Chapter 203

"Magnet Release? It does have its uses—not just for an Absolute Defense similar to Gaara's, but for flight too?"

"How exactly does the flying work? Manipulating the magnetic field around oneself?"

Orochimaru strolled through the jungle, muttering his thoughts aloud. While defensive techniques weren't particularly appealing to him, the ability to fly piqued his interest.

From what he had observed during the battle with the Third Kazekage, the ability to fly offered an advantage, although it wasn't especially fast and the altitude was limited.

Still, it was better than nothing.

"Can't complain," he mused internally. "Anything useful is a win."

With the genes of the First Hokage and the Uchiha clan already integrated into his body, most other bloodline abilities paled in comparison.

After all, the power of Wood Release and the Sharingan was unmatched. What bloodline could truly compare with those?

Yet, the Magnet Release was intriguing enough to consider integrating.

"Lord Orochimaru!"

A clear, gentle voice broke his thoughts. Moments later, the sound of swift footsteps followed, and several figures appeared before him.

Orochimaru looked up. "Mikoto, you're all safe, I see."

"Yes, we're… we're fine!" Mikoto stuttered, surprised. Shouldn't she be the one asking if he was alright?

"Lord Orochimaru, you…"

"I'm fine," Orochimaru cut her off with a wave of his hand, already anticipating her question.

"Fine? And the Third Kazekage…"

"He's dead."

"W-What? Dead?"

The brief exchange left everyone around stunned.

"No… No way."

"The Third Kazekage was really killed by Orochimaru-sama?"

They looked at Orochimaru, whose clothes were dusty but showed no signs of injury. The disbelief was clear in their eyes.

Not injured? To kill the Third Kazekage without taking any damage? And surrounded by so many enemies?

It sounded impossible.

"No need for fuss," Orochimaru said flatly. "Let's head back. With the Kazekage dead, the Sand Village forces will retreat soon enough."

He spoke as if it were a minor event, leaving the others momentarily dumbfounded.

When they snapped out of their shock, Orochimaru was already walking ahead. They hurried to catch up. …

The news of the Third Kazekage's death at the hands of Orochimaru on the battlefield quickly reached Konoha's frontline outposts.

Initially, the reports were met with disbelief.

The Third Kazekage was renowned for his strength. Even if someone could defeat him in battle, killing him was another matter entirely.

There were few in the entire ninja world capable of such a feat.

Even if two Kage-level ninjas fought, the most likely outcome would be mutual destruction.

How could Orochimaru, a disciple of the Hokage, accomplish this?

But the news became undeniable when the Sand forces began their retreat, and confirmations arrived from different channels.

The reality was inescapable, and soon, the news spread like wildfire.

It wasn't long before all of Konoha was abuzz with talk.

"Has Orochimaru become this strong?"

Sitting in the Hokage's office, the Third Hokage was taken aback when he received the confirmation.

He knew that even against the Third Kazekage, his own odds would be about 60-40 at best.

How had Orochimaru grown powerful enough to kill him?

Hiruzen considered even a draw to be a stretch.

"Astonishing."

"Yes, but it's definitely good news for us."

"Indeed. With the Sand retreating, Iwa won't hold out much longer."

"Sarutobi, your student is something else."

The Konoha leadership had lost count of how many times Orochimaru had shocked them.

Logically, they should have been used to his achievements by now.

But each time, Orochimaru managed to surprise them, sparking a new wave of awe. …

The death of the Third Kazekage sent shockwaves through the Sand Village in the Land of Wind.

After their retreat, Orochimaru and Mikoto swiftly moved to the Iwa front.

Facing the combined might of Konoha and their recent defeat, Iwa was forced to surrender.

With the fall of both Sand and Iwa, Konoha celebrated a major victory.

Orochimaru's decisive act of killing the Third Kazekage had not only turned the tide but also led to the Second Ninja War ending several years earlier than expected.

At that time, Orochimaru was just 25 years old.

The death of the Third Kazekage?

Killed by Orochimaru?

As the news spread through the other nations, reactions ranged from shock to disbelief.

Did Orochimaru of Konoha possess the strength to kill a Kage?

And not just any Kage, but the Third Kazekage of the Sand Village?

The Third Kazekage was widely considered the strongest in the Sand Village's history.

If Orochimaru had killed him in the midst of battle, didn't that mean his strength now exceeded Kage level?

Not only had Konoha developed advanced technology, but it now had an additional Kage-level powerhouse.

It was important to understand that the title of "Kage" wasn't just honorary; it came with weight.

In the entire ninja world, only the leaders of the five major villages had the right to bear that title.

A Kage was not only a symbol of prestige but also a representation of power.

Anyone who held the title was a force to be reckoned with, commanding respect from other great nations.

Because of this, after the Second Ninja War, Orochimaru's name spread rapidly throughout the world.

He became as famous as Hanzo of the Salamander, if not more so.

After all, even Hanzo had suffered defeat at the hands of Orochimaru.

Back in Sand Village, the death of the Third Kazekage left them without a clear successor.

Chiyo and Ebizo took on the duties of leadership temporarily, but the blow to their morale was severe.

With ongoing tensions with Iwa, the village faced both internal and external crises.

If Iwa hadn't also taken heavy losses, Sand might have been vulnerable to an immediate invasion.

Meanwhile, Konoha basked in their victory.

Though they had suffered casualties, the strategic gains and minimized losses made the victory all the sweeter. The entire village celebrated.

"Lord Orochimaru, look this way!"

"Long live Lord Orochimaru!"

"Orochimaru-sama is incredible!"

"Orochimaru-sama, I love you!"

As Orochimaru walked through the streets of Konoha, he was met with cheers and admiration.

The swift end to the war was largely attributed to his slaying of the Third Kazekage.

And waiting for him back in the village was Tsunade, who had returned earlier and greeted him with a grin.

"Haha, Orochimaru, you really are amazing!"