In a forest on the border of the Land of Earth.
"Lord Hiruzen... hurry, go! We'll stay behind and hold them off!" an ANBU member shouted to Hiruzen ahead of him.
"None of you are going anywhere today! Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique! You dared to invade my Iwagakure—did you think I, Ōnoki, was blind?" A shout rang out from several dozen meters behind them, followed by a beam of light hurtling their way.
"Lord Hiruzen! There's no time! Take my eyes. We can't let them fall into Iwagakure's hands! When you get back, tell the Clan Leader I didn't disgrace the Uchiha Clan!" Watching the beam race toward them from behind, the ANBU member tore off his mask, gouged the two scarlet Sharingan from his sockets, and handed them to Hiruzen. Then he shoved Hiruzen aside and was obliterated by the beam...
"Ryūzan!" Before Hiruzen could react, he felt himself being pushed aside, then saw the man vanish...
"Heh, how loyal. But none of you are leaving today!" By then, Ōnoki had brought a squad over and surrounded Hiruzen and his team...
"Protect Lord Hiruzen! Get him out safely!" The remaining members formed a circle around Hiruzen.
"Move! I don't need your protection!" Hiruzen shouted furiously, feeling the still-bleeding eyes in his hands.
"I, Hiruzen Sarutobi, don't need a bunch of men in their fifties protecting me! You leave! I'll hold them off!" Hiruzen shouted again.
"Director, you're Konoha's hope for the future. How could we leave you here? We're just a bunch of old men in our fifties. We thought we could retire after a few more years in the ANBU, but it looks like we won't make it that long," an elderly ANBU member said with a self-deprecating smile.
Then Hiruzen watched as four