"Old man…"
Jiraiya looked up at the trapped Sarutobi Hiruzen, his voice trembling.
If he were far away from the battlefield, he could have forced himself to stay cold.
But standing here in person, watching it unfold, his heart felt torn apart.
"Oh? Lord Sarutobi," Orochimaru said lightly, standing beneath the tree and looking up at him.
"Did you choose to give up and die by my hand? Honestly, that takes all the fun out of it. There's no sense of achievement at all."
"Give up?" Sarutobi snorted. "I haven't finished teaching you, you traitor. How could I give up?"
With everything he had left, Sarutobi forced one arm free and slammed his palm against the tree.
"Ninja Art—Summoning!"
"Come forth—Monkey King Enma!"
White smoke exploded outward.
An old ape wrapped in tiger-patterned fur appeared atop the tree. His white hair fluttered, and his gaze toward Orochimaru was icy and sharp. His presence alone was overwhelming.
"Orochimaru… so it was you after all," Enma growled.
"This is your fault, Sarutobi. You should have killed him long ago!"
"It's not too late to start now," Sarutobi replied calmly.
"Ape Demon—Adamantine Staff!"
At Sarutobi's command, Enma transformed.
Boom—!
A massive iron staff smashed down, shattering the thick branches in an instant. Sarutobi slipped free from his bindings and landed firmly on the roof, staff in hand.
He stared down at Orochimaru.
"Why didn't you strike earlier?"
"To send you off properly, sensei, requires a little ceremony," Orochimaru replied with a grin.
"Rushing it would be rude."
"Hmph. Then let's finish this properly."
Orochimaru laughed, clutching his stomach. His mouth opened unnaturally wide as a black snake slithered out. The snake opened its jaws—and spat out a long, chilling blade.
"The Kusanagi Sword…"
Sarutobi's pupils shrank.
That blade was infamous—razor-sharp, nearly indestructible. Even Enma's adamantine body struggled against it.
Sarutobi charged.
He leapt high, and midair, Enma extended violently, slamming down like a colossal spear.
Orochimaru dodged.
The two clashed instantly—fists, staff, sword—movements so fast they blurred together. Even Might Guy looked on in shock.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dozens of exchanges in the blink of an eye.
The staff extended again, stabbing toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru raised the Kusanagi Sword and blocked it head-on.
They locked together in a raw contest of strength.
Then—
Sarutobi's expression changed.
From the side, Senju Hashirama struck.
Sarutobi twisted just in time, barely avoiding the kick. As he rolled, he slapped an explosive tag onto Hashirama's thigh.
The next instant, Senju Tobirama appeared behind him and punched.
Another explosive tag slapped onto Tobirama's body.
The price was steep.
Tobirama's fist smashed into Sarutobi's face, sending him flying.
"Now!"
Orochimaru hurled the Kusanagi Sword aside and rushed in, fists and feet raining down.
This wasn't technique anymore.
It was rage.
Punch after punch.
Kick after kick.
Sarutobi was beaten like a broken doll, his cries echoing across the rooftop.
Finally, he collapsed, gasping, face swollen and bloodied.
Orochimaru stepped back, sneering.
"How stupid. Charging in without even using a Shadow Clone."
He walked toward Sarutobi slowly.
Deliberately.
Ceremonially.
"Lord Third Hokage… are you really this old now?" Orochimaru mocked.
"Don't you even have the chakra to make a clone?"
"Damn it… that's your teacher!"
"How can you be so cruel?"
"Third Hokage-sama…!"
Konoha shinobi erupted in angry whispers. Fists clenched. Eyes burned with hatred.
No matter what—
Sarutobi Hiruzen was Hokage.
Seeing him beaten like this filled every Konoha ninja with fury and humiliation.
Orochimaru bent down, grabbing Sarutobi by the collar and lifting him slightly.
"Sensei… you were called the Professor of Ninjutsu. Please don't disappoint me."
He laughed—wild, twisted, almost sorrowful.
Sarutobi opened his eyes.
For a moment, he saw not Orochimaru the traitor, but the strange, brilliant boy he once taught.
A tear slipped from the corner of his eye.
"Orochimaru… you fool—"
Suddenly—
Sarutobi moved.
He grabbed Orochimaru's wrists and twisted violently.
Orochimaru staggered.
Sarutobi swept his legs.
Swish!
Enma's staff transformed again—this time into a massive hand that clamped around Orochimaru's throat.
"Orochimaru—this ends now. Your neck will be crushed!"
Enma roared as he tightened his grip.
Boom!
Orochimaru's head exploded into mud.
But the next second, he reformed behind them, smiling as ever.
Sarutobi kicked him away instantly.
Hashirama and Tobirama rushed forward—
Sarutobi formed seals at lightning speed and pointed.
Bang! Bang!
Both reincarnated Hokage had their legs blown apart and collapsed.
But horrifyingly, ash drifted upward as their limbs regenerated almost instantly.
"So it really won't work unless I deal with their souls…" Sarutobi muttered, his face darkening.
"Then… it's the same technique the Fourth Hokage used."
He clasped his hands together, eyes colder than steel.
"Tsunade.Jiraiya. I'm sorry."
"I'm going to use that forbidden technique."
He knew—
If he spoke even one word, if he hesitated for a second, the people outside—especially Naruto—could break the barrier instantly and save him.
He could live.
He could see his grandson grow up.
He could enjoy peace.
Just imagining it made his heart ache.
But no.
He could not live.
To live meant everything would be exposed.
His compromises.
His indulgence of Danzo.
His tolerance of darkness.
His image would rot away piece by piece.
But if he died here, fighting for Konoha—
He would become a hero forever.
Buried in the Memorial Stone.
Remembered only for glory.
All sins sealed away.
So no.
He would not live.
He would die.
Orochimaru tilted his head, laughing softly.
"Sensei… you really are old now."
"I've never seen you in so much pain."
He pressed his hand to his face—and peeled off his skin.
Beneath it was a youthful, flawless face, almost feminine.
"Who… are you?" Sarutobi gasped.
"Too sudden?" Orochimaru grinned. "It's me. Orochimaru."
"You… you've already completed that forbidden technique?"
Shock twisted into fury on Sarutobi's face.
"You unethical monster—!"
He couldn't finish the sentence.
Anger.
Grief.
Resolve.
Everything burned in his eyes.
Orochimaru threw his head back and laughed wildly—laughter so manic it made everyone listening shudder.
-------------------------
For advanced chapters, visit patreon.com/Varnok