Battle of Kage Level: The Will of the Hidden Leaf Village

The Third Hokage's fall plunged the entire battlefield into dead silence.

The old man who had supported the Hidden Leaf Village for decades was covered in blood, yet he still stood stubbornly upright. He pushed away the Anbu who tried to help him and stared straight at Orochimaru, his gaze blazing.

"This ends here, Orochimaru."

The Third Hokage's voice was weak, but it carried an unquestionable resolve.

Orochimaru let out a piercing sneer. "Teacher, you've grown old."

The cold gleam of the Kusanagi Sword flashed beneath the setting sun, and battle was about to erupt.

Ling forced down his dizziness and activated his Sharingan once more. He could see the life force rapidly draining from the Third Hokage's body, as well as the nauseating, evil chakra around Orochimaru.

I have to do something...

Ling tried to step forward, but Jiraiya pressed a hand onto his shoulder.

"This is their fight."

Jiraiya's voice was unusually heavy. "What we need to do now is hold the other fronts."

Sure enough, more Sound Ninja had already broken through the defensive line and begun advancing toward the shelters. After discovering that the Kazekage was dead, the Sand Ninja also fell into chaos. Some began to retreat, but there were still diehards stubbornly resisting.

"Ling, go support the eastern defense line."

Jiraiya quickly gave the order. "A large number of civilians are trapped there."

Ling nodded, took one last look at the standoff between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, then turned and rushed toward the eastern district.

The fighting here was just as brutal. The Hidden Leaf Village ninja used the buildings as cover and resisted step by step, but the Sound Ninja's bizarre techniques made them impossible to guard against.

Lightning Release: Thunder Snake Wild Dance!

Ling joined the battle, and lightning transformed into countless slender snakes that shuttled through the enemy formation. The insight of his Sharingan allowed him to pinpoint every enemy's weakness with precision.

"It's the Uchiha brat!"

A Sound Ninja jonin recognized him. "Take him out first!"

Three Sound Ninja jonin lunged at him at the same time, and their perfectly coordinated encirclement instantly dragged Ling into a bitter fight.

Trouble...

Ling quickly retreated, his Sharingan spinning rapidly.

At the brink of life and death, he made a bold decision—to actively release part of the curse mark's power.

Black patterns began spreading from his shoulder, and violent chakra surged into every part of his body. But unlike before, under the control of the Sharingan, this power became manageable.

"What... kind of power is that?"

The Sound Ninja stared in shock at Ling's transformation.

Ling felt the surging power inside him, and the single tomoe in his left eye began to spin faster. With the curse mark's boost, his perception range expanded severalfold.

Lightning Release: Chidori Senbon!

Countless fine needles of lightning poured out like a torrential rain, accurately striking each enemy's vital points. The three jonin fell in shock, still not understanding what had happened even in death.

"Keep pushing forward!"

Ling led the Hidden Leaf Village ninja into a counterattack.

Just then, a thunderous roar came from the distance. The Third Hokage's figure flickered in and out of sight amid the flames, and a familiar technique was unfolding.

"That's... Dead Demon Consuming Seal!"

Ling's Sharingan clearly saw that terrifying phantom of the death god.

He knew that the Third Hokage was using his life for one final gamble.

"Everyone, attack with everything you've got!"

Ling's voice carried absolute resolve. "For Lord Hokage!"

"For Lord Hokage!"

The morale of the Hidden Leaf Village ninja was completely ignited. Under Ling's lead, the enemies on the eastern front were rapidly wiped out.

When the last Sound Ninja fell, the battle in the distance had also reached its conclusion.

Orochimaru let out a shrill scream, both hands hanging limply at his sides. The Third Hokage's figure slowly collapsed in the setting sun, yet a gratified smile rested on his face.

"We... won."

A ninja murmured.

But Ling's Sharingan saw more—though Orochimaru was badly wounded, he was still alive. And an even stronger chakra was approaching.

"Prepare to face new enemies."

Ling warned in a low voice.

Sure enough, several masked figures appeared atop the buildings in the distance. Their chakra was cold and powerful, far surpassing any enemy before them.

"Root..."

Ling recognized where these people came from.

At this tense moment, an unexpected figure appeared.

"This ends here."

Tsunade appeared in the middle of the battlefield with Shizune and Tonton. She looked at the scarred Hidden Leaf Village, flames of anger burning in her eyes.

"All invaders, withdraw immediately!"

Tsunade's voice spread across the entire battlefield. "Otherwise, you will be killed without mercy!"

Powerful chakra erupted from her body, and the pressure of a Kage-level powerhouse made even the members of Root involuntarily step back.

Ling watched this scene and finally let out a breath of relief. But he knew the true rebuilding had only just begun.

The Hidden Leaf Village's wounds would need time to heal. And his own path had only just begun.

(End of Chapter Thirty)