"Since we're doomed either way, we might as well fight Konoha to the death. At least dying at the hands of Leaf ninja would make us martyrs, whereas dying by our own people's hands would brand us as deserters."
After Orochimaru joined the battle riding Manda, the situation immediately tilted overwhelmingly in the Leaf's favor.
High above, Hayato Ren rode Charizard as he surveyed the battlefield below.
Charizard occasionally unleashed Flame Jets, reducing Stone Ninja on the ground to ashes.
However, Hayato Ren grew increasingly uneasy as he observed. The Stone Ninja below lacked any decent high-level combatants.
The few Jonin among them had been effortlessly eliminated by Orochimaru.
This didn't match the expected deployment for a camp. Even if most Stone Ninja were out on missions, there shouldn't be so few left behind.
Soon, Hayato Ren's suspicions were confirmed.
Several hundred meters around the Stone Ninja camp, an elite-looking squad of Stone Ninja suddenly appeared.
This group instantly joined the battlefield and began ruthlessly harvesting Leaf ninja.
The Leaf, who had been firmly in control, immediately fell into disadvantage after this Stone Ninja squad joined the fight.
The morale of the attacked Stone Ninja, which had hit rock bottom, instantly soared to its peak with the arrival of reinforcements.
Orochimaru's expression darkened immediately - the previous Stone Ninja had merely been bait.
He had completely fallen into the Stone Ninja's trap. But how did they know he would attack today? Could there be a traitor?
Before Orochimaru could ponder further, Manda beneath his feet let out a gleeful laugh.
"Haha, Orochimaru, you seem to be in trouble. I'll need fifty additional sacrifices, or I can't help you."
Taking advantage of Orochimaru's predicament, Manda chose to extort him.
Orochimaru had no choice but to compromise. Without Manda's deterrence, the Leaf side might truly collapse.
Just as Orochimaru prepared to join the battle to compensate for the combat power disparity, a bearded Stone Ninja who looked quite reliable blocked his path.
Looking at the Stone Ninja before him, Orochimaru impatiently shouted:
"If you don't want that old immortal Third Tsuchikage to bury his own son, get out of my way." Otherwise, this day next year will be your death anniversary."
This Stone Ninja was actually Kitsuchi, son of the Third Tsuchikage Onoki.
Facing Orochimaru's threat, Kitsuchi showed no fear. With determined eyes, he responded to Orochimaru:
"I know I can't defeat you, but I only need to delay you. Not every Leaf ninja has strength like yours."
Hearing this, a flicker of displeasure crossed Orochimaru's eyes as he coldly replied:
"Then let's try. I hope you'll live to see that happen."
After Orochimaru was restrained by Kitsuchi, the Leaf's situation couldn't be described as favorable - they were practically on death's doorstep.
Hayato Ren sighed as he hovered mid-air. He had originally intended to keep a low profile, but the situation simply wouldn't allow it.
If he continued muddling along like this, given how things were developing, not only would completing the mission be impossible, but it was uncertain how many would even make it back alive.
So, Hayato Ren patted Charizard's head.
Understanding his intent, Charizard flapped its wings and dove straight down from the sky into the heart of the battlefield.
...
A Stone Ninja glared viciously at his fallen enemy and suddenly raised his kunai.
"You Leaf scum, today marks your death anniversary next year."
Just as the Leaf ninja waited in terror for death, a massive shadow fell over both him and the Stone Ninja.
Then came an overwhelming heat that reduced the previously arrogant Stone Ninja to ashes.
Wiping sweat from his forehead, the Leaf ninja showed a relieved expression of someone who'd narrowly escaped death and looked up at Hayato Ren:
"Thanks."
This scene repeated itself across the battlefield.
With Hayato Ren joining the fray, the situation instantly reversed, and the Leaf side regained the advantage.
At this moment, Hayato Ren was truly turning the tide at a critical juncture, propping up the collapsing situation.
Kitsuchi, who was already struggling against Orochimaru, panicked momentarily upon witnessing Hayato Ren's heroic display.
Though Kitsuchi only lost focus for a brief moment,
In combat at this level, a single instant can determine life and death.
Moreover, his opponent was Orochimaru, who was stronger than him.
Orochimaru immediately seized this opportunity, thrusting his Kusanagi Sword into Kitsuchi's body.
While such an injury wouldn't normally affect Kitsuchi much in the short term, the treacherous Orochimaru had coated the Kusanagi Sword with poison.
Soon, Kitsuchi's body began to sway unsteadily.
Orochimaru kicked him to the ground and skillfully used a Sealing Technique to seal Kitsuchi away.
This harvest exceeded Orochimaru's expectations. With Kitsuchi captured alive, the war between Leaf and Stone should be able to conclude.
Because besides being the Stone's commander in Rain Country, Kitsuchi was also Onoki's only son.
No matter what, Onoki couldn't possibly abandon him. After all, given Onoki's current age, having another child would be very difficult.
Thinking this, Orochimaru finally showed a smile.
On anyone else, this smile would have appeared quite bright. But for some reason, on Orochimaru's face, it looked sinister and unsettling.
Seeing Kitsuchi captured, the Stone Ninja finally lost all will to fight.
They successively laid down their weapons and chose to surrender.
From this point on, Leaf could be considered to have achieved a perfect victory in the Second Shinobi World War.
After dealing with Sand and Stone, Leaf's only remaining opponent was the Rain Ninja.
Not to mention that besides fighting Leaf, the Rain Ninja were also at war with Sand - one had to wonder where Hanzo found the courage.
Just as everyone had let their guard down, preparing to welcome this hard-won victory,
Orochimaru, who had been smiling moments before, suddenly changed expression. With urgent panic on his face, he shouted toward Nawaki not far away:
"Nawaki! Watch your feet!"
Hearing this, Nawaki instinctively looked down.
To his shock, several traps made from Exploding Tags were already burning right beneath his feet.