Junichi Enters the Fray

Behind him.

The eight Uchiha following Junichi never got a chance to make a move.

They could only watch in horror as Root ninjas were casually cut down by Junichi like wheat.

Their attitude toward Junichi had completely turned into reverence.

Even in speech, they smoothly began addressing him as "my lord."

"Hmm?"

Junichi suddenly gave a surprised sound and looked toward the main road of the clan grounds.

Within the range of his Observation Haki.

More than a hundred ninjas were fighting. One side was Uchiha, while the other was made up of other ninjas.

Ninjutsu from both sides bombarded one another without pause, and the battle was incredibly fierce.

"I found the main battlefield."

Pointing toward the main road, Junichi said to the eight behind him, "I'll go ahead. Follow at your own pace."

"Lord Junichi?" The eight clansmen were stunned.

What did he mean, at their own pace?

Junichi offered no further explanation. He simply stepped forward, his feet striking the ground more than ten times in an instant.

Whoosh!

His figure shot forward like an arrow, crossing more than a hundred meters in the blink of an eye.

"So fast!"

The eight clansmen's mouths fell open in shock.

Lord Junichi had actually been holding back while they were traveling earlier!

This was his true speed!

Even their Sharingan could barely keep up.

On the main road of the clan grounds.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

More than a hundred ninjas in green flak jackets arrived at the battlefield using the Body Flicker Technique.

Both sides immediately stopped fighting and warily looked at this suddenly arrived third party.

Once they saw who the newcomers were.

The Anbu side immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "So it's the Sarutobi Clan."

"Sarutobi..."

On the Uchiha side, everyone's faces darkened, their hearts sinking to the bottom.

"That old man Hiruzen is really going all out. He even sent out his private troops." Yoshikichi sighed softly, staring at the leading Sarutobi ninja.

A cold smile appeared on his lips. "Hiyori, you're eight years older than I am."

"You've got one foot in the grave already, and you still came to lead troops into battle?"

"Aren't you afraid you'll drop dead before the fight even begins?"

The Sarutobi ninja Yoshikichi was looking at was a man with graying hair, his face covered in wrinkles and age spots.

His eyes were filled with killing intent as he replied coldly, "I won't be able to sleep until I kill you."

The other Sarutobi clansmen also wore icy expressions, murderous intent blazing in their eyes.

Tonight's battle.

If the Third Hokage lost, the others might still have a chance to escape disaster, but the Sarutobi Clan definitely would not.

They would absolutely be purged and suffer devastating losses.

The Third Hokage had tied them to his ship, so they had no choice but to come!

And not only did they have to come, they had to win!

Otherwise, tonight's crisis for the Uchiha Clan would become a crisis for the Sarutobi Clan!

"What a damn mess."

Yoshikichi shook his head, unsure whether he was referring to the Sarutobi ninjas before him or the Third Hokage who had sent them.

"Elder Yoshikichi, we can only fight to the death!" Fugaku said in a low voice, his expression grave.

"You don't need to tell me that." Yoshikichi became rather carefree instead. Raising his blade, he was the first to charge forward. "Hiyori, let me see how much you've still got!"

"Killing you won't be a problem at all!" Sarutobi Hiyori charged forward as well.

Led by their respective leaders.

The two sides clashed once more.

But this time.

With the Sarutobi ninjas joining the battle, there was an enormous disparity in numbers.

The Uchiha Clan's formation was nearly torn apart in an instant.

"Ah...!!"

"Damn Third Hokage!"

"Damn Anbu!"

"Let's die together!"

In the blink of an eye, the Uchiha side suffered heavy casualties.

Though every one of them was steadfast and unyielding.

Even at death's door, they desperately tried to take their opponents down with them.

But the overwhelming difference in numbers still caused the Uchiha battle line to collapse like rotten wood.

"What a damn mess!"

Yoshikichi exhaled heavily and muttered again.

"Now all we can do is hope, Elder Yoshikichi!" Fugaku said gravely as he guarded his side.

"Yes, all we can do is wait for 'him' to come." Yoshikichi sighed softly.

The other clansmen also kept turning to look in a certain direction.

That was where Susanoo had been knocked down with a single slash.

Though they did not know who had unleashed that slash.

Right now.

The entire Uchiha Clan's hopes rested on that unknown "clansman"!

That person was like a lifeline.

The final hope in the hearts of the clansmen present!

"Haha, you're still fantasizing at a time like this? What foolish Uchiha!" Sarutobi Hiyori burst out laughing, his voice full of mockery.

He looked at the Uchiha with a contemptuous gaze.

"I don't mind telling you that the user of that Susanoo was Itachi, who is utterly loyal to Lord Third Hokage!"

"You know Itachi's talent and strength well enough yourselves."

"Even if that person defeated Itachi, he would have paid a considerable price. Perhaps even..."

Sarutobi Hiyori paused, the smile on his face turning even more mocking.

"Perhaps, given Itachi's resolve."

"For the sake of the village, he surely found a way to severely wound his opponent before dying, or even take him down with him."

"Itachi is a devout believer in the Will of Fire, after all."

The moment those words were spoken.

Every Uchiha present glared furiously, their faces flushing red.

Veins bulged across Yoshikichi's forehead as rage overwhelmed him.

Fugaku lowered his head in shame.

The young clan heir of their own family had betrayed the clan and become a sharp blade in the enemy's hand.

It was like a vicious slap across every Uchiha's face.

"Fugaku, you raised quite a son."

Sarutobi Hiyori looked at Fugaku with a smile. "As thanks, I'll make the decision to spare your life. You can spend the rest of your days in prison."

"Hahaha, get them!"

Sarutobi Hiyori laughed wildly and waved his arm.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The three Sarutobi jonin behind him pounced on Fugaku.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Hiyori himself attacked Yoshikichi under the protection of a fourth Sarutobi jonin.

The next moment.

Two slashes came simultaneously from the left and right.

Sigh...

Yoshikichi sighed soundlessly. His aged body no longer had the strength, and he chose to stop struggling.

"No, Elder Yoshikichi!"

Beside him, Fugaku was entangled by three Sarutobi jonin and could not break free. He could only watch helplessly.

"Elder Yoshikichi!"

"Elder!"

"Stop!"

"Get out of my way!"

The surrounding clansmen's eyes turned crimson as they desperately tried to rescue him, only to be tightly held back by their own opponents.

No one could save him.

Elder Yoshikichi had fallen into absolute despair.

"Die, Uchiha Yoshikichi!" Sarutobi Hiyori roared, his eyes full of delight.

Once this old man was taken out, the Uchiha Clan's morale would surely plummet.

This battle would soon be over.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a violent gust of wind from nowhere swept into the battlefield.

Everyone's vision blurred.

A young man suddenly appeared behind Sarutobi Hiyori.

The next moment.

Pfft! Pfft!

The sound of blades cutting into flesh rang out.

Sarutobi Hiyori felt a chill at his neck, and his vision suddenly began spinning.

"Hmm?"

For a moment, he was dazed, his thoughts sluggish as though rusted.

"Why... is Yoshikichi... unharmed?"

Sarutobi Hiyori looked at Yoshikichi before him in confusion.

There was no wound on Yoshikichi's body, and his expression was strange as well. He was staring at him in utter shock.

Add bookmark

Return to table of contents

Report chapter error

Share with friends: