Chapter 117

"Asuma!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen roared in anger, "Why are you here?!"

Following Asuma was a Mega-evolved Bulbasaur—no longer the size of an average Pokémon but a shadow-level powerhouse. Dozens of vines extended from the creature, each holding the lifeless bodies of several Jōnin—the Twelve Guardian Ninja stationed outside had all been defeated.

Asuma looked at his father with a complex expression, his voice tinged with sorrow and resolve.

"Father, I can't stand by and watch you make more mistakes."

"You've always been a hero to me—a hero who deserves a heroic death on the battlefield, to be remembered and honored on the memorial tablet."

"I don't want the Sarutobi clan to bear the eternal shame of being traitors. Do you understand, Father? You were the one who taught me: 'Wherever the leaves fly, the fire will grow.' That is the Will of Fire you instilled in me."

"I will take on this sin, so that you may die as a hero. The Sarutobi clan can return to Konoha and become part of the Uchiha Processing Factory. That is true peace—peace where no child of the Sarutobi clan will have to set foot on the battlefield again."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stared at Asuma, disbelief etched into his face. His trembling hand pointed toward his son as he spat out a mouthful of blood in sheer rage.

"You… you ungrateful bastard!"

"You fool! Do you think Uchiha Toki will spare the Sarutobi clan? Why do you think I led our people to leave Konoha?! You... Pfft~!"

The old man collapsed under his fury, proof that extreme anger could indeed cause one to vomit blood.

From behind, Obito grinned maliciously and hurled a shuriken directly at Sarutobi Hiruzen's chest.

Reacting swiftly, Sarutobi reached out to block it, but the shuriken's terrifying power twisted space itself.

Kamui Shuriken!

Hiruzen's face contorted in pain and shock as his arm was severed instantly by the spatial distortion. Blood sprayed everywhere, rendering his arm useless before he even had the chance to fight back.

As Sarutobi cried out in agony, Asuma's expression shifted. A flicker of hesitation crossed his face, but it was quickly replaced by cold determination as he thought of his clan and of Kurenai.

"Step aside! Let me bear this sin!"

Asuma drew his chakra-enhanced weapon, the Fist Blade Feiyan, which Hiruzen had spent a fortune creating for him. With the wind-nature chakra coursing through the blade, it extended into a deadly edge.

"Feiyan Travels Through the Sky!"

In an instant, Asuma appeared in front of his critically injured father. Before Sarutobi could react, a spray of crimson erupted from his neck.

Sarutobi Hiruzen clutched at his throat, blood pouring from the fatal wound. His eyes were wide with disbelief as he tried to speak, but his trachea was severed, leaving him mute.

Asuma dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he looked at his dying father. His voice was filled with anguish as he whispered, "I'm sorry, Dad. This is for your own good."

Hiruzen opened his mouth, trying desperately to say something, but the light faded from his eyes. He collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Nearby, Obito watched the scene unfold with a hint of scorn.

"Did he really think Uchiha Toki would spare the Sarutobi clan? Naive."

Suddenly, the entire daimyo's mansion began to tremble violently.

A deafening explosion shook the building, and the sound reverberated as if the very earth itself were being torn apart..