---
At this moment, the showdown between master and student—Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen—had reached its final stage.
Hiruzen gripped Orochimaru with both arms, restraining his movements, as he prepared to unleash the ultimate sealing technique: the Dead Demon Consuming Seal (Shiki Fūjin).
This forbidden jutsu, passed down through the Uzumaki clan, summoned the Shinigami—the god of death—to devour the soul of its target. However, the price was absolute: the caster must offer their own soul in exchange. The user is doomed to eternal suffering in the Shinigami's belly, unable to find peace or reincarnation.
It was a truly taboo technique.
Despite its devastating power, there was one method of undoing its effect—by donning the mask of the Shinigami stored in the Uzumaki Clan's shrine, summoning the god again, and slicing open its stomach to release the trapped souls. Orochimaru would later exploit this loophole—but at this moment, he understood just how dangerous this technique truly was.
Desperate to break Hiruzen's will, Orochimaru mocked and taunted his former master, trying to shatter his resolve.
But Sarutobi's eyes burned with unwavering determination. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, and his breaths came short and ragged, but his hands—gripping Orochimaru—never wavered.
"You still don't understand, Orochimaru."
Even in his weakened state, Sarutobi stood firm in his beliefs.
"The true strength of a shinobi isn't in forbidden jutsu or sinister power. A ninja's real strength is born when he fights to protect what's precious to him."
"Even if I die here… Konoha will not fall. The Will of Fire will live on in the hearts of the next generation. There are still young leaves in this village who will carry our dreams forward."
He glared at Orochimaru, voice resolute.
"You only see destruction and death. But beneath the ruins you see, seeds have been planted—and they will bloom again!"
"You wasted your talent chasing jutsu. Now I'll give you the punishment that suits you best—I'll seal away your hands so you can never weave hand signs again!"
"No! Stop!! You can't!"
Orochimaru panicked, his usual calm shattered. He could feel the cold grip of death tightening. He realized Hiruzen intended to seal away his arms, rendering him incapable of performing ninjutsu.
He struggled, trying to escape—but it was too late.
The Shinigami's blade descended. Orochimaru screamed as the invisible blade severed his soul's arms, sealing them forever.
---
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Ye Dou sensed a powerful shift in the air. His gaze instinctively turned toward the ominous Four Violet Flames Formation that enclosed the Hokage's rooftop.
"…It's over."
From the very beginning, he had never believed Orochimaru's invasion would succeed. Even with their advantages, the Sand and Sound shinobi had underestimated the strength hidden within Konoha—a village forged in war, tempered through three shinobi world wars, and standing strong for over half a century.
Like a sleeping lion, Konoha was not so easily provoked.
Boom! A loud tremor echoed in the distance.
Ye Dou turned his head and saw a large, imposing figure charging through the battlefield, wielding a massive staff and thrashing Sand and Sound shinobi alike.
Beside him were two other powerful figures. Together, they cut through enemy forces like a scythe through grass.
"They're the Ino-Shika-Cho of the previous generation," Hyuga Hanabi explained breathlessly from his arms. "Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza. The trump card trio of Konoha."
She pointed again.
"And over there, that's the Inuzuka clan's patriarch—Kiba's mother. She and her ninken fight as one. Their coordination is incredible!"
Ye Dou didn't need the explanations—he knew these people by reputation. But he didn't interrupt. He could tell Hanabi needed to talk to cope with the chaos and bloodshed around them.
"Ye Dou…"
Suddenly, Hanabi's voice trembled.
"Why… why do people do this?"
Ye Dou followed her gaze and saw the charred remains of a mother and child, crushed beneath the debris of a collapsed building. The mother had shielded her son with her body until the end.
He remained silent for a long time before replying.
"Maybe… they believed they had a reason."
---
[The Counterattack Begins]
Konoha's retaliation came faster and fiercer than expected.
Inside a temporary operations center, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Koharu Utatane sat like unmoving statues, receiving the latest reports.
"Lord Danzō, the civilian evacuation is complete."
Danzō's lone eye narrowed.
"What are you waiting for? Transmit the signal."
His tone was cold and merciless.
"Wipe out every last Sand and Sound shinobi. Leave no survivors."
"Yes, sir!"
Even Danzō's Root had been activated, proof of just how furious he was—and how much he intended to use this opportunity to cement his authority.
---
Elsewhere, at Konoha's Memorial Stone, multiple squads of ANBU stood silently, waiting.
Suddenly, high above the village, the cry of a falcon pierced the air.
Tweet!
It was the signal they'd been waiting for.
"The village has given the signal. Begin operations!"
---
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