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The Shinobi from Konoha’s major clans, including the Uchiha who held no love for the Hyūga, hesitated, not immediately attacking the defecting clan.
The only ones who obeyed Hiruzen Sarutobi’s orders and attacked were members of the Sarutobi Clan and the clanless Shinobi.
The Sarutobi Clan naturally followed Hiruzen’s command, as he was not only the Hokage but also their clan head.
As for the clanless shinobi, with no ties to the Hyūga, they naturally obeyed the Hokage’s orders.
“This is getting troublesome.”
Shin observed the escalating number of Konoha Shinobi. Controlling just Hiashi wouldn’t be enough to handle this.
Hiashi was too weak.
Even with Shin pulling the strings, Hiashi could—at best, contend with a Kage-level opponent.
Taking on an army? Forget about it.
“<Summoning Jutsu!>”
Shin formed a hand seal and slammed his palm on the ground. The Third Raikage puppet materialized before him.
“Shin-sama.” The Eight-Tails’s deep voice resonated from the puppet as it knelt before Shin.
The puppet wasn’t controlled by Shin anymore. Finding it bothersome, Shin had struck a deal with The Eight-Tails:
The Eight-Tails would control the puppet body. Shin had essentially granted The Eight-Tails partial freedom in exchange for gathering intel and reporting back periodically.
The Eight-Tails couldn’t truly escape, however; Shin’s seal remained, allowing him to control the beast at will.
Compared to its Tailed Beast brethren, The Eight-Tails considered its current situation quite luxurious.
It even felt a measure of gratitude towards Shin.
“Hold back those Konoha Shinobi,” Shin commanded The Eight-Tails.
The Eight-Tails didn’t hesitate. Controlling the Third Raikage puppet, it charged towards the Konoha forces.
Though unable to use Shin’s Rinnegan—Tenseigan—or other Kekkei Genkai, the puppet could still use the Third Raikage’s original Ninjutsu and Taijutsu—along with The Eight-Tails’s power.
Shin released his control over Hiashi, who felt a surge of panic. Would Shin abandon him now that Konoha’s reinforcements had arrived?
Suddenly, Hiashi’s consciousness shifted, finding himself in a pure white space.
“Where am I?”
“A Genjutsu space. My creation.” Shin’s voice came from behind Hiashi, startling him.
“You seem rather… flustered. Poor mental fortitude, Hiashi.”
‘Are you kidding me?!’ Hiashi inwardly cursed. Being suddenly pulled into a Genjutsu space was unsettling. He’d never even heard of such a thing.
“You can leave now. Someone will handle the Konoha Shinobi for you.”
With Shin’s words, the white space vanished, and Hiashi’s consciousness returned to his body.
Just then, the imposing figure of the Third Raikage puppet appeared before him.
“He must be the one Shin Uzumaki mentioned would help me.”
Hiashi glanced at the puppet, then turned and left without hesitation. He needed to regroup with Hizashi and the others.
———
The Third Raikage puppet stood like an unmovable mountain, blocking the path of the Konoha Shinobi. Its powerful aura, like a thunderclap, forced them to halt.
“Third Raikage? Aren’t you dead?” Hiruzen stared at the puppet, his expression grave.
The Third Raikage’s death was known throughout the Shinobi world.
Seeing him alive now was shocking. But this wasn’t the real Third Raikage; it was a puppet crafted from his corpse.
“I Am The Eight-Tails!!” The Eight-Tails’s booming voice hurt Hiruzen’s ears.
The Eight-Tails’ chakra cloak enveloped the puppet, five tails appearing behind it.
“Tailed Beast Mode? The Eight-Tails!” Hiruzen was bewildered.
What was happening? His mind was reeling. Killer B was the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, wasn’t he? When did the deceased Third Raikage become the host?
Putting those questions aside, Hiruzen knew this newcomer was hostile. Perhaps the Hyūga’s defection was connected to this? Otherwise, they wouldn’t have dared.
“Did the Hyūga Clan defect to Kumogakure?” Hiruzen wondered.
The thought made his face darken.
The defection of Konoha’s second-largest clan was a massive blow.
Not only did it weaken Konoha’s strength—but it also threatened internal stability. The Hyūga had set a dangerous precedent.
“Third Raikage, this is Konoha! You’re not welcome here!” Hiruzen swung his Adamantine Staff at the puppet.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
The puppet blocked the staff with one hand.
Hiruzen’s blow, capable of collapsing a building, was easily stopped. The original Third Raikage was renowned for his Taijutsu.
Now, clad in a Tailed Beast cloak in a partial transformation state, the puppet was even stronger.
It countered with a powerful elbow strike.
Hiruzen hastily blocked with his staff. The immense force sent him flying dozens of meters, blood nearly spurting from his mouth.
The Adamantine Staff transformed back into Enma, whose face was contorted in pain. Even Enma, known for his indestructible body, was injured.
“Hiruzen, are you alright?” Enma asked.
“I’m fine. I managed to deflect most of the force,” Hiruzen said, gritting his teeth against the pain in his arms. He felt like his bones were fractured.
“Attack! Protect Hokage-sama!” The Konoha Shinobi charged forward. Though intimidated by the half-transformed puppet, they wouldn’t abandon their Hokage or their village.
“Be careful!”
Hiruzen warned them.
The brief exchange had shown him the opponent’s terrifying strength. Though Hiruzen’s forte was Ninjutsu, he had foolishly engaged in Taijutsu.
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