The Hyuga Shall Stand Above, In The Heavens!

"A large number of Iwagakure Village ninjas have been spotted in the southeast direction, exact number unknown!"

"They have started to speed up, heading straight towards Konohagakure."

"The enemy's advance team is nearing the explosion area, recommend detonating in one minute!"

"Tsuchikage spotted! Attention! Tsuchikage Onoki of Both Scales spotted!"

In front of Konohagakure.

The main force, which had taken in the remnants of Nara Shikaku's unit, was resting.

Previously, to deal with the joint attack from Kumogakure Village and Iwagakure Village, Nara Shikaku's unit suffered heavy losses. Those who survived the frontal assault were considered lucky.

At this moment, the old village chief was staring blankly at the corpse brought before him.

Meanwhile, urgent reports from the Hyuga clan scouts were coming in.

Just from these reports, it was clear why the Byakugan was so feared and desired in the ninja world.

This ability to always anticipate the enemy's moves had a huge impact on war.

After all, not every war was fought on open plains, and battles where ninjas were used as soldiers were rare. It was usually about outsmarting and ambushing each other.

Besides the current war, only the Fourth Great Ninja War in the future would have so many direct confrontations.

"My condolences."

As the reports came in, Fugaku couldn't sit still.

After hesitating, he approached the Third Hokage and offered a few words of comfort.

"I don't want to say much, but can you keep your son away from mine in the future?"

Sarutobi's voice was low and tired as he looked at Uchiha Fugaku with a complex expression.

He never expected that a series of chain reactions would lead to his own son's death.

Only now, the old village chief wasn't speaking as the Hokage, but as a grieving father, questioning Fugaku.

Was he asking for a favor?

Fugaku was taken aback, then frowned in displeasure.

"Are you talking about Itachi? He's just a child."

Why blame my son for your son's death?

"I don't want to argue about this. Let's just leave it."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the grieving father, rubbed his temples, finally remembering his role as Hokage.

As Hokage, and one who would always be at odds with the Uchiha, why was he saying this to Uchiha Fugaku? Maybe Fugaku sent his son to cause trouble for him.

He took one last look at his eldest son, lying on the stretcher, covered in blood from the waist up, with his lower half missing.

The old village chief composed himself and waved to the nearby guards.

Yes.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke had died early.

He didn't even leave behind a young son named Sarutobi Konohagakure, which could be seen as making up for Kakashi's regret.

He died from a chain reaction.

One issue was Danzo's incompetence, which brought strong enemies to Konohagakure. They were attacked by a joint force from Kumogakure and Iwagakure. To show his sincerity, Oonoki immediately used Dust Release on Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Unable to dodge, the young master's lower body disintegrated out of nowhere, and after a brief struggle, he passed away.

The second issue was...

Sarutobi sighed deeply.

Originally, his eldest son wasn't supposed to be sent to the frontlines. He was staying behind, building his reputation, and was only meant to step forward and earn battle merits when the situation became more favorable or safe enough.

But his second son, Sarutobi Asuma, seemed to lose his mind, constantly preaching that to become Hokage, one needed to be recognized by others and demonstrate overwhelming strength to conquer everyone.

This, he claimed, was the true "Will of Fire."

It was a clear misinterpretation.

And when Shinnosuke, who had always seen taking over his father's role as his duty, heard this, it seemed reasonable to him. Easily swayed, he rushed to the battlefield… and quickly died.

It wasn't that Shinnosuke lacked skill.

But you have to consider who he was up against.

Even Sarutobi himself had to be cautious with the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release. If it didn't require some time to charge, the old man could instantly kill anyone he faced. Naturally, Shinnosuke wasn't a match for him.

From Sarutobi's perspective, it must have been Uchiha Itachi who had influenced Asuma, filling his head with unhealthy ideas, like sacrificing oneself for the greater good, and similar nonsense.

Sarutobi had heard rumors about this long ago. Back then, he even admired it, but he never expected the first to sacrifice themselves would be his own son.

"My brother died heroically! He sacrificed himself for the village, as he should! He simply fell on the path to becoming Hokage and being recognized!"

Do you hear this? Is that something a person should say?

Gazing into the distance at Asuma, who had personally cremated his own brother, Sarutobi Hiruzen's old face twisted with anger. He wished he could rush over and give his second son a smack across the face.

But he couldn't argue with him. And it wasn't like he could hit him over this. If he did, how would the other families who had lost children view him? He might as well resign as Hokage if that happened.

Besides, Asuma was speaking the harsh truth, but Sarutobi Hiruzen just wasn't willing to accept it!

What nonsense about needing recognition to become Hokage!

Look at him—did he have anyone's recognition when he became Hokage? And yet, he still held the position just fine!

He was only forced to step down once.

But his son was dead.

That didn't mean the old man wasn't furious!

Now that Konohagakure was in this mess, with Danzo's plans failing, Oonoki had to pay the price and take the primary blame!

The old man was angry, and the consequences were serious.

"Is it confirmed that Oonoki's here?"

His eyes flashed with a killing intent as Sarutobi, once in his prime, who could knock the Nine-Tails out of Konohagakure with a single blow, asked in a low voice.

"According to the Hyuga clan members, it seems like he's nearby, but they appear to be trying to take a detour."

Completely unaware that they were actually planning to kidnap his family, Fugaku's older brother replied.

"Charge! This is an order from the Hokage!"

In the next moment, Sarutobi spoke the most resolute words of his life.

"I'm going to kill that bastard Oonoki!"

Just think—if it weren't for Oonoki's betrayal, he wouldn't be in such a tough spot right now, forced to turn to the Uchiha clan for help. His son wouldn't have died either!

It was all Tsuchikage's fault!

Sarutobi didn't hesitate and charged forward with his staff. After today, only one of the Kage would be left standing in the ninja world!

Seeing the old man leading the charge, Fugaku suddenly felt like he didn't recognize this sly elder anymore. He stared blankly at the Third Hokage's back, realizing that his own aura had been completely suppressed.

"Patriarch, what's the plan? Are we going to turn on the Third?"

Uchiha Satoshi asked anxiously.

"Turn on him? No way!"

Fugaku shook his head at the thought. He wasn't confident he could take on Oonoki alone, even with his Mangekyou Sharingan's third ability. He still didn't know how to counter Dust Release. If Susano'o couldn't withstand it and got disintegrated, he'd have no advantage against Oonoki.

"Then hurry and give the order! Otherwise, the Third's going to take all the credit!"

"Yeah, Patriarch! If the Third kills the Tsuchikage, what about the Uchiha? That's supposed to be our glory!"

"I've been wanting to test the Tsuchikage for a while now!"

"Damn it! Since when do Iwagakure's farm tools dare to attack us first? Back in the Warring States, Madara could slap down a whole squad!"

Uchiha clan members never backed down. These crazy guys had never known fear.

And it seemed that Fugaku had caught the madness too, his intelligence momentarily dropping as his eyes flashed red. He roared out.

"Screw it! Tsuchikage's mine! No one else better take him from me!"

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