Hiruzen Sarutobi, accompanied by Kakashi and four other Anbu, infiltrated Orochimaru's base.
Guided by Kakashi, they smoothly reached the door sealed with a complex technical formation. Hiruzen forcefully shattered the formation and entered the room, confronting Orochimaru directly.
Orochimaru said coolly, "Did you come here to kill me?"
Hiruzen sternly declared, "Orochimaru, it seems even you understand that your actions are unforgivable. I once gave you a chance, but you still refused to abandon your heresy. Then I have no choice but to wipe this stain off the face of our village!"
Orochimaru smirked, "Is that what you call being misguided? No, it's your narrow-mindedness that blinds you. You only see what you want to see, and when something exceeds your understanding, you immediately deny and resist it."
Hiruzen coldly snapped, "Don't try to twist words here! Your experiments are soaked in blood—something absolutely unacceptable to anyone!"
Shaking his head slightly, Orochimaru continued, "Sensei, it's not that you cannot tolerate these things, it's your position that binds you. You're too obsessed with power. Otherwise, you wouldn't have allowed me to implant Hashirama Cells into those infants back then, would you?
Now you enjoy the fruits of that experiment while condemning mine. I admit my methods lack humanity in certain aspects, but I don't deliberately torture them—I strive to minimize their suffering. Compare that to some experiments conducted in Root Division—they're far worse than mine, yet you never confront Danzo about them.
So tell me, Sensei— is it really my experiments you can't accept, or is it me personally? Because I am beyond your control. If exposed, as your disciple, I could become an indelible blemish upon your Hokage legacy. Am I wrong?"
Hiruzen's expression flickered repeatedly before he roared, "Orochimaru, stop fabricating lies!"
Compared to Hiruzen's fury, Orochimaru remained remarkably composed.
Orochimaru spoke with a calm, deliberate tone, "Whether or not I'm fabricating—it's all clear in your heart, Sensei. As I said, your vision is narrow. Your endless struggles look like child's games to us.
After all, no matter what you possess now, physical things will eventually vanish. They are impermanent. Even the Hokage title will dissolve into dust upon death. Sensei, when you die, what do you really think you can leave behind?"
Hiruzen replied firmly, "I will leave behind the Will of Fire!"
Orochimaru burst out laughing, his tone full of mockery. "The Will of Fire? Wherever Konoha leaves its mark, the flame never dies out—it keeps burning on through every generation. That flame will light the way for the village and spark new life in every budding leaf.
But tell me, Sensei—is today's Will of Fire still the same as it was back then? Haven't you noticed at all that the Will of Fire has already completely changed?"
"Perhaps you initially upheld the Will of Fire left behind by the First Hokage, but as you've aged, you've become increasingly unwilling to let go of power. Your pursuit and obsession with power have led you to commit many acts that violate the Will of Fire.
"You may believe yourself still loyal to the Will of Fire, but in my eyes, the Will of Fire in Konoha has become completely distorted—and you are the cause of this distortion."
Hiruzen Sarutobi roared furiously, "Silence, Orochimaru! What do you know? You're now an unforgivable criminal who has betrayed Konoha!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly formed hand seals.
[Summoning Jutsu!]
Hiruzen Sarutobi summoned Enma through the Summoning Technique.
Orochimaru glanced at Enma, then turned his piercing gaze back on Hiruzen Sarutobi with a sly smirk. "Far from being the only one moving against Konoha, I'm not the sole traitor here, Sensei—you're one of us too."
Orochimaru formed hand seals, pointing his left hand directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi.
[Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!]
Numerous venomous snakes emerged from Orochimaru's sleeves and lunged toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
[Thunder Breathing, First Form: Lightning Flash!]
A surge of electricity crackled through Kakashi's body. In an instant, he severed all the snakes summoned by Orochimaru.
Orochimaru stared at Kakashi, saying coolly, "Kakashi, you've been completely indoctrinated by the Will of Fire. Originally, I considered you the least likely person to be tainted by it. After all, your father committed suicide—effectively killed by people in Konoha. Hiruzen Sarutobi should have been your enemy."
Kakashi replied solemnly, "Cut the crap! I haven't been brainwashed—that was *my* choice. As a ninja of Konoha, I must protect Konoha!"
[Thunder Breathing's Fourth Form: Chidori Kai – Far Thunder!]
The chidori lightning erupted on Kakashi's ninja sword, screeching like a thousand chirping birds across Orochimaru's base.
At the same time, Kakashi's body emitted arcs of electricity as he dashed forward at lightning speed. As he closed in, Kakashi slashed with blinding speed—his blade crackling with chidori lightning.
However, when Kakashi's strike landed on Orochimaru, it produced metallic clangs.
Orochimaru had activated a ninjutsu technique beforehand called *Snake Limb Hardening* to harden his entire body.
Moreover, although Kakashi's assault appeared powerful, it lacked actual force.
Suddenly, Orochimaru struck back, grabbing Kakashi's blade with his hardened arm and staring straight into Kakashi's face, saying, "Your Thunder Breathing is nowhere near as refined as your teacher's!"
With one kick, Orochimaru sent Kakashi flying backward. Kakashi crashed into a shelf lined with glass jars. The shelf shattered into pieces, raining glass shards and splinters down on Kakashi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Enma charged at Orochimaru simultaneously.
Orochimaru formed hand seals and slammed them onto the ground.
[Summoning Jutsu: Rashomon!]
A massive Rashomon gate rose from the earth—an ancient summoning technique—piercing through the entire base and separating Orochimaru from Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others.
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the Rashomon in front of him, surprised that Orochimaru would use such a jutsu so directly.
With the Rashomon gate blocking the way, they could no longer reach Orochimaru directly.
Also, the fact that Orochimaru released this [Ninjutsu] means... he's about to escape!
Right now Hiruzen couldn't see Orochimaru, but he could still hear his voice.
"Sarutobi-sensei, when you finally wither away and decay beneath the leaves of Konoha, I will let you finish your final moments as the Hokage. I will make you a hero who protects Konoha one last time. This is the final thing I, your disciple, can do for you."
Orochimaru's voice gradually faded into the distance.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi—who had just gotten back up—and four other Anbu regrouped past the Rashomon gate, preparing to chase after Orochimaru. However, they soon discovered a descending passageway entrance on the ground not far ahead.
There was no doubt—Orochimaru had gone down this passage.
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