"What did you say?!" Orochimaru was stunned, not understanding what Hiruzen meant. "In your current state, what more can you possibly do?"
Hiruzen smiled but said nothing. The Reaper behind him slowly raised its right arm, a short, spectral blade clutched in its hand.
Looking at the Reaper's actions, Orochimaru instantly understood. Hiruzen was going all-in. He was no longer trying to seal Orochimaru's entire soul, but was instead targeting his arms.
"Hey! Stop it right there!"
Hiruzen paid him no mind, shouting with the last of his strength, "Seal!"
The Reaper swung its arm, the blade slicing through the ethereal souls being extracted from both Hiruzen and Orochimaru.
"Nooooo!"
The severed souls were greedily devoured by the God of Death. Orochimaru watched, his eyes wide with horror. "Damn it, my hands… they're getting so heavy!" His arms gradually drooped, the skin on them slowly turning a deathly, necrotic black.
"Hehe… hehe…" Hiruzen panted heavily, a pale smile on his face. "Your hands are no longer usable. With them sealed, you will never be able to use ninjutsu again."
"Orochimaru, your plan to destroy Konoha… has failed."
Orochimaru gritted his teeth, screaming at the top of his lungs, "You damn old man! Give me back my hands!"
Hiruzen closed his eyes, a look of relief on his face. "My dear, foolish student. It's a pity that I cannot die with you, but I believe… one day, we will meet again in the pure world."
"Of all my students, it was you I cared for the most."
As he spoke his last words, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell, a faint smile still on his lips.
Orochimaru's face was a mask of hatred as he looked at the body of his former master, completely baffled. What's so funny, you old man?
"Damn it, this pain… my arms feel like they're on fire…"
"Lord Orochimaru!" The Sound Four, who were still fighting with Enma, noticed Orochimaru's predicament.
"No need to fight anymore. The battle is over," Orochimaru said, looking at his useless hands with a sense of unwilling resignation. "I… let's go back."
Hearing his order, the four of them hurried to his side. Enma looked at Hiruzen's body in despair, a look of regret on his face. "I knew… you would pay for your mistakes. Well, it was a worthy death, Sarutobi."
"Since you are gone, there is no need for me to stay. I have very little chakra left." Enma looked at Hiruzen's body one last time, a reluctant expression on his face, before shaking his head helplessly and disappearing in a puff of white smoke.
"Lord Orochimaru, are you alright?" the Sound Four asked, extremely worried about their master's condition.
"Hurry… take me away. Let's go back to the base."
"Yes!"
"Wait!"
Just as the Sound Four were about to leave with Orochimaru, an angry voice suddenly stopped them. It was Sasuke and Izumi Uchiha.
"Want to leave? Not so fast!"
"Orochimaru, this time… it's our turn to take revenge!"
For Sasuke and Izumi, now was the perfect time for revenge, just as Shiro had said. Their enemy was badly injured and had no way to fight back.
Orochimaru gasped for breath. "Hmph, strange… No wonder that Uchiha brat neutralized Minato's attack for me. It turns out he was waiting for this."