"A disgrace indeed. Even after granting Hyuga Ao such immense power, he still ended up defeated so easily."
He had seen the hatred in Hyuga Ao's eyes, but hadn't expected him to be defeated so easily.
Before that red-haired brat, he was nothing more than a toy—perhaps slightly stronger, at best.
Unlike Orochimaru who remained carefree, the Third Hokage faced greater hardship. Already weakened by age, he now found himself battling against two former Hokages at once.
Even reincarnated through Impure World Reincarnation, those previous Hokages were no ordinary foes.
"The flames will rage, consuming the old leaves—but among them, new shoots shall rise. To see young Shiki wielding the jutsu that once belonged to me has already brought me great satisfaction. Orochimaru, haven't you yet seen through this truth?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi gasped for breath while gripping his golden staff.
The aged man could barely stand amidst the encroaching forest created by the First Hokage's Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands Technique, relying on his staff just to stay upright.
That's when he realized just how weak his body had become. Though he had noticed his back bending slightly before, he used to straighten it with effort—but now, he simply lacked that strength.
"Hehe, seeing through everything? I only know that you—the one once feared across the Ninja World—are now too old even to defeat me. Meanwhile, I remain free from time's grasp, unweakened by aging. Besides, few can experience the joy of killing one's own teacher."
A sense of isolation laced Orochimaru's tone, much like the "tears shed by the wind" when he hesitated to strike earlier.
Before they clashed, Orochimaru truly shed a single tear—it was shown in the original story, though many may have forgotten.
Determination flashed across the Third's eyes. "Even if you kill me, your ambition won't succeed. This is where it ends, Orochimaru! I'll correct my past mistakes—and you will die here too!"
Coldness gleamed from Orochimaru's eyes. "Foolish old man, do you really think you can still save this village?"
Then, Orochimaru extended his arm toward the chaotic battlefield around them.
"Look at the situation all around us! Not only are my men involved, but even Sunagakure has joined this fight. Many of their jonin are here too. In the end, Konoha's ninja, women, and children alike will be slaughtered without mercy!"
"In that case, Operation: Destroy Konoha will finally be complete!"
"Don't underestimate Konoha so easily!" After dodging the Second Hokage's attack once again, the Third began forming hand seals with determination: [Snake-Rabbit-Goat-Hare-Dog-Rat-Cock-Horse-Snake].
"Every ninja in Konoha will give their all to protect our village!"
Orochimaru glared furiously at the elder Hokage, teeth clenched, no longer seeking to argue.
Yet suddenly, the stern expression of the Third softened into surprise. He murmured softly:
"So this is the technique the Fourth spoke of?"
He finished speaking and calmly faced the Shinigami behind him, showing no fear of death whatsoever.
[Dead Demon Consuming Seal]!
Now, the battle with Orochimaru had just begun.
He had already bet his life to fight for this village!
In truth, every part of the village and every ninja within it were fighting with all their strength.
Shikaku Nara! Shibi Aburame! Kakashi Hatake! Guy! Hayate Gekko! Yugao Uzuki!
No matter how many enemies came, they could not erase that one phrase: "We'll meet again at the Memorial Stone."
Some may call them fools for giving everything to protect others, but they were the ones keeping the village safe.
Their next generation was rising strong, like fresh green leaves taking over from the old ones...
Chapter 201: Gradually Settling Down
Everything seemed unchanged. The Third had released this technique and extracted the souls of the First and Second Hokage, sealing them within his body.
Then he grabbed Orochimaru's hand.
Orochimaru never expected that Hiruzen wouldn't dodge his Kusanagi Blade,
That weapon which even Enma transformed into a golden staff could not match.
Had he been determined to die from the very beginning?
"Orochimaru, my disciple... I'm truly sorry I couldn't take you down with me. But someday, we will meet again in the other world."
The Third narrowed his eyes, pressed his lips together, and smiled as though partly relieved.
The Dead Demon Consuming Seal was originally a mutual destruction move—an S-rank sealing technique where one sacrifices his own life to the Shinigami.
"Curses!!!"
Orochimaru screamed furiously with wide-open mouth!
Yet he still couldn't escape his fate. Once captured by the Shinigami, he finally saw the monstrous deity!
A void-like blade swung down from the hands of the demon god, severing his soul!
"You old bastard... actually managed to counter my jutsu..."
Bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief appeared in Orochimaru's widened gaze.
The Shinigami cut off both of his hands' souls, meaning he would never be able to use ninjutsu ever again!
But the Third gently closed his eyes peacefully. He fulfilled his responsibility. Though he didn't kill Orochimaru, he successfully stopped his ambition.
It was now time for him to leave.
He cast his final glance upon the only child within reach.
Crimson red hair flew in the air, like roaring flames burning fiercely.
"Shiki Uzumaki... will you become Hokage? Unfortunately, I won't live to see it."
"Wherever the leaves dance, flames shall burn."
"The light of fire shall shine upon the village."
"Let new leaves bloom and rise anew."
As those last words left his mouth, the Third heavily fell onto the ground. Only a corpse remained; his soul had already been sealed inside the Shinigami's body.
The still-warm body wore a gentle smile — he had left this world smiling.
Shiki Uzumaki seemed to understand something and lifted his head to gaze toward the purple transparent barrier.
Tears streamed silently down his eyes — two clear lines flowing without reason.
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