The village of Konoha was in chaos, but at the heart of the storm, a singular confrontation drew all attention. The masked figure of Orochimaru, his body coiled with dark, deadly chakra, faced the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, at the gates of the village.
"Your time ends here, old man," Orochimaru hissed, his voice echoing unnaturally.
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, his calm presence contrasting the palpable tension. "I have protected this village longer than you can imagine. I will not allow your evil to succeed."
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With a flourish, Orochimaru performed forbidden hand signs, his knowledge of the dead surpassing the natural order. A ripple of dark chakra surged into the air, and before Hiruzen could react, the First and Second Hokage were resurrected, their spirits bound in Orochimaru's jutsu.
Nearby Anbu and the other shinobi stared in shock, unable to comprehend the sheer audacity of the act.
Hiruzen's eyes widened slightly but remained calm. "The knowledge of past Hokage is powerful… but I am still the Third."
The ground shook as the battle commenced, a storm of chakra and jutsu clashing violently.
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Orochimaru struck with serpentine speed, dark chakra lashing like living snakes, each attack testing Hiruzen's mastery of all five basic natures. Hiruzen countered with precision, using both hand signs and long-practiced techniques to anticipate the jutsu and redirect them.
Fireballs, water dragons, and earth walls erupted across the battlefield. The First and Second Hokage, summoned and bound by Orochimaru, joined the fray under his control, each attack a deadly reminder of their immense power.
Hiruzen's hands moved in a blur, his experience evident as he countered multiple simultaneous attacks. "I will not fall… not today," he muttered, sweat glistening on his brow.
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Kirito in the Shadows
From a hidden distance, Kirito observed silently, cloaked in perfect concealment. His eyes gleamed with intrigue and enjoyment. Every strike, every counter, every jutsu and feint was a lesson in pure power and strategy.
This… this is artistry, he thought, the faintest smile crossing his face. Even the strongest of villages and their legends are mortal. Their power is extraordinary, yes, but it is finite, predictable even in its brilliance.
He shifted slightly, analyzing the summoning and Orochimaru's control over the resurrected Hokage. Impressive mastery… yet there are flaws. Even immortals can be trapped, misdirected, or exploited. Timing and patience are everything.
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Clash of Experience and Knowledge
The battle intensified, each side pushing limits. Orochimaru's attacks became more relentless, forcing Hiruzen to counter with wisdom born of decades. Fire met water, earth blocked wind, and lightning flashed in every direction. The sheer speed of the battle was blinding.
Yet, through it all, Hiruzen adapted, improvising new jutsu and combinations on the fly, his tactical genius evident as he anticipated the revived Hokage's attacks and the dark strategies of Orochimaru.
Kirito's eyes followed every move, noting weaknesses in timing, chakra flow, and jutsu efficiency. Even the legendary Third Hokage… there are moments where the tide could turn with the right manipulation.
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Observation and Contemplation
From the shadows, Kirito's clones observed and took positions in the village to continue his own plans. Yet he remained captivated by the battle before him, the sheer display of skill and raw power a spectacle unlike any other.
As Hiruzen countered a flurry of attacks from Orochimaru and the bound First and Second Hokage, Kirito whispered to himself:
Patience… everything is preparation. Chaos is the ultimate teacher.
The fight raged, long and drawn, a testament to power, experience, and the deadly allure of forbidden jutsu. And while the village panicked in the streets, only Kirito watched silently, a shadow enjoying the beauty of battle, calculating every opportunity, every flaw, every lesson.
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