CHAPTER 49

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The tension in the forest clearing was thick, every shadow stretching long under the moonlight that cast a pale glow over the assembled shinobi.

Danzo's Root operatives, concealed by their cloaks and masks, stood ready to strike at Hiruzen and his disciples with swift, merciless precision.

Danzo's eye gleamed with cold resolve, his focus set solely on Hiruzen, convinced that tonight would mark the end of his rival's reign. 

Hiruzen stood calm and poised, his robes rustling slightly in the night breeze.

His students—Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, Sakumo, and Dai—watched with bated breath, anticipation etched on their faces.

Despite the overwhelming number of Root forces surrounding them, Hiruzen's expression remained unshaken, emanating an aura of deep-seated confidence. 

"Danzo," he spoke, his voice resonating through the silence, "you've underestimated me and my students. For tonight, I will show you the true strength that comes not from shadows but from the light of purpose."

Danzo sneered, his fingers twitching at his sides, itching to signal his operatives. "Hiruzen, your naive ideals have made you weak. You've lead the village in wrong direction. Tonight, I will purge that weakness. You've hidden behind kindness for too long."

Hiruzen's gaze sharpened, and with a single hand seal, he spoke a command that resonated through the clearing. "Silence, Danzo."

In an instant, he made a quick, intricate seal with one hand, casting a shimmering barrier that spread out like a veil, enveloping the entire clearing in a sphere of translucent chakra.

The barrier pulsed as it settled, creating a secure dome that shimmered slightly, blending into the surrounding shadows.

The disciples blinked in surprise, realizing this jutsu was unfamiliar even to them.

"This is my *Absolute Concealment Barrier*," Hiruzen said calmly, his gaze never leaving Danzo.

"No sound, no energy, and no attack can breach this barrier from either side. Tonight's events will remain unseen and unheard by the village."

Danzo's eyes narrowed, frustration flashing across his face.

He clenched his fists as he looked around, noting the subtle glimmer of the barrier sealing them off. "You think this changes anything, Hiruzen?"

Hiruzen raised a hand, dismissing Danzo's words.

"This barrier ensures that no matter what happens, it won't spill over to the outside." He turned to his disciples, his eyes gentle yet commanding.

"You all have fought well today. But this next part… is mine to handle."

Before his students could protest, Hiruzen formed another single hand seal, muttering, "*Earth Style: Earth Expulsion Jutsu.*"

The ground trembled beneath his disciples' feet, and a large protective dome of rock rose around them, lifting them into the air in one swift motion.

As it encased them, a circular opening appeared at the top, allowing them to view the clearing from above, safe from the imminent battle below.

Hiruzen looked up, meeting their bewildered expressions.

"You'll stay there," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"Observe and learn. What you witness here today may one day help you understand the might of true leadership and strength in this world."

The disciples exchanged glances, frustration mixed with reverence.

Tsunade gripped the edge of the rock dome, her eyes blazing with indignation. "Sensei, we're here to fight alongside you!"

But Hiruzen merely gave her a soft smile, his eyes reflecting both affection and unyielding resolve.

"Tonight, your task is to observe. What I'm about to do is beyond the scope of your training. Trust me in this."

Sakumo nodded, a hint of awe in his voice. "We'll honor your decision, Sensei."

Satisfied, Hiruzen turned back to face Danzo and the mass of Root shinobi waiting with tense anticipation.

With a deliberate movement, he raised his right palm, gathering chakra into it.

Slowly, a staff of pure chakra began to form, its blue glow illuminating his face as it solidified into a sleek, weaponized shape.

Danzo watched, unphased, yet wary. "A staff of made of chakra? Your mastery of chakra control is absolutely monstrous, But don't think that'll be enough to handle my Root forces?"

Hiruzen's voice was calm as he tested the weight of the staff, the light casting long shadows in the clearing.

"A mere tool, Danzo, nothing more. Yet even a simple tool can have surprising applications."

In one swift motion, he lunged forward, the chakra staff swinging down with precision.

The nearest Root operative tried to counter with a kunai, but Hiruzen's speed was blinding; the kunai shattered on impact, and the chakra staff struck the Root ninja, sending him sprawling back into the shadows, unaware of life and death.

Hiruzen moved like a force of nature, his strikes relentless and calculated.

Each swing of the staff connected with another Root operative, sending them to the ground, stunned and defeated.

Within moments, ten Root shinobi lay incapacitated. Jiraiya and the others watched from above, their eyes wide with admiration and disbelief.

"That's… incredible," Jiraiya muttered, his gaze fixed on his sensei's movements.

"It's no wonder he's the Hokage," Orochimaru murmured, his eyes gleaming with fascination.

"Sensei chakra control is ridiculous," Tsunade muttered, her gaze filled with surprise, fixed on Hiruzen chakra staff.

But as Hiruzen continued to take down Root operatives with measured efficiency, he noticed the sheer volume of forces at Danzo's disposal. He paused, straightening up, his gaze thoughtful.

"This staff is effective," Hiruzen mused, his voice carrying through the clearing, "but not for handling such a large number of adversaries."

He released the chakra in his staff, letting it dissipate, and formed another hand seal, his voice steady.

"*Earth Style: True Several Thousand Hands Jutsu.*"

The ground beneath him rumbled, and within seconds, a massive figure rose from the earth—a towering statue of numerous hands extending outward, each hand poised to strike with immense force.

The disciples, now high above in their rock enclosure, stared in awe as the giant statue filled the clearing, dwarfing everything in it's surrounding, towering more than 100 meters in height.

Danzo's eyes widened as he took in the sight of Hiruzen's jutsu, though his expression quickly hardened.

"A mere intimidation tactic from First Hokage jutsu, Hiruzen," he called out. "This will not break the spirit of my Root!"

But Hiruzen merely looked at him, unperturbed. "We shall see."

With a simple gesture, Hiruzen commanded the statue to strike.

Each hand moved independently, slapping down with swift, crushing force upon the Root operatives below.

The sounds of impact echoed through the dome, one strike after another, as the hands swept through Danzo's forces like an unstoppable tide.

Root operatives were knocked back, thrown into trees, or sent sprawling to the ground, their bodies unable to withstand the sheer force of the hands.

Danzo's frustration grew as his operatives continued to fall. "Do not relent!" he shouted to his remaining forces, though doubt flickered in his gaze.

He formed a series of hand seals, preparing his own jutsu, but Hiruzen's onslaught was relentless.

From above, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the others watched with newfound respect. Orochimaru, leaning forward, smirked. "Now, that is what true power looks like, and it seems to be First Hokage jutsu."

Tsunade's voice was soft, her gaze focused on Hiruzen. "He's not just fighting to win… he's teaching us something. Showing us what it means to be the village leader."

Sakumo nodded, his voice filled with admiration. "That's right. This is more than just a battle—it's a testament to what a true Hokage must have."

As the battle raged below, Hiruzen moved with precision, his statue continuing to eliminate Root operatives.

Danzo, now surrounded by his few remaining forces, gritted his teeth, frustration seething within him.

"You're wasting precious resources, Danzo," Hiruzen said, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of sadness.

"These operatives, these lives, could have been used for the village's true defense. But instead, they are tools of your ambition."

Danzo scowled, bitterness lining his voice. "I'll do whatever it takes to make Konoha strong, even if it means losing men to remind you of that purpose."

Hiruzen shook his head, summoning his chakra to the giant statue once more.

The hands moved with grace and speed, yet with every Root operative they struck down, Hiruzen's face grew more solemn.

His disciples watched, understanding the lesson he was imparting—that true leadership can't be achieved without the absolute strength.

And as the last of Danzo's forces fell, Hiruzen stood alone amidst the fallen Root operatives, his calm demeanor unshaken.

He looked up to his students, giving a subtle nod, before focusing on Danzo, whose face was twisted with defeat and frustration.

"This is the strength you sought, Danzo. But this is the strength, which comes from oneself. Not by replicating someone else. " Hiruzen said, his voice lacking any emotion.

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