Chapter 79: War against konoha

Monitoring the entire Konoha with Observation Haki, Zenkichi could even hear Hiruzen Sarutobi's speech at the meeting. Realizing that the meeting was about to get serious, Zenkichi shifted his body and transformed into light particles, reappearing outside the guest house. His body reformed on the rooftop, and a brilliant golden light beamed into the sky. The ANBU assigned to surveillance were stunned. They appeared around Zenkichi, sunglasses on, encircling him. "How stupid," Zenkichi said flatly. "Do you really think that tactic works on me?" He sighed leisurely—and the roof beneath him crumbled as his students burst out from below. "Sensei Zenkichi, leave them to us!" Ao stepped forward eagerly, eyes burning as he stared down the ANBU before him. "No problem," Zenkichi said with a faint smile, his body dissolving into light particles as he flew toward the Hokage Building. Inside, the clandestine meeting came to a sudden halt. Zenkichi's arrival had thrown the talks into disarray. Standing by the glass, the Kage-level figures saw the streak of golden light hurtling toward them. In an instant, it stopped just outside. Light particles condensed into Zenkichi's figure. He stood before them, smiling. "Hello everyone," he greeted lazily, waving without care. "Zenkichi, what are you trying to do?" "You've stirred unrest in Konoha. Are you trying to provoke a war between Konoha and Kirigakure?" Hiruzen stepped forward, his tone righteous. "Third Hokage, don't you think what you just said is laughable?" "I've never had a good relationship with Konoha, so why can't I cause unrest here?" "If I recall correctly, the last time I visited, you Konoha attacked me." "You're not afraid of starting a war—why should I be?" "You're in first grade, and I'm in fifteenth. I think that's fair." "And besides, aren't you discussing how to deal with me right now?" "I simply struck first. If anyone's to blame, it's you—for being too stupid and too weak." Zenkichi glanced lazily at Hiruzen, his tone casual. "Hokage-sama! Senior officials!" A Konoha ANBU appeared beside them. "A large Kirigakure force was just sighted heading toward the village. Requesting orders!" "Kirigakure troops?! You bastard! What is your real objective?" Hiruzen's face darkened, and he glared at Zenkichi. "If nothing unexpected happens," Zenkichi said indifferently, "Then very soon... there will no longer be a village called Konoha." Everyone's expression turned grim. Zenkichi smirked and continued, "You're still not attacking? Looks like you're unsure." "Is it because I disrupted your strategy? Or because the means you prepared to deal with me haven't arrived yet?" "Or maybe..." he narrowed his eyes, "...my power terrifies you. You know you can't beat me." "Well, this is getting boring. How about this—I'll refrain from using my light-based abilities. We'll fight fair." Hiruzen's expression hardened. "Are you joking?" Zenkichi shook his head and chuckled. "Not at all. That's my promise." He added silently to himself: Whether I can keep that promise is another matter entirely... Without a word, Hiruzen summoned his contract beast—the Monkey King Enma—who transformed into the Adamantine Staff. Zenkichi summoned the Sword, a blade of golden light, and swung it at the Hokage Building below. An overwhelming wave of sword energy surged forward. "If I don't show you my true strength, you'll keep underestimating my taijutsu." Konoha was his stage. After today, the name Konoha would be erased from the world. And he, the next Mizukage of Kirigakure, needed a legend attached to his name. His ability to become light made the world think he relied solely on elementalization. But today, he'd show everyone—even without his light-based form—he was still one of the strongest shinobi alive. The roaring sword energy raced forward. Hiruzen roared, charging in with the Adamantine Staff. The unbreakable staff met the sword slash—and wasn't destroyed. But a deep scar formed along the staff, and Hiruzen himself was sent flying by the immense force. Boom! Hiruzen crashed into the Hokage Building, and the wave of sword energy split the entire structure in two. Zenkichi floated down from the sky, landing softly with his sword held horizontally. "Come," he muttered. "Human Boulder Attack!" A deep voice boomed as Akimichi Torifu—the Fourth Hokage in this alternate timeline—shouted and rolled forward like a massive boulder. "Out of my way." Zenkichi swung his sword, and a tremendous wave of sword energy blasted forth, slicing through Torifu's enormous form. Torifu cried out in pain as the attack left deep gashes across his body, knocking him aside. Even with enhanced physical defenses, Zenkichi's devastating sword technique tore through him like paper. Had his battle instincts not warned him in time, that sword would've cleaved him in two. Even the Three-Tails, armored in natural shell, had been severed by this blade. The Adamantine Staff, as tough as diamond, had been damaged. What chance did Torifu's flesh and bone have? "Damn it..." Sensing his condition worsening, a fierce gleam flashed in Torifu's eyes. He pulled out a red pill and swallowed it without hesitation. --- Send Powerstones, amigos.