Orochimaru joins the fight

Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock. Orochimaru's sudden arrival struck him as a greater shock than the Suna invasion itself. In all his years, he hadn't anticipated a day like this, with threats coming from every angle and his former student standing among them.

"Orochimaru… What are you doing here?" Hiruzen asked, his voice steady but tinged with a mix of disbelief and disappointment. He braced himself, realizing that this battle had just taken on a far more personal—and dangerous—dimension.

Orochimaru chuckled, his mocking tone cutting through the tension. "Oh, just tying up a few loose ends. You know, old debts to repay… and what better place for that than Konoha?" he sneered, his gaze shifting between Hiruzen and Rasa, clearly savoring the effect his words had on his former mentor.

Rasa's face, previously strained with fatigue and desperation, lit up with a flicker of hope at the sight of Orochimaru. To him, this was the moment he had been stalling for—the arrival of an ally powerful enough to tip the scales.

"Orochimaru," Rasa called, a hint of relief slipping into his voice, "help me deal with the old man. Even at my age, he's stronger than I anticipated."

Orochimaru's smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and menace. "Oh, don't worry, Kazekage. I'm here to ensure that Hiruzen finally meets his match." His words held an edge that promised Hiruzen a fight unlike any he had faced before.

"Then let the party begin," Orochimaru said with a twisted smile, his voice carrying an ominous excitement.

As Orochimaru stepped forward, Hiruzen felt the gravity of his situation intensify. He could sense Orochimaru's formidable strength, a threat he had hoped never to face again, and with Rasa by his side, the odds were clearly stacked against him. Despite his age, Hiruzen was no stranger to life-or-death struggles, but this battle felt different—a relentless assault from both a traitorous student and an allied leader-turned-enemy.

Hiruzen took a deep breath, gathering every ounce of strength he had left. He knew that survival was slim, but he wouldn't let his village down. This battle could be his last, and he intended to give it everything he had, determined to make sure Orochimaru and Rasa would not leave unscathed. With resolve hardening in his gaze, Hiruzen tightened his grip on Enma, his spirit as fierce as ever as he prepared to face the deadly alliance.

As the battle resumed, Orochimaru swiftly engaged three of Hiruzen's shadow clones, skillfully holding them off with sheer taijutsu prowess. His strikes were precise and unyielding, each one a reminder of his lethal skill and relentless determination. Hiruzen's clones countered with agility, but Orochimaru's attacks seemed to anticipate their every move, keeping them under constant pressure.

With Orochimaru occupied with the clones, Rasa saw an opening, his confidence restored. The pressure eased, he focused his attention on the remaining two Hiruzen figures, preparing his Gold Sand to trap and overwhelm them. Now facing fewer opponents, Rasa felt his chances improve, each attack designed to exploit the fatigue he knew Hiruzen must be feeling.

Yet Hiruzen stood undeterred, his real self observing every movement with the vigilance of a seasoned warrior. This alliance between Orochimaru and Rasa was formidable, but he remained determined, his eyes steeling as he prepared to withstand the onslaught, knowing that even the smallest mistake could spell his end.

In a chilling display, Orochimaru drew the Kusanagi blade from within his own body, the sword sliding out of his mouth with a sinister gleam. Wielding the legendary weapon, he wasted no time in launching a swift, deadly assault on the three Hiruzen clones.

Each clash of the Kusanagi against Hiruzen's defenses echoed through the barrier, the razor-sharp blade slicing with a precision and speed that tested the clones' reactions. Despite being outnumbered, Orochimaru handled the three effortlessly, his movements almost serpentine as he weaved between them, his strikes landing with lethal accuracy.

The clones retaliated, trying to overwhelm him with coordinated attacks, but Orochimaru's mastery of the Kusanagi kept him one step ahead, parrying their blows and countering with ruthless efficiency.

Hiruzen, watching his clones struggle, understood the severity of

Orochimaru's skills-a student who had grown dangerously beyond what he'd once taught him. This fight was not only a battle of strength but also a deadly reminder of Orochimaru's ambition and his unrelenting pursuit of power.

Feeling the mounting pressure, Hiruzen could sense the reality of his situation: his stamina was waning, and Orochimaru's strength, paired with Rasa's support, was steadily overpowering him. He had been in countless battles, but he knew this one held a different outcome if he didn't find a way to shift the tide.

With a deep breath, he steadied his gaze on Orochimaru, his expression softening despite the fierce clash underway. "Orochimaru," he called out, his voice calm yet firm, "you were once my student. I watched your growth, nurtured your talents, and saw the potential for greatness in you. Must we continue this path of destruction? Think of all you could accomplish with your genius if you didn't choose hatred."

Hiruzen knew the chances were slim, that Orochimaru had long turned away from any sense of loyalty or respect. Yet, he hoped there might still be a spark of the young, curious ninja who once stood by his side. But as he saw the cold glint in Orochimaru's eyes, Hiruzen braced himself, understanding that words alone might not reach his former pupil. This might well be his final battle, but he was determined to protect his village with every last ounce of his strength.