"—AAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!!"
A heart-wrenching scream suddenly tore across the battlefield.
It was so sharp—
So full of pain—
That everyone present froze for a split second.
Even Uchiha Ryujin paused.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
What kind of attack… could cause that level of agony?
But before he could even turn to look—
The air behind him shifted violently.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was already moving.
The Adamantine Staff roared through the air—
Crashing down toward Ryujin with full force.
Ryujin didn't hesitate.
Chakra surged into his feet—
And he vanished instantly.
Shunshin.
The strike missed—
But the ground didn't.
BOOM—!!
The impact shattered the earth, cracks spreading like spiderwebs across the battlefield.
Hiruzen's anger had reached its peak.
Every strike—
Every movement—
Carried killing intent.
Yet—
None of it worked.
Ryujin avoided everything with ease.
Not because Hiruzen was weak—
But because Ryujin was simply…
Too strong.
Earlier—
He had even blocked the Adamantine Staff head-on.
And aside from slight pain—
There was no real damage.
That alone was terrifying.
Because Ryujin's physique—
Had already reached a monstrous level.
At this point—
He might even withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb.
And yet—
Hiruzen's strikes still caused pain.
Which meant—
Hiruzen's strength was undeniable.
Especially with that weapon.
The Adamantine Staff—
Was not just a tool.
It was a living being.
A summoned entity.
Even Orochimaru had once stated—
That Hiruzen's summon was among the strongest in existence.
A weapon that could transform.
Indestructible.
Unpredictable.
Placed in the hands of a Kage—
It became something truly terrifying.
Hiruzen surged forward again.
The massive staff swung downward—
Ryujin tilted his body slightly—
Dodging it effortlessly.
But the moment he moved—
Hiruzen's hand formed a seal.
"Adamantine Staff—Tempest!"
The weapon slipped from his grasp—
And began spinning violently.
Chakra flooded into it.
In an instant—
A storm erupted.
Wind howled.
Debris lifted.
The battlefield trembled.
The spinning staff became the core of a massive vortex—
Like a tornado pulling everything toward it.
Rocks.
Dust.
Even broken stone slabs—
All dragged into the storm.
Nearby ninjas were thrown into chaos.
Some lost their footing.
Others had their jutsu interrupted mid-cast.
The sheer force—
Was overwhelming.
At the center of it all—
Ryujin stood unmoved.
The pulling force pressed against him—
Trying to drag him in.
But he didn't budge.
Not even an inch.
Still—
He frowned slightly.
Then—
Took a few steps back.
Not out of fear.
But instinct.
…Something's off about that thing.
And then—
A completely different thought crossed his mind.
Real men don't fight sticks.
"…Yeah, no."
He stepped back again.
Far away from the spinning staff.
Annoyance flickered across his face.
Because he realized something.
Yes—
If this fight continued—
He would win.
That much—
Was certain.
But—
That wasn't the kind of victory he wanted.
He didn't want to win by grinding it out in close combat.
He wanted—
A decisive moment.
Something that would shake everyone present.
Something unforgettable.
And that's when—
It hit him.
A flaw.
His flaw.
His close-range combat—
Was absurdly strong.
His physique—
Borderline monstrous.
He could go toe-to-toe with Hiruzen Sarutobi head-on—
Even against the Adamantine Staff.
But—
His long-range capabilities—
Were lacking.
Not basic techniques.
He had Fire Style.
Wind Style.
Standard attacks.
But nothing—
On the level of a true Kage.
No large-scale destructive jutsu.
No overwhelming ranged finishers.
Right now—
His fighting style looked like this:
Punch the sky apart—
Or—
Glare at someone—
Throw a kunai—
And they die.
Effective?
Yes.
Impressive?
Also yes.
But—
Not awe-inspiring.
Not the kind of power—
That dominated an era.
I need something bigger…
Something like—
A Chibaku Tensei.
Or—
A Rasenshuriken.
Explosive.
Overwhelming.
But—
There was a problem.
He didn't know how.
He didn't even know the basics of a Rasengan.
Let alone its evolved forms.
…That's awkward.
Meanwhile—
Hiruzen's expression darkened.
None of his attacks—
Had worked.
Not a single one.
And now—
For the first time—
A realization hit him.
He had underestimated Ryujin.
Severely.
From the beginning—
Everything had been planned.
The marriage.
The alliance with the Senju Clan.
The timing.
The confrontation.
Even—
Danzo's death.
All of it—
Had been calculated.
A single purpose—
To dominate this moment.
To crush all opposition.
To stand above everyone—
And claim the position of Hokage.
Hiruzen's grip tightened.
His gaze sharpened.
How much…
How much has this man been hiding?