Reborn as the Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen

On the outskirts of the Iron Country's capital, a fierce chase unfolded before coming to a halt near an uninhabited hill.

"Earth Style: Earth Wall (Doton: Doryūheki)!"

A massive earthen barrier rose behind them, blocking the surge of tailed beast chakra. Sarutobi Hiruzen and his two comrades leaped atop the wall, while the Raikage arrived behind the Jinchūriki - Fukai.

The Third Raikage frowned. "He's my nephew. He only became the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki recently, and his seal may still be unstable. Given that his beloved uncle was just killed by the Hokage, it's not surprising that his emotions triggered the seal." His reluctance to act was clear.

Hiruzen's expression hardened. "If I go all out, I can't guarantee his survival. You'd best start preparing to find a new Jinchūriki in a few years."

Kumogakure's Troy clenched his fists in fury. "You intend to kill our Jinchūriki?! That's a grave offense in the ninja world! Are you trying to start a war, Hokage?"

Hiruzen's gaze turned cold. "Raikage, is this the stance of Kumogakure?"

"The discussions between Kage are not for just anyone to interrupt," he added, his eyes locking onto Troy.

At that moment, a new voice joined the fray. "The people of Kumogakure have always been so unruly." The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, descended from the sky, his expression unreadable.

The Third Raikage glared at him. "Hokage, Fukai is still just a child. Third Hokage, I ask that you show some restraint." He then turned toward Troy. "Troy is my sworn brother his words carry my will."

Sarutobi Hiruzen's patience had reached its limit. He removed his Hokage robe, revealing his battle attire underneath. Clapping his hands together, he released a surge of powerful chakra. "Kagami, handle that one, the rest are mine."

Hiruzen had spent years applying the negotiation skills from his past life, believing that every problem could be solved through negotiations. He had tolerated Kumogakure's provocations that time and this time again. Even when he fought Kinkaku and Ginkaku two days ago, he had only been testing his jutsu.

But this was different because if he didn't defeat them here, they would never sit at the negotiation table.

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet (Katon: Karyū Endan)!"

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet (Doton: Doryūdan)"

A massive earth dragon emerged from the ground, spewing scorching magma at the Third Raikage.

Kagami and Torifu entered into battle mode. Kagami hurled a barrage of shuriken at Troy before unleashing ,

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu (Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu)!"

The Third Raikage moved like lightning, narrowly dodging each attack. Then, with a swift motion, he cast off his Raikage robe, revealing his armored form. His entire body crackled with electricity.

"Hokage, it seems Konoha has no intention of honoring the alliance we signed just two months ago," he growled. "If you want war, then so be it. Kumogakure does not fear battle!"

Above them, Ōnoki scoffed. "Looks like the Five Kage Summit is already falling apart. You all can keep fighting, I'll go inform Mizukage and Kazekage that they don't need to come." He turned to leave but was suddenly cut off by a massive fire dragon.

"Hokage, are you seriously declaring war on both Kumogakure and Iwagakure at the same time?" Ōnoki asked, hovering in the air.

Hiruzen's voice was firm. "Don't put all the blame on Konoha. If it's a fight you want, then we'll fight. We Konoha manage to stood against four great nations before, and now just two hidden village?."

Ōnoki scoffed again. "Hmph. If that Raikage hadn't been provoked, we wouldn't even be in this mess."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Since I became the Third Hokage, I've worked tirelessly for peace. The villages have fought for so long, and the civilians are the one who suffer most. I wanted to give everyone a chance to rest by talking things out.

Even after my sensei, the Second Hokage, was ambushed and killed by Kumogakure's Kinkaku and Ginkaku, I gritted my teeth and accepted an alliance. But on my way here, I was attacked again by Kinkaku and Ginkaku but still I endured that by proposing the Five Kage Summit.

However yet again, you provoke Konohagakure, then Kumogakure refuses to take responsibility, and you, Ōnoki, continue to fan the flames of war. You aren't here for peace."

The Third Raikage slammed his fist into a tree, shattering it into splinters. "I told you already that Kinkaku and Ginkaku were traitors! Traitors! They acted on their own!"

Hiruzen's lips curled into a smirk. "Traitors, huh? That's convenient. Suspiciously, they knew exactly when and where the Five Kage Summit was taking place. They targeted Konoha specifically. Tell me, how did these 'traitors' escape from the Land of Lightning in the first place?"

Raikage seethed, but Hiruzen was done talking. His hands formed seals.

"Water Style: Water Rush Wave (Suiton: Mizu Rappa)!"

A massive surge of water erupted from his mouth, flooding the battlefield in an instant. Then, with another set of hand seals,

"Water Style: Water Severing Wave (Suiton: Suikoudan no Jutsu)!"

Blades of high-pressure water shot toward Ōnoki, forcing him to retreat. The Tsuchikage quickly formed his own seals.

"Earth Style: Earthquake Core (Doton: Chidōkaku)!"

The ground trembled violently, knocking both the Third Raikage and Hiruzen off balance.

Taking advantage of the moment, Hiruzen flung several shuriken, then formed another seal,

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu (Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu)!"

The air filled with a storm of deadly spinning blades, raining down on Ai and Ōnoki.

As soon as Ay activated his Lightning Release Chakra Mode (Raiton: Chakura Mōdo), he completely ignored the incoming shuriken. With a powerful leap, he slammed into the ground with a resounding "Bang!", creating a massive crater upon impact.

Without hesitation, he immediately launched,

"Hell Stab: Four-Fingered Spear (Jigokuzuki: Yonhon Nukite)!"

His electrified form surged forward like a bolt of lightning, charging straight at Ōnoki.

Ōnoki reacted instantly, rising into the sky to evade. But Ay wasn't done yet as he leaped into the air in pursuit, closing the distance rapidly.

Meanwhile, Hiruzen clapped his hands together.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow River (Doton: Doryū Taiga)!"

The ground beneath him shifted, and the towering earthen pillars collapsed downward like melting candles. Hiruzen used this moment to land safely on the ground. He took the opportunity to glance at the status panel, analyzing Ōnoki's strength.

Ōnoki — Status

Body: 12/12

Spirit: 48/53

Element: 21/23

Skills:

Advanced Body Mastery

Advanced Combat Mastery

Mastery:

Primary Earth Mastery

Advanced Energy Mastery

Jutsu: Primary Fire, Earth, and Wind Fusion [Dust Release (Jinton - )]

Danger Rating: High

Every enemy I face is a high-level threat... Hiruzen frowned. Is it because my physical strength is too weak? If I don't stay alert, I could be killed at any moment... His thoughts were abruptly interrupted,

"Secret Technique: Multi-Size Jutsu (Hijutsu: Baika no Jutsu)!"

A gigantic figure suddenly emerged which is Torifu now enlarged, scooped up Sarutobi Hiruzen and swiftly retreated.

Only moments later—

BOOM!

A massive Tailed Beast Ball (Bijūdama) detonated where they had just been standing, obliterating everything in its radius.

As Torifu released his Multi-Size Jutsu, Hiruzen's face darkened. The situation was escalating far beyond what he had anticipated.

The battle is not over but this little brat unleashed that bijuudama. "Torifu, stay away." Hiruzen clapped his hands and said,

"Earth Style: Mudslide Technique (Doton: Dosekiryū)!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen had just used a large-scale Water Style technique, saturating the battlefield with water. Now, combining it with Earth Release, the resulting mudslide was even more devastating.

Hiruzen spotted a young man floating on the swamp. Just as he was about to approach, a sudden surge of tailed beast chakra erupted from the young man's body.

He instinctively leaped backward as the sinister red chakra expanded, twisting and writhing into a monstrous form—a massive creature with the head of a bull and eight wriggling octopus-like tails.

"Is the Eight-Tails (Gyūki) about to break free?" Hiruzen muttered, his expression tense as he braced himself for what was coming next.

Hiruzen's hands flashed through seals,

"Meteor Shower: Starlight Descent (Ryuuseigun: Hoshikuzu no Gōka)!""

Fiery meteorites rained from the sky, smashing the incomplete tailed beast apart before it could fully form resulting it's chakra scattered in all directions.

Without hesitation, Hiruzen rushed forward and pressed the jinchuriki and perform the sealing jutsu,

"Five Elements Seal (Gogyō Fūin )!"

Kagami stood with one hand covering his eyes while carrying Troy on his shoulder. Nearby, Torifu approached, supporting himself with an earthen platform before addressing their leader.

"Lord Hokage"

Sarutobi Hiruzen turned to Kagami, his gaze sharp. "Kagami, which pair of eyes did you use?"

Kagami exhaled slightly before responding. "He has a Magnetic Release (Jiton) bloodline limit. It was a bit troublesome."

Hiruzen nodded in understanding. With the exception of the Raikage, the forces of the Land of Lightning had been completely defeated.

"Let's return to the capital of the Land of Iron" Hiruzen announced before shifting his gaze toward Ōnoki, who was still hovering in the air. "Tsuchikage, are you coming with us or will you go find the Raikage?"

Ōnoki scoffed. "I'll go find the Raikage after all we can't leave him out here alone." With that, he turned and flew away.

As he left, Hiruzen called after him, "Tsuchikage, you should give some thought to the Five Kage Summit. Konoha has always pursued peace where our First Hokage died for it, and our Second Hokage perished in the Land of Lightning for the same cause. I'm willing to make certain concessions for the sake of stability, but don't mistake that for a weakness."

His tone hardened, "Konoha does not seek conflict, but we will not tolerate being deceived or trampled upon. I do not provoke others, but if they insist on provoking me, then I will not hesitate to annihilate them."

Hiruzen's gaze swept over the battlefield, then back to the Tsuchikage, "Unlike the previous generations, we the Third Kage of this generations were all raised in the Hidden Village era. It's time that we forge our own path instead of carrying the grudges of the Warring States period since that era has long been over. Think carefully, Tsuchikage."

With that, Hiruzen, Kagami, and Torifu turned and began their journey back to the Iron Country's capital, their figures growing smaller as they disappeared into the distance.