While the Third Hokage and the chakra clone were locked in their fierce battle, two more familiar figures appeared in front of the Hokage's Office. The patterns on their masks were "Red Dragon" and "Fortune."
With the bulk of Konoha's forces dispatched to deal with the night's chaos, only a few low-level guards remained. After taking care of the two or three sentries, the pair strolled brazenly into the Hokage's Office.
"My, my, my... Let's see what kind of treasures we can find in here."
"Aha! I have a feeling we're about to strike it rich!"
"Work fast. After we've cleared this place out, we're hitting the Third's house next. And wherever the security is tightest right now, that's where the real goodies must be!"
"You know me, my hands are lightning fast. I can make an electric meter spin backward. If I see anything good, it's getting swiped!"
"Hehehehe..."
Meanwhile, Kaito, having separated from Orochimaru, "happened to run into" the group of Anbu ninja who had just retreated. He immediately approached them, his face a mask of concern.
"How's Nawaki? Is he alright?"
He tried to get closer to take a look but was blocked.
"Mr. Kaito, Nawaki's life is not in danger, but he is injured. We're taking him to the hospital for treatment."
"Oh, that's a relief." Kaito sighed.
Just then, Orochimaru arrived. Seeing the large, wounded group, he asked in surprise, "Why are you all back? Has the enemy been captured?"
Facing one of the Hokage's own students, the Anbu's attitude was far more respectful. "No, sir. The enemy is too powerful. To prevent further casualties, Lord Hokage ordered us to retreat. He is facing the enemy alone."
"What? Master Hiruzen is fighting alone?" Orochimaru was clearly shocked. "Is there only one enemy?"
"Yes. He claims to be from the Otsutsuki clan and has absorbed the Nine-Tails' power, making him incredibly strong."
"Otsutsuki? And he can absorb the power of the Nine-Tails?" Kaito, standing to the side, feigned a look of shock.
"Is the enemy that troublesome?" Orochimaru frowned, then waved a hand. "You all get to the hospital. I'm going to see what's going on."
"Yes, sir!"
As the group departed, Kaito made to follow, but Orochimaru stopped him.
"Where are you going?"
"To follow and protect Nawaki, of course."
"He has plenty of people protecting him; he doesn't need you," Orochimaru said. "Come with me. Let's see this man who can absorb the Nine-Tails' power. Aren't you curious who he is?"
"Curiosity is one thing, but I'm more worried about keeping my head on my shoulders. Do you have any idea what the name 'Otsutsuki' means?"
"So you do know something. Out with it. Who is he?"
"Do you remember the story I told you about the Nine-Tails? The sage in that story was named Otsutsuki Hagoromo. He has another name: the Sage of Six Paths. He is the legendary, supreme being who founded ninshu."
"The sage who created ninshu, Otsutsuki Hagoromo?" Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. "Could he be a descendant of the Sage?"
"Perhaps," Kaito shrugged. "If we accidentally get on the wrong side of a 'Sage,' both of our lives will be forfeit."
"A Sage? Hmph. I'd very much like to see just how formidable a 'Sage' truly is." There was a hint of excitement in his voice.
Without another word to Kaito, Orochimaru flickered away.
"Sigh. Why won't you listen to reason?" Kaito shook his head and followed after him.
BANG!
The massive Adamantine Staff slammed into the ground, sending dirt flying and carving out a large crater.
The chakra clone, having dodged the blow, swung his golden sword in an upward arc, slashing toward the Third Hokage, who was still in mid-air. The Hokage, anticipating the move, instantly extended the Adamantine Staff to block the attack, using the force of the impact to propel himself more than ten meters back.
After landing, he immediately spun the staff, threw it, and formed a hand seal. "Adamantine Staff: Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The spinning staff multiplied into dozens of identical copies that surrounded the chakra clone, rapidly converging into a cubic prison and trapping him inside.
He can absorb ninjutsu, but he shouldn't be able to absorb the force of an explosion.
The Third Hokage clasped his hands together and roared, "Multiplying Explosive Tags, Detonate!"
Dozens of explosive tags, secretly placed on the staff's surface, lit up and detonated in unison, instantly creating a sea of blinding fire.
A figure somersaulted out of the inferno and landed beside the Third Hokage. It was Enma. Even with his indestructible Adamantine body, he looked battered, clearly having been caught in the blast.
"Hah..." Enma exhaled a cloud of smoke. "That should be enough to seriously injure him, if not defeat him."
"Yes, let's hope so." The Third Hokage stared intently at the raging flames, his heart still heavy.
Known as "The Professor," his true combat strength lay in his mastery of countless ninjutsu combinations. The enemy's ability to absorb ninjutsu completely nullified his greatest strengths. The combination attack he had just used was one of the most powerful options he had left. If even that couldn't harm his opponent, the Third Hokage honestly couldn't think of any other way to win.
He sighed, praying silently, Just stay down in those flames.
Unfortunately, his wish was not granted.
After a few seconds, a beam of golden light shot out, splitting the sea of fire and revealing the chakra clone, completely unscathed. "Impressive power," he remarked, holding his thumb and forefinger a mere sliver apart, "but not quite enough to defeat me."
"Hah. If once isn't enough, I'll just do it again. I refuse to believe you can take it all," the Third Hokage said, composing himself and flashing a confident smile.
"Hahaha! I, Otsutsuki Zeroshiki, most admire those with confidence. It's only polite to return the favor, so please, accept this attack of mine!"
The chakra clone spread his palms in front of his chest and began gathering the energy within his body. Soon, a sphere of deep, golden energy condensed between his hands.
"A sphere with that much energy density... This is not good, Hiruzen!" Enma shouted.
"I know! There's no time to worry about him absorbing ninjutsu now!" The Third Hokage's expression was grim as he used the Shadow Clone Jutsu to create four copies of himself.
The five Hokages simultaneously flew through a complex series of hand seals, puffed out their cheeks, and unleashed a torrent of multi-colored elemental jutsu. The streams converged into a single, massive wave that surged toward the chakra clone.
"Fire, Lightning, Water, Earth, and Wind! Five-Element Release: Great Combo Blast!"
At the same instant, the chakra clone finished his preparations and fired the sphere in his hands. "Nine-Tails: Yin-Yang Tailed Beast Bomb!"
BOOM!
Two of the most powerful techniques in the world collided, erupting into a blinding white light.
Endless light and heat washed over the landscape in every direction. Orochimaru, who had just arrived nearby, felt his pupils contract as he was completely engulfed by the white light.
On the map of Konoha, a massive, hemispherical dome of light flared into existence, shining for a long moment before finally fading away.
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