Hiruzen Sarutobi had indeed grown old.
But the Hokage was still the Hokage.
His experience with Ninjutsu, battle instincts, and ability to judge the situation on the fly were beyond any ordinary Kage Level shinobi.
Shisui was fast.
Itachi was skilled.
Fugaku was relentless.
Yet with his Golden Cudgel and five-element Ninjutsu, the Third Hokage held his own against all three.
Hiruzen Sarutobi forced Fugaku back with a sweep of his cudgel and said grimly:
"Fugaku!"
"Are you really going to make the Uchiha Clan betray the village?"
Fugaku's face darkened.
"Lord Hokage."
"The Uchiha Clan wasn't the one that brought Root into our compound."
"And we weren't the ones planning a massacre."
"You have no right to call us traitors tonight."
Hiruzen Sarutobi faltered for a moment.
Itachi seized the opening and thrust his Short Sword at Hiruzen's ribs.
The Third Hokage immediately brought his Golden Cudgel back to block the blade.
"Itachi."
"Even you..."
Itachi's voice was cold:
"Lord Hokage."
"When Danzo threatened me with Sasuke..."
"Did you know?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression shifted.
Shisui caught that instant of hesitation.
He unleashed the Body Flicker Technique.
His Kunai sliced across the Third Hokage's shoulder, leaving a bloody line.
The Third Hokage retreated several steps, his expression finally turning grave.
These three were no longer the Uchiha he had once known.
Shisui no longer hesitated.
Itachi no longer sided with the village.
And Fugaku no longer kept silent.
Worse, Uchiha You had yet to truly join the fight.
And Pain still stood above them, watching him coldly.
Just as the Third Hokage forced the three back again, Deva Path Pain finally raised a hand.
"Shinra Tensei."
Boom!
An invisible repulsive force erupted in an instant.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed. He held the Golden Cudgel across his body and took the