Naruto: Fire-Release system

Chapter 75: The Fifth Joker of Uchiha's Wild Laughter Appears!

What seemed like a joke carried a deeper meaning.

After "Neji" revealed his implication, Sarutobi Hiruzen froze. A chill of fear surged through his heart.

All his plans for Konoha revolved around strengthening the Sarutobi Clan. If the clan was truly in danger, then what would all his efforts amount to?

"Go!"

"Return to the clan compound immediately!"

Hiruzen's face was anxious as he gave the order to the thousands of Sarutobi shinobi behind him.

He didn't believe "Neji" was merely bluffing. From the Six Paths Sage's so-called treasure to the series of events that followed, everything pointed to a deliberate plot targeting him and Konoha.

Though the mastermind's identity was unknown, Hiruzen couldn't dismiss the danger.

Initially, he wanted to capture the Hyūga Clan to investigate their potential ties to this enemy. After all, "Neji's" behavior was highly suspicious. He also intended to use this as an opportunity to reestablish his authority in Konoha.

But with the Sarutobi Clan at risk, he had no choice but to prioritize his family's safety. Resolving the Hyūga matter could wait.

"Hyūga Clan Head, we should leave as well!"

"You have ten minutes to leave Konoha!"

"Any delay, and I can't guarantee what might happen to your clan!"

As Hiruzen and his forces abandoned the confrontation to secure their clan, "Neji" turned to the Hyūga with a pointed warning.

"You're not Neji, are you?" Hyūga Hiashi's anger flared, feeling deeply betrayed.

"Clan Head, instead of wasting time being angry, you'd better leave quickly. Don't take my words lightly!"

With that, "Neji" said no more. The stage had already been set, and the Hyūga had no choice but to follow him.

"Fine!" Hiashi agreed, but his gaze hardened. "But I need an answer—who are you?"

"Uchiha."

The single word from "Neji" carried all the weight necessary.

"I see."

Hiashi and Kakashi exchanged glances, both recalling the mysterious Uchiha from months prior—the one who killed Konohamaru and declared vengeance on everyone involved in the Uchiha clan's demise.

At the time, they had dismissed his threats as the empty bravado of a lone Uchiha. After all, with the clan gone, what could one man possibly do against Konoha?

But now, it was clear how wrong they had been.

This same Uchiha had orchestrated chaos that almost fractured Konoha, forcing the Hyūga to defect and severely weakening the village.

Such feats were unimaginable. No one had ever brought Konoha to this state, not even during its toughest wars.

---

Meanwhile, Hiruzen and his forces rushed back to the Sarutobi compound. They found several small fires, which the clan members had already extinguished.

"What's the meaning of this? A distraction?" Hiruzen frowned. "There's no time for them to have done anything major..."

Seeing that the compound was intact, Hiruzen relaxed slightly. But something still felt wrong.

Unbeknownst to him, several white figures appeared around the compound's perimeter.

They moved swiftly, their hands weaving seals before slamming them to the ground.

A moment later, a massive purple, translucent rectangular barrier rose around the Sarutobi compound. Flames danced along the edges of the barrier, forming the Four Violet Flames Formation.

With the barrier complete, no one could enter or exit without being burned.

---

"Old man, it looks like your enemy isn't simple this time," Jiraiya remarked grimly, his gaze fixed on the sky. Above the Sarutobi compound hovered a figure suspended mid-air.

"That's…" Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "It's the mysterious Uchiha who killed Konohamaru!"

As soon as he saw the figure's distinctive appearance, Hiruzen connected the dots. This was the mastermind behind everything!

"What's he planning now?" Jiraiya muttered, his brows furrowing.

---

"Yo!"

"Our esteemed Third Hokage has arrived!"

Floating in the air thanks to his powers, Uchiha Yi greeted Hiruzen with a mocking tone.

"So, you're the one behind all of this?" Hiruzen demanded, anger burning in his chest.

The deaths of his son and grandson were all tied to this Uchiha.

"I didn't wait for you just to catch up." Yi's tone turned icy. "Do you remember my words from a few months ago, Hiruzen?"

"During the Warring States era, the Uchiha and Senju fought for a thousand years, yet neither clan was destroyed. Now, thanks to your pathetic political games, the Uchiha are no more!"

"Tell me, how should I settle this debt?" Yi's eyes burned with fury, his right hand slowly rising.

---

"The Uchiha planned a coup! To prevent chaos in the village, I had no choice!" Hiruzen defended himself, his voice shaking.

"Itachi, though an Uchiha, had a kind heart. He didn't want to see things escalate to that point and chose an extreme path instead. I tried to find another solution—truly, I did!"

---

"Hahahahaha!" Yi burst into wild laughter, his voice echoing across Konoha.

"Spare me your excuses, Hiruzen!"

Turning to Jiraiya, he added with a sneer, "Why don't you share your thoughts, Jiraiya? You must have something to say about this!"

Without waiting for an answer, he raised his hand higher and unleashed his fury.

"Fire Release: Divine Blaze Retribution!"

---

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