"Watch out..."
Before the black-cloaked ninja could finish his warning, the ground beneath Asuma and the others began violently shaking. Then, sharp earth spikes erupted from the soil.
Thanks to the warning from the scout ninja, only one or two shinobi were too slow to react and were pierced by the earth spikes. The rest barely managed to leap into the air, narrowly dodging this sudden wave of deadly earthen spires.
However, they had no time to breathe a sigh of relief midair, as a flurry of gray projectiles burst forth, accompanied by a single arc of azure light slicing through the sky toward them.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!—
Clang! Clang! Clang!—
Thud! Thud! Thud!—
Suddenly, the night sky erupted into a symphony of death. The sounds of kunai slicing through air, metal clashing against metal, and ninja tools piercing flesh harmoniously intertwined.
The airborne shinobi had nowhere to push off from and could only desperately dodge and block the incoming kunai from Aozora, yet they couldn't stop the flying daggers capable of changing direction—the [Flying Dagger Capable of Slaying Immortals].
Azure light traced arcs across the night sky, piercing through one chest after another.
Meanwhile, moonlight poured down, illuminating the blood droplets splattering through the air.
It also shone upon Aozora emerging slowly from the ground.
Aozora stared at Asuma and the others. Most of them were either dead or grievously injured—only four had survived his relentless attacks.
The [Flying Dagger Capable of Slaying Immortals] that had slain several enemies lost their initial speed and were now blocked one after another by Asuma, who wielded the Flying Swallow.
Seeing this, Aozora didn't press further and murmured softly, "Return."
Like spiritually guided birds, the daggers flew back to Aozora's side, circling him slowly.
At that moment, Aozora appeared like a celestial fallen to earth among mortals.
Witnessing Aozora's near-divine mastery over ninja tools, the surrounding shinobi couldn't help but stare in stunned fear.
Aozora made no move to continue his assault. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the Sarutobi clan shinobi, speaking clearly and deliberately.
"Do you truly intend to defect from the village?"
"This is the second time I've asked. But there will be no third!"
This time, Aozora emitted no killing intent whatsoever—yet each and every one of them felt overwhelming fear.
What Aozora had done moments ago—slaughtering the black-cloaked shinobi like cutting through melons—had filled them with the deepest despair.
Did they really want to betray their village?
Never mind storming the Hokage Tower or assassinating the Hokage—they couldn't even get past this one man.
Hodan Sarutobi was also filled with dread, but he had already struck a deal with Asuma; even if their rebellion failed, he could still flee with his clan members and subordinates to seek refuge under the Daimyo.
Yet if their rebellion hadn't even begun, while the rest of his clan might escape punishment, he, as their leader, would certainly face execution without mercy.
Thus, he raised his iron staff once more, preparing to speak and rally his clansmen.
Puh!
Suddenly, an intense pain exploded in his back—he felt his heart being pierced by a short blade.
He turned his head slightly and saw the one responsible: Shinki Sarutobi, an elite Jonin of the clan.
Clutching the bleeding wound in his chest, Hodan Sarutobi struggled to maintain consciousness as he rasped painfully, "Shinki... surrendering to the Uchiha now… you'll die all the same… why...?"
Staring into Hodan Sarutobi's wide, bloodshot eyes, Shinki Sarutobi's face was filled with resolute determination.
"They're still my wife, my children, and my clansmen!"
"Moreover, we are the Sarutobi of Konoha!"
After hearing Sarutobi Shinki's response, Hodan Sarutobi's face twisted with complex emotions—countless feelings surged within him in an instant.
Before Hodan could reflect on his life, Sarutobi Shinki violently rotated both hands, crushing his heart entirely.
He kicked Hodan's body to the ground and raised his bloodied short sword.
"The clan leader was controlled by Orochimaru disguised as Nobusuke, and made a wrong decision!"
"Asuma committed Defection Village years ago. It was him who brought Orochimaru here. Now is our time to atone!"
"Kill them!"
With that, he charged forward toward Asuma and others with his blade.
For a moment, the Jonin beside him hesitated—then clenched his jaw and followed him.
The actions of these Jonin proved the truthfulness of Sarutobi Shinki's words. Realizing the truth, many Sarutobi ninja wept with regret.
Looking around the burning compound, they resolutely rushed into the battlefield.
As he was being accused of Defection Village by his own clansmen, Asuma's eyes turned crimson red. The greenish glow on his Flying Swallow extended sharply.
In moments, the Sarutobi clan had already launched toward Asuma and the remaining few cloaked figures.
Instantly, blades flashed repeatedly, and staff shadows swirled thickly.
Aozora crossed his arms. His left eye revealed the activated Three Tomoe Sharingan, watching the infighting of the Sarutobi Clan calmly.
The rebellion initiated by the Sarutobi Clan must be punished.
This wasn't out of justice or morality, but because today, the Sarutobi Clan had become a threat to the Uchiha rule.
Therefore, while the Sarutobi Clan committed errors, the Uchiha would never miss such an opportunity to take advantage—to completely eliminate any future risks from Sarutobi.
Of course, if they were willing to sacrifice themselves to weaken the enemy, Aozora wouldn't mind letting their treachery die with them.
Regarding the dead, Aozora believed boundless reverence could be given.
Another reason for watching the internal battle of the Sarutobi unfold was that he sensed a certain danger from Asuma and his companions since the beginning.
Considering Orochimaru's sudden appearance, Aozora speculated this rebellion might not have been an impulsive act by the Sarutobi Clan.
He worried there might be another Kage-level ninja hidden among those black-cloaked ninjas, waiting to ambush him secretly.
Therefore, right from the start, he used Fire Bunshin to test them. He continued using Ninjutsu and throwing Ninja Tools afterward, always keeping a safe distance.
After several rounds of attacks, Aozora noticed that despite their heavy casualties, the enemy remained surprisingly calm.
Observing this, Aozora grew even more cautious and sent Sarutobi ninja forward to wear down the enemy.
His left eye kept observing Asuma and the three other black-cloaked ninja, analyzing their strength and potential information through every subtle movement.
...
Meanwhile, in another direction.
The moment Aozora spoke, Jiraiya reacted immediately.
He understood exactly what Aozora meant.
As long as Orochimaru is slain here and the rebellious Sarutobi Jonin are killed, the Uchiha will choose not to retaliate against the rest of the clan.
And they'd pin the blame on Orochimaru, thereby preserving the lives of the women, children, and Genin of the Sarutobi Clan, and protecting the reputation of the Third and his entire clan.
Honestly, those conditions were already more than generous for him.
So the Uchiha clan wasn't as bloodthirsty and merciless as rumored after all!
The anxiety and despair within Jiraiya's heart vanished, replaced by icy killing intent and a swirl of complex emotions in his eyes.
"Orochimaru, I never expected you to become this cold-hearted and cruel—to actually destroy the village!"
Orochimaru licked his lips and replied, "What if I am? Do you really think you can stop me?"
Jiraiya nodded firmly. "This time, I won't hold back—not even a little!"
"Exactly what I wanted!"
A smirk curled Orochimaru's lips. "Just don't get too disappointed, because I won't spare you just because you're foolish either."
As he spoke, the black-haired man with golden eyes and the white-haired man with dark eyes locked eyes.
Their gazes met midair, the tension igniting like fire between them, before both simultaneously executed hand seals without hesitation.
[Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!]
[Wild Lion's Mane Technique!]
In an instant, countless serpents burst forth from Orochimaru's sleeves, while Jiraiya's hair grew wildly into a lion-like mane.
Both had immediately unleashed their signature ninjutsu, marking the dramatic opening of battle among the Sannin.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>