"By now, the Fifth should have already arrived at the Daimyō's mansion."
Nara Shikaku felt restless.
Though he was famous for his strategic mind, before absolute power, he couldn't think of any real countermeasure.
"Since Sensei entrusted the village to us, what we need to do is protect Konoha and wait for their victorious return."
Uchiha Itachi didn't even lift his head, focused on the tasks Takeshi had left him before departing.
"Next, we just need to post this announcement."
After a while, Itachi stopped what he was doing and smiled in relief.
"It's that permanent tax exemption notice, right? I'll send someone to post it right away."
Shikaku clearly knew about this matter.
The so-called "support tax" was actually a protection fee collected from Konoha's civilians to maintain the village's daily expenses.
Konoha provided its people with a safe place to live; in return, aside from the wartime tax during conflicts, the civilians were required to pay a modest monthly sum that wouldn't affect their daily lives.
Still, it was always a burden for some.
Since Konoha's finances no longer relied on funding from the Land of Fire, Takeshi—determined to draw a clear line between civilians and shinobi—made this decision before leaving.
"Whether they're shinobi or ordinary people, as long as they live in Konoha, they are part of Konoha. As Hokage, I have the duty to ensure they live prosperous lives."
That was what Takeshi had once said to Itachi—when he wasn't fooling around.
"Mm, you're right. Just in time—the Fourth-sama is going to inspect the perimeter walls. I'll check if there's anything else we need to prepare."
With enemies pressing at their gates, Shikaku had to ensure that every defensive facility in Konoha remained intact.
At the same time, everyone was awaiting the triumphant return of Takeshi and the others.
...
"Based on the intel we've gathered, it's highly likely that there's an artificial human named Ras inside the Daimyō's palace. We must eliminate him as fast as possible to avoid repeating the tragedy that befell Jōnin Sarutobi Asuma."
At some point, the soldiers leading the way had disappeared.
The grand palace doors ahead were tightly shut, and a crushing pressure radiated from within.
Hakuyun Sōken instinctively reached behind him and gripped the handle of his sword, reacting to that overwhelming aura.
Uchiha Inaho's three-tomoe Sharingan spun open, and he leaned forward, ready to strike.
"Such a large-scale operation… even during the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars, we've never seen anything like this."
Fugaku's voice came through the communicator.
"Quiet."
Immediately after, Hyūga Hiashi's stern reprimand followed.
Uchiha Fugaku: "Oh."
"Everyone, stay alert—something's coming out."
An aged voice sounded, and then the communicator went silent.
"He's here!"
Takeshi was the first to sense it.
The moment his words left his mouth, the massive palace doors exploded outward under a violent force from within.
"Ugh!"
Even though Takeshi gave a warning, Uchiha Inaho couldn't react in time and was thrown back by the immense shockwave.
Fortunately, his Sharingan allowed him to avoid being struck by the flying debris.
"He's coming! Wind Release — Vacuum Wave!"
Through the dust, Takeshi caught sight of the approaching figure. Forming hand seals rapidly, he exhaled a sharp blade of wind.
"Vacuum Sword!"
Hakuyun Sōken swung his blade, turning wind-natured chakra into a cutting slash.
Takeshi's attack reached first, splitting the swirling dust apart and revealing the languid figure of Sloth.
"Yawn..."
Sloth opened his mouth in a wide yawn, lazily swinging his arms—and in doing so, effortlessly dispersed both attacks.
"With bare hands?!"
Hakuyun Sōken's face twisted in shock and anger. He couldn't fathom why an attack sharp enough to slice iron felt like a harmless breeze against that man.
"There's something on his arms," Uchiha Inaho said as he struggled to stand, his Sharingan discerning the details.
"Arm guards?"
"They look like it. Be careful either way," Takeshi warned. "Also, watch out—he's got two long swords hanging from his waist."
Even as Takeshi spoke, Sloth remained motionless, showing no intention of attacking.
"Fire Release !"
Uchiha Inaho unleashed his Fire Release to draw attention. Takeshi seized the chance to hurl several Flying Thunder God kunai toward their target.
"Rasengan Flash Super Round Dance Howl — Third Style!"
It was a technique created by Minato—combining flash bombs and the Flying Thunder God to blind the enemy while delivering a lightning-fast strike.
But just as Takeshi moved to the third marked kunai's location, a sudden dizziness struck him, freezing his movement mid-air.
His vision flipped—the entire world around him twisted and changed.
"Yōwan!"
Only one person could cause that—Uchiha Yōwan.
Sloth raised his arm, ignoring the flames scorching his flesh, and swung straight down at the kneeling Takeshi.
From the shadows, glowing golden chains shot out, aiming directly at Takeshi.
"Fire Release — Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Wind Release — Great Vacuum Sphere!"
The fire drove away the chains; the wind forced Sloth backward.
Sloth's fist grazed Takeshi's scalp as it smashed into the ground, pulverizing the neatly paved stone path beneath them.
Cracks spread outward, and even the palace behind began to tremble visibly.
Tiles rained down with crisp clattering sounds.
"What terrifying strength..."
Feeling the power of that strike up close, Takeshi's face went pale—he had nearly become a headless corpse.
"Hmph, you foolish brat. I told you to polish your fundamentals. If I hadn't intervened, you know what your fate would've been."
Shimura Danzō's expression darkened as he glared deathly at Sloth—though his words were directed at his own dim-witted son.
"Enough, Danzō. Save the lecture for later—get over here and help!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, locked in combat with Yōwan, called for assistance. He wasn't facing Yōwan alone—behind Yōwan stood a gaunt, red-haired woman.