Naruto: Linked to Kaguya, Corrupting the Ninja World

The Fire Release infused with Sage Chakra was exceptionally powerful.

Tsunade's miniature forest created using Wood Release was burned away, leaving only half of it intact.

"Oh my, Elder Jiraiya, look at those tombstones ahead. You've blackened them all," Hiroki pointed toward the darkened area.

Jiraiya remained silent, his eyes cast downward.

At this moment, the Anbu who had been surrounding the cemetery—long cut off from communication—began approaching one after another.

They looked on in astonishment at Hiruzen Sarutobi, bound tightly by wooden restraints.

Though only half his head was visible, there was no mistaking it—that man was indeed the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen slowly closed his eyes.

Under the stunned gazes of his subordinates, he felt nothing but complete shame.

"Do you still wish to remain loyal to a man like this?" Tsunade addressed the gathered Anbu.

The Anbu exchanged uncertain glances.

Remaining alert, Hiroki stood beside Tsunade, watching Jiraiya and the two frogs.

Were they waiting for something?

After releasing the Fire Technique, they hadn't made any other moves.

Just as he wondered, both frogs suddenly inflated their cheeks, while Jiraiya began unfolding a certain scroll.

Moments later, a strange rhythmic sound fell upon his ears.

Suddenly, Hiroki realized that his surroundings had changed.

Everyone around him had vanished completely.

In the four directions—front, back, left, and right—four gigantic frogs appeared. Each of their bodies bore one of the giant characters—"Stillness", "Movement", "Yama", and "King"—written across their backs.

These four massive frogs maintained the same posture: their left claws stretched forward, aiming directly at Hiroki standing at the center, while their right hands held up enormous blades high above their heads.

Suddenly, all four giant frogs opened their eyes wide, clearly preparing to bring their massive swords down—

"Another genjutsu..." Hiroki sighed inwardly and began communicating with Kaguya.

While Kaguya couldn't see objects within the illusionary world, she could hear the frogs' chanting.

Except for Jiraiya and his two frog companions, everyone else who heard the frogs' voices fell into the same illusion as Hiroki.

But whether they lived or died all came down to these two frogs.

"Little Jiraiya, they've regained consciousness," Fukasaku said, as Jiraiya raised the stone sword in his hand, about to stab it into Hiroki.

Hiroki turned toward Tsunade, whose eyes were slowly clearing again.

During the brief moment they were trapped in the illusion, the bindings restraining Hiruzen had also loosened slightly.

However, at this moment, Hiruzen himself was still caught within the genjutsu, unable to respond.

Swish...

Suddenly, Shima's tongue extended rapidly, acting like a whip aimed directly at controlling Hiruzen's position.

(Just saying, I've been using YeguoReader recently for reading and chasing updates—it allows source switching, has multiple voice options for narration, available on both Android and iOS.)

Reacting swiftly, Tsunade slapped her palm once more, tightening the wooden bindings trapping Hiruzen anew.

As for Hiroki, he performed a Body Replacement Technique and grabbed hold of that long tongue.

"Come here," he said with a calm smile as he tugged hard on the tongue.

Shima's body lifted off the ground, helplessly swung around repeatedly through the air by Hiroki, while the female toad could only keep letting out pitiful whimpers.

"Damn it," Fukasaku growled, watching his wife Shima being tossed around like a toy. "Honey, you've got to hold on!"

Hiroki chuckled. "Master Jiraiya, I'll offer you a choice too — which mentor will you pick, this one or that one?"

As he spoke, Hiroki glanced toward Hiruzen Sarutobi, who still had his eyes closed. Whether he'd broken free from the genjutsu remained uncertain.

"Elder Shima, please retreat first," Jiraiya replied without answering, addressing Shima directly.

Next, Hiroki watched as Shima formed hand seals with her claw.

He felt a sudden emptiness in his hands — both Fukasaku and Shima had vanished, leaving only a puff of smoke behind.

"Little Jiraiya, it seems our techniques don't work on either of them," Fukasaku stated grimly.

The two he referred to were none other than Tsunade and Hiroki Hyuga.

Jiraiya looked at the bound Hiruzen, along with the emotionless Tsunade and unscathed Hiroki Hyuga.

He remained silent, overwhelmed by an intense sense of defeat.

"There's no point in continuing this fight."

"So who won in the end?"

While Shimura Danzo hesitated over whether to approach and observe the battle, he suddenly noticed Tsunade and the others beginning their return journey, drawing closer to him.

His expression shifted rapidly before finally deciding to leave the area.

They had left as just a small group, but now they came back — with even more people in tow.

The genjutsu on Hiruzen, Hiashi, and Shizune had already been dispelled.

As for the Anbu, they remained behind at the battlefield.

In the morning, when the ordinary Hyuga clansmen had set off, they carried an empty coffin.

Now, they carried Hiruzen Sarutobi, tightly bound with only his head exposed, his chakra temporarily sealed away.

As they paraded through town, the townspeople's gazes locked onto Hiruzen, filled with shock, confusion, and curiosity.

Like a prisoner on public display, even with his eyes closed, Hiruzen could feel those complicated stares.

Shame, embarrassment, humiliation...

At this moment, all he wished was for Tsunade and the others to walk faster.

Unfortunately, it seemed as if they were determined for every soul in Konoha to witness this disgrace — strolling down not just one, but multiple streets.

The villagers wore awkward expressions.

Finally, someone broke the silence hesitantly, whispering to those nearby, "Is that man really the Third Hokage?"

"Nonsense! The Hokage is noble and mighty — how could he look so pitiful?"

"Right, right. It must be an impostor..."

"Oh? You've heard about it too..."

Near a roadside, staring at Tsunade and the others disappearing into the distance, a white-haired boy wearing round glasses couldn't help but raise a finger to push up his frames. A faint, mysterious smile spread across his face.

Beside him, a man with an eerily gentle aura licked his lips, his chilling smile sending shivers down one's spine. He whispered, "Now that's entertainment."

Tsunade and others carried Hiruzen Sarutobi around Konoha, murmurs rising and falling continuously. As they noticed nobody tried to stop discussions about such a 'scandal,' the people gossiping grew louder and louder, as if each person was trying to shout over the others.

These sounds also reached where Yugao Uzuki and the other two were stationed.

Yugao silently sheathed her sword. "It seems like it's already over."

Kakashi and Might Guy also came to a halt.

"Shall we go have a look?" Yugao said.

Kakashi and Might Guy did not refuse, instead quietly following in her footsteps.

Konoha's longest street was the main boulevard stretching straight from the Hokage Building to Konoha's south gate.

Tsunade led the others here. She untied the bindings on Hiruzen Sarutobi and said in a calm voice, "Kneel down facing the direction of the Hokage Building."

"Tsunade, you might as well just kill me," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied defiantly, refusing to yield even at the cost of his life.

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