Konoha's ninjas ran away like frightened sheep. Some ran into the woods, some jumped into the river, and some simply lay on the ground and pretended to be dead.
This is a massacre.
A complete massacre.
In the distance, Orochimaru was led by Minato several times in a row, Flying Thunder God, and finally escaped to a relatively safe area.
He glanced back in that direction--
Kakko soared into the sky, the shouts of killing shook the sky, and the flag of Kumogakure roared in the wind.
And the flags of Konoha are falling one by one.
"Jiraiya..." His voice was hoarse, and a trace of unprecedented pain flashed in his eyes.
Minato stood next to him, breathing heavily. His chakra was almost at its lowest point, and he had a battle with Uchiha Shaoyu. The continuous use of Flying Thunder God, coupled with the injury to his shoulder, made him almost unsteady.
"Lord Orochimaru..." His voice was weak, "Teacher Jiraiya..."
"I know." Orochimaru interrupted him, his voice was terrifyingly cold, "He must have been caught."
Minato was silent.
He looked in that direction, his eyes filled with self-blame.
If he could be faster, if he could take Jiraiya away with him--
But he didn't.
He can only take one away.
Orochimaru Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Then he opened his eyes, and his former calmness had returned to those purple snake eyes.
"Let's go." He said, "Go back to Konoha."
Minato was stunned. "But teacher Jiraiya..."
"If you are caught, you are not dead."
Orochimaru's voice is calm.
"As long as you don't die, you have a chance to be saved. But now--"
He glanced at the battlefield that was still being fought in the distance and said, "If we stay here, we will only die together."
Minato was silent.
After a long moment, he nodded.
"I understand."
The yellow light flashed again, and the figures of the two people disappeared.
Konoha, Hokage office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen was sitting behind his desk, holding a battle report that had just been sent to him, his brows furrowed.
The battle situation in the Kumogakure direction is not very optimistic.
Although Danzo is still insisting, Uchiha Shaoyu is advancing too fast.
There is good news in the direction of Iwagakure. Jiraiya and Orochimaru have joined forces, and they also learned about the other party's attack.
"Finally there is good news..." Hiruzen Sarutobi murmured, rubbing his sore eyebrows.
He has barely slept a wink these past few days.
The news that Shinnosuke was arrested was like a huge stone weighing on his heart, leaving him unable to eat or sleep.
Biwako and even Tenten shed tears. He didn't know how to face his wife.
But now, at least Iwagakure should be withdrawn.
As long as we concentrate our forces against Kumogakure, we might still have a chance...
At this moment, there were rapid footsteps outside the door.
"Lord Third!"
The door was pushed open violently, and Minato Namikaze stumbled in.
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head and saw Minato's appearance, and his heart skipped a beat.
Minato was covered in blood and had a bandage on his shoulder. The bandage was soaked in blood.
His face was as pale as paper, and his eyes were full of exhaustion and...
"Minato?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi stood up suddenly, "Why are you back? Frontline--"
"Lord Third..." Minato's voice was hoarse and his lips were trembling, as if he had used all his strength to say the next sentence, "We... lost."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Lost? What do you mean? Didn't Iwagakure retreat?"
Minato lowered his head, not daring to look directly into his eyes.
"It's Kumogakure...Uchiha Shaoyu..." His voice became lower and lower.
"He didn't fight us head-on at all... He defeated Danzo's troops, captured Danzo... and then led the main force behind us..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned pale.
"Teacher Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru... They just finished fighting Iwagakure, and their chakra was exhausted..."
Minato's voice began to tremble, "Shaoyu summoned a monster... They... They..."
He couldn't speak any more.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hands began to shake.
"What happened to them?" His voice was hoarse, "Say!"
Minato raised his head, his eyes full of pain.
"Teacher Jiraiya... was caught." His voice was almost inaudible, "Lord Orochimaru was seriously injured... I... I can only take away one Lord Orochimaru..."
Boom--
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt like something exploded in his head.
Shinnosuke was caught.
Danzo was caught.
Now, Jiraiya has also been arrested.
His son. His comrade. His disciple.
All gone.
All gone...
"Lord Third?" Minato's voice seemed to come from a far away place, "Lord Third?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his mouth and wanted to say something.
But he couldn't tell.
His eyes began to darken, and there was a buzzing sound in his ears. His heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand, getting tighter and tighter -
"Lord Third!"
Minato rushed forward in horror, but it was too late.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's body went limp, he slipped directly from the chair and fell heavily to the ground.
"Someone is coming! Someone is coming quickly!" Minato shouted loudly, "Medical Ninja! Call the Medical Ninja!"
There was a commotion outside the door, and several Anbu rushed in. When they saw Hiruzen Sarutobi lying on the ground, their expressions changed completely.
"Lord Third!"
"Quick! Lift it to the bed!"
"Go call the medical team! Hurry!"
The office is a mess.
Minato stood aside, looking at the busy Anbu and the medical ninjas, as if they were stupid.
Now, Third has also fallen.
What should he do?
What should Konoha do?
Half an hour later.
Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing you notice is the familiar ceiling, which is the lounge next to Hokage's office.
He was lying on the tatami, covered with a thin quilt. There were several medical ninjas sitting beside the bed, as well as a haggard-looking Minato.
"Lord Third!" Minato saw him waking up and quickly came forward, "Are you awake? How do you feel?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't answer, just stared at the ceiling blankly.
His mind went blank.
Shinnosuke.
Danzo.
Jiraiya.
These three names were like three knives, piercing his heart fiercely, and each knife made him feel heartbroken.
His son, who is only in his twenties this year, is the heir he has worked so hard to cultivate and is the hope of Konoha's future. Now, he is in the hands of Uchiha Shaoyu.
His comrades-in-arms have gone through ups and downs with him for more than forty years. Although they always disagree with each other and do shameful things, they are the people he has fought side by side with since he was young.
No matter what outrageous things Danzo does, he will forgive him.
Now, it is also in the hands of Uchiha Shaoyu.
His disciple, whom he watched growing up, although he was careless and always made him worry, was the disciple who was most like him and one of his most proud disciples.
Now, it is also in the hands of Uchiha Shaoyu.
All gone.
All gone.