Time passed second by second as Hyuga Hiashi kept Uchiha Ryūjin under constant surveillance with his Byakugan.
Through his vision, Ryūjin steadily approached the ambush site along the planned route. Everything was unfolding exactly as expected.
"Uchiha Ryūjin has taken the final corner. He will appear at any moment," Hyuga Hiashi said, his tone turning heavier.
Everyone present stiffened slightly.
An invisible pressure spread through the area. No one spoke, yet the tension was undeniable. After all, they were about to confront a man who had single-handedly suppressed multiple high-ranking figures in Konoha. Facing someone like that, fear was only natural.
Still, they were experienced shinobi. Within moments, they steadied themselves and entered full combat readiness.
Soon enough, the sound of footsteps echoed.
Tap, tap, tap.
The rhythm grew clearer as it approached, each step heavier than the last. Under the moonlight, a long shadow stretched across the ground, slowly covering the street where they lay in wait.
Ryūjin had arrived.
Everyone held their breath instinctively. Their hearts pounded as they remained hidden in the darkness, completely still.
Like predators waiting in silence, they prepared to strike the moment their prey entered their grasp.
However, what Nara Shikaku and the others did not realize was that Ryūjin had already sensed their chakra the moment he left the Hokage Building, thanks to Sage Mode.
He already knew the major clans had silently approved the Uchiha extermination. After killing Homura Mitokado, it was only natural for him to keep watch on their movements.
And just as expected, they made their move.
Tracking him all the way here and setting up an ambush on his only path home made their intentions obvious.
Even without knowing the exact details of their plan, Ryūjin could guess most of it.
With the Ino–Shika–Chō trio present, techniques like the Shadow Imitation Technique and Mind Transfer Jutsu were predictable. The presence of the Aburame clan meant insect-based attacks, most likely poison. There were no surprises.
Tap, tap, tap.
His footsteps remained unhurried.
Finally, his shadow crossed into their line of sight, and his figure appeared under the moonlight, revealing a young face.
The tension reached its peak.
No one dared to breathe too loudly. All eyes were fixed on Nara Shikaku, waiting for his signal.
Tap, tap, tap.
Each step felt like a countdown.
"Now!" A sharp glint flashed in Shikaku's eyes as Ryūjin stepped into the optimal position.
Boom!
Explosive tags detonated instantly. Flames erupted as planned, catching Ryūjin off guard.
He reacted immediately, using the Body Flicker Technique to dodge, then cautiously moved toward the blast site.
At the same time, Shikaku's shadow slithered across the ground like a snake, silently extending toward Ryūjin.
Ryūjin appeared focused on the explosion, unaware.
"Please work…" Several of them broke into cold sweat. The seconds stretched unbearably long.
Four meters. Three. Two. One.
The shadow connected.
Success.
Shikaku's Shadow Imitation Technique locked onto Ryūjin.
A collective breath of relief escaped the group.
Without hesitation, Shibi Aburame released his hidden insect swarm, sending poisonous bugs rushing toward Ryūjin. At the same time, Inoichi Yamanaka formed hand seals and activated the Mind Transfer Jutsu.
Jiraiya and Inuzuka Tsume watched closely, ready to react to any change.
Then everything changed.
A strange energy barrier suddenly formed around Ryūjin, swallowing Inoichi's technique instantly.
At that moment, his eyes had already changed.
The Sharingan was gone.
In its place was the Rinnegan.
Even if his body was restrained, his dōjutsu remained unaffected.
Using the Deva Path, Ryūjin absorbed the Shadow Imitation Technique completely.
Just like how Momoshiki had done against Shikamaru.
Since it was night, Shikaku's technique relied on moonlight, making it weaker. It shattered almost instantly.
In the next moment, Ryūjin threw a Flying Thunder God kunai and vanished.
Swish.
He reappeared dozens of meters away, standing calmly as he stared at them with cold eyes.
The Mind Transfer Jutsu missed.
The insect swarm missed.
"H-how is that possible…"
"My shadow was absorbed…"
"What kind of jutsu was that?"
Shikaku stood frozen in disbelief.
His technique had never been broken like this, not unless someone overpowered it completely. And even then, it would not happen so effortlessly.
Inoichi immediately attempted the Mind Transfer Jutsu again, while Shibi's insects regrouped and surged forward in a massive swarm.
"Shinra Tensei."
A single repulsive force blasted outward, scattering the insects instantly.
Without pause, Ryūjin re-entered Sage Mode and formed hand seals.
"Fire Release, Great Fire Annihilation."
A massive sea of flames burst forth, swallowing the battlefield in an instant.
Though it was technically a B-rank technique, in Ryūjin's hands it looked like something far beyond that.
"Not good!" Shibi's expression changed.
Fire was the natural enemy of his insects. He tried to pull them back, but it was too late.
The flames were overwhelming, unstoppable.
Like a flood consuming everything in its path, the fire engulfed the swarm completely.
In seconds, nothing remained.
Shibi's face darkened. Years of effort, gone in an instant.
Inuzuka Tsume wiped sweat from her forehead, her throat dry. "That level of Fire Release…"
Akimichi Dōtō and Inoichi were equally stunned.
This was without Ryūjin using his full arsenal.
The pressure was suffocating.
Then they saw his eyes clearly.
"The Rinnegan…"
Disbelief spread across every face.
This was the Sage of Six Paths' power.
There was no way to win.
Ryūjin did not bother hiding it anymore. With his current strength, secrecy was meaningless.
"You shouldn't have tried to kill me," he said, his voice low and cold.
He understood their actions.
But that did not matter.
They had chosen to attack him. That alone sealed their fate.
The killing intent in the air became suffocating.
"Inoichi, fall back!" he shouted, forming hand seals again. "We'll hold him here."
But it was pointless.
"Kamui."
Space twisted.
In an instant, Inoichi's head vanished.
Thud.
His body collapsed, hands still frozen in position.
"Inoichi!"
Akimichi Dōtō roared in grief, eyes bloodshot.
Shikaku clenched his fists but followed the plan, retreating immediately alongside Jiraiya and Hiashi.
Dōtō expanded his body, becoming a giant towering over the buildings as he charged forward.
Beside Tsume, Kuromaru transformed, and the two spun into violent rotating attacks aimed at Ryūjin.
Shibi, despite his loss, threw a barrage of ninja tools.
Ryūjin simply raised one hand.
"Shinra Tensei."
A massive force exploded outward.
Every attack was blown away instantly.
The ninja tools flew back.
Tsume and Kuromaru were sent crashing into the ground, leaving deep craters.
Kuromaru reverted to his original form on impact.
Even Dōtō struggled to stand, his massive body swaying under the pressure like he was caught in a violent storm.
Buildings collapsed. Walls shattered.
Even those retreating were affected, their movements disrupted mid-air.
Then, before anyone could recover,
"Universal Pull."
An overwhelming suction force erupted, dragging everything toward Ryūjin.
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