Hiruzen Sarutobi struggled to stand, leaning on the Adamantine Staff, his old eyes filled with shock as he looked at Qingshui.
How could Tobirama-sensei's Flying Thunder God Jutsu be leaked?
How many people in all of Konoha were qualified to access this technique?
Was it a spy?
Danzō's face flashed through the Third Hokage's mind.
No, it couldn't be Danzō.
Despite his many selfish motives, Danzō truly prioritized Konoha above all else; he wouldn't leak the Flying Thunder God.
That meant the Second Hokage's legendary Flying Thunder God Jutsu had been cracked!
Just like the Shadow Clone Jutsu developed by Tobirama Senju, another ninjutsu from Konoha had been deciphered by other ninja villages!
The Shadow Clone Jutsu was highly practical, but its difficulty was only B-Class, which wasn't particularly high. Any ninja who could become a Jonin could master it, so it was reasonable that outsiders could understand its principles and break it.
But this was the Flying Thunder God, a forbidden technique!
Tobirama had been dead for so many years, and Konoha had only produced one ninja with the talent to learn the Flying Thunder God: Minato Namikaze.
Others, whether it was Hiruzen Sarutobi or ninjutsu geniuses like Orochimaru, had never mastered this forbidden technique.
Yet here was Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had lived most of his life without learning his teacher's signature ninjutsu, only to see it cracked by a fifteen or sixteen-year-old from the Sand Village.
What incredible talent! More terrifying than even Tobirama-sensei! Could he truly become a figure like Madara or the First Hokage?
What would happen to Konoha?
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi's killing intent toward Qingshui had reached its peak.
But he also knew that since the opponent wielded the Flying Thunder God, it would be nearly impossible to leave them alive today.
Not to mention that he himself was injured, his combat power severely diminished.
This plan had already failed; now he needed to consider how to preserve Konoha's main forces.
Because the reinforcements from the Sand Village were almost there!
These three thousand Konoha ninjas were the elite, and both Orochimaru and Jiraiya were the most important figures among Konoha's middle generation, capable of maintaining their peak for at least twenty more years, ensuring the growth of the next two generations who were qualified to succeed as Hokage.
This strength absolutely could not be lost here. If it was truly lost, Konoha's defense against the Sand Village on the western front would be completely shattered.
Considering the immense pressure Konoha faced on the other two fronts, it could be declared that Konoha would suffer defeat and heavy losses in this Great Ninja War.
This was something Hiruzen Sarutobi could never accept.
Because it would mean that he, the "strongest Hokage in history," would be nailed to the Pillar of Shame in Konoha's history!
"The Sand Village ninja forces have reached ten kilometers away! The estimated number is over five thousand!"
A sensing ninja from Konoha suddenly looked up and said.
Temporarily in charge of commanding the Konoha army, Aburame Shiro turned to a ninja from the Hyuga Clan nearby.
"Hizashi!"
"The advance reinforcements from the Sand Village have arrived! It's Rasa with Magnet Release and Pakura with Scorch Release!"
All the Konoha ninjas couldn't help but turn pale.
A blood-soaked figure, like a broken puppet, was smashed to the ground, and then a dark python tore its way out.
Orochimaru deftly crawled out from the snake's mouth, wiping the slime off his face.
"Hiruzen-sensei, we need to retreat! If we get dragged down by this guy, we might be wiped out!"
The Third Hokage gritted his teeth against his injuries, spitting blood as he struggled to fend off Qingshui's attacks with his staff.
Jiraiya summoned Gamaken and Gamahiro to help, intercepting most of the pressure.
"Orochimaru, this guy is too fierce! We can't get away now! You and the old man take the main forces and retreat first!"
Jiraiya urged.
Right now, he was the strongest and in the best condition; having him cover their retreat would definitely be the most effective.
"No, Jiraiya! You and Orochimaru retreat first!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi tossed aside his old armor and said in a low voice.
He was injured, and his movements were starting to be affected. Dropping the heavy armor would actually enhance his combat ability now.
"Old man, you…"
The Third Hokage swung his staff and sent Jiraiya flying.
They had to leave behind a sufficiently strong top-tier combatant to have any chance of stalling Qingshui for even a moment.
And Qingshui's strength was too formidable. Considering the incoming reinforcements from the Sand Village, the one covering their retreat was bound to face certain death.
Rather than let Jiraiya stay, it made more sense to leave the older, more injured Third Hokage behind.
Orochimaru decisively extended snakes from his sleeves, wrapping around Jiraiya and pulling him backward.
"Anyone willing to stay behind with the Third Hokage, stay! Shimura Genichi, you take some people to block Rasa and Pakura to buy us time. All Konoha ninjas under thirty who aren't heavily injured must retreat! Move out now!"
"Orochimaru..."
"Shut up, idiot! We've already lost! This is the best choice for us now!"
Jiraiya was in better shape than the Third Hokage, but what would happen after he stayed behind to cover their retreat?
Could a heavily injured Third Hokage still play a role in the subsequent pursuit?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was now resigned to his fate; no matter how sad it was, he had to accept it!
At this moment, as he fought desperately, he recalled the time when the Second Hokage had given his disciples the order to retreat before his death, appointing Hiruzen as the next Hokage.
Now it was his turn to cover for his own disciples!
Hiruzen Sarutobi might have been lacking in ability and had many personal motives, but the most important reason he was chosen by the Second Hokage as the next Hokage was his courage to die for Konoha, his spirit to place the village above his own life.
"Pfft!"
Hiruzen spat out blood, completely oblivious, as he frantically clung to Qingshui.
"Orochimaru! From now on, you are the Hokage!"
Orochimaru momentarily faltered in rallying his team.
"Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Minato, make sure to support Orochimaru well!"
Big Ivan landed another punch on the Third Hokage's shoulder.
"Konoha ninjas, retreat! Don't waste the opportunity that the Third Hokage has fought for with his life! We don't have time!"
Orochimaru issued his first order as the next Hokage.
However, many Konoha ninjas were unwilling to retreat.
With the Third Hokage prepared to fight to the end, they were not willing to back down!
"Konoha ninjas, retreat! This is the Hokage's order!"
Retreating was Orochimaru's first command as Hokage, and it was also Hiruzen's last order as the previous Hokage.
Hiruzen turned his head to dodge Qingshui's Kusanagi Sword.
A few strands of hair were severed, along with part of his ear, yet he lunged at Qingshui like a mad dog.
This old man had completely lost his mind!
The Konoha ninjas left behind to cover the retreat had also gone mad!
During this time, the Third Hokage was not yet as senile as he would be in his later years, causing the core forces of Konoha to become disheartened. When the Konoha Crush Plan unfolded, there were still many who came to help.
On the contrary, the Third Hokage still held high prestige in Konoha.
He had led them through the First Great Ninja War and performed commendably in the Second Great Ninja War. Although they suffered some setbacks in the Sand Village, it was not a significant issue.
Moreover, during his tenure, he had nurtured the Sannin. With the foundation laid by the previous two Hokages, Konoha had entered a prosperous period. While Sarutobi and the clans reaped substantial benefits, the Third Hokage still prioritized the village's development, supported the commoners, and, combined with the various benefits brought by rapid growth, many were still willing to fight for the Third Hokage.
Hundreds of Konoha ninjas, driven by their resolve to die, still posed a considerable challenge for Qingshui.
This group wasn't seeking to kill him; they only aimed to distract him, even if just for a second, even if it meant taking a single attack for the Third Hokage.
They rushed at Qingshui, even if it cost them their lives.
After all, they were the dominant force in the Ninja World for the past forty years, the strongest ninja village.
Even in times of crisis, Konoha could unleash tremendous power, not to mention that they hadn't yet been weakened to the state they would be twenty years later under Sarutobi and Danzō's machinations.
Qingshui's eyes flickered as he manipulated his puppets to throw countless kunai toward Orochimaru's direction.
However, at that moment, the Third Hokage threw a shuriken, which then multiplied into countless shuriken, creating a rain of blades that blocked the kunai aimed at Qingshui.
*Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!*
This A-Class ninjutsu was invented by the Third Hokage himself, capable of unleashing impressive power even with tiles used as shuriken, let alone in this moment.
"*Shadow Tentacle Jutsu!*"
"*Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!*"
One by one, Konoha ninjas also unleashed their ninjutsu to obstruct Qingshui.
Even when Qingshui tried to break free, there were always fearless Konoha ninjas charging at him, willing to risk their lives just to delay him for a moment.
These ninjas, whom Qingshui could easily kill, were now causing him significant trouble in his pursuit.
Even under their cover, several puppets, including Big Ivan, sustained damage from Hiruzen's attacks.
"Very well, if that dead snake and the color-changing toad are so intent on escaping, even if I find it hard to kill them, taking your life will be worth it."
Qingshui smashed a Konoha ninja from the Akimichi Clan charging at him with a Human Bullet Tank, glanced at the Third Hokage, and then vanished in an instant.
"Clang!"
The Kusanagi Sword and the Adamantine Staff collided again, producing a sharp metallic sound and an unending wave of shockwaves, creating a symphony of clashing violence.
"You little brat from the Sand Village, who gets to stay and who leaves is still up in the air! Today, I'm going to fight to my last breath to take you down, the great enemy of Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's hair and beard were wild, his thick beard stained with blood.
"Do you really think you have the strength to take me down with you?"
Qingshui forced a dismissive smile, but in reality, he took a few steps back, allowing several puppets to take the lead.
The old man was still quite strong; if he fought without holding back, he would be tough to handle.
The battle of a cornered beast is often the fiercest.
Since Orochimaru and Jiraiya had fled, that was that. The Third Hokage's fate was already sealed here; it was just a matter of time.
Not to mention that reinforcements had already arrived, making victory even more certain for him.
"*Scorch Release: Overheating Continuous Kill!*"
One by one, scorching fireballs rained down, accompanied by the howling wind, falling among the Konoha ninjas who had chosen to stay behind.
The momentum was significant, but the number of casualties wasn't too high.
Those who remained to cover the retreat were not weak, and those who had survived this long had some skills, at the very least.
But this was merely a signal announcing the arrival of Pakura.
"*Magnet Release: Golden Sand Tsunami!*"
Gold dust surged like ocean waves.
Rasa stood atop a cloud of gold dust, arms crossed, as sharp spikes of sand shot out from his sides.
"Everyone! Scatter and run! I'll hold them off for you!"
The Third Hokage knocked a little boy flying with his staff and took a couple of breaths.
No one fled.
"Sorry, Lord Third. Ever since I graduated from the Ninja Academy and became a Genin, I've been following your orders, but this time, I might have to disobey."
A Konoha Jonin, whose arm had been crushed by a fat man, gripped his Ninja Blade with one hand, his eyes reddening.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, but the already slowed swing of his staff became even more forceful.
"Pakura, Rasa, be careful. Keep your distance; don't let this old man drag you down with him before he dies."
Qingshui's tone was cold as he swung his blade, taking down a Konoha ninja in a green vest while giving instructions.
The Big Ivan armor on his body automatically detached and charged toward the Third Hokage under Qingshui's control.
Seeing this, the Third Hokage's eyes flashed with a hint of helplessness, quickly replaced by a determined expression.
Soon, the five thousand ninja army from the Sand Village, led by Sasori and Fukami Senran, arrived nearby, surrounding the area completely.
Unless something absurd happened, like Senju Hashirama suddenly reviving and breaking through the encirclement to wipe out the Sand Village, it could be concluded that the Third Hokage of Konoha, who had been leading for over twenty years, was destined to die here.
The old man was still quite strong; his ninjutsu, taijutsu, chakra capacity, endurance, combat experience, and willpower were all top-tier among Kage-level fighters. Even after fighting this long and sustaining multiple injuries, he still maintained a high level of performance.
However, the Konoha ninjas who stayed to cover the retreat fell one after another on the path of charge.
The Third Hokage did not go to save them; instead, he sought to lead the Konoha ninjas to inflict as much damage on the Sand Village as possible before his death.
Even if he couldn't kill another person, he wanted to destroy one more puppet and deal a bit more damage to the Sand ninjas.
With Orochimaru and the others having safely retreated, this was the last thing they could do for Konoha.
The battle continued, but the noise grew quieter, and the power the Third Hokage could exert gradually diminished with his increasing injuries and waning stamina.
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