Baki and his team stood watching the clash between the shinobi of Oto and Konoha. Those from Konoha are weary of them but did not attack in fear of a pincer attack from both forces at the event of unsolicited provocation while those from Oto who was briefed prior to the operation are confused by the inaction of their supposed allies.
"What are you doing? Attack Konoha!"
A shinobi from Oto roared as he fended off the flying projectiles that targeted him. Seing the sand merely standing there to preserve their forces he almost instantly knew they have been betrayed. He gritted his teeth and slashed the throat of an opposing shinobi with the kunai in his hand.
"Bloody traitors! Suna comes next if you ever decide to make a move against Lord Orochimaru."
Baki scoffed at the Oto shinobi.
"The plans we agreed on changed when your Lord decided to kill our Kazekage. Boys, get rid of these trash."
The bodies of the shinobi behind Baki bulged and began attacking those from Otogakure. They are like reapers in the battlefield, moving in and out as they ganged upon the weakest links before decimating entire teams of the enemy forces. Unlike conventional teams of three plus one, Suna made use of five-man teams plus a jonin leader set-up. Discounting the teams with people using eight gates-body activation techniques, the number advantage alone made it difficult for enemies to face a one on one battle with Suna.
This did not mean that there weren't any casualties in this battle but when compared to those of Oto and Konoha, their damage is only meager at best.
"We aren't your enemies so I suggest you spread the news fast because my men will retaliate to unprovoked attacks with their all."
The leader who is monitoring Baki gritted his teeth Suna can only be considered to be defending themselves? They have already kill a lot of his men who made an attemt to attack them, but making an enemy out of them in this already chaotic battlefield is definitely not a wise move.
"This is Eagle, stand down on all assaults towards the shinobi of Suna and focus on fending off those from Oto. Reinforcements from the border are in bound ETA one hour."
Konoha shinobi engaged in combat with those from Suna retreated and regrouped probably to coordinate an attack towards the shinobi from Oto. Unlike in canon where Suna summoned a three headed snake in order to cause chaos in the walls of Konoha, only Oto shinobi and Konoha can be seen clashing with each other. This caused some gap in numbers and fire power between the two faction where Konoha took the advantage of having more shinobi in its employ to the fullest.
Those from Oto could only rely on unconventional techniques that mutated their appearances into monstrous beings or the modifications in their body in order to cope with the increasing number of enemies. The shinobi from Suna found themselves enjoying the show while gathering precious corpses that can be exchanged for points later.
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Kimimaro's edo tensei can be seen fighting the third alongside Orochimaru. His bone spikes protruded on the roof like a beautiful white forest. He gave it his all in order to please his Lord. The devastation that he felt when he found out about his sickness motivated him to work harder than usual in order to be of some use to his Lord. When he found out that the resurrection of the previous Kages failed for some unknown reason, he volunteered/proposed to forfeit his life for a chance to help his Lord's cause.
'It all paid off.'
His efforts in training his kekei genkai with the help of the cursed seal of earth is a deadly combination that can be said to be unmatched in a one on one battle. With unlimited chakra and an imortal body he is blessed with by his Lord's edo tensei, be believed he can finally do more for his Lord.
Bones pierced the Hokage once again despite the interventions of monkey king Enma, this time the hit should be fatal but to his disappointment the third poofed off and turned into a log with explosive tags a simple but effective technique that caused him delays.
"The young will replace the old. Die old man!"
Orochimaru stretched his body as he sent his snakes towards his mentor.
"Sarutobi what are you doing? This is not the time to be soft, quit hesitating and focus or Konoha will burn to ash. Finish him!"
The old man who had a sliver of hope that he could change the mind of his student closed his eyes, his heart regained its peace as soon as the tear that slid down his face left his skin.
"Give me some time."
Sarutobi sighed while Enma engaged with Kimimaro in an intense fight. The hokage spun Enma's rod to get rid of the snakes before trowing it towards Orochimaru. The rod became larger as it came closer to hitting the already outstretched hands of Orochimaru. Orochimaru flew backwards after the hit when he suddenly got caught by clones. The third then summoned the grim reaper through the death seal further disabling Orochimaru's retaliation.
Kimimaro who saw this by the side knew that his Lord is in danger and began to increase his attacks. Enma could barely hold him down now so he screamed for the Third to hurry.
"You left me no choice. Acompany me through the Yellow Springs of hell my dear student!"
Orochimaru gawked after seeing his sould being dragged out of his body in the hands of the Grimm reaper.
"You old dotard, DIE!"
Kusanagi flew in the air and pierced Sarutobi from behind (-.-).
"You shitty OLD MAN! WHY DIDN'T YOU DODGE!?"
The third could only laugh.
"The Grimm reaper will devour my soul as per contract so I am already bound to death after activating this technique. There's no point in dodging anymore. OROCHIMARU! LET'S DIE!"
The third spat out blood as he watched a bloody bone spike on his chest the area where his heart is located became a fist sized hole that dripped with crimson blood.
"Hahahaha I'd like to talk more but you have to go now. KILL HIM KIMIMARO!"
Kimimaro flew from a kick as he was aiming for Sarutobi's head.
"I'm sorry Saru, the boy had a strange technique with him. I guess its too late but those gray bones aren't something one should be hit by."
Enma's right hand which the monkey king removed himself disintegrated into dust.
"Hurry!"
Enma fought Kimimaro more defensively than before. The Third's haggard breaths put a mocking smile on Orochimaru his soul already started to retract which could only mean that he will be unaffected if his teacher died before the Grimm reaper can devour his soul. He began to urge Kusanagi forward to further push his mentor towards his death.
"It seems I don't have what it takes to kill you completely. Such a shame. Don't worry, I have already figured out the best punishment for you. Reaper Death Seal! TAKE HIS ARMS WITH ME!"
The Grimm reaper pulled and sliced the soul equivalent of Orochimaru's arms. It threw the souls into its mouth and chewed with relish before vanishing. The Hokage watched his student rant but could not hear him any longer, he reminised about the good old days and then died with a smile on his face. Perhaps this is the kind of death someone like him deserved? Nobody knows.
Orochimaru clicked his tongue as he watched his teacher lying on a bloodied pool. He still felt empty inside of him. No happiness, not even sadness, he felt nothing.
Kimimaro quickly supported Orochimaru.
"Its time to go. The mission is terminated."
The four from Oto quickly responded and deactivated the barrier which soon disappeared while Orochimaru with his subordinates quickly escaped the scene without much resistance.
[Retreat.]
At the same time, a retreat command was issued to all Suna shinobi. The fighting stopped but the devastation of Konoha remained.
"You are a little tardy, but you're here. Have you decided?"
Gaara asked the blonde boy who had whisker marks in his face. Naruto nodded.
"One tails worth of chakra. Is that right?"
"Yep, no more no less. Just like we agreed on."
"Where's the information?"
Naruto asked, no matter how nice Gaara acted towards him he always felt like the guy is plotting something.
"Right here."
Gaara threw a scroll towards Naruto. It contains all the information he wanted.
"I've done my part. Now honor the agreement."
Naruto did not respond but threw a scroll from his purse.
"We're even. Goodbye."
"Yeah, see you then."
Gaara waved the scroll and vanished.