บท 256: Chapter 256
Tsunade had been admitted to Konoha Hospital three days early, but she couldn't stay still. Being a top-tier medical ninja with excellent health, she wasn't the least bit worried about childbirth.
Yoichi had no choice but to accompany this older expectant mother, leaving a Wood Clone behind to keep an eye on Tsunade while his true body gathered life energy.
Yoichi's sensing abilities had expanded greatly, allowing him to detect even the faintest life forces within a five-kilometer radius thanks to his mastery of Yomi. Today, he ventured to the sea, sensing numerous powerful lifeforms beneath the waters.
This was the ninja world, where even a wild boar could grow to three or four meters, and there were even larger predators like giant tigers and bears. Naturally, the creatures of the sea were even more fearsome.
While Yoichi was away, Mikoto began to execute her plan.
First, she informed Mina and Yugito of the situation. Mina, who always had Yoichi in her heart, immediately suggested, "Mikoto, we should tell Yoichi-sama. This concerns a rogue ninja."
"Yoichi-kun already knows about this, but Itachi doesn't want to tell him. Sigh," Mikoto said with a sigh, "After all, Fugaku is still Itachi's father. I want him gone, but I'm worried about Itachi's feelings. You understand, right, Mina?"
"I do, but we should still let Yoichi-sama know," Mina began, but Mikoto quickly grabbed her hands, batting her eyes with a pleading look that made Mina uncomfortable. "Alright, alright. I didn't say I wouldn't help, but are you sure it's just the two of us? I haven't fought in a while."
"Don't worry. I'll borrow power from Matatabi," Yugito said with determination, her fists clenched. She wasn't about to let someone take her away without a fight.
"With my full strength, few in the ninja world can stand against me," Yugito added confidently.
Mikoto and Mina exchanged glances, slightly more interested in Yugito's relationship with their household than her strength. Yugito had become quite integrated into their lives, and now it seemed she had no plans to leave.
Even Mikoto, who was often busy with the Uchiha Trading Company, hadn't noticed when Yugito had started taking extra care of her appearance.
Mina puffed her cheeks, frustrated. This cheeky girl is following in Mikoto's footsteps, she thought.
"I'll also ask Kushina for help. She's been training a lot lately, and with her control over the Nine-Tails chakra, she'll be a strong ally," Mikoto said, realizing they needed more muscle.
With that decided, Mikoto set off to find Kushina, but halfway there, she turned toward Konoha Hospital. Mina was right; no matter what happened, Yoichi needed to know about this.
At the hospital, Mikoto found Yoichi's Wood Clone and explained everything. The clone quickly made a Shadow Clone and dispelled it to inform the real Yoichi, before reassuring Mikoto, "The real me knows now. Don't worry."
Feeling relieved, Mikoto continued on to Kushina's house.
"Kushina, we need your help," Mikoto said once she arrived, explaining the situation.
"Why isn't that idiot Yoichi dealing with this himself?" Kushina almost let a curse slip but managed to hold back in time.
"Yoichi-kun knows. The problem is Itachi. The boy has already aligned himself with the village's ideals. Seeing his father die… it would be too much for him," Mikoto explained.
Kushina thought it over, realizing that such a sight would be cruel for a ten-year-old. "Alright, I understand. When are we making our move?"
"Tomorrow afternoon. Itachi will bring Yugito to a forest south of the Ninja Park."
The following afternoon, Fugaku felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety as the time drew near. Trusting in Itachi's intelligence, he pushed his doubts aside. Eventually, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground.
"How are things?" Fugaku asked.
"Seems like the Fifth Hokage is still at Konoha Hospital, but my clone didn't dare get too close. I had to gather information through others. As for your son, he's already on his way with the Two-Tails Jinchūriki. You'll need to act quickly," Zetsu warned.
"Don't worry. Even if she uses the power of the Tailed Beast, I won't be careless," Fugaku replied confidently. With White Zetsu's support, he could summon a Susanoo up to 20 or 30 meters tall. Dealing with the Two-Tails should be no problem; his only concern was Konoha's response time.
Soon, Fugaku heard the distant sound of footsteps and conversation.
"Itachi-kun, how much farther? Can't we spar here?" Yugito asked.
"This is still too close to the park. We need to go farther to avoid attracting attention," Itachi replied.
Fugaku felt a surge of pride for his son. As expected, my son is clever.
In a flash, Fugaku used Body Flicker to appear before Itachi and Yugito, causing them both to stop. Itachi remained calm, his expression unfazed, while Yugito's face showed clear suspicion.
"Who are you? This is Konoha!" Yugito shouted.
Fugaku chuckled, "Konoha or not, I'm Itachi's father. I've come here specifically to—"
Before he could finish, Itachi suddenly fired a signal flare into the sky.
Bang!
A brilliant signal exploded in the air, and moments later, a four-sided purple barrier surrounded the area, sealing them in completely.
"Four Violet Flames Formation!?" Fugaku immediately recognized the technique. But to his shock, a second barrier of golden chains emerged within the purple barrier, forming a tighter seal.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
"ITACHI!!" Fugaku roared in fury. At this point, it was obvious that his son had betrayed him. There was no way Konoha could have prepared such a rapid response without prior knowledge.
"Why!? I'm your father! Why, Itachi!?" Fugaku's voice trembled with anger and disbelief. Memories of Mikoto's betrayal years ago resurfaced, and now he faced betrayal from his son—his hope and future.
"You should never have returned, Father. I warned you several times, but you refused to leave Konoha," Itachi said, taking a deep breath before meeting his father's bloodshot, furious gaze. "The village has finally achieved peace, and both the villagers and our clan are living in harmony. Father, you shouldn't take that away from them."
"Fool! That peace is a lie! The rest of the world is still consumed by war. You idiot! Idiot!!"
"Enough, Fugaku!" a sharp voice cut through the air. Fugaku turned to see Mikoto and Kushina approaching. His rage intensified at the sight of Mikoto.
"You're the reason for all of this!" he snarled, his hatred for her growing even stronger.
"You shouldn't have come back, Fugaku. You've tried to manipulate Itachi, but you don't deserve to call yourself his father," Mikoto said, her face full of anger.
"Curse you! It's all your fault!" Fugaku roared, knowing there was no escape now. But even if he couldn't flee, he would kill the woman who had betrayed him and turned his son against him.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
Both Fugaku and Mikoto simultaneously unleashed their jutsu, sending massive flaming dragons crashing into each other with a deafening explosion.
Flames erupted, scorching the surroundings and reducing trees to ash. Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had already fled underground when the barriers were raised, while Itachi and Yugito leapt to safety.
Moments later, the firestorm subsided, leaving the battlefield charred and empty.
"This can't be! How could you block my jutsu?" Fugaku gasped in disbelief. He knew Mikoto had been a jōnin before their marriage, but she had given up the ninja life after that. How could she match him in power, especially when he had the enhancements from White Zetsu?
"Tail-Tail Flame Balls!" Yugito shouted, unleashing a barrage of blue fireballs that rained down on Fugaku like a storm. Alarmed, Fugaku quickly performed hand seals.
"Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall!"
Explosions echoed as the blue flames smashed into the wooden barrier, obliterating it. However, the wall had bought Fugaku just enough time to escape underground.
"There! He's underground!" Kushina, now in her Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, detected his presence and extended her adamantine chains, slamming them into the ground with incredible force.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground shattered with each strike, creating deep craters as Kushina relentlessly pounded the earth, leaving Fugaku no choice but to surface. Burrowing further underground would have been too dangerous due to the risk of being crushed by the collapsing earth.
"Be careful, he can use Wood Style and Earth Style. Don't let him escape," Yugito warned.
Kushina smirked. "Don't worry. I've got him locked in my sensory range. He won't get away."
Itachi had withdrawn from the battle, standing next to Shisui. No matter what, Fugaku was still his father, and he couldn't bring himself to fight him. Besides, he wasn't strong enough to contribute in this battle.
Shisui patted Itachi on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Itachi. They've got this. You did well. Both the village and the clan will understand your decision."
Itachi nodded. "Thank you, Shisui."
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, Fugaku found himself in increasingly dire straits. He had grossly underestimated the situation. Yugito wasn't just learning to control the power of the Two-Tails—she had full mastery over it. And Kushina, with her control over the Nine-Tails' chakra, had him locked down with her sensory abilities.
Then there was Mikoto…
Just seeing her filled Fugaku with rage. Of all the people he wanted to kill, she was at the top of the list. But even as his anger grew, he couldn't deny the truth.
Mikoto's power was overwhelming. Her chakra reserves were massive, and though her battle instincts were rusty, her raw strength more than made up for it.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Kushina's chains forced Fugaku back, while Yugito unleashed another volley of blue fireballs, taunting, "What's wrong? Weren't you going to capture me? Why are you running?"
"Mikoto!" Kushina called out.
Mikoto immediately understood. Forming rapid hand seals, she unleashed her jutsu.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song!"
Four massive fire dragons roared from her mouth, surging toward Fugaku with incredible speed.
Damn it! How dare they! Fugaku's pupils contracted as he summoned a massive amount of chakra, activating his Susanoo. The armored warrior materialized around him, standing at 30 meters tall.
(End of Chapter)
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