Konohagakure, Hokage's Office.
At this moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi was dressed in a black combat suit, wearing a ninja hat adorned with green layered armor on both sides.
The back of his protective gear bore the kanji for "Fire" (火), tied at the waist with a purple sash. His arms and calves were equipped with netted wrist guards, and his right arm was covered by a layer of green plated armor.
"Minato!"
"Based on the current evidence, the one who has been recklessly capturing villagers and shinobi for human experiments and developing Forbidden Techniques—all signs point to Orochimaru..."
"I will personally bring him back!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was deeply conflicted as he spoke.
"Lord Third,"
"Orochimaru-senpai has contributed greatly to Konohagakure. Please, bring him back for a proper trial first..."
Minato Namikaze's face also showed hesitation. After all, Orochimaru was one of the legendary Sannin and a key figure in the village's high-level combat force. If they were to execute him rashly, it would be akin to crippling their own strength.
"Hmm!"
Hiruzen nodded solemnly before heading toward the door.
"Wait!"
Minato stepped forward and lightly touched the armor on Hiruzen's wrist.
"Lord Third, please be extremely cautious!"
Minato reminded him earnestly.
"Don't worry!"
"Orochimaru is my disciple. Now that he's gone astray, it is my duty as his teacher to bring him back and guide him once more!"
Hiruzen patted Minato's shoulder, signaling him not to worry.
With that, Hiruzen's figure flickered and disappeared from the office. Outside the window, faint gusts of wind could be heard as he departed.
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rivers, Orochimaru had constructed an underground laboratory with significant financial support from Sōmi.
Due to its location at the border, the occasional disappearance of villagers or shinobi could conveniently be blamed on Sunagakure, which facilitated Orochimaru's cruel experiments.
However, as Orochimaru's research progressed, his need for fresh human subjects grew ever greater.
Under Sōmi's subtle manipulation, Orochimaru had prematurely begun training in Sage Mode. The failed attempt had caused irreversible damage to his body.
To eliminate this damage, Orochimaru had only one option: to use the Secret Technique of Living Corpse Reincarnation to transfer his soul into a new body.
Having gained an understanding of Natural Energy and come into contact with Senjutsu Chakra, Orochimaru successfully overcame the final hurdle in mastering the Forbidden Technique of Living Corpse Reincarnation.
Naturally, the body he sought could not belong to an ordinary person; this forced him to expand his search, even targeting shinobi from Konohagakure.
In addition, the deliberate release of certain confidential information made it inevitable that Orochimaru's activities would be exposed.
In a rugged, rocky forested area—
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted from the ground, sending a plume of thick smoke billowing into the air.
Several figures leaped swiftly out of the fiery explosion and landed on the surface.
"Orochimaru, you really..."
"I kept hoping this news wasn't true..."
"Why?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi, clad in his combat attire, stood with a heavy heart. He held the Adamantine Staff, pointing it toward Orochimaru from a distance.
Though he had mentally prepared himself before setting out, seeing Orochimaru in person brought back memories of the young boy he once knew.
The innocent, hardworking, and brilliant Orochimaru...
"Sensei,"
"You wouldn't understand..."
"Someone like you, who always prioritizes the village over your own intentions, could never comprehend!"
"To me, the lifespan of the human body is far too short. Even if one becomes Hokage, everything ends with death!"
"The First Hokage, hailed as the God of Shinobi, was no exception. The Second Hokage, who developed so many extraordinary Secret Techniques, met the same fate!"
"Leaders throughout history, even if immortalized as statues, eventually fade and crumble!"
"Only immortality is the true beginning. Only then can one master all ninjutsu! There is simply too much knowledge in this world..."
Orochimaru's expression grew fervent and obsessive. He spread his arms wide, as if proclaiming the ultimate ideal.
"For something like this... you would casually sacrifice the lives of your comrades?"
"Without comrades, even immortality would be lonely and hollow!"
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with emotion. Only now did he fully realize how deeply Orochimaru's ideology had become twisted.
"No... Sensei,"
"Aging is what's truly hollow!"
Orochimaru lowered his raised hands, his golden, snake-like eyes scrutinizing Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen!"
"Stop wasting words on him! He's already beyond redemption—just bring him back now!"
The black Adamantine Staff suddenly sprouted an eye and spoke.
Suddenly—
A dangerous glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. He clapped his hands together, forming a hand seal.
Whoosh!
A powerful gust of wind roared forth from Orochimaru, sweeping toward the group.
Several Anbu members standing beside Hiruzen were immediately knocked unconscious, their bodies slashed with wounds from the wind.
However, thanks to Enma's warning, Hiruzen was able to react in time. Twisting the Adamantine Staff in his hands, he created an impenetrable defense in front of him.
The wind blades clashed against the staff, producing sharp, metallic sounds.
"Orochimaru!"
At that moment, an urgent and furious voice rapidly approached.
In the distance, a man wearing black clothing with gray-blue armor leaped into the air and landed heavily beside Hiruzen.
"Jiraiya?!"
"What are you doing here?"
Hiruzen asked in surprise.
"I came as soon as I received the intel!"
"Orochimaru is my close friend. I can't just let him fall into darkness. Even if I have to break all his limbs, I'll drag him back to Konohagakure!"
Jiraiya's eyes burned with rage as he stared intently at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru!"
"Are you really not going to reconsider?"
Jiraiya shouted at Orochimaru.
"Ridiculous!"
"Even as a joke, there are limits!"
"Immortality is already within my grasp. To achieve it, I will sever any bonds and use anyone or any organization!"
Orochimaru sneered disdainfully. His long, crimson tongue licked the kunai in his hand before he charged at Jiraiya and Hiruzen.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Dressed in his Konohagakure flak jacket, Orochimaru moved with extraordinary agility, clashing multiple times with Hiruzen's Adamantine Staff in mere moments.
When Jiraiya lunged at Orochimaru, the latter flipped mid-air and delivered a kick to Jiraiya's wrist.
"Orochimaru..."
Jiraiya gritted his teeth. Among the Sannin, Tsunade had left Konohagakure after enduring two painful losses, becoming a wandering shinobi.
Yet, her heart still belonged to the village. If Konohagakure were ever in grave danger, she would never stand idly by.
But Orochimaru's current actions made it clear that he had fully committed to the path of defection.
"Sensei!"
"You hold off Orochimaru!"
"Even if I have to beat him half to death today, I won't let him take a single step out of the Land of Fire!"
Jiraiya roared in anger, biting his finger and smearing his blood beneath his eyes to draw two crimson streaks. He then clasped his hands together with determination.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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