Chapter 9

The silver light from the thunder that fell from the night sky gradually faded, revealing its true form. The first thing everyone saw was the famous sword known as the [White Fang], a weapon feared throughout the ninja world.

Combined with the Thunder escape that covered his entire body, Yusuke unleashed the "Falling Thunder" a technique embodying the destructive power of a thunderstorm.

This was the iconic ninjutsu of Sakumo Hatake!

"Yusuke!?".

Seeing who was inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face turned shocked.

Yusuke, who had been involved in the failure of an S-class mission and had beaten Sarutobi's half-dead cousin just two days ago, was not a minor figure, though his popularity was mixed. His appearance immediately drew recognition from many present.

"Did you just use... Sakumo's technique?!!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen shouted incredulously.

"Thanks to Captain White Fang's guidance, he taught me a bit of his thunder escape and sword skills. It's not worth mentioning," Yusuke replied with a casual smile.

Sarutobi and others stared with wide eyes. The technique Yusuke had performed was a perfect replication of White Fang's thunder escape!

It was power at the pinnacle of the kage level—no, it might even exceed the original White Fang's level!

"What the hell is going on? Is this kid more than just a shinobi?"

Danzo's face revealed skepticism and wariness. Despite being a talented shinobi and a disciple of the Senju clan, Danzo harbored envy and suspicion. While his own talent was notable, it did not match the innate abilities of the Senju, Uchiha, or Hyuga clans, nor did it compare to the future talent of the Fourth Hokage.

Danzo's strategy was to eliminate any potential threats to his position, seeing Yusuke as a possible rival.

"Stinky boy... Where did you come from!?"

At that moment, the Nine-Tails had rose again, swiping at Yusuke with one of its massive claws.

"Silver Thunder Arts: Nine shadows Flash!"

Nine arcs of lightning surrounded Yusuke, and he turned into a flash of lightning, evading the Nine-Tails' claw and leaping onto its arm, continuing his assault.

Whoa!

The Nine-Tails' arm's skin cracked, and blood flowed.

"That's amazing!!"

"It's so strong, like the reincarnation of White Fang!"

"Yusuke, when did you become so powerful?"

Konoha's surviving ninjas watched in awe as they saw the Nine-Tails wounded for the first time amid such a devastating battle. The faces of Sarutobi and others showed a mix of joy, jealousy, and suspicion.

Yusuke's strength was now comparable to—or even exceeded—that of the deceased White Fang. Why had he hidden his abilities?

As the guide to Sakumo Hatake, who had supposedly died two days ago, Yusuke's loyalty was now questioned.

"Annoying pest!"

In pain, the Nine-Tails opened its bloody mouth, condensing several small tailed beast balls and launching them with immense power.

Yusuke dodged with his lightning speed, letting the small tailed beast balls fall harmlessly to the ground.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Once again, Konoha's land was devastated. Meanwhile, Yusuke had reached the bridge of the Nine-Tails' nose, his White Fang blade poised to stab the beast's eye.

"Good!!"

Konoha's ninjas below cheered wildly, believing they were about to witness the Nine-Tails' defeat.

However, just as the Nine-Tails braced for its eyes to be pierced, Yusuke halted his attack, the blade of White Fang stopping less than a centimeter from the beast's eyeball.

This moment of stillness was met with disbelief from the Nine-Tails: "Boy, what are you doing?"

"All right, Nine-Tails," Yusuke said calmly, retracting the blade. "You've vented your anger. Konoha is destroyed, and that should be enough. How about stepping back now? You leave, and I won't pursue you. Let's end this."

While Yusuke could potentially defeat the Nine-Tails with his life on the line, he chose to avoid the fight, preferring Konoha's plight to continue.

Danzo, however, was furious. "Now is the time to re-capture the Nine-Tails and create a new jinchuriki!"

The Nine-Tails' eyes flared with anger.

"Oh, this flea wants to capture me?"

Yusuke sneered down at him. "Why don't you try capturing it yourself?"

With that, Yusuke leaped off the Nine-Tails' nose, mocking Danzo and the others.

Danzo, Koharu, Homura, and the others turned pale. The Nine-Tails could easily destroy them with a single swipe of its claw.