Surrounded by the encirclement, Shigeo just stood there. The Jiton (Magnet Release) around him moved as though it were alive, providing all-around protection.
Taijutsu, shuriken, Katon (Fire Release), Suiton (Water Release), Fūton (Wind Release)—all came at him from every direction. Yet the Jiton blocked on the left, countered on the right, deflected front and back, moving with astonishing speed.
Shigeo stood calmly within the magnetic field, his eyes lightly shut. His mirrored sensory perception was spread out, leaving no blind spot unchecked.
Ten minutes passed. Still no flaw. Even when an ANBU used Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu (Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique) to attack from underground, Shigeo sensed it instantly and evaded with ease.
One of the ANBU made a hand signal. The others adjusted formation and resumed their coordinated assault.
"…Troublesome."
Shigeo muttered softly. Then, despite standing visible in the moonlit night, he closed his eyes completely. His mirrored perception expanded to its maximum range. Before him, seven ANBU. Behind him, the Third Hokage, already forming hand seals. Eight enemies in total…
"Fūton: Senpū Manjin (Wind Release: Thousand Blades of the Gale)!"
Countless wind blades swirled forward, cutting toward the seven ANBU. They quickly abandoned offense and shifted to full defense. In that same instant, Shigeo's Jiton condensed into countless magnetic spikes, all launching toward them.
"Watch out!" Jiraiya, who had been observing from the side, shouted. He rushed forward:
"Doton: Daisō Kekkai (Earth Release: Great Earth Barrier)!"
Massive earthen walls erupted, forming a dome that shielded all seven ANBU. Both the storm of wind blades and the piercing magnetic spikes slammed against the earthen barrier harmlessly outside.
Shigeo raised an eyebrow in admiration. He'd used Senpū Manjin many times, yet this was the first occasion someone countered it instantly with such precision. To protect seven people in one motion—Jiraiya's reflexes and mastery of jutsu truly impressed him.
Meanwhile, the Third Hokage blocked the remnants of the storm with his kunai, wielded like a blooming bouquet, intercepting both wind and magnetic attacks alike.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)!" the Hokage roared, slamming his hand to the ground.
From the smoke emerged the Immortal Monkey King Enma, his body hardened like indestructible diamond. Without pause, Enma charged straight for Shigeo.
Shigeo smirked coldly. With a thought, he summoned the Kyūbi before him. Though small in size, the Nine-Tails shared his will. The moment Enma appeared, it had already understood its master's intent.
Kyūbi unleashed a burst of chakra, blasting a torrent of raw energy forward.
The valley roared as the shockwave detonated, hurling violent gales in every direction.
Enma, though indestructible, struggled to withstand the crushing might of a tailed beast's chakra. The Hokage and nearby ANBU fared worse—knocked sprawling, bodies shaking under the gale, forced into desperate dives for cover.
In just a heartbeat, Jiraiya recognized the truth: even if the Hokage fought personally, he could not bring Shigeo down tonight. To continue would mean only one outcome—their side would be left bloodied.
"Enough!"
He stepped forward, blocking between Shigeo and the others, glaring at Sarutobi Hiruzen and the raging Monkey King.
"Hokage-sama, you promised me! You swore this meeting was only to discuss the crisis we face—not to raise arms against him. Yet look at what you've done!"
The Third's eyes flickered, realization dawning. Shigeo had already dismissed the Kyūbi's manifestation, reabsorbing the chakra freely at will. That a boy could release and recall tailed beasts so effortlessly… In his long lifetime, he had never witnessed such a thing. He dismissed Enma as well. To press the fight further would yield nothing but loss.
"Shigeo… You must understand. All of this, it's for your own good."
Hiruzen stepped closer, his expression one of stern disappointment, like a teacher scolding a wayward child.
Shigeo only sneered, the corner of his lips curling, then turned his head away. Not even bothering to look at the old man again.
Hiruzen, rebuffed, realized he had no leverage left. With forced laughter he waved dismissively:
"Haha… I was impulsive tonight. I only wished to test your strength. Now I see—small dangers cannot touch you."
Jiraiya's brows furrowed. Small dangers? Tonight, the Hokage had fought with full force. Had the battle continued, he would likely have resorted to the Shiki Fūjin (Dead Demon Consuming Seal) itself.
The Hokage went on:
"Since you refuse to return to Konoha, I will not force you. But you must think carefully. Even if those challenge scrolls were not written by you, you should step forward and clarify the truth."
He waited for Shigeo's reply. None came. The boy stood silent, offering not even a glance.
Awkwardly, Hiruzen waved his hand, signaling the ANBU to withdraw.
"Do as you will. But remember—Konoha offered you a chance. You were the one who threw it away. The mess that follows… you alone will bear it."
With that, the Hokage turned and vanished into the night.
"I'm sorry." Jiraiya looked to his student, his tone heavy with guilt. "I didn't know there would be an ambush."
Shigeo's eyes turned back to him. "Sensei… you should have known."
Tsunade had already warned him—never return to Konoha. Did they truly think he would not foresee this?
As he prepared to leave, Jiraiya called again:
"Shigeo, you should cooperate with Konoha. Maybe the village can help solve the problems within you."
"Sensei, what you call 'problems'—to me, they are not problems at all. Do not measure me by your narrow understanding."
With that, Shigeo activated Kamui (Divine Authority), vanishing into his personal space.
When he reappeared, he was crouched atop the headquarters of Iwagakure. Cloaked in a black mantle, hidden by the night, he stood like a silent hawk. From his glowing blue eyes, faint white luminescence shimmered.
If the call for his destruction began in Iwa, then it would start here…
Yet doubt stirred. If he truly fought against the Five Great Shinobi Villages, would that not mean he had walked directly into the conspirator's trap? To hunt enemies blindly, without exposing the hand that pulled the strings—wouldn't that be the greatest foolishness of all?
His gaze lingered on Iwagakure.
I'll spare you this time. But if you go too far, I cannot promise I'll keep my restraint.
He vanished again, reappearing at the shores of the empty southern seas. Sitting on a reef, he watched the relentless waves strike the coast, deep in thought.
In his hand was a single scroll. He had taken it moments earlier from the Tsuchikage's office.
It was the formal decree of war—a proposal from Iwagakure to unite the Five Great Shinobi Villages and their Daimyōs in joint crusade against him, against the boy now living in the Land of Sky.
Already ANBU teams from across the nations scouted the southern seas. Yet the islands where Shigeo had hidden the new Sky Country lay veiled behind layers of barriers, conjured mists, and treacherous reefs. For now, at least, their enemies could not find them.
(End of Chapter)
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