Chapter 205: Konoha's Agony
Under the horrified gaze of every Konoha shinobi, the two seething Rasenshuriken left Ren's hands.
The moment they were released, the crimson spheres began to swell, the violent Fire-nature chakra within them agitated and superheated by the raging Wind-nature shell. They were not just projectiles; they were miniature, unstable suns hurled into their midst.
Nani?! He can throw them?! The thought was a collective death knell in their minds. They had witnessed the destructive power of Naruto's version. To be caught in the area of effect was to be annihilated at a cellular level. And these were larger, more volatile, and infused with incinerating fire.
"Katsuyu! Envelop everyone, now!!" Tsunade's voice was a raw scream of command the instant the shuriken left Ren's fingers.
FWOOM! FWOOM!
The dam broke. The pent-up Fire chakra erupted, and the spheres expanded into whirling vortexes of flame and cutting wind. A firestorm, fanned by hurricane-force gales, erupted in the heart of the Konoha forces, its radius expanding with terrifying speed.
From a bird's-eye view, the entirety of Konoha—its streets, its shattered homes, its few remaining trees—seemed to be burning. The very sky was tinged with orange and black.
Amidst the gunpowder smoke and swirling embers, the only light in Uchiha Ren's dark eyes was the reflection of the inferno he had created.
"Quickly! All Water Style users, contain the flames! My slugs are fading!" Tsunade coughed, pushing herself up from the debris, her voice strained as she issued orders through her psychic summon.
One by one, shinobi were disgorged from the protective bodies of the smaller Katsuyu slugs. Disoriented but understanding the crisis, they formed hand seals, using the last dregs of their chakra to cast water jets and waves upon the raging fires.
"Uchiha Ren!" Tsunade's voice was now a weak, aged rasp. She had changed. Her vibrant blonde hair was stark white, her smooth skin was now lined and withered, her body stooped. The chakra that had maintained her youthful appearance was utterly spent, distributed to every slug to save her people. "You were born here! Don't you feel anything for Konoha? No nostalgia for the village that raised you? How can you do this?!"
"Feelings? Nostalgia?" Ren's reply was colder than the night air. "They died the day my clan was slaughtered. Every memory turned to ash the moment my parents fell. When Konoha's leaders made their decision, they should have expected this day would come. Save your breath. Bring out your final tricks, if you have any."
Tsunade tried to form a retort, but her body gave out. The immense chakra drain finally overwhelmed her, and she collapsed into unconsciousness. The Katsuyu slugs, having fulfilled their duty, dissolved into puddles of viscous liquid, leaving the Konoha shinobi exposed once more, though the great slug itself seemed diminished, exhausted.
"Kakashi-sensei, are you okay?!" Naruto, spat out by a slug, scrambled over to where Kakashi knelt, gasping for air.
"I'm... fine," Kakashi panted, his body trembling with exhaustion. "Thanks to Lady Tsunade's slugs..."
"Damn it... Why...?" Naruto's voice broke, his heart a turmoil of confusion and pain. "Why did Ren become like this? Why is he attacking the village? Why...?"
"Naruto..." Kakashi began, but his attempt at comfort was cut short.
"Lady Tsunade!"
The cry came from a group of ANBU who had spotted their fallen Hokage. They rushed to her side.
"Granny Tsunade...!" Naruto whispered, his eyes wide at her aged form.
The ANBU understood instantly. "She gave all her chakra... to protect us..." one of them murmured, his voice thick with a mixture of horror and profound respect.
"The Fifth Hokage must be taken to the medical unit immediately! The rest of you, hold the line! Stop the Nine-Tails at all costs!" the ANBU captain barked, his decision swift. Their primary mission was to protect the Hokage, yet she had sacrificed herself for them. The weight of that sacrifice fueled their resolve.
"Understood!" The designated ANBU scooped up Tsunade's frail form and vanished toward the rear, while the remaining ones turned to face the colossal foe, their masks hiding faces set with grim determination.
The heart of Konoha's defense had been broken. Their leader had fallen. And the calamity, wearing the face of a former comrade, was just beginning.
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