As Jiraiya moved, Orochimaru's form flickered into view.
With a strange smile, he flicked a slow-moving orb of black flame toward Hiruzen, still struggling against the Soul of Bones.
"I just can't let you go, Sensei."
If he couldn't claim Hiruzen as an undead, he'd take his badge.
Orochimaru's only Blue Rare skill: Hellfire!
Even Shen Mo's gaze sharpened. Could Jiraiya make it in time?
Five seconds' foresight.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Jiraiya's hands blurred through seals. Two clones appeared, kicking him with all their might, propelling him like a frog toward Hiruzen.
"What?" Orochimaru's eyes widened.
The black flame was seized in Jiraiya's hand.
He'd made it.
Joy flashed across Jiraiya's face, but no scream escaped as the flame consumed him, reducing him to ash in an instant.
"Ever the fool," Orochimaru said, his expression darkening.
"You're the fool," Jiraiya's voice retorted from behind.
Orochimaru spun, stunned. "Impossible!"
He was certain the one who grabbed the flame wasn't a clone.
Come to think of it, Jiraiya had relied solely on ninjutsu in this fight.
"Getting interesting," Orochimaru said, glancing at the charging Tsunade and others. His body dissolved into black smoke. "Jiraiya, you've got some intriguing tricks. Next time won't end so easily."
Jiraiya didn't pursue. The substitution doll in his arms had crumbled to ash.
But he'd done it—altered the future where Hiruzen was killed and his badge taken.
He'd always thought prophecy was unchangeable, yet he'd succeeded. The realization hit him hard.
"You okay?" Tsunade and the others rushed over.
"Me? I'm fine," Jiraiya said, striking a proud pose, hands on hips.
"I meant Sensei," Tsunade snapped, glaring. "I'm not blind."
"Lord Jiraiya, still reckless as ever," Shikaku said with a wry smile.
Tsunade knelt by Hiruzen, holy light flaring from her hands. Her brows furrowed. Hiruzen's teeth were clenched, his body trembling. A malevolent force drained his vitality, barely held at bay by his chakra and poetic energy. He was critically weakened, and the evil power was tainting his soul. Even Tsunade could only ease it temporarily.
Then, the floating crowd began to descend. The world echoed with the sound of shattering glass. To their shock, beyond the stage's fractured veil, Konoha stood unscathed.
Everything was intact.
Some ninja wondered if it was genjutsu.
"The stage is over?" Tsunade looked up, then toward Rasa's position. He was fleeing, wrapped in black smoke, his Sunagakure ninja retreating swiftly.
"Don't chase!" Tsunade's voice boomed across Konoha. "They're barely hurt. You're no match."
The pursuing ninja halted, returning to her side.
A crowd of ninja gathered, their dusty, battered forms and Hiruzen's critical state proof that the battle was no illusion.
The onlookers' gazes were dreamlike. Had a disaster that could've razed Konoha truly ended?
"Letting that guy escape?" Asuma asked, glancing at his father, a trace of frustration in his voice.
"Orochimaru's too strong, his methods too strange," Jiraiya said, shaking his head. "Chasing him is too risky."
"He'll return. So will Rasa," Tsunade said, her golden eyes sweeping the crowd. Her voice carried a finality. "The war is about to begin."
A chill ran through everyone.
War was no stranger to these ninja or Konoha's villagers. It meant hardship, sacrifice.
But after witnessing that battle, the thought of facing such monsters in the coming war sent shivers through their hearts.
"War is merely an expression of human nature," a calm voice drifted from above.
All eyes turned, filled with awe, to Shen Mo descending slowly, accompanied by his angelic companion, Ikaros. This man, respected by enemies and the Hokage alike, seemed the source of it all.
Shen Mo's faint smile remained as he surveyed the crowd, his gaze settling on Hiruzen.
"While humanity has desires, conflict will persist," he said unhurriedly. "The Fate-Witnessing Stage offers a space to fight for those desires, minimizing harm to the world and those content with peace."
His words seemed an explanation for all.
"Well said," Tsunade said, taking a deep breath. "This war differs from the past. It's a clash where we stake our fates."
Indeed. This battle left Konoha undamaged, with no civilian casualties—only two unfortunate ninja caught in the crossfire. Compared to the original plot, innocent losses were minimal.
Orochimaru, Rasa—they'd have waged war with or without Shen Mo. That it ended like this left everyone grateful.
"Now, for special rewards," Shen Mo said, raising his voice slightly, arms spreading. "This wasn't a spectacular battle, but some among you earned high-tier membership recognition through spirit or qualities, granting the chance to purchase advanced cans."
At those words, the members' breaths quickened.
Every eye burned with anticipation, locked on Shen Mo.
Even Hiruzen, struggling, forced his eyes open.