Orochimaru and the others did not conceal their presence. They followed directly behind Sarutobi and headed straight for the third stronghold.
Just as Orochimaru's group emerged from the forest, the powerful, heaven-piercing aura emanating from the stronghold suddenly climbed another level.
On the gently flowing river surface, centered on the island where the stronghold lay, circles of surging ripples violently churned, ceaselessly crashing against the banks and creating a "Whoosh! Whoosh!—" sound like a mighty ocean tide.
The water birds circling above the river wetland nervously flapped their wings, frightened, and flew hastily away towards the distance.
The astonishing momentum, which pierced the very heavens, instantly scattered the clear white clouds above the stronghold and oppressively surged toward Orochimaru's group.
Stunned by this approaching, terrifying aura belonging solely to a Kage-level master, the entire group paused and halted their steps simultaneously.
Orochimaru frowned and looked at Sarutobi beside him.
Sarutobi, whose face was gentle yet firm, and who was not particularly tall, let a sharp light flash in his eyes. He stepped forward, pushing past the others—just a single step.
An immense and vast terrifying aura suddenly erupted from his physical body!
Bang!—
The astonishing auras of two of the Ninja World's peak masters suddenly clashed, triggering a muffled, thunderous roar on the flat ground. A ring of visible airwave ripples rapidly spread out from the center of the collision. Where the ripple passed, the river channel boiled, and trees fell over, leaving a scene of utter chaos.
If the aura of the Kage-level master in the stronghold was surging and tremendous like an ocean tide, then Sarutobi's aura was solid and heavy, like the Earth Release jutsu he excelled at—immovable, stable as a mountain. Even as strong winds blew and crashing waves hit the shore, his presence remained unshaken, firm as a colossal peak.
Sarutobi, standing in front of the Konoha ninjas, his ordinary back suddenly resembled a steep, towering mountain whose peak could not be seen, deeply imprinting his weight and power into the hearts of everyone present.
Suddenly, over a dozen powerful figures in black emerged from the stronghold. The forehead protectors they wore were clearly the style of Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain) in the northern Land of Rivers.
The leader wore a strange outfit resembling a diving helmet, revealing only a pair of deep-set, sharp eyes like a falcon. The Kage-level aura emanating from his entire body clearly revealed his identity: Hanzō of the Salamander, the Kage-level master who personally fractured the Land of Rivers and established Amegakure in its north.
Seeing Sarutobi and the others, Hanzō's face remained unreadable. A cold voice emerged from the diving mask, sounding rigid and stiff: "Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
"Hanzō of the Salamander, your reputation precedes you. You truly are a hero of the Ninja World!" Facing a fellow Kage, Sarutobi maintained his usual composure and magnanimity. He continued, "I trust Mr. Hanzō knows why we are here. A peaceful resolution is certainly out of the question. However, a clash between figures of our caliber might damage the peace between Amegakure and Konoha. Why don't we let our juniors and subordinates 'play' a bit?"
"Hmph!" Hanzō let out a cold snort. Just as he was about to reply, another ninja swiftly emerged from the stronghold and respectfully handed a scroll to Hanzō, whispering into his ear: "Lord Hanzō, the Land of Wind has decided not to participate in the operations in the Land of Rivers."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of light, barely noticeable, crossed Hanzō's eyes. He opened the scroll to read it carefully. When he looked up, his originally surging aura unconsciously weakened slightly. With a mix of resentment and helplessness, he changed his tone and said, "Mr. Sarutobi is indeed broad-minded. Very well, let us proceed as you suggested and let our subordinates compete."
Sarutobi completely understood Hanzō's sudden change in tone and weakening aura. He said no more, simply giving a confident and bold smile, having subtly guessed the underlying reason.
Orochimaru, who had also surmised some clues, pulled his mouth into an arc filled with wicked intent.
Upon hearing Hanzō's agreement, the elite Chūnin of Konoha grew excited. As elites, they were undoubtedly proud. This was an opportunity to display their skill and power before Kage-level masters. If they won, they might even gain fame across the Ninja World. They couldn't help but feel thrilled, rubbing their hands together, all preparing to ask permission to fight.
Before anyone else could act, Orochimaru seized the advantage of proximity. He stepped forward, approached Sarutobi, and asked for permission: "Sarutobi-sensei, let me go!"
When the Konoha ninjas behind him saw Orochimaru step out, they immediately quieted down, putting aside their various desires to fight.
Sure enough, Sarutobi thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.
The Konoha Chūnin neither felt discouraged nor surprised. Instead, they focused intensely on Orochimaru, anticipating the exciting battle to come.
Sarutobi and the Jōnin observed the reaction of the Konoha elite Chūnin, all showing expressions of surprise mixed with thoughtfulness. During this mission, Orochimaru's strength had subtly and unknowingly won over the hearts of these core Konoha ninjas, leading to a trace of trust, or perhaps even awe, that the Chūnin themselves hadn't realized.
The ninjas from both sides took their positions on the opposite river banks.
Orochimaru, dressed in a sharp, jet-black outfit, walked out from the Konoha side. His small, young body, his handsome and tender face seemingly always wearing that wicked smile, and his semi-long black hair falling freely—his entire being exuded a strange, contradictory aura: confident yet arrogant, wicked yet unrestrained. The high-ranking officials on both sides had their eyes light up.
Orochimaru walked out slowly, as relaxed and casual as if strolling in his own garden. He calmly stepped onto the river surface. His superb chakra control technique ensured that not a single ripple was disturbed the instant his feet touched the water.
This detail, seen by the Konoha Jōnin, naturally caused another wave of astonishment.
As Hanzō on the opposite side saw it, his heart sank, and a feeling of bitterness and helplessness—unique to a ninja from a small nation—surged within him. A great nation like Konoha truly possesses an abundance of talent!
Apart from the two Amegakure Jōnin Hanzō had brought, the other Amegakure Chūnin, who failed to grasp the subtlety of the moment, became agitated. Seeing Konoha send out what looked like an inexperienced young boy, they clamored, all eager to participate.
Orochimaru's dark-golden snake eyes swept over the seven or eight excited Amegakure Chūnin clamoring to fight, and a cold glint flashed erratically.
His arrogant and indifferent words, like ancient glacial ice, quietly reached the ears of everyone present: "Come up, all of you. It's a good chance for me to test my own caliber!"
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