Orochimaru's expression was dark.
He stared at the corpse, gritting his teeth as he spat out, "The operation is over."
"We're leaving!"
He was exhausted, barely able to draw any chakra.
Two Sound Nin carried him and leapt away.
The ANBU immediately gave chase: "Don't think you can escape!"
A male ninja with six arms spun in mid-air and spat out a web from his mouth, spreading it outward.
The ANBU were caught off guard and became entangled and bound.
They tried to cut through with kunai, but the sticky substance clung to them, rendering their attacks useless and pulling them deeper into the trap.
Frustrated, they could only watch as Orochimaru fled.
A chant echoed in their ears.
"Lord of dominion!"
"Mask of flesh and blood, all creation, soaring high, thou who art named among humans!"
"Blazing heat and turmoil, surging south across the sea, march forward!"
"Way of Destruction #31: Red Fire Cannon."
They turned around.
Naruto raised his hand, face calm, the incantation flowing from his lips.
The rhythm was elegant yet sent chills down their spines.
In his palm, a bright orange-red fireball formed—hot and radiant.
It launched forward at high speed.
Before it even touched the web, it sizzled—burning it into ash and smoke.
One of the four enemies, a fat ninja, stepped forward.
He clapped his hands and formed seals.
A summoning jutsu activated, conjuring a giant earthen golem.
It acted as a barrier to shield them.
But it couldn't stop this fireball, which wasn't even that large in size.
The fireball burned, melting the mud, making it drip and fall.
In a blink, it vanished in a puff of smoke.
Its power was barely diminished.
The fat ninja clenched his teeth and tried to block it with his body.
A loud boom resounded, blasting air outward.
Those behind him, protected, were forced to land due to the impact.
Naruto used the Body Flicker Technique, appearing behind them: "I haven't given you permission to leave yet."
Those who still tried to escape—
Suddenly felt their steps grow heavy.
Something chained their ankles, rooting them to the ground.
A jutsu?
No.
It wasn't a jutsu.
The fat ninja on the ground stared at Naruto in terror.
Just the sheer pressure emanating from this blond boy made them unable to move.
What kind of terrifying monster is this?
"Naruto-kun," Orochimaru turned back, his face twisted and fierce, the usual playful smile gone. "So eager to avenge the Third Hokage?"
"He wronged you greatly."
Naruto slowly drew his sword: "That jutsu which draws out the souls of the dead—what is it? Give it to me."
"You're interested in that jutsu?" Orochimaru looked surprised, then chuckled. "Planning to use it to meet your parents?"
"In that case, Naruto-kun, perhaps we can strike a deal."
He stared at Naruto's sword, recalling the searing pain in his chest—just like the feeling of his hands being severed.
That jutsu could harm the soul.
Maybe…
If he could study it, he could restore his hands.
Naruto shook his head in disgust: "I would never trade with a sinner who manipulates souls."
"And besides—"
"Orochimaru, what gave you the illusion that you're in a position to negotiate?"
"Do you still have that power?"
Orochimaru's expression hardened. He glanced at his useless hands.
If not for that seal… he might have had a chance to escape.
Without the ability to form hand signs—
A ninja is almost useless.
That kind of jutsu—chanting incantations without seals…
If only he could use it…
"Don't you dare harm Lord Orochimaru!" a strained voice shouted nearby.
It came with a strange chakra fluctuation.
Three towering humanoid figures appeared.
But they were unimportant.
Naruto's gaze passed over them.
A pink-haired female ninja—her skin darkened, white horns protruding from her head, her aura dramatically changed. Her chakra had grown far stronger, and an even more chaotic, violent, and higher-level energy surged through her.
That power let her rise under his pressure.
From an elite chunin to a jonin in an instant.
What was this?
She wasn't the only one using it.
A ninja with an extra head and altered body stood beside her, blocking Naruto's path.
The six-armed ninja grabbed Orochimaru and rapidly retreated.
The fat ninja wanted to protect Orochimaru too, but his severe injuries forced him to stay behind and activate the same state, attempting to hold Naruto off.
The six-armed ninja moved with incredible speed.
His abilities were bizarre.
The pursuing ANBU couldn't handle his webs.
Orochimaru turned back, staring hard at the battlefield.
But after a corner turn, it was out of sight.
The "Cursed Seal"—his proudest invention—could grant massive power in an instant to ordinary ninjas.
Each one had been carefully selected.
But… could they really stall Naruto long enough?
He wondered.
Then, the six-armed ninja who carried him suddenly paused, inertia throwing Orochimaru forward—he crashed hard to the ground.
As he rolled, Orochimaru caught a glimpse—
A crimson blade pierced the ninja's heart.
Lightning flickered silently.
Killed in a single strike.
The six-armed ninja hadn't even sensed Naruto approaching.
"Jirōbō and the others could only buy you this little time?" Orochimaru sighed in awe.
"Tell me." Naruto held his sword horizontally and raised his other hand. "What is that jutsu?"
"How did you manipulate the souls of the dead?"
As he spoke, he lifted his hand, skipping the incantation.
"Way of Binding #30: Mouth-Stab Triple Flash."
Three sharp golden lights shot out, pinning Orochimaru's legs and abdomen, anchoring him to the ground.
"This is bad," Orochimaru muttered, lifting his head and struggling up. "It's been a long time since I was pushed this far."
"If I give you that jutsu, will you let me go?"
Naruto didn't respond, only raised his sword to Orochimaru's throat.
Orochimaru let out a chuckle and studied the person before him.
There was no escape.
Substitution or clones wouldn't work either.
This blond brat's sensing ability was terrifying.
And he didn't want to kill him immediately.
He couldn't fall into Konoha's or Danzo's hands.
If so, there was only one option.
Suddenly, he opened his mouth—not a tongue, but a brown snake slithered out, holding a cold, sharp blade in its mouth.
Naruto swung his sword.
But surprisingly, the snake's strike wasn't aimed at Naruto.
It was—
Orochimaru himself.
The brown snake twisted, and the blade pierced its master's heart.
Using all his strength, Orochimaru stared at Naruto with golden vertical pupils: "This broken body couldn't let me escape from you with honor."
"But Naruto…"
"We will meet again someday."
"As for that jutsu…"
"Naruto-kun, maybe you'll find it."
Blood flowed, soaking his body. His breath and chakra quickly faded.
Naruto stared at the rapidly decaying corpse, frowning.
The shell was empty—no soul inside.
No trace of Orochimaru's presence nearby either.
Not a fake death, nor a substitution.
And that final sentence—
"We'll meet again someday."
Orochimaru didn't know Naruto was the Death God.
So…
He had another jutsu that could bring him back?
So decisive.
Realizing Naruto wouldn't kill but only seal him, Orochimaru had chosen death without hesitation.
Was it that he wouldn't give up the jutsu?
Or he just didn't want to be captured by Konoha?
The ANBU caught up.
They stood far behind Naruto—his oppressive presence still lingered, keeping them from approaching.
But what shocked them more—
Was the pierced corpse.
Konoha's S-class missing-nin.
The mastermind behind the recent incident.
The killer of the Third Hokage.
Orochimaru, dead before Naruto.
Naruto sheathed his sword and turned back, looking at them calmly.
(End of Chapter)