Chapter 131: Fierce Battle (Bonus Chapter for Blue Shipboard 20190325)

It was only a short time ago, barely fifteen minutes, that Hiruzen Sarutobi led a large contingent of ninja troops in a hurried arrival before the steel monstrosity.

"Find Hinata! We will handle this thing!" Hiruzen commanded. A squad of Anbu ninjas immediately detached from the main force to search for her.

The moment the battle commenced, the steel monstrosity unleashed a barrage of fire, its overwhelming firepower pouring forth instantly. In a flash, more than half of the Anbu ninjas were cut down. Hiruzen knew the caliber of his Anbu better than anyone; they were the elite of the elite. Yet, to suffer such devastating losses in a single exchange made it clear that there could be no holding back against an enemy of this nature.

Hiruzen’s expression was grim as he pondered, "This enemy is too powerful; I must give it my all."

Without hesitation, he performed the Summoning Jutsu. Amidst a rising plume of smoke, the familiar figure of Enma appeared.

"Hiruzen, it has been a long time. What kind of enemy requires my presence again?" Enma asked as he emerged from the mist.

Hiruzen pointed at the steel monstrosity and said, "Enma, my old friend. I cannot handle this enemy alone. We must go all out."

"An enemy you cannot handle in this era? Have we returned to the Warring States period?"

Despite his words, Enma instantly transformed into the Adamantine Staff, the heavy rod radiating immense power as if imbued with endless majesty. Hiruzen gripped the staff tightly, feeling the surge of raw strength flowing through his hands.

"Not the Warring States period, certainly not. But what follows may well be a more dangerous, more violent era than that."

Following this, Hiruzen unleashed his signature technique—the Five Elements: Great Elemental Barrage. With rapid hand seals and a low shout, he split into multiple shadow clones. Each clone possessed its own specialty, wielding a different elemental ninjutsu. The five forces intertwined like a brilliant storm, surging toward the steel monstrosity.

Any other ninja on the battlefield, even one of Kage-level, would have been killed or crippled by such an attack. Yet, the steel monstrosity raised a shield, absorbing the brunt of the assault. The shield emitted an eerie glow, trembling slightly under the impact of the ninjutsu.

Casting aside the twisted, deformed metal shield, the steel monstrosity lunged forward with a blade, its momentum fierce. Hiruzen, staff in hand, revealed a look of steely resolve in his eyes. He let out a roar: "Do not think you can act so brazenly!"

The Adamantine Staff whistled through the air, crashing down heavily onto the steel monstrosity. The sheer force drove the creature back several paces, leaving deep indentations in the ground.

"That hurts, Hiruzen," grumbled Enma, who had taken the form of the staff. "You were right; this guy is trickier than any enemy we’ve faced before. His strength is immense, and his attacks are erratic. My old bones are rattled to the core."

The steel monstrosity did not relent, launching a series of relentless strikes. Hiruzen, showing his age, found his reaction speed faltering, narrowly avoiding decapitation several times.

"Don't think you'll succeed!"

Just then, Danzo Shimura joined the fray like a shadow. His expression was cold, his eyes filled with a ruthless, seasoned cunning as he thought, "This steel monstrosity is far too powerful and completely uncontrollable. It must be destroyed!"

Without hesitation, he unleashed Wind Style ninjutsu. A gale howled like a cry of despair, seemingly intent on pulling the steel monstrosity into an inescapable storm. He followed this with a Summoning Jutsu, and as smoke rose, the massive form of Baku slowly materialized. The moment Baku appeared, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a heavy, oppressive weight permeated the area.

Baku pinned down the steel monstrosity’s combat capabilities, while Danzo seamlessly coordinated with Hiruzen. After all, they had been comrades-in-arms for many years; even after a long period of not fighting together, their fundamental synergy remained. Their coordination was as fluid as flowing water, understanding each other’s intentions without a single word.

"Hm? That is..." Hiruzen’s gaze was drawn to the discarded shield. On its surface, the remnants of Fire and Lightning Style left distinct marks.

With Hiruzen’s seasoned eye and vast combat experience, he quickly determined the optimal strategy: use the extreme piercing power of Lightning Style to drive the explosive, burning force of Fire Style behind the enemy's impenetrable defenses.

"Danzo! Wind Style!" Hiruzen roared, his voice resonant and firm, just as it had been back in the days when they fought side-by-side under the Second Hokage.

Hearing that familiar command, Danzo felt a tremor in his heart, instantly transported back to that era. Back then, they were young and full of spirit, fighting for the glory of the Leaf. His internal state was complex; despite his resentment toward Hiruzen, a strong sense of responsibility surged within him in the face of the village’s crisis.

He thought to himself, "At this critical juncture, personal grievances must be set aside. For the sake of the Leaf, I must cooperate with Hiruzen."

Danzo’s combat experience was immense, and his insight sharp. He realized what Hiruzen had seen. He knew he was not adept at Lightning or Fire Style, and since his arm, grafted with Hashirama’s cells, had been torn off by the mysterious assailant years ago, his prosthetic was not agile enough for a primary assault. "Very well, I shall not contest the role of the primary attacker," he decided, choosing instead to use his Wind Style to amplify the power of Hiruzen’s Fire Style.

When Hiruzen sustained an injury, Danzo did not hesitate for a moment, immediately performing medical ninjutsu. His hands moved in a blur, and green light enveloped Hiruzen. As he worked, Danzo thought, "Hiruzen, we must work as one to overcome this steel monstrosity." The wounds began to heal at a visible rate.

The two coordinated their efforts, simultaneously ordering the Anbu and Root operatives to provide support. For a time, a torrential downpour of various ninjutsu rained down, dazzling and relentless. The steel monstrosity was overwhelmed by the barrage.

"Lord Hokage! Look out!"

Just then, the differential engine on the steel monstrosity’s chest began to emit a blinding red glow. It seemed an emergency protocol had been triggered, and the machine launched a ferocious counterattack.

Various psychic weapons struck without warning, their devastating power erupting instantly. On the spot, the majority of the Anbu ninjas were incapacitated, stripped of their combat effectiveness. Only a few remaining ninjas could barely provide cover.

The pressure on the steel robot eased as it focused its power. Hiruzen and Danzo were instantly plunged into dire straits, their faces turning grave. As they fought on, the light of their ninjutsu illuminated the sky, yet they found themselves steadily sinking into a desperate predicament.

Hiruzen felt a growing sense of anxiety: "This steel monstrosity is too powerful. I must find a way to break this deadlock."

Danzo, too, furrowed his brows, searching for a path to survival.