[Naruto Grandfather] Chapter 166 - 170

Chapter 166: Weakness is the Original Sin

The guards of the Land of Fire Daimyo’s mansion were hardly even considered ninjas. They were small fry at best.

After the reorganization of the guard team, the number of actual ninjas had dwindled to an all-time low. Historically, the guards had always been reinforced by ninjas from Konoha. However, once the Land of Fire Daimyo chose to support Shin-Konoha, Konoha’s ninjas completely withdrew from the Daimyo’s mansion. This left the Daimyo’s guards weaker than ever before.

Without the backing of Konoha, the Daimyo’s guards were left as a shell of what they once were. It was simply impossible for the Daimyo's ninjas alone to provide adequate defense.

Shin-Konoha, a newly developed village, was still in its infancy. While its top-level leaders were powerful, the middle and lower ranks were severely underdeveloped. This was the reality of any new village—strong leaders but a lack of depth in the ranks.

Konoha’s ninjas had been focused on harvesting materials for the Impure World Reincarnation. The bodies of ordinary people were inadequate for such a large-scale reincarnation, requiring far more powerful souls and bodies.

For large-scale Impure World Reincarnation to be successful, the major ninja villages would still need to work harder on their own. Konoha had harvested all the guards of the Land of Fire Daimyo’s mansion and returned to Konoha, leaving the Land of Fire weakened and vulnerable.

Meanwhile, Two Figures from the Akatsuki Organization

Two Akatsuki members appeared quietly in the shadows, observing the situation. It was Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame.

"It’s hard to believe this is the Konoha I once chose," Uchiha Itachi murmured, unable to comprehend the situation. He had worked so hard to bring peace to the village and protect it from war. But now, under Jiraiya’s leadership, Konoha was becoming more and more unreasonable.

Itachi thought back to the time when he killed his entire clan—he had done it to prevent further conflict, to protect the village. But now, Konoha had descended into violence.

"Now they’re attacking civilians..." Itachi’s voice trailed off as he thought about the situation. "Where’s the Third Hokage? Why hasn’t he intervened? What happened to his wisdom?"

Hoshigaki Kisame licked his lips, almost enjoying the irony of the situation. "Are you sympathizing with the common people? The man who killed his own clan?" Kisame’s voice echoed in Itachi’s mind, a taunt he couldn’t ignore.

Itachi’s eyes flashed with cold fury. "If you keep running your mouth, I’ll shut it for you," he said in a low, menacing tone.

Ignoring Kisame, Itachi caught up with Konoha’s advancing team, keeping a close watch on their movements. The Land of Fire was a key ally, and if Konoha was pushed into a corner, Itachi feared they might take drastic measures. It was best to keep a close eye on the situation.

In Konoha Village

The Konoha team returned, bringing with them a group of prisoners from the Land of Fire Daimyo’s mansion. This was the first time Konoha had captured such a large number of civilians—ordinary people who were now to be treated as prisoners.

In the past, these civilians would have been ignored, never even considered worthy of being captured. But today, things had changed. The precedent had been set.

Jiraiya looked over the prisoners, his expression unreadable. "This number should be enough for the Impure World Reincarnation," he said, though there was a hint of doubt in his voice.

Danzo, ever the pragmatist, immediately disagreed. "It’s far from enough. These are just ordinary people. What kind of energy could their bodies possibly provide? Impure World Reincarnation requires enormous energy and souls. These people can barely even handle the reincarnation of a single Uchiha Madara."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "How do you know that?"

Danzo didn’t hesitate to answer. "Orochimaru told me. There’s no conflict of interest between me and him."

Jiraiya nodded, absorbing this information. What Danzo didn’t say aloud, however, was that they were both tied to the same fate—grasshoppers on the same rope. They were part of the same web of power, even if they didn't always get along.

Danzo turned to Jiraiya, his tone colder. "We need more powerful ninjas, not these ordinary people."

The civilians who had been captured were simply an energy supplement, an addition to the “soul trade” needed for Impure World Reincarnation. The real value lay in the stronger ninjas—those with more potent bodies and souls.

Jiraiya frowned. "We can’t just start taking rouge ninha." He warned, aware of the consequences of such an action.

Danzo merely smiled coldly. "I’m not talking about rouge ninha. I’m talking about the countries and small ninja villages surrounding Konoha."

His words sent a chill through the room. "Are you suggesting we start a war?" Jiraiya’s eyes widened, shocked by the audacity of the plan.

"Fighting small villages doesn’t count as a war," Danzo replied dismissively. "It’s merely an opportunity. If you don’t act, others will. If you want to survive in this ninja world, you need to be strong enough to crush your enemies."

Jiraiya fell silent, realizing that Danzo was right, even if he hated the implications of it.

Danzo continued, his voice rising. "If you’re weak, you don’t deserve to survive. You can’t just sit back and wait for death."

Jiraiya’s heart tightened as he absorbed Danzo’s words. The weight of his new responsibilities was heavy. He wasn’t just protecting Konoha anymore—he was leading it into a new era, one where survival meant dominance.

Danzo patted Jiraiya on the shoulder, his expression still cold. "Think about it, Jiraiya. There’s no way out."

As Danzo walked out of the underground holding room, he left Jiraiya to contemplate the true cost of leadership.

Chapter 167: Uchiha Itachi's Attack

Jiraiya returned to his office, his mind heavy with thoughts about the situation in Konoha. The weight of the decisions he had to make pressed down on him like a boulder. War seemed to be the only viable option now, and the thought of it left a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn’t help but wonder what Sarutobi Hiruzen, the man known as the "Professor" and the "God of Shinobi," would do in his place.

Jiraiya found himself slipping into the role of Sarutobi Hiruzen, trying to see the world through the eyes of the man who had once led Konoha with wisdom and strength. But no matter how hard he tried, Jiraiya realized he could never fully understand the enigmatic figure that was Sarutobi Hiruzen. The man had always been shrouded in mystery, his actions and decisions often inscrutable, even to those closest to him.

Jiraiya felt a growing need to meet Sarutobi Hiruzen. He didn’t trust Danzo, nor did he trust anyone else in the village. Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had remained conspicuously absent from the Five Kage Council meetings, seemed to be the only person Jiraiya could turn to for guidance. With a deep breath, Jiraiya formed hand seals and left a shadow clone in his office. He then set out alone, making his way to the Hokage Rock Building where Sarutobi Hiruzen’s soul was imprisoned.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s soul was trapped within a stone, unable to move freely. The only guard stationed at the Hokage Rock Building was a single Anbu ninja, a seemingly ordinary sentry who appeared more bored than vigilant. No one would have guessed that the soul of the Third Hokage was being held within the stone structure. Jiraiya moved silently, avoiding detection as he approached the building. With a swift and precise strike, he knocked out the drowsy Anbu ninja and slipped inside.

Unbeknownst to Jiraiya, he was being followed. Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi had been observing Konoha’s movements, hoping to uncover the village’s plans. Itachi, in particular, had been searching for any trace of Sarutobi Hiruzen. By chance, they had stumbled upon Jiraiya’s trail. Under the watchful gaze of Itachi’s Sharingan, Jiraiya’s clone technique was easily exposed, revealing his true location. The two Akatsuki members followed him discreetly, their curiosity piqued by his secretive actions.

“What could be in there that even the Hokage has to sneak in like this?” Kisame muttered, his voice low as he glanced at the stone building. Jiraiya’s cautious behavior was unusual, especially for someone of his rank. In the past, Konoha had been the heart of the Land of Fire, a symbol of power and authority. But now, it seemed to be a shadow of its former self. Kisame couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.

“Should we go in and take a look?” Kisame asked, turning to Itachi.

Itachi, however, shook his head. He was familiar with Konoha, but even he had never entered the stone building on Hokage Rock. The Uchiha clan had been forbidden from approaching the area, and Itachi’s knowledge of the structure was limited to what he had heard from others. It was said to be a symbol of the Hokage’s authority, but its true purpose remained a mystery.

“Let’s wait here,” Itachi said calmly. “The building isn’t large, and Jiraiya won’t stay inside for long.” He closed his eyes, and a crow perched on his shoulder took flight, soaring above the stone building. The crow would serve as his eyes and ears, allowing him to monitor Jiraiya’s movements without risking detection.

“We should rest while we can,” Itachi added, his voice steady. He and Kisame had been keeping a close watch on Konoha for days, and the strain was beginning to show. Kisame nodded in agreement and sat cross-legged on a tree branch, closing his eyes to catch a moment of respite.

As Kisame drifted into a light sleep, Itachi’s crow descended silently, landing near the entrance of the stone building. It moved cautiously, slipping inside step by step. Jiraiya was not far ahead, standing before a large, dark stone. Itachi’s crow observed silently, its sharp eyes taking in every detail.

“Sarutobi Hiruzen, come out,” Jiraiya called, his voice echoing softly in the dimly lit chamber. “You haven’t suffocated yourself in there, have you?” He stared at the stone, his expression a mix of frustration and concern. He knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s time within the stone was limited, and the isolation must have been unbearable.

Itachi, watching through the crow’s eyes, was puzzled. How could a stone be Sarutobi Hiruzen? The idea seemed absurd. But his confusion was short-lived. A moment later, a dark mist began to seep out of the stone, coalescing into the familiar form of Sarutobi Hiruzen. The figure was translucent, his appearance ghostly and ethereal. It was clear that this was not the physical body of the Third Hokage but his soul.

Itachi’s mind raced as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Konoha had kept Sarutobi Hiruzen’s transformation into stone a closely guarded secret. Even on the day Jiraiya had assumed the role of Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen had appeared to endorse him, leaving no one the wiser about his true condition. The revelation was shocking, and Itachi struggled to process the implications.

But Itachi was not one to be easily shaken. He quickly regained his composure, and the crow took a few cautious steps forward, trying to get closer to Jiraiya and Sarutobi Hiruzen. Itachi needed to hear what they were saying, to understand the truth behind this strange situation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s gaze shifted, his eyes locking onto the crow.

Chapter 168: Kill Me, Itachi

The magatama spinning in the crow’s eyes made Sarutobi Hiruzen freeze for a moment. The sight was unmistakable—Uchiha Itachi’s summoning beast was here, communicating with him through the crow. Jiraiya, sensing something amiss, turned around abruptly, but there was nothing outside the stone building.

“What’s wrong, Jiraiya? Have you become paranoid after being Hokage for so long?” Sarutobi Hiruzen sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Nothing,” Jiraiya replied curtly, turning back to face Sarutobi Hiruzen. It had only been a few days since they last spoke, but Jiraiya couldn’t help but feel that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s ability to provoke him had grown even stronger.

“What do you want from me? Has Uzumaki Chito invaded Konoha?” Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his tone mocking.

“Uzumaki Chito won’t interfere in the conflicts between villages. but I have something to ask you,” Jiraiya said, his voice steady.

“Ask me? Hahahaha! Don’t you have Danzo by your side? You have the Ino-Shika-Cho clans. Why come to me?” Sarutobi Hiruzen’s laughter echoed in the stone chamber, sharp and biting.

Jiraiya remained silent, his expression unreadable.

“You don’t trust them,” Sarutobi Hiruzen stated, cutting straight to the heart of the matter. Jiraiya’s lack of trust in Danzo and the major clans was evident. Konoha’s decline had eroded the unity that once held the village together. Even the once-loyal clans had become unreliable. If Sarutobi Hiruzen were still in power, he could have suppressed these factions with ease. But now, Jiraiya was left to shoulder the burden alone.

“I knew it, Jiraiya. My dear disciple, what do you hope to achieve by coming here now?” Sarutobi Hiruzen’s sneer deepened as he studied Jiraiya.

If not for his confinement in this isolated place, Sarutobi Hiruzen would have easily deduced Jiraiya’s predicament from the smallest clues. Even without details, it was clear that Jiraiya was in deep trouble.

“I am no longer your apprentice. There is no master-disciple relationship between us anymore,” Jiraiya said coldly, taking a step back. His voice carried a mix of resolve and sorrow.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn’t respond. All three of his disciples had betrayed him in one way or another. Even Jiraiya, who had always held him in high regard, had now severed their bond.

“Sigh,” Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled heavily. “Fine. Tell me, what’s the matter?”

This was the first time the old and new Hokage had engaged in such a serious and confrontational conversation.

“The Five Kage Council has been convened,” Jiraiya said slowly, his words hanging heavily in the air.

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s eyes lit up. “What? Are the five great ninja villages uniting against Shin-Konoha?”

Jiraiya nodded, confirming Sarutobi Hiruzen’s guess.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was acutely aware of the shifting dynamics in the ninja world. The Five Kage Council could only mean one thing: the villages had found a common enemy. And that enemy was Shin-Konoha.

“If the Five Kage Council has already been held, what are you worried about?” Sarutobi Hiruzen pressed, his focus now on the details of the meeting.

Jiraiya was surprised by Sarutobi Hiruzen’s insight but decided there was no point in hiding the truth. He recounted everything that had transpired at the Five Kage Council, including the controversial decision to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique to summon Nawaki, the younger brother of Tsunade.

As Jiraiya spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen’s expression shifted from seriousness to shock, and finally to a blank, unreadable mask. By the time Jiraiya finished, Sarutobi Hiruzen was at a loss for words. He wanted to call Jiraiya a fool, but the situation was too dire for such petty insults.

“You’re courting death,” Sarutobi Hiruzen finally said, his voice low. “Using the Impure World Reincarnation to summon Nawaki? Do you have a death wish?”

But as he spoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn’t help but reflect on Orochimaru’s achievements. “Orochimaru truly succeeded. Ever since he stole the Impure World Reincarnation, I knew this day would come. In a way, his talent surpasses all of you. Only someone like him could master and improve such a forbidden technique.”

“We did what we had to do,” Jiraiya replied defensively. “Danzo was right. Ninja bodies are more suitable for the Impure World Reincarnation. Provoking a war was inevitable.”

“What should I do now?” Jiraiya asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nearly rolled his eyes in frustration. “You’re asking me now? The Five Kage Council is over, and you’re just now seeking advice? Is this some kind of joke?”

For once, Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself agreeing with Danzo. “But—” Jiraiya began, still clinging to his ideals of peace.

Sarutobi Hiruzen cut him off sharply. “Don’t you understand yet? War is for the sake of peace. To end war with war—only the strong have the right to speak of peace. Now, get out. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s frustration was palpable. Jiraiya’s soft-heartedness was a liability, and his harsh treatment of his former teacher only added to the irony. Without another word, Sarutobi Hiruzen dissolved into black mist and retreated into the stone.

Jiraiya sighed deeply and left the stone building, his heart heavy with unresolved questions. As soon as he was gone, Uchiha Itachi’s crow reappeared in the chamber. Sarutobi Hiruzen emerged once more, his gaze fixed on the crow.

“Kill me, Itachi,” Sarutobi Hiruzen said, his voice firm and resolute.

Chapter 169: Declaration of War on Ninja Country

Uchiha Itachi’s summoned beast stood motionless.

The light in its eyes had dimmed, and the magatama had stopped flowing.

It was clear that Uchiha Itachi had severed his connection with the summoned beast.

Outside World

After Jiraiya left, Hoshigaki Kisame abruptly woke from his rest.

"Jiraiya has left. Should we go in and check what's inside?" Kisame hesitated.

He was considering whether to follow Jiraiya or enter the stone building to investigate its contents.

Uchiha Itachi, however, knew that the soul of Sarutobi Hiruzen was stored inside the stone building. Naturally, he had no interest in looking at it again.

It would be troublesome if Hoshigaki Kisame became too curious and attempted to take the stone away.

"There's no need for that right now. The stone building isn’t going anywhere, and its contents won’t escape. Let’s follow Jiraiya and see what he plans to do."

With that, Uchiha Itachi leaped forward, effortlessly closing the distance between himself and Jiraiya. Kisame followed suit.

Hokage’s Office

Jiraiya returned to the Hokage's office and dispelled his shadow clone. Having made up his mind, he said, "Summon Danzo and the heads of the major clans. I need to discuss something important with them."

Jiraiya had come to a decision. The ninja world ran on power, and at this moment, war was inevitable. It was time to inform the others and finalize their course of action.

Before long, Danzo and the clan heads of Konoha gathered inside the Hokage’s office.

"Which ninja country are you planning to declare war on?" Danzo asked directly, getting straight to the point.

There was no need for pretense. Everyone in the room had already accepted the inevitability of war; it was only a matter of deciding the target.

They didn’t have to worry about their conversation being overheard. The Hokage’s office was arguably the most well-guarded place in all of Konoha.

However, they failed to notice a crow perched outside the office window, quietly preening its feathers.

Danzo’s blunt question drew everyone's attention to Jiraiya.

Taking a deep breath, Jiraiya began, "The Land of Fire is surrounded by numerous ninja nations, including the Land of Rivers, the Land of Rain, the Land of Grass, the Land of Flows, the Land of Iron, the Land of Sound, the Land of Hot Springs, the Land of Tea, the Land of Whirlpools, and the Land of Ice across the sea."

He continued, "The Land of Iron has already fallen, its samurai likely absorbed into the forces of Shin-Konoha under the Whirlpools' rule. The Land of Sound is under Orochimaru’s control, and we still need him to complete the Impure World Reincarnation. We cannot afford to engage him yet. As for the Whirlpools and the Land of Rain, they are not viable targets either."

Jiraiya paused, then added, "We need to choose a ninja country that doesn’t have direct conflicts with the four other major villages. At this point, every faction is in dire need of ninja captives."

"My recommendation is to select from the remaining ninja nations."

Jiraiya had already assessed the geopolitical situation surrounding the Land of Fire, but the exact target of their war had yet to be determined.

Most of these smaller ninja countries bordered at least two major villages, and if their objectives aligned with another power’s ambitions, it could lead to uneven resource distribution.

If that happened, it wouldn't be the Five Kage Alliance versus Shin-Konoha anymore—it would turn into internal conflicts within the Five Kage Alliance itself.

At such a critical juncture, even minor friction could spark full-scale disputes.

Instead of fostering a united front against a common enemy, they might end up fighting among themselves.

Danzo unfurled a detailed map of the ninja world across the table.

The nations Jiraiya had just mentioned were marked with a symbol.

Everyone leaned in, studying the map. Meanwhile, the reflection of the map was captured in the crow’s sharp eyes, transmitting it directly into Uchiha Itachi’s mind.

Outside the Hokage’s Office

"What do you think?" Kisame asked.

"Konoha is preparing to wage war against the surrounding ninja nations," Uchiha Itachi replied nonchalantly, instantly deciphering Shin-Konoha’s strategy.

"Tsk, these guys are ruthless," Kisame muttered, rubbing his nose as dust swirled around him.

Uchiha Itachi ignored Kisame’s commentary and refocused his connection with his summoning crow.

Back in the Hokage’s Office

Danzo decisively eliminated the Land of Tea from consideration.

"That nation has no ninja village. It’s of no use to us," he declared flatly.

Ordinary civilians were not valuable assets in war—not when compared to trained shinobi.

Thus, the Land of Tea was spared.

Jiraiya felt it was a missed opportunity. The Land of Tea was an unclaimed, neutral territory. Its only neighbor was the Land of Fire, making it easy to annex without much resistance.

However, the absence of a ninja village was a fatal flaw.

Despite their slight regret, the discussion quickly shifted back to the remaining potential targets.

The Land of Iron, the Whirlpool Kingdom, the Sound Kingdom, and the Rain Kingdom had all been ruled out.

Now, only a few choices remained, and each presented its own set of challenges.

Jiraiya exhaled and asked, "What about the Land of Hot Springs and the Land of Waves?"

Chapter 170: The Sandaime Dies Again

Hearing Jiraiya's words, everyone’s eyes lit up.

However, after considering the two ninja nations surrounding them, they quickly shook their heads.

Although only the Land of Fire bordered these two ninja countries, their geographical positions were far from ordinary.

The only ninja nation bordering the Land of Lightning was the Land of the Moon.

The Land of the Moon alone could not satisfy the demands of the Land of Lightning. As a result, the Land of Hot Springs, further out, became the target of the Lightning Country.

Similarly, the Land of Waves, though small, was a crucial transit point for sea trade routes.

"The only nation bordering the Land of Lightning is the Land of the Moon. There's no way they'll give up the Land of Hot Springs," Nara Shikaku analyzed.

"The Land of Waves, on the other hand, is an essential transit hub. If it were attacked, major supply routes would be cut off."

After listening to Nara Shikaku’s analysis, even the more battle-focused ninja nodded in agreement.

"Then, where should we strike?" Jiraiya asked.

For such strategic matters, he relied on professionals. Nara Shikaku and Danzo were among the best.

"Several ninja countries border both the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind, but beyond those, there are even more potential targets," Danzo said in a deep voice.

"My recommendation is to take control of the Land of Rivers, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Flow."

This was a plan he had carefully devised after much consideration.

"Wouldn’t that provoke both Iwagakure and Sunagakure?" Jiraiya hesitated.

Nara Shikaku studied the map, lost in thought. Everyone else had their own concerns.

Suddenly, Nara Shikaku’s eyes gleamed with realization. He finally saw through the strategy.

"So that’s how it is... Lord Danzo truly is a cunning strategist," Nara Shikaku admitted, a rare note of admiration in his voice.

When it came to deception and scheming, even he had to acknowledge Danzo’s expertise.

"Hokage-sama, I agree with Danzo-sama. These three ninja nations are viable targets," Nara Shikaku stated firmly.

Outside the Hokage’s Office

Hoshigaki Kisame observed Uchiha Itachi’s fluctuating aura, which gradually stabilized.

"What’s wrong? Are you alright?" Kisame asked with concern.

"It doesn’t matter. Let’s leave," Uchiha Itachi replied coldly.

He had heard enough of Konoha’s plans and chose to disengage from his summoning beast's vision.

"What exactly happened?" Kisame was confused. He could sense his partner’s anger.

Uchiha Itachi did not answer. Instead, he led Kisame to the Tower hidden behind a gray shadow.

Meanwhile, the Anbu guard near the stone building, thinking he had momentarily dozed off, pinched himself before resuming his patrol.

Uchiha Itachi emerged boldly.

"Who’s there?!" the Anbu ninja shouted.

Before he could react further, he was ensnared by the hypnotic power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, falling into a deep illusion.

The two infiltrators stepped into the stone building. Inside, it was empty except for a black stone, which looked like an ordinary piece of rubble that had fallen from the walls.

"This is strange. There’s nothing here, yet Jiraiya came here secretly," Kisame muttered, perplexed.

Uchiha Itachi remained silent. He alone knew the truth—that Sarutobi Hiruzen’s soul was sealed within this very stone.

They studied the stone for a long time but found nothing unusual.

Then, as if by chance, Uchiha Itachi kicked the stone aside and swiftly concealed it within his sleeve.

"Nothing here," Uchiha Itachi said with a hint of disappointment.

Kisame shook his head. "I didn’t find anything either."

They could only assume that Jiraiya had some unknown personal reason for his actions.

With the black stone secretly in his possession, Uchiha Itachi left Konoha. Kisame, unconcerned, wandered off in search of food.

Hidden in Uchiha Itachi’s sleeve, the black stone emitted a faint glow.

The Soul of Sarutobi Hiruzen

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s soul emerged from the stone, gazing longingly at the surrounding forest.

"Third Hokage-sama," Uchiha Itachi acknowledged with a nod.

"Itachi, kill me," Sarutobi Hiruzen pleaded, repeating his earlier request.

"Third Hokage-sama, how did it come to this?" Uchiha Itachi questioned instead of responding to his request.

"Uzumaki Chito cursed me, imprisoning my soul within this stone for eternity," Sarutobi Hiruzen answered bitterly.

"Uzumaki Chito…"

Uchiha Itachi murmured the name. It was familiar to him from his time in Akatsuki.

The Akatsuki organization, Shin-Konoha, and Uzumaki Chito were all interconnected in ways most did not understand.

It seemed that joining Akatsuki had been the right decision after all.

"Itachi, please… kill me. If you do, my soul can be at peace. Otherwise, I’ll remain trapped here forever," Sarutobi Hiruzen implored desperately.

He had endured enough of this endless imprisonment. He was losing his sanity.

Itachi did not hesitate. The magatama in his Mangekyō Sharingan spun rapidly, his spiritual power focusing entirely on Sarutobi Hiruzen’s soul.

In an instant, the Third Hokage’s soul was obliterated, dissipating into nothingness.

The Whirlpool Country

Far away, in the Whirlpool Country, Uzumaki Chito’s eyes suddenly snapped open. He gazed in the direction of the Fire Nation.

Sarutobi Hiruzen… was dead.