Chapter 134 – Exposing Asuma's Hypocrisy, Annihilate the Sarutobi Clan! "How does he know Wood Release!?" Everyone present was stunned by Re
Chapter 134 – Exposing Asuma's Hypocrisy, Annihilate the Sarutobi Clan!
"How does he know Wood Release!?"
Everyone present was stunned by Renji's use of the Sage Art: Gate of the Divine.
The Tailed Beasts inside the Jinchūriki wailed in despair. It was bad enough he had the Mangekyō, but now he had Wood Release too. Terrible memories of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama surged forth.
Once upon a time, they had lived free and carefree lives—until they encountered those two maniacs. Ever since, their peace had been shattered.
"Gyūki, I can't sense your chakra anymore!"
Killer Bee tried to reach for Gyūki's chakra to break free or deactivate Tailed Beast Mode, thinking he might be able to escape the Gate of the Divine.
But he couldn't sense Gyūki's chakra at all. He couldn't cancel it. Even his own chakra seemed sealed.
"Idiot! Wood Release is a natural counter to Tailed Beasts. That wood is draining and suppressing my chakra!"
"Then what do we do now—aren't we completely powerless?"
The five Jinchūriki had only managed to launch one Thunder Descent before getting utterly beaten by Renji. Once they fully transformed into Tailed Beasts, they were sealed immediately by the Gate of the Divine.
How the hell were they supposed to fight now!?
They thought they had the upper hand with high-level combat power—five Jinchūriki. And yet, Renji took them all out with a single move.
Now only Ōnoki and Ai remained.
Mangekyō Sharingan + Wood Release + Sage Art + Flying Thunder God.
Killer Bee couldn't even imagine how the two Kage could possibly defeat Renji.
"Obito, that guy seems to be getting out of control. This isn't what we planned…"
Zetsu's eyes flickered with unease.
Renji definitely had the Eternal Mangekyō. Zetsu didn't know how he obtained it, but the ocular power he displayed, especially when suppressing the Tailed Beasts, could only be matched by Madara's Eternal Eye back then.
But that wasn't all—his eyes had reached Madara's level, and now he had Wood Release too. Aside from the Rinnegan, he was basically an upgraded Madara.
Both had Eternal Eyes, both had Wood Release.
But Renji also had Sage Art and Flying Thunder God. He knew everything Madara did—and things Madara didn't. Zetsu didn't even know if Renji had Yin-Yang Release, but with Wood Release and the Mangekyō, he couldn't rule it out.
Zetsu even doubted whether Nagato could beat Renji.
After all, the Rinnegan Nagato possessed wasn't even originally his. Its full potential couldn't be realized through him, not like Uchiha Madara.
"We can't wait any longer. If that guy unifies the shinobi world…"
Obito's brows furrowed. Things were slowly slipping out of his control.
When Nagato had refused him earlier, he hadn't thought too much of it.
In Obito's view, Konoha couldn't be destroyed. Even if he lost the war, it would only be a strategic weakening—and that weakening was exactly what he wanted to see.
Konoha was too strong, too unified. Obito had agreed to Nagato's plan, knowing full well he had ulterior motives—but who didn't?
Now, though, he realized something was wrong. Renji had become the strongest in the entire shinobi world. The longer they delayed, the weaker Nagato's relative strength would become, and the less influence he'd have over Renji.
If they wanted to capture the Tailed Beasts from Renji's hands, that was no longer possible.
Would they really have to resurrect Uchiha Madara?
Obito felt some unwillingness. That was never part of his plan.
In his mind, he was the one meant to carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan—not Uchiha Madara. Why should a dead man control everything?
Obito believed he could execute the plan, and it should belong to him—not Madara.
He wanted to create a world where Rin existed.
"Konoha is already on the verge of unifying everything. Kumo and Iwa are no match. They still have Jiraiya, Uchiha Fugaku, and Uchiha Shisui who haven't even joined the battle yet. While the other side only has Ai and Ōnoki left—they're not Konoha's match!"
Zetsu spoke calmly. At this point, he was already preparing to activate his contingency plan.
He had calculated everything—even future contingencies.
But the one thing he hadn't accounted for… was another monstrous Uchiha emerging.
If this continued, the entire shinobi world would be unified by Renji. Zetsu couldn't allow that.
"Damn… does that mean all nine Tailed Beasts are going to end up under Konoha?"
Originally, having the Tailed Beasts scattered was an advantage. But if they all ended up in Konoha, unless the Akatsuki attacked as a full group, there was no way to stand a chance.
Sure, the Akatsuki had strong individual fighters—but Renji was just too powerful. And with so many Kage-level fighters in Konoha, attacking the village would be suicide.
"So what should we do, Obito?"
Zetsu didn't say much more. He turned to Obito, clearly handing the choice to him.
But Obito fell into an eerie silence.
What should he do?
"…Let's observe a little longer."
He didn't give Zetsu a direct answer. Obito still had his own schemes. Black Zetsu gave him a deep, meaningful look, realizing Obito couldn't be counted on anymore.
He'd thought that by this point, Obito would agree to resurrect Madara. But even now, he wouldn't do it. Zetsu would have to act alone.
"I understand."
Zetsu didn't press further. These two old foxes each had their own hidden agendas.
On the battlefield…
Orochimaru, hiding among the Shinobi Alliance, had his eyes practically popping out of their sockets.
Was this the same Wood Release he had studied!?
He had researched Wood Release, but this wasn't even in the same league.
His version was more like a landscaping technique. Renji's? It suppressed five Tailed Beasts. And this Sage Art—was it from Ryūchi Cave?
Orochimaru's eyes flickered. Maybe Tsunade had given him the summoning scroll?
The more he thought about it, the more discouraged he became. He had been preparing to steal Renji's body—but the power Renji was now displaying seemed like a fusion of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama.
Moreover… would this guy prove his theory true?
A glint of excitement shone in Orochimaru's eyes. He suddenly wanted to see what kind of transformation was occurring inside Renji's body.
On Konoha's side, when they saw Renji use Wood Release, their first reaction was shock. But after that came an odd, indescribable feeling.
Renji had once accused Danzō of experimenting with Hashirama's cells. Now that Renji could use Wood Release… did that mean he'd done research in secret too?
"Idiots. What are you even thinking? That's Sage Art: Wood Release. It's not even recorded in the Scroll of Seals. That means Tsunade knew about it, and that scroll's always been in her possession. This means he awakened it on his own!"
Jiraiya's words immediately calmed Konoha's hearts.
He was right!
Sage Art: Wood Release—none of them had seen what was in the Scroll of Seals, but it was almost certainly not recorded there.
If Renji could use this move, it meant he carried the blood of the Senju Clan.
"Does the Hokage really have both Senju and Uchiha bloodlines?"
"No way… this guy has Senju blood too?"
A strange expression flickered across Uchiha Fugaku's face. For a moment, he didn't even know what to say.
Did the Uchiha cheat on someone? Or did the Senju have an affair?
Back when Renji was the head of the Uchiha clan, no one knew he carried Senju blood. A man with Senju lineage becoming the Uchiha clan head… luckily, the Senju clan was now little more than a name.
Hearing the murmuring of the shinobi in the rear ranks, Renji curled his lips into a faint smile. He had long planned to reveal his Wood Release eventually. That power was going to be exposed sooner or later.
There were no traces of experimentation on his body—everything stemmed from the bloodline inherited from the Sage of Six Paths. Carrying some of his abilities was only natural.
Looking toward the Shinobi Alliance ahead, Renji's smirk deepened. He was rather curious to see how they would respond next.
Within the crowd, Asuma's face twisted in hatred as he glared at Renji, his heart boiling with jealousy. He never imagined that Renji would even have Wood Release.
Why did every good thing fall into Renji's hands?
Mangekyō, Wood Release, Flying Thunder God, powerful Lightning Release, Hokage title… and even a damn handsome face.
If he had all that, would he have won over Kurenai?
But before Asuma could think further, a shadow flickered in front of him. His throat was suddenly seized, and he was dragged out to the center of the battlefield.
"Asuma, you really do know how to run—actually fled to the Allied Forces, huh?"
Renji looked at him with a smile. Truth be told, he wasn't personally close to Asuma.
His knowledge of him came only from the anime. Due to the irreconcilable conflict with Hiruzen Sarutobi, the two were natural enemies.
Seeing Asuma's hateful eyes and that look of wanting to speak, Renji flung him to the ground to see what he had to say.
Asuma gasped for air after being thrown down. For a moment, he'd felt like his neck was about to snap. Once he recovered, he clenched his fists and shouted angrily, "Renji, you bastard! You murdered the Hokage! You're unfit to lead Konoha! Our Hokage is chosen, not born from bloodshed! And killing the daimyō… everyone will curse your name forever!"
His deeds would be condemned throughout history.
For a thousand years, things had always been this way—until Renji killed the daimyō.
He was a tyrant!
"Oh? Was Hiruzen Sarutobi chosen? Wasn't he just appointed by Senju Tobirama?" Renji raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Asuma and said, "And didn't you leave Konoha back then and still become one of the Guardian Twelve just because you had a good old man? Having a Hokage father really makes life easier, huh?"
The sarcasm in Renji's voice made Asuma's face turn ashen.
The truth was, he left the village because he was tired of people saying he relied on his father. He'd also had conflicts with Hiruzen. Acting out of rebellion, he left without much thought.
Later, he felt a bit fearful—because Renji was right. If not for his father, he would've been branded a rogue ninja.
But that didn't mean Asuma wanted to be reminded of it!
As Renji said this, the expressions on the faces of the Konoha shinobi behind him—and even those in the Allied Forces—were full of complexity.
It was the same pattern. Before killing Hiruzen, Renji had delivered a verbal beatdown just like this. What was that saying? Kill the body, and break the spirit too.
"Heh, I submitted a departure form to the village back then. That was just procedure…"
Asuma, though flustered, tried to argue. He'd sent in the paperwork. Then, seizing the moment, he pointed at Jiraiya behind Renji and said, "If I count as a deserter, then don't the Legendary Sannin count too?"
Orochimaru was definitely a defector, but Jiraiya and Tsunade had been away from the village for years too.
At that, Jiraiya's face darkened.
He'd at least said goodbye before leaving. He wasn't sure about Tsunade, but he was certain Asuma had left without a word!
"They're the Sannin. Who are you? You think you measure up? If you had Sannin-level strength, I'd let you join the Shinobi Alliance right now and say you're not a rogue."
Pfft.
No one knew who laughed first, but after Renji said that, someone couldn't hold it in.
Too damn funny.
Sannin? You?
Even Orochimaru, hidden in the Allied ranks, nearly lost it. By this logic, he might as well return to Konoha.
Should he go back? He could even study the secrets in Renji's body.
Of course, that was just a thought. Orochimaru wouldn't really go back. His reputation in Konoha was already rotten. He'd have to be crazy.
"So, Asuma—you've officially decided to betray the village?"
The joke was over. Renji's smile vanished. He looked at Asuma with cold indifference.
In his eyes, Asuma was already dead.
"Betray? Is Konoha yours? Ever since you killed the Third and the daimyō, do you think your authority is legitimate?"
Asuma wasn't foolish enough to give up on rhetoric.
He needed to cling to that justification. He was hoping that someone from Konoha would step forward and stand with him.
"Everyone, do you truly wish to follow Renji into battle? He killed the daimyō and the Hokage. Someone like that deserves to be Hokage?"
He looked at the Konoha shinobi behind Renji, eyes full of hope.
But no one moved.
Seeing this, Asuma erupted: "Kakashi! Kurenai! Gai! Have you all fallen so far?"
Even if the others didn't, his former classmates—surely one of them would stand with him?
"…Sorry, Asuma. You should just surrender."
Kakashi lowered his head, unable to meet his gaze. He'd already avenged his father's humiliation. He wouldn't speak up again.
Gai said nothing. He wanted to stop this, but he knew he couldn't. Asuma had betrayed the village, and as a shinobi, he had to obey the Hokage's orders.
As Gai stayed silent, Asuma's last hope turned to Kurenai. He stared at her with pleading eyes. They had grown up together, childhood sweethearts. She understood his feelings.
Surely… she would risk it all to stand beside him. That was love!
"…Sorry, Asuma. I believe in the Hokage."
Sorry, Asuma…
Asuma stared blankly at Kurenai. In the next moment, his heart began to collapse.
Every one of them… why!?
Why would none of them stand with him?
"Asuma, your mistake was always living in a fantasy. I gave you a chance. I said any shinobi who returned to the village would be pardoned. But you clung to the daimyō's side.
"And the daimyō? A fool. He never understood what this world truly is. Victory is justice. I don't know how people will judge me centuries from now—but I know one thing: you are a failure. And I succeeded.
"Your words are meaningless. Everything you stand on—your father being Hokage, your protected upbringing—once that aura disappears, you're just another jōnin. Your classmates flattered you, your mentors gave you the best, even when you left, you weren't branded a traitor.
"You won't admit it, but how many resources did you devour to get this far? You're more hypocritical than Hiruzen. At least he admitted it in the end. You took everything and still pretend you earned it on your own."
In Renji's eyes, Asuma was someone who had been propped up entirely by privilege. As the Hokage's son, everyone catered to him—and he still thought it was all his own achievement.
"So let me show you: history will remember me as the man who reformed the shinobi world, the founder of a new era. You? You'll be nothing but a failure."
With that, Renji drew his blade and cleanly severed Asuma's head.
As the head flew into the air, Asuma retained a sliver of consciousness. He stared at the many faces before him, heart aching.
Kurenai…
In his final moment, he etched her into his memory.
He really was a failure.
"…That guy? I always found him annoying back in the academy."
Obito watched from afar, a cold smirk on his lips. Asuma's death? He thought Renji did well.
And he had to admit, Renji was right about one thing—victory is justice. If you win, everything you do becomes righteous. The history books will paint you as the victor, the hero—and the other side as the loser.
Wasn't that the case with Uchiha Madara?
If Madara had won back then, wouldn't the world look very different now?
Renji… saw things clearly.
And as Asuma's body fell, a strange ripple passed through the hearts of everyone present.
[Ding! Asuma's fate has been altered. Reward: one lottery draw!]
[Ding! Yūhi Kurenai's fate has been altered. Reward: one lottery draw!]
Oh?
Buy one, get one free.
Looks like Kurenai won't have to be a young widow after all.
(End of Chapter)
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