At that thought, Sarutobi Zhanwo lowered his head, then rose to his feet.
"Perhaps this is the price!"
Those meaningful words left Nara Dogu, Akimichi Shan, and Yamanaka Saura deeply moved. After exchanging glances, they stood up as well. Uchiha Feng, his expression as resolute as a king's, gestured for the other party to lead the way.
A towering tree roughly twenty meters thick and a hundred meters tall stood like a pillar holding up the heavens, shading an entire lake. Beside the lake lay a tranquil village, where children's laughter could occasionally be heard, adding to its peaceful charm. An old man leaned on a cane and stared anxiously toward the entrance leading back to the village.
Before long, a man dressed in a tight ninja outfit came to the old man's side and said with a smile, "My lord, there's no need to worry so much. It's just a routine patrol. Shuowu often likes to wander around and play. There's nothing to worry about!"
The old man shook his head slightly, his face full of concern. "Sigh! I suddenly have a bad feeling. If I don't see Shuowu return, I can't put my mind at ease!"
The man smiled and teased, "Shuowu just likes making trouble. It's not good to keep him cooped up at home all the time. Don't worry, nothing serious will happen!"
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted from the lake. An arm two or three meters thick burst through the water as Akimichi Shan transformed into a giant and climbed out of the lake, with Nara Dogu and Yamanaka Saura standing on his shoulders. The man shielded the old man and swiftly retreated. A wolf's howl rang out as a white wolf sprang from the lake. Hatake Ryunosuke raised his blade, a thrilled grin