klisemfg Chapter 726 Power
Chapter 726 Power
"This power... is pure soul power," the Third Hokage said solemnly. "Moreover, this soul power contains extreme darkness and despair. I never imagined that someone could possess such a dark soul." He paused, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. "Furthermore, I sensed this power a few years ago. But that time, it was very weak, and I thought it was an illusion."
The Third Hokage's gaze swept across the cemetery, finally settling on the solitary figure before the tombstone. He saw the white fang blade stuck in front of the tombstone, and he also saw the figure shrouded in dark power.
He whirled around to look at the ANBU ninja behind him, "Zhang Hai is back?!"
Upon hearing this, the ANBU ninja quickly bowed and said, "Lord Hokage, Lord Zhang Hai returned to Konoha earlier tonight and should be in this area right now."
The Third Hokage, upon hearing this, showed no surprise on his face, only sighing, "Just as I expected." He had vaguely sensed this power several years ago, but he never expected it to reappear under these circumstances.
Both Minato and Tsunade were shocked upon hearing Zhang Hai's name. Minato knew Zhang Hai was strong, but he never imagined he could unleash such terrifying power. Tsunade was even more incredulous; her personally trained disciple possessed such chilling dark chakra.
"This...this really is Zhang Hai?" Tsunade murmured to herself, her face pale and her eyes filled with worry. She couldn't believe that the child she once thought could be guided towards the light would possess such terrifying dark power.
The Third Hokage looked around before finally fixing his gaze on the tombstone. "This is... Sakumo Hatake's grave." His voice was low and tinged with sorrow.
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's body trembled violently. She took a sudden step forward, wanting to rush into the area shrouded in dark power.
"Tsunade! Stop!" the Third Hokage shouted abruptly, his voice carrying an undeniable air of authority.
Tsunade stopped and turned to look at the Third Hokage, her eyes filled with anxiety. "Hokage-sama! Zhang Hai, he..."
“I know,” the Third Hokage said in a deep voice. “This power is too dangerous; you cannot go in rashly. I will go and investigate personally.” His eyes were filled with solemnity. “I must prevent the situation from worsening. If he is truly consumed by this power, the consequences will be unimaginable.”
The Third Hokage turned to the surrounding Anbu ninja and commanded, "Anbu, listen to my order! Immediately deploy the Four Purple Flame Formation! Completely seal off this area! No one is to enter without my permission!"
"Yes!" The ANBU ninja accepted the order and quickly set up a powerful barrier around the cemetery. Four purple flame barriers instantly rose up, enveloping the entire cemetery and turning it into a forbidden zone.
Tsunade gazed at the graveyard shrouded in the Four Purple Flames Formation, her heart filled with worry. She turned to the Third Hokage, her voice pleading, "Hokage-sama, please bring Zhang Hai back safely! Don't let this darkness consume his heart!"
The Third Hokage looked at Tsunade's worried expression, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. He hadn't expected Tsunade to value Zhang Hai so much. However, when he thought of Zhang Hai's identity as a member of the Uchiha clan, a chill ran down his spine.
"The Uchiha clan..." the Third Hokage murmured to himself, recalling the characteristics of the Uchiha clan that the Second Hokage, Tobirama, had once mentioned. The Uchiha clan was a family with extreme emotions; the deeper their love, the stronger their power became when that love transformed into hatred.
"Could it be... Zhang Hai also..." A sense of unease welled up in the Third Hokage's heart. He knew that if Zhang Hai was truly blinded by hatred, the power he unleashed would be devastating.
The Third Hokage took a deep breath, preparing for the worst. If Zhang Hai truly lost control, he would have no choice but to take extreme measures, even at the cost of Zhang Hai's life, to protect the village's safety.
He slowly walked towards the Four Purple Flames Formation. The moment his body entered the barrier, he felt an omnipresent sorrow and chill. This chill did not come from ordinary temperature, but from the despair deep within his soul. At the same time, he keenly sensed an incomparably sharp sword intent, pure and extreme, as if capable of severing everything.
The Third Hokage felt a chill run down his spine, realizing that this sword intent was remarkably similar to Sakumo Hatake's swordsmanship. He knew that Zhang Hai had fully mastered Sakumo's teachings.
He slowly walked towards the tombstone and saw Zhang Hai sitting blankly on the ground. Dark soul power surged around Zhang Hai's body as if it were a tangible force, completely enveloping him.
Looking at Zhang Hai's grief-stricken appearance, the Third Hokage couldn't help but feel a deep sense of emotion. "To meet again, and in this way..." He sighed, his eyes filled with complex emotions, "Zhang Hai, you harbor hatred in your heart."
He walked over to Zhang Hai and gently sat down beside the tombstone. He didn't speak directly, but quietly sensed the sorrow and anger emanating from Zhang Hai.
After a long silence, the Third Hokage finally spoke, his voice deep and magnetic, carrying a calming power. "Zhang Hai, I know you're in pain right now. But you can't let darkness consume you. Konoha... is still your home."
Zhang Hai's body trembled slightly. He slowly raised his head, his eyes filled with pain and despair. "Home?" His voice was hoarse and weak. "My teacher is gone. Where is my home now?!"
Looking into Zhang Hai's bloodshot eyes, the Third Hokage felt a pang of heartache. He knew that Zhang Hai truly considered Hatake Sakumo as family.
"Sakumo Hatake is a hero of Konoha," the Third Hokage said solemnly. "His contributions to the village will never be forgotten. And Zhang Hai, you are not alone. Tsunade and Minato are worried about you. They care about you too."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Hai's body trembled slightly. He recalled Tsunade's stern yet caring gaze, and Minato's gentle yet encouraging smile.
Seeing Zhang Hai's reaction, the Third Hokage knew his words had touched a nerve. He took a deep breath, his tone heavy, "Zhang Hai, Sakumo Hatake's suicide wasn't just due to the rumors circulating in the village. The deeper reason is that he abandoned his mission, which in the ninja world represents betrayal of Konoha. Although his choice was to save his comrades, the village's leadership couldn't accept this behavior."
He paused, his eyes filled with self-reproach. "As the Hokage, I also bear an unshirkable responsibility for this. I failed to protect him, and I failed to quell the rumors in time. I... bear the greatest responsibility."