"Ninpo, Earth Dragon Flame Flow!"
After a flurry of taijutsu attacks, the Third seamlessly transitioned into ninjutsu—a composite technique blending Earth Release and Fire Release.
Boom.
As the jutsu activated, a dragon of earth cloaked in blazing flames surged toward Orochimaru, obliterating everything in its path!
The Third didn't pause, taking only a few short breaths before gripping the Diamond Will Staff and charging alongside the roaring earth dragon toward Orochimaru.
Seeing this, Orochimaru held the Kusanagi Sword in his mouth with his tongue, freeing his hands to form seals before slamming them onto the ground. "Triple Rashomon!"
In an instant, three gates adorned with fierce Prajna demon faces rose from the earth.
The flame-wreathed earth dragon soon crashed into Orochimaru's summoned Rashomon gates, unleashing a deafening roar!
In the midst of the roar, the first gate collapsed in the blink of an eye! The second gate followed, the Earth Dragon Flame Flow's terrifying force holding strong for a moment before it, too, crumbled.
Only at the third gate did the dragon's momentum finally wane!
"Phew."
Orochimaru, hiding behind the three gates, let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Bang.
At that moment, the ground beneath Orochimaru's feet split open, and the Diamond Will Staff shot up from below, striking his chin and sending him flying.
The Third burst from the ground, crouched, and sprang upward, chasing the airborne Orochimaru with his staff raised.
"Old man!"
With no leverage in midair, Orochimaru's pupils shrank as he saw the Third swing the Diamond Will Staff down at him with ferocious force.
Bang.
With a dull thud, Orochimaru was struck head-on by the Diamond Will Staff, crashing to the ground like a cannonball.
Landing from the air with the Diamond Will Staff in hand, the Third stared at the crater where Orochimaru had fallen, panting heavily.
That strike was enough to kill most shinobi in the ninja world, even many who bore the title of Kage-level!
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the distant crater.
"As expected of the old man, still so unpredictable…"
Amid the rising dust, Orochimaru limped out, the disguise of Shinzō Kozdera from the Hidden Grass Village half-torn from the blow, revealing his true face beneath the damaged skin suit.
The Third's expression darkened.
He knew Orochimaru wouldn't die so easily, but he hadn't expected him to emerge nearly unscathed.
Orochimaru tore off the ruined skin suit. "If this were ten years ago—no, five years ago—I would've died by your hand! But alas…"
Looking at the panting Third, Orochimaru's face showed no trace of triumph.
The Third was still formidable.
Proficient in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, he had no weaknesses. His combat instincts and experience far surpassed those of ordinary shinobi.
If Kakashi was the "Hidden Leaf's First Technician," then the Third Hokage was Kakashi's enhanced, all-around superior version! The title of "Strongest Hokage" might carry some exaggeration, but during his prime, there was no doubt the Third's comprehensive strength outshone the other five Kage.
Otherwise, he couldn't have led the Hidden Leaf to victory through three Shinobi World Wars.
But alas, the Third had aged!
His weathered face, frail body, and chakra—still burning fiercely but outwardly strong while inwardly faltering—Orochimaru saw it all.
The thought of the once-invincible "Ninja Hero" reduced to an old man gasping for breath after a few moves filled Orochimaru with complex emotions.
"-Sensei, don't grow any older. Let me, your disciple, kill you here!"
Orochimaru began forming hand seals.
In that moment, he even set aside his pursuit of Sasuke, determined to give his teacher a final send-off, letting the Third die as a Hokage rather than continue to age, helplessly feeling his strength slip away.
Seeing the seals Orochimaru was forming, the Third's brow furrowed. "That's…?"
Swish.Swish.
Soon, two figures darted out from the shelter, landing on either side of Orochimaru.
Recognizing their familiar faces, the Third was momentarily dazed.
Undoubtedly, summoned by Orochimaru were the First and Second Hokage, who had been fighting Haku, Karin, Ryuzetsu, and Chino inside the shelter.
"Is that you, Monkey?" Recognizing the Third, the Second shook his head, sighing. "Even you've grown this old?"
The First said, "As a Kage protecting the village, living to this age is no small feat!"
"You two…"
The Third's face was filled with bitterness.
He had never imagined that one day he'd face the First and Second as opponents!
Orochimaru declared, "Having the First and Second see you off won't disgrace your status. So, please, enjoy it!"
With that, he began forming seals, controlling the First and Second to launch their attack.
While the Third faced the First and Second, Orochimaru cast one last glance at his struggling teacher before turning away, heading toward the direction Sasuke had fled.
…
In the Forest of Death.
As Shinji appeared under the Akatsuki identity "A," the battlefield's dynamics shifted dramatically.
Not only the Hidden Leaf forces but even Hiruko and Ranmaru, clad in the same red-cloud cloaks, were filled with apprehension and confusion.
All eyes were on Shinji, awaiting his next move.
Swish.
Breaking free from his opponent, Ranmaru leaped to Hiruko's side. "What now?"
Already contemplating retreat, Hiruko whispered, " 'A' is the leader of that group, with strength no less than our Leader's. There's no need to fight him to the death here! We've already secured the One-Tail and Seven-Tails. Prepare to withdraw!"
"Got it!"
Ranmaru nodded firmly.
Across from them, Shinji glanced at the red eyes in Ranmaru's sockets.
Like Hiruko, Ranmaru's Hogan had clearly been enhanced through the Bloodline Fusion Ritual.
Even the enhanced Hogan forcibly fused with Susanoo Tomoshibi couldn't produce the unique "Hogan Clone" ability that Ranmaru's eyes could.
Feeling Shinji's probing gaze, Ranmaru, who had been preparing to retreat with Hiruko, could no longer bear the pressure. He vanished under his Transparency Release and fled without looking back.
"You!?"
Seeing Ranmaru escape alone, Hiruko's face darkened.
He had counted on Ranmaru to cover his retreat, but Ranmaru had fled first!
With no other choice, Hiruko decisively unleashed his long-prepared Susanoo, then drove the massive construct to slash fiercely at Shinji.
The sudden appearance of the colossal figure made everyone's hearts skip a beat.
Yakumo shouted, "Be careful!"
As the target of Hiruko's Susanoo, Shinji bore the brunt.
With Yakumo and Shion close behind, both in no condition to withstand Hiruko's Susanoo strike, Shinji chose not to dodge. Instead, he activated his dojutsu, Almighty Push, to meet the attack head-on!
Boom boom boom.
Amid the tremendous roar, an astonishing scene unfolded!
The diminutive "A" clashed with Hiruko's towering, dark-purple Susanoo—and it was the massive Susanoo that faltered, toppling backward and kicking up a massive cloud of dust.