Chapter 93: Fear & Show Of Power

After realizing that the main battle had concluded, the clone maintaining the Four Red Yang Formation slowly raised the barrier and vanished.

Seeing the disappearance of the Four Red Yang Formation, Tsunade and her team immediately used their perception to locate Sato(Uchiha Naraku).

"I don't care why you infiltrated Konoha, but since you're cornered now, I suggest you release Danzo instead of merely capturing him," Tsunade commanded, with a firm tone, as she led prominent ninjas and Anbu to encircle Sato.

"Nowhere to go?"

Sato, holding Shimura Danzo's neck with one hand, cast a disdainful gaze at those present, eventually focusing on Tsunade and smirking: "You can't even handle my clones. Who gave you the audacity to utter such foolish words to me, Uchiha Naraku?"

Boom!

As if in response, an immense amount of black-transparent Yin Chakra surged out of Sato's body like a fountain. The formidable Yin Release Chakra rose about 100 meters, elevating Sato, who stood on the ground, to the same height.

Then, the Yin Release Chakra rapidly formed a transparent black figure clad in dark armor. Resembling a tengu yokai, it featured a long nose, wings on its back, and a massive samurai sword at its waist – a colossal warrior evoking the aura of a god of war.

"Are you... joking?"

"Could this be... Susanoo too?"

"This is far beyond. Is this how Uchiha Madara could rival Hashirama-sama?"

*Gulp.*

Facing the towering black titan before them, even the resolve of Tsunade, the elite ninjas, and Anbu that had surrounded Sato wavered.

Several ninjas with weaker mental fortitude slumped to the ground abruptly.

Similar reactions occurred among civilians and ninjas in the village.

When confronting beings from a different dimension, they lacked the courage to fight, let alone the will to do so or escape.

Even Tsunade's eyes widened, and beads of sweat covered her face. This was her first sight of a complete Susanoo. In fact, she was unaware of Susanoo's existence in this form.

Grandfather fought against such adversaries, and he emerged victorious each time?

Swish.

At this instant, the black titan made its move.

Deliberately, the titan drew the samurai sword from its waist and brought it down in a vertical slash.

Boom!

In an instant, a powerful earthquake-like rumble reverberated.

The target of the samurai sword wasn't the likes of Tsunade and the villagers beneath it, nor anyone specific. It was a demonstration of divine might, an alteration of the landscape.

However, this seemingly arbitrary slash created a pitch-black gash, as extravagant as those of the renowned swordsmen from One Piece. It extended from the Hokage Rock to the village gate, penetrating the gate with ease and advancing forward by at least three Konohas' worth.

As the black slash dissipated, an aerial view would reveal that the current Konoha had been divided into two by a massive trench.

Furthermore, this "boundary line" cleaving Konoha into halves extended at least three Konohas' lengths.

Remarkably, the starting point of this division was the Konoha village gate.

Thus, before the trench could be bridged, outsiders arriving at Konoha would be met with the sight of this colossal trench, signifying that even entering Konoha had become an arduous task.

Following the separation of Konoha with a single slash, the titan refrained from attacking the individuals below. Instead, it sheathed the samurai sword deliberately.

Sato looked down upon Tsunade and the others, displaying Uchiha's characteristic arrogance. "Remember, you aren't the ones surrounding me. I've spared you out of mercy."

"From this point onward, you shall dwell in perpetual fear of Uchiha, within this humble celebration."

With these words, the wings on the back of the black titan unfurled, generating a gust of air that lifted numerous ninjas off the ground. Carrying Sato and Danzo into the sky, they swiftly departed Konoha.

In truth, this departure method was extravagant.

Similar to Danzo and the Root organization, Sato wasn't worthy of employing the perfected Susanoo.

Conversely, Tsunade, the elite ninjas, and Konoha's Anbu were unworthy of Sato's fully manifested Susanoo.

The perfected Susanoo represented the "true Susanoo," a godlike power that could potentially lead to death if witnessed firsthand.

Utilizing this form came with the obligation to take some high-status individuals along. When surrounded by Tsunade's group, Sato briefly hesitated, contemplating whether to allow the Second Hokage possessed by Kei to employ the Flying Thunder God Technique for their escape, and whether to depart without claiming the life of a formidable opponent.

Ultimately, Sato chose the latter course.

Because Sato opted for the latter course of action, he achieved a two-fold outcome that proved advantageous.

Firstly, through the perspective of the White Zetsu clone, Uchiha Obito, and others, 'Uchiha Naraku' was believed to possess the second pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Meanwhile, Kei, posing as an ancient entity, solidified his identity as an informant within the Akatsuki organization. This established him as an indispensable force.

The second outcome aimed to instill fear and insignificance in Konoha's people before the might of Uchiha power. This narrative sought to convey that even Uchiha Madara, reputed for this mythical strength, was repeatedly bested by the First Hokage's Wood Style. Consequently, Sato, as the second master of Wood Style after Senju Hashirama, would elevate his status within Konoha. Positioned as a genuine source of hope, he would eventually assume the posture of the First Hokage. When that day arrived, the residents of Konoha would cease to tremble at the prospect of embodying Susanoo's power. Instead, they'd experience security and a sense of assurance. This strategic choice would anchor Sato's position, surpassing the status of a Hokage.

Hence, Sato's extravagant display resonated deeply within Konoha. Beholding the colossal moat, both the major ninja clans and Tsunade, one of the Five Kage, appeared perplexed and uncertain. Such a spectacle raised questions about their own capabilities. What significance did Jōnin, Elite Jōnin, Anbu Elite Jōnin, and even the Hokage hold in the presence of this celestial force? Did they amount to nothing more than... feeble entities?

As Sato embarked on his departure, laden with his mission to confront Danzō and get Shisui's right eyes, the task to retrieve Sasuke concluded as well.

The outcome mirrored the original narrative, where 'Sato' intervened and Sasuke narrowly overcame Naruto, successfully reaching Orochimaru. However, the battles between other combatants, including the likes of jirobo, Kidōmaru, and Kimimaro, followed a different course.

Throughout these engagements, the characters of the original storyline underwent substantial growth. Chōji unlocked his butterfly transformation, Shikamaru discarded his indolence, Hyuga Neji overcame the constraints of the branch house, and Rock Lee and Gaara turned adversaries into friends. These developments, though hard-earned and near-death experiences, diverged from the established trajectory.

The arrival of Sato introduced a substantial deviation in the narrative's course. Though it impacted the result, the divergence proved beneficial for the likes of Shikamaru and others. Yet, even with their growth, they remained unable to counter the butterfly effect—a force beyond the power of mere mortals.

As the adage goes: a man's shadow lies beneath his illustrious tree.

While Kei, posing as 'Sato', may have entertained the idea of altering the outcome, his role as the overseer precluded it. When confronted by Konoha's Wood Style experts, even one of the four Otonin ninjas, left alone, would meet swift defeat. Consequently, the battles weren't one-on-one. 'Sato' and Naruto continued their pursuit of Sasuke, while three Otonin ninjas engaged the members of the Eighth and Tenth Teams. The remaining Otonin ninja escorted Sasuke onward.

Though the Eighth and Tenth Teams found themselves in a disadvantageous position, they didn't falter. Despite being outnumbered, Chōji ingested the secret Akamichi clan medicine, unlocking the butterfly transformation. Jirōbō fell.

Hinata and Ino, with their grasp of advanced medical ninjutsu, tended to Akimichi Chōji's injuries. Similarly, Shikamaru and Shino, aided by the timely arrival of the three Gaara siblings, overcame Tayuya and Kidomaru.

Hinata, Ino, and Shino chose to return to Konoha to safeguard Akimichi Chōji. Gaara and Shikamaru remained with 'Sato' and Naruto.

Upon their arrival, they discovered 'Sato's' battle had ended. Kei, masquerading as 'Sato', managed to subdue Kimimaro.

Upon learning of Akimichi Chōji's perilous condition, 'Sato' wrestled with the choice of aiding Naruto or saving his dear friend. The recent acquisition of Tsunade's true inheritance and mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique influenced his decision. With their combined efforts, 'Sato', Tsunade, and Shizune were confident in saving Akimichi Chōji.

Shikamaru echoed 'Sato's' sentiments, prioritizing friendship over adhering to ninja rules. The bonds shared with cherished friends superseded any violation of rules.

To avert mission failure, Sato accepted the consequences of his actions. In his stead, Shikamaru assumed leadership, departing with Gaara to support Naruto.

Fortunately, Kakashi arrived in time, having completed his duties outside the Land of Fire. Together, they ventured to the Valley of the End, where they discovered an unconscious Naruto.

Amid the watchful gaze of Black White Zetsu, the long-foretold reincarnation of Ashura and Indra was about to commence.