Naruto: From Spy to Hokage

...

The explosion on the building's exterior wall startled everyone inside, but the Hokage's office on the fourth floor remained dark and quiet.

The Iwa Explosion Corps had no time for hesitation.

Bang!

The wooden door was blown open with tremendous force.

The burly Iwa Shinobi burst into the office.

However, just as he took his first step onto the marble floor—

"Secret Technique: Shadow Imitation Jutsu"

An ANBU member crouched upside down on the ceiling formed the 'rat' hand seal, and the chakra hidden in the moonlight's shadow instantly formed a long shadow connecting the two of them.

Almost at the same moment the Iwa Shinobi was controlled, three figures wielding short swords leaped out simultaneously.

"Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance"

The three formed a triangular formation surrounding the single target. In the narrow space by the door, three synchronized gleaming blades created a piercing sound through the air that would make anyone's blood run cold.

However, just as the ANBU rushed out, the Iwa Shinobi's companion slipped through the narrow gap into the room, matching one-on-one against the descending blades.

Clang—

In just an instant of confrontation, the friction between blade and kunai sparked in the dark night. The killing move formed by three shadow clones with minimal chakra was completely countered by the well-prepared Iwa Shinobi.

But there was one final move.

Swish!

From the front, under the Hokage's desk. An ANBU figure, identical in size to the previous three shadow clones, used their body as a blade, unhesitatingly launching a desperate attack toward the burly Iwa Shinobi at the door.

"Leaf Style: ..."

However, unexpectedly—

"Hyaaah!"

The burly Iwa Shinobi, seemingly disregarding his own life, erupted with massive chakra flames from his feet, forcefully fighting against the Shadow Imitation Jutsu's control. He stepped forward several paces to meet the blade, creating more space for his companions behind him.

"Clang!"

The short sword's tip struck directly against his chest. But it made a dull sound as if hitting metal.

The ANBU was momentarily stunned.

The burly Iwa shinobi's face twisted into a fierce grin.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear"

The highest level of Earth Release hardening technique, turning one's body into stone.

However, his triumph didn't last even half a second.

The ANBU companion following behind him immediately used the sword-wielding ANBU's charging form as a stepping stone, suddenly thrusting forward a kunai wrapped in Lightning Release chakra.

"Thud!"

Direct hit to the throat.

The burly Iwa shinobi's fierce expression instantly turned to shock.

From when he pushed open the door to his death, the entire process hadn't even taken two seconds.

However, his death bought enough time for the following Iwa Shinobis.

The massive force from behind pushed his broad body forward. The burly Iwa shinobi, knowing he had no hope of survival, immediately stopped hesitating and used his last bit of chakra to ignite the heavy explosive vest on his body.

"BOOM!!!"

The ANBU with the short sword and the Lightning Release ANBU closest to him were instantly killed by this terrifying explosion. The entire Hokage's office was reduced to ruins. The massive fireball lit up the top of the building, considered Konoha's central landmark, making even the ground tremble slightly.

Meanwhile, beneath the completely upturned Hokage office floor, the interior of the sealed chamber was revealed.

Though the entire Hokage building was shaking slightly, this sealed chamber, covered with barrier seals throughout, remained perfectly stable.

The sealing racks arranged neatly on the ground hadn't moved even slightly.

'Kojima-kun'... or rather, 'Sen'gao', had his eyes light up brightly the instant he saw this scene.

However, before they could react—

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh!"

Several tri-pronged special kunai suddenly shot out from the shadowy corners of the bookshelf. They targeted the nearest Iwa Shinobis.

"Here he comes!"

They only managed this brief warning.

The next moment, that lightning-fast figure had already turned into a beam of light, charging toward their direction.

Although they had prepared countermeasures, when these Iwa Shinobi actually faced this young shinobi whom Sen'gao-sama had called 'impossible to defeat head-on,' they couldn't help but feel terror rise in their hearts.

Even with chakra-enhanced eyesight capable of processing nearly 80 frames per second, they could only catch a momentary flickering shadow.

Almost the instant the tri-pronged kunai reached his face, the frontmost Iwa shinobi felt his body, which had been pre-strengthened with "Earth Release: Hardening" involuntarily experience a moment of paralysis.

His neck seemed to feel a slight sensation for just an instant. These two sensations seemed to occur simultaneously.

Minato Namikaze's figure flashed past.

The two people behind had their carotid arteries torn by lightning chakra-wrapped kunai.

Probably due to the morning's lesson. Now, the Jōnin Namikaze had slightly adjusted his chakra habits, wielding dual blades.

Lightning Release counters Earth Release - this was common sense.

Watching the rapidly approaching Minato, the two Iwa Shinobi only managed to raise their kunai in front of their faces.

"Clang! Clang!"

After realizing this Konoha ANBU's true strength, 'Sen'gao' finally stopped hesitating. He stepped past his two companions' figures and directly intercepted Minato.

His dual-wielded metal knuckles crossed upward, firmly blocking the tri-pronged kunai. Under the intense blade friction, sparks scattered between the two of them.

"Sen'gao-sama!"

The two Iwa Shinobi, just a second away from death, reflexively called out.

Only Sen'gao, who stood blocking their way, remained calm "Continue according to plan."

"Yes!"

Hearing this, the remaining Iwa Shinobi finally reacted, quickly rushing toward the third-floor sealed chamber.

Soon, a series of intense combat sounds came from below.

Sen'gao and Minato maintained their deadlocked position, eyes locked on each other.

"How frightening, you Konoha Shinobi," he stared intently at Minato, seemingly still having breath to speak. "So young, yet possessing such tremendous power."

"However..."

Almost the instant his words fell, his dual-wielded metal knuckles suddenly lifted upward.

Sen'gao abruptly stepped forward, his already solid thigh muscles suddenly bulging, his feet erupting with flame-like, almost tangible chakra, as he suddenly raised his voice "...your weakness is too obvious!"

Boom!

His already broad figure shot toward the sky following the tremendous force of his step, completely shattering what remained of the already half-destroyed roof, soaring skyward.

As his body rotated in mid-air, his hands maintained their hand signs.

"Earth Release: Rock Shuriken"

The moment he completed the hand signs, the debris that had scattered into the air with him all gathered around Sen'gao's body under his chakra control.

Then, they all rained down like hailstones.

This is bad.

Watching this scene, Minato felt urgent.

Clearly, it was because their spy had witnessed the battle earlier that day that his intelligence had been heavily leaked, leading these Explosion Corps members to have such clear countermeasures.

Faced with this wide-range Ninjutsu, the still teen Minato had no way to counter. He could only use "Wind Style: Body Flicker Technique", rushing at top speed toward the remaining gap in the window, barely avoiding this attack.

"Bang bang bang—"

The densely packed debris, shooting like bullets, swept across the entire Hokage building, creating a series of intense explosive sounds. The entire fourth floor, and even the third floor below the gap, were shrouded in thick dust.

"Thud."

Sen'gao landed on the devastated ground.

Almost as he finished dealing with this situation, the last two remaining Iwa shinobi, covered in blood, rushed to Sen'gao's side carrying a sealed scroll box marked with 'S' for top secret.

"Sir, we found it!"

"Excellent."

Seeing this, Sen'gao finally felt at ease.

The entire process had taken less than two minutes.

Sen'gao turned his head, looking at the Uchiha Police Force and ANBU who had just arrived from the third floor, now not far behind them, and sneered with contempt.

Ah, these Konoha Shinobi...

They've been immersed in false peace for far too long.

"Let's go."

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Hidden Technique."

The next moment, all three figures were completely swallowed by the deep earth.

"Clink!"

Only after they had all disappeared underground did a kunai from the distance finally embed itself in that spot.

"Damn it!"

Blood-covered Uchiha Sayuri arrived at the scene, but her Sharingan could no longer detect any trace of the enemy's chakra. Clearly, the enemy's earth-style movement ability was far superior to what she had imagined.

Three entire elite squads...

Konoha hadn't encountered an infiltration of this level in nearly ten years.

The collapsed Hokage building felt like a slap to all their faces... especially to the Uchiha Police Force.

The pain stung sharply.

Uchiha Sayuri's eyes blazed red, ignoring her wounds as she swiftly turned and ordered

"Rinko! Go notify the Hyuga reconnaissance team."

"ANBU, report to the Hokage."

The young woman tightly clenched her fist and declared with determination "Even if we have to mobilize the outer defense forces, we must smoke these people out!"

...

Meanwhile.

Sen'gao led his two subordinates, emerging from their earth jutsu in a hidden corner.

Even for Earth Release experts of their caliber, they couldn't maintain that condition for too long, and they couldn't waste chakra so freely.

However, just as he quickly changed disguises and led his subordinates out of the dark alley, attempting to leave Konoha as fast as possible.

His footsteps suddenly froze.

In the moonlight, a slender figure stood at the end of the street, calmly gazing at them. Azure blue eyes gleamed under the cold moonlight.

"Hmm, making you work so late."

"It must have been hard work, Mr. Spy."

"Now..."

"Would you please hand over what you're carrying?"

...