Chapter 118
Asuma's expression changed drastically. Without even pausing to collect Sarutobi Hiruzen's body, he rushed out.
At the same time, Obito's expression darkened, and he sank into the ground like a pitcher plant, vanishing in an instant.
The moment he disappeared, two members of the Archer clan suddenly emerged from the Kamui space.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Cut!"
One of them slammed his palm against the ground, causing the entire Daimyo's Mansion to split into two halves.
As they peered into the empty underground, the faces of the two Archer clan members twisted in frustration.
"Damn it! He escaped! Did he already know we were going to ambush him?"
"That shouldn't be possible. No one was near him when he entered Kamui Space."
"Find a clan member skilled in Earth Style to investigate the surroundings. Dammit, we actually let him slip away. We can't afford to make a mistake with the one outside."
Exchanging a glance, the two immediately turned and sprinted after Asuma.
---
At this moment, the Daimyo's Mansion was in utter chaos.
The black and red version of the Seven-Tails had transformed into a Nine-Tails, roaring furiously toward the sky.
Asuma's eyes widened in shock. His gaze locked onto the rampaging Nine-Tails before shifting to the ruins beneath it.
That was where Sarutobi Hiruzen had moved to!
Asuma had personally been there when he last tried to convince his father.
But now… the entire settlement of the Sarutobi clan was reduced to nothing but rubble!
"Super Bulbasaur! Use Vine Whip!"
Asuma roared, and the massive Super Bulbasaur behind him extended a dozen thick vines, attempting to restrain the monstrous tailed beast.
But the Nine-Tails let out a furious roar. Chakra began to condense into white bones across its body, and another red tail slowly formed at its back.
The moment its transformation advanced, an ear-splitting shockwave erupted, shattering the vines effortlessly!
The blast wave cleared an open space, sending the corpses of countless Sarutobi clansmen flying through the air.
The remaining guards and villagers inside the Daimyo's Mansion watched in terror as the Nine-Tails howled at the sky. Panic took hold, and they scattered, trying to flee.
But before they could escape, a crimson barrier suddenly emerged, rising around the entire Daimyo's Mansion, sealing them all inside!
Any ninja or guard who touched the barrier was instantly engulfed in flames, their bodies reduced to ashes in an instant!
---
Uchiha Flame Formation—a barrier technique that turned the very ground into a catalyst, amplifying the Karmic Fire, which burned endlessly. Anyone near the target was consumed, their chakra acting as fuel for the flames.
This technique was so intense that even a tailed beast would hesitate to touch it. It was a true wall of hellfire.
However, at this moment, the flame formation did not serve as a shield but a prison.
Everyone inside was now trapped in a hell of fire. Those who tried to resist were burned to cinders.
Asuma's face was filled with despair as he watched Uchiha elites emerge from the shadows, encircling them like executioners.
Suddenly, a cold blade pierced through his heart from behind.
"Thank you for your service, Lord Asuma. Your mission ends here."
A cold voice from the Archer clan echoed behind him.
Asuma's body trembled as he coughed up blood. In disbelief, he turned his head—only to see the emotionless face of an Archer clansman.
The sword was yanked out.
Asuma staggered forward, his vision blurring.
All around him, Uchiha guards emerged from Kamui space, mercilessly slaughtering everyone trapped inside the barrier.
Asuma's mind raced in shock and denial. "This… this can't be real…"
The Archer clansman gave him a cold, indifferent glance.
"Don't worry. They'll be joining you soon. Your sacrifice has contributed to the peace of Konoha… and even the entire ninja world. Your name will be honored on the memorial tablet."
Asuma coughed out another mouthful of blood, collapsing lifelessly onto the ground—his eyes filled with regret.
The Archer clan member looked down at Asuma's fallen body without an ounce of sympathy.
Reaching down, he stripped Asuma's massive wristband off and slipped it onto his own arm.
That Super Bulbasaur? It had always been his.
He had only loaned it to Asuma to further the plan.
---
Meanwhile, the Eight-Tailed Nine-Tails opened its gaping maw, a terrifying black sphere forming at its center—
A Tailed Beast Bomb was about to be unleashed!
The Archer took a deep breath and pressed the giant wristband.
"Super Bulbasaur! Dynamax!"
A golden light engulfed Super Bulbasaur.
Its delicate flower rapidly expanded, growing large enough to cover its entire body.
The stamens in the center flared open like a volcanic eruption, spewing massive amounts of pollen into the air.
Two giant vines whipped out, instantly wrapping around the Nine-Tails, completely binding it.
"Bulbasaur! Use Solar Beam!"
A terrifying white energy beam, tens of meters wide, gathered at the center of Dynamaxed Super Bulbasaur's flower.
A blinding beam of pure destruction shot forth, colliding head-on with the Tailed Beast Bomb!
BOOOOM!!!
A cataclysmic explosion erupted, engulfing the entire barrier in blinding flames.
All the guards and ninjas instantly burned away, their bodies reduced to nothing but ash.
The Uchiha elites inside the barrier had already vanished—each one escaping into Kamui space before the blast hit.
Outside, the clan members maintaining the Flame Formation coughed up blood, their control over the barrier shattering. They, too, disappeared into Kamui space.
Back in Konoha Village…
Far away, Tsunade, Ōnoki, and the Fourth Raikage all felt the immense chakra fluctuation at the same time.
---
Meanwhile, in the Chūnin Exam arena, Deidara was soaring through the sky on an armored clay bird, dropping self-detonating spiders onto the battlefield below.
Down below, Darui was cursing under his breath.
"Thunder Release is supposed to counter Earth Release, but dammit, I can't hit him if he's flying!"
Nearby, a suited-up Infernape was crying out in frustration at Deidara, his body language resembling that of a desperate Morse code operator.
Ōnoki, watching from the VIP stands, smirked and turned to Tsunade.
"Konoha is quite lively today, isn't it?"
His eyes flickered toward the distant explosion caused by the Tailed Beast Bomb, a hint of unease crossing his face.
"Should we check it out?"
Tsunade leaned back in her chair, laughing.
"Go ahead. It's none of Konoha's concern anymore. Do whatever you want."
Ōnoki and Raikage exchanged a deep look. Without another word, they gestured to their ANBU and whispered orders.
---
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha Clan…
Sitting in his chambers, Uchiha Toki calmly sipped his tea, a sneer playing on his lips.
"Trying to use the Daimyo as a shield?"
"Did they forget… Tsunade is the First Hokage's granddaughter?"
"Once the Fire Daimyo's royal bloodline is wiped out, she will become the sole heir of the Fire Country."