Both Hiruzen and Orochimaru froze in shock as a boy emerged from beneath the roof. It should have been impossible for anyone to bypass the barrier.
In disbelief, Orochimaru shouted, "H-hey! Kid, how did you get in here!?"
Akuma casually dusted the dirt off his Gi, answering with infuriating calm. "Oh, I was hiding in the attic the whole time. You guys rely on chakra for everything—it's way too easy to slip past unnoticed."
Hiruzen blinked, unable to believe what he was hearing. A dozen questions raced through his mind—how did Akuma really get here? Was he telling the truth? But there was no time to dwell. He called out urgently, "Akuma, my boy! Help me destroy this demon before he tears apart our precious village!" Hope burned in his old eyes.
Seeing Hiruzen's plea, Orochimaru's face twisted in panic. "Don't listen to him, boy!" he hissed. "That old fool is no saint. He pretends to be kind, but he secretly plots to experiment on you—your body, your power, your kekkei genkai! He sent ANBU to spy on you, and he plans to kill you in the next Chūnin Exams! Join me, and I'll grant you the power you crave—to become stronger than anyone else!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened. How does he know all of that…? There was no time to question it. His voice grew desperate. "Don't be deceived, Akuma! I know you're a good boy. Help me protect this village from him!"
Akuma listened to their bickering… then calmly sat cross-legged on the floor, pulled out a bag of popcorn, and started eating.
"I'm not here to help snake-shit or monkey-shit," he said flatly. "I'm just here to enjoy the show. Think of me as a passerby. Now, keep fighting. Try to kill each other. Don't mind me."
Both Hiruzen and Orochimaru stared at him in utter disbelief. Their supposed "last hope" had reduced their life-or-death battle to casual entertainment.
As the two continued desperately trying to sway him, Akuma only leaned back, eyes fixed on the unfolding chaos, savoring his popcorn. Finally realizing he wouldn't lift a finger, the two enemies turned back to each other—and their deadly struggle began.
Hiruzen, realizing he didn't have much time left before death claimed him, and that he was too weak to completely rip out Orochimaru's soul, gritted his teeth.
"Even if I cannot kill you," he rasped, "I will at least exchange my life for your hands. You will never again perform the jutsu you've worked for your whole life. Your hands will be sealed inside the belly of the Reaper, and you will suffer endlessly until you die. Can you see it, Orochimaru? The Reaper!"
Orochimaru's eyes widened as the towering Reaper pulled out its blade, ready to sever his soul's arms. Desperate, he pushed with all his strength, trying to drive the sword deeper into Hiruzen to end his life—but it was no use. His gaze darted frantically around the battlefield until it landed on Akuma, who was sitting leisurely nearby, eating popcorn.
"Hey! Kid! Stop eating and help me!" Orochimaru cried, hope flaring in his eyes. "I'll give you everything I have! Please, help me!"
Akuma stopped chewing, looking at him with unreadable eyes. Orochimaru's heart brimmed with new hope—only for Akuma to suddenly start clapping.
"CLAP! CLAP! CLAP! Excellent performance! Good acting, both of you. Keep it up!" Akuma cheered with a bright, mocking smile while continuing to eat.
Orochimaru's face twisted in rage. "I'll kill you, bastard!! Just you wait—I'll make you wish you were never born!" he screamed, cursing furiously even as the Reaper's knife closed in.
The blade drew nearer, and he shouted at Hiruzen, desperation overtaking his voice.
"You old fool! You can't do this! Do you know how hard I worked for these jutsu?! You cannot take them from me! Stop!! You cannot!!"
"For you, who are so obsessed with jutsu… this is appropriate," Hiruzen replied with a bloody smile.
The Reaper's blade slashed down, severing Orochimaru's soul's arms.
"NOOO!!" he screamed, his voice tearing through the battlefield. His physical arms began to rot, turning purple and useless. Panic gripped him.
"Give me back my arms, old man!!"
Hiruzen looked at his desperate cry and smiled faintly.
"You were unsuccessful in destroying the Leaf…" He coughed blood, his voice weakening. "…The leaves will dance—"
Before he could finish, a sudden fist smashed through his head, shattering it into blood and brain matter. Hiruzen's body collapsed headless to the ground, and the Reaper devoured his soul.
Akuma glanced down at the blood soaking his clothes and muttered with irritation, "Even when you're about to die, you're still talking about that stupid Leaf. Give it a rest, old man."
He turned toward Orochimaru, his expression cold.
"Well, your sensei is dead. What are you still doing here? Go join him."
Akuma's fist drew back, ready to strike. Orochimaru's eyes widened in terror—without his arms, he couldn't defend himself. He closed his eyes.
But at the last moment, one of his subordinates leapt in front of him, taking the blow. It was Jirōbō, the physically strongest among his men. Even so, the sheer force of Akuma's strike shattered both of Jirōbō's arms instantly.
The barrier collapsed, and the ANBU immediately rushed forward.
"Take me away from here!!" Orochimaru roared.
Two subordinates quickly grabbed him and fled, leaving two behind to stall Akuma.
Akuma's eyes narrowed as he saw Orochimaru retreat. He considered chasing, but decided it would be too much of a hassle with both Orochimaru's men and the ANBU in his way. There were more important things to focus on—like destroying the village.
The two Sound shinobi dashed to cover Orochimaru's retreat. Meanwhile, three ANBU closed in on Akuma.
He moved like a blur. In an instant, their chests were split open, their bodies dropping lifeless to the ground before they even realized they were dead.
Standing on the rooftop, blood staining his face, Akuma's gaze shifted as a system prompt appeared before him:
[ Bonus Mission: Eliminate one village Kage before you turn 10 years old — Successfully completed. ]
[ Reward: Jōnin-level chakra. Note: can only use Taijutsu. ]
[ Do you accept the reward? ]
"YES," Akuma growled.
Heat surged through his body. His muscles tensed as new power flowed within him. For the first time—he had chakra. His lips curled into a sharp smile.
Throwing his head back, he laughed maniacally, his blazing red eyes burning with madness.
"Finally… I have chakra. And today, this village will burn to ashes!! AHAHAA!!!"