"Seems like this younger brother is not just big in size."
Raidenmaru was in a good mood, having such an abundant amount of Chakra could greatly assist in battle.
"Then, let's begin!"
Hakushi urged the giant serpent beneath his feet.
The water-formed giant serpent understood, began coiling its body, and spun like a top. As its massive body rotated at high speed, it conjured a fierce gale, quickly nearing the numerous Konoha Ninja.
At that moment, Ruri clasped her hands to form a seal:
"Fire Style: Mighty Dragon Fire Technique!"
A gigantic dragon head of fire spewed from her mouth, engulfed by the violent whirlwind created by the serpent. Mixing with the storm, the fire rapidly spread, transforming directly into a fiery tornado.
"Water Style: Water Rushing Wave!"
Dozens of Konoha Ninja immediately employed Water Style Jutsu, but the fiery tornado showed no sign of halting.
The flames scattered everywhere, setting the forest ablaze, illuminating the dark night.
Undaunted, Hiruzen charged forward.
Enma supported himself with all fours, sprinted alongside Hiruzen, aiming to thwart the enemy's advance.
"Enma, transform into the Adamantine Staff!"
"Understood!"
Upon hearing Hiruzen's command, Enma immediately comprehended.
With a bang, he transformed into a long staff, spun several times mid-air, and was caught by Hiruzen, wielded firmly in his hand.
Suddenly, Hiruzen swung the Mind Stick, which instantly extended and thickened.
Boom!
The staff's body directly struck the spinning giant serpent.
The serpent immediately ceased its spinning motion, swayed aside, sliding as if unstable, only stopping after crashing through many trees.
"That's just too exaggerated."
Cold sweat dripped down Hakushi's face.
Though standing safely atop the serpent's head, a single strike had thwarted the serpent's offense and forced it back...
Honestly, the strength of the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen exceeded his imagination.
Wielding such a heavy staff with ease and repelling the giant serpent demonstrated his sheer power and Taijutsu skills, which were not to be underestimated.
"Go!"
Numerous Konoha Ninja charged forward, wielding kunai or ninja blades, even ninja employing techniques.
Tian Yu Nv clasped her hands, an enchanting white light emanating around her.
"Waaaaaaahhhhh!"
Countless Wind Blades dispersed outward, slicing through the bodies of Konoha Ninja, causing them to plummet one after another.
Some ninjas broke through the Wind Blades, landing on the serpent's body, only to find long whip-like streams of water binding them, immobilizing them.
"Don't go near this guy carelessly."
Hakushi warned them, yet this well-intended reminder came a step too late.
From the shadow at his feet, numerous Shadow Blades emerged, swinging towards the bound Konoha Ninja.
Ding, ding, ding, they all bounced off.
It was a flash of gold, Minato holding a Three-pronged Kunai deflected the Shadow Blades, then turned and waved his hand, cutting the water streams binding the Konoha Ninja, freeing them.
Regaining their freedom, the Konoha Ninja did not immediately engage in battle but promptly leaped off the serpent's body, fearing some dreadful event might occur.
Observing the now empty area, Minato also used Space-Time Ninjutsu to leave.
Hakushi's expression quickly soured.
This sporadic use of ninjutsu was truly headache-inducing.
"That should be the Flying Thunder God Jutsu pioneered by the Second Hokage, right? I didn't expect someone in this era learned that technique."
Ruri said uncertainly.
"Again with that Second Hokage..."
Hakushi's face turned somber.
Previously, Akimichi Torifu had countered the Nine-tailed; that person was a disciple of the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama. Without him, Konoha might have been entangled with the Nine-tailed for a while longer.
Coupled with Minato using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu... even the slightest slip could mean losing one's head.
"Hmm?"
Over there, Hiruzen suddenly sensed something amiss.
Gazing at the majority of fallen, wailing Konoha Ninja, though heavily injured, they weren't at risk of dying.
They were injuries inflicted by Tian Yu Nv's Wind Escape techniques, mostly the Chunin who got accidentally caught in the attacks, while the Jonin had trump cards for protection, avoiding easy injuries.
This seemed like a deliberate outcome.
Because continuing like this meant splitting a part of their combat force to care for these wounded.
Was the current mission more important, or their comrades... Was this meant to take revenge on Konoha this way?
Hiruzen looked at Hakushi standing there nonchalantly with a pained expression, his heart icy cold.
As expected, it was because of Sakumo...
"Jonin, stay. Chunin, take all the injured and retreat!"
Hiruzen issued this order, though some Konoha Ninja were puzzled, they complied, quickly retreating with the injured companions from the battlefield.
"Did they realize? Charge!"
Hakushi knew his intent was seen through; he originally planned to create more wounded to exhaust the Konoha Ninja's combat force.
After all, dead people and living people differ vastly.
The giant serpent lunged its massive body, attacking those Konoha Ninja preparing to withdraw.
Boom!
It was a towering giant, delivering a fierce punch, causing the serpent to whip its tail in counter, both sides retreating a few steps.
"Don't think you can advance a single step further!"
Akimichi Torifu spoke seriously, with a murderous intensity.
"What a nuisance."
Hakushi furrowed his brows.
While about to act, another colossal figure descended on the other side.
It was an enormous Summoning Beast.