Chapter 26:Chapter 26

After the intense battle, Kaito surveyed the scene, his gaze shifting between Itachi and Obito, both unsure of what to expect.

Kaito's attire remained pristine, untouched by the chaos around him. Blood dripped from his empty left hand, while a figure with hollow eyes lay sprawled beneath his feet—Fugaku, whose eyes had been gouged out.

Not far away, Danzo lay amidst a pool of blood, his faint breath the only indication that he still clung to life.

Ahead, Sarutobi Hiruzen knelt on the ground, teeth clenched, his gaze seething with hatred towards Kaito.

With his sleeves empty and the ape demon lying decapitated, Sarutobi Hiruzen's defeat was evident.

Kaito emerged victorious from the skirmish.

Two minutes earlier...

 ***

"As Kaito transformed his lightning-infused blade into a crackling weapon, he swiftly slashed at Sarutobi Hiruzen's neck!"

In that moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen had thrown himself entirely into a thrust aimed at Kaito.

Now faced with Kaito's sudden strike from behind, he lost his standing !

Though it was uncharacteristic of Sarutobi Hiruzen to make such a novice mistake, the pressure exerted by Kaito left little room for error.

And thus, Sarutobi Hiruzen found himself in his current predicament!

Observing this, the ape demon moved to intervene, but its delay in releasing Kaito's sword proved fatal!

"Damn!"

A tinge of regret flashed through Hiruzen Sarutobi's mind. Had he been more cautious, he wouldn't be in this dire situation!

But Sarutobi Hiruzen refused to yield. He refused to meet his end in such an ignoble manner!

In the next moment, a resolve settled upon Sarutobi Hiruzen 's features, and he opted to seize Kaito's electric blade with his left arm!

"Swishhhh!"

The sound of the sharp blade piercing flesh echoed through the air!

"Aghhhhh?!"

Sarutobi Hiizan cried out in agony!

His left arm severed and lying at a distance, a ghastly gash marred his chest!

Sarutobi Hiruzen's combat prowess diminished drastically as he fell to one knee!

"Indeed, the Third Hokage is as decisive as ever!" Kaito remarked, leaping back to evade the ape demon's enraged strike.

Rather than pursue, the ape demon shielded Sarutobi Hiruzen with its own body.

"Thunder Slash!" Kaito exclaimed, unleashing a powerful arc of lightning-infused energy towards his target.

Watching from a distance, Danzo couldn't contain his astonishment. He then hurried to Sarutobi Hiruzen aid.

Itachi, Fugaku, and Obito exchanged glances before joining the fray.

"Troublesome!" Kaito frowned, his gaze shifting to the quartet of adversaries.

With over 10% of his chakra depleted and his ocular power drained, Kaito utilized the mirror space to create distance between them on a spatial level.

However, this respite would last a mere half-minute at best—a brief window for Kaito to strategize.

Fixing his gaze on the ape demon with disdain, Kaito moved to dispatch it without relying on his godly prowess.

Witnessing this, the ape demon let out a furious roar, its massive palm swinging towards Kaito's head.

Yet, under Kaito's keen observation with the kaleidoscope writing wheel, the ape demon's movements appeared sluggish.

Easily evading the blow, Kaito unleashed a flurry of sword strikes, leaving the ape demon covered in cutes.

However, the ape demon steadfastly shielded Sarutobi Hiruzen from harm.

"A loyal creature indeed. But I shall send you to your demise first!" Kaito declared, swiftly moving to end the ape demon's life.

Observing the unfolding chaos, Sarutobi Hiruzen panicked. He slammed his hand onto the ground, shouting, "Summoning Release!"

To his horror, the ape demon remained unaffected, standing resolute before him.

"What's happening?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes widened in disbelief.

With a sneer, Kaito remarked, "Did you think you could enter and exit my mirror space as you pleased?!"

With a decisive strike, Kaito severed the ape demon's head.

"Ape Demon!" Sarutobi Hiizan let out a mournful cry, lamenting the loss of his faithful companion and his own vulnerability.

Yet, Kaito pressed on mercilessly.

"Thunder Clash !" he called out once more.

Witnessing the scene unfold, Danzo, consumed by anxiety, brandished his arm adorned with two spinning writing wheels.

With resolve etched on his face, Danzo raised his hands and plunged a kunai into his heart.

The sound of steel piercing flesh reverberated, and Danzo collapsed into a pool of blood.

Yet, his body vanished like a phantom, reappearing before Sarutobi Hiruzen to shield him from Kaito's blade.

Observing this, Kaito withdrew his sword, eyeing Danzo with a mixture of surprise and respect.

"I didn't expect such valor from you, Danzo. Leveraging the power of Izanagi, even in death, to protect Hiruzen Sarutobi."