Chapter 103

Feeling Orochimaru's back pressed against him, Hiruzen stopped with a furrowed brow.

"Kazekage, are you following—"

Before Hiruzen could finish his sentence, a kunai pressed against his neck.

"Take action!"

With the command, the four disguised Sound ninja swiftly threw smoke bombs, obscuring the entire pathway.

Bang!

A plethora of smoke filled the surroundings, blocking the view of the entire corridor. Seeing this, the ANBU, who had been lurking in the shadows, emerged.

"Hokage-sama!"

In the smoke, they couldn't find any figures. However, the lead ANBU, codenamed "Zou," keenly noticed a trace.

"They're below!"

"Team One, come with me. Team Two, protect the daimyos inside and evacuate the villagers!"

In the arena below, Orochimaru had already taken Hiruzen to the center. The disguised Sound ninja occupied the four corners, setting up formations.

As the Sound and Sand ninjas near the arena reacted, they quickly jumped out, hindering the ANBU and patrolling Chunin, attempting to approach the center.

Simultaneously, Kabuto employed a large-scale genjutsu to eliminate less skilled ninja.

Honestly, Orochimaru's sudden attack caught Hiruzen off guard. After all, what schemer would just jump straight into action upon their first meeting? That's the kind of behavior expected from a brute!

Currently, with Kakashi, Guy, and other Jonin leading teams, at least half of the village's elite ninja and Jonin were present.

Meanwhile, in the Death Forest, they were ensuring the safety of the tower where the preliminary matches were scheduled for the next day.

For Hiruzen, he hadn't anticipated Sand attacking so impulsively. Which schemer immediately launches an attack upon meeting?

"Sound and Sand ninjas!"

"Didn't expect you to violate the treaty eventually."

"Are you planning to go to war with Konoha together with the Sound?"

Orochimaru chuckled and didn't immediately reveal his identity, waiting for the activation of the Four Purple Wall Formation.

"The wind moves the windmill, and the wheels of history are about to start rolling."

"Now, this boring arms race should also come to an end."

"Provoking a war has no benefits for you and me." Hiruzen still wanted to try and salvage the situation.

After all, with his current age, another large-scale war might be too much for him.

"Kazekage, what are your demands? We can sit down and talk, resolving this in a peaceful manner."

Before the persuasion could be completed, Hiruzen witnessed the rising purple flames of the Four Purple Wall Formation.

"This is the Four Purple Wall Formation!"

"You were just stalling for time!"

Orochimaru dropped the act, his voice returning to its hoarse and sharp tone.

"Hehehe, have you become so dull? Is it old-age senility?" Orochimaru taunted, "Lord Hokage!"

This familiar voice, accompanied by the title with an extra hint of mockery, caused Hiruzen's pupils to contract. He turned his gaze toward Orochimaru with a complex expression.

"You're Orochimaru!"

Hearing Hiruzen's shocked voice, Orochimaru couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hehehe hahaha!"

"Dear teacher, your arrogance and foolishness will soon cost you your life. But well, I guess it's fitting that I'm the one to send you off – fulfilling my duty as your disciple, right?"

"Send me off?" Hiruzen remained undisturbed, exuding confidence.

"My rebellious disciple, have you forgotten my teachings? Nothing is decided until the very end."

At Orochimaru's words, he slowly removed the human-faced mask, licking the kunai in his hand with his long, slender tongue, wearing a mocking smile.

"Hehehe."

"Look at the time; I believe Gaara should be making his move by now."

"Do you think your confidence can solve the Jinchuriki's transformation before you meet your demise?"

"Jinchuriki transformation!" Hiruzen's expression changed abruptly, his face turning serious.

"I see, that's how it is."

"No wonder you plotted to assassinate the Kazekage, disguised yourself as him, and rushed the attack."

"It seems that during our encounter in the Forest of Death, you had already gathered information about Naruto mastering the two-tailed form."

While speaking, Orochimaru maintained his gleeful demeanor, oblivious to the underlying meaning in Hiruzen's words.

"This is something you taught me, after all – information is the most critical part of a ninja's strength."

"So, hurry up and decide who the Fifth Hokage will be; otherwise, you won't have the chance to leave any last words!"

Seeing that Orochimaru didn't deny Naruto's mastery of the two-tailed form, Hiruzen's spirit lifted, and he regained his composure.

"Not bad, you still remember my teachings. Unfortunately, you haven't executed them well enough."

During their conversation, outside, the ongoing battle alerted his guard.

"Damn it, how can the Third Kazekage be Orochimaru!?"

"All Sand ninjas, stop!"

Upon his shout, the Sand ninjas ceased their actions and gathered around him.

The pressure on the Leaf ninja also reduced, allowing half of them to encircle the remaining Sound ninjas, while the others rushed to the forefront of the Four Purple Wall Formation.

"Stop! It's a barrier!"

The ANBU captain with code name Tō, quickly halted the ninja preparing to rush in.

Inside, as Hiruzen saw his trusted ANBU arrive, he sighed in relief.

He then commanded, "Go to the Forest of Death and bring Kaze here!"

If they could just buy a bit more time...

"Kaze?" Upon hearing the name, Orochimaru's heart sank. "It seems my intelligence wasn't thorough enough. Your confidence isn't Naruto, huh?"

He sneered, revealing his true colors, and continued, "I thought you'd come here to negotiate the Fifth Hokage position. It turns out you're in such a rush because of this."

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the Sarutobi Clan compound:

"Exactly as Kaze said, it's begun over there!"

"This cleverness of yours truly belongs to me!"

Watching Orochimaru's attack on Konoha, Kushina couldn't help but praise Kaze. Minato, on the other hand, remained silent, pretending not to have heard anything.

As for Kurama, the Nine-Tails, he stood in the middle of the street, chest puffed out, acting like he owned the world.

As the chaos unfolded, Hidan, with an excited smile, boldly walked into the compound.

"Does anyone here want to experience the ultimate pleasure of an Evil God?"

***

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