The Third Hokage was old after all, and his stamina was not what it used to be. He could only watch helplessly as Orochimaru acted so wildly right in front of him!
"Is it time to use that?" The Third Hokage glanced at the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, who were relentlessly attacking, and finally made up his mind.
"Jiraiya, let me handle this!" The Third Hokage began forming hand signs.
"Old Man, are you going to use the Reaper Death Seal? Absolutely not!" Jiraiya yelled frantically, trying to stop the Third Hokage.
When the Ninja outside heard that the Third Hokage was about to use the Forbidden Jutsu that the Fourth Hokage had used, they immediately grew anxious, shouting outside for the Third Hokage not to use that move.
However, while they were shouting enthusiastically, not a single person went to 'charge' the Four Violet Flames Formation.
Inside the barrier, Orochimaru also panicked when he heard the name of the technique, Reaper Death Seal, and quickly attacked the Third Hokage. However, the Nyoi Staff reverted to Enma, desperately blocking Orochimaru's advance, preventing Orochimaru from getting through immediately.
"I am old. Konoha's future must ultimately be entrusted to you all!" The Third Hokage smiled as he looked at Jiraiya and the Konoha Ninja outside, giving his final words of instruction.
"While I can still move, let me make one last contribution to Konoha!"
The speed of the Third Hokage's hand signs grew faster and faster. The instant he finished the last sign, he appeared in front of Orochimaru and, with Enma's assistance, firmly grabbed Orochimaru's hands.
"You wicked disciple, come with me."
"You dead Old Man, let go of me!"
At this moment, a Shinigami with a terrifying appearance emerged behind Hiruzen Sarutobi. Orochimaru was restrained by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Enma, unable to move at all. He could clearly feel that his Soul seemed to be pulled by something.
'I can't let this continue.'
Orochimaru knew that if this continued, he would definitely die here.
In order to survive, he exerted all his strength and issued the latest command to the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, who were still fighting Jiraiya.
"Water Release: Water Tornado Technique."
With the command issued, the two Hokage moved simultaneously.
He ordered the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, to use Ninjutsu to restrain Jiraiya, allowing the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, to return and provide support.
"Old Man, if you don't let me go, your death will come when the First Hokage returns."
"Is that so? It seems I won't be able to take you away completely this time."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was naturally paying attention to the battle involving Jiraiya. Seeing that Senju Hashirama was rushing over to support Orochimaru, he immediately realized that he couldn't let Orochimaru die with him this time.
"However, even if that's the case, I will take away all your Ninjutsu."
"What are you going to do, Old Man..."
Hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's resolute words, Orochimaru was suddenly startled. He realized that this rotten Old Man intended to sacrifice his hands.
"Seal!"
As Hiruzen Sarutobi continued to pull Orochimaru's Soul, the ethereal Shinigami behind him began to swing the 'Zanpakuto' in its hand, severing the portion of Orochimaru's Soul that had been pulled out with a single slash.
At this moment, Orochimaru watched helplessly as his hands lost their vitality. A few seconds later, he had completely lost control of his hands, as if he had never had them in the first place.
He was helpless now, capable only of impotent rage.
At the same time, the Reaper Death Seal was completed. Hiruzen Sarutobi collapsed directly to the ground, having lost his life.
"Third Hokage-sama."
"Orochimaru-sama."
The turn of events exceeded everyone's expectations.
The Otogakure side did not expect that after summoning the First Hokage and the Second Hokage, Orochimaru would still have his hands sealed by the Third Hokage.
Nor did the Konoha side expect that the battle, which was essentially the Third Hokage and Jiraiya 2v1 against Orochimaru, would end with the sacrifice of the Third Hokage.
"Damn it, we retreat."
Having lost his hands, Orochimaru was arguably at his 'weakest' since becoming a Ninja.
If he didn't leave now, did he expect the people of Konoha to invite him for dumplings?
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique."
"Wood Release: Thorn Entanglement Technique."
After finally manipulating the First Hokage and the Second Hokage to use Ninjutsu to briefly block the enemy, he also released the Edo Tensei technique and quickly fled Konoha, supported by the Otogakure Four.
Thus, the battle instigated by Sunagakure and Otogakure concluded with Konoha as the victor.
This war came quickly and ended just as quickly.
From Gaara's rampage and Orochimaru holding the Third Hokage hostage until the fighting completely subsided, the entire process only took about two hours.
Rather than saying Konoha won a war, it would be more appropriate to say Konoha successfully suppressed a Terrorist Attack.
Due to the appearance of Ge Liang and the Internet Cafe, the strength of Konoha's Anbu and Jonin had been boosted to varying degrees. With Root Ninja also participating in the battle, the losses sustained in this conflict were significantly smaller than in the original work.
Apart from the sacrifice of the Third Hokage, the attrition of combat personnel was only about ten to twenty percent of what it was in the original work.
After this war, it could truly be said that all three parties suffered losses.
Although Konoha won, it lost the Third Hokage.
As for the Suna Ninja and Otogakure Ninja, needless to say, aside from the few who had previous connections, very few attackers survived. Even the leaders of the two villages were in miserable states.
Orochimaru being severely wounded on the spot after the Third Hokage desperately sealed his hands was still considered lucky. The Fourth Kazekage had been secretly assassinated by that venomous snake early on, making Suna Ninja the party with the heaviest losses among the three.
Not to mention the subsequent matters like War Reparations... Two days later, Ge Liang attended a grand funeral with Haku, Zabuza, and Karin.
This funeral was held not only for Hiruzen Sarutobi but also for the Konoha Ninja who died in this war.
On this day, the sky was dreary and dark, as if the heavens sensed the emotions of the people of Konoha, and a light rain began to fall.
"What are you going to do next? Are you going to leave Konoha and continue traveling, or become Konoha's Fifth Hokage?"
After the funeral, Haku and Zabuza returned to the Internet Cafe, Karin went to find Uzumaki Naruto, but Ge Liang sought out Jiraiya to ask about his plans.
"My personality isn't suited to be the Hokage, but I will stay in Konoha for a while and leave after the Fifth Hokage is chosen."
"Have you considered who else in Konoha, besides you, is qualified to become the Fifth Hokage right now?"
Ge Liang was speaking the truth.
Konoha was currently at a point where the Old Generation was dying or leaving, and the New Generation had yet to mature.
In the current Konoha, besides Jiraiya, there was truly no one else qualified to be the Fifth Hokage.
What? Kakashi?
Kakashi's strength was barely sufficient, but his seniority was lacking.
Becoming Hokage doesn't just rely on strength.
In the original work, Uzumaki Naruto also had to wait until Kakashi became the Sixth Generation and accumulated enough seniority over several years before becoming the Seventh Generation.
Therefore, if Kakashi wanted to become Hokage, he would have to wait at least a few more years.