Naruto: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 319: Not Helping Family, Should I Help Outsiders Instead?

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

"Wind Release: Tornado Hurricane!"

"Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"

"Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

"Lightning Release: Thunder Beast!"

At the same time, in the ninja headquarters, as the Hagoromo clan forces launched their surprise attack, the five Hagoromo elders at the forefront swiftly formed hand seals. Compared to ordinary ninjas, the Five Elements Jutsu they unleashed was far more powerful and expansive. The jutsu merged together, forming a massive composite attack that surged toward the largest concentration of the ninja alliance forces.

"What's happening?"

"Enemies!"

"How did the enemy get here?"

"Such powerful jutsu skills!"

The Hagoromo forces had targeted the intelligence and strategy units of the ninja alliance, who were trying to reestablish communication. Recognizing the danger, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and others turned around, their pupils shrinking in shock. They had no time to ponder how the enemy arrived; they knew they couldn't withstand such an attack and were about to flee.

A shadowy figure suddenly appeared in front of them.

With the sound of summoning shadow clones, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, arrived just in time. Each of his four shadow clones formed hand seals for Fire, Wind, Water, Earth, and Lightning Releases.

"Five Release Great Combo Technique!"

With their hand seals complete, Hiruzen and his clones contracted their abdomens, drawing chakra into their mouths. In a flash, they unleashed a torrent of flames, wind, water, earth, and lightning. The elements fused together, creating a massive composite jutsu that rushed forward.

The collision of the two Five Elements Jutsu lit up the entire ninja headquarters.

In the continuous booming, the ferocity of fire, the sharpness of wind, the versatility of water, the weight of earth, and the volatility of lightning were on full display. It was a dazzling display of ninjutsu, a spectacle of pure art.

"It's so beautiful! This is definitely art! The purest form of art! Hmm!" Deidara, entranced, stared at the display, lost in its magnificence.

"Now's not the time to get distracted, Deidara!" Kisame snapped, slapping Deidara on the back. Without waiting for a reply, he moved as planned, clearing out other areas of the ninja headquarters.

Deidara, snapped back to reality by Kisame's slap, sighed at the fleeting beauty before pulling out a clay bird. Enlarging it, he hopped on and flew into the sky, grinning as he said, "Now, it's time to show my real art! Hmm!"

Not only Kisame and Deidara, but all the elite members of the Hagoromo forces dispersed into squads, swiftly engaging in battle. Even the five elders who had just unleashed the Five Elements Jutsu were surprised that a single person had managed to block their attack, but they were not deterred.

At Hiruzen's side, someone had already stepped forward to confront him.

"Aren't you from the Sarutobi clan?"

After the collision of the Five Elements Jutsu, Hiruzen summoned the Adamantine Staff and was about to attack when a voice interrupted him. He turned to see an old man in silver armor, bearing the crest of the Hagoromo clan, standing before him.

"You are... the former leader of the Hagoromo clan?" Hiruzen recognized the man, quickly inquiring.

Hagoromo Mu nodded, observing Hiruzen with a touch of sentimentality.

"Who would have thought that the little boy from back then has grown into an old man like me."

"And your composite jutsu skills are impressive. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were from the Hagoromo clan." Mu was surprised to see the techniques of the Hagoromo clan being used by a Sarutobi, and seemingly at an even higher level.

Hiruzen, though older, responded humbly, "Thank you for the compliment. I didn't expect to meet you again under these circumstances. But, with all due respect, your arrival, along with the other Hagoromo elders, is ill-timed."

As he spoke, Hiruzen scanned the battlefield. The fight had already begun. Although the Hagoromo forces were outnumbered by the ninja alliance, their individual strength was formidable. Even with the support of reanimated ninjas like the Third Raikage, Third Kazekage, Fourth Kazekage, Third Mizukage, Fourth Hokage, and present-day powerhouses like Jiraiya, the situation looked grim.

Hiruzen's worry deepened, but Mu remained calm as he asked, "What do you mean by ill-timed?"

Realizing he had little time to waste, Hiruzen gripped his Adamantine Staff and said, "Hagoromo Gengetsu's ambition will only bring destruction to the entire ninja world. As a senior who once lived in this world, you shouldn't become an accomplice."

"An accomplice?" Mu shook his head. "If I don't help my own family, should I help outsiders instead?"

"As for destroying the ninja world? That's perfect—it needs to be rebuilt, to make a new world for the Hagoromo clan!"

A gleam of determination flashed in Mu's eyes. For someone who had devoted his life to the Hagoromo clan, his greatest wish was to see them reign supreme. The lives of others didn't concern him.

Most of the reanimated Hagoromo elders shared Mu's sentiment. The rest were battle-hungry warriors. This was why they chose to follow Gengetsu, not merely because of his strength.

They were already dead; what did they have to fear? Only their ideals, only the future they could see, mattered to them.

Seeing that he couldn't convince Mu, Hiruzen tightened his grip on the Adamantine Staff, his expression resolute.

"In that case, I must apologize, Hagoromo elder."

Mu gestured forward, "Come then. I hear you joined a village called Konoha and became the so-called Hokage. Let me see the strength of the strongest Kage of this era."

As his words fell, two explosive sounds echoed, signaling the start of their battle.

Not far away, Jiraiya, who had glanced at the fight, was struck by Hagoromo Anki and sent flying. He quickly recovered, catching Anki's incoming fist, and continued the fight.

Feeling the pressure, Anki asked, "Your strength is impressive. What's your name?"

Jiraiya replied without hesitation.

"And your surname?" Anki asked.

"Jiraiya is my full name," Jiraiya said, puzzled by the question.

Anki was taken aback.

"A commoner?"

Meanwhile, further away, Hagoromo Mio, who had just been repelled by the Third Raikage A, looked at the man who had withstood her slash unscathed. A mix of surprise and excitement flashed across her cold face.

"A Raikage from the age of the Hidden Villages? Excellent!"

In high spirits, Mio resumed her attack.

Throughout the ninja headquarters, fierce battles raged on.

Blood and fire began to bloom without end.