The moment the bone blade came down, it felt as if the air over the center of the entire Uchiha Clan Grounds had been split apart.
BOOM—!
The black-and-red Susanoo Bone Blade cleaved through the ground. Rocks flew, and waves of dust rolled outward.
Danzo's pupils contracted sharply, and he instinctively sprang backward.
But no matter how fast he was, he couldn't outrun the enormous bone blade that filled his entire field of vision.
"Danzo!"
A furious shout erupted from above.
Hiruzen Sarutobi finally moved.
He swung the Golden Cudgel with all his might, forcing it between Danzo and the blade.
CLANG—!
The metallic crash made everyone's ears ring.
The Golden Cudgel and Susanoo Bone Blade collided violently, sending sparks flying.
A terrifying shock wave burst outward from the two of them. Several nearby Root shinobi and members of the Uchiha Combat Squad staggered back.
The ground beneath Hiruzen Sarutobi's feet shattered. He slid backward more than ten meters, his expression darkening.
He looked up at Uchiha You inside the Susanoo, and for the first time, his eyes showed genuine apprehension.
"Susanoo..."
he murmured.
"Uchiha You, you really aren't an ordinary Uchiha."
Uchiha You stood within the Susanoo's rib cage, his black hair stirring in the wind, his gaze cold as a blade.
"Only figuring that out now?"
"Lord Hokage, you took your time getting here."
Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped the Golden Cudgel tightly and said in a low voice,
"Stop."
"Danzo can't die here."
Uchiha You looked at him as if he'd just heard the funniest joke.
"Can't die?"
"Why not?"
"Because he's part of the Konoha High Command?"
"Because he knows too many secrets?"
"Or because he's the obedient black glove of you, Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed deeply.
"You, watch your words."
Uchiha You sneered.
"I'm already