On the battlefield…
A massive, thousand-meter-tall Buddha statue, conjured by Wood Release, loomed behind Danzo Shimura…
Any trace of Danzo's earlier confidence had vanished. Sure, he could use Wood Release too, but his limit was a small grove of trees!
What the hell was this thousand-meter Buddha?!
Was this really Wood Release?!
Damn it!!!
In a flash…
Danzo knew he was doomed. He immediately unraveled the bandages on his arm, revealing a dense cluster of three-tomoe Sharingan embedded in his flesh. Instinctively, he prepared to activate Izanagi.
But at that very moment!
"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!!!"
"Genjutsu: Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!!!"
Tobirama Senju and Ito Hirofumi cast the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique simultaneously, aiming to disrupt Danzo's senses and prevent him from using Izanagi!
And it wasn't just Tobirama and Hirofumi. From atop the Buddha statue, Madara Uchiha activated his Rinnegan!
"Almighty Pull!!!"
A massive gravitational force pinned Danzo in place, rendering him unable to move, let alone cast any jutsu!
In that split second, Izuna Uchiha used Flying Thunder God, appearing instantly at Danzo's side. With a flash of his blade, Danzo's Sharingan-covered arm was severed, and the Mangekyo Sharingan in his eye socket was ruthlessly gouged out…
Holding the arm in one hand and the Mangekyo Sharingan in the other, Izuna glanced up at the towering Buddha statue above.
In a flash, he activated Flying Thunder God again and vanished!
Danzo stood there, utterly stunned. His most precious "equipment" had been stripped away just like that?!
What was even the point of fighting anymore?!
And at that moment, Danzo suddenly noticed the sky darkening…
What was happening?!
Was it nighttime already?!
He instinctively looked up…
Only to see a thousand-meter-tall Buddha statue hovering above him, its back adorned with thousands of arms, each gripping a hundred-meter-long katana!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh…
Boom boom boom boom boom!!!
ROAR!!!
In an instant, Danzo was reduced to minced meat…
He didn't even have a chance to use his final trump card, the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing!
Rumble…
As the massive Buddha statue crashed to the ground, Danzo's remains were buried under a cloud of dust…
The ninjas who had fled earlier watched in sheer terror!
They were so exhilarated they could barely contain themselves!
So strong!
Incredibly strong!
"Is this the power of the First Hokage?!"
"No wonder he's called the God of Shinobi!!!"
"And Lord Madara Uchiha! The man known as the Asura of the Shinobi World!!!"
"Wait, didn't I hear that Madara Uchiha was the one called the God of Shinobi, and the First Hokage was the Asura of the Shinobi World?!"
"Huh? Where'd you hear that rumor?! You've got it backward!"
"Oh… maybe I got it mixed up then!"
"…"
The Buddha's attack kicked up a massive cloud of dust…
As the smoke and debris slowly cleared, the state of the Hidden Leaf Village came into view.
Half the village's buildings had been obliterated in the battle…
Thankfully, since today was the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's funeral, the fight had taken place on the village's outskirts. If it had happened in the center, the entire village might've been wiped out!
Even so, the Hidden Leaf had suffered heavy losses!
Ito Hirofumi sighed helplessly as he surveyed the scene…
He wasn't mourning Danzo's death, of course.
No, it was because with Danzo gone, Hirofumi was probably going to have to start shelling out money…
Hiruzen had "died" twice, but he'd been redeemed before his death. Danzo, though? There was no redeeming him!
Even if Tobirama sliced him apart with Flying Thunder God, there'd be no red blood—Danzo's insides were either pitch black or full of schemes!
Hirofumi could only hope Root had some surprises in store, or he'd really have to foot the bill!
And it wasn't just one person who wanted Danzo dead. Orochimaru definitely wanted him gone. Minato Namikaze definitely wanted him gone. Fugaku Uchiha definitely wanted him gone. Shisui Uchiha definitely wanted him gone. Sasuke Uchiha definitely wanted him gone…
Arghhh!!!
He couldn't think about it anymore!
How many billions was this going to cost?!
Did they think earning money was easy for him?!
Damn it!!!
The Buddha's impact had been terrifying, but thankfully, the Ito clan ninjas were unharmed, protected by Hirofumi's Susanoo.
This also gave the Ito clan a firsthand look at their young clan leader's incredible power!
Meanwhile, the Konoha 12 gathered around, their eyes blazing with excitement as they looked at Ito Hirofumi!
Their best friend was about to become the Fifth Hokage!!!
This was beyond thrilling!
Hirofumi becoming Hokage meant they could all start chasing their dreams!
Hirofumi dispelled his Susanoo and joined the Konoha 12.
At that moment, the group exchanged glances and gave sly smiles…
Ino Yamanaka pulled a sealing scroll from her ninja pouch. With a poof, she unsealed it, revealing a Hokage robe!
The Konoha 12 had secretly prepared this robe without telling Hirofumi!
Blushing, Ino held the robe and approached him…
"Hirofumi-kun… it's getting chilly… put this on…"
As she spoke, Ino gently and carefully draped the robe over Hirofumi's shoulders.
The robe was strikingly similar to Minato Namikaze's Hokage robe.
It was pure white, but with distinct differences—dark gold patterns wove across it, and the hem was adorned with dark red flames!
And on the back, in bold golden thread, were the words…
Fifth Hokage!!!!