Chapter 204: A New Research Subject — The Reaper Appears!
Konoha Village.
Near the Chunin Exams Arena.
Six pillars of crimson light pierced the sky, completely sealing off the area. The barrier walls of the Six Red Yang Formation were transparent like blood-colored glass, yet indestructible.
Outside the barrier, ruins lay everywhere. The Bloodline Mecha Unit 01 and Shisui Uchiha's Susanoo were engaged in a fierce clash, the massive collision sounds shaking the very air.
Inside the barrier.
Towering trees burst from the ground, their thick trunks forming a cage trapping the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Orochimaru stood atop the canopy, the metallic luster of his Snake Armor glinting in the setting sun. He looked down at his teacher, suppressed by Wood Style.
"Sensei, you're still so stubborn."
Hiruzen panted, his palm pressed against the trunk beside him. Time had carved deep grooves on his face, but those eyes remained as resolute as ever. He gritted his teeth, chakra surging within him. His fingers finally touched the tree trunk.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
White smoke exploded, and a figure appeared beside Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, you old geezer, in trouble again?"
Monkey King Enma's expression turned serious upon seeing the surroundings. "How pathetic, Sarutobi. It's all because you couldn't bring yourself to kill him back then. Now you have to act. It's already too late."
"Enma, please. Adamantine Staff." Hiruzen's voice was hoarse.
"Got it."
Enma's body began to transform, instantly turning into the Adamantine Staff. Hiruzen grabbed it and swung with force.
BOOM!
The surrounding trees snapped, wood chips flying. The Third Hokage finally broke free from the Wood Style's restraints.
"It seems you haven't completely aged yet, Sensei. However…"
Orochimaru wasn't very excited. "Can't you show me some more interesting ninjutsu?" He glanced at the Adamantine Staff. "Besides, there's an extra outsider now. How disappointing."
Orochimaru placed a hand on his chest, and the Snake Armor began to separate. The metal plating peeled off him like flowing water, reassembling into an independent combat unit.
"Go, play with that monkey."
The Snake Armor received the command and immediately charged at the Adamantine Staff. Two inhuman entities clashed instantly, the sound of metal meeting flesh echoing through the barrier.
Orochimaru, having discarded all equipment, charged at his teacher with his own body.
"Now, we can have a proper chat."
Orochimaru's speed was astonishing. Hiruzen raised the staff to block but was knocked flying by a strike from the Snake Armor, then punched in the stomach by Orochimaru.
"Cough!"
Then, Orochimaru pummeled his face, left and right, venting his past resentment. The Third Hokage was sent flying backward.
"How foolish."
After beating the Third down, Orochimaru cocked his leg arrogantly, striking a pose.
"Sensei, you're so old, yet you still cling to the position of Hokage."
Orochimaru pursued, grabbing Hiruzen by his collar.
"You've sat in this seat for too long. When I first met you, you were Hokage. When I became one of the Sannin, you were still sitting there. When Minato succeeded as Hokage, your hand was still behind many things. After the Fourth died, you took the seat again. Even with the Fourth resurrected, you continue to hold onto the title."
"You've stayed in this position for too long. You're old. You, like Danzo, are too obsessed with this seat."
"Your existence is no longer suitable for the arrival of the new era."
"Konoha… and even the Hokage… are but a corner of this world…"
"You cannot bear the responsibility for the collective death of the Daimyo…"
"Why not…"
Hiruzen fell silent.
"Join me," Orochimaru extended his hand. "Let us explore the… truth of this world together."
Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru's outstretched hand with mixed feelings. His once most brilliant student had walked down such a path. Was he wrong? Or…
"No." Hiruzen slowly stood up, his gaze becoming firm again. "Regardless of what chakra is, regardless of what secrets this world hides, I cannot let you continue."
"Sensei, you still occupy the Hokage's throne like a rotting wooden statue." Orochimaru licked his pale lips, his fingers tightening on Hiruzen's collar. "The position of Kage should have been crushed by the times long ago. The death of the Daimyo is but the prologue to a new world, and you… have long become a stumbling block to evolution."
"Moreover, you cannot bear this responsibility…"
"Why not… Join me." Orochimaru extended his hand again. He didn't want to kill the Third; he wanted to give him a chance to live. "Let us explore the… truth of this world together."
Hiruzen looked at the hand, his heart heavy. "No."
"Why?"
"Because…" Hiruzen gripped the staff tightly. "Because I am the Hokage. What I must protect is not some truth, but… the entire Konoha."
Disappointment flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "Do you still not understand? Your existence hinders Konoha's development…"
"In that case… It's over, Sensei."
But just then, Hiruzen suddenly raised his head, the fire of final resolve burning in his eyes.
"Enma!"
Enma, fighting the Snake Armor, heard the summons and immediately charged at Orochimaru. Orochimaru dodged nimbly, curious to see what trick Hiruzen had left.
Hiruzen seized the opportunity to stand and form seals.
"I will bury you and atone for my past mistakes!"
"A Hokage must be the pillar at a time like this, the one who protects this home!"
"Someone entrusted with and inheriting the Will of Fire won't be defeated so easily!"
"Orochimaru, whatever dream you have, it ends here!"
"Sealing Jutsu…"
His voice became solemn.
"Reaper Death Seal!"
As the final seal was formed, a chilling aura descended abruptly. The air seemed to freeze. A massive, spectral figure began to emerge behind Hiruzen.
It was the Reaper. White robes, white hair, purple skin, arms like curse seals, a ferocious visage, radiating a terrifying aura of death.
"Still so pedantic and stubborn, Sensei…" Orochimaru, unaware of the entity behind Hiruzen, asked puzzledly, "Using a jutsu even I don't recognize? Interesting."
Hiruzen didn't answer. He lunged at Orochimaru, grabbing his arms tightly.
And just then, Orochimaru finally sensed it.
That existence. That existence that seemed not of this world.
"What… is this?"
Orochimaru's pupils contracted violently, then he smiled excitedly. "Sensei… you truly know how to surprise me!"
But before he could finish, the Snake Armor emitted a piercing alarm.
[WARNING! Unknown entity detected!]
[Threat Level: EXTREME!]
[Initiating Self-Preservation Protocol!]
The Snake Armor charged at Orochimaru with incredible speed. As it wrapped around him, it made a decision.
Snick!
The sound of metal cutting flesh rang out. Orochimaru's arms, held by the Third, were forcibly severed by the Snake Armor. Then, the armor immediately pulled Orochimaru away.
"Damn it…" Hiruzen looked at the severed arms in his hands and the escaping Orochimaru, his eyes full of unwillingness.
Meanwhile, inside the Snake Armor, Orochimaru rapidly grew new arms.
"Interesting…"
"An existence that cannot be perceived by conventional detection…"
Orochimaru immediately switched to the Snake Armor's mana reserves, activating the Mana Detection Mode. Instantly, he "saw" it.
The massive, unknown spectral image of the Reaper.
"I see…"
A fanatical light ignited in Orochimaru's eyes. He looked at the Reaper behind Hiruzen with excitement, as if seeing the most precious research material.
"Sensei, you've given me an excellent research opportunity!"
Hiruzen looked at the excited Orochimaru, a deep sorrow welling up in his heart. Even facing the Reaper, this disciple showed no fear. Instead, his thoughts were still on research and exploration.
He truly was no longer human.