Go and Ask Namikaze Minato!

*BOOM*

A tremendous explosion and the sounds of fighting echoed through the forest, thousands of meters away.

Jiraiya struggled to lift his head and looked over. He knew that was likely where Nagato's body was.

"This chakra..."

"It's Orochimaru!"

"Sure enough, that person's statement about leaving the village was just a pretense, but could he really have known nothing all this time?"

"As expected of that person!"

Jiraiya sighed in relief, feeling reassured.

Orochimaru had not betrayed Konoha. He was still a respected Sannin of Konoha and one of Jiraiya's most trusted partners.

"However, he might not be able to defeat Nagato alone. I need to hurry and help him!"

Jiraiya fought desperately, but unfortunately, he still couldn't budge the black rod.

Being pinned by this object could only be broken through with Bijuu-level chakra. Otherwise, the target couldn't escape on their own.

Just as Jiraiya was about to despair, another figure suddenly appeared beside him.

"Fugaku!"

Fugaku nodded slightly, "Jiraiya-sama, what are you doing?"

"Hurry, help me pull out this rod!"

Fugaku extended his hand and removed the black rod that was pinned to Jiraiya one by one.

"Thank you, I'm finally out of trouble!"

Jiraiya regained his mobility after removing the blockade of the black rod and quickly expressed his gratitude.

"This battlefield... With such vast ruins, did you fight a Bijuu?"

"How strong is the enemy?"

Seeing the giant holes around him, Fugaku was astonished.

"It is indeed a very strong enemy…"

Jiraiya looked gloomy; he was too embarrassed to say he was defeated by his own student and was in chaos.

"Wait, that...!"

Fugaku stared at Hiruzen's body not far away with a shocked expression on his face.

"Sarutobi-sensei..." Jiraiya wanted to say something, but in the end, he could only turn into a lament.

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have thought to persuade Nagato. If only I had been ruthless and killed him from the start…"

"Maybe Sarutobi-sensei…"

Seeing this, Fugaku patted Jiraiya and apologized without changing his expression.

"Sorry, I'm late…"

But in reality, when he saw the explosion of Super Almighty Push, Fugaku rushed here quickly.

At that time, Deva Path had not killed Hiruzen.

Out of fear, Fugaku chose to hide and not take action. After all, he couldn't withstand an attack that was comparable to Bijudama!

Showing his head recklessly was tantamount to seeking death.

As for witnessing Hiruzen being killed by Deva Path, that was also a helpless step.

Besides, why should he save the Third Hokage?

Didn't he let Danzo continue to make things difficult for the Uchiha Clan?

Or was he determined to strengthen the Sarutobi Clan and desperately suppress other clans?

The Uchiha Clan had never enjoyed the blessings of the Third Hokage, so why should Fugaku risk his life to save this old man?

Plus, Fugaku was now a loyal member of the Fourth Hokage's faction.

Now that he had invested and taken sides, he should have enough awareness.

It could be said that Fugaku was cold-blooded and quite ruthless.

However, in his eyes, the Third Hokage living in the memories of people was far better than the Third Hokage residing in the village!

"How can I blame you? This is my problem. I failed to protect Sarutobi-sensei…"

Jiraiya still felt very responsible.

Of course, he wouldn't casually blame others, especially his teammates.

"Fugaku, can you take sensei's body?"

"Sure."

Fugaku walked toward Hiruzen's body and prepared to bury him.

Jiraiya stood unsteadily, hopping on one foot toward Tsunade, and hurriedly checked her condition.

After confirming that there was no life-threatening danger, he relaxed. Then, he immediately removed his clothing and wrapped Tsunade, who was naked.

Normally, Jiraiya would likely have a nosebleed upon seeing such a strong and impressive naked body.

But now, with the enemy still present, he truly had no energy to think about anything else.

Fugaku gathered Hiruzen's body and approached again.

Jiraiya asked again, "I'd also like to trouble you. I hope you can take back sensei's body and Tsunade first!"

It was too dangerous for them to stay here!

Fugaku hesitated for a moment, as once he agreed, it meant he had to leave the battlefield.

That was both a good and a bad thing.

"Jiraiya-sama, your injury isn't serious, do you need more help?"

"Yes! Orochimaru is still fighting the enemy over there; I have to go and help!"

Jiraiya showed a hint of bitterness. Losing one leg would certainly have a significant impact on his fighting strength, but it was even more impossible for him to let Orochimaru fight alone.

"Please, Fugaku!"

"Okay, I understand!"

Fugaku no longer refused and agreed. Then he lifted Tsunade, took Hiruzen's corpse, and quickly left.

After watching Fugaku leave, Jiraiya finally felt less worried.

Then, he bandaged himself briefly and stopped the bleeding from his wounds.

Then he rushed toward the direction where Orochimaru was fighting Nagato in the distance.

❀❀❀

On the other side.

Fugaku carried Tsunade around the battlefield and soon arrived behind the Konoha forces.

The fighting here had essentially ended.

Three thousand Konoha ninjas easily crushed the remaining forces of Amegakure with overwhelming strength.

There was no tension.

However, the key still depended on the combat capabilities of both sides.

If Jiraiya and the others lost, how could the remaining Konoha forces stand against Nagato?

Letting that summoning beast attack a few times was enough to breach the Konoha forces.

At this moment, at the back of the Konoha forces, the commotion grew larger as they saw Fugaku return with an unconscious Tsunade and Hiruzen's corpse.

No one expected the dignified Third Hokage to die in such a battle!

Wasn't that a huge loss now?

Many people witnessed Hiruzen and the others surrounding and hunting the remnants of Pain.

Why had the situation suddenly reversed?

A large number of Konoha ninjas gathered, trying to confirm its authenticity.

Or perhaps they hoped this was just a cover, that Hiruzen had not been killed in battle.

And among the crowd, a certain figure who had been stripped of his position and looked gloomy was the most agitated at this moment.

Danzo pushed through the crowd and rushed toward Hiruzen's body.

When he saw Hiruzen's corpse, Danzo was also stunned.

He froze in place foolishly, and it took him a moment to react.

"Hiruzen…"

"You, how could you…"

"Impossible! Are you pretending to be dead again? Wake up!"

Danzo, excited, grabbed Hiruzen's collar and roared and hissed at him.

He truly couldn't believe this person would die here!

Hiruzen would die at the hands of Amegakure alone!

This person was the Ninjutsu Professor known as the Strongest Hokage!

And Danzo only wanted to become Hokage and outshine Hiruzen from start to finish!

He never wanted to kill Hiruzen!

Unfortunately, there was no response from Hiruzen's cold body, only death and silence.

"You bastard!"

"You really died in front of me, how can I expect to surpass you!"

Danzo went increasingly mad, but no one dared to stop him.

Everyone knew about his relationship with Hiruzen.

After a while, Danzo had to accept reality and turned to Fugaku.

"Where is the enemy?"

"Still fighting fiercely with Jiraiya and Orochimaru."

"Can they win?"

"Not sure, but the opponent seems stronger than a Bijuu! There's a high chance both will lose."

Danzo panicked in his heart, with strong hatred and fear mixing, forcing him to grit his teeth and make a decision:

"Hurry, go and ask Namikaze Minato... and tell Yondaime to attack!"

"Must, I have to avenge Hiruzen!"