Naruto: Manipulation-Chapter 165: For the Sake of Konoha...

For Black Zetsu...

He could finally breathe a little easier.

Now that Shigen had openly admitted that Akatsuki sought to intimidate the entire Shinobi World, there was no turning back.

He would become the enemy of the world.

The shinobi would never tolerate the birth of such a devastating weapon of war.

Compared to Shigen's true goal—reviving the ancient Rabbit Goddess, Otsutsuki Kaguya, to reign over the world—Akatsuki's plan to create a superweapon almost seemed merciful.

But even that would never be accepted.

Because in this world...

If a weapon capable of wiping out nations wasn't in one's own hands, then its very existence would be seen as a threat.

Especially when—

Shigen was fully capable of creating such a weapon.

He possessed knowledge of ancient history and power beyond comprehension.

If he intended to build a weapon of mass destruction, he would succeed.

"...So it's true."

Jiraiya turned to Hiruzen and Minato, his voice heavy.

"It's exactly as the Great Toad Sage foretold... Shigen's way of changing the Shinobi World is far too extreme for anyone to accept."

"It doesn't matter."

"The foolish can only see the illusion of the future before them."

"They are blind to the rise and fall of history that has stretched for a thousand years."

Shigen was unfazed by Jiraiya's condemnation.

Lifting his hand, the emerald glow of his chakra scalpel shimmered.

His gaze locked onto Jiraiya.

"But fate cannot be altered."

"Nor will it be rewritten simply because of personal will."

Just like—

The Great Toad Sage's prophecy.

The moment Jiraiya heard the word "fate," he instinctively thought of the Child of Prophecy.

His eyes darted toward Nagato and Konan behind Shigen.

This man...

Had known all along that his disciple was still alive.

He had always known that Nagato would one day clash with his other students.

"That's enough."

"Step aside."

"You all know you cannot defeat me."

Shigen's voice remained calm as he looked at Hiruzen.

"And until my plan is complete, I have no interest in pointless slaughter."

"..."

Hiruzen remained silent, unmoving.

Both he and Jiraiya knew how powerful Shigen was.

They were indeed no match for him.

His kenjutsu, ninjutsu, bloodline abilities—

Everything about him stood at the absolute pinnacle of the world.

To be honest...

The pressure was suffocating.

Far worse than when they had faced Nagato.

"If we don't stop you now..."

Hiruzen sighed in regret, yet his frail body stood firm, blocking Shigen's path.

"Then when that weapon is complete, we won't even have the chance to try."

This was their best opportunity.

Because right now—

Konoha was at its strongest.

And he, as Hokage, had never been more ready to burn himself for the village.

"Prepare for battle!"

Hiruzen quickly formed hand seals, his sharp gaze fixed on Shigen as he loudly declared war.

"I never imagined I'd have to fight you one day, Shigen."

"But as Hokage, I will not retreat!"

"Ninjutsu—Summoning Jutsu!"

As he completed his jutsu, a massive ape emerged from the summoning smoke.

The Monkey King Enma transformed into a golden staff, landing in Hiruzen's hands.

With a fierce battle cry, Hiruzen charged forward, issuing his orders.

"Minato, deal with his subordinates!"

"Jiraiya, cover me!"

"Yes!"

Minato vanished in an instant.

"Understood!"

Jiraiya immediately began forming seals.

This strategy wasn't without reason.

Hiruzen had seen Minato defeat the Deva Path.

He had also seen Tobirama push Nagato into a corner.

Against someone with the Rinnegan,

Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique gave him the best chance of victory.

As for Hiruzen himself—

The old Hokage had already made up his mind.

Clang!

The chakra scalpel and golden staff clashed.

Sparks flew as Shigen's blade traced a lethal arc toward Hiruzen's hand.

His reaction was swift—

But not swift enough.

He barely managed to loosen his grip before the scalpel sliced through his fingers, forcing him to release his weapon.

In an instant—

Hiruzen lost his staff.

With a flick of Shigen's wrist, the scalpel, as if magnetized, hooked onto the golden staff, swinging it through the air before hurling it straight at Jiraiya.

"What kind of swordsmanship is this...?"

Jiraiya had never seen such a technique before.

Dumbfounded, he instinctively kicked the staff back to Hiruzen.

"Got it!"

Hiruzen leaped forward, his staff extending three feet before thrusting at Shigen's chest.

Shigen's scalpel elongated in response, effortlessly parrying the strike.

"Fire Release—"

Jiraiya finished his hand seals, preparing to unleash a firestorm to support Hiruzen.

But—

"Fire Release."

Shigen merely lifted his other hand.

A fireball erupted from his palm, forcing Jiraiya to dodge.

"Again...?"

Jiraiya's heart pounded as he watched the fireball explode.

Another no-seal, high-level jutsu.

Unpredictable and overwhelming.

But—

While he and Hiruzen struggled—

Minato was making progress.

Flashing around Nagato at high speed, Minato moved so quickly that even the Rinnegan struggled to track him.

The advantage of the Flying Thunder God Technique was undeniable.

Nagato's nerves tightened as Minato's kunai embedded into the ground, a Rasengan forming in his palm.

The moment he struck—

He vanished again.

To fight against the Rinnegan—

One had to attack between the opponent's ability cooldowns.

Minato had already begun reading Nagato's movements.

"This is it..."

Dodging Nagato's counter, Minato struck with his Rasengan, prepared for him to block it.

But—

Someone was faster.

Shigen.

After forcing Hiruzen back,

He appeared beside Nagato in an instant.

Without hesitation, his scalpel flashed—

Severing Minato's arm.

"!!!"

Minato retreated hastily.

"How..."

He wasn't concerned about his arm.

His Edo Tensei body would regenerate.

What shocked him was—

The technique Shigen had just used.

"...Was that the Flying Thunder God Technique?"

The Flying Thunder God—

How could Shigen use it?

A realization hit Minato.

If Shigen could teleport freely,

Then he could escape with Nagato and Konan at any time.

And sure enough—

Shigen reached for their shoulders.

If no one stopped him, he would vanish, escaping Konoha's grasp forever.

But—

He never got the chance.

A veteran like Hiruzen wasn't so easily fooled.

In an instant,

Hiruzen extended his staff, slamming it into Shigen's chest and pushing him away from Nagato and Konan.

"Lord Shigen!"

Nagato's eyes widened in shock.

"I'm fine."

Shigen disappeared again.

"..."

Hiruzen sighed, retrieving his staff.

He knew he had missed his best chance to end it.

But—

He failed to notice the Flying Thunder God seal now imprinted on his staff.

"Be careful, Lord Third!"

Minato's expression shifted as he realized what had happened.

Hiruzen barely had time to react.

Shigen reappeared beside him.

His chakra scalpel swung toward Hiruzen's throat.

One strike—

And the Third Hokage would be dead.

But—

Someone saved him.

Tobirama.

Appearing just in time, Tobirama yanked Hiruzen backward, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow.

At the same moment—

Shigen continued his assault.

But—

A lone figure stood in his way.

Th𝓮 most uptodate nov𝑒ls are publish𝒆d on ƒreewebηoveℓ.com.

Barehanded, he caught Shigen's scalpel.

A single kick sent Shigen retreating.

"..."

Shigen blocked the strike with crossed arms.

"I don't want to fight you, Shigen."

Hashirama's voice was filled with sorrow.

It felt like facing Madara all over again.

His expression grew solemn.

"But for the sake of Konoha..."

----------

Powerstones?

For 20 advance Chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates