"This is... the Hero Water from Takigakure?!"
The sharp-eyed among those present were visibly shaken at the sight of the item in Orochimaru's hand.
The Hero Water was legendary—drinking it granted the user chakra many times over at the cost of their own life force. It was akin to the Akimichi Clan's secret pills: allowed one to 'exchange life for power.'
"Excellent! With this, combined with our Akimichi clan's secret medicine, we'll definitely be able to sate the Box of Ultimate Bliss!"
Akimichi Torifu broke into a grin. He had been concerned that even with the help of chili pills, his chakra might not be sufficient to satisfy the Box of Ultimate Bliss. But now, with the Hero Water, all concerns vanished.
"Forget intelligence gathering for now. Orochimaru, give me the Hero Water!"
Torifu stepped forward to take the water, but at that very moment, a chubby youth behind him snatched the Hero Water from Orochimaru's hand—and gulped it down in one go.
"What?!"
"Sudō! You—!"
The sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard. Faces froze in disbelief, and Torifu stared in shock before rage overtook him.
"Sudō! What are you doing?! Why would you do that?!"
Though the Hero Water granted immense chakra, it also meant certain death. Torifu, already in his late fifties, didn't mind sacrificing himself. But Akimichi Sudō was different.
This boy was one of the rising stars of the Akimichi Clan—a true successor, someone meant to support Chōza in the future!
"Sorry, Lord Torifu," Sudō said with a sheepish grin, scratching his head. "My abilities are limited—I wouldn't be much help in this war. If I can be the key to unlocking the Box of Ultimate Bliss, then it would be an honor."
"Besides, I can't just watch you give up your life. You still need to lead the Akimichi Clan forward."
"Sudō ..."
"Mm!"
An overwhelming torrent of chakra burst from Sudō's body. He chuckled and pulled out three Akimichi secret pills from his ninja pouch.
Without hesitation, he stuffed all three into his mouth and began chewing them like they were candy.
In the next moment, his body erupted in a storm of chakra so powerful it spilled from his skin, like a hurricane of energy. The dual boost of Hero Water and secret pills turned Sudō into a terrifying beacon of raw chakra. His body couldn't withstand it—flesh tore under the pressure, and the once-brilliant azure wings now dripped with blood, cocooned like a giant moth larva unable to shed its skin, bleeding from within.
"What suffocating power..."
In the shadows, Yagura furrowed his brow and muttered gravely, "This chakra—it's on par with the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."
"A power born from trading one's life." Biwa Jūzō sneered, his eyes drifting toward Uchiha Shisui. "Old men watching a young boy barely past his youth give his life to protect Konoha... what a farce."
"Hey now, Jūzō, that's a bit much. Captain's still here." Kushimaru Kuriarare chided halfheartedly, though his gaze also settled on the silent Shisui.
"Ahh, my bad~"
Shisui said nothing. His pale mask hid all emotion, but beneath his cloak, the clenched fists revealed the turmoil in his heart.
"Konoha..."
"Leave it to me, everyone."
Sudō forced a smile, though by now his body was so bloated with chakra it was unrecognizable.
He staggered forward toward the ominous Box of Ultimate Blis. The chakra within him was so dense it had already shattered his muscles and even his bones.
Yet he walked—step by painful step—under the silent stares of the crowd, toward the front of the Box of Ultimate Blis.
"For... Konoha..."
"Wooo~~"
As the storm of chakra brushed the Box of Ultimate Bliss, its grotesque demonic face seemed to let out an eerie chuckle.
Whether it was hunger at the chakra before it—or mockery at this tragic, pitiful boy who thought his sacrifice noble—was unclear.
The horrific gate of the Box of Ultimate Blis creaked open. A powerful suction erupted from within as Sudō's chakra was sucked away at an alarming rate, streaming into the box as beams of energy.
The Box of Ultimate Blis devoured massive quantities of chakra. As more and more poured in, Sudō's entire body was eventually consumed, and the box began to tremble.
"It's coming."
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the Box of Ultimate Bliss—wondering just what form this ultimate weapon from the Sage of Six Paths' era would take to help end this war for Konoha.
Suddenly, the demonic face carved on the box changed.
Its terrifying mouth opened wide—and a figure slowly stepped out.
He wore the standard flak jacket of a Konoha jōnin and had a chubby build. At a glance, he stunned every Konoha ninja present.
"Su—Sudō?"
Akimichi Torifu stared in disbelief. "How can this be? Sudō , you..."
"You look disappointed to see me."
'Sudō ' tilted his head. His crimson eyes brimmed with malice, and a sadistic grin spread across his face.
"Torifu, get back! That's not Sudō!"
"Boom!!"
Minato Namikaze grabbed Torifu and vanished in a flash, barely escaping the explosion of violent chakra.
"Kyahahahaha..."
The imposter laughed maniacally. "Such delicious flesh... such exquisite fear! I never expected to feast so well right after awakening. Truly, thank you, Akimichi Sudō."
"I've seen into your heart, and rest assured—"
"I will grant your wish in the cruelest way possible. I'll crush Iwagakure and Kumogakure for you. And of course... I'll drag your beloved Konoha into hell right alongside you!"
Waves of pitch-black chakra billowed around him, forming a monstrous entity with jagged fangs and great wings.
The creature stomped the ground—shattering the terrain—then instantly formed a beast bomb-like energy sphere and hurled it at Konoha's forces.
"You bastard!"
What was supposed to be Konoha's ultimate trump card now turned against them. Minato had no time to think—he activated Flying Thunder God and warped the sphere away just in time.
Moments later, sirens blared across the battlefield. Konoha nin stared in terror at the airborne abomination.
Its grotesque face was ecstatic.
With a screech, it swooped and dove into the crowd—ripping over ten shinobi to pieces with claws and teeth, leaving nothing behind.
"Damn that Sarutobi! What intel did he get?!"
Shimura Danzō's face darkened. "This isn't a weapon—it's a disaster."
Had they not hidden it on the outskirts of camp, Konoha would've already been thrown into chaos.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
"Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Jutsu!"
Elite shinobi launched a barrage of coordinated ninjutsu, instantly recognizing this creature was no ally. No hesitation—they attacked full force.
But the creature spread its wings and soared upward, effortlessly dodging every strike.
"It can fly?!"
A chill sank into everyone's hearts.
Flight—so rare among shinobi that you could count those capable on one hand.
And this monster, with a body the size of a Tailed Beast, could fly—greatly enhancing its combat prowess.
"Use large-scale jutsu! Bring it down!"
Danzō ordered. Shinobi formed hand seals rapidly.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"
"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Jutsu!"
Uchiha Fugaku coordinated with Danzō's wind jutsu to amplify the flames.
Meanwhile, Minato re-entered the fray—throwing a kunai and using Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu.
Thousands of shuriken rained down, combining with the ongoing barrage.
Yet—
The monster twisted midair with impossible agility, dodging everything. Then it retaliated—launching feather-like projectiles that downed several Konoha shinobi.
It dived again, claws shredding more ninja to pieces.
"Kyahahaha! That's it! That's the look! Fear! Panic! Death!"
"SAIKOU DA!!" (This is the best!!)
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!!"
Kushina Uzumaki's furious cry echoed as her sealing chains surged forth to bind the creature.
But even sealing techniques potent enough for Tailed Beasts failed—it dodged with ease!
"Impossible..."
"Lord Torifu, Lord Danzō, hold the line! Don't let Iwa or Kumo exploit this! Lord Orochimaru, we're using that!"
Minato returned to Kushina's side, clutching his special kunai. "Kushina, prep for sealing."
"Right!"
Though some exchanged strange glances at Minato's authority, none opposed.
Minato and Orochimaru locked eyes and simultaneously bit their thumbs—hands sealing.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke, the massive Gamabunta and a three-headed serpent appeared.
"Minato? Long time no see... What, is this a summit meeting?"
"And why summon this three-headed freak instead of Manda?"
Orochimaru frowned—he would've preferred Manda, but the beast was still recovering from being blown apart by Hōzuki Gengetsu.
"Enough talk—let's—"
"Wait! Why is the Box of Ultimate Bliss here, and Satori?!"
Gamabunta interrupted, eyes locked on the box and the laughing monster. "This is the ultimate weapon from the Sage of Six Paths' era! What in the world are you doing?!"
"Satori?" Minato's face lit up. "Bunta, you know what that thing is?"
"Of course!"
"ROAR!!"
A chakra sphere surged their way. Gamabunta leapt to dodge. The rather clumsy Three-Headed Serpent couldn't dodge in time, forcing Orochimaru to summon Rashōmon for protection.
"That thing's the monster sealed inside the Box of Ultimate Bliss—a nightmare that wants to suck the entire world into the box! Why would you provoke it?!"
"I see..."
Minato's expression turned sheepish. He couldn't exactly say Konoha wanted to use the Bliss Box to fight Iwa and Kumo.
"So what do we do, Bunta? Any way to beat it?"
"No way. You can't win head-on—it has to be sealed." Gamabunta growled. "But it can fly, so sealing it will be tough. And if it's not taken down fast, it'll rampage and fully awaken the Box of Ultimate Bliss to devour everything!"
"Whole countries were wiped out back then because of this thing!"
"Then..."
Minato's expression hardened. "There's only one option..."
"Hm? You've got a plan?"
"Yeah..."
Minato vanished—reappearing next to Kushina.
"Kushina, give me chakra."
"I'm going to teleport this thing—to Iwagakure!"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin