Chapter 307. Failed!
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Back then—
He had clearly been tricked by Danzo. It was for the sake of better research that he chose to leave the village!
As for attacking Danzo… well, that was for the money!
But still, it wasn't like he betrayed the village just for the money!
Orochimaru's face stiffened as he listened to the murmurs around him. No need to guess—they were obviously all lamenting how low a reason it was to betray the village over money.
And yet, now—
To keep Otogakure running and continue his own experiments, he really had accepted a commission from Iwagakure.
"Fine!" Orochimaru sighed and nodded. "It really was for the money!"
"You! You still don't repent?!"
"Want me to repent?" Orochimaru suddenly licked his lips and grinned at a furious Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was disappointed with him. "Then how about… you lend me 5 billion first?"
The moment the words fell—
The air fell completely silent.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand holding his pipe trembled slightly as he stared at Orochimaru, who looked like a completely different person—utterly shameless.
Obviously—
He was never like this before!
Orochimaru had always been one to care deeply about appearances, unlike Jiraiya.
What on earth had happened… for him to dare ask for money in public now?
Was life outside the village really that hard?
Even the people around them were wide-eyed. The Legendary Sannin… had become so shameless?!
But before Hiruzen could even respond, Orochimaru let out another little smile. "Ahhh~ Looks like I'm not getting that loan after all!"
"Money! You should earn it with your own hands!" Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze suddenly sharpened. "It looks like I failed to teach you properly back then. In that case… let me teach you well this time!"
As he spoke—
He was just about to form hand signs—
"Tsk, tsk, tsk~" Orochimaru chuckled sarcastically.
Suddenly—
Wood Release: Cutting Jutsu!
Dozens of vine-like wooden tendrils burst from the surroundings. Sensing danger, Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly dodged and turned his head, looking up at the First Hokage standing atop a giant tree with a pained expression. "First Hokage-sama…"
"Ah! Haha~" Senju Hashirama chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry! I can't control myself at the moment!"
And then—
"Brother, you idiot!" Tobirama yelled helplessly. "Can't you at least give a warning shout or something?!" Then he shook his head. "Forget it. That little monkey does deserve a beating! Teaching a student who'd attack fellow villagers for money, and…" His eyes moved to Might Duy, still shouting about youth. "Even the village's strongest defenders are invisible to him!"
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's face fell. Hearing his teacher's words, he gave a sheepish smile. "You're right, Sensei! I've indeed failed in my duties!"
He hadn't expected—
That the Joke of Konoha would be this strong!
One move to take down Manda. Another to completely pin Orochimaru. This strength… was terrifying~
As for Orochimaru—
His fall from grace… was partly Sarutobi Hiruzen's fault too.
Maybe he hadn't cared enough back then.
After losing his parents, Orochimaru had relied on their pension and village compensation to get by. Perhaps it was those hard days that made him value money so much.
Later on… Sarutobi Hiruzen had grown wary of Orochimaru because of how close he was with Danzo, and fearing he'd follow in Danzo's old path, he refused to let Orochimaru become Hokage.
And maybe—just maybe—that's why, after losing everything, Orochimaru became so obsessed with money~
Sure, Jiraiya had been poor too, but at least he was always optimistic.
"I truly failed to see what was in Orochimaru's heart!"
"Enough! If you know you're wrong, make it right!" Senju Tobirama, as Sarutobi Hiruzen's teacher, gave a stern scolding before saying, "He's your student, after all!"
"I will!" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath and looked up at Orochimaru, who stood on a tree branch. "No matter what, it's my fault—and I'll resolve this personally."
Though inside, he actually felt relieved.
Thankfully, the rumors about him embezzling public funds hadn't spread. If they had… he'd be screwed.
But then—
Tobirama added casually, "Oh right, while we're at it, let's also discuss your embezzlement and Mitokado Homura's bribery scandal."
Those words dropped—
"…"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's foot faltered. He gave a forced laugh. "They are just rumors! They are just rumors! Homura and I were completely misunderstood!" Before Tobirama could say anything else, he hurriedly turned to Orochimaru and said with a heavy tone, "Orochimaru! No matter what, as your sensei, I won't just sit by and watch you fall further!"
And yet—
Unexpectedly—
"It's about time," Orochimaru said as he stretched and gave Hiruzen a cheerful look, then glanced meaningfully at Uchiha Yuto. His eyes paused, a faint red light flashing, and he gave a mysterious smile before raising his head toward the Third Tsuchikage and forming hand signs. "It looks like this is where it ends for now!"
With that—
Summoning Jutsu!
Another giant snake appeared. Though Manda had apparently been sacrificed… Orochimaru had other backup summons. This one, however, lacked Manda's power and intelligence.
What a pity.
"Until next time, Sensei!"
And just like that—
He was dragged away by the snake, fleeing the battlefield.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly darkened. If Orochimaru escaped now, catching him next time would be far harder.
He knew this student well.
Once he went into hiding, he was practically untraceable.
"This time… I absolutely won't let you get away again!"
"Though, Sensei, it doesn't look like you've got time to catch me right now~"
As soon as Orochimaru finished speaking—
"Wood Release!"
"Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu!"
"Hell Stab: Four-Finger Nukite!"
The four reincarnated Kage burst into chaos once again.
"Hurry! Stop us quickly!" Tobirama Senju shouted urgently. "Only sealing techniques or the caster ending the ninjutsu can stop us!"
"?!"
Helplessly—
Sarutobi Hiruzen could only sigh in disappointment, cast a deep glance in the direction Orochimaru had retreated, and quickly turned his attention back to the battlefield.
But now…
Orochimaru and the Oto ninjas had already withdrawn.
Only Iwagakure remained.
"Third Tsuchikage! Are you still going to continue?" Hiruzen looked at the Tsuchikage floating in mid-air and said calmly, "Your plan has already failed!"
Upon hearing this—
Onoki was briefly silent, glancing at the fallen Iwa ninjas from his village, then looking at the united ninja forces from the other four great villages.
After a moment—
He slowly raised his head and stared at Hiruzen.
"The race isn't over yet! Iwagakure hasn't lost! As long as we eliminate you all now—it's still our win!"
After all—
Orochimaru hadn't dispelled the Impure World Reincarnation yet!
However—
Just then—
"Father… Tsuchikage-sama!" A tattered and battered Kitsuchi appeared in front of Onoki, kneeling on one knee and lowering his head. "The mission has failed! The blockade… has been broken!"
"?!"
Onoki froze.
He stared at Kitsuchi in disbelief, still trying to process the news of the failure—
"Everyone, look!"
Someone suddenly shouted.
Everyone turned their heads toward the voice.
"They're almost here!"
And then—
They saw it.
Car after car—dust-covered, some even dented in places—but finally, they were approaching the finish line!
"Hahahaha~" The Fourth Raikage burst into loud laughter. "Old man! You've lost!"
With a leap, he spread his arms wide and roared: "Everyone cheer! They've made it! The champions of the First Ninja Grand Prix…" He paused slightly, then swung his hand down, "…are arriving!"
And with that—
"Whoooosh~!"
The crowd erupted into wild cheers!
"Champions! Champions! Champions!"
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