What made Orochimaru decide to retreat, apart from the fact that Akatsuki's 'B' had just incredibly strongly sealed the Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the Second and Fourth Hokage, was another reason: two more members wearing Akatsuki's red cloud cloaks appeared in the far distance and were rushing towards this location.
One 'B' was already so difficult to deal with; with two more, the situation would undoubtedly be even worse.
Although Orochimaru knew in his heart that not everyone in the Akatsuki organization could be as strong as 'B', having just escaped, he didn't dare to gamble.
After all, falling into the hands of the Hidden Leaf and falling into the hands of the Akatsuki organization were two different matters.
Glancing at the Second Hokage sealed by the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and the Fourth Hokage sealed in the giant sphere in the air, Orochimaru frowned deeply.
If the Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the Second and Fourth Hokage, along with the half of the Nine-Tails inside the Fourth Hokage, all fell into the hands of the Akatsuki organization, then if he encountered the Akatsuki organization again next time, he would have no chance of winning.
"Damn it!"
To turn around and flee now, Orochimaru was really somewhat unwilling.
On the battlefield.
The First Hokage and Karin were competing with Wood Release. The seas of trees from both sides crashed into each other with overwhelming force, as if two massive armies were engaging in a decisive battle determining their fates!
Through Jikibi, this continuous great battle was thoroughly enjoyable for Shinji to watch.
Karin's performance undoubtedly greatly exceeded his expectations. Facing five enemies alone, with each of the five opposing her being a top powerhouse in the Ninja World, she actually managed not to fall into a disadvantage, and even sealed two of the opponents in one fell swoop, seizing the initiative in the battle situation. It was truly remarkable.
However, the fact that the three Hokage were Impure World Reincarnation bodies could not be ignored.
One must know that if it were his living state, the First Hokage alone possessed the terrifying power to move mountains and fill seas.
In the final battle between the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara back then, the aftershocks of their battle alone could destroy an entire mountain and evaporate large lakes.
The First Hokage even tried to move the battlefield to the seaside to avoid affecting innocent lives, but unexpectedly, the Tailed Beast Ball launched by Uchiha Madara's Majestic Attire: Susanoo directly knocked down the Rashomon: Quintuple, then crossed the wide strait and shot onto the peninsula on the other side of the sea.
Such a great battle was nearly a battle of gods, not much inferior to the fierce battles between Otsutsuki. So compared to that, although Karin's battle right now was sufficient in level, it was still far insufficient in scale and affected range.
Thinking that such a powerful Karin was cultivated by him single-handedly, Shinji felt quite proud.
"After a great battle, letting Orochimaru escape by luck is better than letting him go from the beginning, so this step is enough. There's no need to let Karin continue to take risks!"
Proud as he was, Shinji did not forget the original intention of this transaction.
Even if he snatched the Nine-Tails, he would have to find a way to give it away. Rather than manipulating it himself and causing Nagato and Obito to be suspicious, it would be better to release the news and let them snatch it from Orochimaru themselves.
After all, something snatched by one's own hands feels more reassuring than something delivered to one's doorstep by others.
But just as Shinji was about to instruct Karin to retreat via Jikibi, the situation on the battlefield suddenly underwent a new change.
With a loud boom, a piece of the giant stone sphere created by Karin using Chibaku Tensei in the sky suddenly shattered.
Immediately after, thick orange-yellow tails extended out from the shattered gap!
"Nine-Tails!?"
Orochimaru's expression changed.
Undoubtedly, those orange-yellow tails extending from the gap in the giant stone sphere were nothing else but the tails of the Nine-Tails!
Yakushi Kabuto exclaimed: "Could it be that the Nine-Tails went berserk? But... but the Fourth Hokage isn't a Jinchuriki!"
Karin and the First Hokage, who were fighting, also stopped and looked up into the sky simultaneously.
"How can this be?!"
Karin felt it was somewhat unbelievable.
In her view, her Chibaku Tensei was a Rinnegan dojutsu. Logically speaking, the Fourth Hokage, who was merely an Impure World Reincarnation body, couldn't possibly break free from inside.
Just as she was slightly dazed, with a poof, those Nine-Tails tails extending from the gap in the giant stone sphere disappeared in white smoke. Then, the Fourth Hokage sprang out from that breach and leaped onto the surface of the giant stone sphere.
However, unlike the Fourth Hokage just now, the Fourth Hokage at this moment was wrapped in a layer of glittering golden Nine-Tails chakra from head to toe, and his entire aura underwent a drastic, earth-shaking change.
"That is?"
Karin's heart tightened.
Not only her, but Orochimaru, Yakushi Kabuto, and even the First Hokage also changed their expressions upon seeing this scene, either in surprise or exclamation!
"Heh, knew these Hokage weren't that easy to deal with!"
Shinji, observing the battlefield through Jikibi, sighed lightly.
Others didn't know, but he knew perfectly well that the Fourth Hokage at this moment had entered Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. His overall strength had comprehensively improved, far beyond what the previous Impure World Reincarnation Fourth Hokage could compare to.
Swish...
Soon, the glittering golden Fourth Hokage disappeared into the air. In the next instant, he arrived beside the Second Hokage, who was sealed by the Adamantine Sealing Chains, and the Rasengan in his hand smashed down with the momentum!
Boom!
Accompanied by a loud noise, the Second Hokage's Impure World Reincarnation body was instantly smashed to pieces by the Fourth Hokage's Rasengan, scattering in the air.
Undoubtedly, the Fourth Hokage, who married Kushina, was very clear about the strength of the Adamantine Sealing Chains. So he didn't try to destroy the Adamantine Sealing Chains but directly shattered the Second Hokage's Impure World Reincarnation body, escaping the seal of the Adamantine Sealing Chains by causing the sealed Second Hokage to disintegrate.
It was a bit damaging, but the effect was surprisingly good.
In the blink of an eye, the shattered Second Hokage slowly began to recover nearby, relying on the advantage of the Impure World Reincarnation body.
At this time, the Fourth Hokage grabbed the not-yet-fully-recovered Second Hokage with one hand and activated the Flying Thunder God Technique again, flashing to the First Hokage's side.
In just this short moment, the Fourth Hokage not only freed himself from the seal but also rescued the sealed Second Hokage, causing the originally clear situation to take a sharp turn for the worse again!
Looking at the golden-bodied Fourth Hokage, the recovering Second Hokage, and the First Hokage—these three Hokage standing side-by-side again—a sense of frustration arose in Karin's heart.
And the expressions of the three Hokage looking at Karin also changed.
If previously they only thought of making an exception to eliminate a threat for the village this time, now they truly began to take Karin seriously.
Swish swish
At this time, Ryuzetsu and Chino, who were responsible for supporting Karin, finally arrived at the battlefield.
The arrival of two more Akatsuki members, also wearing hooded red cloud cloaks, made Orochimaru's side feel immense pressure. The numerical comparison changed from five-to-one to five-to-three; their advantage was gone!