The moment **Hiruzen Sarutobi** made his move, Ning Feng immediately sensed his killing intent.
Although Ning Feng had not entered **Sage Mode**, his perception of **natural energy** had already reached an extremely terrifying level.
The sudden surge of murderous intent within the surrounding natural energy—how could Ning Feng possibly miss it?
Therefore, just as Hiruzen's body was about to reach **Minato**, a sharp whistling sound suddenly echoed through the air.
Without any warning, **Uchiha Feng appeared directly in front of Hiruzen**.
His speed was simply too fast.
So fast that Hiruzen couldn't even react.
Bang!
A loud crash echoed.
The former **Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi**, was instantly sent flying.
His body smashed through countless obstacles along the way, leaving several **human-shaped holes** in walls and structures.
"S-So fast…"
As Ning Feng made his move, the members of the **Ino–Shika–Chō clans**, along with Minato and the ANBU elites, finally understood how terrifying Ning Feng truly was.
Minato, who had fought alongside Ning Feng before, felt it most clearly.
After the battle of the **Nine-Tails Night**, Ning Feng's strength had clearly increased once again.
As for the Ino–Shika–Chō clan members who were witnessing his power for the first time—
Cold chills ran down their spines, and fear filled their eyes.
The reason was simple.
Only now did they truly understand **Uchiha Feng's real strength**.
Before this, they had always thought that while Ning Feng was strong, the gap between him and the Hokage-level fighters wasn't that great.
But reality had proven just how **naive** that belief was.
While they were still processing everything—
Bang!
Another sound echoed.
Ning Feng's hand had already grabbed **Hiruzen's throat**, lifting him up like a helpless chick.
Throughout the entire fight, the man known as the **Professor of Ninjutsu**, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had no ability to resist in front of Ning Feng.
"S-So strong…"
"To think that in such a short time, Feng… you've already reached this level…"
"No wonder Minato and the others survived the **Nine-Tails Night**…"
Hiruzen spoke with difficulty, his voice strained.
He felt as though his throat was being gripped by the hand of death itself.
Ning Feng frowned slightly as he stared at Hiruzen.
He could clearly sense something.
Hiruzen… **had not used his full strength**.
To be precise, he had been **hiding it the entire time**.
Just as Ning Feng was thinking about this—
Suddenly, Hiruzen seemed to notice something.
His eyes flashed.
With a sudden burst of power, he broke free from Ning Feng's grip.
Clap!
His hands slammed together in a seal.
"**Reaper Death Seal!**"
In that instant, a gigantic **Shinigami** appeared behind Hiruzen.
The grim-faced god of death held a massive cursed blade in its hand, staring coldly at **Uchiha Feng** in front of Hiruzen.
Even Ning Feng hadn't expected that Hiruzen would use such a method at the last moment.
The **Reaper Death Seal** was one of the most ultimate techniques in the Naruto world.
In the original story, Hiruzen had used this technique to nearly seal **Orochimaru**.
And if Ning Feng hadn't interfered with the timeline, **Minato** himself would likely have used this very technique to seal the rampaging **Nine-Tails**.
In simple terms—
By using the Reaper Death Seal, Hiruzen intended to **drag Ning Feng down with him**.
"Hahahahaha!"
"Uchiha Feng, you will remain in Konoha forever!"
"Your Tailed Beasts—the **Five-Tails and Four-Tails**—will belong to Konoha!"
"Minato, forgive this old man!""Everything I've done is for Konoha—for Konoha's future!"
Hiruzen laughed wildly.
Under the Reaper Death Seal, **no one could escape**.
Even Hiruzen himself had never imagined that one day he would actually use this forbidden technique.
"Lord Hiruzen!"
Minato and Kakashi were both shocked.
They never expected Hiruzen to resort to such a desperate move.
They rushed forward, trying to stop him.
But a forbidden technique like the **Reaper Death Seal** was far beyond what ordinary people could interrupt.
Just as the Shinigami behind Hiruzen raised its blade—
Preparing to pull out **Ning Feng's soul**—
Suddenly—
Splash!
Ning Feng's body burst apart into **scattered droplets of water**, disappearing completely.
"C-Clone…!?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Shadow Clone!?"
Minato and Kakashi were stunned, but at the same time they breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Then a terrifying thought crossed their minds.
Could it be…
The one who had been speaking with them all this time…
…was only **Ning Feng's shadow clone**?
Hiruzen also realized something horrifying.
From the very beginning—
The one who entered the **Sarutobi residence**…
Had always been **Uchiha Feng's shadow clone**.
That meant Ning Feng had already predicted the danger from the start.
As if responding to Hiruzen's realization—
A figure slowly descended from the sky.
It was **Ning Feng himself**.
He glanced at the stunned Hiruzen before smiling at Minato.
"That scared me."
Minato and Kakashi immediately relaxed.
"I knew Feng wouldn't do something reckless…"
Both of them finally let out the breath they had been holding.
But Hiruzen…
Seeing this scene, he could only laugh bitterly.
"N-No…"
Behind him, the **Shinigami** stared greedily at its prey.
With no other choice, Hiruzen could only watch as the god of death pulled both **himself and Ning Feng's shadow clone** into its stomach.
His long cry of regret echoed across the entire **Hidden Leaf Village**.
With Hiruzen's death—
The members of the **Sarutobi clan and the Ino–Shika–Chō clans** immediately panicked.
They dropped to their knees in fear, terrified of being purged.
"Lord Minato! Lord Feng! We didn't know anything!"
"Yes! We didn't know anything at all!"
"Please spare us!"
They begged desperately.
Minato said nothing.
He simply looked toward Ning Feng.
Ning Feng shrugged and waved his hand helplessly.
"Get up."
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