Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 204 The Will of Fire: More Than Just a Pretty Slogan

"I have come to judge your sins."

Uchiha Kagami's voice, amplified through the white Susanoo skeleton, gradually became grand and hollow, unlike any human voice.

Standing at the ribcage of Susanoo, those kaleidoscopes that flowed with blood and tears no longer possessed any warmth, only the absolute indifference of a god judging sinners.

He raised his hand.

Along with it, the white skeleton moved.

boom!!!

The enormous skeletal arm, with a whooshing sound as it tore through the air, swung out with a speed completely disproportionate to its massive size.

It is not attacking any one person.

They are cleaning this area.

A Cloud Village Jonin, still experiencing the pain of being betrayed by his clan and subjected to slow slicing within a genjutsu, was completely unaware that death was approaching in the real world.

A massive white finger bone swept past like a landslide.

No collision, but a block.

Only erasure.

The body of the Cloud Village Jonin, along with several other Mist Village ninjas beside him, was instantly smashed into a bloody pulp that splattered everywhere.

Cruel, efficient, and devoid of any human warmth.

"hiss………"

Above the dome, a young member of the Vortex Clan gasped in astonishment at the incredible visual spectacle.

What would it be like if I had this thing?

One piece here, one piece there?

"hiss--"

"hiss...."

Hearing the hissing sounds all around him, Ninth Generation Uzumaki sighed and rubbed his forehead.

If you didn't know better, you'd think you were in a snake pit.

In fact, the village chief of the Land of Whirlpools was also trembling slightly at this moment.

This was also the first time he had ever seen such pure and unreasonable power.

"How lucky I am..."

On the other side, Uchiha Tokumitsu and his Special Reaction Squad members all stood frozen in place.

As members of the Uchiha clan, they understood the meaning behind the white skeleton better than anyone else.

That is a legend etched deep in our blood.

It is the ultimate power that their race both desires and fears.

"This is... a kaleidoscope..."

Deguang muttered to himself, his proud three-tomoe Sharingan appearing as insignificant as a firefly compared to the bright moon before the enormous white Susanoo.

How can the water in a ditch compare to the brilliance of the Arctic Ocean? How can the light of the new moon rival the radiance of the blazing sun?

In the center of the battlefield, the killing continued.

Uchiha Kagami's movements did not pause at all.

The first strike cleared the left side.

Therefore, the second strike will be on the right side.

Another enormous skeletal arm swept out, creating a gust of wind that even froze the air inside the entire library.

Those invaders who were still trapped in the illusionary world of the Mind Mirror were swept away in large swaths like stalks of wheat in a strong wind.

The sounds of bones cracking and flesh tearing apart were drowned out by the tremendous howling wind.

What was presented to everyone was only a silent and bloody final dance.

Just two swings.

In just three seconds.

The invaders, who originally numbered only a few dozen, were completely slaughtered.

The entire library was instantly stained with a thick, dark red color.

The pungent smell of blood, mixed with the stench of entrails, filled the air, making one want to vomit.

Now, only two enemies remain standing.

Gui Deng Haiyue, and his sister Gui Dengxi.

They were deliberately avoided and positioned between two swings.

The white Susanoo stopped moving.

The enormous skull slowly lowered, its two empty eye sockets staring at the two ants on the ground.

Two enormous white skeletal hands slowly closed from the left and right sides, lifting the two of them up and suspending them in mid-air.

Uchiha Kagami stood inside the ribcage of Susanoo, scrutinizing the two prisoners.

He has to make a judgment.

"This must be one of their higher-ups... um..."

A grand voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of contemplation.

Kill them, it's that simple.

But living has a greater value.

They were direct participants in the secret alliance between Kumogakure and Kirigakure, and were the commanders of this invasion operation.

Their heads contained the information that Konoha needed most.

Moreover, they are the Hozuki clan.

They are a highly influential secret technique family in Kirigakure.

Bringing them back alive, whether to turn them into loyalists of Konoha or to use them as pawns to sow discord within Kirigakure, would be far more valuable than two corpses.

This is what Hiruzen taught him.

The Naruto's way of thinking.

Never let anger cloud your judgment; always prioritize the best interests of the village.

After a moment's hesitation, Uchiha Kagami made his decision.

The two enormous skeletal hands gently placed Hozuki Kaigetsu and Hozuki Shio back onto the ground.

Then, the devastating white skeleton rapidly dissipated amidst a surge of chakra, turning into specks of blue light that merged into the air.

hum!

The terrifying pressure that had enveloped the entire area suddenly vanished.

Everyone felt a lightness in their bodies, as if they had returned to land from the deep sea, and greedily breathed in the air mixed with the smell of blood.

puff.

Uchiha Kagami's body fell from mid-air and knelt on one knee.

He tightly covered his left eye, which was constantly bleeding tears, with one hand. It was his first time experiencing the power of the kaleidoscope, and his body was somewhat unaccustomed to it.

"mirror!"

A hoarse but urgent figure leaped down from the dome.

It was an almost instinctive, most direct leap.

Danzo Shimura landed heavily beside Kagami Uchiha, splashing blood around him.

Without even glancing at the hellish scene around him, he half-squatted down, his perpetually icy face now filled with unprecedented concern and pride.

Staring at Uchiha Kagami's still bleeding eye, watching the strange patterns that symbolized supreme power slowly fade away within it.

There was no evil intention to covet this power.

All he knew was that his dearest friend had just stepped into a completely new realm, one filled with both danger and glory.

Danzo Shimura extended his calloused hand, the one he was accustomed to holding kunai.

Then, he slapped Uchiha Kagami hard on the shoulder.

"mirror."

His voice was still hoarse, but it carried a heartfelt sincerity.

"Well done!"

This is a comrade's most sincere and heartfelt praise for another comrade.

Uchiha Kagami raised his head and looked at Danzo's complex face through his fingers.

He felt a sense of awe, relief, and even a touch of envy.

But I saw no jealousy or greed.

Jing smiled.

Despite the intense pain in his eyes, his smile was somewhat distorted.

"Fortunately, I didn't embarrass Konoha."

"Ha ha."

Danzo chuckled a few times, grabbed Kagami's arm, and pulled him up from the ground. "You rascal, when did you learn to spout this kind of nonsense?"

Although he complained verbally, the strength with which he supported her was incredibly steady and powerful.

"Take care of the eyes first."

Danzo quickly pulled out medical bandages and special ointment from his ninja tool pouch. "The power of the Kaleidoscope is not something you can squander in your current state."

Uchiha Kagami nodded silently.

There must be relevant records in Hiruzen's manuscript.

He obediently closed his eyes, letting Danzo clean him with delicate techniques.

This scene was quietly witnessed by all the survivors.

Uzumaki Kyudai looked down at the two figures supporting each other, and at the man who had just been judging everything like a god or demon, but was now weakly leaning on his companion.

The man, who had a cold and aloof demeanor and seemed unapproachable, suddenly displayed a charming and caring side.

He suddenly understood.

Konoha's strength lies not only in their possession of the Uchiha clan, who are capable of activating Susanoo.

More importantly, behind this ninja who possesses such immense power lies...

Standing there are companions who are willing to risk their lives for him and who do not hesitate to lend a helping hand when he is weak.

"The Will of Fire..."

The ninth generation of Uzumaki uttered the word softly.

Previously, he thought it was just a nice slogan.

Now, it seems I understand its true significance.

"Everyone!"

The Ninth Generation Uzumaki took a deep breath and ordered his clansmen, "Clean up the battlefield! Gather all the enemy corpses and dispose of them properly!"

"Also, bind those two survivors with the highest-level sealing lock of our Uzumaki clan! Make sure they can't use a single drop of chakra!"

"yes!"

The ninjas of the vortex suddenly realized what was happening and immediately sprang into action.

Without needing orders, the Konoha Anbu and Root ninjas began their efficient cleanup work.