Sage Mode Activated, Hiruzen Sarutobi Is Stunned!

The air seemed to freeze.

Dozens of masked Anbu wielding ninja blades surrounded the three of them without leaving a gap, their gazes icy as if facing a formidable enemy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood outside the encirclement, his murky old eyes fixed tightly on the scene.

When he saw that Minato Namikaze, collapsed on the ground, was weak but indeed still alive, an extremely complicated darkness flashed deep within his eyes.

It was not joy. It was more like... irritation that his plans had been disrupted.

His gaze finally settled on Uchiha Yoru, who was completely unharmed and far too composed.

"Which clan are you from?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was low and hoarse, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Holding the Adamantine Staff, he slammed it heavily against the ground with a dull thud.

"The Nine-Tails incident's core battlefield is not a place for a genin like you."

"Answer my question immediately!"

Well, well.

He had opened with an attempt to throw his weight around as an elder.

Yoru rolled his eyes inwardly, too lazy to even raise his eyelids.

Arguing with an old fox like this was simply a waste of breath.

He directly ignored Hiruzen Sarutobi's interrogation, walked over to Kushina, and crouched beside her. A soft green glow lit up in his hands.

"Sis-in-law, you just gave birth and exhausted your chakra. Don't force yourself. I'll stabilize your injuries first."

As Yoru spoke, he transformed his pure Yang Release chakra into the highest-grade medical ninjutsu and slowly infused it into Kushina's body.

That warm, vast life force instantly restored a trace of color to Kushina's pale face.

"You... thank you..."

Kushina was somewhat flattered. She had not expected this seemingly cold Uchiha youth to be so thoughtful.

"You're welcome. We're family."

Yoru smiled, then turned to Minato.

"Fourth Hokage, same goes for you. Stop forcing yourself."

"Don't worry. I'll bill the Leaf Village for the medical fees later. Double."

Minato: "..."

The sight directly left Hiruzen Sarutobi, standing nearby, dumbfounded.

This brat...

He actually dared to treat his words as if they were nothing, right in front of him, the Third Hokage?!

Did he take him for air?!

"How presumptuous!"

Having been completely ignored, Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face instantly turned liver-colored as he flew into a rage.

He had never suffered such humiliation in his life!

"Men!"

He abruptly waved his hand and issued a cold command to the surrounding Anbu.

"This person's origins are unknown, and his behavior is suspicious. Take him down!"

"Bring back the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki as well for interrogation!"

"Yes!"

Having received the order, the Anbu no longer hesitated and instantly erupted with killing intent.

The fastest Anbu squad captain flashed forward, pouncing like a cheetah toward the infant Naruto, who had just been wrapped in Kushina's arms!

His objective was clear: secure the most important hostage first!

"You're courting death!"

Yoru's eyes instantly turned cold.

Just as that Anbu captain's hand was about to touch the swaddling clothes—

Yoru's eyes snapped open!

His originally black pupils were instantly replaced by perfect cross-shaped star patterns!

Orange Sage Mode markings emerged at the corners of his eyes like divine runes!

BOOM—!!!

A sage chakra even more terrifying and violent than the Nine-Tails' earlier chakra erupted from Yoru's body like a volcano that had slumbered for hundreds of millions of years!

The tangible pressure transformed into an invisible storm that swept across the battlefield!

"Thud!"

The Anbu squad captain at the front did not even have time to scream before the terrifying pressure forced both his knees to the ground, blasting two deep craters into the hard stone floor!

Then came the second, the third...

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Like dumplings dropping into a pot.

Before this godlike pressure, every Anbu elite who had rushed forward lacked even the right to remain standing. One after another, they were forced to kneel on the ground, their bodies trembling, unable to move!

Their faces were filled with absolute terror.

What kind of monster was this?!

His aura alone had left them unable to even think of resisting!

"What?!"

Outside the encirclement, Hiruzen Sarutobi was also forced back several steps by the sudden power before barely managing to steady himself.

The Adamantine Staff in his hand hummed as though it were whimpering.

The old man's eyes widened as he stared fixedly at the distinctive orange markings around Yoru's eyes. His wrinkled old face instantly turned deathly pale.

He had lived for so many years and seen much of the world.

He had seen the First Hokage's Sage Mode and Jiraiya's Sage Mode.

But none of them had been like this Uchiha youth before him—so perfect, so domineering, as though he had been born to be the master of natural energy!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips trembled, his eyes full of disbelief. Shaking, he squeezed a few words through clenched teeth.

"This... could this be... Sage Mode?!"