Outside Konoha, along a dense forest path, several figures darted rapidly through the treetops.
Tianyi led the way, his robes snapping in the wind as he raced forward. Close behind him were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, followed by more than a dozen elite ANBU ninja. Every movement was crisp and efficient, their feet making almost no sound as they landed on branches and leaves.
Suddenly, Tianyi sharply raised his right hand, fingers spread wide.
"Stay alert—!"
Everyone stopped almost at the same instant. The ANBU squad scattered in all directions like leaves swept away by the wind.
Each found cover among tree trunks, boulders, and bushes. Kunai and ninja blades were drawn at once, their breathing lowered as sharp eyes swept every inch of shadow around them.
Tianyi turned and glanced at Minato and Kushina. The three exchanged a brief look, then nodded in unison.
Tianyi immediately turned back, pressing his hands together before his chest. Chakra raced through his body, gathering and transforming in an intricate, refined pattern.
His presence suddenly became deep and enduring. Dark markings began to emerge on his cheeks, stretching from the corners of his eyes to his jaw like the imprints of ancient totems.
"Everyone, don't move—"
His voice was deeper than usual, carrying an ethereal quality as though he had fused with nature itself.
"Sage Mode."
Tianyi flipped down from the tree, crouched low, and pressed both hands against the ground. His fingertips sank slightly into the soil as his fingers began forming seals at high speed.
"Sage Art: Earth Release: Moving Earth Core—!"
Rumble rumble rumble—!
The ground within several hundred meters began to shake violently, as if some colossal thing deep beneath the earth were turning over.
The soil beneath their feet surged like ocean waves. Fallen leaves and broken