Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen, utilizing their Kage Bunshin, chose to engage the Golden Horn and Silver Horn indirectly, avoiding a direct confrontation. After all, shadow clones are formed from chakra, and their existence is precarious. A strong attack could easily destabilize the chakra, causing the clone to dissipate.
The two carefully dodged the Golden and Silver Horns' attacks, employing various ninjutsu with binding effects to try to restrain them, but their efforts were in vain. For instance, Sarutobi Hiruzen used Doton: Yomi Numa (Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld) to turn the ground into a mire, aiming to trap the brothers. However, Silver Horn simply waved his Bashōsen fan, its flames hardening the swamp with brute force, allowing him to break free effortlessly.
Realizing the futility of their efforts, Sarutobi Hiruzen grew frustrated. The transformation of the Bashōsen fan after injecting Nine-Tails chakra was formidable, and with the shadow clone's limited chakra, his ninjutsu was no match for Silver Horn's counterattacks. Once, Sarutobi Hiruzen attempted a more direct assault, but the Silver Horn's Bashōsen fan easily deflected his attack. If not for Fumori Masaki pulling him out of harm's way, his shadow clone would have been destroyed by Golden Horn.
Having narrowly escaped, Sarutobi Hiruzen chose to continue evading rather than risk another close call. Maintaining the shadow clones was crucial, so he and Fumori Masaki focused on dodging the relentless onslaught of the Golden and Silver Horns.
To the onlookers, it seemed as though the two shadow clones were barely holding their ground against the ferocious attacks, constantly retreating without a chance to counterattack. It appeared as though the clones could disappear at any moment.
Danzo, though worried, remained hidden, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. He had to maintain his cover for a crucial task and couldn't afford to expose himself prematurely. Even sending out a shadow clone was risky, as the Golden and Silver Horns were aware of his presence. His only hope was that the shadow clones would hold out long enough for him to make his move. Experts like the Golden and Silver Horns only give you one chance; he had to strike at the most opportune moment.
As the battle raged on, others who had entered the barrier remained at a distance, eyes wide in awe at the explosive clashes before them. The scale of the battle was beyond anything they could have imagined, a shadow-level conflict that they had no place in.
"Damn it, I can't find an opening at all," Hyūga Kei muttered, his gaze darting frantically as sweat trickled down his face. He wanted to use his Gentle Fist technique to seal off the Nine-Tails chakra within the Golden and Silver Horns. If he could seal their chakra pathways, he might weaken them temporarily, even if they eventually broke free. However, catching a glimpse of his opponents, let alone accurately striking their chakra points, was nearly impossible. Unlike Hyūga Neji, Kei did not possess the extraordinary talent that surpassed his clan, nor could he keep up with the likes of Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Others, too, sought to intervene but found themselves equally powerless. Yamanaka Takuma, for instance, considered using his mind transfer technique to control one of the brothers, but their speed made it impossible for his spirit to connect with them.
As frustration and helplessness set in among the onlookers, Rimi's eyes stayed locked on Fumori Masaki's fleeting figure, silently praying for his success.
"Hahaha—" Golden Horn's laughter rang out, filled with mocking glee as he swung his weapon and unleashed ninjutsu. "What's wrong, you little brats? You lured us here thinking you could kill us, and yet all you do is run around!"
Golden Horn knew that Fumori Masaki's team had deliberately led them into a trap. Confident in their strength, the brothers had followed, expecting a challenge. Instead, Golden Horn felt disappointment at the lackluster fight.
Fumori Masaki and Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't respond. They knew speaking would only expose them to danger. The strengthened Nine-Tails chakra could dissipate a shadow clone with just a slight touch. Even though they remained highly focused, narrowly avoiding each attack, their chakra was steadily depleting. Once it ran out, the shadow clones would vanish.
As the battle dragged on, the Golden and Silver Horns gradually became overconfident, a flaw born of their arrogance. This was the moment Shimura Danzo had been waiting for. Communicating telepathically with the others, he seized the opportunity without hesitation.
Danzo, who had trained his subordinates in the Root under the guise of the Anbu Training Department, was more like an assassination unit leader than a typical Anbu commander. When Golden Horn chased after Sarutobi Hiruzen and Silver Horn focused on Masaki, Danzo struck silently from behind Silver Horn, his hands forming seals as he inhaled a large volume of air.
Silver Horn sensed Danzo's presence the moment he appeared, but by then, the distance was too short for him to fully react. Instinctively, he channeled chakra into his Bashōsen fan, unleashing a hot flame. At the same time, Fumori Masaki voluntarily dispelled his shadow clone, absorbing the remaining senjutsu chakra back into his body. He moved almost simultaneously with Danzo, his sudden appearance causing Silver Horn to hesitate.
The sight of Fumori Masaki's transformed state, the same as when he had severed Silver Horn's arm in their last encounter, triggered a deep-seated fear in Silver Horn. Although he wouldn't admit it, the memory of that day was seared into his mind. Silver Horn's tough exterior masked a cowardly heart when faced with opponents stronger than he expected, a flaw that had cost him dearly during the Fourth Ninja World War when he had panicked and been sealed away.
In that brief moment of hesitation, Fumori Masaki struck. Silver Horn, thinking he was about to lose another arm, dodged quickly, but Fumori's true target was the Bashōsen fan. Silver Horn felt a shock run through the fan in his hand, causing him to lose his grip. The fan flew out of his hand, and before Silver Horn could recover, Fumori Masaki used the momentum to launch himself away, pulling the fan with him.
"Ginkaku, what are you doing?!" Golden Horn, seeing Danzo appear, abandoned his pursuit of Sarutobi Hiruzen to assist his brother. But as he did, he witnessed the Bashōsen fan being taken away. Enraged, he was about to act when Sarutobi Hiruzen, having also dispelled his shadow clone, emerged from the ground. He cast Doton: Yomi Numa (Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld) once more, trapping Golden Horn in the mire. This time, without Silver Horn's fire to solidify the swamp, Golden Horn was unable to break free immediately.
Fearing Golden Horn might still escape, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned his personal summoning beast, the Monkey King Enma. The old ape, possessing a body as strong as steel, transformed into the indestructible Adamantine Staff. Gripping the staff tightly, Sarutobi Hiruzen slammed it down toward Golden Horn.
Golden Horn managed to block the Adamantine Staff with one hand, but the immense pressure drove him deeper into the swamp, preventing him from aiding Silver Horn. He could only watch as Fumori Masaki flashed past him, the Bashōsen fan in hand.
"Rimi!" Fumori Masaki shouted as he sped away from the Golden and Silver Horns, directing his voice toward Rimi in the distance.
Rimi understood immediately, rushing forward to assist Fumori Masaki in holding the Bashōsen fan.
"Fools! You who are not of the Sage of Six Paths' blood cannot wield these treasures!" Golden Horn, having finally freed himself from the swamp, mocked their actions as he prepared to attack.
But in the next moment, the smirk on his face slowly faded, replaced by an expression of disbelief.