Guy, channeling the Eight Gates of Taijutsu, charged head-on like a dragon-slaying warrior straight toward Shukaku.
Seeing a puny human dare to challenge him, Shukaku let out a sharp screech and, inflating his belly, launched three consecutive attacks.
[Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet.]
Three near-solid air cannons hurtled toward Guy's body. The immense pressure seemed to suck all the air out of the surroundings. The razor-sharp wind bullets carried a devastating, cutting aura—getting hit meant instant disintegration.
[Eight Gates of Taijutsu - Wonder Gate Opened!]
Veins bulged on Guy's face as he unleashed an intensely focused, high-speed straight punch with both hands. He compressed the air first, then expanded it in one explosive motion. A tiger-shaped cannon of pressurized air roared downrange, obliterating Shukaku's three Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullets in a single instant.
[Konoha Diamond Strength Hurricane!]
Capitalizing on the momentum, Guy surged blue chakra through his leg. With an earth-shaking kick, the air around him howled violently. The impact slammed Shukaku straight in the head, sending the massive beast flipping onto its back.
Hurt and shrieking in anger, Shukaku hadn't even managed to steady himself when he felt his tail seized by an incredible force.
"Get lost!"
With the might of a legendary warrior, Guy clamped both arms around Shukaku's monstrous tail and twisted with full force. Using the rotational power of his spin, he hurled the enormous beast clean out of the battlefield.
Sasori exclaimed in stunned disbelief before involuntarily muttering, "So powerful! Big Brother Kurotsuchi, how many gates did he open?"
"Probably seven," replied Kurotsuchi indifferently without concern for the outcome here. "If he had used the Eight Gates, one kick would have finished Shukaku already. Come on, let's find a better spot to watch that master-and-disciple showdown."
"Sure."
Sasori and Kurotsuchi left the area, leaping several times before reaching a high vantage point. They concealed their presences and began watching what unfolded below.
The Kazekage now dropped his disguise, revealing his true identity—Orochimaru, who had long been hiding in secret.
Master and disciple stood face-to-face once more, both intent on killing the other. An immense Kage-level oppressive force filled the battlefield as they locked into confrontation.
After an initial exchange of probing moves, they engaged in direct combat.
Orochimaru immediately used Impure World Reincarnation.
Hashirama and Tobirama reappeared.
Scratching his head somewhat perplexedly, Hashirama said, "Hmm, feels like I just went back not too long ago, and now I'm summoned again."
Tobirama glanced behind him and angrily declared, "As expected—it's you again misusing my kinjutsu techniques!"
Sighing, Hashirama remarked, "Ah well, Tobirama, I told you back then not to create so many forbidden techniques, but you didn't listen."
Uncompromisingly, Tobirama shot back, "Silence."
Hashirama's expression faltered slightly, and he obediently closed his mouth.
"Oh, it's Sarutobi—the monkey kid," Hashirama greeted casually.
Tobirama eyed the elderly-looking Sarutobi and said, "You've aged quite a bit too."
"The old men's chat has gone on long enough. It's about time we began." Orochimaru took out two seals and said, "I'm not the same as before. Suppressing both of your minds is no longer an issue."
The Third Hokage angrily said, "Damn you for deceiving the dead! Those who meddle with time won't meet a good end."
"Time, hahaha." Orochimaru laughed maniacally, "In this world, only one person deserves to discuss time with me. And clearly, that's not you."
Sarutobi sensed the hidden meaning in his words. By instinct, he felt that this person must be someone he knew well and extremely important. So he instinctively asked, "Who is it?"
Orochimaru wiped the smile off his face, and with a mocking look, he said, "You don't actually think it's still my teacher, do you? I have no need to tell you. He might be hiding in some corner watching us right now. Perhaps I'll feel like telling you before you die."
The Third coldly snorted, "If you want to kill me, then you'd better prepare yourself accordingly."
Hashirama and Tobirama, the First and Second Hokage, whose true minds were suppressed, attacked simultaneously. Under the pressure of Wood Release and Water Release techniques, Sarutobi quickly fell into a disadvantage, soon unable to even fight back.
Seeing this, Sasori frowned and said, "This technique of Orochimaru's is really powerful. It's almost effortless in defeating opponents."
Anya responded, "It also has obvious drawbacks. To perfectly suppress the minds of these impure reincarnated bodies, he must suppress their former strength as well. Right now, their powers are less than a tenth of what they originally had."
"What? Are these two really that powerful?" Sasori couldn't quite believe it.
"Yes," Anya affirmed confidently, "Especially the First Hokage, Hashirama. His strength in life surpassed even yours. Even if your Mecha Army attacked together, you might not be his match."
Sasori didn't doubt Anya's words for a second. Hearing this, he clenched his fist tightly, silently thinking he'd better get back and research further, determined to create even more powerful puppets.
The outer walls of Konoha village were damaged. A giant three-headed serpent broke through the defenses and charged into the village. Behind it, Suna ninja and Sound ninja rushed in together. Led by this enormous summoned creature, they launched an attack on Konoha. In no time, the outer defenses fell one after another.
"Summoning Jutsu." A voice rang out like salvation from the sky. Jiraiya rode down on a giant toad. The massive creature's body struck the serpent right at its vital weak point, sending it crashing down. Standing beside Jiraiya was another figure—Minato, wearing a mask.
"I hope nothing's happened to the old man where Orochimaru is," Jiraiya said anxiously, glancing toward the battlefield of the Chunin Exams.
Minato said, "Believe in the Third Hokage. Right now we must defend Konoha's border. We can't let the war enter the village, or the damage and losses will be too great."
"Hehe, almost forgot—you were a Hokage too," Jiraiya said, patting Minato's shoulder. He solemnly pulled out a Konoha forehead protector and said, "Go for it, Minato. Defend Konoha with all you've got."
Minato felt moved as he accepted the forehead protector. This moment reminded him of his graduation scene at the ninja academy long ago. After tying the protector onto his head, Minato leapt into battle without hesitation.
On the rooftop, the battle had escalated to its breaking point. The elderly Sarutobi was beginning to show signs of physical exhaustion. He knew that continuing like this would only lead to a slow death.
Determined, Sarutobi unleashed his ultimate move: [Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fujin)].
Immediately after, two Shadow Clones simultaneously performed the [Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fujin)]. This powerful sealing technique first absorbed the souls of Hashirama and Tobirama.
Almost at the same moment, Sarutobi's original body seized Orochimaru's body.
"What kind of sealing technique is this?" Sasori sensed an incredibly powerful soul force emerging from the void.
"[Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fujin)]—a deal with the Shinigami at the expense of one's own soul. Orochimaru was careless; otherwise, he wouldn't have been caught so easily."
"Actually, he just didn't expect Sarutobi to have this trick up his sleeve. That's his bad luck." Sasori said with a hint of schadenfreude. After all, he disliked both men.
A messy brawl—both sides lose.
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