Chapter 100 - Chapter 99: Is Not Important to Me!

"Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bomb!"A torrent of toad oil gushed from the massive mouth of the giant summoning beast, Gamabunta. Perched atop his head, Jiraiya swiftly formed hand seals and unleashed a roaring fire-style technique.As oil met fire, the result was a blazing inferno that scorched everything in its path!This was a coordinated combination jutsu between Jiraiya and Gamabunta—one that had turned the tides of battle many times.Even Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast of the Sand, wailed in agony as flames licked at his sandy body."Earth Style: Yellow Spring Swamp!"Jiraiya formed more seals, slamming his hand into the ground. In an instant, the terrain beneath Shukaku shifted, transforming into a swamp of thick, yellow sludge.With a body as colossal as Shukaku's, being trapped in the swamp rendered him almost immobile. The beast struggled, but his massive limbs were slowed by the sticky mire.Seeing this, Jiraiya allowed himself a pained but relieved smile."Good... At least now we've managed to suppress him for the time being."He turned his gaze upward—toward Gaara, still asleep on Shukaku's head."The fake sleep technique…" Jiraiya muttered. "To break it, you've got to beat some sense into the Jinchūriki."Just as he was preparing to act, a deafening explosion rocked the air behind him.Jiraiya's face turned pale as he twisted around. A towering mushroom cloud was rising in the distance.—The center of Konoha.It had turned into a pile of ruins in a matter of moments."Wh-What's going on…?" Jiraiya was stunned. Only the power of a tailed beast could cause such devastation… but he had Shukaku right here!"Could it be…?" he gasped, eyes widening.He immediately thought of Uzumaki Naruto. That boy had taken the key to Nine Tails' seal from him. Could he have—"No… He promised me he wouldn't attack Konoha!"From nearby, a mocking voice replied.Orochimaru: "Jiraiya… aren't you a bit too naïve?"Jiraiya: "Hmph… That's called trust. Trust in Naruto!"---Elsewhere, within the heart of the battle, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was in the midst of performing the Reaper Death Seal—locked in a deadly soul tug-of-war with Orochimaru.Sensing the explosion, Hiruzen's expression turned grim."What's going on? Damn it, Sand Shinobi Village!"He assumed, naturally, that Gaara was responsible for the destruction. After all, Konoha's own Jinchūriki, Naruto, had been standing calmly before him just moments ago.Meanwhile, Orochimaru looked overjoyed, his smug expression full of malice.The old fools of Konoha… They had never recognized his talent, never supported his path to becoming Hokage. So now—they would pay.If they wouldn't accept him as Hokage, then they didn't deserve to exist!Seeing Orochimaru's delighted face, Sarutobi's heart burned with renewed anger. Even in this desperate moment, he held firm to the duty of a Hokage—to protect the village, even at the cost of his own life."Orochimaru," he growled, "no matter what, I will end your life today!"With his final strength, Hiruzen roared and pulled fiercely on Orochimaru's soul."Wha—?! This old man… Where is he getting this strength?!""Damn you!!!"Orochimaru could feel it—his soul being dragged from his body bit by bit. Panic overtook his face."Third… Third Hokage… old man…"Trying to calm his panic, Orochimaru suddenly spoke in a hushed voice."You're wasting your time. You probably don't even know... that Konoha's tailed beast Jinchūriki—the one you cherish so much—has long planned to destroy the village.""He wants to create a new version of the Whirlpool Country!"Those words struck Hiruzen like lightning.For just a moment, he hesitated.And in that fleeting moment, Orochimaru reclaimed his soul, pulling it back into his body.By the time Hiruzen realized it, he had only managed to grab Orochimaru's arms."…I see now."Sarutobi Hiruzen muttered to himself.He finally understood why Naruto had remained motionless, watching from the shadows.He had neither helped him nor sided with Orochimaru."…Naruto."The Third Hokage's chakra was nearly depleted. Gone was the strong, commanding figure—what remained was a frail, exhausted old man."I've always wanted to understand your heart…""After the Chūnin Exams, I had hoped to bring you back to my side…""I wanted to teach you all the ninjutsu I know… to tell you about your identity as the Fourth Hokage's son…""I planned to train you as the next Hokage… because I believed in you… as a shinobi of Konoha…""…But now, it's too late.""You must be… filled with anger toward Konoha.""…Still, you must know—it was all because of Orochimaru's manipulation…""Your father, the Fourth Hokage… He sealed the Nine Tails inside you to make you a hero of the village…""All of this… is the result of my failure as Hokage…""But Naruto… I have one final warning…""Be wary of… Danzo!"With those final words, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression hardened once more."Reaper Death Seal!!!"He knew now—he couldn't take Orochimaru with him. Sealing just his arms would be his final act."It's over, Orochimaru!""No—NO! You old bastard!!"The Shinigami standing behind Hiruzen slashed downward with his ceremonial blade—sealing away Orochimaru's arms forever.As Orochimaru screamed in agony, the Third Hokage collapsed, his chakra fully exhausted.With his soul offered to the Death God, Sarutobi Hiruzen passed away.---"Orochimaru-sama!!"The Four Sound Nin who had been blasted away by Naruto earlier now raced in from all directions.Orochimaru was drenched in sweat, his face twisted in pain, his breathing erratic."Naruto… it seems you've gotten what you wanted…"But Naruto shook his head, calm and cold."Achieved? I don't think so."With a flash of red chakra, the Nine Tails' cloak once again engulfed him, forming a dense, flickering coat around his body.Orochimaru's eyes widened in alarm. "What… what are you trying to do?"He had expected Naruto to keep pretending… at least until he could be used again. But now? He didn't even hide his killing intent.The Four Sound Nin immediately stepped in front of Orochimaru, activating their Cursed Seal Forms without hesitation.They had seen Naruto's terrifying strength when he tore apart their barrier.This time—they wouldn't hold back.But Naruto didn't even look at them.His eyes were locked solely on Orochimaru."Tell me, Orochimaru—who do you think is more important to me?""You… or the Third Hokage?"Orochimaru blinked, then gave a wicked grin."Of course, it's me! With the two of us combined, no one in the ninja world could stand against us! We can seize everything!"He coughed hard, blood spilling from his lips.Still, he smiled.Naruto shook his head gently."…No, Orochimaru.""You're wrong.""You and the Third Hokage… neither of you is important to me.""What matters to me… is not either of you."---To Be Continued...