However, after Orochimaru and the others approached, they discovered that the number of people who had escaped was far greater than they had expected. Not only were there people from Hidden Cloud Village, but also from Hidden Mist Village and Hidden Rock Village.
"What's going on?"
Orochimaru's mind was racing.
"Sarutobi-sensei, it seems the three Ninja Villages have already planned to join forces."
"It looks like the thoughts that Tobirama-sama and I had were correct."
"If we had taken a more conservative approach, we would only be waiting to face the combined attack of those three Ninja Villages."
"But now, we've stumbled upon their alliance."
"This is a great opportunity to kill the Kages of all three Ninja Villages here!"
"Then, we will gain a significant amount of time."
"These three Ninja Villages will fall into temporary chaos."
Konoha still needs time.
Time to find more and better-suited Ninja for Impure World Reincarnation.
Time to improve the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
The one who benefits most from the current Impure World Reincarnation is undoubtedly Senju Tobirama.
The focus was mainly on the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, leveraging the power of the explosive tags. However, Might Duy could only open up to the sixth gate.
Sarutobi Sasuke, Kushina Uzumaki, and Sakumo Hatake—compared to when they were alive, their strength was considerably reduced.
But Orochimaru believed that as long as he perfected the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, the resurrected ninja would increasingly approach their peak strength from when they were alive. Additionally, they would possess the characteristic of immortality.
"Kill them!"
Just as the Fourth Raikage rushed out, he encountered a head-on attack from Jiraiya.
"Fire Release, Big Flame Bullet!"
A mass of fire, mixed with oil, made the Fire Release much fiercer than usual.
Jiraiya was holding in a lot of emotion. Even though he knew he shouldn't, when he heard about Dan Kato's death, Jiraiya couldn't help but feel a small sense of relief.
Dan Kato was around, and Jiraiya knew he had no chance. Without Dan Kato, he had a sliver of hope.
But after decades of being dead, Dan Kato had now returned to the ninja world in the form of an Impure World Reincarnation body. Jiraiya felt that even that small glimmer of hope was now gone.
Yet, he couldn't express this feeling aloud. All he could do was channel all his anger and frustration into this battle, throwing his entire focus into the fight, temporarily pushing aside all the thoughts in his mind. Doing so made Jiraiya feel a little better.
When people are in a bad mood, they often like to vent through intense actions.
The Fourth Raikage could clearly sense that the current Jiraiya was much more forceful than during their previous two encounters.
"Damn Konoha ninja!"
"They actually noticed our intentions and launched a surprise attack on us!"
"Could there be a traitor among the three villages?"
"This Jiraiya has gone mad!"
"It's like he's on something!"
The situation was dire, not just for the Fourth Raikage's side. Both of the Fourth Raikage's bodyguards, two of Onoki's bodyguards, and one of Yagura's guards—a young member of the Karatachi Clan who was highly valued by Yagura—all died in Senju Tobirama's surprise attack using the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags.
Out of the six bodyguards, only Hozuki Izumo survived, as his strength was on a higher level. Additionally, Lightning Release ninjas have a great speed advantage, allowing him to escape in time.
However, Konoha's ninjas numbered five in total: Orochimaru, Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Dan Kato, and Jiraiya. Not one of them was weak.
With the intelligence from outside still unknown, the newly formed alliance between the three great Ninja Villages became extremely fragile.
Husband and wife are like birds in the same forest, but when disaster strikes, they fly apart. All the more so for a temporary alliance.
Rather than worrying about the future fate of their villages, the current situation was far more urgent. Staying alive was their only hope. If they died here, their villages would undoubtedly fall into a worse situation.
All three Kage thought the same thing.
Staying here and continuing to fight against Konoha's ninjas would only lead to being slowly beaten to death by them.
"Retreat!"
Yagura glanced back. The corpse of the young subordinate could no longer be seen. Yagura's eyes turned bloodshot.
"Konoha, I will never forgive you!"
Hozuki Izumo followed closely at Yagura's side.
"Chase them!"
But Konoha's ninjas would not let such an opportunity slip by easily. Two figures rapidly pursued them.
One of them was Orochimaru.
The other figure was Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Jiraiya was battling the Fourth Raikage.
Senju Tobirama was fighting Onoki.
Meanwhile, Dan Kato was hiding, preparing to use the Spirit Transformation Jutsu.
The first one to be attacked was the Fourth Raikage. However, this time, he was different from before.
Last time, the Fourth Raikage was caught off guard by the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags and severely injured. As a result, he struggled greatly when facing Jiraiya.
But now, the Fourth Raikage had recovered. This time, because of his previous experience with Senju Tobirama's Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags, he reacted more quickly and didn't suffer much damage.
Additionally, when his two bodyguards sensed danger, they voluntarily shielded the Fourth Raikage, helping him avoid a lot of damage.
While Senju Tobirama's Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags were indeed terrifying...
However, outside the building, there were still many Hidden Cloud Village ninjas. At that moment, all of them were providing support to the Fourth Raikage.
"Izumo, buy me some time!"
"Yes, Mizukage-sama."
Hozuki Izumo glanced back at Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen, who were closing in.
"Lightning Release, Lightning Strike!"
A lightning ball appeared, positioned perfectly to block Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen's path.
As the two approached, the lightning on the ball seemed to be drawn to them. A bolt of lightning suddenly surged toward both of them.
"Wind Release!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes flickered. While running, he quickly formed hand signs, using Wind Release to break through Hozuki Izumo's Lightning Release.
Hozuki Izumo narrowed his eyes.
"It seems I'll have to put in more effort if I'm going to buy Mizukage-sama the time he needs."
"Then bring it on."
"Let's see if your Wind Release can truly suppress my Lightning Release!"
"Let's see if your Wind Release is stronger than Shimura Danzo's."
"Let's see if my Lightning Release is weaker than Raiga-san's!"
Hozuki Izumo had a sense of comparison in his heart. Both he and Kurosuki Raiga had wielded the Thunder Swords. Additionally, both of them possessed lightning-attribute Zanpakuto.
Hozuki Izumo didn't harbor any hostility toward Kurosuki Raiga. However, given the chance, he wanted to prove that he was stronger than Kurosuki Raiga.
"Judge them, Thunder God's Rage!"
An even greater amount of chakra than before was poured into Thunder God's Rage by Hozuki Izumo.
A much larger lightning ball than before appeared in midair.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression grew serious.
"Sarutobi-sensei, be careful," Orochimaru warned.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
"I know."
"The power of this Lightning Release has already surpassed what my Wind Release can counter."
"A mere ordinary Lightning Release ninja, gaining a Zanpakuto, can unleash such an attack."
"Truly a formidable presence."
"It's said that Hozuki Izumo betrayed his own family and relied on Yagura to gain the right to wield the Thunder God's Rage."
"Does using such a tool really give him peace of mind?"
"If that's the case, then…"
"Summoning Jutsu!"
The next moment, Enma appeared.
"Enma, transform into the Adamantine Staff!"
Enma did not hesitate.
Sarutobi Hiruzen gripped the Adamantine Staff.
"Adamantine Staff, Gale!"
A fierce wind surged toward the massive lightning ball in midair.
But it was far from enough.
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't expect to dismantle Hozuki Izumo's ninjutsu with just a bit of wind. Instead, he hurled the Adamantine Staff toward the enormous lightning ball.
At the same time, the Adamantine Staff extended dramatically.
One end pierced into the lightning ball, while the other plunged into the ground.
Immediately, the lightning energy from the massive lightning ball began to flow uncontrollably down the Adamantine Staff into the earth.
Enma grimaced in pain, and its metallic surface oozed a red liquid, resembling rust stains.
However, the power of the lightning ball was significantly diminished.
Hozuki Izumo's pupils constricted.
"You're actually able to counter my ninjutsu like this?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Hozuki Izumo calmly.
"Don't think that just because I haven't made a move in years, means I wasn't once a renowned ninja in my day. My experience and skills far exceed those of you younger generations."
Hozuki Izumo's expression darkened.
"Izumo, don't worry. You've already bought me enough time."
Yagura completed his hand seals.
"Water Release, Water Mirror Jutsu!"
A special mirror appeared beside Yagura, facing the direction of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru, just waiting to reflect the two.
Once the reflection was complete, the Water Mirror Jutsu could create two copies.
These copies would be enough to hold off Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen for a short time.
Orochimaru smirked.
"Mizukage, that same technique won't work on me."
"I'm waiting for this moment."
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Orochimaru bit his fingertip and slammed it against the ground.
In the next moment, an enormous figure appeared in front of Orochimaru, blocking the way of both him and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Orochimaru!"
The voice that rang out was Manda's angry roar.
Last time, during Orochimaru's battle while summoning Manda, things ended poorly for Manda—his tail was severed and became a trophy of the Hidden Mist Village, standing proudly in the plaza.
Manda not only harbored a deep hatred for the Hidden Mist Village but also loathed Orochimaru.
What angered Manda even more was that he had thought Orochimaru would compensate him, but to his surprise, Orochimaru had never contacted him.
This led Manda to vow that once Orochimaru summoned him again, he would respond.
And the first thing he would do upon being summoned was to kill Orochimaru!
Thus, Manda didn't even glance at anything else and charged straight at Orochimaru.
"Die!"
Manda opened his massive jaws and lunged at Orochimaru.
However, before that could happen, a powerful force slammed into Manda's body, sending him flying.
Turning back, Manda saw a snake of similar size displaying a fierce expression at him.
It was the copy created by Yagura's Water Mirror Jutsu.
Since Manda was blocking Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen, Yagura's Water Mirror Jutsu only replicated one Manda.
The replication ability of the Water Mirror Jutsu was incredibly strong, even replicating Manda's missing half-tail without any difference.
As the Water Mirror Jutsu copy attacked Manda, Orochimaru took the opportunity to create distance. At the same time, he pulled out something that looked like a glass vial and smashed it onto the ground.
"Boom!"
A light purple smoke immediately spread throughout the nearby area.
Orochimaru dashed toward Yagura at an incredible speed.
In this situation, Manda could only counterattack the copy.
Moreover, Orochimaru's attack on Yagura came very quickly, leaving Yagura no time to control the Manda copy.
Orochimaru successfully restrained the power of Yagura's Water Mirror Jutsu using a Manda that should not have been an ally.
At this point, even if Yagura canceled the Water Mirror Jutsu, the Chakra already consumed could not be replenished.
Furthermore, Yagura could not be certain if Manda truly regarded Orochimaru as an enemy.
If Manda's earlier behavior was just an act, then Yagura would find it impossible to use Water Mirror Jutsu a second time.
Once he faced simultaneous attacks from both Orochimaru and Manda, with a significant loss of Chakra, there would be virtually no chance of escaping.
The current situation was too critical.
Thus, Yagura dared not gamble.
It wasn't just about the battle; in fact, this is true for humans, no, for all living beings.
Choices with high rewards often come with high risks.
Those who have the capacity to bear risks can make such choices.
Those without that capacity will inevitably hesitate.
For a moment, Hozuki Izumo and Yagura both found themselves at a disadvantage.
The two fought while retreating, and the situation became increasingly dire.
Orochimaru glanced in the direction of Sarutobi Hiruzen.
In Orochimaru's memory, it had been a long time since he last fought alongside Sarutobi Hiruzen as teacher and student. Now, once again fighting side by side, Orochimaru felt a bit complicated.
To be honest, Orochimaru couldn't even recall when he and his sensei started to grow distant.
Sarutobi Hiruzen noticed Orochimaru's gaze and quickly looked away.
What Sarutobi Hiruzen was contemplating was that his previous views on Orochimaru, his previous views on the village, and some choices he had made might not have been so correct after all.
Orochimaru gained the recognition of Senju Tobirama.
The Minato Namikaze he chose, however, died early.
At first, Sarutobi Hiruzen was very resistant to the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.
When he realized that there was no other way to save Konoha except for the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu, Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to agree to the method, although he still felt resistance towards it.
However, with the return of Sarutobi Sasuke, and seeing him in person,
Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt that Sasuke's resurrection might not be such a bad thing after all.
In fact, it seemed quite good.
Does that mean the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu... no, it should be called the Heroic Spirit Jutsu now, isn't such a terrible ninjutsu?
As long as the resurrected person agrees, it seems there's really nothing wrong with it.
Moreover, it could compensate for many people's regrets.
Suddenly, Sarutobi Hiruzen had the idea of wanting to reincarnate Sarutobi Biwako.
Suddenly, Orochimaru's pupils constricted.
"Sarutobi-sensei, be careful!"
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