"That… that's Lightning Release: Shadow Clone?" Orochimaru was stunned. He'd been observing the battle, focusing on Kai, but hadn't noticed the jutsu's activation.
A lightning-wreathed hand appeared behind him, enlarging rapidly in his vision. A chill ran down his spine.
Lightning Cutter!
Lightning flashed, and Orochimaru's head flew into the air. Blood splattered as Orochimaru's headless body retreated, stopping several meters away.
Flesh pulsed at the severed neck, and a bloody head popped out—a gruesome sight that made many onlookers retch.
Orochimaru was known for his repulsive methods. This time, it was just decapitation; otherwise, he might have performed his signature "headless" trick.
"Orochimaru, you're as disgusting as ever. I killed you once, and I almost did it again. Your escape skills are as impressive as your talk," Kai said warmly, his smile unnerving.
The lightning clone dissipated.
Orochimaru's face burned with shame. He glared at Kai, who remained unfazed amidst the snakes, his fingers nearly shattering from rage.
He was boneless, so shattering them was impossible. Worse, Konoha now knew he'd been killed twice by the same junior ninja. He couldn't tolerate this.
"I… I understand now! You planted this during your Lightning Release: Shadow Clone lesson! You planned this!" Tozai exclaimed, suddenly realizing.
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged shocked glances. They'd been wary during the Hokage election but hadn't anticipated Kai's thoroughness—secretly deploying lightning clones.
Had he foreseen Orochimaru and Danzo's attack from the start? The thought was terrifying.
Silence fell over the hall as the snake chaos subsided. Seeing Orochimaru subdued, Danzo's expression darkened.
"Danzo, surrender. The Konoha gates are sealed. You and Orochimaru can't escape," the Third Hokage said, his voice firm.
The ninjas braced themselves. The snake attack was a surprise, but they were battle-hardened. Escaping Konoha with such a tactic was a fool's errand.
"Sarutobi, you know I acted for Konoha," Danzo said, his face twisted in madness, his knuckles white as he gripped his kunai.
"Don't push me. I want to escape. Otherwise, don't blame me."
His words sent chills down everyone's spines. From anyone else, it would be a threat, but from a Konoha advisor, it was a serious warning.
"Heh, I'll push you anyway," Kai said, looking towards a nearby corner. "Bringing your lackeys to a rave? Come out."
"There are others?" Jiraiya and the others' faces fell. Danzo's collusion with Orochimaru and his acquisition of a Sharingan arm were already grave offenses.
If he'd secretly collaborated with others, the situation would drastically change.
"Danzo, is Kai telling the truth?" the Third Hokage asked, his voice grim. "Did you secretly ally with others?"
Everyone's faces paled. Kai's words had been speculation, but now, coming from the Hokage, they held a different weight. All eyes were on Danzo.
Danzo's expression was dark, his eyes filled with hatred. "Good. That Uchiha brat. If I'd known how troublesome he'd be, I would have killed him in his crib. He ruined my plans and forced my hand."
"Heh, why not say you wanted me dead at birth?" Kai retorted. "Let me guess—besides Kirigakure, there's Iwagakure and Kumogakure, right?"
Three villages?
Everyone's faces turned ashen. Colluding with Orochimaru was a serious crime, but adding Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Iwagakure was treasonous.
It was inviting wolves into the fold. If not for the end of the war and the expedited Hokage election, which had recalled many ninjas, the secret alliance could have plunged Konoha into an unprecedented crisis.
Danzo and Orochimaru's faces darkened. They'd secretly colluded with Kirigakure, expecting it to remain undetected. Kai's revelation of Iwagakure and Kumogakure was shocking.
A horrifying thought struck them: was the Third Raikage's death connected to Kai?
"Heh, this is more exciting than I expected," a discordant voice echoed from the hall's side entrance.
An elder from Kirigakure, clad in an elder's robe, entered, his cane tapping against the floor. He was followed by over thirty Kirigakure Anbu and several familiar faces.
"My god, it's the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! that shark-faced guy with the big sword…"
"Is that the full lineup? Are all seven here?"
"Your information is outdated. Uchiha Kai supposedly killed two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen at the northwest outpost. The new faces are probably replacements…"
The Kirigakure elder and his ninjas nearly stumbled. He'd gathered Kirigakure's strongest force to confront Konoha, only to be labeled as "replacement scum." He couldn't swallow this insult.
He slammed his cane down, his eyes blazing. "Sarutobi, long time no see. Hand him over, or face our wrath!"
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