Uchiha Grounds.
Fugaku Uchiha stood beneath the corridor eaves.
His gaze passed over layer upon layer of rooftops and fixed on 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 guards, Root's rats have also deployed in full force."
Just then.
Uchiha Tekka flashed into view 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 definitely was no minor matter.
"Which direction?"
"Where did they go?"
Fugaku Uchiha asked coldly.
"The southeast corner."
"If I saw correctly, their target should be the Senju Clan's former site."
Uchiha Tekka swallowed.
At those words.
Fugaku's pupils abruptly contracted.
The Senju Ruins?
That ghostly place that had been abandoned for decades?
"Move!"
"Let's follow them and take a look!"
"..."
Hyuga Grounds.
Hyuga Hiashi stood in the middle of the courtyard.
His Byakugan was already 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 also locked onto the Senju Ruins.
"Hizashi."
Hyuga Hiashi deactivated his Byakugan and turned toward his younger brother beside him.
"Bring the best of the Branch Family. 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 murderous air that filled the surroundings.
"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 reprimanded."
"..."
In just 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 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 Clans were leading their elites, trailing far behind the Anbu force.
"Lord Hokage."
"Should we send someone to drive them away?"
An Anbu squad captain stepped forward and lowered his voice.
"No."
"Let them follow."
Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a gentle 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 village's major clans.
He could pin a charge on Chiba for defying the rules and intending to overthrow Konoha.
Righteousness.
It had always been Sarutobi Hiruzen's most convenient weapon.
As long as he occupied 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.
Senju Ruins.
Chiba stood in the middle of the ruins.
He had already toured the Senju Compound from end to end.
Dilapidated.
Desolate.
The weeds grew taller than a person, even swallowing many collapsed courtyard walls.
The foremost clan that had founded Konoha had actually fallen into such a miserable state.
Chiba shook his head.
This place was completely unfit for living.
Since it was all ruins.
He might as well tear everything down and build it anew.
Chiba had just raised his hand.
When extremely dense sounds of air being torn apart suddenly came from the surrounding forest and the edges of the ruins.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
A large number of ninja appeared, surrounding the Senju Ruins so tightly that not even water could pass through.
The Hokage had arrived.
Sarutobi Hiruzen walked at the front.
Behind him was Danzo, leaning on a cane, with Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura at his sides.
Further behind.
Were the fully prepared elites of the Anbu and Root.
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 other major clans all landed in place.
Everyone was sizing up the young man amid the ruins.
"Chiba!"
"This is forbidden ground of the Senju Clan!"
"As Tsunade's disciple, has your teacher never taught you the village's rules?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped walking.
He stared fixedly at Chiba's back and barked out a stern rebuke.
Chakra filled his voice, making it explode through the night sky like thunder.
The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he slapped a charge onto Chiba.
He never mentioned the matter of the Senju Clan bloodline.
Instead, he tried to completely suppress Chiba from the moral high ground.
The clan heads on the outskirts exchanged looks.
Tsunade's disciple?
Fugaku Uchiha frowned slightly, suspicion filling his Sharingan.
When had Tsunade taken a disciple?
Hyuga Hiashi was equally perplexed.
He activated his Byakugan and stared intently at Chiba.
Inside this youth'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 wrong.
The Hokage's tone was wrong.
Rather than questioning him, it sounded more like guilty concealment.
This youth named Chiba was definitely more than just Tsunade's disciple!
Chiba slowly turned around.
He did not look at Sarutobi Hiruzen, nor did he look at the alert Anbu.
His gaze passed over everyone and continued examining the edge of the ruins, as though measuring the size of the entire compound.
Disregard.
Utter and complete disregard.
With the simplest action, Chiba fiercely slapped Sarutobi Hiruzen across the face.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly stiffened.
All the arguments he had prepared were lodged in his throat.
"You arrogant brat!"
Danzo could not stand it anymore.
An exceptionally violent glint erupted from his single eye.
The opportunity had come!
Sarutobi Hiruzen could not bring himself to attack directly, but Danzo had no such concerns!
He smashed his cane down against the ground, producing a dull boom.
"Root, heed my command!"
"Take down this traitor who has disregarded the Hokage!"
"Dead or alive!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The instant the order was given.
Dozens of dark figures wearing animal masks shot toward Chiba like arrows loosed from a bow.
They moved with extreme speed.
Explosive Tags.
Kunai.
Shuriken.
Several ninjas even formed hand seals in midair, spewing blazing 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 formation designed for certain death.
That young man named Chiba did not even have time to form hand seals.
Was he doomed?
Before you continue