Chapter 614: Despairing Power

"Time to transform. This opponent is no joke." Sarutobi Hiruzen said quickly.

Only by transforming into the Adamantine Staff could Enma cooperate with him to the fullest, achieving an effect greater than the sum of their parts.

Seeing how serious Sarutobi Hiruzen looked, Enma transformed into the Adamantine Staff without another word.

Sarutobi Hiruzen grabbed the staff and aimed it at Muyue's upper body.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, the Adamantine Staff rapidly extended and struck toward Muyue.

However, when the Adamantine Staff was just three centimeters away from Muyue, it stopped growing.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression did not change; he gripped the Adamantine Staff tightly and burst out chakra, thrusting it forward with force.

Yet the Adamantine Staff still remained three centimeters in front of Muyue, as if the force Sarutobi Hiruzen had just exerted had been swallowed by some mysterious existence.

"There's an invisible shield around him."

Confirming that taijutsu would also be difficult to work, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly thought about how to fight next.

Yusuke's ninjutsu was really tough to deal with, perfectly blocking both ninjutsu and taijutsu, far too overpowered.

Moreover, Yusuke's calm demeanor made it hard for Sarutobi Hiruzen to gauge the defensive limit of this technique.

At that moment, two arms suddenly stretched out from the Adamantine Staff and rapidly reached for Muyue.

Sarutobi Hiruzen then set down the Adamantine Staff and rapidly formed hand seals, preparing to release a genjutsu.

He was a well-rounded type proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, having mastered many illusions.

The attack method of genjutsu was very special; it could directly assault the enemy's five senses, which should be able to bypass Yusuke's shield's protection.

"Demonic Illusion..."

Just as Sarutobi Hiruzen was about to cast the genjutsu, an incredible scene appeared before his eyes.

Golden—Yusuke's right eye suddenly turned a captivating gold!

As for his left eye, it became the Byakugan that Sarutobi Hiruzen knew all too well.

"Daikokuten!"

Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could even feel puzzled, a huge black cube appeared above him.

Whoosh!

Suddenly shrouded in shadow, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not hesitate to abandon the genjutsu and burst out chakra to use the Body Flicker Technique and dodge away.

Boom!!

The enormous cube slammed into the ground where Sarutobi Hiruzen had just stood, cracking the earth in all directions.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paid no attention to the suddenly appeared huge cube, because what he saw before him truly baffled him.

He didn't know what that golden eye was, but as for Yusuke's left eye—wasn't that the Byakugan of Konoha?

But how could a normal eye turn into the Byakugan?

The Byakugan is different from the Sharingan. The Sharingan in its unawakened state looks no different from an ordinary person's eyes, while the Byakugan, even in its unawakened state, is completely unlike ordinary eyes.

Not to mention Yusuke wasn't a member of the Hyuga clan; the Byakugan could only be obtained through transplantation, and even then, it's not certain he could activate or deactivate it at will.

"The Byakugan... How is that possible?" Mitokado Homura also looked utterly incredulous—how could perfectly normal eyes turn into the Byakugan?

Mitokado Homura confirmed several times that he was not under a genjutsu; this was reality.

Even Orochimaru couldn't help but show a surprised expression.

If Yusuke had the Byakugan, he would be a little surprised but not find it too strange, because the Hyuga clan's Byakugan had leaked out before.

But in this situation, Orochimaru was very curious. A Byakugan that could maintain the appearance of an ordinary eye when not awakened—he had never even heard of such a thing.

"How does he have the Byakugan!" The Konoha jonin were all dumbfounded, never expecting their own village's Kekkei Genkai to appear on an enemy.

The jonin subconsciously looked at someone in the group. Among the guard jonin Sarutobi Hiruzen had chosen, there happened to be a ninja from the Hyuga clan.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Hyuga Hizashi shook his head.

"This Hyuga clan of his—what's going on with them?"

"The Hyuga clan has been passed down for over a thousand years, but Hyuga Hizashi could swear he had never heard of a Hyuga ninja having eyes like an ordinary person's."

""Golden eyes." Unlike the others, Shisui was more concerned about that golden right eye."

"The Byakugan was a renowned dojutsu Kekkei Genkai in the Shinobi world, but Shisui had no recollection of Yusuke's right eye."

"Yusuke's eyes not only baffled the Konoha ninjas but also caused a huge uproar among the Ninshu side."

"The Hyuga clan's Byakugan was no less famous in the Shinobi world than the Sharingan."

"Although the Hyuga clan had never produced a powerhouse like Uchiha Madara, the Byakugan's strategic value in war far surpassed the Sharingan."

"A Uchiha with the Sharingan could only make himself stronger, while a ninja with the Byakugan could elevate the reconnaissance ability of the entire team by several levels—equivalent to turning on a small cheat."

""You really know how to hide, never using your Kekkei Genkai even once!""

"Kakuzu was dumbfounded—hiding ninjutsu was one thing, but never using the Kekkei Genkai once was truly absurd."

""Grandson, what's the situation with Yusuke's eyes? Do you recognize them?" Roshi asked the Four-Tails inside him curiously."

""Not really sure—I'm just a tailed beast, how would I know that much?" The Four-Tails shook its head and replied."

"It recognized Nagato's eyes because it knew the Sage of Six Paths, not because it was well-traveled or knowledgeable."

"Except for the time it spent with the Sage of Six Paths, it basically stayed holed up in the deep mountains—how could it understand dojutsu-type Kekkei Genkai?"

"Whoosh!"

"Enma found that as soon as his hands got close to Muyue, they stopped, so he controlled himself to pull back and moved closer to Hiruzen Sarutobi."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi gathered chakra again and cast a genjutsu on Muyue, but it had no effect; Muyue's attack did not stop."

""It could be called flawless.""

"Hiruzen Sarutobi gripped the Adamantine Staff and for a moment felt somewhat at a loss."

"The unknown shield allowed Yusuke to completely block ninjutsu and taijutsu, while the Byakugan and his excellent genjutsu-dispelling ability meant Yusuke didn't need to worry about genjutsu."

"He who had mastered over a thousand ninjutsu and secret techniques couldn't think of how to fight Yusuke at the moment."

""No, as long as it's a defensive ninjutsu, it absolutely cannot be invincible—there must be a limit to what it can withstand!" Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath and decided to give it his all."

"In the Shinobi world, there is no truly absolute defense, because the nature of chakra determines that ninjutsu cannot have an invincible defense."

"Swish! Swish!"

"While thinking of a tactic in his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not stop his physical movements, constantly dodging the black cubes falling from the sky."

"After no more black cubes fell from the sky, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly ducked behind one of the cubes and quickly attached several explosive tags to the Adamantine Staff."

"The next moment, Muyue chased after him, and Hiruzen Sarutobi thrust the Adamantine Staff toward Muyue."

"Under Muyue's eyes, Hiruzen Sarutobi's movements were completely exposed, so the moment Hiruzen struck, Muyue once again used the Limitless Technique, causing the Adamantine Staff to stop three centimeters in front of his body."

"Whoosh!"

"The Adamantine Staff elongated in the opposite direction, sending Hiruzen Sarutobi rapidly to a distance."

"Boom!!"

"The explosive tags detonated violently, engulfing Muyue and the surrounding area."

"Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that such an attack couldn't do anything to Yusuke, so without a moment's pause, he immediately formed hand signs and used an Earth Release technique."

""Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!""

"Under the support of Hiruzen Sarutobi's massive chakra, a large area of land turned into a swamp, and a third of Muyue's body instantly sank into it."

""Adamantine Prison Wall!""

"While forming hand signs, Hiruzen Sarutobi kicked the Adamantine Staff out."

"As the Adamantine Staff flew toward Muyue, it rapidly transformed into dozens of clones, forming a cubic cage that trapped Muyue inside."

""Shadow Clone Technique!""

"Without any pause in his hand movements, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately formed hand signs again and produced four shadow clones."

"Five Elements Great Combo Technique!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen's main body used a Fire Release ninjutsu, while his other four Shadow Clones each used the four elemental ninjutsu: Water Release, Lightning Release, and so on.

This was the tactic Sarutobi Hiruzen had devised.

Since ordinary ninjutsu couldn't harm Youjie, he simply wouldn't use normal offensive ninjutsu, but instead use suppressive ninjutsu like the Swamp of the Underworld to trap him.

Then he would use his strongest offensive ninjutsu, the Five Elements Great Combo, to attack the trapped Youjie.

The Five Elements Great Combo was the ultimate achievement of Sarutobi Hiruzen's decades of ninjutsu training; he was confident it could even break through the Lightning Release Armor of the Third Raikage, known as the Strongest Shield.

"If the Five Elements Great Combo doesn't work, then I'll have to use that..." A glint of determination flashed in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

If the Five Elements Great Combo couldn't break through Youjie's defense, then he would inevitably lose this battle.

This was an outcome Sarutobi Hiruzen had never anticipated.

Youjie was too inscrutable; since the battle began, he had used abilities never seen before, with strength far beyond Hiruzen's imagination.

Before the battle started, Sarutobi Hiruzen had never considered using the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

He only wanted to avenge Shimura Danzo; why would he have to sacrifice himself and cause great chaos for Konoha?

Now it was different; with the battle having reached this point, Sarutobi Hiruzen had to win, even if it meant dying together with Youjie.

If he didn't, he wouldn't be the only one to die; most of the Konoha ninjas who came with him would die as well.

Because those Konoha ninjas would not stand by and watch him be killed; they would definitely intervene.

But if his Five Elements Great Combo was ineffective against Youjie, then it only meant that Youjie was stronger than him, much stronger.

Moreover, with Kakuzu and Nagato on the Ninja Sect's side, Konoha would undoubtedly be defeated.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

A massive amount of flame erupted from Sarutobi Hiruzen's main body's mouth; the flames, carrying the scorching heat to incinerate all things, instantly ignited the surrounding air, and waves of heat struck the observing ninjas, making them feel a wave of sweltering heat.

A powerful storm was exhaled by a Shadow Clone, not only amplifying the flame's might but also turning into sharp blades, slicing through the air toward Muyue.

Rumble! Rumble!

Numerous huge flying stones, propelled by the fierce wind, rapidly passed through the flames, hurtling toward Muyue like blazing meteorites plummeting from the sky.

Boom!

Splash!

A silver-white lightning bolt tore across the sky, and a pale blue torrent of water gushed out, turning into surging waves.

In an instant, the terrifying power of the five elements swept across the battlefield; each element complemented the others, continuously amplifying each other's strength. The power of the Five Elements achieved perfect fusion at this moment, forming an inescapable attack net that enveloped the area where Muyue was located.

"As expected of the Hokage, this power of the Five Elements is truly terrifying." Kakuzu stared intently at the battlefield, unable to help worrying about Youjie in his heart.

He himself was a ninja who used the five elemental ninjutsu and combination techniques, so he understood just how outrageous Sarutobi Hiruzen's attack was.

Thus, even though Youjie had said many times that he was strong and the battle was fine, Kakuzu still couldn't help worrying about Youjie.

"Youjie-sensei."

Even Kakuzu, who knew Youjie relatively well, was somewhat worried, let alone the other Ninja Sect ninjas; they all watched with anxiety and concern as the trapped Youjie.

"If it's sensei, it should be fine." Nagato thought calmly.

If truly pressed, Muyue would certainly show his full strength, but currently Muyue had not used the ninjutsu of his "Yusheng Muyue" identity; clearly, everything was still under Muyue's control.

"Win or lose will be decided in this clash." Orochimaru put aside his scattered thoughts and watched the battle seriously.

If this Five Elements Great Combo, which had consumed a huge amount of chakra, did not give Sarutobi Hiruzen an advantage, then Sarutobi Hiruzen was sure to lose.

"Lord Third Hokage, you must win!"

The Konoha jōnin silently cheered for Sarutobi Hiruzen in their hearts.

Swoosh!

The moment the ninjutsu was about to close in, the Adamantine Staff, which was Enma transformed, swiftly retreated.

It didn't want to withstand the Five Elements Great Combo head-on; taking a Fire Dragon Flame Bullet was okay, but taking the Five Elements Great Combo would be a bit painful.

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Wild Dance!"

Just at that moment, Mu Yue slowly floated out of the swamp, entered the Flame Breathing Chakra Mode, and exhaled terrifying flames of extremely high temperature.

Bang!

The overwhelming terrifying flames struck the Adamantine Prison Wall, and the Adamantine Prison Wall instantly turned into white smoke and dissipated on the ground.

The retreating Monkey King was somewhat surprised at this; his clone was not some flimsy Shadow Clone. Even when he was not present, the Adamantine Prison Wall was very hard and could easily withstand some high-power ninjutsu.

But it was so easily dispelled by Yusuke—this Fire Release was indeed extraordinary.

However, the Monkey King didn't mind; it was too late now—Sarutobi Hiruzen's Five Elements Great Combo was almost hitting Yusuke's face, and Yusuke absolutely couldn't dodge.

But at that moment, a faint golden light burst from Mu Yue's right eye pupil.

"Shakeinarana!"

Swish! Swish!

The giant boulder burning with flame and hurtling under the strong wind suddenly shrank at extreme speed, finally disappearing completely.

The sea of fire that could burn a forest and the hurricane that swept the entire battlefield also suddenly vanished without a trace.

The torrent like ocean waves disappeared in an instant, leaving not even a wisp of water vapor.

The silver-white lightning that seemed to pierce everything dissipated in the air, leaving no trace.

The battlefield, once ravaged by the power of the Five Elements, suddenly became calm, with only a few marks on the ground proving that someone had just unleashed a terrifying combination ninjutsu here.

——Silence.

Neither Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was fighting Mu Yue, nor the ninjas of the Ninja Sect and Konoha who were observing made a single sound.

The entire battlefield fell into an eerie silence.

"No wonder the Ninja Sect's attitude was so strange." Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a bitter smile. No wonder he had investigated the Ninja Sect's ninja strength but found nothing—it turned out he was looking in the wrong direction."