The Vajra Ruyi Cudgel, which suddenly hurtled straight toward his abdomen, disrupted his thoughts. He raised his longsword to block it, but after retreating again, he found himself in a deadly predicament.
Countless trees, constantly being nurtured by Hashirama Senju, had spread across the entire area. And looking at the Water Breaker Wave that was relentlessly chasing after Hiruzen Sarutobi, Orochimaru knew that even if he had perfectly controlled their actions with his technique, he would still be able to achieve his goal.
However, the inherent flaws of the Impure World Reincarnation technique were also fully exposed to him.
"Old man, it's no use! You won't last much longer. If it were ten years ago, I would have turned and run when I saw you, but now, even without them, you are no match for me!"
As the longswords and clubs clashed, the two agile figures constantly dodged various area-of-effect attacks from Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.
Relying on his youth and strength, along with the Great Serpent Style Substitution Technique, he took a hit from the Vajra Ruyi Jingu Bang, and finally seized the opportunity to pierce Hiruzen Sarutobi's chest with a sword.
Looking at his teacher, who was already kneeling on the ground and clearly nearing the end of his life, Orochimaru's eyes flashed with a mixture of melancholy and joy.
Disappointingly, his teacher finally brought Konoha to the day he had imagined, that corrupt and dark day.
What pleased him most was that he was extremely satisfied with the funeral, because from this day forward, the Third Hokage had become a hero who protected Konoha.
All the filth and stains have been erased from the name of Hiruzen Sarutobi. All that remains for Konoha is the strongest Hokage whom everyone respects, known as the Third Hokage, the expert in ninjutsu and the hero of ninja!
However, even as he silently stopped Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, and was about to offer his final salute to his teacher who was truly beyond saving, the phantom of the Grim Reaper suddenly appeared behind Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"What?!"
"Orochimaru, come to hell with me!"
The lion's dying roar was awe-inspiring. After glancing at Lin Nian, who had exchanged wounds for wounds and completely suppressed Rasa, and confirming that he was beyond saving and that countless Jonin and Chunin troops had arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled sadly and hugged Orochimaru tightly.
When did this start?
I remember when I was young, I was chosen by Tobirama Senju to be the Third Hokage because I was willing to sacrifice myself to give everyone a chance to live.
Later, although Shimura Danzo was somewhat resentful, he had initially formed a life-or-death alliance with him, willing to fall into darkness for the sake of a bright future for Konoha.
At that time, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio fully supported Akimichi Torifu's call. Although the Uchiha clan had some internal discord, they fought to the death out of respect for Uchiha Kagami and their love for Konoha, almost bleeding out an entire generation.
With the help of countless juniors and through strategic planning, he won the Third Shinobi World War, cementing his title as a shinobi hero.
At that time, he was incredibly powerful, and it was perfectly justified and reasonable for him to call himself the strongest Hokage. Once he issued his orders, no one in Konoha dared to disobey.
But when did this change?
It was after witnessing the power of the Uchiha clan that he became wary of them and began to suppress them in every way.
Was it after they had used him and then discarded him, using a scheme to force Hatake Shigeru to his death?
Was this done after making an example of someone to deter others, suppressing the Hyuga clan, and putting pressure on all the ninja clans of Konoha?
Was it after he coveted power and used underhanded tactics to usurp all of the Fourth Hokage's authority?
Or should he seize the opportunity to reclaim the Hokage throne after the Fourth Hokage's death? Perhaps he could completely exterminate the entire Uchiha clan, hoping the Hokage position could be passed down forever in the Sarutobi clan, just as it was in the Senju clan?
However, none of that matters anymore.
The two shadow clones that had already taken the opportunity to separate finally managed to hug Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju, who were completely unable to resist, and looked at the boy who was only 12 years old and could suppress Kage-level opponents.
While feeling life slip away and clinging tightly to Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly sensed a chill emanating from Lin Nian.
How could Deng do this?
For eight long years, without any interruption in surveillance, he had made sure that everything about this boy was under his watchful eye. He was clearly being trained in his plan to become the most suitable sword for Konoha. As long as the new Hokage still loved Konoha, he would become that Hokage's most loyal supporter, even with his flaws.
He had spent eight years crafting this knife, but why did it, which should have been as easy to use as his own arm, keep spitting out a cold glint at him?
Is that really the case?
He turned and glanced at Orochimaru, who was struggling frantically but unable to escape, and then at the Jonin and Chunin who were all shaken to their core after seeing the Wood Release: Kamui.
Especially after not seeing Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, a pang of fear rushed into his mind, but it was all too late.
Death, who was already impatient, together with the caster, took away the souls of the four people present.
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi was confirmed to be alive, Rasa, who was still full of energy, was also completely sealed away at this moment by countless branches engraved with the Four Symbols Seal.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead and panting, Lin Nian looked at the Sound Four Ninja who were surrounded by Konoha ninjas, took a few steps forward, stood in front of them, and calmly gave them instructions.
"Orochimaru has many life-saving ninjutsu, and the means to revive him might be on them. Right now, defeating the Sand Ninja is Konoha's top priority. We can't worry about that now. Leave one alive and kill the rest!"
With that, he reached out and pulled out the wary Tayuya, while the remaining three were killed by the combined fire of numerous Chunin and Jonin.
The outstretched branches instantly bound Tayuya completely. After casually growing a cork resembling a light bulb in his palm, he directly stuffed Tayuya's mouth shut as she was cursing, pressed her down, and then saw the Earth Curse Mark on her neck.
After sensing for a while, he finally spoke.
“There is indeed a soul aura here, but it is very incomplete. If my senses are correct, Orochimaru may be able to revive using what’s inside. However, if he revives here, he will most likely become mentally disabled. But just in case, let’s capture him first!”
"Leave one team to handle the Third Hokage's funeral arrangements, and the rest will be led by their respective Jonin to intercept the Sand Ninja. I must stay here to suppress the reanimated versions of Shukaku and the Fourth Kazekage, because I am no match for the First Hokage now!"
After saying that, he coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, which frightened all the Jonin into taking a step forward.
After all, a 12-year-old who can suppress the village's Kage and Shukaku, especially when he's on their side, everyone has to protect him, right?
"Go quickly! Although I am not bad at dealing with Kage-level opponents, I believe that ordinary elite Jonin will not be able to get close to me."
After saying that, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto Uzumaki, both exuding murderous aura, arrived here like two streaks of light using a Body Flicker Technique.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
