After Hiruzen Sarutobi left, the sealing barrier was naturally lifted.
Ren looked at the straight, bright red trail of blood and spoke.
"Let's clean up the traces, and don't forget the traces inside the Advisory Council either."
The group immediately agreed and began working.
Looking around at the few people left, Ren spoke softly.
"Let's go see the final performance."
The several voices standing in front of the Advisory Council disappeared the moment the words were spoken.
The ninjas were indeed very efficient. In addition, Hiashi and the others had used Gentle Fist in their previous battles, not Strong Fist or Ninjutsu, so the battlefield cleanup was very fast.
After finishing their work, they all left one after another, leaving only Utatane Koharu, in the courtyard.
Everything at the Advisory Council was exactly the same as last night, as if nothing had happened.
The Sarutobi Clan Grounds.
Asuma unleashed his true power, significantly accelerating the slaughter; however, the few remaining enemies proved increasingly difficult to deal with.
Even with his best efforts to dodge, Asuma could not avoid being injured again.
Asuma was in an even more miserable state than before; the clothes that had previously provided some cover were now reduced to just a few strips of cloth.
His entire body was almost completely mangled, with his left hand charred black and the weapon he was holding indistinguishable from his palm—he was utterly useless.
The Chakra blade was still present on his right hand, but it had become flickering.
Ultimately, he was just Jonin; even an elite one was nearing the end of their strength.
The Sarutobi Clan ninjas surrounding Asuma no longer looked at Asuma with any doubt or confusion.
All that remained was hatred, naked hatred.
At this moment, if these Sarutobi Clan ninjas were to rank their targets of hatred...
Asuma Hyuga Hiashi absolutely at the top of the list; neither Uchiha Yushu nor Asuma Uchiha can compare to him.
Those who betray their own people are the most despicable and the most hated!
The Uchiha Clan ninjas who had secretly surrounded the area didn't actually have any deep-seated hatred for the Sarutobi Clan.
Previously, the hatred that had been transferred to the Sarutobi Clan because of Hiruzen Sarutobi was gradually fading away after witnessing this tragic scene, which brought a sense of relief.
They looked at Asuma in the arena. Although he had done something that made the Uchiha Clan ninjas feel very satisfied, and had fully demonstrated his powerful strength by fighting so many people alone, he was still very much able to do so.
However, the Uchiha Clan members present showed no respect for Asuma, only contempt and disgust.
Such a person does not deserve pity; death is the best end for them.
Except for one person, Itachi Uchiha.
Within the Advisory Council, Itachi and Asuma met once, but Asuma didn't leave any particular impression on Itachi at the time.
At this moment and in this place, Itachi felt a deep respect for Asuma.
As expected of the Third Hokage's son, Asuma's radiant Will of Fire was like a spiritual poison, attracting Itachi and making him obsessed.
Itachi unconsciously put himself in Asuma's shoes.
Could I do that myself?
Itachi asked himself this question in his mind.
At the same time, the faces of my clansmen kept flashing through my mind, one by one familiar colleagues and friends, elders and children.
Gradually, the faces of Ren, Shisui, Fugaku, Mikoto Uchiha flashed through Itachi's mind.
The more Itachi hesitated, the more hesitant he became, yet he still shattered the image of the other person in his mind. At the same time, Itachi's Chakra grew increasingly cold, and something stirred within his eyes.
Until Sasuke Uchiha's image appeared in his mind, Itachi could not erase it no matter what he did.
Itachi suddenly realized something: the thing I cared about most was never the village, but peace.
So it was you, Sasuke Uchiha!
After Sasuke Uchiha's image appeared in his mind, Itachi's increasingly cold Chakra suddenly took on a hint of warmth, and the restless feeling in his eyes quickly disappeared.
Itachi looked at Asuma in the arena, and the question in his heart was answered.
I can, and I can do it better than you!
Asuma has become the main character in the Sarutobi Clan Grounds.
Looking around at the hatred in the eyes of my people, I felt a little better.
But a sense of powerlessness also rose in my heart; in the end, I couldn't achieve the full goal!
Asuma's gaze fell on the most troublesome person, the one who had crippled one of his arms.
The final blow!
Asuma charged toward the man, his speed much slower than before, and he completely abandoned his defenses.
The opponent had already Hand Seals when Asuma looked at him, and a Fire Style was quickly created and flew towards Asuma.
The remaining few reacted just as quickly, forming several Fire Release Ninjutsu and flying towards Asuma.
Asuma charged forward for less than two seconds before stopping, throwing the ninja tool he always carried in his right hand, into which he poured all his Chakra.
A Chakra blade, brighter than any Chakra blade before, attached itself to the ninja tool and flew out at an even faster speed, slicing through the oncoming Fire Style and cutting the guy Asuma found most troublesome in the middle in two.
Their attack continued unabated, and they flew further back.
Asuma watched this scene, and the Fire Style flying towards him from the fan-shaped area ahead, and closed his eyes with satisfaction.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Technique!"
"Earth Release: Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"