Chapter 228 : Four Purple Flame Formation!!

Looking at the figures sprawled on the ground, many of whom were esteemed members of Konoha, some even personally groomed by him but Danzo didn't feel anything, only indifference. 

He had meticulously selected and trained these individuals, deploying them on numerous missions, shaping them into formidable assets.

Yet, at this moment, they were nothing more than pawns in Danzo's grand scheme to eliminate Kazuhiko. Danzo's heart remained steady; in his eyes, their sacrifices were justified if it meant removing the threat posed by Kazuhiko.

"These sacrifices are for the greater good of Konoha. Taking down such a formidable enemy is a victory worth remembering. Konoha will honor your memory," Danzo mused silently, before refocusing his attention on Kazuhiko's swift movements.

Beside him stood two formidable allies: Hyuga Yodo, a prodigy of the Hyuga clan, and Uchiha Ryosuke, an elite Anbu ninja. Danzo had handpicked them, recognizing their exceptional talents and unwavering loyalty to Konoha, to himself.

They had abandoned personal ambitions in favor of loyalty to the village, embodying the true spirit of the Will of Fire.

Both Yodo and Ryosuke activated their respective dojutsu – Three Tomoe Sharingan and Byakugan. Their eyes meticulously tracked Kazuhiko's movements, attempting to anticipate his next move.

Though their range of vision was broader due to their distance, Kazuhiko's speed was so immense that they struggled to keep up. Despite their keen observation, they could only perceive faint afterimages or blurry outlines.

"He's too fast. His speed is incomprehensible. At this rate, we stand no chance," Yodo remarked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Even if we manage to track his movements, our bodies won't be able to react in time. We'd be slain before we could even retaliate!" Ryosuke added, his mind racing with countless scenarios.

Despite their collective expertise and numbers, facing off against the leader of the Uzumaki clan felt like a futile endeavor. With each passing moment, Kazuhiko's prowess rendered their carefully laid plans obsolete, reducing even the most seasoned shinobi among them to mere novices on the battlefield.

"If we allow him to move, we stand no chance of winning at all..."

"Facing such a terrifying opponent, victory seems impossible..."

Danzo appeared to catch wind of their internal murmurs. He turned his head, his lone exposed eye fixating on them.

Just as they felt the chill of impending defeat creeping in, Danzo's gaze hardened, and he addressed Hyuga Yodo.

"Inform Aoji Sakai and have them execute the plan."

"Understood!"

Though unaware of the plan's specifics, Yodo refrained from further inquiry, promptly sprinting towards Aoji Sakai and their concealed allies.

With that declaration from Danzo, his resolve surged instantaneously.

"Move out!"

With Danzo's command echoing, the ANBU operatives lurking in the shadows rose simultaneously, shedding their concealment.

They trailed Danzo's lead, swiftly traversing the grassy terrain, converging on the direction Uzumaki had taken.

Danzo charged ahead, with other hidden ninjas steadily revealing themselves, keeping pace with his advance.

Meanwhile, Kazuhiko took note of the escalating numbers, his gaze alight with anticipation.

"The rats lurking in the shadows finally emerge! Let's see what other tricks you possess!"

Stationary, with blade in hand, Uzumaki observed as the concealed figures in the distance were gradually unmasked.

Once again, they encircled Kazuhiko, this time with an even larger force.

Sensing this to be their entire contingent, they expertly positioned themselves on four sides—east, south, west, and north—enveloping Kazuhiko in the center, with a considerable distance between each group.

Their gazes brimmed with loathing as they fixed upon the Uzumaki clan leader, encircled by death.

Amongst the fallen lay comrades, perhaps even kin.

Their animosity seemed poised to manifest into reality, yet Kazuhiko discerned beneath their hateful stares, the shroud of their own trepidations.

The enemy's fear of him was the ultimate compliment, and Kazuhiko couldn't suppress a laugh.

"Hahahaha, Danzo, I can feel your fear!"

"Danzo, if you've got any more tricks up your sleeve, now's the time to use them! Otherwise, you don't stand a chance!"

With a smirk, Kazuhiko bared his teeth, a menacing glint in his eye illuminated by the flickering firelight.

At Kazuhiko's words, Danzo's eyes narrowed in realization. He knew that Kazuhiko had already seen through his plan, yet the Uzumaki remained unfazed.

The sheer audacity of Kazuhiko's indifference filled Danzo with rage.

Forcing himself to remain composed, Danzo stood his ground and said calmly, "You're too arrogant. Aren't you afraid we'll actually eliminate you?"

Kazuhiko regarded Danzo with a cool gaze. "No, it's you who's arrogant. You believe you can overpower me with sheer numbers! Isn't that arrogance in itself?"

"You thought the smaller nations would bow at your feet, and that the Land of Whirlpools would sign a pact with you! Isn't that, in essence, your arrogance?"

Danzo's anger could no longer be contained. "Insolent fool! Today, you shall learn that a small nation must know its place! How dare you defy a major power!"

"Commence!" With Danzo's command, purple, translucent barriers suddenly materialized at the four corners around Kazuhiko.

"Ninjutsu: Four Purple Flames Formation! Engage!"

*****

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