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Located in the northwest direction of Konoha Village.
The barrier of Konoha Village has been broken open with a large hole.
Thick black smoke continuously rose from the surrounding forests, seemingly heralding the approach of war.
"Who are you people!"
Several Konoha ninjas immediately rushed to the scene and demanded coldly upon seeing the incoming ninjas.
However, the words of the Konoha ninjas had barely finished.
"Earth Style: Stone Pillar Prison!"
With a dull sound, countless rocks suddenly rose from the ground around, encircling the Konoha ninjas like a shadow!
In the horrified eyes of the Konoha ninjas, the huge brown rocks crashed together with a thunderous noise.
"Boom!"
A loud bang!
The ground where the Konoha ninjas stood was left with only a cluster of huge brown rocks, and soon, fresh red blood seeped out from the ground.
At this time, a short middle-aged ninja among the attacking rock ninjas, with eyes as sharp as an eagle, stared at Konoha Village and commanded solemnly.
"Ravage and destroy to your heart's content!"
"I want Konoha Village to feel the might of the rock ninjas!"
Hearing his command, a group of elite rock ninjas, with a glint in their eyes, responded firmly.
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!"
In Konoha Village.
Sōsuke, floating in the sky, squinted his eyes slightly, a faint smile on his lips as he looked in the direction of Konoha's northwest corner.
He glanced lightly at the people of Konoha, his gaze settling on the Third Hokage, chuckling.
"Third Hokage-sama, you should know that these ninjas alone won't be able to stop me. If we continue to stay here, I'm afraid the village will be completely destroyed by the attackers."
Their gazes met.
Sōsuke's eyes carried a playful smile, showing no fear.
At this moment, Sōsuke had shed his previously humble disguise, becoming completely sharp and aggressive. The calm and gentle smile that once graced his face was nowhere to be found, replaced by an unstoppable aura that seemed to belittle the entire world. His confidence was overwhelming, making him appear completely different from before.
The Third Hokage's gaze became slightly grave. He glanced around and sighed inwardly.
After all, in the entire ninja world, only a few ninjas could fly. Those like Sōsuke, who could move freely in the air, were even rarer, confronting him would undoubtedly require the readiness to destroy much of the village's infrastructure.
With hesitation, the Third Hokage ultimately decided against it.
Moreover, at this time, Konoha was under attack by an unknown force. The priority was to quickly eliminate the external hostile forces.
Then, Jiraiya, with a stern expression, said, "Sensei, you lead the Anbu to deal with the attackers. Tsunade and I will stay here to guard Sōsuke."
Hearing Jiraiya's words, the Third Hokage pondered for a moment before nodding.
He slowly withdrew his gaze from Sōsuke and declared solemnly, "Tatsu, come with me to face the attackers."
As the Third Hokage's voice fell, he, Tatsu, and dozens of Anbu vanished from the spot.
Himiko, watching this unfold, hesitated slightly, then looked up at Sōsuke and said aloofly, "Take care, no matter what."
With that, she also disappeared from the spot, as the Root needed her command to counter the external enemies, leaving her no choice but to leave.
On the field, only the sunset, Might Dai, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Sakumo, and Sōsuke, who was in the air, remained.
Seeing the suddenly deserted field, Sōsuke chuckled.
"Is everyone gone?"
Then, following a fluctuation in space, his figure suddenly appeared on the ground.
Sōsuke stood tall with his hands in his pockets, his white haori shimmering in the sunlight, exuding a powerful aura. He glanced at his former companions who grew up with him and said softly, "Don't you need to help? Don't worry, I won't leave immediately. For me, it's quite interesting to stay here and see who is attacking Konoha."
Hearing Sōsuke's words, Jiraiya looked at him seriously, clenching his fists tightly, and demanded, "Interesting!? Sōsuke, do you find it amusing that the village where you grew up is being attacked by enemies?"
Sōsuke glanced at Jiraiya's clenched fists and replied softly, "If you insist on putting it that way, yes, Konoha Village is dispensable to me."
Clearly angered by Sōsuke's words, Jiraiya glared at him and shouted, "Sōsuke, what on earth are you talking about!? Was everything you've shown us all this time just an act?"
Dai, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and others looked at Sōsuke nervously, unwilling to believe his words were true.
Then, Dai, with wide eyes, seriously said to Sōsuke, "No matter what happens, please believe in us. If we face it together, everything will..."
Before Dai could finish, Sōsuke interrupted, "Dai, you are mistaken."
Sōsuke's words shattered the last hope they held in their hearts. "The so-called trust and dependence mean the same thing; they are actions of the weak. To me, trust is the least necessary thing. I appreciate your trust in me, but... unfortunately... it's all been an illusion."
Standing with his hands in his pockets, Sōsuke looked indifferently at everyone present and spoke softly.
Hearing his words, Tsunade's face paled, filled with disbelief. She wished she was in a nightmare, but reality was, after all, reality.
Then, suddenly, a shadow rushed towards Sōsuke at an incredible speed, its white blade gleaming in the sunlight.
In an instant, with a soft humming sound, a dazzling white light flashed in the air. "Hatake-style Sword Technique: Sound Slash!"
Facing the swiftly approaching white blade, Sōsuke smiled slightly, his eyes not wavering as he casually drew an arm. "Snap!"
"Sakumo!" Jiraiya and others called out in concern.
However, the scene that unfolded shocked them. Sakumo, holding the White Fang with his remaining left hand, stood pale-faced and incredulous in front of Sōsuke, unable to move forward.
Sōsuke was holding the sharp White Fang between his fingers, "You're a stubborn one, Sakumo. It must have been hard for you to let go of the White Fang... but it's okay. You can leave this arm behind and step back."
Sōsuke's face wore a gentle smile, but his eyes were indifferent as he spoke coldly.
As he finished speaking, "Splurt!" Sōsuke turned the blade in his fingers, cutting off Sakumo's remaining left arm, which sent fresh red blood spraying onto the ground, drenching the hearts of everyone present with a cold reality.
They were forced to watch Sōsuke, now a completely changed comrade, with grave and wary eyes.