Chapter 115: A Moment That Decides Life and Death

"Naruto Uzumaki!"

Within less than two seconds—Hiroki Hyuga appeared, wounded Naruto Uzumaki, and lifted him off the ground.

Jiraiya caught the entire scene in his peripheral vision.

Why does he seem even stronger than last time? Jiraiya thought to himself, distracted.

Since her sudden surge in power during their last encounter, Yugao Uzuki's strength had stabilized.

Even Tsunade awakening the Wood Release can be seen as a major breakthrough.

But how was this Hiroki Hyuga repeatedly pushing past his limits?

Hiroki locked eyes with Yugao and her clones.

Suddenly getting an idea, Yugao and her Shadow Clones each shifted back slightly at the same time.

Hiroki moved so fast it seemed like a gust of wind followed in his wake.

He kicked Hiruzen Sarutobi hard in the chest, sending him crashing through over a dozen trees before sliding across the ground for some distance.

His staff slipped from his grasp and clattered onto the earth. As if dragging a mop across the floor, Hiruzen left behind a long trail of bloodstains as he slid to a stop.

"This really isn't easy to control!" Hiroki muttered to himself internally.

"Kchh... kchh..."

Hiruzen hadn't lost consciousness yet. Lying on the ground, he coughed violently.

As he lifted his head, he saw Hiroki standing beside him. Instantly, a chill ran down his spine.

Naruto Uzumaki was tossed aside. Kneeling on the ground, Hiroki twisted both of Hiruzen's arms out of their sockets, preventing any chance of hand seals, then sealed his pressure points.

Not a single sound escaped Hiruzen throughout the entire ordeal.

He slowly pushed himself up and sat on the ground, leaning his back against the trunk of a tree. In an instant, he looked visibly older, his spirit completely broken.

Seeing what had just transpired, Sasuke started fidgeting nervously. "We should leave now."

"Look at those eyes of his. Do you really think we have that chance right now?" Kabuto Yakushi said in a low voice.

Sasuke glanced toward Hiroki's Byakugan and remained silent.

"Kabuto, do you know more about him?" Sasuke asked.

"According to the information I've gathered, he was once Itachi Uchiha's teammate. Despite remaining a Chunin until now, there's little else known about him..." Kabuto explained.

"Itachi Uchiha's teammate…" Sasuke murmured, lost in thought.

Yugao quietly sheathed her sword and swiftly moved to Hiroki's side, securing both Hiruzen and Naruto Uzumaki together with ninja wire.

Meanwhile, her clones kept Jiraiya surrounded.

Glancing briefly toward where Sasuke and Kabuto stood, Hiroki said, "Elder Jiraiya, I'm torn—should I let you two go or eliminate you…"

To be honest, I've been using Yeguo Reading to read books and follow updates recently. It allows switching sources and has multiple voice options for text-to-speech. Available on both Android and iOS.

He hadn't even finished speaking when a finger-snap echoed. Kaguya spoke calmly, "Time's up."

Instantly, Hiroki felt all that immense chakra vanish completely from within him.

Internally, he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly: "Kaguya, you're really strict."

"This is for your own good. Didn't you say you didn't want to rely on me constantly?" Kaguya responded calmly.

Hiroki collected his thoughts and turned his gaze back to Jiraiya, a faintly mocking tone in his voice. "Sensei Jiraiya, why don't you choose for me? Between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Naruto Uzumaki, who do you want to see survive?"

Jiraiya looked at him deeply but remained silent.

"What if we kill both?" Yugao interjected.

Hiroki was momentarily at a loss for words.

Even if they killed Naruto, what could they do? His real father controlled the Pure Land.

Even if they managed to kill him, the Sage of Six Paths would just revive and boost his power before sending him back — all their effort would be for nothing.

"You two demons… Don't you dare…" Naruto abruptly stood up, grinding his teeth, seemingly preparing to act.

Yugao firmly pushed against his forehead with the hilt of her sword. Naruto staggered backward, a visible mark now on his brow.

"Sensei Jiraiya, what are you hesitating for? Could it be that you're waiting for Reverse Summoning to take Naruto away?"

"If that's the case, then you'll have to abandon Hiruzen Sarutobi's life. Is he not as important as Naruto Uzumaki? Are you willing to see him die?"

Seeing Jiraiya still silent, Hiroki spoke again.

"Or perhaps…"

He turned his head, glancing at the gloomy-faced Hiruzen and the Naruto filled with hatred and fury, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Third Hokage, are you willing to offer your life for Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Naruto Uzumaki, are you willing to sacrifice yourself to save the Third Hokage?"

Naruto suddenly fell quiet, his expression contemplative, seemingly considering whether or not to trade his own life for Hiruzen's.

And the key figure, Jiraiya, still hadn't spoken.

Nobody knew whether it was because he couldn't decide, or whether he simply didn't believe Hiroki would actually let them go.

"Jiraiya, take Naruto and leave," Hiruzen said in a low, hoarse voice. "I don't have many years left anyway. Naruto still has a bright future ahead."

Living in such shame is worse than death itself.

"Grandpa Third, please no!" Naruto shook his head repeatedly, tears brimming in his eyes. "Let's leave together!"

"Naruto, there are many things I've lied to you about..." A tender yet guilty look appeared on Hiruzen's face.

"Truly heartwarming," Kabuto Yakushi coldly remarked with a textbook fake smile.

"Kabuto Yakushi, just how strong is Lord Orochimaru?" Sasuke couldn't help but ask.

"Lord Orochimaru used to be one of the Sannin."

"One of the Sannin? He's one of them, yet even with the Third Hokage, he couldn't defeat that kunoichi?" Sasuke pointed toward Jiraiya.

"That's right," Yakushi Kabuto casually replied. "The last remaining member of the Sannin is set to become Lady Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage."

"Just what exactly defines someone as one of the Sannin? Their strength levels seem so inconsistent," Sasuke couldn't help but complain.

Kabuto Yakushi nodded normally.

"We had originally planned for Sensei Jiraiya to bring you along on the way to meet Lord Orochimaru as well."

"Him?"

Kabuto Yakushi: "Yes, because he also has a scheduled meeting with Lord Orochimaru."

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued reminiscing about old memories and gave heartfelt advice for Naruto's future, bringing tears to Naruto's eyes.

Hiroki felt confused. Is this the real deal, or just some kind of clever sacrificial move?

Jiraiya felt overwhelmed but couldn't get a single word out.

"Master Jiraiya, make your choice," someone pressed on. "Otherwise, both of them will die."

Hiroki inwardly sneered.

Fine, if you want to play the hero so bad—first taste what it's like to lose someone close and be utterly abandoned.

"If I die, will you really let Naruto go?" Hiruzen asked Hiroki solemnly after sharing his final words with Naruto.

In that moment, he fully reclaimed the dignity of a true Hokage.

"Third, Naruto has far more chance to survive than you do."

"Bring me a kunai. I'll handle it myself." Hiruzen held out his hand.

"Sorry, but your decision doesn't count. Only Jiraiya can make this choice," Hiroki said calmly.

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