chsdbacks Chapter 126: Lighting the Sky Lantern
Chapter 126: Lighting the Sky Lantern
the other side
"Father! You've taken all the men to provide support, what about Kikyō Mountain?"
Senju Tsuru, seeing her father hurrying away, immediately asked.
At this moment, the Senju clan leader looked anxious and answered haphazardly, "I'll leave Kikyo Mountain to be defended by you alone!"
"what?"
Senju Tsuru's expression tightened.
------
At the border of the Thousand Hands tribe, where war has suddenly broken out, the atmosphere has become extremely tense.
The Senju clan chief led his main force back to defend at full speed without stopping.
The scouts I just sent out have returned.
The Uchiha clan indeed had no intention of attacking Kikyo Mountain.
"It seems that what He said was true!"
The Thousand Hands Clan Chief's expression was solemn; he just wanted to get back as soon as possible.
He sped along, the sound of chakra tearing through the air. Fortunately, Mount Kikyo was located "right at the doorstep" of the Senju clan.
They quickly arrived at the battlefield.
The sight that came into view made his pupils shrink suddenly.
Many of our Senju clan members are already engaged in fierce fighting, battling against ninjas from the Uchiha and Hagoromo clans.
The roar of ninjutsu shook the heavens and the earth. The Uchiha clan's fire release swept across the land. The Senju clan members, relying on their strong physiques and monstrous strength, struggled to hold on, and several of them had already fallen into pools of blood.
"Damn it! They actually dared to come!"
The Senju clan leader, leading his troops to reinforce the battlefield, suddenly appeared on the battlefield. The immense chakra belonging to the clan leader spread out with a roar, instantly enveloping the entire battlefield.
Uchiha Sa, who was directing her clansmen in a fierce attack, and the Hagoromo clan chief beside her both changed their expressions. They both looked astonished, and a hint of disbelief flashed in their eyes.
"Why is he here?"
They had calculated that the Senju clan leader would lead the main force to Kikyo Mountain before launching a surprise attack on the Senju clan's territory, but they did not expect him to return so quickly.
"The Senju clan leader?!"
The Feathered Clan Chief murmured in disbelief, his hand seals pausing for a moment.
Uchiha Sa's brows furrowed, the initial shock vanishing in an instant, replaced by a chilling killing intent: "Since you're here, stay here!"
Without any further negotiation, the moment the three forces met, they ignited the most brutal and chaotic battle.
Upon seeing their chieftain return, the Thousand Hands tribesmen were greatly encouraged and roared as they launched a counterattack against the enemy lines.
The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan were fully activated, and their shuriken and fire-style techniques rained down like a storm, crisscrossing each other.
The entire battlefield was filled with the light of chakra, splattered blood, and deafening battle cries. The shockwaves from the collision of ninjutsu plowed countless furrows into the ground, causing trees to collapse and rocks to fly everywhere.
The Senju clan leader took the lead, his monstrous fist sweeping across the area. With each strike of his chakra-condensed giant fist, several enemy ninjas were sent flying. However, Uchiha Sa and the Hagoromo clan leader held him firmly in place.
Both are top experts of their respective clans, and their tactics and experience are at a high level in this era.
One attacked while the other supported, one was cunning while the other was fierce; their moves were perfectly coordinated, completely suppressing the Thousand Hands Clan Chief.
After dozens of rounds of fierce fighting, a weakness finally emerged.
Just as the Senju clan leader's old power was dissipated and his new power had not yet been generated, Uchiha Sa's steel blade suddenly pierced through his defense!
Chief Feather Robe immediately cooperated!
The chains pierced his chest.
"puff!"
The Thousand Hands Clan Chief's massive body crashed to the ground, marking the fall of a powerful figure.
Uchiha Sa gasped for breath, looking at the Senju clan leader's corpse at her feet. A hint of relief flashed in her eyes, but she quickly calmed down.
"However, we still need to play it safe."
Uchiha Sa spoke in a deep voice.
He knew in his heart that the Senju clan had a deep foundation, and even if the clan leader died in battle, the remaining clansmen could still put up a stubborn resistance. It would not be possible to completely destroy the Senju clan in a short time.
Even the Uchiha Kitsune couldn't easily defeat them back then, so there's even less chance I could...
However, being able to kill the Thousand Hands Clan Chief was already a tremendous victory, enough to severely damage the foundation of the Thousand Hands Clan.
"Know when to stop!"
"The Thousand Hands clan's defenses are strong; we cannot afford a prolonged battle. Let's retreat!"
Uchiha Sa made a quick decision and said in a deep voice to the Hagoromo clan leader beside her.
"I have no objection!"
The Feathered Clan Chief, aware of the advantages and disadvantages, immediately nodded in agreement.
The two immediately ordered a retreat, and the Uchiha and Hagoromo clan ninjas quickly regrouped, left the battlefield, and camped near the foot of the mountain.
The night was as dark as ink, completely enveloping the entire battlefield.
The Uchiha and Hagoromo clan ninjas escorted the Senju clan leader's body to the open ground where the two armies were stationed.
Uchiha Sa coldly stared at the already cold body and raised her hand in a gesture.
"start!"
The tribesmen immediately erected a tall wooden pole and bound the Thousand Hands clan chief's corpse to it. A cluster of eerie flames suddenly ignited, licking at the body, and the flames shot into the sky, particularly dazzling in the dark night.
They actually set the patriarch of the Thousand Hands clan on fire in front of everyone!
The flickering firelight illuminated the faces of the Uchiha and the Hagoromo ninja, a blatant insult and provocation to the Senju clan. The crackling of the flames was particularly jarring in the silent night.
Uchiha and Hagoromo cheered with joy.
Instead of feeling bloody, I felt happy and excited.
When the news reached the Thousand Hands tribe, the entire tribe fell into a deathly silence.
The air was heavy, as if filled with lead. Every Senju clansman hung their heads, their chakra dim and lifeless, their former fierce and valiant spirit completely gone.
The death of the clan chief was already a devastating blow, but now his remains have suffered such a humiliating disgrace, dealing a fatal blow to the morale of the Thousand Hands clan.
In the world of the ninja clan, the clan leader has always been the strongest member of the clan, the backbone and soul of the group.
With the death of the clan chief, the clan is like a body without a backbone, its morale is low and its fighting strength is diminished.
At this moment, the Senju clan is standing on such a precarious edge.
Senju Tsuru was the youngest son of the Senju clan leader. When he heard the devastating news that his father had died in battle and had been burned alive by the Uchiha and Hagoromo clans, he was struck dumb!
He, who was always weak, wanted to go and fight Uchiha and Hagoromo to the death.
If Black Zetsu hadn't intervened and used a little of his power to knock Senju Tsuru unconscious, Senju Tsuru might very well have gone to fight the Uchiha clan.
The shrine of the Senju clan
Amidst the chaos of war, the Senju clan lacked even the resources to provide a proper funeral for their deceased patriarch.
Only a simple wooden plaque stood on the table, engraved with the name of the Thousand Hands Clan Chief, with lingering incense smoke curling in front of it.
Dressed in coarse hemp mourning clothes, Senjutsu-tsuru knelt alone on the cold ground, her back hunched.
He was the only relative of the Thousand Hands Clan Chief.
Since his father was killed by the Uchiha and Hagoromo clans, he has completely shut himself off, staying indoors and never going out. His past passion for ninjutsu and his identification with the mission of a ninja have all been shattered by this terrible news.
He even developed a deep-seated aversion and fear of the ninja profession.
He had previously mustered all his strength to let Black Zetsu, who had always assisted him, leave, wanting only to curl up alone in this small mourning hall and escape all the unbearable reality.
A dark figure silently entered the mourning hall.
It was Black Zetsu.
"well...."
Black Zetsu looked at Senju Tsuru, who was kneeling before the spirit tablet, her eyes empty and her body lifeless. In the shadows, a barely perceptible sigh finally crossed his eyes.
Senju Tsuru said she wanted to be alone, so Black Zetsu temporarily left her.
Senju Tsuru noticed the movement, slowly turned her head, her eyes devoid of any spirit.
"Immortal, what brings you here?"
Senju Tsuru asked in a hoarse, dry voice, her voice tinged with numbness.
He had always respected and loved Black Zetsu, but his father's tragic death and the brutal fighting in the ninja world had long made him fearful of this path, and he even felt more dejected and reluctant to face Black Zetsu.
Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
What am I here for? I'm here to check on you, of course.
Am I here to congratulate you?