Infinite Anime [268-269] (Patreon)

Chapter 268: Two Susanoo

Itachi knew Gusion would take the Nine-Tails' jinchuriki away. He was surprised at first, but didn't object—if Konoha lost its jinchuriki, it would only lean even more on the Uchiha's power.

Gusion also told him he'd bring the jinchuriki to the Hidden Sound Village to be taught by Orochimaru, one of the Sannin. Depending on Naruto's own mindset, he might not end up an enemy of Konoha in the future. In any case, he'd become a powerful ninja—rather than someone who couldn't even access decent educational resources in Konoha.

Reasoning from that, Itachi felt that Senior Gusion's actions were partly to wash away suspicions of Uchiha colluding inside and out, and perhaps also to find Sasuke a good teacher.

After all, Orochimaru is the brainiest of the Sannin, and he's quite good at training students. Back then, just a short period of guidance sent Anko's strength soaring.

Thinking deeper, Itachi felt that perhaps Gusion hoped Sasuke and Naruto would become friends. After all, Sasuke's home is in Konoha and he's not an orphan—his heart is surely with the village.

If Sasuke and Naruto became friends, that would indirectly pull Naruto toward the Konoha camp, preventing him from destroying Konoha out of resentment later.

With that thought, Itachi suddenly felt Gusion's move was brilliant!

First, he took away Konoha's jinchuriki, leaving Konoha without its war trump card, forcing it to rely tightly on the Uchiha—thereby massively elevating the clan's status.

But after telling Naruto the truth, he couldn't actually let Naruto resent Konoha and act against it later. So what to do? If Naruto has a close friend rooted in Konoha, of course he won't do that—in fact, at critical moments he'd still be a force Konoha could call upon.

Understanding the key, Itachi suddenly admired Gusion from the bottom of his heart.

As for whether Gusion wanted to use Sasuke as a hostage to prevent defection or keep Uchiha under control, Itachi never considered it.

In his view, Gusion wasn't that kind of person. Besides, without Gusion's help, the Uchiha would have been annihilated already. Gusion had no reason to disgust him by using Sasuke like that now.

"Mr. Fugaku, you and Itachi have both awakened the legendary Mangekyo Sharingan, correct?"

Gusion looked at Fugaku; he had no idea about Itachi's internal headcanon—if he knew, he'd be dumbfounded.

He hadn't taken Sasuke after overthinking it—Sasuke simply wouldn't let go. Gusion couldn't very well act too gentle, and on a whim, he found the idea of Asura and Indra training together under Orochimaru as kids interesting, so he brainlessly brought Sasuke along.

"In the war back then, I fought side by side with you using these eyes. I didn't think I'd have to use them against you today."

Fugaku seemed not to care about Sasuke's life at all, remaining calm. "Calamity, you shouldn't have invaded Konoha."

"So many of Konoha's elites couldn't stop me. Fugaku, do you think you two—father and son—can halt my steps?"

Gusion let out a cold laugh, giving himself an eight out of ten for acting.

Other injured or exhausted Konoha shinobi watched as well. Hearing Gusion speak like that, their hearts tightened.

Up to now, while "Calamity" had been fighting for a long time and surely expended much, Gusion didn't look injured. In Sage Mode his aura was steady and immense, like an unscalable mountain.

Too many powerhouses had challenged Gusion today—and all without exception were defeated. Frankly, they felt that even if the Hokage himself walked out of the forest, he couldn't be Gusion's match.

Everyone knew in their hearts that Jiraiya of the Sannin had long surpassed his teacher—he was Konoha's strongest at present.

Not only Jiraiya—Might Guy's unexpected, overwhelming strength had shown everyone the peak of taijutsu.

But even a super taijutsu punch that could affect several kilometers hadn't killed Gusion, making people feel he was an invincible demon-god.

The Uchiha's eye-techniques are powerful, their genjutsu sharp—but others had tried genjutsu on Gusion earlier, and it didn't really work.

If genjutsu doesn't work, how else can the Sharingan be used?

On such a grand battlefield, without some large-scale, hard-hitting ninjutsu, you can't face Calamity head-on—right?

Konoha's shinobi looked at young Itachi and the not-so-burly Fugaku, hearts heavy with worry.

"Calamity, you still don't understand the Uchiha's true power."

Fugaku said coldly. As clan head, appearing with Itachi meant Itachi wouldn't be doing the talking—Fugaku handled the negotiation.

As he spoke, his Sharingan slowly turned, becoming a hollow-centered windmill. "I'll pay a price, but I'll show you what Uchiha truly is."

His ocular power burst forth. A pale purple skeletal frame appeared around Fugaku's body.

Under the night sky, amidst leaping flames, the towering skeleton rising from Konoha was shocking. Once its bones set, muscles and tendons continued "growing," refining its shape.

Standing within the pale-purple war-god-like avatar, Fugaku's amplified voice boomed, "This is Uchiha's ultimate dōjutsu—Susanoo… Itachi, all out!"

At Fugaku's reminder, Itachi stopped pondering Gusion's ingenious layout. He focused, awakened the Mangekyo, and a Susanoo slightly shorter than Fugaku's wrapped around him.

"W-What is that!?"

"Uchiha still had such power!?"

"They can do it—they can win!"

"…"

Seeing the father and son's power, Konoha's shinobi were stirred, marveling at Uchiha's might and regaining hope for today.

Garaga looked at the two smaller "monsters" but didn't dare underestimate them—he felt the dense energy. "Kid, be careful. This is the Uchiha's advanced eye-technique—only those with a pair of Mangekyo can use it."

Having lived a thousand years, Garaga had seen the real Indra and Asura and naturally knew Susanoo. He was afraid Gusion might get careless and trip, so he warned him.

"S-So big? Is this the Uchiha's power?"

Bound by Garaga's Sage Chakra chains, Naruto gaped at the two Susanoo, then looked at the dazed, electrocuted Sasuke beside him. That cocky kid wasn't bragging? Could Big Brother Gusion actually lose?

"Hahaha…"

Gusion let out a hearty laugh, suppressing his fighting intent. If not for the need to consider the scene and wrap up this play properly, he could barely resist going all-out to test Susanoo's toughness.

Fugaku's Susanoo was well-developed—judging from his ease, he might have reached stage three, capable of using adult Itachi's weapons like the Totsuka Blade. But since this was "acting," Fugaku didn't go all-out.

Itachi's Susanoo seemed immature—likely stage two, but unpracticed. Smaller than his father's and less structurally sound—probably a bit fragile.

But outsiders only see the spectacle. To Konoha's shinobi, both Susanoo were equally awe-inspiring.

"…Not bad. Didn't think Konoha still had such powerhouses. Looks big—wonder how well it takes a cut."

After laughing, Gusion spoke.

Mazuko slid from his waist. Gusion had Garaga take Naruto and Sasuke back—Garaga didn't know the inner script, and a giant summon is just a toy before two Mangekyo.

Remember, Fugaku's ocular power was enough to control the Nine-Tails. Controlling Garaga would be trivial.

Gusion's Mountain slash came down without much holding back, sweeping horizontally at father and son.

Fugaku and Itachi moved almost simultaneously, using Susanoo's hardened arms to block.

Boom—

In the thunderous crash, Gusion was forced back by the rebound. The two massive Susanoo arms showed blade marks—the strike had penetrated.

Fugaku's eyes grew more serious. Although it was "acting," he wouldn't deliberately lower his defense—being one-shotted would be embarrassing. His Susanoo was very tough.

But that was only a probing exchange, and his Susanoo already had a notch cut into it. That meant their "invincible" all-in-one offense/defense dōjutsu wasn't unbreakable before Gusion's ferocious edge.

Thinking that, and gauging Gusion's strength, Fugaku felt he had to increase output. Otherwise, seeing Gusion getting hyped, without some real skill they couldn't drive him out of Konoha.

So his Susanoo shifted. The right hand, once empty, extended a curved blade.

Fugaku strode forward. The giant Susanoo made the streets thunder underfoot—its charge resounded like sky-rending drums.

He cleaved once to test, then, confident in Gusion's strength, he held nothing back, sweeping at Gusion's waist.

Gusion, excited, didn't dodge in Sage Mode. He met it head-on. The giant curved blade and the small Mazuko crossed, ringing with a metallic clash. The vibration cut through Konoha, forcing nearby shinobi to cover their ears.

Their exchange unleashed storms from Susanoo that reshaped Konoha's terrain like clay—houses and earth blasted in all directions.

Meanwhile, Itachi didn't idle. Judging the senior still had power to spare, he attacked from the flank, throwing a punch at Gusion just as he finished crossing blades with Fugaku.

Gusion, as if too slow to sheathe, tucked in his limbs to receive and was sent flying by Itachi's Susanoo's punch.

Rumble—

He smashed through already-ruined houses, tossing debris out in expanding rings, not stopping until he reached Konoha's west wall.

"Good power."

Gusion steadied himself, rolled his neck—dragon scales on his skin opening and closing with metallic clicks, like breathing.

With a grin that looked ferocious to Konoha, he pushed off. The ground erupted like giant lotus blooms—his rush like a chain of landmines, no less imposing than the giant Susanoo.

With Lightning Cloak and Shunpo, Gusion moved like a phantom—Fugaku's Mangekyo couldn't track him clearly. Fugaku swung by instinct to intercept.

Itachi stood ready and cast Amaterasu along Gusion's path to slow him.

The father and son had no time to exchange looks, but they shared the same thought:

We agreed to act—why are you going so hard?

At this rate, we can't drive you out!

Chapter 269: The Hokage's Advisors

At the village wall, the storm from Gusion's battle with the two Susanoo kneaded the terrain like putty. Gale winds howled—exhausted Konoha shinobi could barely stand.

Watching the earth-shaking fight, someone muttered in a daze:

"C-Come on!"

"Come on, Clan Head Fugaku!"

"Come on, Mr. Fugaku—defeat Calamity!"

"Uchiha father and son, let's go—you can win!"

"…"

Cheering reached Fugaku and Itachi, lifting their spirits.

Feeling the expectant gazes behind them, they felt the "Destroy Konoha" plan was indeed workable. Only in crisis would the village remember the mighty Uchiha—also their reliance.

Uchiha, usually scorned, now fought with heads held high, throwing everything they had at the Sound remnants.

Itachi's spirit soared; he could already see Uchiha's bright future after today. But he didn't lose focus—he pressed Senior Gusion hard.

Mainly because he didn't know what was going on—Senior Gusion seemed high on the fight and showed no sign of retreat, constantly clashing head-on with their Susanoo.

At the wall, blade arcs flashed—he was, for the moment, holding their Susanoo at bay.

Itachi figured the senior didn't want sharp-eyed types noticing flaws, so he was using more power to keep up the act. The father and son couldn't let him down—they had to use full Susanoo, or it wouldn't look real.

Uh… Gusion wasn't thinking that much. His sword-realm had just advanced, and he was using the two tough Susanoo as targets to consolidate gains.

Elsewhere, Garaga wanted to support Gusion but feared Mangekyo genjutsu, hesitating.

"Is that… my brother and father?"

Sasuke, just shocked awake, stared at the two huge Susanoo, bewildered. He'd never seen such a jutsu, nor heard of it in the clan.

"Sasuke, your brother and dad are amazing—they can turn into such huge guys!"

Naruto, beside him, marveled—small fists clenched, palms sweaty.

"Hmph. I told you—the Uchiha are the strongest. Calamity is no match for my brother and father!"

Sasuke boasted, though he didn't actually know what power they were using.

"Sasuke, can you open one of those big guys?"

Naruto looked at Sasuke enviously, feeling Susanoo was insanely cool—exactly a kid's fantasy of power.

Sasuke choked on that, but lifted his chin. "I can't yet, but my brother and father will teach me!"

"But we're getting taken away—how will they teach you later?"

Naruto asked innocently. In his heart, Big Brother Gusion was invincible. Though things looked even, Gusion wouldn't lose.

So subconsciously, he figured since Sasuke was tied up too, he'd be taken with him.

"I…"

Sasuke was annoyed—why was Naruto so bad at talking?

"My father and brother won't lose. Look—my clansmen are coming. They'll free us soon!"

Sasuke said confidently. But his mouth seemed cursed—just as he said that, the Uchiha elite unit hit a strong enemy.

Several puppets swept across the night sky, blades slashing at Uchiha elites, blocking them from rescuing Naruto and Sasuke.

A red-haired, fair-faced man in a crimson cloak landed atop a high pile of rubble, looking down on the Uchiha elites. "Seems Calamity's efficiency is mediocre. You still haven't taken the Nine-Tails?"

Uchiha elites grew grim at the sight. Some seemed to think of something and snapped their gaze to the distant dense forest.

Sure enough, their bad premonition came true.

A figure shot out from the Tree World's domain—Orochimaru. His face was impassive—no joy or sorrow—showing none of the pleasure of destroying Konoha and killing his teacher.

"Looks like Gusion-kun was too busy making a scene—Konoha's already seventy to eighty percent destroyed."

Orochimaru landed beside Sasori. By now, almost no intact buildings remained in Konoha—only a few remote pockets like the Uchiha district on the village's edge.

Most of Konoha was rubble—even the Hokage Rock in the depths was battered and pockmarked.

Orochimaru was satisfied with the scene, though he felt he'd spent too long killing the Third. The fun of destroying Konoha had been enjoyed by Gusion—by the time he emerged, Konoha was already done.

There weren't even many elite shinobi left—aside from the Uchiha.

Only the Uchiha remained. Orochimaru had no personal feud with them, but he felt if you're doing it, finish the job—wipe out Konoha's last fighting force to close the curtain on this drama.

He didn't need to say much—Sasori, intent on depriving Konoha of the Nine-Tails, was already blocking the Uchiha and moved to attack.

Orochimaru had expended much against the Third, but still had fight left. Unfortunately, due to hesitation and mixed feelings, he'd let the old man seize a chance to take the First and Second away with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal—otherwise he'd be playing even harder now.

Sasori excels at group fights. Controlling dozens of intact puppets, he attacked the Uchiha. Even facing a group of Sharingan-wielding elites, he could suppress them alone.

Fighting afar, Itachi and Fugaku frowned—they knew Orochimaru didn't know the "inside story" of the Konoha destruction plan; he truly meant to destroy Konoha and wouldn't hold back on the Uchiha.

Gusion saw this too. He realized he'd cut Konoha's top combat power too hard, leaving no one to stop Orochimaru after he was done.

Uchiha's rise concerned his Eternal Mangekyo—he didn't want to watch Uchiha elites get slaughtered. But he couldn't openly turn on Orochimaru to help Uchiha.

As his dull brain raced, the Uchiha father and son moved first. Fugaku shot Itachi a look. "Itachi, go deal with them."

Then Fugaku dropped the act, fully driving the Mangekyo. Susanoo's output surged—blood tears streamed from his eyes.

With reckless Mangekyo use, Susanoo gained not just a curved blade but also a round shield to block Gusion's strikes.

Fugaku charged Gusion, alone tanking his offense—and even appearing to press Gusion back—creating a gap for Itachi to leave, all without seeming off.

Meanwhile, two figures bounded over the rubble and into the battlefield.

An elderly man and woman, both cloaked in heavy fur with scarves around their necks—like it was freezing.

"Fugaku, strike together—we'll cut off his retreat!"

The old man, gray-haired, with a wrinkled face and black-framed glasses, finished weaving signs as he spoke. "Fire Style: Flame Wall!"

With a surge of chakra, a huge firewall rose behind Gusion—paired with Susanoo, it looked like they'd boxed him in.

The old woman also struck, slamming her hands to the ground after her signs. "Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

She was aged, with vermilion earrings, eyes firm as she cast. "Uchiha boy—don't let the villain escape."

Gusion chuckled at the two old-timers—he hadn't expected them to show up only when the play was nearly over. Anyone would think they'd been out of town.

Fugaku felt deeply disgusted as well.

These two were Konoha's Hokage advisors: Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. In the resolution to exterminate the Uchiha, they'd contributed plenty—ever ready to fan the flames in Hiruzen's ear with Danzō.

Whenever it involved the Uchiha, these two advisors would target the clan in decision-making. Fugaku actually despised them more than the Third.

Especially earlier—when Gusion was rampaging through Konoha, they hadn't shown themselves.

Now that father and son had their Susanoo clashing with Gusion and seemed to be gaining the upper hand, they suddenly grew "brave," talking about helping cut off Gusion's retreat.

What—are you two worthy to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with me? To repel Calamity?

Gusion didn't need to look to know how ugly Fugaku's face was. He just found them comical. If you're going to steal credit, at least wait until he looks badly injured before jumping in, right?

Or did they think Fugaku would both babysit them and fight Gusion?

Facing Uchiha father and son, Gusion was sparring. Facing these two advisors, he had no intention of holding back.

In the instant Fugaku frowned in thought, Gusion moved.

He first reversed his blade and cleaved the Susanoo's shield—the impact nearly toppled the entire avatar.

"Fugaku!"

"Uchiha boy!"

Homura and Koharu cried out in shock, shouting, afraid their main attacker and shield would fall.

But Gusion had no intention of continuing to trade with Fugaku. With peerless speed, he forced Susanoo back to open a gap and slipped through.

Mazuko traced a graceful arc in the night. Before Koharu could weave signs, he took her aged head off.

Midair, Gusion flicked the blood from his blade. Amid Konoha shinobi's wide, bloodshot eyes, he said coolly, "Hokage advisor? That's it?"

He was genuinely puzzled inside—how could such trash be Hokage advisors?

Just because they'd been the Second Hokage's guard unit? These geriatrics even lived into the Boruto era ordering Konoha to hunt Boruto…

Honestly, Gusion felt any random elite jonin in Konoha was stronger than these two. Killing Koharu was like stepping on a bug.

"Koharu!"

Homura's eyes filled with blood-red rage. He formed signs to unleash an A-rank jutsu at Gusion.

At the same time, he shouted angrily at Fugaku, "Fugaku, why are you spacing out!? Cut down Gusion!"

Fugaku nearly exploded—if you're so capable, you do it! Without me burning my eyes to keep Susanoo up, you wouldn't have dared show your faces!