Leading a formidable battalion of uniformed and focused shinobi, Hiruzen, Danzo, and Orochimaru stormed toward the once-grand gates of the Hyuga compound. Their approach was swift and merciless.
Without hesitation, Danzo unleashed his Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere, intending not only to shatter the gate but also to crush the Hyuga clan's pride. This provoked them to retaliate, justifying their escalating this conflict even more to its brutal conclusion.
The gust tore forward with destructive intent, yet the gate remained curiously intact upon contact, not even a crack appearing where it should have splintered. All three leaders flinched for a fraction of a second, their battle-hardened senses instantly alert.
"Something's wrong...", Orochimaru muttered, his serpent-like eyes narrowing.
Almost simultaneously, a tremendous surge of chakra erupted from behind the gate. It flooded the air like a tsunami, overwhelming even the most seasoned of sensors within the group. Danzo clenched his fists as he recognized the unmistakable energy.
"It's him… Hirayoshi Hyuga! He already appeared with that power; it was definitely not a bluff then...", Danzo growled, his eyes narrowing,
"This is the same chakra presence we sensed at that pre-war meeting. He knows we're here. It seems that they've really been diligently monitoring us from inside their walls for a long time already—violating the founding agreements on Byakugan usage all along. But at most, they only fully noticed our movements a few minutes ago."
His voice was cold and analytical, the enhancements from his Senju cells sharpening his sensory abilities to frightening precision. He scanned the compound with meticulous focus, calculating the Hyuga's strategic movements within moments.
"They've repositioned themselves...", Danzo continued, "Their largest force, led by Hirayoshi, is preparing to meet our main group head-on. They've moved thinner units along the outer edges of the compound—less concentrated but still formidable.",
"They're preparing to push past us, forcing the fight out into the open to attack the village's heart. If they succeed, we'll maybe have no choice but to withdraw and defend the civilians, exactly what they're hoping for."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened, "They're trying to outmaneuver us, using the village itself as a shield..."
"Fortunately, we positioned the barrier loosely enough before they managed to detect us right on time...", Hiruzen added, his tone sharp but measured.
Before more orders could be given, the massive gate creaked open with an eerie calm as though mocking the failed attempt to break it down. The tension in the air thickened, each side poised on the edge of violence.
"They're daring us to step inside...", Orochimaru whispered with a sly grin, eyes gleaming with intrigue.
Danzo clenched his jaw, his mind racing through possible countermeasures: "They're trying to dictate the terms of this fight, but we won't let them."
Hiruzen silently nodded. The operation, meticulously planned for months, was finally at its climax. There was no turning back now. From this point forward, every step would determine Konoha's future.
"What is the meaning of this, Hiruzen? Are you finally attempting some sort of complete takeover of the village? You can't control yourself anymore?",
Hirayoshi's voice was calm but carried an undercurrent of warning, "Your forces have encroached dangerously close to our clan's grounds, and we feel threatened. I strongly advise you to withdraw now—don't push me into action; this won't be just a warning anymore like the last time...",
As he spoke, faint arcs of white flames and rays flickered around his body, crackling in subtle pulses, a testament to the immense chakra coursing through him.
His Byakugan was fully activated, his expression unwavering, a mask of calm yet deliberate readiness. Despite him being already in his sixties, his aura was undeniable.
Behind him, rows of main branch members stood firm, their eyes gleaming with hostility, postures tense as they prepared for confrontation.
"Hirayoshi Hyuga, we have uncovered credible information regarding Hikari Hyuga's actions in Kirigakure—specifically, the unauthorized privatization of the Tailed Beasts and illicit collaboration with another village.",
"Given the gravity of these findings, we now have reason to believe that your entire clan may be complicit and perhaps even planning a rebellion against the village..." Hiruzen declared, his voice steady yet laced with authority.
He coughed briefly, then continued, "As such, we are compelled to conduct a deeper investigation within your compound. Furthermore, you and several other elders are required to accompany us to one of our Anbu outposts for personal questioning and statements."
Hiruzen's posture was rigid, his hands clasped behind his back in the stance of a man invoking the weight of Hokage authority. Despite the formal tone, there was no mistaking the underlying tension.
His battle armor, already strapped on, made it clear that this was no mere diplomatic visit. His words carried both the weight of an order and the silent threat of force should compliance not be given.
Hirayoshi's expression remained unreadable as he murmured under his breath, "Is that so…?", Without sparing them another glance, he turned toward the compound.
His eyes briefly scanned the scene—barriers already rising to shield key buildings and civilians evacuated to safety. Their Fuinjutsu Institute worked tirelessly before then. Then as if confirming everything was now in place, a subtle shift overcame him.
In the next instant, his demeanor changed entirely. His calm, measured presence gave way to something fierce and overwhelming.
One of his previously frail-looking arms suddenly transformed—its surface turning bone-white and taking on a strange, flame-like texture.
Pulsating with immense chakra, black markings coiled around it like serpents, feeding the energy within.
The arm swelled, growing larger with unnatural speed, expanding far beyond normal proportions. The chakra within it surged violently, crackling with raw power, as the massive limb shot toward Hiruzen, Danzo, Orochimaru, and their forces like a battering ram.
Orochimaru's expression shifted just slightly, a flicker of excitement flashing across his face as he slammed his hand onto the ground.
"Summoning: Rashōmon!", He hissed. A massive, ominous gate erupted from the earth, its grim visage rising just in time to intercept Hirayoshi's enlarged, flaming arm.
The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the area, and for a brief moment, the gate held firm. However, the arm's chakra output surged exponentially, cracks spreading across the gate's surface.
Orochimaru's Rashōmon was powerful, but Hirayoshi's strength was overwhelming—seconds later, the gate splintered apart with a deafening crash, crumbling into debris.
Fortunately, those precious seconds allowed the surrounding shinobi to react. Most scattered, leaping away in time to avoid the blast of debris and chakra.
"Leave this man to us!", Hiruzen's authoritative voice cut through the chaos, "Take down as many of the Hyuga members as you can! Use your range—keep your distance!"
The fragmented gate's destruction kicked up a cloud of dust and rubble, but it also created an opportunity.
Under cover of the swirling debris, the Hyuga members closed the gap, advancing swiftly with deadly precision, Byakugan eyes blazing with hostility.
However, despite the sudden pressure, Hiruzen's forces also used the previous opportunity and lined up their first jutsu in response, preparing to unleash a coordinated assault.
Orochimaru and Danzo also took advantage of the brief pause, swiftly activating their Edo Tensei summoning rituals right away.
The ground cracked open as five coffins emerged, each creaking as their lids fell away to reveal figures from a bygone era.
Danzo's summons stepped forward first, their presence heavy with history. Ashina Uzumaki, the most powerful patriarch of the Uzumaki clan, stood beside him. Mito Uzumaki's aura was calm but dangerous.
His final summon was Sasuke Sarutobi, Hiruzen's father. His battle-worn armor was a grim reminder of his time during the Warring States era.
On the other side, Orochimaru's summons emerged just as powerfully. First was Kagami Uchiha, a shinobi whose potential rivaled even the brightest stars of his time.
Next was Izuna Uchiha, Madara Uchiha's brother and an equally formidable warrior in his prime. The air around him felt heavy with power.
Orochimaru had managed to acquire their genetic material with the help of Danzo and Hiruzen, respectively.
The battle momentarily came to a halt as both the Hyuga and Konoha shinobi, already locked in heated exchanges, hesitated at the sight of the summoned figures stepping from the open coffins.
Even Hirayoshi, standing at the forefront, felt a flicker of unease for the first time since the situation unfolded.
He retreated his giant hand back, and his sharp eyes scanned the five resurrected shiobi standing amidst the ruined gates and shattered walls of the Hyuga compound.
Hirayoshi's heart slowly sank in the next few moments. He recognized all these legendary figures—some he had even personally met in the distant past.
The weight of their chakra bore down on the battlefield with staggering intensity, indistinguishable from when they had been alive.
It was as if they had been fully restored to life, bringing the same power they once wielded at their peak. That's what worried him the most.
For a brief moment, Hirayoshi's mind raced as he pieced together what he was witnessing.
'This must be from that forbidden technique Tobirama invented... But this—it's far more refined, far more dangerous. They've perfected it somehow...', His thoughts darkened further.
'And if I remember correctly… they can regenerate endlessly as well. This isn't just an annoyance; this could turn into a nightmare.',
The weight of the realization hit him: this was perhaps the most dangerous moment his clan had faced in centuries.
Yet, despite the cold knot of dread forming inside him, Hirayoshi kept his expression calm and composed, his white eyes glowing faintly. His mind continued to search for any potential flaw in the technique.