"Sorry, Lord Hokage."
Uehara Naraku sighed and said in a low voice, "In light of your imminent death, I might as well tell you, because your village's Shimura Danzo gave us of the Hidden Rain Village some conditions we couldn't refuse!"
"Danzo!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned dark immediately, recalling his old friend's ways.
Many years ago, Shimura Danzo had begun coveting the position of Hokage. Now, that shameless man has conspired with the Hidden Sand Village, Orochimaru, and the Hidden Rain Village to assassinate him under the Konoha Collapse Plan, sacrificing how many of Konoha's interests!
But now is not the time to think about these things.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had to stabilize the enemy first. He flickered to dodge between the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, persuading Uehara Naraku: "Don't you know Danzo has already gone missing or even been killed since last night?"
As Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke, he swung the Vajra Ruyi Staff to temporarily force back Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama!
However, taking advantage of the moment, Uehara Naraku used Shunpo and appeared behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, thrusting his Chakra Broadsword through his chest!
The Four Violet Flame Array was broken, and Uehara Naraku had no time to waste!
"Of course I know Shimura Danzo was killed."
Uehara Naraku leaned over Sarutobi Hiruzen's head, whispering, "Shh, don't tell anyone, because I'm the one who killed him last night!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his head incredulously to stare at Uehara Naraku, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
With confusion in his eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked word by word: "Then what is your purpose for doing this now..."
"I just want to kill you."
Standing behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, Uehara Naraku spoke with a light laugh: "For a greater goal, the Hidden Rain Village cannot yet become enemies with Konoha, so I must find a way to kill you without holding myself accountable to Konoha."
"You..."
"Alright then, Shimura Danzo isn't moving fast, so rest easy and go find him!"
Uehara Naraku suddenly withdrew his purple broadsword, looking at the large swath of blood on Sarutobi Hiruzen's chest, whispering: "Oh right, stop with the Will of Fire nonsense, I even prepared a big gift for your funeral!"
"..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, eyes protruding, glared fiercely at Uehara Naraku.
Yet in such a severe state, Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer retaliate, couldn't even speak, only staring venomously at Uehara as he passed.
Moments later, his palm gradually loosened, life slipping away.
This Third Hokage, who had held Konoha's reigns for over forty years, leading it to its peak, and witnessing its decline, perished here in battle.
On the ground, King Enma, in the form of a Vajra Stick, shivered, an eye spitefully glaring at the murderer Uehara Naraku, ready to disperse into a puff of smoke...
Others might not know what Uehara Naraku said, but it heard clearly!
Yet, a white light-infused fist suddenly smashed down on the Vajra Ruyi Staff!
The supposedly indestructible Vajra Ruyi Staff shattered instantly into pieces, dead beyond redemption.
Uehara Naraku glanced at the shattered Vajra Ruyi Staff, snorting coldly: "Sometimes I won't even spare a dog, let alone a monkey..."
Advanced Task 5: Kill Five Kage (3/5), Task Incomplete, Reward Unknown.
Side Task: Defeat Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen (1/1), Task Complete, Reward Unlock Synthesis Furnace Function.
This is getting kind of tricky!
The skill synthesis feature is practically a lottery!
Uehara Naraku cast a quick glance at the system panel, the Synthesis Furnace merges three skills or summoning contracts to randomly produce a skill?
Side Task: Defeat King Enma Summoning Beast (1/1), Task Completed, Reward Summoning Contract with Great Sage Sun Wukong (Samadhi True Flame).
Summoning Contract: Summons the Great Sage Sun Wukong (Samadhi True Flame), consuming 3000 Chakra points.
Uehara Naraku frowned slightly, puzzled. Is this a summoning contract with a skin? Is it strong? Perhaps in the future, when capturing the Ninja World's Four-tailed Son Goku, he could give it a try?
"Uehara Naraku, what exactly is your aim?"
Orochimaru commanded Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama to stand in two positions, wary of Uehara Naraku summoning that shark to devour their souls, retaining at least one combat power if something went wrong.
"Can you really not understand human speech? I am not targeting you."
Uehara Naraku shook his head. How could he possibly target Orochimaru now?
He had already planted Yakushi Kabuto as a spy next to Orochimaru, waiting for him to fight with Black Zetsu over White Zetsu's acquisition. How could he weaken Orochimaru's power?
One reason Uehara killed the Third Hokage was the worry that Hiruzen's dying counterattack might harm Orochimaru.
Having tricked Orochimaru for so long, he now has to play the good guy!
Uehara Naraku turned toward Orochimaru, saying: "Leave here! Or do you wish to take the Third Hokage's body to reanimate using the Reanimation technique?"
"Hehehe... how could I?"
Orochimaru chuckled sinisterly, licking his lips and said softly: "He was my teacher, how could I disrespect him? I'm merely after killing him so Danzo can succeed..."
The original Konoha Collapse Plan aimed to eliminate the Third Hokage when no suitable candidates in Konoha were available, enabling Shimura Danzo to seamlessly succeed.
This way, Shimura Danzo could covertly support Orochimaru's research with all of Konoha's resources.
Now, the goal has been achieved, and Orochimaru indeed has no reason to stay here. He planned to abandon his ally, the Hidden Sand Village, and leave Konoha.
Uehara Naraku cast a peculiar glance at Orochimaru, softly saying: "Didn't you hear my conversation with the Third Hokage just now?"
"What?"
"Nothing!"
Uehara Naraku shot an unusual look at Orochimaru. With his strong mental fitness, he shouldn't collapse upon learning of Danzo's disappearance in the future.
In the distance, the Konoha Ninjas were closing in from all sides, clearly unwilling to let these two murderers of the Hokage get away.
A glint of coldness crossed Orochimaru's gaze, commanding the Sound Four and Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama to take to the air and escape from the scene.
As if suddenly thinking of something, Uehara Naraku shouted: "Wait, Orochimaru, you still owe me something!"
Uehara Naraku almost forgot that Orochimaru had yet to give him the Scrolls of Immortal Reanimation and Reanimation!
"Naraku-kun..."
Orochimaru chuckled, shaking his head in response: "Next time, I can show you how to swallow a thousand senbon... but for now, you're on your own!"
"..."
Uehara Naraku sighed. Orochimaru didn't even realize that the blame for killing the Third Hokage would ultimately fall upon him and Shimura Danzo.
As for Uehara Naraku himself, he's just an innocent, deceived Rain Village Ninja.
Even if Konoha Village wants to accuse, they have to assess whether they have the capability!
So even if Uehara wanted to play the role of a drama king, he'd have to engage in a fight first.
If by some chance, Uehara Naraku wins against everyone, he might even reverse the blame on Konoha's higher-ups for their Root Leader deceiving the Hidden Rain Village!
The one with the bigger fist is the one in the right!