Chapter 129: Who Said the Hidden Leaf Has No Other Way
A deep smile appeared on Yuto's face as he glanced at Ao and said, "The remaining matters can proceed according to the plan."
Ao nodded, then vanished instantly with a Body Flicker Technique.
Outside the gates of the Hidden Leaf.
Deafening rumbling sounds continued to echo.
The battle between Jiraiya and Utakata was completely suppressed by Utakata.
Coughing up a mouthful of blood and not even having time to wipe it away, Jiraiya hurriedly left his original position.
In the next instant, a bubble suddenly appeared where Jiraiya had just been standing, followed immediately by an explosion.
Facing the Six-Tails jinchuriki's full-force assault, even Jiraiya, who wished to enter Sage Mode, could not find the slightest opening for the moment.
Compared to Jiraiya's perilous battle, the fight between Tsunade and Orochimaru on the other side instead fell into a stalemate.
The two exchanged attacks back and forth. Although the battle was fierce, neither had caused the other significant injury so far.
Annoyance was evident on Tsunade's face, yet a trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes.
No matter what openings she revealed, Orochimaru neither attacked nor engaged her head-on, clearly intent on simply holding her in place.
At this moment, it was not only Tsunade and Jiraiya who wore anxious expressions, but everyone on the Hidden Leaf's side as well.
The members of the Barrier Team swallowed nervously as they looked at the barrier, now covered in cracks.
"Hokage-sama, the barrier will probably only be able to withstand one more Tailed Beast Ball."
An ANBU member appeared in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi in a flash, his voice filled with tension.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened slightly. Just as he was about to issue an order, a panicked voice suddenly came from the side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo frowned at the same time. At a moment like this, they could not allow morale among the Hidden Leaf ninja to be shaken.
Following the direction of the voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo looked over.
A main family member of the Hyuga Clan approached them in hurried steps, his face filled with fear.
"What exactly happened?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked in a deep voice.
"Hokage-sama, members of our clan have discovered two ninja forces heading toward the Hidden Leaf," the Hyuga main family member said, his voice trembling.
"What!"
Shock appeared on Danzo's face as he could not help but exclaim.
"Did you clearly identify which two forces they are?" Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored Danzo's reaction and asked urgently.
"They are the Hidden Rock forces and the Hidden Cloud forces." The Hyuga main family member swallowed, his voice growing hoarse.
Hidden Rock! Hidden Cloud!
Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo could not help but exchange a glance.
"For the Hidden Rock and Hidden Cloud to bring forces here at this time, we must prepare for the worst," Danzo said grimly, his voice cold.
What Danzo feared was precisely what Hiruzen Sarutobi least wanted to see.
Thinking of what might happen, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a chill in his heart and immediately turned his head to look at Yamanaka Inoichi.
Standing not far from Hiruzen Sarutobi, Nara Shikaku had naturally also heard what the Hyuga main family ninja reported.
Several thoughts flashed through his mind, and without needing to speculate further, Shikaku already knew that the four great ninja villages were likely planning to join forces against the Hidden Leaf.
On the other side, Yamanaka Inoichi noticed Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze and quickly stepped forward.
"Immediately notify Jiraiya and Tsunade and have them withdraw at once," Hiruzen Sarutobi said urgently.
"Yes!" Yamanaka Inoichi replied respectfully, then quickly turned and left.
Before long, as Jiraiya was battling Utakata, Yamanaka Inoichi's voice suddenly rang out.
Jiraiya's expression changed, and in a brief lapse, he nearly took a direct hit from Utakata's attack.
Stomping hard on the ground, Jiraiya hastily retreated several steps, forming hand seals as he shouted toward Utakata's direction.
"Fire Release — Great Flame Bullet!"
Several fireballs shot toward Utakata, triggering a chain of explosions.
Using the opening created by the fireballs, Jiraiya rapidly retreated, rushing back toward the Hidden Leaf.
On the other side, Tsunade also heard Yamanaka Inoichi's message at the same time.
"Orochimaru! Although I don't know what you are truly thinking, I hope you remember this — you are still a person of the Hidden Leaf."
Tsunade cast a complicated glance at Orochimaru, unable to understand why he was clearly holding back.
However, for Tsunade, this was instead a good thing. After saying this, she also turned and hurried back toward the Hidden Leaf.
"The course of events has indeed exceeded my expectations," Orochimaru said softly as he watched Tsunade depart, his gaze deep and unreadable.
Within the Hidden Leaf.
"Hiashi! We must use the Nine-Tails' power. Now is not the time for mercy. One misstep today, and the Hidden Leaf may be destroyed in a single day," Danzo said as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his voice nearly roaring.
"No," Hiruzen Sarutobi replied. Struggle flashed in his eyes, yet his voice remained firm.
To the side, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane also wore anxious expressions as they joined Danzo in pressuring Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"If we use the Nine-Tails, how will you control it? Have you considered the consequences if something goes wrong?" Hiruzen Sarutobi said coldly as he stared at Danzo and the others.
Danzo stepped forward and pointed at his right eye, wrapped in bandages. "With this eye — Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan!"
Uchiha Shisui?
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression suddenly turned grim. "Shisui Uchiha's death back then was related to you. You actually took his eyes, Danzo!"
"Hmph! Stubborn. That eye's ability is far too dangerous in the hands of the Uchiha Clan. Besides, I only took his right eye. As for the left, it seems he destroyed it himself," Danzo snorted coldly.
"I also oppose Danzo's proposal just now!"
A calm voice came from afar as the figures of Jiraiya and Tsunade appeared within the sight of the Hidden Leaf ninja.
"Lord Jiraiya! Lady Tsunade!"
The surrounding ninja quickly parted to make way, calling out respectfully.
Displeasure appeared on Danzo's face. Regardless of Jiraiya and Tsunade's status, in his eyes they were ultimately still juniors.
"I'm sorry, old man. I couldn't make it to the enemy's Three-Tails to seal it," Jiraiya said apologetically as he looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After speaking, Jiraiya turned to look at Danzo.
"Who said our Hidden Leaf has no other way to resolve the problem before us?"
As Jiraiya spoke, the heavy atmosphere suddenly fell silent, and everyone looked at him in astonishment.
Standing beside Jiraiya, Tsunade also stared at him in surprise.
This was a joint effort of four great ninja villages. Surely he was not suddenly speaking empty bravado.
As everyone looked at Jiraiya in shock, only Hiruzen Sarutobi showed a conflicted expression, letting out a faint sigh.
Standing beside Hiruzen Sarutobi, Nara Shikaku noticed his expression, and his eyes immediately lit up.
It seemed that Lord Jiraiya was not speaking without confidence after all.
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