"Besides," Minato continued, his voice calm and steady, "I have already lost the support of the people. The villagers love you, Lord Third. Only you can lead the village to a better future."
As he spoke, Minato had already completed the hand seals for the Reaper Death Seal. He had done it with only one hand, and with a speed that far surpassed Hiruzen's. He had also completed the Shadow Clone Jutsu ahead of time. Two clones had already appeared behind Hashirama and Tobirama Senju.
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Without giving Hiruzen a chance to stop him, Minato's true form appeared in front of Orochimaru in a flash.
"Lord Orochimaru, I'm sorry."
"For the sake of Konoha, I must take you with me!"
"Reaper Death Seal!"
Minato stretched out his arms, his hands gripping Orochimaru's body tightly. At the same time, his two shadow clones did the same to Hashirama and Tobirama.
"Lord Orochimaru!" The four Sound-nin, seeing this, were about to rush to their master's aid, but Minato suddenly disappeared again, taking Orochimaru with him back to the rooftop.
On the other side of the village, in a remote corner outside Konoha's walls, Jiraiya and Tsunade leaned against the stone, staring into the distance. Listening to the sounds of explosions and screams coming from within the village, Tsunade was the first to lose her patience.
"I'm going back," she said angrily. "I have to protect everyone!"
Hearing this, Jiraiya quickly grabbed her shoulders, his expression serious. "Tsunade, don't forget the mission the old man gave us. Leave the battles in the village to them."
Tsunade bit her lip. "But…!"
Jiraiya shook his head. "There is nothing to worry about. I know you're anxious, I feel the same way, but we have our own responsibilities. The only thing we can do now is to trust them…" Before he could finish, he seemed to notice something, his expression suddenly darkening. "Tsunade," he whispered, "our targets are here."
Whoosh whoosh whoosh…!
Several dark figures appeared in front of them.
"It has been a long time, Fugaku."
"Lord Jiraiya? Lady Tsunade?" Fugaku Uchiha was stunned. He had brought his clansmen to support Shiro and the others, but he never expected to encounter these two formidable opponents before even setting foot in the village.
Jiraiya smiled. "The old man's guess was right. You would definitely try to enter the village from here."
"The Uchiha clan's compound is in the far corner of the village. We can go directly to our clan's territory by climbing over the wall behind us."
"As renegade ninja, it seems you still can't shake your homesickness."
Hearing this, Fugaku sneered. "The Third Hokage is as cunning and treacherous as ever."
"Shut up!" Tsunade shouted angrily. "You were the one who chose to defect from the village! You still have the nerve to insult the old man?"
Fugaku raised his head, his eyes burning with a cold fire. "Do you even know what truly happened back then? If it weren't for the relentless pressure from Konoha's high-ranking officials, would we have ever chosen to become the despised traitors we are today?"
Yashiro Uchiha interrupted, "Sir, there's no need to waste your breath on them. They're all on the same side! Supporting the others is what's important!"
Jiraiya stood up straight. "With Tsunade and I here, you will not get through."
Fugaku knew very well that the two legendary ninja before him were immensely powerful. They were two of the Sannin, both of whom had reached Kage-level strength many years ago. However, the Uchiha clan was no longer the same as it once was.
"Yashiro," Fugaku ordered, "you stay and fight with me against these two. The rest of you, go to the village and support Sasuke and the others!"
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