_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Sage Art: Earth Style — Earth Flow Wall!"
Jiraiya slammed his palms to the ground.
A towering wall of earth erupted upward, stretching sky-high.
The next instant—
Boom boom boom—
Lightning exploded across the battlefield. Bolts scattered in every direction as chunks of earth and stone were blasted into the air.
Jiraiya looked up at the explosion's center, frowning.
"These are… senjutsu too?"
He hadn't expected that.
Akira's techniques were not only strange—they were also Sage Arts. Even with his full strength, countering them cleanly wasn't easy.
For now, he had no choice but to endure and wait for an opening.
"Sage Art: Lightning Release — Heavenly Descent!"
A low hum filled the air.
Then—
Crackle—crash—roar!
Thunder split the sky as countless bolts rained down.
Dense arcs of lightning tore across the sky, thunder crashing without pause as if the heavens meant to split the entire battlefield in half.
"Boom!"
A bolt came screaming down and swallowed Akira whole.
A layer of blue light flared across his skin, forming a tight barrier that absorbed the strike. It was a shield forged purely from chakra.
In Sage Mode, Jiraiya's senjutsu had grown far more potent. His strength had leapt to an entirely new level, and his techniques were no longer what they once were. This was the nature of ninjutsu enhanced by sage arts. The power of his sage techniques now rivaled, even surpassed, most conventional jutsu.
Another thunderclap split the air.
Lightning rained down again and again, hammering into Akira's body. Yet he stood there, unmoving, unscathed, as though thunder itself meant nothing to him.
One more bolt struck, only to rebound the instant it touched him. Not a single mark appeared on his skin.
The reason was simple. He had opened the Eight Gates. With that monstrous boost, most of Jiraiya's sage-enhanced attacks were being nullified outright.
"Boom!
""Boom!"
Bolt after bolt crashed into him, but Akira didn't even take a step back.
Jiraiya's face darkened.
How was this possible?
He had poured everything into that attack. And yet Akira remained untouched. It was unbelievable.
Akira's body wasn't invincible, but it was far from fragile. If anything, it had become something terrifying.
A bad feeling crept into Jiraiya's chest. His earlier assault… hadn't done a thing.
The lightning armor cloaking Akira was a special sage-enhanced lightning release. Its defensive capability was horrifying.
Jiraiya's own Sage Art: Lightning Release had been strengthened by natural energy, its power rivaling even the Raikage's lightning techniques. Against ordinary opponents, it would have been overwhelming.
But Akira wasn't ordinary.
Even at full strength, Jiraiya's attacks were something Akira could handle with ease. He could even dodge them effortlessly if he wished.
Lightning began to surge thicker around Akira, spreading across the earth like a crackling sea.
"Boom!!!"
A colossal bolt fell from the heavens.
Akira stood there. Completely unharmed.
From a distance, Tsunade and Jiraiya stared in disbelief.
What were they looking at?
A man of flesh and blood… blocking Jiraiya's full-powered assault without a scratch?
Jiraiya was Hiruzen Sarutobi's disciple. One of the greatest shinobi the world had ever produced. Widely acknowledged as a master of ninjutsu.
And yet a mere kid had stopped him cold?
Impossible.
"This can't be real!"
"How can his body withstand my attacks?!"
"I don't believe it!"
Jiraiya clenched his fists, killing intent rising in his eyes.
He had to strike again.
"Sage Art: Lightning Release – Thunder Dragon!"
With a low shout, a massive dragon formed entirely of lightning roared into existence, its body crackling with natural energy as it lunged toward Akira.
The technique was bolstered by the power of nature itself. Its might surpassed the vast majority of ninjutsu in the shinobi world.
The instant the Thunder Dragon appeared, violent winds exploded outward, spiraling into fierce gusts that tore up dirt and leaves in every direction.
Akira remained untouched.
Jiraiya's breath hitched. "What kind of monster body is that…?"
Akira's gaze turned cold.
He threw a punch through the air.
Jiraiya's pupils shrank.
What kind of power was this? He could feel it clearly. That single punch carried killing intent strong enough to suffocate him.
For the first time, he sensed death closing in.
He refused to accept defeat.
"Sage Art: Storm!"
Hand seals flashed. A massive windmill-shaped construct formed before him, wrapping his body inside a spiraling tornado. Jiraiya blurred into motion, turning into a streak as he shot toward Akira.
"Bang!"
Akira's air-compressed punch collided with the tornado. The impact detonated like the world itself had cracked.
A terrifying force surged through Jiraiya's body, drilling into him from head to toe.
"Rumble!!!"
He was blasted backward, carving an arc through the sky before slamming violently into the ground.
The earth exploded.
His chest caved in slightly. Blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. Shock flooded his eyes.
"No… impossible!"
Even in Sage Mode, he couldn't block a single long-range strike?
"Sage Art: Earth Release – Earth Dragon Spear!"
Jiraiya forced himself upright and unleashed another technique.
The ground roared.
The Earth Dragon Spear burst forth with overwhelming force. A violent gale swept outward, snapping branches clean off nearby trees.
Wood splintered and shattered.
In Sage Mode, even his earth techniques were enhanced to a terrifying degree.
But the attack hit Akira and… nothing happened.
He stood there like an iron fortress, absorbing everything Jiraiya threw at him.
Branches were crushed to dust.
Akira remained unmoved.
That was when Jiraiya realized something was terribly wrong.
He looked up.
Akira's eyes had turned crimson.
A blazing red light burned within them.
An oppressive aura erupted from his body, wild and suffocating.
Jiraiya's heart clenched. His Earth Spear—every bit of power he had poured into it—had been completely neutralized.
"What are you?" he demanded coldly.
He had funneled all his energy into that attack. And still, it had done nothing.
Akira didn't answer.
His lips moved slightly.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Massive lightning blasts slammed into Jiraiya. His clothes were torn apart instantly.
His muscular chest was revealed, now etched with dense, blood-red cracks.
Even so, he showed no fear.
"No matter what… today, you die. Whatever it costs."
"Sage Art: Earth Release – Earth Spear!"
He stomped the ground, fists clenched. His forearms hardened, forming thick, yellow-brown stone pillars that he swung forward with crushing force.
"Bang!"
The stone mass smashed into Akira's body.
Akira didn't move.
He let out a quiet chuckle.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, coughed up a mouthful of blood. Savage wounds ripped open across his body.
Akira's muscles swelled, bulging with explosive power.
"Ha! So this is your Sage Art: Earth Spear? Pretty weak."
A golden fireball burst from his mouth, racing toward Jiraiya to devour him.
Jiraiya slammed his palms down.
Another earth wall surged up in front of him.
The wall shattered under the impact, but it dispersed the golden flames just enough.
Then, from behind the dying fire, a compressed air fist shot forward.
Jiraiya staggered back several steps, face growing even paler.
Akira glanced at the torn fabric across his chest and smiled faintly.
"Not bad. Sage Art Earth Release does pack a punch. Too bad it's useless against me."
He punched through the air again.
The ground in front of Jiraiya erupted.
"Sage Art: Earth Release – Earth Dragon Wall!"
Another barrier rose to shield him.
"Boom!"
The wall exploded. Jiraiya was blown backward yet again. A deep crater marred his chest, a horrifying wound carved into him.
"Sage Art… Air Cannon!"
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
This time, three earthen walls erupted in front of Jiraiya, rising in an instant to shield him.
"Boom!"
The impact hit like a cannon blast.
"Pfft!"
Blood sprayed from Jiraiya's mouth as he was sent flying yet again.
Before he could even steady himself—
Bang!
Akira appeared behind him out of nowhere. The strike landed clean. Jiraiya's body was hurled through the air and crashed hard into the distant ground.
He lay there, sprawled face-down, his body trembling uncontrollably. It felt as if something inside him had been hollowed out. His chakra was almost completely drained.
Jiraiya's fingers twitched. Anger and wariness flickered in his eyes.
This kid… he's even more terrifying than I thought.
A thunderous rumble split the air.
Lightning suddenly exploded around Akira, surging wildly. Rings of crackling electricity spiraled around his body as the power poured into him in waves.
The sound of thunder rolled again and again.
Blue fur began to sprout across his skin.
His body swelled, expanding further, muscles bulging grotesquely. His expression twisted into something feral.
"I told you," Akira said, madness flashing in his eyes, "no matter what tricks you use, it won't work."
Jiraiya slammed his palm against the ground.
"Sage Art: Earth Release – Earth Dragon Wall!"
Another massive wall of earth shot up to shield him.
It had to be said—Jiraiya's defensive ninjutsu was exceptional. Against most Kage-level opponents, breaking through his defenses in one go would be nearly impossible.
But for Akira?
It was effortless.
Looking down at the blood-soaked Jiraiya, Akira's voice turned cold. "I've had my fun. Jiraiya… it's time to end this."
Not far away, Tsunade tried to rush in to help—
Only for Akira to punch straight through her chest once more.
Just as he moved to finish them both, their bodies suddenly dissolved into white smoke and vanished.
"Reverse Summoning Jutsu…"
Akira's eyes darkened.
Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myōboku had dared to snatch them away right under his nose.
One day, he would pay those so-called sacred lands a visit and teach those meddling bastards the price of sticking their noses where they didn't belong.
Akira returned to Konoha and released the seals suppressing the two giant beasts.
With the Nine-Tails holding things in check, Konoha's sealing squad managed to seal Nue inside Izumi.
The aftermath of the battle was staggering.
Hiruzen Sarutobi—dead.
Danzo—dead.
The mastermind, Obito—dead.
Tsunade and Jiraiya—gravely wounded, forced to flee.
On the Uchiha side, Itachi had his chakra completely drained. Fortunately, he survived. A small mercy in a sea of blood.
With the Hokage fallen, Fugaku was pushed forward and named the Fifth Hokage.
He insisted the position should belong to Akira—but Akira refused.
And so, in the end, Fugaku became the first—and only—Hokage in Uchiha history.
When the Fire Daimyō learned what had happened in Konoha, he flew into a rage.
Especially after hearing that Uchiha Fugaku had been appointed Fifth Hokage without his approval.
In his eyes, he was the true ruler of the Land of Fire. Konoha was nothing more than a dog he kept on a leash.
And now that dog had dared to choose its own master without consulting him.
Enraged, he dispatched the strongest warrior he had painstakingly trained—Chiriku—to Konoha.
Just before reaching the village, Chiriku happened to run into Uchiha Akira wandering outside.
"You Uchiha brat," Chiriku sneered, drawing his blade and charging forward, "running into me is the worst luck you'll ever have."
Akira's lips curled into a faint, cold smile. The black kunai in his hand flashed forward to meet the strike.
Clang!
Steel collided with steel, the sharp ring of metal echoing through the air.
"Hmph. Overestimating yourself."
Seeing Akira block the attack so easily,Chiriku let out a cold laugh.
Then his expression changed.
A dull tearing sound cut through the air.
Blood sprayed outward in a crimson arc.
"...What?"
A sharp pain erupted in his abdomen. Chiriku frowned, eyes narrowing as he stared at the expressionless Akira.
That exchange just now—Akira had clearly gained the upper hand. For a split second, Chiriku had even felt the brush of death.
Still, he quickly steadied himself.
No matter how strong he looked, Akira was just a ten-year-old child. There was no way he could truly threaten him.
With a thought, Chiriku gathered chakra into his abdomen, trying to force Akira back.
But in the next instant, his face twisted in shock.
Akira didn't release him.
Instead, his grip tightened around Chiriku's waist—and he lifted the fully grown warrior clean off the ground.
Then, with brutal force, Akira whipped his right leg and slammed Chiriku into the earth.
Boom!
The ground shook violently as dust exploded into the air.
And he wasn't finished.
Akira stomped down with his left foot, using the recoil to launch himself upward. He spun midair.
Whoosh!
Cutting through the air, he drove his right knee down toward Chiriku's skull with terrifying force.
If that hit landed, his head would be shattered beyond recognition.
But Chiriku's reflexes were razor-sharp. The moment Akira lifted his leg, he rolled aside, narrowly avoiding the strike.
He flipped back onto his feet and retreated, putting distance between them.
He had still underestimated him.
Midair, Akira adjusted his body slightly. The instant his feet touched the ground, he lunged forward in a diving motion, his right fist swinging hard toward Chiriku's chest.
Bang!
The punch landed squarely.
Chiriku staggered back several steps, clutching his chest, his face drained of color.
Shock flooded his expression.
He hadn't expected Akira to drive him back with a single blow.
"..."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________