(T/N: There is a p.atreon for this work. Check it out for an early release of 40 chapters edited smoothly. Ps: remove the (.) from P.atreon)
https://www.p.atreon.com/TheForgottenSensei
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Without any hesitation, Yami condensed a spinning sphere of chakra and slammed it into the ground in front of him.
"[Rasengan]"
An explosion was triggered as the technique directly intercepted the massive torrent of earth flowing toward them.
This Jutsu could be found in Konoha's archives.
But, no Uchiha had ever learned it… not to mention the Uchiha, even other ninjas, couldn't.
"Rasengan… how could you know that technique?!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried genuine shock.
He couldn't comprehend why the Fourth Hokage's original Jutsu was being wielded by this traitorous Uchiha.
*Clang* *Clang*
*Clang*
But at that same moment, the surrounding ANBU launched a barrage of kunai and shuriken as if their supply was endless.
However, every projectile was deflected by the skeletal Susanoo that rose directly around both Fugaku and Yami, forming an impenetrable barrier of bone and chakra.
"How many people haven't made it through yet?"
Uchiha Fugaku gasped for air while maintaining control of his skeletal Susanoo, constantly raising the chakra sword in his hand and sweeping it in wide arcs to drive away all the ANBU who attempted to approach.
"Twenty people."
"Also, Shisui's group has withdrawn, but Shisui himself hasn't returned yet."
Yami spoke in a low, grim tone, never pausing in his actions as he continued throwing his kunais, shurikens, and other weapons.
The ninja tools in his pouches were being consumed at an alarming rate.
"We retreat now. This operation's results are already perfect."
Fugaku's face showed the strain he was under, but he still spoke with decisive authority.
On the battlefield, there was no time for hesitation or second thoughts.
If they continued to wait here any longer, the casualties would only mount higher by the minute.
"There's still activity from Shisui's direction. I'm going to check on him."
"Once you're all through, I won't need to stay here. They can't stop me."
Yami declared with quiet determination.
His feelings toward Shisui were complicated, but since his former comrade was still alive, Yami wasn't going to abandon him.
After all, throughout this entire operation, Shisui had not given up on his people and had fought until the very end.
Since Yami still possessed the strength to attempt a rescue, he naturally didn't want to abandon that possibility.
With the Mangekyō Sharingan, escape would be relatively simple, especially since he retained access to the portal that could be activated at any moment.
"You are more important than any of us. If the situation becomes complicated, just retreat immediately!"
Uchiha Fugaku didn't waste time with lengthy explanations.
This was no moment for elaborate speeches or emotional appeals.
"Everyone, evacuate now!"
Then he issued the direct command without further delay.
The power of his Susanoo exploded outward once more.
The complete form of the Susanoo manifested before everyone's eyes in all its terrible glory.
Fugaku raised the massive sword in his construct's hand and struck directly at Sarutobi Hiruzen, the same man he had once tried to please and appease.
A devastating slash tore a deep gouge in the earth, as if it intended to devour everything that stood in its path.
"[Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall]!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned an earthen barrier with just three hand seals, creating a defensive structure at least five times larger than Kakashi's signature dog-headed wall.
But even this massive fortification was cleaved apart by the slash released from Uchiha Fugaku's Susanoo.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen managed to disappear within the collapse of his earthen wall, using the debris as concealment for his retreat.
Simultaneously, the surrounding ANBU unleashed a concentrated barrage of ninjutsu, all of which struck against the Susanoo's armored form.
The Susanoo was not truly invincible, only very durable; As such, numerous cracks began to appear across the brown chakra armor.
Nevertheless, the remaining Uchiha clan ninja on the scene successfully retreated through the portal.
Before departing, with their backs toward the portal, they released all their remaining chakra in massive fire techniques.
They intended to transform this entire area into a raging inferno.
"No more delays, leave quickly!"
"[Magnetic Storm]!"
Uchiha Fugaku spoke his final words with grim resolve.
Then he activated his second Mangekyō Sharingan technique, the power to manipulate metal.
He directly gathered all the kunai, shuriken, swords, and other metallic objects scattered across the battlefield, then set them spinning rapidly around his position.
A metallic tornado formed, combining with the surrounding flames to create a terrifying black and red cyclone.
Standing at the eye of this devastating storm were only Yami, Fugaku, and the dimensional portal.
"Damn it all!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen had just found an opening to approach closer.
However, this technique forced him to retreat from his position, driving him back once again.
After unleashing this final attack, Uchiha Fugaku was completely drained.
The Susanoo skeleton surrounding his body immediately dissipated, his vision went dark, and he teetered on the edge of unconsciousness.
Yami's expression tightened.
He pushed Fugaku directly through the portal behind them, then immediately closed the dimensional gateway.
Without the control of Uchiha Fugaku's power, the metallic tornado quickly began to slow as if it would dissipate at any moment.
Two seconds later, the magnetic storm ended entirely.
*Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding*
A shower of kunai and shuriken fell from the sky, their impact against the ground creating a symphony of metallic chimes that rang out clearly across the battlefield.
"That space-time ninjutsu belongs to you, doesn't it?"
"Where exactly did the Uchiha clan escape to?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen emerged from cover, now surrounded by his remaining ANBU forces.
But his eyes remained fixed unwaveringly on Yami.
He remembered this particular Uchiha very clearly, the strongest prodigy in the clan before Shisui's emergence.
Back then, his efforts to recruit this young man had been unsuccessful, and Yami had chosen instead to join the police force and maintain contact with the Fourth Hokage.
However, after the Nine-Tails incident, there had been no further activity from him.
Only the day before yesterday had Hiruzen taken the threat seriously, after Kakashi reported that this individual possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But now it seemed he had still severely underestimated this opponent.
Now, Yami had led the Uchiha out of Konoha, and had even managed to damage Konoha, and specifically his clan compound.
There was a deep anger in Sarutobi's eyes as he looked at him.
"[Lightning Release: Cell Activation]!"
"[Eight Gates Formation: Gate of Life, open]!"
"[Gate of Pain, open]!"
"[Gate of Limit, open]!"
Yami showed no intention of answering Sarutobi Hiruzen's questions.
Instead, he began activating every enhancement technique at his disposal.
He used Lightning Release to stimulate his own cellular activity while simultaneously opening the fifth gate of the Eight Gates Formation, dramatically enhancing every aspect of his physical capabilities.
He possessed both lightning and fire chakra natures.
After realizing that he couldn't rely on others for survival, he had learned the Eight Gates technique from Might Guy's father, and had worked with Kakashi to develop the [Chidori].
He had carefully sought out every method possible to strengthen his abilities and expand his arsenal.
At this critical moment, it was time to use everything he had learned.
The muscles throughout Yami's body bulged with power, electric arcs danced continuously across his form, and his blood-red eyes made many of those present feel an overwhelming sense of dread and pressure.
"Capture him alive."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried barely contained his anger.
But he also understood that the opponent before him wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan.
After witnessing Shisui's abilities firsthand, he had become extremely wary of these ocular powers.
Before he could determine what this particular Mangekyō's abilities might be, he had no intention of putting himself in direct danger.
He would let the ANBU test the opponent's strength first.
"Yes, sir!"
Although the ANBU members weren't as completely subservient as Root operatives, they were essentially living weapons programmed to follow orders without question.
They would obey Sarutobi Hiruzen's commands to the bitter end.
"Kakashi, get out of here!"
Yami finally spoke, but his words were directed at Kakashi among the ANBU forces.
Kakashi's face showed the complexity of his emotions.
He clearly didn't want to become an enemy of Yami.
However, he would not retreat from his duty.
"Swish! Swish!"
The ANBU launched their coordinated assault.
Kunai and shuriken led the attack due to their speed and the concealment they provided.
But…
"So fast."
Every person on the battlefield was immediately stunned.
In their eyes, they could barely make out a blue-white streak of light passing through their ranks, and only Kakashi with his Sharingan could even glimpse the afterimage.
Every single attack missed completely, failing to strike Yami at all.