Boom! Boom! Boom!
Out on the plain, a thunderous roar shook the earth as Susanoo and the Adamantine Staff clashed again and again. Even the nearly indestructible armor of Susanoo began to fracture, revealing cracks in its form. Yet the staff too was beginning to show strain—blood leaked from it, proof that even the Monkey King Enma's diamond-hard body was not immune to Susanoo's power.
"Huff… huff…" Hiruzen Sarutobi leaned heavily on the staff, panting violently. Sweat and blood poured from his body in heavy droplets, evidence of how severely he was taxing himself. The toll on his aging form was tremendous—and obvious.
Amidst the storm of battle, Obito looked across at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Besides the Tailed Beasts, you're the only one who's managed to hold your own against this form—Crow Tengu Susanoo. Third Hokage… even if you fall here, your pride is well earned."
From the sidelines, the ANBU captains shouted desperately.
"Sandaime-sama, please stop! There's still time to retreat!"
"Konoha has the Fourth Hokage and many other powerful shinobi. You don't have to face this monster alone!"
Even Enma urged him, "Sarutobi, they're right. You should pull back—he can't stop you if you want to flee!"
But Hiruzen's gaze remained firm. "And let this chance to eliminate him slip away? How many more shinobi would die next time? For Konoha—I must give it everything I have!"
With that, Sarutobi Hiruzen charged again, staff in hand.
Susanoo moved to meet him.
Boom!
The two titans passed one another—and Enma's staff clattered to the ground, reverting back to the bloodied Monkey King.
"Sarutobi… I'm sorry. I can't go on," Enma said, voice strained with pain.
"Thank you, my old friend…" Hiruzen replied softly.
Poof! Enma disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Hiruzen turned—and Susanoo followed.
"How many more surprises do you have left, Third?" Obito muttered.
He noticed something odd—his Susanoo's shadow was connected to Hiruzen's.
Shadow Imitation Technique.
The secret jutsu of the Nara Clan. After enlarging himself with the Multi-Size Technique, Hiruzen's shadow had expanded greatly—large enough to even restrain Susanoo. Though it was just a temporary bind, it was enough.
Hiruzen shouted, "Xin Mao, Xin Yin, Xin Si—I can't hold this long! Break Susanoo now!"
"Understood!!" the three ANBU captains shouted. Each landed atop surrounding rock pillars.
Xin Mao Seal—Lightning Release: Four Pillar Bind!
Four massive stone pillars erupted from the earth, each crackling with thunder, enclosing Susanoo.
Xin Yin Seal—Earth Release: Clay Pendant!
A massive clay boulder dropped from above, crashing down over Susanoo.
Xin Mao Seal Again—Lightning Release: Sixteen Binding Pillars!
Sixteen more pillars erupted in the gaps, forming a sealed prison of thunder around Susanoo.
Xin Si Seal—Fire Release: Plain Burning Technique!
A blazing inferno filled the makeshift prison. Flames, lightning, and weight crushed down together.
Cracks spiderwebbed across Susanoo's already battered armor. Chunks fell away, muscles burned, tendons snapped, and soon, only thin bones shielded Obito's form.
"This joint jutsu… even timed to neutralize my intangibility," Obito thought. "Impressive. Konoha still has capable hands… Very well. I'll answer in kind."
Blood vessels burst in Obito's eyes as he unleashed the full force of his Mangekyō.
RUMBLE!
Blue flames surged. The crumbling Susanoo skeleton rapidly regenerated. Muscles rewove, armor snapped back into place.
Crow Tengu Susanoo—Rebirth!
But it wasn't over.
In Susanoo's hand, a divine shield began to manifest, an intense vortex of Kamui energy gathering within it.
Susa Sacred Artifact: Kyuta God Sorakan!
Flames—absorbed. Clay—disintegrated. Thunder pillars—shattered and devoured. Even the Shadow Imitation Technique beneath Susanoo's feet vanished.
When the dust settled, only Susanoo remained standing.
"How is this possible…" one of the ANBU captains gasped.
"…We still couldn't stop him," Hiruzen murmured.
The Third Hokage's massive form shrank back to his original body. Energy depleted, he collapsed, completely immobilized.
Boom.
Susanoo dissipated. Obito closed his eyes, exhaled, and walked forward.
"Don't come any closer!" The ANBU captains moved to block him.
"Move."
CRACK!
Obito released a burst of Lightning Chakra beneath his feet. The three ANBU were blown away, groaning as they hit the dirt.
He passed them, standing over the fallen Hiruzen.
He had defeated a legend. The Third Hokage—Sarutobi Hiruzen—vanquished at the height of his might. News of this would shake the entire shinobi world.
"…Obito," the Hokage murmured weakly. "Will you spare my student… Orochimaru?"
"I never planned to hurt him," Obito replied.
"…What did you say?"
A hoarse, magnetic voice chimed in.
"That's right, Sensei. It was my decision."
Orochimaru approached, flanked by Tobi. Tobi gave Obito a silent nod—everything had gone according to plan.
Obito's month of worry melted away.
Orochimaru took his place beside Obito, standing slightly behind him—a silent show of allegiance.
"…I see," Hiruzen said quietly.
Orochimaru looked at Obito. "For the sake of old times… please, spare his life."
Obito sighed. "The Orochimaru I know—asking for mercy for his master. So you never intended to destroy Konoha after all."
"For your efforts… fine. I'll let him live. But—"
"Kabuto has been handled," Orochimaru said, anticipating the question.
Obito looked to Tobi, who nodded.
"Then we're done here," Obito said.
Hiruzen coughed. "Orochimaru… the missing villagers near the Fire Country—was that your doing?"
"Yes," Orochimaru said plainly. "I used to worry it would be exposed… but not anymore. You can't stop me now, Sensei."
"Will you never return to the village? Even if I pardon you?"
"I seek the truth of this world. A village can't give me what I want… Sensei."
Hiruzen closed his eyes. Memories of teaching Orochimaru flashed through his mind.
"Sandaime-sama!!" the ANBU shouted.
"He's only fainted," Orochimaru said. "If he's brought back quickly and Tsunade treats him, he might survive."
Boom. The hideout's gates opened.
Orochimaru turned to Obito. "Yu-kun, how did it feel fighting the Third?"
Obito looked out into the horizon.
"He was the perfect mirror to bid farewell to my past. He showed me where I currently stand… and that I'm ready to move on."
"Then shall we proceed?" Orochimaru asked.
"Yes. I want the true power of the First Hokage—Senju Hashirama."
Orochimaru grinned. "Then come with me… let's begin."