"Shisui, the Hokage Rock has been shattered!!"
Among the group of Uchiha clan members rushing toward the source of the disturbance were Itachi and Shisui.
As Itachi ran, he glanced at the Hokage Rock, his tone forcibly calm, though his heart was in turmoil.
"…Something big has happened." Shisui took a deep breath. Although he didn't know precisely what had occurred, causing such a commotion at night and affecting the Hokage Rock could only mean serious trouble.
"It looks like a battle between two very powerful shinobi, possibly even two on the level of Kage!" Shisui said gravely. "Itachi, be careful. There might be strong enemies from another village involved."
"Understood." Itachi nodded. The group of Uchiha were coming from the Uchiha compound, and it would take them a few more minutes to reach the scene.
…
"Choza, do you know who it is?" Choza, large and sturdy, was also rushing in that direction, accompanied by Shikaku and Inoichi.
These three were the current generation of the Ino–Shika–Cho trio. While the new generation had yet to grow up, they represented this famous formation.
Their fame spread throughout Konoha and even the entire shinobi world.
Shikaku spoke in a serious tone: "That area is where Minato's child lives. It's probably something involving Uzumaki Naruto. This might be connected to Whitebeard, who has been making waves recently, and the Hokage has been paying close attention to Naruto."
Inoichi frowned: "Shikaku, are you suggesting that one of those fighting might be the Hokage and the other Whitebeard?"
"I didn't say that, but it's highly possible," Shikaku replied. "There's an eighty to ninety percent chance."
"…That's almost certain then." Inoichi trusted his old friend's judgment. As clan leaders of three prominent Konoha clans, they had heard of Whitebeard.
Choza glanced at the Hokage Rock: "The Hokage Rock has been shattered from a distance. Could the Hokage have lost?"
Shikaku and Inoichi remained silent, not wanting to address that possibility.
…
In the Root headquarters.
"Danzo-sama! Our men should be arriving soon!" A Root member reported to Danzo. "They will follow your orders and remain hidden."
"Hmm!" Danzo replied impatiently. Ever since Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura had limited his power, he had been in a foul mood.
While the Root usually operated in the shadows, there were times when they could act openly. But now, thanks to that damned monkey's restrictions, he had to be extremely cautious when issuing orders.
"Danzo-sama, our men have also reported that the battle there has affected the Hokage Rock. The third Hokage's monument has been shattered."
"Oh?"
Danzo felt a twisted pleasure.
Good, let it shatter!
If only it weren't just the monument but Hiruzen himself that was shattered.
…
Various factions within Konoha were rushing to the scene.
The first to arrive was Kakashi, who Hiruzen had left behind. He appeared on the devastated street, his forehead protector lifted to reveal his Sharingan.
Under his mask, his expression was unusually grave.
Kakashi looked at the ruined street and muttered to himself: "How many jutsu were unleashed here?"
He quickly noticed the only building that wasn't severely damaged: Naruto's house.
The other houses…
...were in ruins!
"Hey! You, the white-haired ninja!" A sudden voice snapped Kakashi's attention to a large ape crouching nearby.
"Enma?" Kakashi immediately recognized the Third Hokage's summon, well-known in the shinobi world.
Wait!
Why was Enma here alone?
And why was it covered in blood?
As Kakashi approached, he froze in place, his eyes widening in disbelief: "H-Hokage-sama?!"
"He's unconscious." Enma slowly stood, its expression complex. "Quick, contact your medical ninja and get him to the hospital!"
Kakashi's gaze fell on the prone form of Hiruzen, lying motionless on the ground.
The Hokage was covered in blood, his limbs twisted, seemingly broken.
"Enma, what happened to his clothes?" Kakashi tried to avert his eyes from the Hokage's exposed body.
"They were shattered by the vibrations," Enma replied.
"So, you…" Kakashi began but was interrupted.
"We lost," Enma admitted, taking a deep breath. The feeling of defeat was palpable. "Even with Sarutobi's help, we couldn't match that man. He's as strong as a tailed beast."
Kakashi was speechless.
So the Hokage had rushed to Naruto's aid, clashed with Whitebeard, and lost.
He had summoned Enma...
...and still lost.
Enma didn't seem to be in critical condition, but the Hokage's unconscious state was troubling.
Should he cover the Hokage's body before rushing him to the hospital?
"Hatake Kakashi?"
"Enma?"
The next moment, the Uchiha arrived. Seeing Kakashi was no surprise, but encountering Enma was unexpected.
Then they saw the figure on the ground, and their Sharingan widened in shock.
"That's… the Hokage?!"
The Ino–Shika–Cho trio, Hyuga clan members, Sarutobi clan members, ANBU, and Root operatives also arrived.
They found no strong enemies, no shinobi from other villages.
But an unconscious Hokage!
The scene…
...fell into silence.
…
Meanwhile.
At Konoha's gate.
"What's going on over there?" The guards, elite Chunin of Konoha, were watching the distance. They noticed a small figure approaching.
"Hey, kid!"
One of them called out: "It's late at night. You shouldn't be out here. If something happens, we'll be responsible!"
Naruto, dragging a suitcase, stopped to catch his breath.
He didn't know what was happening behind him.
Since his dad had told him to run here, it must be right. He just wondered how his dad's talk with the Hokage was going.
"I…" Naruto began to explain to the guards.
Suddenly, a huge figure appeared in the darkness.
Whitebeard's approach was anything but subtle. Naruto turned, and when he saw his father, his face lit up with joy and excitement.
"Dad!!!"
"Gurararara!" Whitebeard, carrying Murakumogiri, grinned at the two stunned Chunin. "I'm taking my son out of the village! What? Are you two going to stop me?"
…
…