So this is it… Akira-kun's plan has already reached this stage.
And seeing Naruto's reaction, I finally understand why Sasuke went so far as to ask me for help.
Naruto stared fixedly at Orochimaru's face, frowning. "Orochimaru, what's with that expression?"
Orochimaru ran his fingers through his hair and smiled faintly. "Naruto-kun, you have the Sharingan now, don't you? Why not take a proper look—am I being controlled by genjutsu?"
Naruto activated his Sharingan and examined Orochimaru's chakra network.
Everything was normal. There was no sign of genjutsu interference.
A doubt crept into his mind, and he asked inwardly, "Six Paths Grandpa… is there any genjutsu that can control someone without leaving any detectable trace?"
The Sage of Six Paths remained silent for a long time, then answered plainly, "As far as I know, no. Even my mother could not achieve such a thing."
Naruto's thoughts sharpened.
So Orochimaru… is acting of his own will?
His expression darkened as he demanded, "Orochimaru! Why are you doing this!?"
So from today onward… I'll have to go back to living like I used to, constantly on the run.
But for Sasuke's new resolve… it's worth the price.
"Heh… heh heh… hahaha!" Orochimaru began to laugh, the sound growing louder until his shoulders shook uncontrollably.
"What are you laughing at!?" Naruto snapped.
Orochimaru's tone turned cold. "Naruto, you've been Hokage for over a decade, yet your ability to read people hasn't improved at all. You never noticed my ambition?"
"I'm simply returning to my research… my human experiments."
"…What did you say!?"
Orochimaru's presence shifted, like the disaster he once was. "That's right. For fifteen years, I've suppressed my thirst for truth. I bent myself to Konoha's will, acted cautiously at every turn. Do you know how suffocating that was, Naruto-kun?"
"I've had enough!"
"I'm done pretending! I will return to who I truly am—someone who will stop at nothing in pursuit of truth, someone who treats human life as expendable!"
Naruto's eyes widened, his fists clenched. "So… you chose this moment? When Konoha is at its weakest!? But why—why Kakashi-sensei!?"
Orochimaru spoke smoothly, as if lecturing. "Fool. Isn't it obvious? You and Sasuke have both obtained extraordinary power. Targeting you would be unrealistic. So naturally, the next best test subjects are… the former Hokage."
"The former… Hokage!?"
"Exactly. Not just Kakashi—Tsunade as well. The retired Hokage, living quietly out of sight… all of them are perfect for my experiments. I'll capture them one by one and extract their final value."
Naruto's fists tightened further. "What did you say!? What have you done to Granny Tsunade!?"
"Heh… nothing yet. But that may change."
Naruto's rationality strained under the blaze of his anger, stretched to its limit.
"You're lying! No one would openly admit to something like this unless—unless you're trying to take the blame for someone else!"
Heh… I take that back. Naruto, fifteen years as Hokage has sharpened your mind after all.
Orochimaru tapped his temple lightly. "Naruto, think carefully with that well-developed brain of yours."
"?"
"You're convinced this was Uchiha Akira, aren't you? So your next move would be to go after him."
"If you fail to defeat him, he might assume I acted under his name… and come after me instead. After all, there are only a few people in the world who can use Edo Tensei."
"From the moment I took Kakashi, I became Konoha's enemy. Why would I want to add an even stronger enemy on top of that? There's no benefit for me."
"So isn't it only natural that I step forward and claim responsibility for this attack?"
The logic was sound. The motive was reasonable.
Naruto had no grounds left to defend him.
And yet… he couldn't accept it.
He couldn't accept losing another important person to betrayal.
"Orochimaru… what about Mitsuki!? Your own child! The one you chose to be Boruto's moon! Do you know how happy I was when I learned that!?"
Naruto's eyes reddened.
"There's something you might not know—Mitsuki is missing! He ended up in Uchiha Akira's Hidden Yin Village, and we still haven't found him!"
"Orochimaru… it's not too late. Turn back. Don't let the sins you've already atoned for become even worse. Do you want Mitsuki to bear the burden of being a criminal's son!?"
…Sigh.
Seeing Naruto's sincerity, genuinely trying to pull him back—
Orochimaru couldn't help but feel a faint sigh in his heart.
Naruto… I can feel your sincerity toward the people around you.
But sincerity without understanding is like a fish flopping on land—it may struggle fiercely, but in the end, it becomes nothing more than a fleeting sight.
Still… since I've seen it, I'll acknowledge it.
He answered calmly, addressing Mitsuki.
"Everyone has their own path. When children grow up and form their own will, parents must respect that."
"Since you mentioned parents and children… let me ask you something, Naruto."
"Have you truly grown up?"
Naruto froze for a moment. "What… do you mean by that?"
Sensing the disturbance in Naruto's emotions, the Sage of Six Paths spoke sharply, "Naruto, with your current power, there's no need to waste words with him! There are only two hours left until our agreed time at eight!"
"And I can confirm this—my mother, Kaguya, has already been revived! She is in the Peach Paradise seized by Uchiha Akira!"
"…I understand." Naruto steadied himself and stepped forward.
Boom!
His punch was intercepted by Hashirama's chakra-coated palm. Hashirama was pushed back three steps before stabilizing himself.
Orochimaru spoke calmly, "The control talisman I've placed on Lord Hashirama is my latest work. It removes personal will while perfectly preserving combat instincts."
"Naruto… test your Six Paths power against the First Hokage at his peak."
"As for me… I'll take my leave."
Whoosh!
Edo Minato vanished with Orochimaru.
Naruto's Sharingan locked onto Hashirama's emotionless eyes.
"The First Hokage… at full strength. I can feel it—his power and chakra are far beyond what they were in the Fourth War."
"Good thing he's in Orochimaru's hands. If Uchiha Akira had this… it would be a real disaster."
Boom!
Naruto drove Hashirama back with another punch.
But his thoughts lingered.
That strange feeling about Orochimaru… what was it?
Hashirama formed hand seals.
—Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!
Massive roots surged forward like giant serpents.
Naruto, distracted by his thoughts, raised his hand.
—Sage Art: Lava Release: Massive Rasenshuriken!
The spinning heatstorm tore through the roots, cutting them apart, the explosion like a miniature sun that swallowed the wooden constructs.
Hashirama leapt back and clapped his hands together, Ashura Sage markings appearing on his face.
—Sage Art: Deep Earth Spikes!
Sharp wooden spikes burst from the ground beneath Naruto in relentless succession. He flipped backward repeatedly, but the spikes pursued him endlessly, emerging wherever he moved.
No matter the direction or distance, the attack followed him without fail.
Seeing Naruto distracted, the Sage of Six Paths warned, "This technique continuously pursues living targets from beneath their feet. It's a powerful tracking jutsu, and with Hashirama's current strength, there's nowhere safe on this island."
"Take to the air!"
Naruto leapt upward—
But Hashirama's seals changed instantly.
—Sage Art: Myojin Gate!
Boom!
A massive torii gate slammed down from above, pinning Naruto to the ground.
More gates followed, stacking relentlessly.
Crack! Crack!
Fractures spread across the gates—
Boom!
Naruto burst free, rising into the air—
His form had changed.
A black-and-gold Six Paths cloak flowed behind him, no longer the short mantle from before but extending to his heels.
Ten Truth-Seeking Orbs formed a ring behind him. In his hand was no longer a staff, but the Six Paths Yang staff.
Toad Sage Mode remained, while Ashura's markings condensed into a hollow circle with a core on his forehead.
His eyes had become Mangekyō Sharingan.
"…Forget it. I'll deal with this first, then think about Orochimaru later."
Across from him, Hashirama formed another seal.
—Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!
A colossal Buddha statue rose, towering into the sky.
Naruto's Mangekyō gleamed.
A golden Kurama avatar ignited, splitting into three before merging again in a burst of blazing energy.
His hands rose high.
A massive Rasenshuriken of black and gold spun into existence.
The ultimate technique he once used against Sasuke—now summoned effortlessly.
Hashirama pressed his hands forward.
—Top Transformed Buddha!
Countless fists ignited with friction, crashing forward like a storm.
Naruto's gaze lifted to the sky.
"First Hokage… forgive me."
—Six Paths: Ashura's Orb!
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