Both parties knew today's conflict wouldn't end peacefully.
"There's no need for words. Just act."
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Technique."
With Sarutobi Hiruzen's ninjutsu attack, the battle officially commenced.
To avoid detection, Senju Tobirama brought only a small group this time—his six students and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito, along with a few clan heads.
Don't underestimate these clan heads. They've earned their positions not just through prestige, but also through formidable strength.
In power level, they may not all be quasi-Kage level, but they are certainly elite Jonin at their peak.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and his six comrades are considered the weakest among them.
Luckily, their opponents aren't overwhelmingly powerful.
Apart from the formidable brothers Ginkaku and Kinkaku, their forces consist mainly of veteran Jonin, with some newer Jonin and Chunin sprinkled in.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and his team aren't fools—they know the veteran Jonin are the targets for the clan heads, leaving them to handle the newer recruits.
As for Uzumaki Mito, her objective is clear.
Her targets are the brothers Ginkaku and Kinkaku.
"You filthy woman, take out those two quickly."
Kyuubi holds vivid memories of the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku.
Before they were apprehended by the rogue Hashirama and sealed within the body of Uzumaki Mito, the young brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku sought to prove their strength by attempting to kill it.
Naturally, the Nine-Tailed Fox would not tolerate them and swallowed both of them whole with its enormous mouth.
Initially intending to digest them outright, the Fox found that instead of being consumed in its stomach, the brothers seized the opportunity to ingest some of its flesh and blood, thereby gaining their own chakra.
Kyuubi was always ashamed of this incident.
Had there been no opportunity, it would have been fine; after all, it was sealed within Uzumaki Mito's body and had nowhere else to go.
Now, finally encountering these two troublemakers, it resolved to eliminate them.
"Kyuubi, don't be so irritable."
Confronted by the Nine-Tails' insistence, Uzumaki Mito remained remarkably composed and harbored no intent to harm anyone.
"What? You dare call me irritable?" Kyuubi responded incredulously, then roared, "Do you speak as a human would? I lived freely outside, eating and sleeping as I pleased, but your husband insisted on sealing me inside your body, claiming I was too dangerous. Am I truly the dangerous one here? I believe he poses a greater threat than I."
Kyuubi wasn't finished, roaring again, "You're no saint either. I merely desired more space to move about, yet you used that damned Fuinjutsu to subdue me. I am Kyuubi, not some dog! And now you tell me not to be irritable? If I had the chance, I'd give you a few good whacks just to show you what true irritability is."
Feeling the Nine-Tailed Fox's grievance, Uzumaki Mito felt somewhat ashamed herself.
Hearing its words, it seemed her husband had indeed stirred up trouble.
Only due to his preconceptions did he believe the Nine-Tails incapable of communication.
It wasn't until she repeatedly used the Fuinjutsu to subdue it that he realized the Nine-Tails possessed rational thought and could communicate.
However, by that time, the animosity between the two sides had already built up and could no longer be resolved.
"It seems you harbor deep resentment."
"Yes, it runs deep."
"Alright then, I'll harness your power to eliminate these two."
As soon as he spoke, nine scarlet tails instantly appeared behind Uzumaki Mito.
This is the initial form of the Nine-Tails, known as the Nine-Tails Coat.
In this state, Uzumaki Mito's fundamental attributes like speed, strength, and perception are significantly enhanced.
However, there are trade-offs.
Due to the volatile nature of the Nine-Tails' chakra, Uzumaki Mito cannot use any ninjutsu or sealing techniques in this form.
Originally intending to rely on her own power to deal with Ginkaku and Kinkaku, she now uses the Nine-Tails' power upon realizing its deep-seated grudge.
I hope to appease some of the Nine-Tails' resentment this way.
"Be cautious, brother."
"Understood, big brother."
Seeing Uzumaki Mito transform into the Nine-Tails without a word, the expressions of Ginkaku and Kinkaku grew serious as well.
To reassure the Second Raikage, they refrained from bringing the Six Paths Ninja Tools this time.
The disparity in strength between those with and without ninja tools cannot be overstated—it's like night and day.
"Ready? Here I come."
Before launching her attack, Uzumaki Mito kindly warned her opponents.
But judging from the other party's expression, he didn't seem to appreciate it.
Uzumaki Mito paid no mind to this. With a fierce swing of her right hand, she unleashed a sharp claw formed from Nine-Tails Chakra towards the two brothers.
Facing the attack, Ginkaku and Kinkaku reacted swiftly, dodging in opposite directions.
Seeing their evasion, Uzumaki Mito smiled faintly, simultaneously waving both hands. Two sharp claws immediately pursued the brothers separately.
The power of Nine-Tails' chakra was overwhelming. While Ginkaku and Kinkaku evaded, a loyal ninja from Kumogakure attempted to intervene and halt the sharp claws.
Unfortunately, whether it was ninjutsu or otherwise, their efforts were in vain.
These ninjas aiding Ginkaku and Kinkaku inadvertently exposed vulnerabilities, leading them to be pursued by Konoha forces.
"Fool, do you dare to be distracted while facing me?" Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered, timing his move perfectly to launch a Flame Bomb.
Confronted with flames from the front, left, and right, the man had no opportunity to defend with ninjutsu and was forced to leap upward to avoid them.
Anticipating this reaction, Sarutobi Hiruzen seized the moment while the man was airborne and vulnerable, employing the Great Fireball Jutsu.
With no means to evade, the man reluctantly resorted to confront it head on.
"Ah~"
Fire Style Ninjutsu ranked among the most destructive of the Five Elemental Styles. The man bore the brunt of the Great Fireball Jutsu, left in a pitiable state with burns and charred clothing.
"Allow me to end your suffering."
Observing his opponent's scorched state, Sarutobi Hiruzen swiftly ended it with a kunai, freeing him from agony.
In the shadows, Senju Tobirama nodded in approval at Sarutobi Hiruzen's combat prowess, then shifted his attention elsewhere.
He harbored no concerns regarding the heads of the several clans, given their formidable strength.
His primary focus remained on his sister-in-law and the other disciples.
He kept watch over his sister-in-law, fearing excessive use of Nine-Tails Chakra might corrode her body.
As for the disciples, his vigilance aimed to ensure they did not meet untimely ends.
Bringing six disciples here was intended to enrich the village, impart knowledge, and foster their growth—not to see them perish.
****
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