Chapter 126: The Third Generation is crowned, I will define the order of Konoha
Time, as if, paused at this moment. The entire world solidified. The monstrous tidal wave stopped in mid-air. The massive Wood Release stopped growing. Sakumo Hatake and Danzo Shimura's figures also froze mid-charge, maintaining their forward-diving posture. Uchiha Kagami's re-formed Susanoo also stagnated. Even the Shinigami, on the verge of complete manifestation, stopped.
The only one moving was Uchiha Akira. Or rather, centered around him, the causality of the entire world began to reverse. The giant wave, at a speed faster than it came, rolled back and disappeared in front of Senju Tobirama. The massive Wood Release quickly disintegrated. Sakumo Hatake and Danzo Shimura's figures, as if pulled back by an invisible hand, instantly returned to their positions before launching their attack. Uchiha Kagami's Susanoo also completely shattered into the air.
The Shinigami let out a wail, slowly dissipated, and returned to nothingness. However, the vast life force Hiruzen Sarutobi had sacrificed did not return. Kamui: Time Reversal! The enemies' attacks were reversed, but the Chakra or life force they consumed would not be restored.
The next instant, time returned to normal.
"Pfft—" Hiruzen Sarutobi violently spat out a large mouthful of blood, and his entire body uncontrollably knelt to the ground on 1 knee. His body rapidly decayed at a visible speed. His skin became like withered tree bark, and his hair instantly turned snow-white.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was finished.
"This… this is…" Senju Tobirama's voice was filled with incomprehensible shock. "What kind of Ninjutsu was that just now? It's not genjutsu… nor is it space-time Ninjutsu… It's time… Uchiha Akira reversed time!"
"My Ninjutsu… my Reaper Death Seal…" Hiruzen Sarutobi lay limply on the ground, his hands trembling as he touched his incredibly aged face; his spirit had completely collapsed. His greatest trump card, the forbidden Ninjutsu he gambled everything on, just… failed? No, he didn't even get the chance to activate it.
Uchiha Akira looked down at the Third Hokage, who was trapped in despair and panic. It was time to end this.
Uchiha Akira's mind stirred. In his left eye, the pattern of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan quietly underwent a subtle, imperceptible change. It seemed for an instant to overlap with the pattern of another pair of eyes. Uchiha Akira's gaze fell upon Hiruzen Sarutobi. He merely glanced at him. An irresistible ocular power, capable of twisting all will, instantly descended.
Kotoamatsukami.
"Protecting the Uchiha clan is protecting Konoha."
A brand new, absolute will was forcibly written deep into Hiruzen Sarutobi's soul. Hiruzen Sarutobi's face, which had been filled with fear and despair, suddenly became calm. All emotions receded like a tide. In their place was an absolute, fanatical, devout… loyalty.
He struggled, slowly climbing up from the ground. Then, with an incredibly mechanical yet incredibly firm movement, he began to form hand signs.
"Boar - Dog - Rooster - Monkey - Ram."
Senju Tobirama's expression suddenly changed. "Monkey! Stop it! What are you doing?!" That was… the release sign for Edo Tensei!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was deaf to his roar. In his eyes, there was only a hollow loyalty. He completed the last sign.
"Release!" A cold word escaped his lips.
Buzz—
An invisible ripple spread out. Senju Tobirama's body was the first to begin glowing. Countless paper fragments, like flying ash, peeled off his body and scattered. His body began to turn transparent.
"No!!" Senju Tobirama let out an unwilling roar. He stared intently at Uchiha Akira, his stern face filled with fury. "Uchiha brat! Do you think you've won?! This order you've established, relying on absolute force, is nothing but a sandcastle! It will eventually collapse! You are no different from Madara!"
He turned his head and looked at his silent older brother. "Brother! Do you see?! This is the consequence of your repeated leniency back then! Your kindness, your naivety, will only breed more terrifying monsters!"
Senju Tobirama's voice echoed through Howling Valley, filled with unwillingness. Finally, as the last piece of paper drifted away, the Second Hokage, who had established countless rules, completely vanished from this world.
Next was Danzo Shimura. His face was a mad, twisted expression of utter defeat. "Uchiha Akira! You beast! Kill me! What if you kill me?! My Root has already spread throughout Konoha! The Will of Fire cannot be killed! One day, someone will stand up, inherit my will, and uproot your Uchiha clan!!"
Danzo's curses abruptly ceased. His body turned into dust that filled the sky.
Uchiha Kagami's face was filled with pain and struggle. He looked at Uchiha Akira, his lips moving, as if he wanted to say something. But in the end, it only turned into a long, sorrowful sigh. His figure faded with the wind.
Sakumo Hatake's gaze distantly looked towards Konoha. His face held a hint of relief, and also a hint of concern for his son.
Finally, it was Senju Hashirama. The God of Shinobi looked at Uchiha Akira, who floated in mid-air with a cold expression. "Young man. Your power has surpassed mine and Madara's. Perhaps you can walk a path we have never seen."
As his words fell, Senju Hashirama's figure also completely disappeared.
Uchiha Akira slowly descended from the sky. He landed in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi. The former "Professor," the Third Hokage of Konoha, now respectfully bowed his head like the most loyal servant. In Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes, there was no longer a trace of his own will.
"The Will of Fire…" Uchiha Akira spoke softly. "What a good excuse. Too bad. It can't protect you."
Uchiha Akira raised his right hand. A short blade made of pure, dark purple Chakra slowly condensed in his palm. Uchiha Akira slowly stepped forward. He walked behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. He raised the Chakra short blade high in his hand. The blade reflected a chilling gleam under the moonlight, revealing Uchiha Akira's Rinnegan.
"Remnants of the old era. The new world has no ship to carry you."
As his words fell, his hand rose. The blade fell.
"Splurt."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's head flew into the sky. His headless body tilted forward and heavily crashed to the ground.
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