Chapter 58: Three-Way Standoff

"You alright?" Akira asked, looking intently at the breathless Fugaku.

Fugaku was battered, his eyes bleeding slightly, and his clothes were charred and torn.

"I can keep fighting, it's nothing serious," Fugaku replied in a deep voice.

Suddenly, the sound of something slicing through the air filled the silence. A figure, surrounded by a glowing green aura, sped toward them and landed nearby.

Might Duy glanced at Hiruzen and spoke with resolve,

"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage. I went against your orders."

Hiruzen's orders had been clear: all Chunin and Genin were to stay out of the frontlines, focusing on evacuating civilians and maintaining safety.

"It's fine, Duy," Hiruzen replied, shaking his head. "This isn't the time to dwell on that."

Akira looked at Hiruzen, "I think we need to reassess our strategy for dealing with the Nine-Tails and Nagato."

At Akira's suggestion, all eyes turned to Hiruzen. Even though he had stepped down as Hokage, in critical moments, his word still held weight.

Gripping the black-staffed Enma, Hiruzen surveyed the Nine-Tails and Nagato, then, after a brief moment of contemplation, said gravely,

"Nagato's Rinnegan allows him to absorb ninjutsu, rendering typical techniques useless. Taijutsu will work, and perhaps Sage techniques, if we have any."

He then looked toward the Nine-Tails. "The Sharingan of the Uchiha has a restraining effect on the Nine-Tails, and the Rinnegan is even stronger. My suggestion is that Fugaku and Akira temporarily engage the Nine-Tails while the rest of us focus our efforts on Nagato."

Akira and Fugaku exchanged a look and nodded. Hiruzen's plan was sound, with their combined efforts, they might be able to subdue Nagato swiftly. As for the Nine-Tails, Akira and Fugaku, with their Mangekyou Sharingan, had yet to reveal their full capabilities.

"Lord Hokage," Akira said, his gaze serious, "If it comes to it, I'll use my Mangekyou's power to kill the Nine-Tails."

At his words, the others felt a chill. Akira's confidence hinted that his Mangekyou technique was deadly enough to kill the Nine-Tails—the most formidable of the Tailed Beasts, a feat few Mangekyou Sharingan users could achieve.

Hiruzen paused, then finally nodded. "If it truly becomes necessary, kill the Nine-Tails. If Konoha can't have it, then no one else should."

While Konoha was preparing to deal with the Nine-Tails and Nagato, thoughts stirred in the minds of their opponents.

"Hmm…this Wood Release technique has a faint echo of Hashirama," the Nine-Tails mused, narrowing its enormous eyes as it watched Nagato standing among the sprawling forest. Memories of its past encounters with Hashirama flickered, reminding it of the strength that once forced it into submission.

Its mind brimming with memories of the Rinnegan and Wood Release, the Nine-Tails felt a growing urge to retreat. Surrounded by enemies who could subdue it, facing the Rinnegan, Wood Release, and a powerful Uchiha, escaping became an enticing option. The Rinnegan was fearsome, but Nagato lacked the finesse of a true master, and the Wood Release here wasn't strong enough to bind it completely.

"If things get rough, I'll make a run for it. Konoha doesn't have anyone left who can catch me," the Nine-Tails resolved internally.

Meanwhile, Nagato, sensing the increasing number of Konoha ninja and the presence of Hiruzen and others, grew wary. Despite his growth over the past year, he wasn't yet at his peak, and facing so many high-level opponents was daunting. In his recent clash with Hiruzen, he had realized the older man's strength might even surpass Hanzo's, especially with that black-staff weapon of his.

"Where's Madara?" Nagato wondered. "Could he have been taken down by the Fourth Hokage?"

Just then, he sensed movement beside him. Obito, wearing his tiger-striped mask, appeared, his cold gaze fixed on the direction of Konoha.

"Madara's chakra seems to be waning. Looks like he struggled against the Fourth Hokage," Nagato speculated.

Looking toward Konoha, he saw Minato Namikaze—the Fourth Hokage—arriving, carrying a red-haired woman, who, in turn, held a newborn child.

"So… another Uzumaki," Nagato noted, narrowing his eyes. It was his first time seeing another member of his clan.

Elsewhere, those who noticed Minato's return looked relieved.

"Minato, how did it go over there?" Hiruzen asked urgently.

Minato, his face set, gazed warily at Obito, the masked man beside Nagato.

"The man calling himself Uchiha Madara possesses both Wood Release and the Mangekyou Sharingan. His space-time jutsu surpasses mine, and without a unique countermeasure, he's nearly unbeatable."

Hiruzen's expression darkened. "Is he really Madara?"

"I don't think so," Minato replied, shaking his head. "Though he countered my Flying Thunder God Technique to a degree, he wasn't aware of my second stage."

Reflecting on their fierce battle, Minato recalled that his opponent's knowledge of the Flying Thunder God Technique had been dangerous, but ultimately he'd managed to break the Nine-Tails' summoning contract and gain the upper hand.

"Even so, though he took a direct hit from the Rasengan, he didn't seem too badly hurt." Minato's expression grew stern as he continued to watch Obito.

"What's your plan, Minato?" Hiruzen asked, realizing Minato might be their only counter to the masked man's space-time abilities.

"I'll handle him," Minato said firmly. "I've figured out his abilities, and he bears my Flying Thunder God Technique mark. When the moment's right, that impostor Madara won't escape." His gaze sharpened, his face hardened with a deadly resolve.

Hiruzen smiled with a hint of relief. If the masked man bore Minato's Flying Thunder God mark, then victory was almost certain.

Meanwhile, Akira and Fugaku exchanged a determined look.

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Pls drop some Power Stones

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