then.

Uchiha Tekka flashed into existence before Fugaku Uchiha.

Fugaku Uchiha said nothing.

The three tomoe in his scarlet eyes spun madly.

Something big had happened.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo had never acted without profit.

For them to raise such a massive force, this was definitely no minor matter.

"Which direction?"

"Where did they go?"

Fugaku Uchiha asked coldly.

"The southeast corner."

"If I'm not mistaken, their target should be the former site of the Senju Clan."

Uchiha Tekka swallowed.

At those words.

Fugaku's pupils suddenly constricted.

The Senju Ruins?

That damned place that had been abandoned for decades?

"Move!"

"Let's go take a look!"

"..."

Hyuga Compound.

Hyuga Hiashi stood in the center of the courtyard.

His Byakugan was activated, veins bulging around his eyes.

His vision pierced through countless buildings, crossed the streets, and locked directly onto the Hokage's direct forces.

It was too massive.

The chakra of over a hundred ninja gathered together was like a sun burning in the night.

"What exactly happened?"

Cold sweat seeped from Hyuga Hiashi's forehead.

Following the direction of that terrifying force, he likewise locked onto the Senju Ruins.

"Hizashi."

Hyuga Hiashi deactivated his Byakugan and turned toward his younger brother.

"Bring the Branch Family's best men. We're following them."

"Konoha may be about to change."

The Ino-Shika-Cho Clans reacted just as quickly.

Shikaku Nara stared blankly at the board before him.

Akimichi Choza held a handful of chips, having forgotten to put them in his mouth.

Yamanaka Inoichi had his eyes closed, sensing the killing intent permeating the air.

"This killing intent is too heavy."

"The Anbu are serious this time."

Yamanaka Inoichi opened his eyes, his expression exceptionally grave.

"Shikaku."

"Should we go take a look?"

Akimichi Choza tossed the chips back into the bag and brushed the crumbs from his hands.

"What a pain."

Shikaku rubbed his messy hair, his face full of irritation.

"Let's go."

"The Hokage has made such a huge commotion."

"If our clans don't show ourselves, we'll get chewed out."

"..."

In just a little over ten minutes.

All of Konoha had begun to move.

Countless black shadows leaped swiftly across the rooftops.

The Inuzuka Clan.

The Aburame Clan.

Even some of the smaller clans had sent representatives.

Sarutobi Hiruzen walked at the very front of the formation.

Naturally, he had noticed the tails behind them.

The heads of the major ninja clans were leading their elites, trailing far behind the Anbu unit.

"Lord Hokage."

"Should we send someone to drive them away?"

An Anbu squad captain stepped forward and lowered his voice.

"No need."

"Let them follow."

Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a light wave of his hand.

His purpose today was to test Chiba's attitude.

If Chiba was an obedient child, then everything could be discussed.

But if Chiba was a thorn in his side.

Then, before all the major clans in the village.

He could pin the label of disregarding the rules and intending to overthrow Konoha on Chiba.

Righteousness.

It had always been Sarutobi Hiruzen's most convenient weapon.

As long as he held the moral high ground.

Even if Chiba was a descendant of the Senju Clan, even if Chiba possessed immense strength, he would become Konoha's public enemy.

Meanwhile.

The Senju Ruins.

Chiba stood in the center of the ruins.

He had already walked through the entire Senju Compound.

Dilapidated.

Desolate.

The weeds grew taller than a person, even swallowing many collapsed courtyard walls.

The greatest clan that had founded Konoha had actually fallen into such a miserable state.

Chiba shook his head.

This place was completely uninhabitable.

Since it was all ruins.

Then he might as well tear it all down and build anew.

Chiba had just raised his hand.

When extremely dense sounds of air being torn suddenly came from the surrounding woods and the edges of the ruins.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

A large number of ninja appeared, completely surrounding the Senju Ruins.

The Hokage had arrived.

Sarutobi Hiruzen walked at the front.

Behind him was Danzo, leaning on a cane, with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura beside him.

Further behind.

Were the fully prepared Anbu and Root elites.

The sound of blades being drawn was especially piercing in the night wind.

And on the rooftops and treetops farther out.

Fugaku Uchiha, Hyuga Hiashi, Shikaku Nara, and the heads of the major clans all landed one after another.

Everyone was sizing up the young man in the ruins.

"Chiba!"

"This is forbidden ground of the Senju Clan!"

"As Tsunade's disciple, didn't your teacher teach you the village's rules?!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped walking.

He stared fixedly at Chiba's back and rebuked him sharply.

Chakra infused his voice, making it explode through the night sky like thunder.

The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he had already slapped a charge onto him.

He never mentioned Chiba's Senju bloodline.

Instead, he tried to completely suppress Chiba from the moral high ground.

The clan heads at the outskirts looked at one another.

Tsunade's disciple?

Fugaku Uchiha frowned slightly, suspicion filling his Sharingan.

When had Tsunade taken a disciple?

Hyuga Hiashi was equally puzzled.

He activated his Byakugan and stared intently at Chiba.

Inside this boy's body...

What strange chakra!

It was clearly as calm as stagnant water, yet it gave him the illusion of facing a bottomless abyss!

Shikaku Nara stroked his chin, his mind racing.

Something was off.

The Hokage's tone was off.

Rather than an interrogation, it sounded more like a guilty attempt at concealment.

This boy called Chiba was definitely more than merely Tsunade's disciple!

Ye slowly turned around.

He did not look at Sarutobi Hiruzen, nor did he look at the battle-ready Anbu.

His gaze passed over everyone and continued examining the edges of the ruins, as though measuring the area of the entire compound.

Ignoring them.

Complete and utter disregard.

With the simplest action, Chiba had fiercely slapped Sarutobi Hiruzen across the face.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly froze.

All the arguments he had prepared were choked in his throat.

"You arrogant brat!"

Danzo could not take it anymore.

A violently savage light erupted from his single eye.

The opportunity had come!

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not lower himself to attack directly, but Danzo had no such concerns!

He fiercely smashed his cane into the ground, producing a dull boom.

"Root, heed my command!"

"Capture this traitor who disregards the Hokage!"

"Dead or alive!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The instant the order was given.

Dozens of dark figures in animal masks shot toward Chiba like arrows released from a bow.

Their speed was extreme.

Explosive Tags.

Kunai.

Shuriken.

Several ninja even formed hand seals midair, spewing scorching Fire Release and razor-sharp Wind Style.

The overwhelming barrage instantly sealed off every route of retreat for Chiba.

Shikaku Nara held his breath.

This was a flawless killing formation.

That young man named Chiba did not even have time to form hand seals.

He was dead for sure?