[Naruto : Yellow Flash] Chapter 526 - 530

Chapter 526: Rock Ninja War

The Land of Grass, Konoha Camp.

The Konoha camp this time was strategically positioned at the edge of a vast basin. This basin wasn’t a natural formation but the result of intense Earth Release ninjutsu from a previous clash between Konoha and Iwagakure. Its steep walls provided a tactical advantage, giving Konoha forces a clear line of sight over any advancing enemy.

Under this terrain, any frontal attack from the Iwagakure forces would be clearly visible, allowing the defenders to prepare and respond swiftly.

Inside the main tent, the air was heavy with anticipation. An Anbu ninja burst into the room, his voice urgent but composed.

“Hokage-sama, the Iwagakure army has arrived.”

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood in the center of the tent. Clad in black combat attire, his calm demeanor exuded a quiet authority. His old but sharp eyes swept across the room, their gaze filled with the wisdom and majesty of decades of leadership.

“Follow me into battle,” he commanded, his voice steady and resolute. Though it wasn’t loud, it carried the weight of unshakable confidence.

“Yes!”

The response was immediate and unified. Among those gathered were Jiraiya, Uchiha Yoruki, and other elite shinobi of Konoha. They knew the gravity of the situation and the importance of their roles in the upcoming battle.

Outside the tent, Konoha’s forces moved swiftly. Shinobi gathered at the edge of the basin, their eyes fixed on the approaching Iwagakure army. From their elevated position, the enemy’s movements were clearly visible.

The Rock ninja marched in disciplined formation, their numbers vast and imposing. As they reached the basin’s edge, the army halted, a calculated move to assess the terrain and their opponents.

Uchiha Yoruki’s sharp gaze locked onto the enemy forces, his attention drawn to a diminutive figure floating above the troops. The short man exuded an aura of power that rivaled even the Third Hokage’s. Yoruki’s expression grew serious as he recognized the individual—it was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, a ninja of immense reputation and strength.

Ōnoki hovered in the air, his hands clasped behind his back, his demeanor calm yet commanding. His sharp eyes scanned the Konoha forces before settling on Sarutobi Hiruzen. A faint smile tugged at his lips.

“Sarutobi Hiruzen, it’s been a long time,” Ōnoki said, his voice carrying a tone of casual familiarity, as though greeting an old acquaintance.

“Yes, several decades,” Hiruzen replied, his expression calm but tinged with the weight of their shared history.

The two Kage regarded each other in silence for a moment, their eyes reflecting the countless battles and decisions that had shaped their lives.

Ōnoki’s gaze shifted briefly to the shinobi behind Hiruzen, his eyes gleaming with recognition. “Konoha is as full of talent as ever,” he remarked, his tone contemplative. “You’ve done well to uphold the legacy of your predecessors.”

Despite the enmity between their villages, there was a mutual respect for the era they had both witnessed. Konoha under the First Hokage’s leadership had been a force that none dared challenge.

“I haven’t done enough,” Hiruzen replied, his voice laced with regret. His gaze swept over the Rock ninja below. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t dare attack so boldly.”

Ōnoki’s expression darkened, but he didn’t deny the claim. Instead, he responded with bitterness. “Your disciple has caused Iwagakure great losses. Minato Namikaze slaughtered over 800 of our shinobi, including members of the Kamizuru clan. That battle was a scar we cannot forget.”

Hiruzen’s lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smile. “If you’ve suffered so greatly then why did you came again, perhaps Minato hasn’t killed enough.”

The words were a calculated provocation, and they struck their mark. Ōnoki’s face hardened, his aura shifting as a chill emanated from his small frame.

Without another word, the Third Tsuchikage clasped his hands together, his chakra flaring as he prepared a jutsu.

“Shhh!”

Lightning arced through the air as Hiruzen countered immediately. Bright streaks of electricity shot skyward, forcing Ōnoki to retreat. His eyes narrowed as he assessed his opponent’s response.

“As expected of the Ninjutsu Professor,” Ōnoki muttered under his breath.

While his ability to fly gave him an advantage against most opponents, Hiruzen was no ordinary ninja. The Third Hokage’s mastery of all five chakra natures and his encyclopedic knowledge of ninjutsu made him a formidable adversary.

“Go! I’ll handle the Tsuchikage!” Hiruzen shouted, his voice cutting through the tension.

At his command, the Konoha forces sprang into action. Groups of shinobi formed distinct teams, each preparing their own techniques.

Ōnoki, still hovering above, moved quickly. “Earth Release: Rock Fist!” he called out, forming hand seals with practiced precision. From his mouth, dark rocks emerged, shaping themselves into enormous fists that rained down on the Konoha forces.

“Lightning Style: Lightning Pillar!”

Hiruzen’s hands moved just as swiftly, his own jutsu countering Ōnoki’s. A massive column of lightning surged upward, colliding with the rock fists. The impact shattered the earth-based attack into fragments, scattering debris across the battlefield.

As the lightning dissipated, Hiruzen’s sharp eyes met Ōnoki’s. His opponent’s aerial advantage was undeniable, but Hiruzen’s skill and adaptability kept the playing field even.

Behind Hiruzen, Uchiha Yoruki observed the exchange with keen interest. His Sharingan glowed faintly as he analyzed the techniques.

“The Third Hokage isn’t just countering. He’s using chakra-efficient methods to exploit elemental weaknesses,” Yoruki thought. “Only someone with his level of knowledge could fight like this.”

The battlefield erupted into chaos as Konoha and Iwagakure forces clashed. Ninjutsu flew in every direction—fire, earth, and water techniques intertwining in a deadly symphony.

“Boom!”

Explosions rocked the basin as Konoha shinobi unleashed their attacks. The Iwagakure forces responded with earth walls, creating barriers to absorb the impact.

Amid the chaos, two figures emerged from the Rock ninja ranks, their speed blinding. One formed seals rapidly, while the other radiated a menacing heat, their body surrounded by a fiery glow.

“Earth Release: Rock Collapse!”

Kitsuchi, the son of Ōnoki, pressed his hands to the ground. The earth trembled violently, deep cracks forming as the terrain shifted under his control.

At the same time, another ninja unleashed a devastating attack. Lava-like fire erupted from their body, forming fiery tails that lashed out toward Konoha’s forces.

Four blazing tails, like serpents of molten rock, surged upward, their heat distorting the air as they arced toward the defenders.

Chapter 527: The Third Hokage vs. The Third Tsuchikage

"Roar!"

Four blazing tails of molten fire surged forward, their intense heat distorting the air around them. The fiery appendages moved like serpents, striking toward the Konoha forces with devastating speed and power. The ground trembled as their approach generated rippling shockwaves.

Just as the fire tails closed in, a sharp, ringing sound pierced the air—ding, ding!—followed by the brilliant flash of a blade’s arc. A streak of red light cut through the tails, severing them into harmless fragments. The blazing remains scattered across the battlefield, their intense heat still palpable but stripped of their destructive force.

“Boom!”

Simultaneously, the ground beneath the basin groaned and cracked. Kitsuchi’s Earth Release jutsu was reshaping the terrain, causing massive fissures to spread and destabilize the battlefield.

Swish!

Two figures darted forward amidst the chaos, moving with incredible speed. One of them, Rōshi, the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails, began to gather magma behind him, the fiery substance coalescing into another fire tail. But just as he prepared to attack again, a streak of black light shot toward him.

Rōshi’s movements froze momentarily. His sharp instincts flared, and his eyes caught the faint glint of scarlet—those eyes.

"Rekka no Ken!"

The shout came from Uchiha Yoruki. A blazing red beam, shaped like a flaming sword, descended from above, aimed directly at Rōshi.

Rōshi’s eyes narrowed, his expression grim as he leaped backward, narrowly evading the attack. His movements were precise, but the sight of Yoruki’s Mangekyō Sharingan left a deep impression.

“The Mangekyō Sharingan…” Rōshi muttered under his breath, the flames behind him flickering as his concentration wavered.

Memories surged within him. The Mangekyō Sharingan was infamous, its powers capable of suppressing even the mighty tailed beasts. In Rōshi’s era, tales of Uchiha Madara taming the Nine-Tails and battling the First Hokage at the Valley of the End were legendary.

So, it’s true, Rōshi thought. The realization added weight to the battle. To avoid falling under Yoruki’s control, he consciously averted his gaze from the Uchiha’s eyes. Yet, as a Jinchūriki, his heightened sensory abilities allowed him to track Yoruki’s movements without direct eye contact.

Elsewhere, Kitsuchi, having completed his terrain-altering jutsu, swiftly retreated from the unstable ground. His massive technique had disrupted Konoha’s strategic high ground, but the shifting terrain was a double-edged sword.

“Ninja Technique: Wild Lion’s Mane Technique!”

Amidst the collapsing rocks, Jiraiya emerged. His long white hair extended, twisting into a ferocious lion’s head. The hair, hardened like steel, lunged at Kitsuchi, its movements both fluid and deadly.

Kitsuchi remained calm, forming a series of hand seals. “Earth Release: Rock Fist!”

The ground beneath him shattered as two massive rock hands erupted, intercepting the lion-like tendrils. The rock fists crushed the strands of hair, holding them firmly in place.

Jiraiya smirked. “Ninja Technique: Thousand Needles!”

In an instant, sharp barbs sprouted along the trapped hair strands, bristling with deadly intent. The barbs shot out like a hailstorm, their speed making them almost impossible to dodge.

“Swish, swish, swish!”

Kitsuchi barely managed to evade the onslaught, retreating rapidly as the needles tore through the air.

“Earth Release: Multiple Earth Flow Wall!”

He formed another set of seals, and a series of earth walls rose to shield him. The needles struck the first wall, shattering it instantly, but their momentum waned after piercing three layers.

“Bang!”

Jiraiya’s attack disrupted Kitsuchi’s control over the rock fists. With a swift motion, Jiraiya’s hair swept through the crumbling earth, regathering into its original form. Wasting no time, he charged toward Kitsuchi.

“Kill!”

The shout echoed across the battlefield as Konoha’s forces surged forward, meeting the Iwagakure troops head-on. The basin had become a chaotic warzone, with ninja from both sides clashing in a deadly dance of steel and jutsu.

Despite the loss of their elevated advantage, Konoha’s forces were undeterred. Kitsuchi’s terrain-altering jutsu had disrupted their positioning but hadn’t inflicted significant casualties. The Konoha forces advanced with unwavering resolve, their determination shining brightly amidst the chaos.

In the midst of the battle, Uchiha Yoruki and Rōshi continued their fierce duel. Jiraiya and Kitsuchi’s fight raged on, the two shinobi exchanging powerful techniques that reshaped the battlefield around them.

Amidst it all, the attention of many shinobi drifted upward. Flashes of lightning lit the sky as the Third Hokage and the Third Tsuchikage engaged in a high-stakes confrontation.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood on the fractured remains of the basin, his hands moving in swift, deliberate seals. Lightning Style ninjutsu crackled around him, bolts of electricity arcing toward Ōnoki, who hovered in mid-air.

Ōnoki’s ability to fly gave him a significant advantage. He darted through the sky with practiced ease, evading Hiruzen’s attacks while staying out of reach.

Yet, Hiruzen’s strategy was clear. He wasn’t aiming to defeat Ōnoki outright but to keep him occupied, preventing him from interfering in the battles below.

Ōnoki’s voice carried over the battlefield. “Sarutobi Hiruzen, do you intend to fight me like this forever?”

Hiruzen didn’t falter. His hands continued to weave seals, his focus unbroken. “And what do you propose?” he replied, his tone calm but tinged with subtle challenge.

Ōnoki smirked, his hands clasping behind his back as he observed the battlefield. “I simply wish to see if the so-called Ninjutsu Professor lives up to his reputation.”

The title was one of great respect, acknowledging Hiruzen’s unparalleled mastery of ninjutsu. Yet, decades ago, when the two had last clashed, Hiruzen hadn’t yet earned that moniker.

Ōnoki’s sharp eyes studied Hiruzen carefully. Despite their rivalry, he recognized the Third Hokage’s unique skills. Unlike the Senju Hokages, who relied on their clan’s powerful abilities, Hiruzen’s strength came from his ability to master and adapt every type of jutsu.

With a faint chuckle, Ōnoki added, “You don’t need to worry. I have no intention of launching a sneak attack on the younger generation. You have my word as the Third Tsuchikage.”

Hiruzen’s eyes narrowed, assessing the sincerity behind the statement. After a moment, he relaxed slightly, stepping down from the broken wall to face Ōnoki directly.

Ōnoki moved swiftly, closing the distance. His hands glowed faintly as he prepared his signature technique.

“Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!”

The pale white light in his hands grew brighter, forming a crystalline structure that radiated immense power. With a flick of his wrist, Ōnoki unleashed the attack, the white energy expanding rapidly as it surged toward Hiruzen.

The air itself seemed to split as the technique advanced. Hiruzen’s expression turned grim as he prepared to counter the devastating attack.

Chapter 528: The Monkey King and the Ape Demon

“Kekkei Tōta”

The Third Hokage’s sharp eyes focused intently on the attack forming in Ōnoki’s hands. The crystalline cone of Dust Release, shimmering like an ethereal spear, radiated an overwhelming aura of destruction. The light it emitted cut through the smoky battlefield, drawing the attention of every shinobi within sight.

“Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!”

Ōnoki’s voice carried authority and confidence as the cone of light surged forward, slicing through the air with devastating speed. Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted instantly, his years of experience guiding his body before his mind could fully process the threat. With a burst of chakra, he leaped backward, his movements precise and calculated.

The attack struck the ground he had vacated mere moments before. A brilliant flash of white light illuminated the battlefield, temporarily silencing the cacophony of war. When the light subsided, the ground where the attack had landed was unrecognizable.

The earth bore a clean, unnatural scar, as if a piece of reality itself had been erased. All matter within the radius of the attack had vanished without a trace—an unsettling display of Dust Release's unparalleled power.

Hiruzen landed gracefully, his robes fluttering as his feet touched the ground. His sharp gaze lingered on the clean cut in the earth, his expression betraying a flicker of unease. Even a single misstep would mean total annihilation, he thought grimly.

Above, Ōnoki hovered confidently, retracting his palms as the crystalline energy dissipated. His expression, however, betrayed a hint of frustration. “Not close enough,” the Tsuchikage muttered under his breath, his voice laced with annoyance.

Hiruzen’s mind raced. He had seen the destructive power of Dust Release before, but experiencing it firsthand was a stark reminder of its devastating potential. Dust Release wasn’t merely a Kekkei Genkai—it was a bloodline elimination, a step beyond the already formidable fusion of two chakra natures. This technique combined three chakra natures into a singular, devastating force capable of molecular disintegration.

The Third Hokage’s body tensed. He knew that no amount of ordinary ninjutsu could defend against it. To be struck by Dust Release meant instant erasure—no matter how durable the target.

Despite the odds, Hiruzen’s resolve remained unshaken. His hands moved in a blur, forming a series of seals with practiced speed.

“Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet!”

A massive sphere of roaring flames erupted from Hiruzen’s mouth, lighting up the battlefield as it surged toward Ōnoki. Before the attack could fully manifest, Hiruzen transitioned seamlessly into another set of seals.

“Wind Style: Suppress!”

A powerful gust of wind followed, merging with the flames and amplifying their ferocity. The combined attack consumed the air, growing into a blazing inferno that swept upward, creating a barrier of elemental destruction.

Ōnoki’s eyes narrowed as the fiery onslaught approached. The intense heat distorted the air, making it difficult to gauge the attack’s trajectory. He’s trying to obscure my vision and restrict my movement, Ōnoki deduced, recognizing the Third Hokage’s strategy.

While Ōnoki maneuvered to evade the flames, Hiruzen bit his finger, drawing a bead of blood. He smeared it across his palm before slamming it onto the ground, forming yet another series of intricate seals.

“Summoning Technique!”

With a thunderous bang, a plume of smoke erupted from the battlefield. Emerging from the cloud was a towering figure—a white-furred monkey with a battle-hardened demeanor. The creature’s golden eyes scanned the battlefield with sharp intelligence, its muscular frame exuding both power and agility.

The Monkey King, Enma, had arrived.

The legendary summoning beast stood tall beside Hiruzen, his gaze locking onto Ōnoki. “The Third Tsuchikage…” Enma muttered, his deep, gravelly voice carrying a hint of wariness.

Hiruzen nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “This is no ordinary opponent.”

Enma’s expression turned serious. “If he were, you wouldn’t have summoned me,” he replied, his tone respectful but firm.

The two shared a brief glance, their bond forged through countless battles. Though it had been years since they had fought side by side, their trust in each other remained unshaken.

“Let’s show them why they call you the Monkey King,” Hiruzen said with a smirk.

Enma chuckled, flexing his powerful hands. “It’s been a while since we’ve had a fight like this. Let’s make it memorable.”

Ōnoki observed the exchange with a mixture of caution and irritation. Despite his aerial advantage, he knew better than to underestimate the synergy between Hiruzen and Enma. Their teamwork had become the stuff of legends, and he had no intention of letting his guard down.

With a burst of speed, Ōnoki descended slightly, forming a series of seals.

“Earth Style: Earth and Rock Dragon Technique!”

The ground beneath him rumbled as a massive dragon of solid rock emerged. Its serpentine body twisted and coiled as it lunged toward Hiruzen, its jagged maw snapping with deadly intent.

Hiruzen remained calm, his hands weaving through seals as lightning crackled around him.

“Lightning Style: Lightning Spear!”

A bolt of concentrated lightning shot forth, striking the rock dragon head-on. While the attack slowed the dragon’s advance, it wasn’t enough to completely halt it.

“Enma!” Hiruzen called, his voice commanding yet trusting.

The Monkey King was already in motion, forming seals of his own.

“Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!”

A massive fire dragon erupted from Enma’s mouth, its blazing form engulfing the rock dragon. The heat was so intense that it caused the rocky surface to crack and crumble, reducing the once-mighty construct to rubble.

Ōnoki clicked his tongue in frustration. “Impressive as always,” he muttered, adjusting his position in the air.

Recognizing the need to change tactics, Ōnoki muttered, “Earth Release: Heavy Rock Technique.”

With a shift in chakra, his body grew heavier, and he plummeted toward the ground like a meteor. The impact created a massive crater, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Hiruzen and Enma steadied themselves against the tremors, their sharp eyes tracking Ōnoki’s movements.

“Be careful,” Hiruzen warned. “He’s preparing something.”

Ōnoki’s hands moved in a blur as he formed yet another set of seals.

“Earth Release: Light and Heavy Rock Technique!”

The ground beneath Hiruzen and Enma shifted unnaturally. Stones and debris grew inexplicably heavy, their weight increasing to oppressive levels. Even the air seemed to grow dense, making movement difficult.

Ōnoki smirked, confidence returning to his features. “Let’s see you fight under these conditions.”

But before he could savor his apparent advantage, a sudden, overwhelming pressure bore down on him.

Ōnoki staggered, his eyes widening in shock. “This… this can’t be!”

Hiruzen’s voice rang out, calm yet commanding. “You’re not the only one who can manipulate weight.”

Enma grinned, his powerful frame radiating an intimidating aura. “Rock-Enhancing Technique… looks like you underestimated the Monkey King.”

Chapter 529: Tacit Understanding

Ōnoki suddenly felt an immense weight pressing down on him. The pressure bore down on his body like an invisible hand, forcing him closer to the ground with every passing moment. His knees buckled slightly, and his sharp eyes flickered with both surprise and realization.

The Third Hokage… could he truly master this technique?

The thought crossed Ōnoki’s mind as he struggled to steady himself under the strain. The mere idea that Sarutobi Hiruzen could use the Weighted Rock Technique, a secret jutsu of Iwagakure, was both infuriating and awe-inspiring.

"To think he could learn this... and execute it so flawlessly," Ōnoki muttered, gritting his teeth as his trembling hands formed a series of seals.

“Light and Heavy Rock Technique!”

The pressure on his body eased almost instantly as the jutsu took effect, allowing him to straighten up and regain control. Ōnoki exhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.

But before he could ascend back into the air, two figures darted toward him with astonishing speed.

Ōnoki’s eyes narrowed. So, the Third Hokage isn’t just proficient in the Weighted Rock Technique—he’s also mastered its counterpart.

The realization left him momentarily off-balance. He had severely underestimated Sarutobi Hiruzen, believing him to be limited to more traditional ninjutsu.

A sharp whistling sound tore through the air. A black shuriken shot toward Ōnoki, its edge glinting ominously.

“Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!”

The single shuriken split into two, then four, and quickly multiplied into a storm of spinning black blades. The air was filled with their ominous hum as they hurtled toward Ōnoki.

Too close!

The Tsuchikage’s instincts screamed at him to evade, but with his feet still on the ground, he couldn’t move fast enough. His sharp mind worked quickly, forming seals as fast as his hands would allow.

“Earth Style: Rock Statue!”

Ōnoki opened his mouth, spewing forth a torrent of rocks. The jagged stones coalesced into a massive humanoid statue that stood between him and the incoming shuriken barrage.

“Ding ding ding!”

The shurikens struck the stone figure, bouncing off with metallic clangs before clattering harmlessly to the ground.

Ōnoki barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when the sound of rushing air reached his ears.

“Bang!”

One of the shadows darting toward the rock statue transformed mid-flight into a long black staff. With a resounding crash, the staff swept across the stone figure, shattering it like brittle wood.

Impossible!

The massive rock statue crumbled into a heap of rubble. Ōnoki barely had time to react before the black staff barreled toward him.

But instead of retreating, the Tsuchikage reached out with his palms, meeting the staff head-on.

“Earth Style: Light and Heavy Rock Technique!”

As his hands touched the staff, the jutsu activated, redirecting the force of the attack. Even so, the impact sent Ōnoki flying backward, his arm trembling from the effort. He gritted his teeth, stabilizing himself in mid-air.

His serious expression betrayed no fear, but his mind was racing. This man… no, this Professor of Ninjutsu… he’s playing me at my own game.

On the ground, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood firm, the black staff held securely in one hand. His calm, measured gaze remained locked on Ōnoki, studying his every move.

"I almost fell for your trap," Ōnoki admitted, his voice tinged with begrudging respect.

Hiruzen chuckled softly. “As expected of the Third Tsuchikage,” he replied, his tone calm but confident. “But you underestimate the reach of my tactics.”

The black staff suddenly shifted, its surface rippling as if alive. A single golden eye blinked open near the top of the staff, scanning the battlefield.

It was the eye of Enma, the Monkey King.

The staff pulsed with energy as Enma’s deep voice echoed. “Shall we finish this, Hiruzen?”

The Third Hokage nodded. With a sharp motion, he raised the staff high before swinging it down with tremendous force.

“Extend!”

The staff elongated, stretching toward Ōnoki with incredible speed. The sound of rushing wind accompanied its trajectory, and for a moment, it seemed as though nothing could escape its path.

Ōnoki, still recovering, retreated as fast as he could. However, his earlier use of techniques had left him slightly slower than usual, and the staff gained on him rapidly.

The Tsuchikage barely managed to veer to the side, the staff grazing his shoulder as it passed. Enma’s hand emerged from the staff’s end, reaching out to grab Ōnoki.

But just as the Monkey King’s claws were about to close around him, Ōnoki formed a seal with his trembling hands.

“Light and Heavy Rock Technique!”

His speed increased in an instant, allowing him to dodge at the last possible second. The black staff retracted swiftly, shrinking back into Hiruzen’s grasp.

“Enma, return!” Hiruzen commanded.

With a puff of smoke, the Monkey King returned to his humanoid form, landing lightly beside Hiruzen despite the rocky terrain.

Ōnoki’s expression darkened as he floated higher into the air, his body radiating chakra. The humiliation of being forced to retreat was etched into his features.

“I won’t let you outwit me again, Sarutobi!” he growled, his hands moving to form seals.

Hiruzen and Enma exchanged a glance. The silent communication between them spoke volumes—a bond forged through years of combat.

As Ōnoki prepared his next move, Hiruzen’s hands moved in perfect synchrony with Enma’s.

“Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!”

A powerful gust of wind erupted from Hiruzen, sweeping across the battlefield.

“Fire Style: Flame Bullet!”

Enma followed suit, releasing a blazing orb of fire that merged with the wind.

The combination of wind and fire created a raging inferno that consumed the air, its flames twisting and roaring with intensified fury.

Ōnoki’s eyes widened. A coordinated combination attack?!

The blaze engulfed the sky, obscuring Ōnoki’s vision and forcing him to retreat further. The heat was palpable even from a distance, and flames licked at the edges of the battlefield, sending embers raining down like fiery snow.

Ōnoki clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. He had to admit—Hiruzen’s teamwork with Enma was exceptional. The precise timing and balance of their combined techniques exceeded even his expectations.

The Tsuchikage’s hands faltered as he prepared Dust Release. It’s pointless. My chakra would be wasted on a target I can’t even pinpoint.

As the flames finally began to dissipate, the battlefield returned to an eerie silence. Hiruzen stood tall, his piercing gaze locked on Ōnoki. Beside him, Enma cracked his knuckles, ready for the next move.

The two warriors, old yet unyielding, had proven that their bond and understanding of each other’s strengths could rival even the most dangerous adversaries.

Ōnoki, still floating above, glared down at them, his expression a mix of frustration and reluctant respect. The tension in the air was thick as both sides prepared for the next exchange.

Chapter 530: Splitting the Mountain with a Sword

In the midst of the battlefield, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki hovered in the air, his expression as dark as storm clouds. Though he hadn’t sustained serious injuries, his clash with the Third Hokage had left him at a clear disadvantage. It wasn’t the physical damage that weighed on him but the strategic blow to his reputation and confidence.

On the ground below, the attention of both armies was fixed on the two legendary Kage. The Hokage and Tsuchikage were not just leaders—they were symbols. Every move they made reverberated through their respective forces.

The Konoha shinobi erupted in cheers, their morale surging at the sight of their Hokage gaining the upper hand.

“As expected of you, Hokage-sama!”

“Long live the Hokage! Konoha will prevail!”

Their triumphant cries echoed across the battlefield, energizing the troops. The newfound vigor rippled through their ranks as they pushed harder against the Iwagakure forces.

In stark contrast, the Rock ninja faltered. Their shoulders sagged, and uncertainty flickered in their eyes. For a moment, the iron will of Iwagakure seemed to waver.

Morale had shifted, and in war, morale was often as decisive as strength.

"Teacher Sarutobi, you never cease to amaze!" Jiraiya laughed heartily, even as he clashed with Kitsuchi. His fiery spirit and confidence shone through as he shifted his focus back to his opponent.

Jiraiya’s sharp gaze locked onto Kitsuchi, who was visibly irritated. Not wasting the opportunity, Jiraiya launched his next move with unrelenting force.

“Wind Style: Wind Cutter!”

Several razor-sharp wind blades tore through the air, their edges gleaming with deadly precision as they aimed directly at Kitsuchi.

“Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!”

Kitsuchi reacted quickly, summoning an earth dragon from the ground. Its jagged body rose with a guttural roar, spitting chunks of rock and soil from its mouth to intercept the wind blades.

“Boom! Boom!”

The projectiles collided mid-air, scattering debris across the battlefield. Seizing the opening, Jiraiya accelerated, closing the distance between him and Kitsuchi.

“Rasengan!”

The azure chakra sphere formed in Jiraiya’s hand, its energy swirling with intense power. With a single strike, it shattered the remaining Earth Dragon Bullets, dispersing them like dust in the wind.

Kitsuchi’s face twisted in frustration as he was forced to retreat. Jiraiya’s mastery of the Rasengan gave him an edge—its lack of seals allowed him to attack without the delays associated with traditional ninjutsu.

The Konoha forces roared in approval, their confidence bolstered by Jiraiya’s relentless assault.

Meanwhile, away from the main battlefield, Uchiha Yoruki and Rōshi continued their intense duel. Their clash had turned the area into a desolate wasteland, marked by charred craters and smoldering embers.

Rōshi’s lava-based attacks, infused with the Four-Tails' power, clashed fiercely against Uchiha Yoruki’s Mangekyō Sharingan techniques. Despite the Sharingan granting Yoruki enhanced reflexes and insight, the battle was evenly matched.

Rōshi avoided direct eye contact with Yoruki, relying on his heightened senses to anticipate movements instead. The result was a stalemate, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage.

A massive hand made of molten lava lunged toward Yoruki, but he sidestepped with fluid grace. As the fiery appendage missed its mark, he retaliated with a burst of fire ninjutsu.

Despite his counterattacks, Yoruki’s fire techniques lacked the raw intensity of Rōshi’s Lava Release. He knew he needed to conserve his chakra and the strain on his body caused by the Mangekyō Sharingan.

This power… it comes at a cost, Yoruki thought, feeling the strain on his left eye. But I’ll use it when the moment is right.

Rōshi’s voice echoed across the battlefield. “What’s wrong, Uchiha? Are you holding back? Or is it fear?”

Yoruki smirked but said nothing. His silence seemed to irritate Rōshi, who chuckled darkly.

He’s cautious, Rōshi thought. If he uses that sword too often, it’ll destroy him before I do.

Even the Four-Tails within Rōshi grew wary of Yoruki’s Mangekyō Sharingan. Its innate understanding of the Sharingan’s power made it uneasy.

“This Uchiha is dangerous,” the Four-Tails rumbled within Rōshi’s mind. “If you have a chance to eliminate him, do it now.”

Rōshi grinned. For once, we agree.

“Lava Release: Flower Mountain!”

A surge of chakra erupted from Rōshi’s body, radiating heat that warped the air. The ground beneath him cracked and shifted as molten lava began to flow, transforming the terrain into a hellish landscape.

Yoruki’s Sharingan tracked every movement. His sharp eyes widened slightly as the sky above darkened. A massive sea of magma loomed overhead, ready to crash down.

“Swish!”

Yoruki moved with blinding speed, but even his agility couldn’t completely escape the range of Rōshi’s technique. The molten sea descended, forcing him to act.

The flame pattern in Yoruki’s left eye rotated, glowing with an intense crimson light.

“Rekka no Ken!”

The blazing sword of his Mangekyō Sharingan materialized, cutting through the sea of magma with a single, precise slash.

“Not bad,” Rōshi muttered, his tone laced with amusement. With a loud shout, he manipulated the divided magma, solidifying it into two towering volcanoes that surrounded Yoruki.

“Boom!”

The volcanoes trembled violently before erupting, spewing molten rock and fiery ash toward Yoruki. The heat within the area was unbearable, even for a seasoned ninja. Beads of sweat formed on Yoruki’s brow as he surveyed the deadly terrain.

This is the power of a Jinchūriki… the power to reshape the battlefield itself, Yoruki thought, his expression grim.

Despite the oppressive heat, Yoruki refused to falter. Blood trickled from his left eye as he activated the Rekka no Ken once more. The sword, suspended above one of the volcanoes, began to grow, its fiery blade expanding to over ten meters.

As the sword took shape, Uchiha Yoruki felt a sharp pain in his left eye. The larger the size of the flaming Sword becomes, the greater the consumption of its pupil power and chakra. Although he is not able to use the ability of his right eye yet, he has already mastered the ability of his left eye. "Go ahead." Uchiha Yoruki pressed his left eye, and with a low murmur, the long sword suspended on the top of the small volcano immediately slashed down, the red sword light tore through the air and fell fiercely!

"Dang!"

 The sword touched the top of the volcano, paused for a moment, made a clear sound, and then a red light flashed. "Bang!" The entire mountain trembled slightly, and then the entire mountain and the magma rolling down from the mountain were cut in half!