Chapter 153: Rapid Response!

Boom!

The ground sank and cracked open.

No. 1 kicked off with both legs, shooting upward into the sky, piercing the barrier from above and landing inside Konoha Village.

At this moment, he had simulated the chakra of an outsider ninja, so the village’s barrier detected him and triggered an alarm.

As he descended, No. 1 swiftly formed hand seals.

Summoning Jutsu!

Fine!

Fake. Overacted.

His Summoning Jutsu couldn’t bring his clone—he used Flying Thunder God instead.

No. 2 through No. 6 arrived, then scattered into the air.

Invasion: successful!

No. 1 landed on a rooftop, rubbed his chin, and thought: “Didn’t prepare enough… should’ve brought some summons beforehand. Can’t exactly drag Fugaku and the others here now, can I?”

His gaze swept across the area.

Following the plan, No. 1 headed straight for the Hokage Office Building.

Meanwhile.

Hokage Office.

Minato Namikaze, Jiraiya, Uchiha Fugaku, and Hyuga Hiashi were all present.

In fact, their rapid assembly was thanks to the Hyuga ninja in the Special Rapid Response Unit.

This unit had only two permanent squads, both containing Hyuga ninja; one of their duties was to monitor the village’s first line of outer defense.

Coincidentally, Fujinaka Genma’s clone invasion was spotted.

So before the Barrier Team could report, the Rapid Response Unit moved immediately.

Elite ninja from all over gathered on the Hokage Building’s rooftop: Uchiha clan members, Hyuga clan members, ninja from other clans, and even civilian-born jonin.

In just one minute, three squads had assembled.

Hyuga Hiashi kept his Byakugan active, tracking the invader’s movements.

Orders streamed nonstop from the Hokage Office, relayed by the Hokage’s direct Anbu ninja.

The first three Special Rapid Response squads departed immediately to intercept the enemy.

The Security Force also began action, orderly evacuating civilians.

Boom!

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed from afar.

The battle has begun!

Everyone rushed from the office to the rooftop.

Watching the rolling flames in the distance, Minato Namikaze’s eye twitched.

He wasn’t worried about casualties—he was thinking about how much money it would cost to rebuild after the drill.

Itachi don’t know the cost of rice, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar until Itachi run the household!

Minato Namikaze already regretted forgetting to tell Fujinaka Genma to destroy fewer buildings.

As time passed, more ninja arrived, forming squads and rushing to the battlefield.

Hyuga Hiashi and several other Hyuga clan members observed the entire battlefield, fully tracking the enemy’s movements.

Soon.

Sarutobi Hiruzen and Tsunade arrived on the Hokage Building’s rooftop.

Suddenly, Hyuga Hiashi cried out: “No. 4 and No. 5 squads have engaged the enemy— they’re strong!”

“Fourth Hokage, Third Hokage— the enemy isn’t an ordinary ninja.”

The people on the rooftop were startled, but before they could speak, Hyuga Hiashi added: “Both squads have been defeated!”

“The enemy is heading this way.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen’s face darkened. “I’ll lead a team!”

“Teacher, I should go first.”

“I’ll stop him myself!”

Jiraiya spoke, ready to move.

“Wait!”

Tsunade suddenly spoke up. “I’m going with Itachi.”

Jiraiya turned. “Itachi…?”

Tsunade gritted her teeth. “I can. I’m one of the Legendary Sannin.”

“Besides, the closer I am to the battlefield, the better I can treat my comrades.”

“Then Tsunade-senpai and Jiraiya-sensei will form a two-person team.”

Minato Namikaze spoke, finalizing the decision.

Thus, Jiraiya and Tsunade set off together.

But barely had they left when a Hyuga clan member cried out: “Fourth Hokage, the enemy seems to be targeting the evacuating civilians!”

Minato Namikaze turned to Uchiha Fugaku. “Fugaku clan head, I’m counting on Itachi!”

“Understood!”

Uchiha Fugaku said nothing, nodded solemnly, then left with four Uchiha clan members at speed.

At that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked: “Fourth Hokage, is Kushina safe?”

Minato Namikaze nodded. “Third Hokage, rest assured— Genma is personally handling it.”

Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled in relief, then frowned at the village now ablaze with battle.

Meanwhile, Hyuga Hiashi noticed something odd.

From the start of the invasion until now, Konoha had suffered heavy damage—but strangely, he found not a single dead ninja.

He turned to Minato Namikaze, who happened to be looking his way.

Their eyes met. Hyuga Hiashi instantly understood, then silently resumed his duty.

Elsewhere.

Jiraiya and Tsunade blocked No. 1.

“The Legendary Sannin… heh. Too bad Orochimaru has already defected…”

No. 1 chuckled, standing with arms crossed on the rooftop, his robes fluttering in the evening wind.

Jiraiya watched his pose, his eye twitching.

It should be me posing like this!

Tsunade stared coldly at the masked No. 1. “Who are Itachi?”

“Uchiha Shuichi?”

“Or Nagato?”

No. 1 smiled lightly. “Who am I?”

“Itachi’ll find out once I knock Itachi both down.”

“I wonder if the Legendary Sannin can still live up to their legend with one missing.”

“Damn it!”

Tsunade gritted her teeth and snarled: “Jiraiya!”

As she spoke, the floor beneath her cracked—she shot forward like a bolt. “Cowardly sneak— die!”

Jiraiya understood her intent. He immediately pierced his finger, slapped the ground: “Summoning Jutsu!”

Gamabunta appeared!

At that exact moment, No. 1 moved—striking faster than Tsunade.

“So fast!”

Tsunade was startled, but midair, she couldn’t dodge—she crossed her arms in front of her.

Boom!

Tsunade was kicked flying by No. 1’s foot.

Just then, Jiraiya had summoned Gamabunta. He leapt up and caught Tsunade as she flew back.

But No. 1’s kick had used precise force—Jiraiya barely caught her before his face twisted in pain, barely suppressing a cry of agony.

Fortunately, Gamabunta wrapped them in his tongue, preventing them from crashing into buildings.

Landing atop Gamabunta’s head, Tsunade’s arms trembled slightly—her bones were cracked from the kick.

“Jiraiya, be careful. This guy’s no ordinary fighter—his strength is immense, his taijutsu must be extraordinary.”

“We need to test his abilities first.”

Tsunade said grimly.

“I understand!”

Setting Tsunade down, Jiraiya rose, swiftly forming hand seals, creating a Shadow Clone, then flicked his white hair and clasped his hands together: “Gamabunta, I’m using that technique!”

“Understood!”

Gamabunta nodded solemnly—the masked man radiated extreme danger.

The Shadow Clone advanced and activated Summoning Jutsu again—another toad wielding a trident and shield appeared.

But Bunta led Jiraiya’s body and Tsunade back slightly to another building.

Watching this, the masked figure No. 1 laughed, “Then let’s fight properly!”