Chapter 231 : Danzo? White Zetsu?

"Today, you will all meet your end and you will all be Konoha's sinners!"

With a furious roar, Danzo seized a vial from the seal on his clothing with unwavering resolve, plunging it into his transplanted arm without a moment's hesitation.

Jiraiya, not far off, quickly assessed the situation. His eyes widened in disbelief as he sensed a palpable danger emanating from Danzo.

Meanwhile, Itachi, positioned amidst Susanoo's protection, detected a peculiar shift. With a swift motion, he raised his left hand, conjuring forth colossal bows and arrows, which transformed into obsidian flames that shot forth in an instant.

Yet, Danzo did not flinch. Rather, he seemed unwilling to retreat.

At that moment, both of Danzo's eyes lost their distinct pupils, enveloped entirely by the whites. His gaze turned askew, and transparent drool and mucus dribbled down his chin.

He appeared to have lost all semblance of self.

Simultaneously, his transplanted arm swelled rapidly, writhing in an unsettling manner. Augmented by a myriad of Sharingan, numbering perhaps a dozen or more – his visage became profoundly unsettling.

Moreover, the ominous aura emanating from above sent shivers down everyone's spine.

Boom!

The Amaterasu's arrow struck its mark with precision, unleashing a tempest of black flames that swiftly engulfed Danzo, devouring him in an instant.

A piercing scream echoed from within the inferno, momentarily easing the tension among the onlookers.

However, their relief was short-lived.

In a sudden turn of events, the black flames surged, expanding exponentially.

Witnessing the dread-inducing power of Amaterasu, even the ANBU and Root, still embroiled in combat, halted their movements, retreating instinctively.

It soon became apparent that the flames weren't growing larger; it was Danzo's form that was rapidly expanding.

His grotesque silhouette stretched upwards, towering over thirty meters like a blazing mountain of flesh.

Yet, the unfolding horror did not end there.

The Amaterasu flames parted, akin to shedding a layer of clothing, revealing a thick layer of skin that peeled away, cascading to the ground.

What emerged from within was a ghastly white monstrosity.

Its massive head bore three lifeless faces, a sight familiar to every ninja present – the infamous White Zetsu, Danzo himself, and... Senju Hashirama.

"What in the world is this?" gasped someone amidst the crowd, their voice laden with disbelief.

As Tsunade, the granddaughter, tensed, she fought the instinct to step back.

"Danzo obtained First Hokage's cells early on, and he must have acquired White Zetsu's cells as well!"

The Third Hokage, standing beside her, wore a grim expression. Despite their long association, he hadn't anticipated Danzo's clandestine actions.

Gazing back at Konoha, the Third Hokage's expression darkened further.

Given the gravity of the situation and the ominous capabilities of the First Hokage cells demonstrated by White Zetsu's terrifying regeneration, failure to handle this tonight could result in another catastrophe akin to the Nine Tails incident.

"Tsunade, allow me to take charge," pleaded the Third Hokage. "It's a chance for me to atone for my past deeds and to serve Konoha one last time."

Tsunade deliberated silently for a moment before nodding, releasing the seal.

"Thank you," muttered the Third Hokage, his weathered face managing a strained smile. Without further words, he brandished the massive Adamantine Staff after summoning Monkey King Enma, leading the assault.

However, despite its ability to effortlessly overpower Jōnin and strike the white-meat mountain, the staff merely caused ripples upon impact.

This only seemed to enrage Danzo further. In an instant, dozens of resilient vines snaked forth, binding everything in their path.

Sarutobi Hiruzen wielded the staff defensively, but these wooden tendrils, crafted from First Hokage cells, proved incredibly resilient. They cracked, mended, and regenerated, rendering them impervious to destruction.

In this scenario, attacking with the Adamantine Staff proved as futile as wielding a blunt sword.

As the vines continued to proliferate, Jiraiya seized the opportunity to dart away, skillfully flicking them aside with the aid of his Sage Art frog allies Sage Shima and Sage Fukatsu, before swiftly retreating with the Third Hokage.

The master and apprentice exchanged a knowing glance before simultaneously forming seals.

"Summoning Technique·Toad Oil!" Jiraiya invoked, calling forth the Gamaguchi's toad oil from Mount Myōboku.

"Fire Style·Fire Extinguishing!"

"Wind Style · Great Breakthrough!"

The ultimate Wind Style technique is from Tsunade!

In an instant, the potent toad oil ignited, blending with the fiery blaze!

With the wind's assistance, a fearsome Fire Style jutsu was born!

Now, the flames weren't merely red; they underwent a transformative shift, turning vividly blue!

The intense heat distorted space, and the azure flames surged like a colossal dragon, crashing into the massive, snowy mountain of flesh!

On the battlefield's edge, Kisame swiftly snatched Sasuke away.

"The trio is truly formidable!"

The scorching heat ahead challenged his understanding of Fire Style and discomforted him as a Water Style ninja.

Other ninjas retreated, but the white monster Danzo charged heedlessly towards the azure fire dragon!

A thunderous impact!

The fire dragon pierced through Danzo, creating a molten aperture before entwining around it like a living entity!

A piercing scream echoed once more!

This time, both exterior and interior burned fiercely, denying Danzo any chance to regenerate!

In a mere ten seconds, it melted away like a candle!

As the final flicker of flame vanished, a shallow, scorched pit remained, containing a mixture of white liquid and black-gray residues.

"What a Fire Release jutsu!"

"Blue flames—truly a sight to behold!"

"Heh, Danzo's retaliation pales before the trio's might..."

"Yes, the combined jutsu of the three rivals that of hundreds!"

The remaining root ninjas surrendered, while the Anbu agents excitedly discussed the preceding technique.

Itachi's Sharingan observed silently, maintaining Susanoo, sensing something amiss. If this was Danzo's counterattack, it seemed feeble.

One could have achieved it even with Amaterasu's fire spear.

Then, a transformation began.

The white liquid within the scorched pit bubbled and churned.

Simultaneously, the expressions of everyone in the audience, save Itachi, underwent a drastic change!

In an instant, a multitude of white spores erupted rapidly from the figure!

Yet, that wasn't the most chilling aspect, for each individual sensed their Chakra swiftly dissipating, drawn into the spores' grasp!

Concurrently, the remaining white liquid within the crater began to expand at an alarming pace once more!

Perched upon a nearby grand tree, the form of Black Zetsu gradually materialized, fixating its gaze upon the unfolding battlefield.

"The spore technique of White Zetsu is undetectable, capable of stealing Chakra and transferring back to its core... Tsunade and Jiraiya truly underestimated it!"

Naturally, those White Zetsu cells were the very ones he bestowed upon Danzo, awaiting this precise moment!

Once Danzo prevails, he will be ensnared by Zetsu's contingency plan!

Regrettably, Uchiha Itachi has reentered the fray!

However, the outcome remains shrouded in uncertainty!

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