The Hyūga clan—along with several other major clans—was also watching Sarutobi Hiruzen closely.
Remembering what had happened to Hyūga Hizashi, those painful memories struck straight at the deepest wound in Hyūga Hiashi's heart.
How could he possibly help Sarutobi Hiruzen?
Back when the Fourth Hokage was in power, Konoha didn't even need to consider diplomacy.
The Yellow Flash of the Ninja World.
That single title was enough to make entire nations hesitate.
Who would dare provoke Konoha so lightly?
Even the Ino–Shika–Chō clans had remained silent back then—let alone the others.
Compared to Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, had possessed an authority that was unquestionable.
"Heh… Sarutobi Hiruzen, isn't this scene amusing?"
Namikaze Kirito stepped closer, his voice dropping so low that only Hiruzen could hear it.
"I just wanted you to taste betrayal for once. How does it feel? Comfortable?"
His smile remained calm as his words sank like poison.
"Don't worry. I won't let a single one of your people escape. The Uchiha clan… they'll be more than happy to take action."
Looking at that handsome face from such close range, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt an icy chill crawl up his spine.
How vicious could someone be?
"Namikaze Kirito! If you have something to settle, come at me—leave my father out of this!"
Sarutobi Asuma charged forward in fury.
Kurenai took a step, wanting to stop him but her gaze shifted to Kirito, and she halted.
She wasn't an ignorant woman.
If forced to choose between friendship and love, she would choose the latter without hesitation.
A gentle, devoted woman like her always carried her husband in her heart
So she sided with Kirito without hesitation.
Faced with Asuma rushing toward him, Namikaze Kirito didn't even spare him a glance.
Sure enough, before Asuma could get close, Uchiha Itachi stepped in from the side.
The Mangekyō Sharingan spun open.
In the next instant, Sarutobi Asuma collapsed to the ground, eyes empty and unfocused.
"You should be grateful, Asuma," Itachi said calmly.
"If it weren't for me, you would've experienced real hell."
After speaking, Itachi briefly glanced at Yakushi Kabuto, who greeted him with a polite, eager smile.
Within Tsukuyomi, Asuma had endured seventy-two consecutive hours of torment.
His spirit had already collapsed—he would need a long time to recover.
Seeing their teacher fall, Shikamaru—representing the current generation of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio—instinctively stepped forward, only to be stopped by his father.
Their bond with Asuma hadn't yet deepened; they were still rookies.
When restrained, they hesitated—but their eyes never left Asuma, filled with worry.
"Namikaze Kirito!"
Watching his son collapse, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally snapped.
He began forming hand seals, intent on resisting.
—Woosh!
A golden flash streaked across everyone's vision.
In an instant, a figure appeared behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, hands gripping his neck.
"Lord Third, please wait quietly," Namikaze Minato said calmly.
"I won't allow you to hurt Kirito."
When it came to speed, if Namikaze Minato claimed second place in the ninja world, no one dared claim first.
At the exact moment Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to act, Minato had already arrived behind him using Flying Thunder God.
—Boom!
A cloud of white smoke suddenly erupted at the center of the arena.
When it dispersed, a white-haired man standing atop a giant toad appeared.
"Mount Myōboku Toad Sage—Jiraiya has arrived!"
"Orochimaru… I sensed your chakra, so I rushed over—huh?"
Jiraiya froze.
"Minato? Kushina?!"
He had felt Orochimaru's presence and feared trouble, but the scene before him left him utterly stunned.
"Pervy Sage!"
Still shaken from everything that had happened, Uzumaki Naruto cried out in relief the moment he saw Jiraiya.
He was confused—lost—and desperately needed someone to guide him.
"Naruto… Kirito's here too? What's going on?" Jiraiya asked, bewildered.
"And Minato—why is your kunai at the Third Hokage's neck?"
"Jiraiya-sensei," Kushina snapped, eyes blazing.
"Minato and I entrusted Naruto and Kirito to you. Is this how you took care of them?"
Right now, Uzumaki Kushina was nothing but a mother protecting her cubs—ready to punch anyone in sight.
"Kushina, I—"
Jiraiya looked away, guilt washing over his face.
This was his failure.
If he had been firmer, Naruto would never have suffered like this.
But when Namikaze Kirito looked at Jiraiya, his expression turned deep and unreadable.
"Jiraiya-sensei, you arrived at the perfect time."
He raised two fingers.
"Now you have two choices."
"Kid, what the hell are you talking about?" Jiraiya growled.
He genuinely couldn't understand how two straightforward people like Minato and Kushina had given birth to someone so calculating.
"There's a tradition in the shinobi world," Kirito said lightly.
"A student eventually kills his teacher."
"I originally wanted Orochimaru to do it—but if he did, this old bastard would suffer too much."
"So, as a kind person, I'm offering another option."
His eyes narrowed.
"How about you do it yourself?"
At that moment, Kirito's black-hearted nature surfaced fully.
He wanted Sarutobi Hiruzen's most trusted disciple to be the one to end him.
That would be interesting.
"Heh… Jiraiya," Orochimaru chuckled softly.
"It's been a long time. Of course, I'd prefer you not choose that option—but since the leader has spoken, I'll graciously let you decide first."
A spark of curiosity flickered in Orochimaru's eyes.
He wanted to see Jiraiya's choice.
No matter how shaken he was, Jiraiya could already grasp the situation.
He looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, emotions swirling in his gaze.
So this is where it ends, old man?
But Jiraiya was still Jiraiya.
A hero—through and through.
Meeting Kushina's murderous glare head-on, he spoke firmly.
"Kirito… can't you give the old man one more chance?"
"Let him live out his days as an ordinary old man."
Uzumaki Naruto stepped forward as well, looking at his brother.
From the brief exchange, he already understood—everyone here was waiting for Kirito's decision.
"Big brother… please give Grandpa Hokage a chance. He never hurt me."
Seeing Naruto's kindness, Minato and Kushina felt both relieved—and pained.
They wanted their son to be kind.
But they didn't want him to remain magnanimous after suffering so much.
"You're still too young, Naruto."
Kirito shook his head slowly, eyes calm, as though he had already seen through his brother's nature.
"You're just like Father—full of light."
"But I'm different."
"I am pure darkness."
As his words fell, black mist erupted behind him.
The power of the Dark-Dark Fruit surged forth, swallowing the space around him.
The chilling aura spread instantly, and everyone present felt an icy pressure seep into their bones.
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