BSI Chapter 280 The Decisive Battle
Chapter 280 The Decisive Battle
Despite the mess inside, the massive roof of the Chunin Exams venue did not collapse thanks to the powerful reinforcement of the Four Purple Flame Formation.
However, the interior of the barrier was completely unrecognizable, its original appearance unrecognizable. Thick trees had broken through the bricks and stones and grown wildly, hard rock walls had risen from the ground, and the damp traces left by water escape techniques were interspersed with charred craters from explosive tags—all traces left after a fierce battle.
The adamantine rod that the Monkey King had transformed into was deeply embedded in the ground. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaned on it, his chest heaving violently, his panting heavily from the intense consumption of chakra.
On the other side, the damage inflicted by the explosive tags on the First and Second Hokage was visibly repairing itself at a slow pace. The opening that the Third Hokage had painstakingly found seemed to be only buying them a very limited amount of time.
Compared to Orochimaru, the Third Hokage was clearly in much worse shape. Orochimaru remained outwardly composed, his chakra consumption far less than the Third Hokage's, but his signature sinister smile now appeared somewhat stiff, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible... anxiety.
Based on the last memories transmitted back by his distant clone, the three trump cards he had carefully prepared to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—two Uzumaki clan members who were proficient in sealing techniques, and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa who could suppress the Tailed Beasts—were all blocked by Menma, who suddenly appeared!
What chilled him even more was the palpable, bone-chilling killing intent he felt before the clone dissipated; even he felt a shiver run down his spine.
As expected... it completely enraged him.
Moreover, just now, Orochimaru clearly sensed that his connection with the three Edo Tensei bodies in the distance had been forcibly severed! Was he sealed away? That guy's strength is even more troublesome than anticipated.
And then there was the brief appearance of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, wreaking havoc in the heart of Konoha… It seemed Akatsuki's reinforcements had made their move. He had been expecting to see the Third Hokage's panicked expression, but that expectation didn't last long.
Because his true target—Naruto Uzumaki—has appeared.
Orochimaru, through the forbidden technique he developed, "Reanimation Jutsu," has achieved immortality to some extent. His next goal is to uncover all the truths of the world.
However, when he witnessed the godlike power, the dazzling golden nine-tailed fox overwhelmingly defeating Shukaku and standing like a guardian deity above Konoha... even Orochimaru himself did not immediately realize the complex and twisted expression on his face at that moment.
That was envy of the perfect power it possessed.
It is a strong greed that desires to possess this power.
It was envy that fate favored that boy so much.
It was an overwhelming joy at discovering such a perfect vessel of "truth".
It is fear of that absolute power that transcends comprehension.
It is even more blatant, a crazy desire to completely possess and dominate.
The ugliness and loss of composure he displayed in that instant was something even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had known him for decades, had never seen before.
That was no longer the gaze of a scientist pursuing truth, but the gaze of a beast completely consumed by greed and obsession.
Outside the barrier—or rather, the barrier itself was already in grave danger. The once solid and solid [Four Purple Flame Array] was now dim, its purple color becoming almost translucent. The chakra required to maintain the barrier was clearly nearing depletion, and even without external attacks, its complete dissipation was only a matter of time.
The casters who set up this barrier are now in dire straits themselves.
"Is this what they call a 'cursed seal'? It does bring some power boost, but the side effects and weaknesses are just as obvious... It's still a bit troublesome."
Kakuzu's deep voice slowly rose, but the enemy he had described as "a bit troublesome" was now completely routed.
Jirobo's body was covered with charred and torn marks left by various elemental ninjutsu attacks. He lay unconscious on his back, his breath weak, his life hanging in the balance.
Kidomaru's condition was even more dire; his chest had been pierced directly by a violent lightning ninjutsu, and he had lost all hope of survival.
The giant spider that had been summoned by spirits beside him had its head smashed like a watermelon, with green fluid spilling all over the ground.
Sakon and Ukon lay on the ground, barely alive. Although they were still breathing, the backlash from the forced removal of the curse seal, the severe injuries all over their bodies, and their completely depleted chakra meant that they couldn't even lift a finger.
Kakuzu's hand, covered in black tentacles, gripped Tayuya's neck tightly, lifting her off the ground. The flute she used to cast illusions was broken in two and lay to the side.
The bandaged monsters made of unknown substances that she had so highly hoped to summon through spiritual means had long since been dismantled into pieces, turning into stiff fragments scattered around.
"However, your combat experience is far inferior to mine."
Having completed their mission, the four masked monsters slowly and seamlessly re-entered the stitching behind Kakuzu's back, disappearing from sight.
"You... arrogant bastard! Let me go... die!" Even with her life hanging by a thread and struggling to breathe, Tayu still managed to squeeze out angry curses from her throat.
Shukaku was completely suppressed. The invading Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja were routed by the counterattack of the Konoha ninja and the sweeping attack of that golden figure. Even the Sound Four, whom they had carefully trained, were completely wiped out...
Orochimaru quickly weighed the current situation. Although his own chakra consumption was not high, the only external forces he could use that could influence the battle were the First and Second Hokage, who were controlled by the Impure World Reincarnation.
After his rage and greed subsided slightly, a sliver of reason returned. That guy… before he arrived, was he confident he could quickly defeat him, even with Sarutobi-sensei's desperate counterattack?
For the first time, Orochimaru considered retreating. His plan to obtain the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had failed, and continuing the entanglement seemed to be increasing the risks rapidly.
In contrast to Orochimaru, who was beginning to consider resigning, the Third Hokage's eyes became more resolute than ever before! He knew all too well how many ways his disciple could save his own life, and the crimes Orochimaru had committed in Konoha today—colluding with external enemies, launching attacks, and desecrating the soul of the previous Hokage…
None of these actions are forgivable! He had made up his mind that even if it cost him his life, he would never let Orochimaru escape justice again; he had to bring him down completely!
Now, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha has been succeeded, the village has a new pillar, Naruto's power has protected the village, and Jiraiya can now confidently announce his identity as the son of the Hokage... He himself has no more worries.
The only thing he couldn't let go of... was that perfect successor he had chosen... A complex emotion swept through the third generation's heart.
No, I still can't fully believe that Minato, the man who risked his life to protect the village, would use force to achieve peace...
It seems the answer will only be clear in that world. Hopefully... the teacher's judgment was wrong.
Faced with the First and Second Hokage, who were once again being manipulated and approaching with expressionless faces, the Third Hokage's eyes narrowed, and he slowly raised his hands, preparing to form the ultimate sealing technique that would cost him his life.
Just as his fingertips were about to touch the ground, determined to perish together with the two predecessors and drag Orochimaru, this traitor, into hell.
"I advise you to keep your life, Third Hokage. I'll clean house for you."
A deep voice suddenly rang out from above the barrier.
The Third Hokage looked up in astonishment.
Orochimaru's face instantly darkened to the point of being dripping with water, and his snake-like pupils suddenly contracted!
The next moment, a deep, pitch-black chakra sphere silently descended from the sky and landed on top of the swaying [Four Purple Flame Array] barrier.
"boom!!!"