Sa Lei's Death

Just as the battle on Feng Xun's side had ended, the battle in the Hokage Office had also reached its final stage.

The office was in ruins, and the lightning snakes used for confinement around them had likewise dimmed.

Sa Lei hunched over, bracing himself against the shattered desk as he panted heavily.

"Worthy indeed of Konoha's Third Hokage. After more than a decade apart, not only has your strength far surpassed mine, even your understanding of jutsu is now beyond anything I can compare to."

As he spoke, Sa Lei looked at the expressionless Danzo again and chuckled. "You too, Danzo. Your strength has improved by far more than just a little compared to back then. Unfortunately, you are no longer the person you were. The current you is better suited to being a conspirator than a ninja."

Danzo's face turned cold, killing intent erupting in his eyes.

"Danzo! Don't kill him!" The Third Hokage stopped Danzo from acting further, then said to Sa Lei, "Sa Lei, undo your barrier. You should know that if this continues, death is your only path. Undo it, and I can spare you for now."

Sa Lei shook his head. "It can't be undone, nor can it be undone. I said it before—if you want to open this barrier, you can only do so by killing me."

Before his words had faded, Sa Lei rapidly formed hand seals, crackling lightning dancing at his fingertips.

Hell Stab: Three-Finger Spear

With three fingers pressed together, Sa Lei launched his strongest attack at the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelid twitched. Without a moment's thought, he leaped backward. At the same time, each of his hands formed seals one-handedly as he unleashed his strongest defensive ninjutsu.

Summoning Technique!

Golden Cudgel Defense Formation

Enma, summoned by Hiruzen Sarutobi, transformed into the Golden Cudgel and instantly formed an impenetrable defensive formation.

The Three-Finger Spear struck the body of the Golden Cudgel Defense Formation, producing a piercing explosion.

"It actually blocked it?"

Looking at the Golden Cudgel Defense Formation before him, marked only by faint scorch marks, Sa Lei pursed his lips, his gaze dimming.

Earth Release: Earth-Flow Spears!

Suddenly, sharp stone pillars burst through the ground and pierced Sa Lei's body before anyone could react.

Pfft!

Scarlet blood streamed down the stone pillars. Sa Lei turned his head with difficulty and saw Danzo standing there with his hands in a seal, staring at him coldly.

"Cough, cough!" As he coughed up blood, Sa Lei's face was strangely calm. He took out his own forehead protector from his clothes.

His rough, aged palm brushed over the cold forehead protector, and a rare gentleness appeared in Sa Lei's eyes.

Old friend, I truly wish I could fight alongside you once more.

As his words fell, Sa Lei pressed a finger against his forehead protector and softly said, "Four-Finger Spear!"

A faint spark of electricity flickered, and a tiny scratch appeared across the Cloud Ninja forehead protector.

"This way, even I can die without regrets."

As he murmured, Sa Lei slowly closed his eyes. The events of his life flashed through his mind like fleeting shadows.

In the final image, a kindly old man held the hand of a delicate little girl as they strolled together along a path woven through a sea of flowers.

I'm sorry, Yiyi. This time, Grandpa truly has to break his promise...

With Sa Lei's death, the Lightning Realm completely disappeared as well. After dismissing the Summoning Technique, Hiruzen Sarutobi glanced at Danzo and Sa Lei's corpse, then ordered the rapidly approaching ninjas to search for Kushina.

They had to make it in time!

P.S. This chapter was rushed out on the train, just so I could take a one-update break tomorrow.