章 81: CHAPTER 81
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The battlefield fell into an eerie stillness as Hiruzen Sarutobi rose from the cliff, his long knee-length hair flowing like a wild river in the wind generated by his immense chakra.
His clothes swayed backward under the pressure as his piercing black eyes glowed ominously.
The sudden burst of energy swept through the area, creating a pulse felt by every combatant on the battlefield.
The Third Mizukage, already tense from Rias Uzumaki's earlier confrontation, froze in sheer horror.
Sweat poured down his face as he stammered, "This chakra... its intensity surpasses even that of the Raikage. He's... stronger than anyone here."
Simultaneously, Onoki and Raikage A felt the same suffocating weight.
They exchanged uneasy glances, recognizing that this presence was beyond anything they had ever encountered in the modern era.
On the Uzumaki side, Ashina Uzumaki, his son Kazuki, and the Uzumaki elders felt the overwhelming chakra but quickly shifted from surprise to relief, smiles forming as they recognized their unexpected savior.
With his hands calmly resting behind his back, Hiruzen stared down at the Mizukage, his glowing eyes reflecting lethal intent.
In a blink, he vanished from the cliff and reappeared in the heart of the battlefield with a powerful gust.
The shinobi from all three villages instinctively retreated, forming defensive lines, while the Uzumaki ninja assembled behind Hiruzen.
Facing him stood the three Kage: Raikage A, Onoki, and the Mizukage.
Raikage A was the first to break the silence, his voice steady but guarded. "Who are you? We have no quarrel with you. Leave now before we are forced to act."
Onoki added in a gruff tone, "We are here for Uzushiogakure, not you. This is your last chance to retreat before making an enemy of three entire villages."
The Mizukage scowled but nodded in agreement, trying to mask his unease.
Ashina Uzumaki stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Hokage, you have arrived. We are grateful for your assistance."
The three enemy Kage froze in stunned disbelief.
"The Hokage...?" Onoki whispered, recalling his past encounter with a much younger Hiruzen Sarutobi. "You... You're the Third Hokage? He never looked like... this before."
Raikage A steadied himself, his imposing frame towering at 205 cm.
"So... you've come after all, Third Hokage. You seem different from the reports, but your chakra doesn't lie. Still, don't think you alone can stop us."
The Mizukage added with venom, "You've made a grave mistake coming here alone. Konoha will soon have to elect a new Hokage."
Hiruzen finally spoke, his deep voice resonating with quiet authority. "It has been a while, Onoki. I see you've grown into your role. Your predecessor, Mu, would be proud of how you've developed Iwagakure."
He then turned to Raikage A. "You must be the Third Raikage. When I met the Second Raikage over a decade ago, his aura was impressive but not nearly as formidable as yours. You've clearly surpassed him."
Finally, his gaze locked onto the Mizukage. "As for you... Third Mizukage, former guard of Byakuren, your earlier remarks might have already sealed your fate."
The Mizukage bristled but quickly barked, "Bold words for someone standing alone. Let's see if your strength matches your arrogance."
Without breaking eye contact, Hiruzen's voice carried across the battlefield, amplified by senjutsu chakra.
"You three villages have declared war against Uzushiogakure—an ally of Konoha. By doing so, you've made enemies of the Leaf."
He allowed his chakra to surge once more, sending shockwaves across the field.
The oppressive pressure crushed weaker shinobi. Genins collapsed instantly, some of them falling unconscious.
Chunins fell to their knees, barely holding themselves up, while only the most experienced Jonins could resist, though even they were drenched in sweat.
The three Kage bore the full brunt, barely maintaining composure as they shielded themselves with their chakra.
"I will give you one chance to retreat now," Hiruzen declared coldly. "Stay, and this will become your grave."
His gaze fell back on Onoki. "Think carefully, Onoki. I see no one in Iwagakure capable of succeeding you. Your village would be swallowed by enemies the moment you fall. Even your Jinchuriki might also be captured by others."
Raikage A stepped forward, unfazed. "What arrogance, Hokage. You speak as if this battle is already decided. We outnumber you nearly three-to-one. You will fall here alongside Uzushiogakure. Konoha will be next."
Onoki nodded sharply. "You should be worrying about yourself, Sarutobi. With almost 9,000 shinobi here, this battle is already over."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Are you speaking of the rabble behind you?"
Confused, the Kage glanced back, only to be horrified by the sight of thousands of shinobi struggling or incapacitated.
Genins lay scattered like fallen leaves, while many Chunins barely stood, trembling under the residual pressure of Hiruzen's chakra. Only about a thousand Jonin still held their formation.
The Mizukage hissed, "We should strike now before Konoha's reinforcements arrive!"
Raikage A and Onoki nodded grimly. Despite the display of power, retreat was not an option.
Ashina and Kazuki Uzumaki prepared to step forward. "Hokage-sama, allow us to face Onoki and the Mizukage while you handle Raikage A."
Hiruzen lifted a hand, stopping them. "No. Fall back with the Uzumaki ranks. I will deal with them. Let me exercise for a bit"
"But—"
His voice hardened. "I said fall back."
Without another word, he strode toward the three Kage.
Raikage A sneered. "What arrogance! Do you truly believe you can face all three of us alone?"
He gathered lightning-infused chakra, activating his Lightning Release Chakra Mode, causing dark arcs of energy to dance violently across his body.
Ashina watched the transformation grimly. "It seems the Raikage wasn't serious before... But even then, I could hold my own against him."
Raikage A moved—a black blur of deadly intent. In a flash, he closed the distance and thrust forward with his four-fingered like a spear coated in lightning chakra.
"Lariat."
Hiruzen hardened his muscles with **Tekkai** and **Steel Release: Iron Defense**, his muscles hardening like tempered steel.
In a blur of motion, he sidestepped the lightning spear, using **Swift Release** to adjust his angle.
With surgical precision, he struck Raikage A's arm at the wrist with his left wrist, deflecting the deadly blow just inches from his chest.
In the same motion, Hiruzen twisted and drove his iron-hardened right elbow into the Raikage's chest, sending him hurtling across the battlefield with explosive force.
A thunderous boom echoed as the Raikage's massive frame blasted into the ground, leaving a 50-meter-wide crater.
Onoki and the Mizukage stared, dumbstruck.
"Your Lightning Release Chakra Mode is impressive Raikage," Hiruzen said coldly.
"But insufficient. You lack precise control and waste too much chakra. Now... both of you come at me together, or you'll be thrashed up just like him."
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