"Hokage, how could this man be an assassin? He helped the Uchiha clan fend off Itachi's attack!"
Uchiha Shin stepped forward in a hurry, blocking Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
Genya had just gone through a fierce battle. If he had to face Hiruzen now, he could be in danger!
Thinking about it, Hiruzen must have noticed this too, which is why he wanted to force Genya to stay.
"Mistaken?" Hiruzen glanced at Uchiha Shin before turning back to Genya. "I do not make such mistakes. His figure, his attire, and that signature black flame all prove that he is the assassin who once slaughtered Konoha's shinobi!"
Hiruzen didn't outright say that the assassin specifically targeted the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, but at this moment, his killing intent was undeniable!
"Ninjutsu can be learned by anyone. You can't assume it's the same person just because of that!" Uchiha Shin tried to argue, attempting to deflect suspicion.
"Whether he is or isn't—I only need to ask once." Hiruzen's voice was cold as he fixed his sharp gaze on Genya. "Tell me, did you ever kill Konoha shinobi?"
"Konoha shinobi?" Genya chuckled as he looked at the enraged Danzo and Hiruzen. "No, I don't believe I have."
"But I did kill a few worthless members of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans."
The air instantly grew heavy.
Hiruzen glared at Genya, his expression filled with fury, as if he wanted to tear him apart on the spot.
Yet, he forcibly suppressed the urge—but his chakra was already surging uncontrollably.
Danzo's already dark expression grew even more rigid. His clenched fists trembled with anger as he stared at Genya.
"In that case, I definitely can't let you leave." Hiruzen sneered and took a step forward, his chakra flaring violently.
"Sandaime-sama, this man helped the Uchiha clan at least, you—" Uchiha Shin tried once more to defend Genya. He was frustrated by Genya's response. Why did Genya admit to it? He could've gotten away with it!
Sarutobi Hiruzen was furious at this moment. His sharp gaze swept toward Uchiha Shin as he asked coldly,
"So, the Uchiha want to protect an assassin who hunts Konoha shinobi?"
"I—" Uchiha Shin's expression stiffened. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"This man is a benefactor of the Uchiha clan. If you really want to lay hands on him, then you'll have to go through us."
Shin had already decided to stand with Genya. After all... there was no way Genya could be harmed.
"This has nothing to do with the Uchiha clan. Stay out of it."
Uchiha Genya interrupted Shin before he could finish. Then, he turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Since we're here, I'd like to experience the strength of Konoha's so-called strongest Hokage."
The title "Konoha's Strongest Hokage"—was it a self-proclaimed boast, or was Sarutobi Hiruzen truly that powerful?
Even now, that reputation still lingered in the village.
"Heh... is that so? Then this old man would also like to see just how strong you really are!"
As soon as Hiruzen finished speaking, he rushed toward Genya at high speed.
His hands formed seals in an instant—
"Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"
A swamp formed beneath Genya's feet, attempting to swallow him whole.
Before he even moved, Genya's body simply floated into the air.
This was a small trick of his gravity field, something he could use effortlessly.
Seeing Genya avoid the swamp, Hiruzen quickly formed more seals—
Genya mirrored his movements!
The two clashed fiercely. But in terms of pure ninjutsu, Hiruzen was only average. His chakra reserves were larger, but not by much—and for Genya, that difference was meaningless.
Compared to fighting Itachi's Susanoo, this was nothing.
Genya didn't seem to be going all out. Every time Hiruzen used a jutsu, Genya copied it effortlessly. Even so, it was enough to make Hiruzen's scalp tingle.
"Damn it... Didn't he just go through an intense battle? How is he still this strong?! And his chakra—it's barely decreasing at all!"
Hiruzen couldn't help but curse inwardly.
Even now, he still hadn't gained the upper hand.
And just moments ago, Genya had fought Uchiha Itachi in an all-out battle... yet here he was.
"If this is all the strength you have, then the Third Hokage of Konoha is really disappointing!" Uchiha Genya chuckled lightly, stepping forward.
Genya's figure shot forward like a blur, appearing in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi in the blink of an eye.
With a powerful punch—!
Compared to ninjutsu, Genya now preferred the sheer dominance of taijutsu!
A battle of taijutsu was on a completely different level from a fight using ninjutsu!
His fist smashed forward!
Hiruzen's upper body exploded instantly—
But then... it slowly dissolved into a puddle of mud, dripping onto the ground.
"A clone?" Genya was momentarily surprised.
It seemed the Third Hokage still had some tricks up his sleeve.
In that brief moment of distraction—
A shadow appeared behind him, a kunai flashing in hand!
"Your combat experience is still lacking. Now, die!" Hiruzen said, his voice calm but ruthless. He intended to teach Genya a lesson—but he did not hold back!
But just as the kunai was about to strike, Genya spun around at an incredible speed.
A devastating whip kick!
His kick landed hard on Hiruzen!
There was no time to dodge—Hiruzen could only raise both arms in front of his chest to block!
Hiruzen was sent stumbling back several steps, his arms numb from the impact.
He looked at Genya, his gaze now filled with caution.
If he didn't get serious, he wouldn't be able to defeat this man.
"Again!" Hiruzen stretched his arms, then charged forward once more to continue the battle.
Danzo frowned. He could see that Hiruzen was at a disadvantage and was about to step in.
"Your opponent is me. Don't interfere."
A cold voice interrupted him.
A shadow clone of Genya suddenly appeared beside Danzo, blocking his path with an icy glare.
Genya had never been patient with either Hiruzen or Danzo.
Just like that, the two battles unfolded separately. But whether it was Shimura Danzo or Sarutobi Hiruzen, both were completely overwhelmed.
Thankfully, there were no outsiders around. If others saw their Hokage being beaten down , how would they feel?
At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen deeply regretted his decision. He could have stayed out of this, watching from above, letting it be none of his concern. So why did he get involved? And worse, why did he have to face off against this assassin?
Blown away once again by Genya's kick, Sarutobi Hiruzen could no longer contain his anger. His hands quickly formed seals.
In an instant, a thick cloud of smoke appeared in front of him.
A towering figure emerged—a monkey!
Its fur was turning white with age, and it even wore a headband on its forehead, giving it a distinct ninja presence.
Seeing the monkey, Genya was reminded of the legendary Sun Wukong from ancient myths. But... this monkey was far inferior to the real Monkey King.
"So, you're going all out now?" Genya muttered as he watched Sarutobi use his summoning jutsu. He sighed.
"This is getting boring. I should leave."
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