Chapter 93: Moon God vs. Hiruzen Sarutobi

"Monkey..."

Yuto sneered coldly. An invisible force field formed around him, intertwining and repelling two massive forces, twisting even the air.

Half-Awakened Tenseigan: Twin Serpent Strangulation!

The Monkey King howled miserably. Despite its reputation as having an "indestructible body," harder than steel, it couldn't withstand this terrifying pressure for even a second. Its muscular arms folded at ninety degrees, skin cracking inch by inch, blood splattering everywhere.

Yuto lifted his foot, stepping on the adamantine staff, charging fearlessly towards Hiruzen.

However, the Monkey King's bravery and sacrifice were meaningful. Although brief, it bought a fleeting opportunity.

Hiruzen had already completed his hand signs.

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!

A massive flame appeared, like a raging dragon, spewing from Hiruzen's mouth, splitting into three, attacking Yuto from the front, left, and right.

Yuto didn't retreat but wrapped his legs in repulsive force, stomping hard on the adamantine staff, increasing his speed again, dodging the side flames, and raising his left hand to absorb the frontal fire dragon with "Fuinjutsu Absorption Seal."

In an instant, Yuto was in front of Hiruzen.

The Half-Awakened Tenseigan, although not as powerful as "Shinra Tensei," was extremely precise, making it a deadly weapon in close combat. With the Twin Serpent Strangulation, Yuto even dared to engage in hand-to-hand combat with Susanoo!

Four gravity chains wrapped around Hiruzen's arms and legs, lifting him into the air, pulling him towards Yuto. At the same time, a sharp, spiral repulsive force spear roared at Yuto's fingertips. Gravity restraint and repulsive force strike, a perfect combination tested and proven countless times.

Half-Awakened Tenseigan: Twin Serpent Strike!

The spear, formed of repulsive force, buzzed and vibrated. Yuto thrust it forward mercilessly towards Hiruzen's chest.

Bang!

A loud collision echoed in the night sky. At the critical moment, the adamantine staff split into a small version, blocking Hiruzen.

However, the abundant repulsive force still burst from the spear's tip. The mini adamantine staff hit Hiruzen's chest, sending him flying with blood spewing from his mouth, breaking dozens of trees and carving a deep trench into the ground.

Yuto's aggressive fighting style aimed to deliver a second strike, seeing Hiruzen already injured.

Unexpectedly, the split adamantine staff was just the prelude. With the appearance of the first mini staff, the main body, tens of meters long, fully split. Divided into twenty parts, it recombined into a solid prison, trapping Yuto inside.

Secret Technique: Adamantine Prison Wall!

At the same time, Yuto's perfect 360-degree vision captured five figures.

It was Hiruzen and four shadow clones!

Swallowing a mouthful of blood with difficulty, Hiruzen took a deep breath and murmured.

"Your ability to absorb chakra and jutsu can only be used in one direction, right..."

Yuto squinted, understanding Hiruzen's strategy.

Half a year ago, when he absorbed Killer B's Tailed Beast Bomb, he used his left hand.

Tonight, Hiruzen's "Fire Dragon Flame Bullet" was not to harm but to test if "Fuinjutsu Absorption Seal" could indeed only be used with the left hand by attacking from three directions!

For shinobi, information is life.

Yuto sighed lightly, knowing he had underestimated Hiruzen.

Without a kekkei genkai, yet mastering all Konoha's jutsu, using seven chakra natures freely, with several forbidden techniques at his disposal... Hiruzen, without a doubt is a powerful shinobi!

Moreover, he isn't too old now, not yet suffering the consecutive blows of Minato's death and his student's betrayal, physically and mentally stronger than in the early stages of the plot!

"No wonder you bear the title Professor..." Yuto clasped his hands, concentrating his ocular power.

Hiruzen and his four shadow clones began forming hand signs simultaneously, each sequence and number different, and the chakra natures they released varied greatly.

Five directions, five different elemental jutsu, simultaneously bombarded the temporarily trapped Yuto.

Five Elements: Grand Linked Bullet Technique!

Fire, lightning, water, earth, and wind jutsu harmonized perfectly, their power stacking layer by layer.

Yuto raised his repulsive force to the maximum, exerting all his strength.

The absolute power of the Half-Awakened Tenseigan couldn't repel jutsu like Shinra Tensei, but it could still defend.

Half-Awakened Tenseigan: Serpent's Guard!

Boom!

A massive shockwave exploded in the nighttime forest, leveling a hundred meters around.

Konoha shinobi swallowed nervously, awaiting the battle's outcome.

From beginning to end, it was Yuto and Hiruzen fighting fiercely.

This wasn't due to Konoha shinobi's cowardice, but because they weren't qualified to intervene in such a high-level battle.

Tsunade and Danzo were guarding the village. Hiashi and Fugaku could try to join, but the speed and frequency of Yuto and Hiruzen's jutsu were too fast for them to find an opening.

As the dust settled, Hiruzen silently patted the adamantine staff, looking up.

Under the night moon, the man wearing the Hannya mask stood tall in the air. His black robe was no longer neat, showing signs of lightning strikes and burns.

But the man known as the Moon God still looked down arrogantly at the Konoha shinobi.

One side was spitting blood, the other almost unharmed. Everyone knew that in the first round, the Moon God had the upper hand.

"You are worthy of the Hokage title," Yuto said sincerely.

Hiruzen didn't respond, wiping the blood from his mouth, preparing for another round of jutsu.

The immense pressure between them made many Konoha shinobi's breaths quicken.

They knew a super battle between two strong men was about to explode.

Unexpectedly, the Moon God in the sky suddenly made a small "hmm" sound.

Behind him, the gravitational and repulsive force digging underground stopped.

"I've found it, I'm quite happy. So tonight... consider it your lucky day," Yuto said, his laughter louder than usual.

Though somewhat shameful, many Konoha shinobi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

However, they didn't know that the domineering Moon God was also relieved internally.

'Three minutes are almost up. It's not enough time to decide the battle with Hiruzen... Although I still have [Murakumo Slash], he has [Reaper Death Seal]... Fortunately, Orochimaru's experimental base was found.'

Gravitational force like a snake pulled some things from underground. Yuto received them and flew away under everyone's gaze, coming and going as freely as entering his own home.

After a moment of chaos, seeing the Moon God had left, Konoha shinobi organized a team to the dug-up underground.

"What is... so many plants..."

"So many bodies! My God... even children!"

"Quick! Notify the medical team, best to call Lady Tsunade too!"

"This... this seems to be Lord Orochimaru's..."

Amid the noise, Hiruzen and several Konoha high-ranking members and shinobi saw the full scope of this underground experimental base.

Hiruzen's body swayed, an indescribable chill spreading in his heart. Facing a mysterious enemy hadn't shaken his will, but now he was deeply saddened and angry.

In his memory, the intelligent and cute apprentice seemed completely unrecognizable.

"Orochimaru..."

(End of Chapter)