The massive roof of the Chunin Exams arena, heavily reinforced by the Four Purple Flames Formation, did not collapse despite the chaos within.
However, the interior of the barrier was already unrecognizable, completely different from its original appearance. Thick trees had burst through bricks and stones, growing wildly; hard rock walls shot up from the ground; damp traces left by Water Release Ninjutsu intertwined with charred exploding tag craters—all of these were marks left by the fierce confrontation.
The Adamantine Staff, formed by Enma, was deeply embedded in the ground. Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned on it, his chest heaving violently, gasping for breath from the intense Chakra consumption.
Across from him, the damage inflicted by the exploding tags on the First and Second Hokage was slowly repairing at a visible pace. The weaknesses Sandaime had found with all his might only seemed to buy a very limited amount of time.
Compared to Orochimaru, Sandaime's condition was clearly much worse. Orochimaru still appeared composed on the surface, his Chakra consumption far less than Sandaime's, but his characteristic chilling smile now seemed a bit stiff, even carrying a hint of imperceptible… anxiety.
According to the last memories transmitted by his distant clone, his meticulously prepared three trump cards to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—two Uzumaki clan members skilled in sealing Ninjutsu, and Fourth Kazekage Rasa who could suppress Tailed Beasts—were all stopped by the suddenly appearing Menma alone!
What made his heart run even colder was the tangible, icy, bone-chilling killing intent his clone felt before it dissipated; even he felt a shiver.
Sure enough… he had thoroughly enraged him.
Moreover, just now, Orochimaru clearly sensed that his connection with the three Edo Tensei bodies in the distance had been forcibly severed! Was it sealed? That guy's strength was more troublesome than anticipated.
And the One-Tails Shukaku that briefly appeared and rampaged in the center of Konoha… it seemed Akatsuki's reinforcements had made their move. He had originally expected to see Sandaime's panicked expression, but this expectation did not last long.
Because his true target—Uzumaki Naruto—appeared.
Orochimaru had, to some extent, achieved immortality through his self-developed forbidden Ninjutsu, the Living Corpse Reincarnation. He set his next goal as exhausting all the truths in the world.
However, when he witnessed with his own eyes that god-like power, that brilliant golden Nine-Tailed Fox defeating Shukaku with overwhelming force, standing like a guardian deity above Konoha… even Orochimaru himself didn't immediately realize the complex and twisted expression that appeared on his face at that moment.
It was envy for the perfect power it possessed.
It was a strong greed, desiring to claim this power for himself.
It was jealousy of why fate had so favored that young man.
It was ecstasy at discovering such a perfect vessel for "truth."
It was fear of that absolute power beyond comprehension.
And it was also a naked, mad desire to completely possess and dominate.
The ugly and undignified display revealed in that instant was something even Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had known him for decades, had never seen before.
It was no longer the gaze of a scientist seeking truth, but the gaze of a beast… completely consumed by greed and obsession.
Outside the barrier—or rather, the barrier itself was already in jeopardy. The originally solid and dense Four Purple Flames Formation now had a dim glow, its purple color becoming almost translucent. The Chakra required to maintain the barrier was clearly nearing exhaustion; even without external attacks, its complete dissipation was only a matter of time.
And the condition of the practitioners who set up this barrier was also precarious.
"Is this thing the so-called 'Curse Mark'? It does bring some power enhancement, but the side effects and weaknesses are equally obvious… it's still a bit troublesome, after all."
Kakuzu's deep voice slowly sounded. However, the enemies he described as "a bit troublesome" were already in disarray.
Jirobo's body was covered with charred and torn marks left by various elemental Ninjutsu attacks. He lay unconscious on his back, his breath weak, his life uncertain.
Kidōmaru's condition was even more tragic; his chest was directly pierced by a violent Lightning Release Ninjutsu, and he had already lost all signs of life.
The head of the giant spider he summoned beside him was also shattered like a smashed watermelon, green bodily fluids pooling on the ground.
Sakon and Ukon lay sprawled on the ground, barely alive. Although they still had a breath, the backlash from the forced release of the Curse Mark, severe injuries covering their entire bodies, and completely depleted Chakra left them unable to even lift a finger.
And Kakuzu's hand, covered with black tentacles, firmly gripped Tayuya's neck, lifting her entirely off the ground. The flute in her hand, used to cast genjutsu, had long since broken in half and fallen to the side.
The several bandage-wrapped monsters made of unknown material that she had summoned with high hopes had also been dismantled into pieces, turning into stiff fragments scattered around.
"But your combat experience is too far below mine."
The four masked monsters, having completed their task, slowly re-merged into the stitches on Kakuzu's back and disappeared.
"You… arrogant bastard! Let me go… die!" Even on the verge of death, struggling to breathe, Tayuya still used all her strength to squeeze out angry curses from her throat.
Shukaku was completely suppressed, the invading Otogakure and Sand Ninja were routed by the Konoha Ninja's counterattack and that golden figure's sweep, and even his carefully cultivated Sound Four were all wiped out… Orochimaru quickly weighed the situation. Although his own Chakra consumption was not significant, the only external forces he could still use to influence the battle were the First and Second Hokage controlled by Edo Tensei?
After his rage and greed cooled slightly, a sliver of rationality returned. That guy… before he arrived, could he have been confident in a quick victory against Hiruzen sensei's desperate counterattack?
For the first time, Orochimaru felt the urge to retreat. The plan to acquire the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had failed today, and continuing to entangle himself seemed to be rapidly increasing the risk.
In contrast to Orochimaru, who was considering retreat, Third Hokage's eyes became more resolute than ever! He knew too well how many means his disciple had to preserve his life. Orochimaru's crimes committed in Konoha today—colluding with external enemies, launching an attack, desecrating the souls of previous Hokage… none of them were unforgivable! He had made up his mind that even if it cost him his old life, he would never let Orochimaru escape justice again; he must be completely stopped!
Now, Konoha's Fifth Generation Hokage had an heir, the Village had a new pillar, Naruto's displayed power protected the Village, and Jiraiya could also confidently reveal his identity as the Hokage's son… he himself had no more worries.
The only thing he couldn't let go of… was the perfect successor he had identified… A complex emotion flashed through Third Hokage's heart.
No, I still can't fully believe that Minato, who protected the Village with his life, would use military deterrence to achieve peace… It seems this answer will only be clear when I reach that world. I hope… it was sensei's judgment that was wrong.
Facing the First and Second Hokage, who were again being controlled and approaching with expressionless faces, Third Hokage's eyes sharpened. He slowly raised his hands, preparing to form the ultimate sealing Ninjutsu that came at the cost of his life.
Just as his fingertips were about to touch, at the moment he resolved to perish with the two predecessors and drag Orochimaru, this traitorous disciple, into hell with them.
"I advise you to save your life, Sandaime. I will help you clean up your mess."
A deep voice suddenly sounded from above the barrier.
Third Hokage looked up in astonishment.
And Orochimaru's face instantly turned so dark it could drip water, his snake-like pupils suddenly contracting!
The next moment, a deep, pitch-black sphere of Chakra silently descended from the sky, landing on the wavering Four Purple Flames Formation barrier.
"Boom!!!"
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