That earth-shattering palm strike could be seen across most of Konoha. All the major and minor clans, including the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, observed the change in the area using their own methods and learned that Hiruzen Sarutobi had broken free from the barrier's confinement.
Perhaps their expectations had been dashed, the ninjas from the various clans who had been hiding in their homes quickly gathered together and spontaneously formed teams to clear out the enemies inside the village and drive the invaders to the outskirts.
Even without the Hokage directing them, the combined forces of these clans fought with remarkable coordination and effectiveness. In particular, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio used Shadow Binding Technique for both control and attack, Mind Technique to disrupt the enemy and transmit information, and Akimichi's Multi-Size Technique to transform and be overwhelmed by the Titans.
With clan ninjas taking the lead, the previously scattered and disorganized commoner ninjas also found a backbone and gathered around the clan ninjas to launch a counterattack together.
Since it was a battle within the village, and the villagers outnumbered the enemy, the weak alliance between the Sound Ninja and the Sand Ninja quickly crumbled and retreated under the attack of these Konoha ninja.
Quite coincidentally, all the clan ninjas ignored the clan territories of the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, and deliberately avoided these two areas when clearing the village.
As for Jiraiya, he forcibly suppressed his worries about Naruto and the village, and rushed to the Sarutobi and Shimura clans. Unfortunately, he arrived too late, finding only wasteland, ruins, and corpses; he didn't see a single enemy.
Even though Jiraiya made his voice heard within the clan's territory and activated his ninjutsu to sense and search, only a few elderly people and children emerged from the smoking ruins of the buildings, tearfully recounting the enemy's brutality to Jiraiya.
Upon hearing that the attackers were from the Uchiha clan, Jiraiya frowned. He had already considered this possibility when he saw the skeletal giant, but he had temporarily put aside the situation here in order to save his teacher first.
With a solemn expression, he summoned a group of small toads to search around, but they found nothing; the enemy had vanished without a trace.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Jiraiya muttered to himself, recalling some rumors he had heard from his old subordinates, and couldn't help but think of this ninjutsu.
This is troublesome. Jiraiya remained outwardly calm but inwardly sighed. He knew just how troublesome the Flying Thunder God Technique was from his disciple, Minato Namikaze.
The Uchiha clan, coupled with the Flying Thunder God Technique, makes them an even bigger problem.
Such formidable fighting power almost led to the extermination of the entire clan in the village. What has Sarutobi-sensei been doing all these years?
Forcibly suppressing the frustration in his heart, Jiraiya glanced at the ruins of the Shimura clan compound, then turned and rushed towards the place where the battle was still raging. There was no time for melancholy now!
With Jiraiya and the ninjas from various clans contributing their efforts, Konoha's counterattack went much more smoothly. The giant snakes were dealt with by the toads of Mount Myōboku, while the Sand and Sound ninjas were either killed or forced to flee in disarray when facing Konoha's elite ninjas led by Jiraiya.
Later, when the news spread that Orochimaru was impersonating the Fourth Kazekage, the Sand Ninja, filled with shock and anger, saw the situation was dire and immediately turned on the Sound Ninja, stabbing him and leaving him crippled and unable to walk, before quickly fleeing.
Those Sand Ninja who rushed too fast and penetrated too deep into Konoha's territory couldn't take their eyes off the battle, and faced with powerful opponents like Jiraiya, they had no choice but to surrender.
In this way, the village was quickly cleared away, leaving only the smoldering ruins of buildings and corpses scattered everywhere to tell the story of the cruelty of war.
Inside the Forest of Death, Naruto and Gaara lay sprawled on the yellow sand, panting as they looked at each other with a knowing smile.
The Death Forest had now become a Death Desert. The raging sandstorm emanating from Shukaku indiscriminately slaughtered all life within the forest. Large sections of the dense trees were broken, and most of the broken branches and weeds were buried by the yellow sand, creating a desolate and bleak scene amidst the howling wind.
Perhaps due to the inertia of the plot, facing Gaara who was in better condition, Naruto Uzumaki finally managed to wake Gaara up by bumping his head with the help of Gamabunta, Kakashi, Might Guy, and a tiny bit of Nine-Tails chakra, allowing Shukaku to return to its seal.
Then he used a string of words that he wasn't good at to make the darkness in my heart disappear!
"Damn it, what have I been doing all these years!"
Sasuke slammed his fist into the thick tree trunk, letting out a roar of resentment.
He and the spectators in the stands were placed in a house by Kakashi and the others. After regaining some strength, he couldn't help but catch up with Naruto and the others to help them.
The battle between that tanuki and Naruto was so absurd that even Kakashi and the others could only offer some help from the outside; he couldn't even get close.
"What have I been doing all these years? With this earth-shattering power, no matter which one I possess, I should be able to take my revenge!"
Sasuke punched the tree trunk repeatedly, blood flowing from his hands. He saw everything from his vantage point: Shukaku, Naruto, and the attacks that descended from the sky from the village.
This unimaginable power almost drove Sasuke to the brink of mental collapse. How could he possibly acquire such immense power?
In contrast to Sasuke's resentment and helplessness, Shimura Danzo was full of pride and satisfaction!
In a secret Root base dozens of kilometers outside Konoha, Danzo stared with one eye wide open, his heart pounding with excitement. He had met Orochimaru before and knew what he was up to, so he was filled with anticipation.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi were to die, and I were to lead a large contingent of Root members to appear outside the village and defeat the invaders from both inside and outside, then who else but me would be worthy of the Hokage position?
Danzo couldn't help but dream about the future, imagining himself succeeding as the Fifth Hokage.
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