Chapter 107: The Trampled Will of Fire

Flames soared into the sky.

Because of Asuma's persistence, the civilians were all forcibly evacuated; the tilting, collapsing buildings and the chakra storms from clashing Ninjutsu did not harm any innocent people.

However,

the enemy ninjas' original target was not the civilians. Taking advantage of the Anbu's slow reaction, Iwagakure squads had already pushed into several important buildings; the power plant exploded, and flames began to spread outward.

The enemy ninjas, who had long been lying in ambush, were intercepted by the swift-reacting Konoha Troops after the first two waves of raids.

Inside the Four Violet Flames Formation,

"As expected of the strongest Hokage, to think you could block my Lightning Release."

The voice was laced with mockery.

Activating the strongest Lightning Release Armor, Ai was covered in lightning chakra, his movement speed incredibly fast.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.

Countless sharp shuriken were flung out, forming an airtight web of steel.

Since the speed was high, then use wide-range strikes.

Lariat.

The violent energy of the lightning chakra gathered at his elbow, sweeping away all the shuriken in an instant and slamming into Hiruzen Sarutobi's abdomen.

The Hiruzen Sarutobi who was struck turned into a puddle of mud.

"Each Ninja Clan was long prepared to welcome your raid; the Anbu, the Barrier Squad, the Root—with just the ninjas you snuck into Konoha, you cannot deal a blow to Konoha at all."

As Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke, he spat out a scorching Fire Dragon, forcing back Ai, who wanted to close in.

He felt lucky in his heart, a lingering fear washing over him.

It was thanks to Asuma's desperate persuasion; otherwise, Konoha's losses would truly have been massive.

"I was also worried that Konoha, the strongest Ninja Village, had a backup plan, but I later discovered I was overthinking it."

Onoki let out a sneer.

A Rock Fist smashed heavily into the spectator stand, the stone slabs shattering, which Jiraiya easily dodged.

Jiraiya asked in confusion: "What do you mean?"

"Most Konoha ninjas aren't even wearing equipment; even with a numerical advantage, it's impossible to hold off our Iwagakure."

As if to verify his words,

a blood-soaked Anbu stumbled to the edge of the spectator stand and, through the Four Violet Flames Formation, reported: "Lord Shikaku, the eastern defensive position has fallen; fifty-nine Anbu have died in battle, along with fifty-four Chunin and five Jonin."

Shikaku revealed a look of disbelief and asked in confusion: "How is that possible? Everyone I sent to the eastern front line was an elite Anbu. Who is leading the Iwagakure? Is it Huangtu?"

As the strategist, he had personally selected the ninjas for the defense map.

Regardless of Ninjutsu combinations or combat ability, even someone as strong as Huangtu shouldn't be able to rout them so easily.

"No, it's just ordinary Iwagakure ninjas."

Through the mask, one could hear the powerlessness in the Anbu's voice; he said: "The aura they emit is similar to ours, or even slightly weaker than ours."

"But they are wearing strange Armor that seems to be able to enhance their abilities; we simply cannot hold them off."

The Anbu had suffered fifty casualties, while Iwagakure had lost only a dozen or so ninjas.

This level of combat loss ratio was too shocking.

He pulled out a set of tattered armor he had risked his life to retrieve and handed it to Shikaku with trembling hands.

Shikaku took it, and a line of black text appeared in his mind.

It was the attributes of this armor: Energy +30.

He had heard of the quality classification of equipment; this armor was merely a Green Set, yet it could bring about a result that turned the tide of the battle?

Tearing off the family pendant from his neck,

Shikaku closed his eyes and said: "Take this necklace to the Nara Clan and tell them to rush to the eastern position."

Inside the Four Violet Flames Formation, Ai and Onoki deliberately slowed their offensive, letting the news of Konoha's eastern collapse reach the Hokage's ears without missing a word.

"Armor, equipment?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips trembled as he looked toward the east in grief; thick smoke billowed, and flames swirled.

He felt remorse.

He hadn't agreed to Asuma's decision and hadn't cultivated Life Skills, leading to Konoha ninjas going into battle empty-handed.

Could there really be such a huge difference?

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and asked: "Jiraiya, was I wrong?"

"Don't get distracted, old man."

Jiraiya frowned, dodging the Dust Release released by Onoki.

When the opponent deliberately released it, they avoided the burning Four Violet Flames Formation, maintaining the integrity of the barrier and making the Anbu squads waiting outside increasingly anxious.

Soon,

another Anbu came to report that the west side had fallen.

"Kumogakure is wearing strangely styled leather armor; their speed is astonishingly fast, and there is simply no way to block them!"

Hearing this,

Sarutobi's breathing became rapid; even though he knew clearly that the most critical thing before him was to take care of Onoki and Ai, his heart still ached painfully.

His own error in judgment had led to heavy casualties among the Konoha ninjas.

He was not as cold-blooded and ruthless as Danzou; although he had his own selfish motives, he loved the village just the same.

Summoning: Enma.

A puff of smoke dispersed, and before Enma could speak, he had already transformed into the Nyoi Bo and was gripped in his hand.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were bloodshot, his anger boiling; he swung the Nyoi Bo, whipping up gusts of wind, and with extremely strong combat techniques, he actually suppressed the Raikage, who was famous for Taijutsu, for a moment.

"Mizukage, are you not going to make a move yet?"

Ai let out a roar.

Terumi Mei smiled without a word, standing quietly in the corner of the Four Violet Flames Formation, remaining completely silent.

Both sides were evenly matched, and she was the key to this battle.

But she did not want to help anyone; the longer the time dragged on, the greater the advantage the Hidden Mist, whose elite troops were all in the border regions, could seize.

The earth shook.

A massive figure appeared within everyone's line of sight.

Susanoo?

"Mangekyo Sharingan, it's Sasuke!"

"Willing to withdraw from the game for the sake of the village, this is the Will of Fire of Konoha!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes lit up, hope igniting in his heart as he stared fixedly at the Giant wreathed in lightning Armor.

Immediately following,

Countless trees grew wildly, covering the earth and transforming into the form of a Wood Dragon that coiled around the Susanoo as it tried to move.

Without waiting for Onoki to nod, the Claymore condensed from Black Flame easily sliced open the Wood Dragon.

"The opponent is also a player; the burning Black Flame is definitely a Purple Skill, its level higher than Wood Release!"

Onoki's expression turned ugly.

According to intelligence, Konoha didn't seem to value the Samsara Game; judging by what Hiruzen Sarutobi meant, was this an orphan of the Uchiha Clan?

To think he could suppress the Rock Ninja for a moment with a powerful skill; had he really poured all the Uchiha inheritance into the Samsara Game?

Suddenly,

Everyone noticed that after breaking free from the Wood Dragon, the lightning Giant did not attack the Rock Ninja, but instead sent countless Konoha Anbu flying as it charged toward Konoha Prison.

"What is going on? What does he want to do!"

Sarutobi was stunned for a moment, then felt somewhat dazed as he suddenly thought of the worst possibility.

Did he want to go and kill the imprisoned Danzou while the Konoha ninja were suffering defeat after defeat?

Was it because he had shielded Danzou?

Or was it about the Uchiha Clan massacre?

Shame and anger intertwined, making him unable to stop himself from letting out a low growl.

What about the Hyuga Clan?

Why were the ninja of the Hyuga Clan nowhere to be seen?

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes were full of disappointment, nearly collapsing, as a feeling of being betrayed by everyone surged into his heart.

This reminded him of the night of the Nine-Tails, and the silence of the Uchiha Clan.

Pfft!

In the moment of distraction, Ai's lightning Iron Fist had already smashed toward his face.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was sent flying instantly, and when he struggled to crawl up, his entire face was already unrecognizable.

Countless dead and wounded ninja, a village riddled with holes, and his own unrecognizable self...

Hands forming seals,

He had not wanted to use it, but now he had no other choice.

The Will of Fire he regarded as a treasure had been trampled upon repeatedly, and he absolutely would not allow it!

"The Ninjutsu entrusted to me by Shimura Danzo to guard against the unexpected when he was imprisoned—is it really the only thing I can use now?"

As if wanting to preserve his final shred of dignity, Hiruzen Sarutobi said this.

Hands pressed together.

Two thick coffins rose from the ground, and the dead, whose souls had returned to the Pure Land, were summoned.

Edo Tensei!

"To actually dare to fool the dead!"

"Hokage, playing with time will not end well!"

I am still writing; if I am fast enough, there will be another chapter later.

(End of this chapter)