*Bang, bang, bang—!*
The underground chamber reverberated with each deafening clash. The black iron staff wielded by the Monkey King Enma struck against the Kusanagi sword, sparks exploding wildly in the dim light. The battle between Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, and his wayward disciple Orochimaru had already raged through several fierce exchanges.
Hiruzen retreated a step, his breath steady despite the strain, and flicked several shuriken into the air. His hands blurred through seals, faster than the eye could follow.
Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!
The steel projectiles split midair, multiplying into dozens of identical blades that screamed toward Orochimaru. But Hiruzen's fingers didn't pause; his seals shifted again, flowing seamlessly into a second technique.
Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags!
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes narrowed. Behind each spinning shuriken, an explosive tag glowed faintly, waiting for ignition. The snake Sannin's lips curled into a mocking smile as he formed his own seals and slammed his palm to the ground.
Summoning: Rashōmon!
*Boom!*
A massive gate of demonic visage burst from the earth, its grim mouth swallowing the barrage of detonations. The explosion rocked the entire laboratory, dust cascading from the ceiling as the underground chamber shuddered violently.
From the shadows at the edge of the battlefield, Uchiha Yun frowned. Watching the clash unfold, he turned to Kinoe beside him.
"Use Wood-style to shield the others." Yun instructed coolly. "If the ceiling collapses, Team 6 will be crushed."
Kinoe gave a sharp nod, his hands flashing through seals before he slapped the ground.
Wood Style ∙ Domed Wall Jutsu!
Towering trees erupted upward, twisting together into a protective dome that encircled the Anbu. Bark hardened like armor, shielding them as debris continued to rain down. Kinoe exhaled in relief before glancing back toward the battle.
"The Third Hokage is using high-level ninjutsu without holding back." he muttered. "He's serious."
Yun scoffed lightly, his expression unreadable. "You think so? On terrain like this, using the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags—do you not see his intention? A man like the Third Hokage wouldn't waste chakra without purpose. As a ninjutsu professor, surely he knows what he's doing."
The realization struck Kinoe after a pause, his face twisting into a bitter smile. "So… he intends to give Orochimaru one last warning rather than take his life outright. He's still soft."
Yun's Mangekyō eyes gleamed faintly. "He's an old man at the end of his rope. Weak, hesitant… a shadow of the Hokage he once was."
…
The ceiling cracked overhead, stone groaning. Hiruzen's gaze softened as he watched his former student. His lips moved in a whisper.
"Orochimaru…"
At his side, Enma growled impatiently. "Hiruzen, are you truly going to let him escape? This is your last chance!"
The Third Hokage didn't answer. He only stood silently, waiting for the chamber to give way. He knew the detonating tags hidden inside Orochimaru's serpents would ignite upon his next summoning. That would be the lesson he left behind.
'A lesson you must never forget, my wayward student.'
…
*BOOM!!!*
The laboratory gave way in a thunderous collapse. Dust and fire roared upward as the ground split.
From beneath the rubble, enormous trees surged upward, shielding the survivors. Enma hurled Hiruzen's remaining allies clear of the debris. Team 6 emerged battered but alive, though two of their comrades lay lifeless amidst the wreckage—victims of the earlier blast.
But Orochimaru was gone.
Hiruzen raised his weary hand, his voice heavy with finality. "From this day forward, list Orochimaru as an S-rank traitor of Konoha."
Kinoe's heart sank. Two comrades dead, countless injured—only for their quarry to slip away. Was this the justice of the Hokage? Was betrayal worth the price of two loyal lives?
Yun's voice cut through his thoughts as he placed a hand on Kinoe's shoulder. "We serve under the direct command of the Fourth Hokage now. Shouldn't we follow his orders alone?"
Kinoe blinked. "That's… true, but—"
"That's enough."
Yun's Mangekyō rotated, red and black patterns gleaming with ominous power.
"As one of the Sannin, Orochimaru is slippery. I doubt even this trap could end him. But if I remain idle, wouldn't that dishonor the sacrifice of our two fallen comrades?"
The ground trembled as blue chakra erupted around him.
*Buzz!!!*
Susanoo!
A massive spectral warrior rose, towering over the shattered ruins. Its half-formed body blazed with azure energy, a bow materializing in its hand.
"Uchiha Yun!" Hiruzen barked, alarm flashing across his weathered face.
Perched inside Susanoo's body, Yun's gaze burned into the Hokage. "Perhaps you can stand against this attack yourself, Hokage-sama. Care to try?"
Every Anbu present stiffened. If Hiruzen moved against Yun, his already fragile credibility—shaken after Danzo's death—would crumble completely. The old man hesitated, unwilling to draw his blade against a comrade.
Meanwhile, far in the distance, Orochimaru froze. His instincts screamed danger as he turned back and saw the spectral giant, its chakra bow locked directly onto him. Cold dread washed through him.
Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Five copies scattered in every direction, while the real Orochimaru slithered underground. But to his horror, the chakra arrow ignored the fakes, locking unerringly onto his true form.
*Swish!*
The arrow loosed, tearing through trees, stone, and earth alike.
*BOOM!!!*
The explosion carved a massive crater, the shockwave flattening everything around it like a hurricane. The azure titan dissolved, and Yun dropped lightly to the ground, gazing into the smoking pit.
Kinoe hurried to his side. "Did you get him?"
Yun shook his head slowly. "Hard to say. Killing Orochimaru isn't so simple. He's a genius of survival—Konoha's greatest madman of science. If he isn't dead, he'll resurface elsewhere."
Kinoe exhaled shakily. "As expected of one of the Sannin. To survive even this…" He glanced at Yun, awe flickering in his eyes. "But more astonishing is you, Yun. To wield such a power already—!"
"Hnn."
Yun winced suddenly, clutching his eye. Blood seeped between his fingers, pattering onto the shattered ground.
*Plip.Plip.*
Kinoe's face darkened. He crouched quickly, letting Yun slump onto his back. "Enough. I'll take you straight to the village's medical corps."
He barked orders to the Anbu of Team 6, leading them away. None spared Hiruzen a glance. Resentment clung to the air like poison. Their hearts burned with bitterness at the loss of comrades and the old Hokage's inaction. When they returned to Konoha, whispers would spread.
…
As they moved through the forest, Kinoe's voice was low. "That giant… it was the power of the Uchiha's Sharingan, wasn't it?"
Yun's voice was faint, yet edged with iron. "You're correct. That was Susanoo—the ultimate manifestation of the Mangekyō Sharingan. But its cost is steep. Every use consumes sight. Slowly… until the wielder goes blind."
The words fell heavy in the night air. The team halted for a moment, eyes widening. Kinoe's throat tightened as he glanced back at the youth slumped against him.
"Blindness…?"
Yun gave a weak nod, the faintest smirk curving his lips. "Power always demands sacrifice. Even your Wood-style came at the price of countless dead test subjects. Mine is no different."
The silence stretched, broken only by the whisper of the wind through the trees, carrying the weight of what had just transpired.
*****
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