Back to Takeru's side, Orochimaru and Hiruzen were still in a standoff.
"The reason I did not choose you to be the Fourth Hokage was because of this twisted thinking of yours!" As he spoke, Hiruzen also recalled the past.
Back then, after receiving a report, Hiruzen personally led the Anbu to raid Orochimaru's laboratory, discovering Orochimaru conducting human experiments. All the subjects Orochimaru experimented on were abducted.
Apart from ordinary civilians, there were Genin, Chunin, and even Anbu and Jonin… all used as Orochimaru's experimental tools.
At that time, what Orochimaru desired was to master all Ninjutsu in the world. To achieve this, apart from extensive experiments, it required a vast amount of time. A normal human lifespan was definitely insufficient. Therefore, Orochimaru also began to seek immortality.
Subsequently, Orochimaru explained the main function of this technique to Hiruzen: a method to allow his spirit to exist forever.
To Takeru, it seemed exactly the same as body snatching in Chinese cultivation novels. Of course, compared to those fantastical worlds, achieving this in the Ninja World was more difficult.
And it seemed this technique also had significant limitations, such as each reincarnation causing damage to one's soul or carrying certain risks.
Takeru, however, did not need to use such a technique. After all, Takeru firmly believed that relying on his current body and continuously traveling to other worlds through the cycle to gain powers and abilities, he could definitely elevate his body to its strongest.
As for the constraint of lifespan, there were countless special worlds with all sorts of strange abilities, so regarding this, Takeru had no worries at all.
Just look at the current him. Although not entirely certain, Takeru believed that with his current condition, living for two or three hundred years would be very easy.
"You will die here, and I will obtain a younger, more beautiful, and stronger body. Konoha has truly given me much enjoyment!" Orochimaru said with a laugh.
"I see... It's Uchiha Sasuke." Hearing his words, Hiruzen also realized.
"Yes, you are correct. It's Sasuke." Facing Hiruzen's question, Orochimaru readily admitted.
Then, Hiruzen asked Orochimaru again whose body this was. Orochimaru calmly stated it was the second. As for Sasuke, he originally wanted to nurture him first, but circumstances didn't seem to allow it...
Later, to make Hiruzen feel regret, Orochimaru transformed back into his own face.
As the conversation ended, Hashirama once again erupted with immense Chakra. Instantly, the entire Four Violet Flames Formation was filled with giant trees, and those outside couldn't clearly see the situation inside with the naked eye.
"You can't let your guard down too much, sensei. You are always too naive." Looking at the bleeding Hiruzen, Orochimaru said flatly.
Although the Wood Release was activated abruptly, Hiruzen still used Enma to transform into a cage in time, protecting himself inside and thus avoiding too much damage.
"I will bury you, to atone for the mistake I once made." Looking at Orochimaru, Hiruzen quickly solidified his resolve.
"It's already too late." Hearing his words, Orochimaru mocked faintly.
"Shadow Clone Technique!" Facing Orochimaru's mockery, Hiruzen paid no heed and quickly used the Shadow Clone Technique, creating two identical copies of himself.
"It seems you really have grown old, actually rushing to shorten your own lifespan." Seeing Hiruzen dare to use shadow clones, Orochimaru also mocked.
Hiruzen ignored Orochimaru's mockery and quickly performed hand seals. Soon, a special spectral figure of a Shinigami appeared behind him.
Takeru also watched Hiruzen's back solemnly. Although invisible to the naked eye, whether using Observation Haki or Gyo, Takeru could notice the strange monster behind him.
Although Takeru's strength was great, facing such a bizarre entity, Takeru wasn't entirely sure he would be completely unaffected.
Because the Shinigami specter could only be seen by the person who made a contract with the Shinigami, Orochimaru didn't notice its presence at all.
Moreover, Orochimaru was extremely confident at this moment.
Then, Tobirama used a Genjutsu on Hiruzen, the Bringer of Darkness Technique, making Hiruzen unable to see the outside situation, trapped in complete darkness.
Later, during their conversation, Hiruzen further expressed his love for the Konoha Village. Even if the people in the village were not related by blood, they were all important... family to him.
"Orochimaru, next I will show you a secret technique you have never seen before. Take this, Sealing Technique: Dead Demon Consuming Seal!" As his seals were completed, the Shinigami specter finally moved.
The Third Hokage could only endure attacks from Hashirama and Tobirama in the darkness.
Finally, in the void, the Shinigami specter reached its hand into the small of Hiruzen's back, representing his soul. Facing this situation, Hiruzen felt endless pain and also spat out a mouthful of blood.
However, this action of the Shinigami indicated it was ready. Subsequently, Hiruzen had his clone capture the figures of Hashirama and Tobirama in the darkness, firmly grabbing them.
Then, the Shinigami specter's arm passed through the small of Hiruzen's back, appearing out of thin air to grab the souls of the Hashirama and Tobirama. The Bringer of Darkness Technique was instantly dispelled.
'The Bringer of Darkness Technique is dispelled. What kind of technique is this?' Seeing this, Orochimaru frowned.
"Sorry, Hiruzen."
"We've caused you trouble." After their souls were grabbed by the Shinigami, Hashirama and Tobirama regained their senses and apologized.
'Please forgive me, First Hokage-sama, Second Hokage-sama! Seal!' Facing their apologies, Hiruzen also apologized to the two.
After sealing the two souls, Hiruzen felt intense pain and exhaustion, gasping for breath. A special sealing pattern also appeared on his stomach.
Then, Hashirama and Tobirama's bodies began to melt away, revealing their true hosts: Zaku and Kin, who had participated in the Chunin Exams...
"Even playing with the lives of your own subordinates!" Seeing this, Hiruzen felt sorrow for Orochimaru, tears flowing from his eyes again.
"Subordinates' lives? You always say such boring things." Hearing Hiruzen's words, Orochimaru felt somewhat annoyed.
"These people all believed in you, didn't they? Come, Enma!" Looking at Orochimaru, Hiruzen completely felt he was beyond redemption.
Then, Hiruzen dispelled the other two shadow clones, then holding the Adamantine Staff, launched a swift assault on Orochimaru again.
After a fierce exchange of attacks, Hiruzen knocked Orochimaru's sword away.
"Got you!" After knocking away the Kusanagi Sword, Hiruzen jumped onto a tree branch. The Adamantine Staff rapidly extended, and Enma's arm also extended accordingly.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Sensing danger, Orochimaru quickly intercepted. A large number of snakes emerged from his arm to block the staff and Enma's arm.
"It's over!" However, the staff was merely a decoy. Hiruzen used the Body Flicker Technique to quickly appear in front of Orochimaru, firmly grabbing him.
As Hiruzen grabbed Orochimaru, the Shinigami specter quickly reached through Hiruzen's abdomen to grab Orochimaru's soul.
'What is this feeling? Damn it!' Only after his soul was grabbed did Orochimaru react, realizing something was wrong.
Then, he quickly used his arm to summon the Kusanagi Sword. As he summoned it, the sword slowly rose.
"Die!" The two shouted simultaneously. The Kusanagi Sword and the Shinigami specter both exerted force. The Kusanagi Sword pierced Hiruzen's body, but was firmly caught by Enma, preventing it from killing Hiruzen completely.
On the Shinigami specter's side, due to Hiruzen's weakness, it managed to pull out half of Orochimaru's soul but then couldn't pull any further. Even so, Orochimaru was extremely uncomfortable.
Takeru glanced at the condition of the two, then lightly shook his head. Next, the two would engage in a tug-of-war, so Takeru had no interest in the following situation.
He turned his head and saw that on the spectator stands, everyone had thoroughly gained the upper hand.
Then, Takeru casually cast two Healing Spell towards Ui and Ritsu.
Sensing their injuries and fatigue being restored, the two looked towards Takeru's position and showed a smile.
Takeru gave them a slight nod, then sensed the distant battle. Without further thought, he directly disappeared from the spot...