Chapter 232 : Two Friend's Death!

Reading the situation, they immediately identified the key issue at hand!

Among those present, everyone seemed affected except for the individual enveloped by Susano!

It had to be the result of parasitic spores!

Itachi paid no heed to the others, swiftly utilizing Susano to ensnare Kisame and Sasuke!

Then, employing a subtle Lightning Style ninjutsu.

Sure enough, within a mere three seconds, all the humanoid bacteria clinging to the pair were dislodged under the influence of the electrical current, ceasing their growth!

Witnessing the effectiveness, a cry rang out, echoing throughout the gathering!

"Any ninja still mobile, employ Lightning Style on yourselves to rid your bodies of these parasitic spores!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen sprung into action promptly, generating electric currents in the palms of his hands, first expelling the spores from Tsunade and Jiraiya, then addressing himself.

Likewise, those adept in Lightning Style from the Anbu swiftly removed the spores from themselves before assisting their comrades.

However, the source of the ninja's woes seemed to be the spores themselves.

Yet, after a few moments, mycelium began to sprout anew on everyone!

"This Danzo continuously emits spores!" Kisame exclaimed with astonishment.

"If one must constantly use Lightning Style ninjutsu to fend them off, it will be quite troublesome!"

"Without the specialized physique honed by the Cloud Shinobi Village, such actions will severely sap one's strength!"

"I can hardly fathom that White Zetsu, who appears to be easily killed, harbors such a dreadful ability!" Itachi furrowed his brows, gazing at the towering White vine, which threatened to surpass 30 meters in height once again.

"It's likely due to the size of White Zetsu before us and the infusion of First Hokage cells; White Zetsu himself wouldn't be so formidable otherwise," he remarked.

"Otherwise, there'd be an endless supply, and White Zetsu could single-handedly regenerate numerous tailed beasts."

Simultaneously, Jiraiya and the Third Hokage made a similar observation.

Retreating cautiously while contending with the spores, he mused, "It's peculiar; logically, my Senjutsu Chakra should be absorbed, turning it into stone!"

He doesn't possess the Lightning Style chakra nature transformation like Raikage, making it impossible for him to channel the electric current in his palm to eliminate the spores!

Neither does Tsunade!

"It's likely an issue with Grandpa's cells," Tsunade remarked after her analysis.

"It's a shame Kakashi and Guy are out of the village searching for Obito; their presence would have been beneficial," she lamented.

"Perhaps I have a solution!" Third Hokage suddenly interjected.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged incredulous glances at their sensei.

At that moment, Third Hokage's chakra reserves were depleted due to the recent spore absorption, rendering him unable to utilize the Lightning Style technique.

Furthermore, using such a technique would be futile as it wouldn't effectively dispatch the opponent.

Undeterred by his disciples' skepticism, Third Hokage's expression turned resolute.

"We must at least attempt it."

Turning his attention to Itachi within Susanoo's grasp, he spoke with remorse:

"Itachi, I have disappointed you in the past."

"But for now, I can only offer my apologies, with a promise to explain further in time."

His gaze turned beseeching as he continued:

"Now, Itachi, I implore you one last time."

"Please wield your Amaterasu flames to engulf Danzo's body."

"I believe you are capable."

Upon witnessing Itachi, enveloped in his Susano's towering form, manipulating countless massive Amaterasu arrow, he finally assented.

In the next instant, the crimson Susanoo surged to towering heights, its form burgeoning with muscle, encased in armor, and wings unfurled behind its back.

This was the complete manifestation of Susanoo!

The once imposing white fleshy mass, now dwarfed beneath Susanoo's colossal stature, left everyone awestruck.

Beside Tsunade, a wry smile crept onto Jiraiya's face.

"These eyes truly defy reason," he muttered.

In the previous encounter, he harbored confidence in his ability to confront Itachi without trepidation.

Yet now, Jiraiya hadn't anticipated the overwhelming might bestowed by the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.

This towering giant utterly eclipsed any ninjutsu.

The air began to quiver ominously!

Once again, the colossal bow materialized, and the jet-black rocket arrow of Amaterasu took form!

Boom!

With a thunderous crack, the arrow, dozens of meters in length, pierced through White Zetsu in the blink of an eye!

Instantly, black flames erupted within, commencing White Zetsu's gradual dissolution.

Simultaneously, the all-consuming flames of Amaterasu devoured various materials in their wake!

"We did it!" exclaimed Tsunade, her expression one of astonishment.

"From the inside out, it's impossible to shake off. The Amaterasu flames will consume it entirely!" she added.

"Sensei, there's no need for your intervention," 

Kisame and Sasuke also gazed at Itachi with admiration.

However, the situation took a sudden turn!

From White Zetsu's form, remnants of Danzo's face discharged copious amounts of black liquid from its maw!

In an instant, the flames were engulfed!

This time, the unstoppable force of Amaterasu faltered!

Enshrouded by the black liquid, it flickered briefly before dissipating into thin air!

"This black ink…" murmured the Third Hokage, a glint of recognition in his eyes. 

In the next moment, realization dawned upon him, and he exclaimed, "It's Danzo's Forbidden Jutsu, the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing! Avoid contact with that black liquid! But how can it manifest in this manner!?"

Yet pondering the reasons now proved futile.

The Third Hokage stepped forward, his voice ringing out with authority:

"Once more!"

Though Itachi contemplated alternative strategies, he complied with the Third Hokage's insistence.

Another torrent of flames bore through White Zetsu, prompting the latter to halt its assault, divert its attention to the countless wooden appendages protruding from its body, and confront the inferno of Amaterasu once more.

However, in that crucial moment, the Third Hokage leaped ten meters away from White Zetsu, swiftly weaving hand signs!

A few moments passed, as the Danzo face expelled darkened water, signifying the completion of the Third Hokage's seal!

His own soul's apparition was raised by an unseen force, suspended above him in a ceremonial stance!

Suddenly, an ethereal figure, towering several meters high, materialized with a Short Sword clenched in its teeth!

"Sensei!!"

"Third Hokage!!"

Tsunade and Jiraiya exclaimed in disbelief!

Witnessing the footage of the Fourth Hokage's demise, everyone recognized the phenomenon.

The spirits were sealed!

It was the ultimate sealing technique capable of effortlessly dividing even the Nine Tails into two, but the cost was equally dire; the caster must perish!

"Don't grieve, I am, in fact,

I am relieved..."

The Third Hokage's lips moved, yet the words remained unspoken.

In the next instant, the Shinigami stirred.

Its spectral arm swiftly extended, piercing into the colossal mass of flesh!

After a brief pause, White Zetsu abruptly halted his neck's motion, and a humanoid shadow was ensnared by the Shinigami!

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!!!"

"Sarutobi Hiruzen!!!"

"Why you, of all people! Why you!"

"Ah, ah, ah, ah!!"

Danzo's soul erupted in madness, fixating on the Third Hokage like a vengeful spirit, whether due to the Third Hokage's act or a recollection of the missed moment for the Hokage position, nobody could discern.

But in the subsequent moments, such distinctions ceased to matter.

Danzo's soul coalesced into a sphere, swallowed by the Shinigami!

And soon after, the Third Hokage followed suit.

The soul materialized within Shinigami's grasp, then swiftly consumed.

Silence.

A gentle breeze whispered through the air.

Shinigami dispersed, leaving Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling the abrupt void of power.

The elderly man yearned to glance back at his two disciples, yet his strength failed him. He slumped to the ground, breath stilled.

Kisame and Itachi remained silent.

The truth dawned on Itachi; this was the Third Hokage's last wish.

Vengeance through sacrifice!

Simultaneously, the colossal white flesh mound began to crumble and dissolve.

Moments later, a figure tumbled out from its depths, rolling to a halt beside the fallen Third Hokage.

It was the body of Shimura Danzō.

Beneath the moon's watchful gaze, the remnants of battle scarred the ruined walls of the Root Headquarters.

And... the stillness that followed.

In the Sixtieth year in Konoha's history,

The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and the Leader of Roots, Shimura Danzō, had perished.

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