Chapter 88: Destruction Of Sarutobi Clan

Sato understood that the Sarutobi family, along with the other three less influential families, would likely pose little resistance.

After all, these four families lacked the prestigious Kekkei Genkais and techniques found in powerful clans. They excelled in elemental attributes such as wind, fire, water, earth, and minerals.

For instance, the Sarutobi family was adept at Fire Style ninjutsu, with their inherited secret technique, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu, being passed down through generations.

The sparsely populated Shimura clan excelled in Wind Style ninjutsu.

In terms of threat level, the four families were eclipsed not only by the Nara and Yamanaka families, specialists in Yin Release, and the Akamichi family, experts in Yang Release, but even by the wealthy Hyuga clan.

However, Sato's expectations of their vulnerability were far exceeded.

In truth, they were defenseless.

When facing the Uchiha clan's Fire Style attacks, the Sarutobi clan hesitated to employ their own Fire Style techniques, fearing it would only stoke the flames.

Their Water Style jutsu was ineffective against the Fire Style of Sato's Wood Clones.

Confronting the formidable Susanoo, both an offensive and defensive power, they could only cower, incapable of approaching.

There was no formidable ninja capable of challenging the Wood Clones head-on. Clearly, the older generation's powerhouses were all gone.

In the new generation, Asuma remained the sole Elite Jōnin, as the rest were inactive ninjas, essentially freeloaders with no standing in the active roster.

Even the Sarutobi family, the strongest among the moth families, had fallen to such a dismal state.

Let alone the other three moth families, their predicament was even direr.

Sato's activation of Susanoo was reminiscent of Madara's onslaught during the battle against the Ninja Alliance. Susanoo descended, leaving a trail of destruction, cutting down numerous unskilled opponents.

The members of the four moth families ensnared within the enchanted cage either perished amidst the flames or fell under the Chakra katana of Susanoo.

By the time Tsunade, alongside the alliance of major ninja clans, finally breached the Four Violet Flames Formation, Wood Clone had already wiped out the entire Sarutobi clan.

"Bastard, who are you and why have you intruded into Konoha to commit such atrocities?" Tsunade demanded, her focus alternating between supervising fire control and rescue operations as she glared at the Susanoo-wielding Wood Clone.

"I'm but an Avenger emerging from the depths of hell," Wood Clone responded apathetically, still shielding himself. "Karmic retribution, the legacy of the past, the outcome of today. I exacted vengeance through these eyes, consigning those innocents to join Uchiha's innocent victims."

"What on earth do you mean by that?" Tsunade's expression shifted as if grasping the gravity of Wood Clone's words.

The surrounding major ninja clans also felt an unsettling tremor.

The Uchiha clan's downfall, the hidden orchestrator behind it all had indeed been high-ranking figures within Konoha, potentially involving Third Hokage.

In hindsight, it made sense. How could such a substantial clan as the Uchiha be annihilated without any trace of resistance, reduced to ashes by a mere thirteen-year-old boy?

"What do you mean? You, as a member of the Senju clan and Hokage, should be well aware of it."

Wood Clone's indifferent response shifted focus towards the remaining Sarutobi clan members. He urged, "Rather than wasting time on my clone, safeguard the village's future."

"What?" Tsunade and her entourage expressed shock, their gazes fixed on Wood Clone in disbelief.

This Uchiha, capable of wielding Susanoo, was merely a clone?

Whoosh—

As if answering their doubts, the two Wood Clones vanished abruptly, reappearing close to the last surviving members of the Sarutobi clan. Their hands formed seals, unleashing torrents of flames upon them and the medical team tending to their wounds.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation!"

In an instant, two colossal fire arrows plummeted, birthing towering pillars of flame. The inferno consumed the last remnants of the Sarutobi clan, along with the medical team and the two Wood Clones.

Charred remains were all that remained, consumed by flames so intense that not even a complete corpse endured.

Observing this distressing scene, Tsunade's expression soured dramatically. Her gaze then shifted towards the direction of the other three families, her teeth clenched as she commanded, "Go support the Shimura family. I'm heading to the ninja school."

With her decision, Tsunade effectively abandoned the other major families, placing the responsibility for the village's future upon the new generation of Genin and the students yet to graduate.

At this juncture, Sato and his companions were no longer in Konoha. The village's future, which Uchiha had alluded to, now rested with the students of the ninja school.

This indeed held true.

In his ruthlessness, Sato exhibited unwavering cruelty, regardless of age or gender. Just as a character from a certain movie in a past life had declared, if you dabble in wrongdoing, you must accept the consequences, even if it means obliterating an entire clan.

Having eradicated the Sarutobi clan, to preempt potential future vengeance from Asuma and Konohamaru, Sato resolved to eliminate them as well.

Ending Asuma's life would serve his own interests and those of Ino-Shika-Cho.

With a little over three years remaining until Shippuden, Asuma's relationship with Kurenai Yuhi remained in its early stages. His role as Ino-Shika-Cho's mentor had only been established for a few months.

Their bond had not deepened as it did in the original timeline.

By killing him now, Sato hoped to avoid the scenario where Asuma eventually discovers his involvement in the annihilation of the Sarutobi clan, forcing him to eliminate Asuma to maintain his secret.

The task of eliminating the remaining members of the four major moth families who weren't present also fell to Sato's final two Wood Clones.

While attention was ensnared by the fiery spectacle created by the Four Clans, one Wood Clone infiltrated the ninja school and captured Konohamaru.

In a secluded location, the Wood Clone drained Konohamaru's chakra, assumed his likeness, and ruthlessly ended his life before dispatching his body to a concealed spot within Konoha.

Taking on Konohamaru's appearance, the Wood Clone began probing for Asuma's chakra signature, a seemingly fortuitous circumstance given that only Sato and Konohamaru remained in the clan's lineage.

Hence, upon learning of the family's attack, Asuma headed not to their rescue but instead to the ninja school, intent on securing Konohamaru's safety before returning to aid his family.

Unfortunately for Asuma, his speed, while swifter than Tsunade's, paled in comparison to Wood Clone's.

Upon realizing that Konohamaru had been abducted, Asuma embarked on a frantic search to locate him.

Capitalizing on this, Wood Clone again transformed into the appearance of Konohamaru, panic evident on his face as he sprinted from an alley, feigning terror as he raced in Asuma's direction.

"...Asuma-sensei!"

In no time, the Wood Clone, impersonating Konohamaru, spotted Asuma preparing to leap overhead. Employing his acting skills to the fullest, he cried out in a distressed, tearful tone.

"Konohamaru!"

At the sound of that voice, Asuma froze mid-motion, immediately focusing his perception. Ascertaining that it was indeed Konohamaru's chakra, he raced over, enfolding his nephew in a tight embrace, ready to express his gratitude.

"Sealing Technique: Limb Restraint Rebind!"

Regrettably, before Asuma could utter a word, 'Konohamaru,' clutched his chest, releasing an array of intricate seal symbols that rapidly spread across Asuma's body, seizing control over him.

Squish—

In the subsequent moment, 'Konohamaru,' now in command of Asuma's body, withdrew a handful of kunai, thrusting them into Asuma's neck before a sharp pull severed it, instantaneously ending his life.

Sato's intention was to ensure that Asuma did not survive, optimizing the absorption process for his main form.

After consuming the essence of three Hokages and two Hokage wives, Sato's credentials within the ninja world's hierarchy had become unparalleled. He no longer regarded these minor figures with disdain.

His current objective involved accumulating a sufficient Chakra reservoir, integrating Immortal Chakra, and ingesting countless souls to fortify his spiritual strength. Once his capacity met the prerequisites, he could contemplate bridging the gap in his body and ascending to the status of God Sage of Six Paths

Armed with mastery over the Impure World Reincarnation, Sato could summon any individual's soul, regardless of their living state, as long as he possessed their DNA. This facet rendered the question of life or death irrelevant.

In comparison to preserving his own existence, instilling 'Uchiha Naraku' with the persona of an avenger remained paramount.

Despite his capability to annihilate the four major moth families through the utilization of the Wood Release: Advent of a World of Flowering Trees and extinguishing the flames, Sato refrained from employing Wood Style for this purpose.

Employing Wood Style in this manner would alter the villagers' perception of it. Currently, Wood Style symbolized hope and protection, a towering guardian that safeguarded them.

Should Wood Clone utilize Wood Style to eliminate the four families, even though suspicions wouldn't point toward Sato, the Third Hokage and the elders' families might be stigmatized due to their association with Wood Style. Consequently, the fervent, blind reverence toward Wood Style would diminish.

Thus, Sato's Wood Clones abstained from using Wood Style.