To the two ANBU, that calm voice sounded like the icy whisper of death itself.
In an instant, cold sweat beaded on their foreheads, and every hair on their bodies stood up.
Zeldris's tone was detached—utterly devoid of emotion. It was like listening to fate itself being passed down by the god of death.
They slowly raised their heads, meeting the expressionless face of Zeldris hovering in mid-air.
Not a single breath escaped their lips. They froze, rooted in place—not daring to move recklessly after witnessing the strange and terrifying power he'd just displayed.
With Orochimaru beside them, they could only stand protectively before Hiruzen.
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, narrowed his eyes, studying Zeldris intently.
That last technique—his jutsu had been absorbed. He was certain of it.
Zeldris had picked up some kind of obscure, advanced technique… something even Hiruzen hadn't encountered before.
His expression turned grim.
If ninjutsu won't work…
"Taijutsu, then."
Only physical strikes might have a chance at bypassing Zeldris's unknown defenses.
With that conclusion, he spoke to the ANBU in a low, commanding voice:
"Do as I said before. Orochimaru is your priority."
Then without hesitation, Hiruzen's fingers blurred into hand signs.
He slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu… Ape Demon!"
With a burst of smoke, Enma appeared beside him.
High above, Zeldris chuckled lightly, amused by the unfolding scene.
He glanced at Orochimaru below, his tone mocking:
"Orochimaru… looks like your teacher finally noticed me."
"Let me handle him. I'll leave him barely breathing—for you."
Orochimaru's eye twitched. A dark expression settled over his face.
So that old fossil, Sarutobi Hiruzen, deemed Zeldris the biggest threat?
Seriously?
He was the one who orchestrated this entire invasion!
Shouldn't this battlefield be his stage?!
He clenched his fists tightly, his thoughts darkening.
Even now… you're still underestimating me, old man?!
Just like before… always favoring others over me…
Orochimaru's lips curled in a silent snarl. He was determined—this time, he'd make Hiruzen recognize his brilliance. His evolution.
But before he could act, the two ANBU moved.
They darted forward in perfect sync, charging straight at Orochimaru!
Orochimaru cursed under his breath, shooting Hiruzen a venomous glance before bracing for combat.
Steel clashed in a blur of movements as Orochimaru began fighting back.
Meanwhile, Zeldris calmly landed on a nearby rooftop.He didn't even look at Orochimaru anymore. His gaze was locked solely on Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The corner of his lips lifted into a faint smile.
"So, you really want to fight me, huh?"
"Very well... let's play, old man."
His pupils shifted—slowly turning a vibrant shade of violet, glowing with an otherworldly light.
"!?"
Hiruzen's body tensed the moment he saw the change.
His seasoned instincts screamed danger.
"Purple... eyes?"
He had never seen this before.
No ripples like the Rinnegan. No tomoe like the Sharingan.Just a haunting, glowing lavender hue, calm and full of menace.
A chill crept down his spine.
This wasn't the Zeldris he once knew.
His presence had changed completely—he now radiated a depth and mystery Hiruzen couldn't place.
Zeldris's voice broke his thoughts:
"Orochimaru, handle the clean-up once you're done with those two."
"Assuming, of course… this old man survives that long."
Even the ANBU locked in combat with Orochimaru paused for a split second.
Zeldris's tone was not arrogance—it was certainty.
Was this guy serious?!
This was Sarutobi Hiruzen—the man once hailed as the Strongest Hokage! (That's some Bullsh...)
He may be older now, but his reputation hadn't faded.
Zeldris… what was he exactly?
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's eyes glinted coldly.
"Tch…" He clicked his tongue in frustration.
Still… this might be amusing to watch.
On the other side, Hiruzen's expression had become solemn.
He extended his hand silently.
Enma, the ape demon beside him, immediately understood.
They'd fought together for decades. No words were needed.
Enma's eyes narrowed.
Boom!
A puff of smoke erupted, and his form transformed into the Vajra Staff—a long, heavy iron rod forged through chakra and strength.
Hiruzen gripped it tightly, feeling the reassuring weight.
Zeldris's brows raised slightly.
"So it's come to this."
"Planning to use raw power against me, huh?"
Sarutobi didn't respond.
Instead, he charged forward, gripping the staff with both hands.
The air trembled.
In the blink of an eye, he appeared before Zeldris and swung the staff down with tremendous force.
The very sky howled with pressure as the rod descended.
But even as the staff tore through the air toward him, Zeldris didn't flinch.
Boom!
The sound of impact was deafening as Sarutobi Hiruzen's diamond staff slammed into the rooftop beneath Zeldris. The force of the blow shattered the tiles, creating a large gaping hole as rubble exploded outward in every direction.
Smoke billowed through the air, temporarily obscuring the battlefield.
Yet Zeldris stood unscathed, having shifted ever so slightly to the side at the last moment. His movements were effortless—almost lazy—and the staff hadn't even grazed him.
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
"You really don't hold back, Sandaime," he said, brushing some dust off his shoulder. "If that had hit, I'd be dead. Terrifying."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, not because of Zeldris's words—but because of the smirk that followed them. Something about it didn't sit right.
Still, he didn't hesitate. Without a word, he lunged again, staff in hand, delivering strike after strike. He attacked high, low, diagonal—every angle accounted for with surgical precision.
But it was useless.
No matter how many times he swung, Zeldris evaded them all. He didn't retreat or counter. He simply moved, always just enough to avoid the attack. It wasn't speed—Hiruzen had faced faster opponents—it was something else.
It was like Zeldris already knew what was coming.
The longer the exchange continued, the more frustration crept into Hiruzen's expression. He was experienced—very experienced.
He had fought in countless battles, survived multiple wars, fought gods and demons. Yet this boy—this stranger—dodged him like it was child's play.
His muscles began to slow, breath coming in heavier bursts.
'This isn't right,' Hiruzen thought, teeth clenched. 'He's not faster than me… so how the hell is he evading everything so perfectly?'
He forced himself to continue, sweat beading on his brow, his old bones groaning in protest. Each strike took more out of him. Yet Zeldris, unfazed, simply smiled.
Eventually, Hiruzen was forced to pause, panting heavily, staff shaking slightly in his grip. His face had gone pale—partly from exhaustion, partly from realization.
What is he?
Zeldris took a step forward, eyes gleaming with amusement. Those strange, violet pupils glowed faintly in the smoke-filled air.
"Figured it out yet?" he said, voice cool and teasing. "Come on, Sandaime… I know you're smarter than that."
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly, his gaze locking with Zeldris's.
'Those eyes…'
It finally clicked.
"You can see my attacks… before I make them?"
Zeldris chuckled. "Not bad. Took you long enough."
Hiruzen stiffened. "A dojutsu…?"
"Something like that."
The admission stunned him. If Zeldris truly possessed a visual ability that allowed him to anticipate movements—something on par with the Sharingan, or perhaps even more advanced—then this battle had been over before it began.
Ninjutsu was useless.
Taijutsu was ineffective.
What else was left?
In the distance, Orochimaru's gaze shifted from his own skirmish with the ANBU to the fight between Hiruzen and Zeldris. The ease with which Zeldris dodged his former master's attacks made Orochimaru narrow his eyes.
What is this…?
He had fought side-by-side with Hiruzen countless times. He knew how strong the old man was. And yet, not a single strike had landed.
A bead of cold sweat formed on his temple.
Good thing I didn't try to fight him myself back then… Orochimaru thought grimly.
While fending off the two ANBU, he watched as Hiruzen's breathing grew heavier.
He's reaching his limit. At this rate, Zeldris will finish him before I can even step in…
But just as he was weighing his options, Zeldris turned his head slightly, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Oi, Orochimaru," he called casually. "You planning to keep playing around? Don't you see the old man can barely stand?"
Orochimaru's brow twitched.
"Trying to prove something, are you?"
The two ANBU hesitated at the sound of Zeldris's voice. Just a moment of distraction.
But a moment was all Orochimaru needed.
Shhhk!
A flash of silver streaked through the smoke—then came the sound of blood hitting the ground. Orochimaru's Kusanagi blade gleamed with crimson as he stood between the two ANBU, both of whom collapsed silently beside him.
Their eyes stared blankly at the sky.
Hiruzen's heart sank.
They're… dead…
Orochimaru flashed a sinister grin.
"Apologies, Zeldris. Those two weren't easy to deal with," he said smoothly. "If you hadn't distracted them, I might not have gotten the opening."
Zeldris raised an eyebrow.
He knew Orochimaru well enough to see through the act.
You needed my help to handle two ANBU? How pathetic. You're just stalling for time—trying to gauge my power before you make your move.
Still floating just above the rooftop, Zeldris smirked and said lazily:
"Well, the rest is up to you. I don't get paid to do two people's work."
With that, he rose higher into the air, folding his arms as he looked down upon the battlefield. His expression was calm—but those eyes still glowed, ever watching.
A student fighting his teacher to the death… Now this is entertainment.
Besides, Hiruzen hadn't used that jutsu yet—the one whispered about in forbidden scrolls, spoken only in hushed tones.
The Reaper Death Seal.
Originating from the Kingdom of Uzumaki, this is the ultimate sealing technique of their clan—feared, forbidden, and devastating.
Once invoked, the caster summons the God of Death. Wielding a phantom blade, this grim deity cuts the soul of the chosen target, sealing it within his stomach for all eternity. The victim's soul is utterly devoured—erased from existence.
But this power comes at a terrible price.
As the ritual concludes, the user signs a blood pact with the very god he summoned. The condition? The caster must offer his own soul in exchange.
Once the target is sealed, the God of Death demands payment—dragging the caster's soul into the same eternal abyss.
This is why the jutsu is known as a forbidden technique—a move where both jade and stone shatter alike. A double-edged sword with no escape.
During the Nine-Tails Rebellion, the Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, made this ultimate sacrifice. With a single use of this technique, he sealed the Nine-Tails, saving Konoha from ruin… but the cost was his own life.
Later, during his fateful battle with Orochimaru, the aging Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, used the same technique.
But his worn body and Orochimaru's fierce resistance proved too much. Hiruzen couldn't seal Orochimaru's soul entirely—instead, he managed only to seal his arms, crippling his jutsu capabilities.
And now…
A crooked smile tugged at the corner of Zeldris's lips.
That was the whole point.
That's why he had pushed for Orochimaru to clash with Hiruzen Sarutobi in the first place.
If Hiruzen used the Reaper Death Seal, Orochimaru's hands would be sealed again. And yet, with the power of the Horse Talisman, Zeldris knew Orochimaru could restore them. That was the beauty of it.
He would blackmail Orochimaru. Again.
But Orochimaru couldn't be allowed to die here. That would ruin everything. So Zeldris subtly intervened—carefully managing the battle, forcing Hiruzen to burn his strength, dragging it out, pushing him to the brink.
He grinned.
Born to make money… Or maybe just chaos?
Just then, a raspy voice broke through his thoughts.
"Sarutobi-sensei… Now, I'll show you the fruits of my research."
Orochimaru's voice oozed venom and pride. His hands blurred as they formed familiar seals—swift and practiced.
Hiruzen's eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat.That sequence of hand signs—it couldn't be!
Before he could react, Orochimaru slammed his hands down, a wicked grin spreading across his pale face.
"Forbidden Jutsu—Edo Tensei!"
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