Chapter 96: The Spring of Konoha (Part 1)
"Lord Third, are you really going to keep resisting?" Uchiha Douguang asked calmly as both he and Hiruzen Sarutobi watched the crystal ball's scene. On it, Uchiha Itachi and the Fifteenth Generation Ino–Shika–Chō advanced toward the Police Force front lines — a moment of quiet tragedy.
Douguang once again placed the arrest warrant in front of Hiruzen and added, "Because of your stubbornness, the village is about to lose a master strategist and one of its top intelligence minds."
He had already seen through Shikaku and his companions' intentions — they were clearly trying to use their own deaths in battle as a way to repay the debt to the one who had witnessed their earring vow: Hiruzen Sarutobi. And Kakashi... he clearly intended to grant them that ending.
Once they crossed swords with Kakashi, even if their physical lives survived, their political lives would certainly be over.
"Or do you intend to bring certain things out into the open?" Douguang asked with a faint smile, staring at the aging Hokage.
Hiruzen's heart tightened. He knew exactly what Douguang meant. He still had a last resort — his personal military force within the Sarutobi clan: over 50 Jonin, 130 Tokubetsu Jonin, and more than 300 Chunin. If he brought them out...
But once those cards were played, he would be gambling everything. Win, and he might maintain control. Lose, and his legacy would be shattered.
Some secrets were better left off the scales. Once measured, even the lightest truth could crush you.
Hiruzen sighed, looking up at Douguang. "You're only 28, Douguang. Why are you in such a rush? With your ability, becoming the Sixth Hokage was only a matter of time."
"Do you really believe that yourself, Lord Third?" Douguang asked quietly.
Hiruzen had no reply. He looked back to the crystal ball.
In it, Uchiha Itachi and the Fifteenth Generation Ino–Shika–Chō had reached the main road to the Police Force HQ. Opposing them were Kakashi and Uchiha Shisui, already in position with a group of Uchiha shinobi.
Spotting Kakashi, Hiruzen's eyes widened. "Why is he in the village?"
"Not just him," Douguang said, his voice low. "You might want to check Genma's chakra signature. He should be arriving about now."
Hiruzen adjusted the scope of the scrying jutsu. Soon, Genma and the others came into view — behind them was an entire battalion, nearly 1,500 strong.
"Kakashi pulled the border troops back?!" Hiruzen gasped. "Aren't you afraid Kirigakure will invade?!"
"Relax, Lord Third. They won't dare," Douguang said with a serene smile.
"You sound confident."
"Of course. That confidence was carved blade by blade on the battlefield."
——
At the coast near the Land of Fire.
Kirigakure's scouts had already noticed that two-thirds of the border defense had vanished. Their elders quickly proposed an incursion. The current Mizukage — controlled by Uchiha Obito — approved it without hesitation.
However, as their ships neared land, they were stopped cold by a lone blade stuck in the sand.
It was Douguang's saber — the fearsome "Jirai." Before leaving, Kakashi had planted it there and infused it with chakra.
The lightning arcing off the saber made every Kiri ninja aboard freeze in terror.
They all knew this blade.
They all knew what it meant.
And none of them dared to take a single step forward.
Elsewhere, on a different coast, a second Kiri team found themselves stopped by a lone man doing one-armed push-ups on a cliff ledge — in time with the ocean's waves.
His green jumpsuit and gleaming bowl-cut shone in the moonlight.
"…Retreat," their commander said. "We're not touching this one."
They had heard the rumors. Seven Swordsmen went in — three came back. They weren't going to join that list.
——
Back in Hiruzen's crystal ball, the focus returned to the street outside the Police HQ.
Uchiha Shisui was already engaged with Itachi, while Kakashi battled the last Ino–Shika–Chō.
Shisui and Itachi clashed swords, sparks flying from their matched Uchiha-style kenjutsu. Their eyes glowed red with the tomoe of their Sharingan, spinning violently.
They danced in circles of flame and steel, neither giving an inch.
"Why, Shisui?! Why would you betray the Will of Fire?!" Itachi shouted.
"I'm not the one betraying it," Shisui replied.
The illusion clones surrounding Itachi vanished. Shisui reappeared behind him with a clean strike.
Elsewhere, reinforcements poured into the battlefield — shinobi loyal to Douguang. Itachi's few subordinates were quickly overwhelmed.
Now, only he and the Ino–Shika–Chō trio remained fighting.
"You don't represent the Will of Fire, either, Itachi," Shisui said — then all his illusions surged at once.
He had spared Itachi's vital points.
——
"Lord Third," Douguang said in the Hokage office. "Time to sign. No sense letting the fire burn where it shouldn't."
Hiruzen stared into the ball. The tide had turned. Shisui and Kakashi were seconds away from victory.
He exhaled slowly and signed the paper in front of him.
"There. Done."
Douguang smiled. "Good. Because the Will of Fire doesn't just apply when you're winning."
As he retrieved the document, something in the crystal changed.
In the center of the battlefield — a masked figure appeared from thin air.
A scythe on a chain swept through the air, forcing Shisui's illusions to scatter.
Explosive tags materialized, encircling both Kakashi and Shisui.
Kakashi pulled back, but the blasts tore through the area, scattering their allies.
Douguang's expression darkened. He slammed his hand on the Hokage's desk.
"Lord Third! Mind explaining why your masked man is attacking my forces right now? Or is this the real plan?"
"I—I have nothing to do with this!" Hiruzen stammered.
In the smoke, a massive green figure emerged—Shisui's Susanoo. His eyes streamed blood.
Below it, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza stood unharmed. But cracks formed on Susanoo's armor.
Moments later, it shattered—and Shisui collapsed into Kakashi's arms.
From the smoke, the masked man stepped forward and turned toward Itachi.
"I told you," he said. "When the time came, I would lend a hand."
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