Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 435 The Death of Hiruzen Sarutobi

"This is... a change in the nature of Yin Release and Yang Release?" Tobirama stared at the black rods on his body, quickly analyzing the situation.

"No, that's not right. It's not entirely a matter of Yin Release and Yang Release nature transformation... Just who are these two guys?"

At this moment, Orochimaru's cold and handsome face finally changed.

"A technique that counters the Impure World Reincarnation?!" His golden vertical pupils suddenly contracted, and his hands, which had been forming hand seals, slowly lowered.

He could clearly feel that the "Impure World Reincarnation" spiritual connection between himself and Hashirama and Tobirama was being ruthlessly severed and interfered with by some powerful force!

Moreover, the black rods piercing through their bodies were relentlessly and frantically eroding their impure bodies.

The dust and debris that made up Hashirama and Tobirama's bodies began to dissipate at the point where the black rod had pierced them!

It wasn't a slow recovery after being injured by Hiruzen Sarutobi, but rather it was gradually turning into the most primitive dust particles, drifting away with the wind, never to be able to coalesce again!

The Impure World Reincarnation's proudest attributes—"immortality" and "infinite chakra"—are rapidly melting away like ice under the scorching sun in the face of these eerie black rods!

"Even the Impure World Reincarnation technique was countered... Could these two be Shura's enemies?" Orochimaru suddenly remembered the extraterrestrial enemies that Shura had mentioned.

Orochimaru's thoughtful expression was observed by Hashirama, who was pinned to the tree, who assumed that Orochimaru had not given up on manipulating them.

"It's no use, Orochimaru." Hashirama looked down at the ever-expanding "dust-like" area on his chest, a wry smile of acceptance on his face.

"This power... has touched upon the rules of 'creating life and death'."

"Your Impure World Reincarnation is, in the end, nothing more than toying with the souls of the dead in the gap between life and death. And these things..." He glanced at the black rod on his body.

"They should be based on Yin-Yang Release, with even greater destructive power."

"Your technique has been completely countered."

"Big brother is right," Tobirama's voice came, carrying a calm analysis: "These black rods contain Yin and Yang Release techniques. Our bodies... can't hold out much longer."

As if to confirm Tobirama's words, the area where the black rod pierced Hashirama's chest turned into dust suddenly expanded!

What was originally just a grayish-white area the size of a bowl spread across the entire chest in just a few breaths, and then rapidly spread toward the neck and limbs!

The dust and debris that make up the body are like sandcastles blown away by a gale, peeling off and scattering in large pieces, revealing a deeper void inside.

"Ah...it seems I'll have to sleep again this time." Hashirama looked at his body dissipating, but instead of fear, he showed a relieved smile.

"Huh? Why did I say 'again'?" Hashirama was a little dazed for a moment, then saw the young Orochimaru and sighed.

With this guy around, I'm afraid I won't be able to get a good night's sleep for long.

He raised his head, his gaze falling on Jiraiya outside the barrier, his face filled with anxiety and tears streaming down his face, then on Konoha, where smoke filled the air and war raged in the distance, and finally settling on Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was leaning on his Vajra Staff and on the verge of death.

"Monkey..." Hashirama murmured, his voice filled with a complex and indescribable sigh, a mixture of regret and disappointment.

"Konoha..."

Before he could finish speaking, the area above his chest completely turned into dust and scattered with the wind.

"Hmph... What an ugly way to exit." Tobirama snorted coldly, and the next second his left shoulder began to rapidly turn to dust.

The body of the impure earth crumbled and disintegrated.

The Impure World Reincarnation completely turned into dust, drifting away with the wind, revealing the two long-dead Sound Ninja corpses inside.

This was the offering Orochimaru used for the Impure World Reincarnation.

"It seems that this technique is not yet fully mature... There are still many areas for improvement..." After the initial shock and confusion, the young Orochimaru stared at the Sound Ninja corpse nailed to the tree, stared at the black rods, and his golden vertical pupils flashed wildly.

"It seems the offering wasn't strong enough. I'll try White Zetsu next time..." Young Orochimaru chuckled softly as he summarized his experience.

Although he didn't even get to fully unleash the power of Hashirama and Tobirama, the two Hokage left the stage so early.

But the two enemies who broke in did bring him a new surprise.

The power of these two...

If I could get it... if I could analyze it... if I could master it...

Far from being disappointed, the desire in Orochimaru's golden snake eyes grew even more intense.

"Pfft—!"

"Ugh—!"

"What is that?!"

"Help, help me—!"

Just then, from the four corners of the barrier, almost simultaneously, came four extremely shrill screams!

As everyone looked over, they saw that the four Sound Ninja who were maintaining the Four Purple Flame Formation—Sakon, Ukon, Kidomaru, and Tayuya—had each of them pierced through vital areas such as their chest and limbs by several identical sharp black rods!

"No...it's impossible..." Sakon gripped the black rod piercing his chest with both hands, trying to pull it out, but the rod didn't budge.

He could clearly feel his chakra being frantically interfered with by the black rods, leaving him weak all over and his consciousness rapidly sinking into darkness.

"Orochimaru... Lord... Help..."

Before he could finish his final plea for help, his head drooped limply.

Ukon, Kidomaru, and Tayuya also lost their power within two seconds, pinned to the spot by the black rods, their faces filled with terror, yet unable to move.

As the four casters were attacked, the purple flames surrounding the roof of the VIP viewing platform quickly dimmed and flickered, eventually disappearing completely with a "poof" sound, like a blown-out candle.

The top-tier barrier, so sturdy that even Jiraiya and Yamato were helpless against, was shattered in the most brutal way by a few black rods casually swung by Jigen.

"Old man!!!"

The moment the barrier dissipated, Jiraiya was the first to react and rushed forward.

Yamato and several elite ANBU followed closely behind, instantly surrounding Hiruzen Sarutobi. They drew their kunai and shuriken, warily pointing them at the two demon-like figures in the air.

Jiraiya instantly rushed to the side of Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was lying in a pool of blood and barely breathing.

His knees buckled, and he knelt on the ground, his hand trembling as he reached out, yet he dared not easily touch his teacher's wounded and bloodied body.

He could only carefully lift Hiruzen Sarutobi's upper body from behind, letting him lean against him.

Everything you touch is cold and sticky.

Blood had soaked through Hiruzen Sarutobi's tattered battle suit and stained Jiraiya's hands and clothes.

The teacher's already thin body was now terrifyingly light, as if it were just an empty, cracked skeleton.

His face was ashen, his breathing was weak, and the rise and fall of his chest was almost imperceptible.

"Medical ninja! Call a medical ninja!!!" Jiraiya roared hoarsely, frantically pulling out bandages and ration pills from his ninja tool bag, trying to stuff them into Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth, but the old man gently shook his head to stop him.

"Jiraiya... that's enough..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice was as weak as a mosquito's buzz, and with each word he uttered, more blood foam gushed from his mouth.

His gaze was already somewhat unfocused, yet he still looked intently at Jiraiya, at his most trusted disciple.

"Listen to me... my last few words..." A hand, stained with blood, with loose skin and covered in age spots, rested on Jiraiya's trembling wrist.

"Konoha... the Fifth Hokage... it must be... you..." Hiruzen Sarutobi stared into Jiraiya's eyes.

"Danzo...cannot be trusted...only you..."

"No! Old man! Don't speak! Hold on! I'll take you to Tsunade right now! She must have a way!" Jiraiya cried as he tried to lift Hiruzen Sarutobi, only to find the old man's body terrifyingly light, his life force like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

"Listen... let me finish!" Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly raised his voice, and as if in a final burst of energy, his eyes flashed with a last glimmer of life.

"About...Shura...About Minato..." He coughed violently, blood gushing from his mouth and nose, staining Jiraiya's clothes red.

"Orochimaru... what he just said... cannot be completely believed... but also... cannot be completely disbelieved..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice grew lower and lower, but his speech became faster and faster, as if he were racing against death, trying to seize the last moment.

"If...if Minato...is really...in the Land of Stars...if...Shura...is really...related to him..."

He gripped Jiraiya's hand tightly.

"Find...the truth...and then..." Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze began to unfocus, his pupils gradually dilating, but he still stared intently at Jiraiya.

Ask him...why...

As he uttered the final "Why?", Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand suddenly loosened and fell limply to his side.

Those eyes, which had witnessed Konoha's rise and fall over decades and weathered countless storms, now reflected only the disciple's tear-streaked face before slowly, forever, closing their eyes.

"Old man...? Old man?! Old man!!!"

Jiraiya's roar echoed across the entire rooftop, the grief in his voice causing the hearts of everyone who heard it to clench.

The white smoke from the Vajra Staff dissipated with a "pop," and the figure of the Monkey King appeared beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.

The old ape, who had made a pact with the Sarutobi clan and accompanied Hiruzen for decades, silently looked at his old friend's peaceful yet regretful face, and slowly, slowly, knelt down and lowered his head.

Tears streamed down the ape demon's aged eyes, dripping onto the broken tiles and splashing up dust.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Nestled in his disciple's arms, surrounded by powerful enemies, and facing an unprecedented invasion of Konoha, he breathed his last.

This old man, who held power in Konoha for decades and was known as the "Ninja Hero" and the "Ninja Doctor," ultimately ended his eventful and complex life in this way.

In the sky, Urashiki Otsutsuki gently tapped Jigen's shoulder with his fishing rod, his Byakugan eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Look, it seems a rather important person has died~ But that's not enough." He licked his lips, looked down at the Konoha people who were plunged into deep grief, and then looked at the chaotic arena in the distance, his voice filled with gleeful malice.

"We need to make the scene... a bit more lively."

"Otherwise, the 'device' we're looking for probably won't come out so easily."

Cixian glanced at Urashiki expressionlessly.

He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing the arena below.

………………

clang--!

The clanging of metal echoed among the towering trees, and amidst the sparks, two equally young faces, both brimming with fighting spirit, stood less than half a meter apart.

Sarutobi Asuma braced his feet firmly against the thick tree branch beneath him, his arm muscles bulging.

The chakra blade in his hand was desperately blocking a massive blade as wide as a door panel—a decapitation sword.

The blade of the decapitation sword gleamed faintly in the sunlight, sending chills down one's spine just by looking at it.

At this moment, this infamous ninja sword was being held in one hand by a boy who looked no more than seventeen or eighteen years old. The force emanating from the blade was as heavy as a mountain, causing Asuma's feet to slide backward, carving two deep furrows into the giant tree.

Asma slid a full five meters before finally managing to withstand the force of the attack.

He took a deep breath, exerted his strength in his waist and abdomen, and swung the decapitation sword upwards. At the same time, he used the momentum to leap backwards three meters, landing steadily on a thick branch growing horizontally.

Once he had a firm footing, Asuma finally had a chance to take a closer look at his opponent.

He was a boy who looked extremely young, no more than eighteen years old, with short black hair, a delicate face, and a hint of childishness still lingering in his eyes.

But those hawk-like eyes were sharper and more resolute than many of the young Jonin he had ever seen.

The boy wore the deep blue combat uniform unique to the Star Kingdom, and held the Executioner's Blade in one hand with the ease of holding a wooden stick.

It should be noted that the Executioner's Blade is the heaviest and most ferocious of the Seven Ninja Swords of Kirigakure. Its weight far exceeds that of a regular ninja sword, and even ordinary Jonin need to wield it with both hands to unleash its power.

But the boy only used one hand, and he didn't even use his full strength in the attack he just exchanged with me.

"Such powerful strength..." Asuma was secretly shocked, but on the surface he still maintained that roguish smile.

Seeing that the other party did not intend to pursue him relentlessly, Asma took out a cigarette case from his pocket with his left hand, lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and slowly exhaled the grayish-white smoke from his nostrils.

"Hey kid, not bad swordsmanship." Asuma squinted, sizing up the boy opposite him through the smoke.

He paused, flicking off his cigarette ash. "And if I'm not mistaken, this is the Executioner's Blade from Kirigakure. I heard a few years ago that Kirigakure lost several of their ninja swords, all falling into the hands of that Asura from the Land of Stars. Now it seems the rumors were true—"

"Your Shura is really generous, actually giving such a ninja sword to a young man like you."

Asma spoke lightly, but his heart was far from calm.

As a former Konoha ninja who had left the village and traveled the ninja world for many years, and later served as one of the twelve guardian ninjas of the Fire Country daimyo, Asuma's knowledge far surpassed that of most ninjas.

He not only met the remaining ninja swordsmen of Kirigakure who were protecting the daimyo of the Land of Water on diplomatic occasions with the fire daimyo, but he also understood the meaning represented by each ninja sword.

It is not just a weapon, but also a legacy of Kirigakure, a symbol of identity, and an affirmation of power.

The fact that a weapon like the Executioner's Blade could be bestowed upon a boy who hasn't even reached adulthood suggests either that the boy possesses the strength and potential to match the blade, or...

The Land of Stars has such deep foundations that it can casually bestow ninja swords of this caliber as "rewards" upon its subordinates.

Neither possibility is good news for Konoha.

Itada slowly sheathed his guillotine, the tip pointing downwards, and gently tapped the branch beneath his feet.

He didn't attack immediately, but instead carefully examined Asma, as if assessing something.

"Konoha's elite Jonin, Sarutobi Asuma," Itada said, reciting Asuma's information.

"When he was young, he ran away from home due to his disagreement with the Third Hokage's ideals. He traveled around the ninja world for many years. During this time, he served as one of the twelve guardian ninjas of the Fire Country Daimyo. He was proficient in both wind and fire chakra transformations and created his own chakra sword technique. His strength was among the top of the Konoha Jonin."

Asuma paused slightly in his smoking, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. The other party had gathered a lot of information about him.

But then he quickly reverted to his lazy demeanor: "Oh? You've investigated quite thoroughly. It seems the Star Kingdom has put a lot of effort into intelligence gathering."

"It's just necessary preparation," Itada said calmly. "After all, you are the son of the Third Hokage and a former member of the Twelve Guardian Ninjas, so you're definitely not weak."

The moment the words left his mouth, Ita spurred it on.

He kicked his left leg hard, creating a small dent in the tree, and moved forward quickly. At the same time, he raised his right foot and delivered a fierce front kick straight for Asma's chest!

The wind howled as the legs moved so fast that they left a trail of afterimages in the air!

"So fast!" Asuma, who had been on guard, suddenly narrowed his eyes and instinctively leaned back to avoid the kick.

However, Itada's attack did not end there.

The instant Asuma leaned back, he used the force of his kick to spin his body halfway around like a top, and the Executioner's Blade in his hand drew an arc, carrying the force of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, and slashed towards Asuma!

The angle, timing, and force of that strike were all perfect.

If it were an ordinary Jonin, with his body in a backward, unbalanced state, he probably wouldn't even have time to react, and would be seriously injured if not killed.

But Sarutobi Asuma was, after all, an elite Jonin of Konoha.

"Whirlwind Fist!"

As Asuma leaned back, he let out a low shout and slashed out with his left hand, using his chakra blade to meet the incoming Executioner's Blade!

clang--!!!

The sound of metal clashing rang out.

The decapitation blade and the chakra blade collided violently, the two completely different forces clashing fiercely and unleashing a shockwave visible to the naked eye.

The shockwave spread outwards from the two people, shattering all the leaves and branches within a radius of several meters, and splinters of wood fell like a torrential rain.

This time, neither of them backed down.

Asuma's feet were firmly planted on the tree branch as if rooted to the spot, and his body sank slightly as he steadily caught the knife.

Ida Suke's hand holding the Executioner's Blade was as steady as a rock, and the blade did not tremble at all.

The two men faced each other through the clashing blades.

Asuma could see that there was a pure fighting spirit burning in Ita's sharp eyes.

It wasn't hatred or anger, but rather a burning desire for battle that naturally arises in a martial artist when facing a powerful foe.

"Not bad." Itada said, his eyes growing brighter. "Well then, I'll get serious now."

"Seven-Day Breathing Technique! Open!" The moment the words fell, an astonishing change erupted from Ita's body!

call--!

As if some kind of valve had been opened, a visible light blue chakra wave erupted from Ita Suke's body like a volcanic eruption!

The shockwave was so strong that even the thick, massive tree beneath his feet creaked under the weight, fine cracks spreading outwards from his feet.

Pale blue chakra burned and rose like flames on his body, making his hair and clothes dance wildly upwards.

"W-This is...?!" Asuma's lazy smile vanished instantly.

He stared in shock at the pale blue chakra cloak covering Itada's body, blurting out, "Are you kidding me! The Eight Gates?!"