Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 187: Don't Break the Big Medicine

"Did he actually block my monstrous strength?"

Tsunade's pupils contracted in shock as she saw her fist being held in place, unable to advance. This was the first time she encountered someone whose strength was not inferior to her own.

"Ninjutsu: Needle Jizo!"

Sharp, silver hair, as hard as steel needles, shot past Tsunade, targeting Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Glancing at his light garment, Gengetsu realized that while his body could withstand the technique, his clothes might not, and being exposed would be indecent. He released Tsunade's fist and swiftly retreated like a gust of wind, effortlessly dodging Needle Jizo.

"Tsunade, let's go together," Jiraiya said as he joined her side, his expression serious.

Tsunade nodded. "Be careful! His strength is on par with mine."

"Understood!"

Jiraiya clapped his hands together, ready to fight alongside Tsunade once again. Not only them but a large number of elite Jonin from Konoha also joined to assist.

"Secret Technique: Bug Ball!"

"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"

"Shadow Tentacles!"

…

Having just repelled Tsunade and Jiraiya in the previous moment, Gengetsu found himself surrounded by various bizarre ninjutsu from all directions in the next.

"So flashy."

After a nonchalant comment, Gengetsu clapped his hands together:

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough."

The simple C-rank ninjutsu, when performed by him, conjured a typhoon-like wind that blew away all the attacking techniques, including Bug Ball and other secret arts, in an instant.

Then, Gengetsu looked around.

The main force of Konoha's army was here, with some shinobi heading to besiege Kisame, while others, led by Kakashi, headed towards the Naka Shrine.

Kisame required no concern. However, the Naka Shrine must remain undisturbed. If he declared that no outsiders were allowed, not even an insect should breach it.

Gengetsu clapped his hands again.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

With a burst of smoke, thirty shadow clones appeared around Gengetsu.

After spending decades completing the initial task, the system granted him the Harem Technique, which he had no use for. Since the Harem Technique was essentially the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique combined with the Transformation Technique, Gengetsu naturally mastered the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique as well.

This time, he utilized it to intercept Kakashi's squad while sealing off all paths to the shrine, ensuring no one could disturb the Uchiha's vengeance.

As for why he didn't unleash a massive attack immediately, Gengetsu surveyed the surroundings, casting a meaningful gaze at Tsunade, whose chakra reserves were comparable to his, and Jiraiya, along with other Konoha Jonin.

To him, these people were potential "big medicine," crucial for his Bloodline Encompassing ascension. Killing them now might result in a shortage of chakra later.

Even though everyone in the ninja world possessed chakra to varying degrees, the difference between ordinary people, Genin, Jonin, and Kage-level shinobi was immense.

Thus, Gengetsu needed to act with caution and gentleness, avoiding shattering these "fragile porcelain pieces." Of course, if someone insisted on courting death, he wouldn't hesitate to make an example.

The battle outside Naka Shrine proceeded in an orderly manner under Gengetsu's arrangements.

Inside Naka Shrine, after dispersing Uchiha Itachi's crow army, Sasuke and others were about to press the attack to kill Itachi.

Blood trickled from Itachi's right eye.

"Amaterasu!"

The ominous black flames of Amaterasu descended, engulfing the previous fire jutsu and quickly turning the shrine into a sea of black flames.

This spectacle caught the attention of Konoha's forces below, prompting them to glance up, with only Sakura and a few others maintaining their resolve to rush towards the shrine.

Meanwhile, within the black flames, Sasuke, who was specifically targeted, found himself encircled by Amaterasu's ominous flames, sealing him in a small area with only one other person—Itachi.

"It's over, Sasuke. Your eyes will be mine!"

Itachi stood up, ignoring the blood dripping from his eye, and advanced towards Sasuke with fervent eyes.

Facing Itachi's approach, Sasuke remained calm.

"You separated the others and trapped me here to quickly take my eyes?"

"Itachi, you're still so arrogant! Then let me take your life myself."

Lightning chakra surged into his blade, and Sasuke charged at Itachi, unyielding.

Itachi calmly watched, meeting Sasuke's fierce gaze.

"Tsukuyomi!"

Rip!

Blood splattered.

"Sasuke! Run!"

Seeing Uchiha coughing up blood and falling, Sasuke momentarily lost his composure.

"Sasuke! Leave now! We're no match for Itachi!"

Following this, Uchiha Izumi also fell, using her last strength to urge Sasuke to escape before falling silent.

The culprit, Itachi, raised his blade again.

Uchiha Kaori, Uchiha Koru, Uchiha…

One familiar face after another fell, reminiscent of the massacre night.

At first, Sasuke felt intense anger and guilt, his Sharingan spinning rapidly.

But soon, he realized something. Clutching his neck, where Orochimaru had once implanted a curse mark, a blue emblem of the Hagoromo clan appeared.

Under Sasuke's control, the blue emblem spread, covering his body in a different energy.

Instantly, Sasuke's eyes were adorned with blue markings, and a more powerful aura erupted from him.

This was Sage Mode!

Although Sasuke's unfulfilled vengeance initially made him unfit to learn Sage Mode, Hagoromo Gengetsu had planted a one-time-use Sage Mode mark on him before departure, for emergency use.

Despite lasting only a minute, it was enough for Sasuke now.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The Tsukuyomi illusion shattered once more.

In the real world, the half-kneeling Itachi looked up, seeing Sasuke, now faster and stronger, charging at him like lightning.

"Is it still not enough…"

He sighed, preparing to summon Susanoo.

But as soon as the first few ribs formed, a lightning blade pierced through, continuing its path unimpeded into Itachi's heart.