As the sun rose, the sky glowed a translucent orange-red, like thin glass. A gentle breeze stirred, and dew rolled down the rocks like tiny beads.
Orochimaru led the way at the front, signaling the unit behind him not to slow down. At the same time, he increased his pace, pushing the soil beneath him with precision.
They were nearing the core battlefield. Speed was crucial; the faster they moved, the more momentum and surprise they would carry.
In just a few minutes, Hayashi caught sight of the main battlefield. The ground, soaked in years of combat, had turned a dark, blood-red hue. Not far away, Konoha and Sand ninjas clashed in brutal skirmishes.
Protected in the middle of the formation, Hayashi immediately deployed genjutsu without a word, even before Orochimaru could signal.
A sharp, snapping sound rang out like a zither string infused with chakra. The Sand ninjas froze mid-motion, their bodies stiffening under Hayashi's illusions. Orochimaru and Sakumo Hatake surged forward simultaneously, striking swiftly and decisively, leaving no chance for counterattack or escape.
The Konoha captain leading the front wiped blood from his face and looked ready to thank them, but Orochimaru waved him off. "No time for formalities. Are there any seriously injured?"
"One squad has two casualties, but I'm unsure about the others," the captain replied.
"Send them back to the camp for treatment. We will handle the core battlefield."
Most of the combatants had been fighting through the night or scouting for extended periods. Having exhausted ninjas follow them would have been unwise.
In the next minutes, several enemy squads fell under Hayashi's genjutsu. With the illusions coordinating the battlefield, defeating them was as simple as slicing through fruit. Even Jiraiya, normally confident, stood dumbfounded.
So this is genjutsu in action? he thought, astonished.
He had always assumed genjutsu required hand signs, like any other jutsu. Yet Hayashi's illusions were executed without a single hand movement. Through fingers, sound, or subtle sensory cues, he could manipulate perception with near-perfect precision. Though slightly weaker than full-strength Sharingan illusions, they were far harder to resist because no one could predict when or how the attack would strike.
In Jiraiya's eyes, this bordered on a Bloodline Limit. Even the legendary Perverted Sage felt disheartened. His own grand plans of returning alone to save Konoha and end the Great Ninja War seemed quaint compared to what he was witnessing.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru's team continued forward. Only Hayashi had spent notable chakra; the others had barely broken a sweat. The Konoha ninjas, expecting to lend backup, realized they had overestimated the challenge. The battlefield had become a one-sided slaughter.
Even the lowest-level Sand ninja fell into stupor under the genjutsu, giving Orochimaru, Sakumo, and Jiraiya the opportunity to strike with lethal precision.
"Strong chakra ahead!" a reconnaissance ninja warned.
Orochimaru signaled the group to pause.
"What is it?" Jiraiya asked.
"The main event is here," Orochimaru replied, his expression turning serious.
Through his Sharingan, Hayashi could make out a lone figure approaching—a blue cloak and the unmistakable Kazekage hat.
"The teams behind should bypass this area from the flank," Orochimaru ordered. His plan was clear: Hayashi, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Sakumo would hold the Kazekage, while the other units dealt with the remaining Sand troops.
As they advanced, a voice carried on the wind: "Should I perhaps praise your courage?"
The Third Kazekage stood suspended in mid-air, hands clasped, robes billowing unnaturally as a thin layer of iron sand supported him. "Is there no one left in the Sand Hidden Village? Must you resolve every battle yourself?"
Orochimaru chuckled. "Of course, I can't compare to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He stays holed up in the village. Safe, perhaps, but such a shame…"
"…My disciples will die here today!"
Hayashi couldn't help but admire the Kazekage's presence. Even without battle, his aura commanded respect.
"Four against one. The odds are just right," the Kazekage added. "I won't call you cowards. I am the Third Kazekage!"
With a single, fluid motion, he completed a series of hand signs.
"Magnet Release: Sandstorm Torrent!"
A tremor surged through the earth. Iron sand hidden beneath the desert floor shot upward like a living wave, targeting the Konoha ninjas farther ahead rather than Orochimaru's immediate group. The torrent stretched over a kilometer without diminishing in power.
The Kazekage's mocking smile seemed to invite attack. Orochimaru, though tempted, knew the priority was protecting the bypassing units.
He bit his finger and formed a summoning seal. The ground trembled as he slammed his hand down.
"Summoning Technique: Rashomon!"
The metallic sound of chains and bells rang out as a massive blue gate erupted from the earth. The oncoming sand torrent crashed against it, iron against iron.
The Third Kazekage shook his head in disdain. "A single Rashomon?"
He remembered their previous encounter. That gate had blocked him because he hadn't unleashed his full power. This time, the barrier barely held as the torrent surged relentlessly, a testament to Orochimaru's calculated preparation.
____
Become a patron right now to get access to exclusive chapters in advance
Patreon.com/Zphyr