[V2] - Chapter 64. Preparation
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"Too! Too strong!!!" ×4
The four of them panted heavily, faces full of shock as they looked at the three figures before them.
One had to say—so this was the power of the First Hokage, the Second Hokage, and Uchiha Madara?
Just Uchiha Madara alone was already overwhelming for them!
Especially in this enclosed space, that terrifying Fire Release… the sense of oppression was just too intense.
In that instant—
The three of them looked in disbelief at Jiraiya, who was still coughing up blood beside them.
How the hell did this guy manage to hold out for so long while being surrounded by those three?
It didn't make sense!
However—
Jiraiya only smiled bitterly. Just now… both sides were only using taijutsu. None of those messy ninjutsu techniques had even been used yet.
Thinking of this—
He glanced over at Orochimaru, who was leisurely sipping tea at the side, his expression complex, and murmured, "Orochimaru…"
At that moment—
"Hahaha!" Uchiha Madara stomped down onto a rock, looking down at the four below, letting out a wild laugh, then snorted disdainfully, "These are the strongest in Konoha now? Weak! Far too weak!"
"Madara! It's already impressive that they've lasted this long!" Senju Hashirama said helplessly beside him. "You know, back in our day, no one could hold out against us for this long!"
"Grandpa!" Tsunade looked at her grandfather with a mixture of tears and laughter.
Even if that's true, is this really the time to say it?
"First Hokage, Second Hokage!" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, then looked toward Orochimaru in the distance and said in a low voice, "We must deal with Orochimaru as soon as possible!"
As long as Orochimaru is taken care of, the Impure World Reincarnation can be broken. At that point… surely, the First and Second Hokage can rely on their own strength to be released!
As his words fell—
The other three nodded, likewise turning their eyes to Orochimaru behind them.
However—
With the First, Second, and Uchiha Madara here,
Trying to bypass them to get to Orochimaru—how could that be easy?
Besides—
They were already completely exhausted by now!
Indeed—
Rushing so suddenly into the final battleground was far too reckless.
They were trapped here!
"Is there really no way out?" Orochimaru swept his eyes over the four with a smile, then landed his gaze on Sarutobi Hiruzen, speaking lightly, "As expected… old man, you've gotten old."
"Yes… I've grown old."
Sarutobi Hiruzen let out a sigh. Despite the immense pressure, he struggled to his feet.
At this moment, Wood Release covered the area, flames were blazing, and rocks were tumbling. If the fight continued, this place would be destroyed sooner or later!
He looked calmly at Orochimaru, took a deep breath. "But as your Sensei… I absolutely won't sit by and watch you continue to fall!" With firm resolve, "I will stop you!"
As his words fell—
His hands quickly formed seals under everyone's gaze.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
In an instant—
Three shadow clones appeared beside Sarutobi Hiruzen, then immediately charged toward the three enemies.
After all those years of delivering takeout, he had long since mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu, so his clones weren't so easy to deal with!
The three clones quickly evaded attacks, recklessly charging forward!
"I'll hold them off! You all must stop Orochimaru!"
"Old man (Third Hokage)!"
That determined expression moved the three of them. But… how could he possibly hold back the First Hokage and the others?
Yet—
Right now, they had no choice but to believe in Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Otherwise—
If they didn't deal with Orochimaru, there was no way they could defeat the First Hokage and the others!
"An insect like you dares to say you'll hold us off!" Uchiha Madara sneered coldly, "Have Konoha's ninja become this arrogant?"
"Little monkey !" Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama looked at the charging Sarutobi Hiruzen with deep emotion. "You're worthy of the title of Hokage!"
"I'm sorry… This is all because I failed as a Sensei." Hearing the words of the First and Second Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled faintly. "So, I will end all of this myself!"
Orochimaru—
He was his student after all.
With that—
His expression hardened, and he rapidly formed hand seals.
Suddenly—
The three who had been dodging attacks and thinking about how to deal with Orochimaru saw this and their expressions changed.
That was—
Reaper Death Seal!!!
"Old man (Third Hokage)! Don't do it!!"
Once the Reaper Death Seal is used, the caster will sacrifice their life as well!
Even Orochimaru, who stood nearby watching, was shocked—shocked that this rigid old man would actually make such a decisive move.
So—
He really had underestimated the old man a bit!
"Where the leaves fall, fire will continue to burn. The flames will continue to illuminate the village and nurture the new leaves to grow!" Standing firmly in place, Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled faintly, formed a seal with his hands, and after a deep look at Orochimaru, shouted loudly, "Don't worry about me! You must release all the souls of the dead! Oh, and one more thing." He paused, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Tell Danzo that his sea of stars... I… can't see it anymore!"
"Old man (Third Hokage)!"
Everyone looked at the forming spectral figure, their expressions filled with shock.
Just as they were about to stop him—
Suddenly—
"You all don't seriously think that taking care of me means it's all over, do you?" Orochimaru, still unhurriedly sipping his tea at the side, said calmly, "Jiraiya, haven't you noticed anything?"
The moment the words landed—
"?!"
Jiraiya was momentarily stunned.
Then—
He looked in surprise behind Orochimaru, and his expression turned grave. "Otsutsuki Urashiki!"
That's right.
Otsutsuki Urashiki, who had appeared earlier, had vanished again.
The three of them seemed to realize something, their eyes widened. "He couldn't have—"
"Exactly!" Orochimaru nodded with a smile. "The game is just getting started~"
As the words fell—
Suddenly—
"Damn it! What the hell are you planning?!" Uchiha Madara's expression shifted, his body seemingly out of his own control again. Susanoo activated, shattering the rock wall and charging straight ahead. "Orochimaru!"
"Orochimaru!"
"Orochimaru!"
At this moment.
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama also rushed out.
The once formidable enemies had all left!
"?!"
Everyone was stunned, then turned their angry gazes toward Orochimaru.
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
However—
"This wasn't my doing!" Orochimaru shook his head and helplessly placed the teacup aside, looking at Jiraiya and the others. "That guy has also learned my improved version of Impure World Reincarnation!"
"?!"
That guy?
"Otsutsuki Urashiki!!!"
"Correct!" Orochimaru smiled, "Although we're in a cooperative relationship… I can't control him~ The authority is no longer in my hands. If you don't go stop him, it might be too late!"
At this point—
His eyes faintly revealed a hint of excitement.
"The power said to belong to the gods… If I get to witness it, I'd be quite pleased~"
"Orochimaru-sama!"
Everyone looked at Orochimaru, who was now laughing like a madman.
At this moment—
Their hearts were filled with tension.
Especially Sarutobi Hiruzen… who stood there dumbfounded, staring at the direction where the First Hokage and the others had already run off to.
He had just been about to perform the Reaper Death Seal.
The legendary Shikigami was about to appear.
The sealing barrier was nearly complete.
And then—
They ran away?!
Now what?
Forcefully cancel the jutsu?
You have to understand…
He had made a huge resolve for this!
"Well then… aren't you going to hurry up and go?" Orochimaru smiled at them, "You're running out of time~"
With that—
"…"
The three fell silent, their expressions shifting with uncertainty, seemingly conflicted.
After a moment.
"Sigh~"
With a sigh—
"Minato! You go out first and stop them!" Tsunade suddenly grinned wickedly, cracking her knuckles as she looked at the smug, smiling Orochimaru. "Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and I have a little private matter to discuss with Orochimaru!"
"Yes!"
Minato responded, gave a surprised glance at Jiraiya who had already taken out a camera, and then shot a complicated look at Orochimaru. Without hesitation, he rushed out.
As for Orochimaru—
"…"
His eyelids twitched as he looked at the two approaching with sinister smiles, and the old man still standing off to the side, reversing his ninjutsu with a murderous glare.
"You guys… shouldn't you be going out right now?"
Time is really tight, you know~
For the peace of the Ninja World—why are you still lingering here?
"No rush! No rush!" Tsunade smiled and shook her head, "It's been a long time since we've had a good conversation, hasn't it?"
"…"
What are you planning to do?
…
Meanwhile.
On the top of the mountain—
"Has it begun?" Otsutsuki Urashiki, holding his fishing rod, with a massive white orb floating to his left, smiled and said, "The game is just getting started."
He had never underestimated this lowly planet!
Which is why he made special preparations this time.
"This really is an interesting journey through dimensions~" At this, the corner of his mouth curled slightly. "Don't you agree… Uchiha Sasuke?"
As he spoke—
Uchiha Sasuke, who had been hiding nearby, also stepped forward, and said coldly, "This isn't the start—this is the end!"
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All right guys! Volume 2 has also ended in patreon. So, if you want to read in advance, check it out! [patreon.com/kurato6180]