12 Chapter 12 : Weapon List
Konohagakure.
Chūnin examination arena, atop a building.
The Four of Orochimaru's subordinates executed the Four Crimson Flames Formation, trapping the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, within the barrier.
With the Third Hokage's strength, it was possible to break the Four Crimson Flames Formation, but at this moment, Orochimaru was keeping him occupied, leaving him with no opportunity to deal with the barrier.
Furthermore, as the Third Hokage, he couldn't simply flee. He was the symbol of Konohagakure, and fleeing was not an option.
Besides, he knew he couldn't defeat Orochimaru.
The true purpose of the Four Crimson Flames Formation was to prevent others from interfering in Orochimaru's fight with the Third Hokage.
At this juncture,
The battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru was being broadcasted live and watched by countless ninjas.
[Fourth Hokage: This is the Four Crimson Flames Formation. It seems Orochimaru doesn't want anyone to disrupt his battle with Teacher Sarutobi.]
[Tsunade: Damn Orochimaru, how dare he attack our teacher! I should head back immediately!]
[Jiraiya: Tsunade, it's too late for you to return now. Let's watch the battle together. If things get dire, I'll intervene!]
[Uchiha Madara: This battle is quite dull. If I were there, I could finish them off with one hand!]
[Fourth Raikage: Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation seems to have succeeded. The First and Second Hokages have fallen silent; it appears they've been reincarnated!]
...
"Orochimaru, you've used Impure World Reincarnation on me again!"
Senju Hashirama exclaimed, visibly upset.
He then glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, "Little monkey, you've grown quite old!"
"Sensei, it seems we must battle this time," Sarutobi Hiruzen said solemnly.
Senju Tobirama frowned, "Sarutobi, this body is feeble. I can't exert my full strength. Nevertheless, with my understanding of Impure World Reincarnation, breaking free from it wouldn't be a challenge."
"First and Second Hokage, I apologize. The Third Hokage is formidable, so I'll have to rely on your strength," Orochimaru said sinisterly.
With that, he activated the seals that could control Impure World Reincarnation on the First and Second Hokages.
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama obeyed Orochimaru's command and attacked.
However, their strength alone couldn't overpower the Third Hokage.
Initially, Sarutobi Hiruzen had the upper hand, but over time, it became evident that his physical strength was depleting rapidly.
[Fourth Hokage: Teacher Sarutobi is in trouble. His physical stamina is dwindling, and age isn't on his side!]
[Fourth Raikage: The Third Hokage has become quite feeble. His combat prowess no longer matches mine with such diminished power!]
[Terumi Mei: The Third Hokage was once renowned as the strongest Hokage, but I never imagined he would decline to such a degree!]
[Uchiha Madara: What? He was considered the strongest Hokage?
By whose standards? He's not even one-tenth as powerful as Senju Hashirama. How can he still be the strongest Hokage?
It seems people have forgotten the might of the First Hokage and my own power. If I could be resurrected, I would show you the true power of Uchiha Madara!]
[Second Mizukage: A deceased man, yet so arrogant!]
[Uchiha Madara: Mustache, how dare you speak to me that way? When I was alive, you weren't even worth my attention.]
[Second Mizukage: Uchiha Madara, what are you doing? We're all deceased; can you find me in the Pure Land World and challenge me there? Also, don't call me 'mustache.' I despise that!]
At this moment, Golden List announced the second list.
The Weapon List!
The second list had been released, specifically the Weapon List.
The detailed rankings were yet to be released. The ongoing battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru overshadowed this, as they deliberated over the rankings of the weapons.
[Terumi Mei: The Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist, wielded by our Kirigakure Seven Ninja Swordsmen, undoubtedly deserve a spot on the list.]
[Fourth Raikage: Fifth Mizukage, how many of those Seven Ninja Swords still belong to Kirigakure?]
[Terumi Mei: Humph!]
[Uchiha Madara: As for weapons, my fan, Gunbai, is undoubtedly among the best.]
[Third Tsuchikage: Madara, you're deceased. Do you still possess your fan? I believe weapon rankings should consider the current owners. Even if your fan makes the list, you won't reap any benefits.]
[Fourth Hokage: We'll see when the list is revealed!]
[Fourth Raikage: Once, the five ninja tools of the Sage of Six Paths were in our Cloud Shinobi Village. Sadly, all four of them were lost. If we still had them, our Cloud Shinobi Village would have benefited the most.]
Not long after, the Weapon List was officially disclosed.
[Ranked 100 on the Weapon List: Giant Folding Fan, User: Temari]
The Fourth Kazekage was delighted to see this ranking.
[Fourth Kazekage: Temari is my daughter, and I obtained the Giant Folding Fan for her. I didn't expect it to be ranked 100th on the Weapon List!]
Entering the list guaranteed rewards, so many ninjas were envious.
Subsequently, the announcement of named weapons began.
For instance, Gaara's gourd was included in the list, as was Mifune's Kurosawa. However, their rankings were quite moderate.
The list announcement proceeded at a sluggish pace, increasing the tension among the spectators.
After all, everyone aspired to have their weapons on the list, although the chances were known.
At this critical juncture, the battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru reached its climax.
[Fourth Raikage: The Third Hokage is done for. He's exhausted!]
[Tsunade: @Jiraiya, go and rescue Sarutobi sensei!]
[Jiraiya: I'm on my way!]
However, before Jiraiya could arrive, Sarutobi Hiruzen, on the brink of exhaustion, knocked Orochimaru's Kusanagi sword away and executed the Forbidden Reaper Death Seal.
At that moment,
Orochimaru panicked. Being sealed by the Reaper Death Seal meant certain death.
He didn't want to die!
Under the Reaper Death Seal's influence, he couldn't move his body and could only manipulate his serpentine appendages to retrieve the Kusanagi sword and attack Sarutobi Hiruzen from behind.
If Sarutobi Hiruzen dodged, the Reaper Death Seal would be disrupted, and Orochimaru could resume his actions.
However,
He miscalculated!
Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't attempt to evade; instead, he accepted the strike from the Kusanagi sword.
The Kusanagi sword pierced through his body, and Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands reached Orochimaru's, activating the Reaper Death Seal.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen had depleted all his life force and strength, managing only to seal Orochimaru's hands but unable to seal his entire soul.
And so,
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell, and Orochimaru's hands were sealed.
"Take me away!"
Orochimaru shouted immediately.
Without delay, the four members of Sound Four disbanded the Four Crimson Flames Formation, approached Orochimaru, and spirited him away.
"Take Sasuke with me as well!"
Orochimaru commanded.
"Yes!"
The four members of Sound Four responded, and they disappeared into the shadows.
**********
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