Orochimaru bit his finger, drew a line across his palm, then slammed both hands onto the ground with a loud shout:
"Ninpō: Kuchiyose no Jutsu! (Summoning Technique!)"
A massive serpent was summoned, its colossal body coiling menacingly as it effortlessly blocked the barrage of shuriken that had been hurled at Orochimaru.
A deafening roar thundered from the serpent's throat, shaking the battlefield. Its malicious eyes swept across the surroundings before fixing upon Orochimaru.
"You bastard, Orochimaru! How many times have I told you—don't disturb me when I'm resting, or I'll devour you myself!"
Orochimaru sneered coldly, unfazed. He leapt gracefully onto the head of the giant snake, Manda, and recalled the Kusanagi Sword into his hand.
"One hundred living sacrifices. You'll have every last one of them."
Manda's sinister gaze flickered with satisfaction. He turned his enormous eyes upon Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, his tail smashing the ground with enough force to crack it open.
"So it's the Third Hokage… Orochimaru, you've finally decided to kill your own master? Hehehehe… how very entertaining."
Hiruzen's expression darkened. Being targeted by such a beast, he could feel the overwhelming killing intent radiating from Manda. This was no ordinary summon—this was a predator born only to kill.
The Third knew well the legendary three Summoning Realms. Tsunade's Slug of the Shikkotsu Forest, Jiraiya's Toads of Mount Myōboku—all were noble and orderly creatures. Only the snakes of Ryūchi Cave were chaotic, bloodthirsty, and steeped in carnage.
With a heavy grunt, Hiruzen dismissed the two Shadow Clones that had failed their task. The adamant staff in his hands suddenly shifted form, expanding into the burly frame of Enma, the Monkey King.
Summons were not mere tools; they were battle companions. And those who contracted with powerful beasts drew upon that strength to become legends themselves.
The Sannin had risen to fame not just by their own might, but through the destructive power of their Summons.
Enma spoke in a low growl, his fur bristling:
" Hiruzen, the snakes of Ryūchi Cave are far stronger than I. I can only hold Manda off for a while—I can't help you against Orochimaru himself."
Hiruzen nodded gravely. He knew the truth of it. Ryūchi Cave was one of the Three Great Sacred Grounds for good reason—every serpent born from it was monstrous.
"Protect yourself," Hiruzen whispered. "Do not clash with Manda head-on. Of all Orochimaru's summons, his strength is the greatest. Just hold him back long enough. If I can kill Orochimaru, the battle will be decided."
Orochimaru allowed his teacher the time to speak, then coldly interjected:
"Sensei, are you finished? Whether it's Pain, the leader of Akatsuki, or my student Aoyama—they are both fighting right now. For us to sit here idly chatting… don't you think it's a little out of place?"
Drawing a deep breath, Hiruzen's aged body once again unleashed its strength. His eyes locked onto Orochimaru's mocking smile—the smile of one who looked down upon everything.
Hiruzen's heart sank. He knew his age had dulled his edge. But unless he fought with everything he had, he truly might fall to the very student he once nurtured.
The clash resumed.
Manda lunged at Enma, excitement gleaming in his cruel eyes. His massive jaws opened wide, foul breath rushing forth like a storm.
"I've tasted countless human sacrifices, but this will be my first monkey. I hope you're not too full to eat."
Enma felt the killing intent in that stench. He dared not stop to weave seals—one misstep, and Manda would crush him. All he could do was keep moving, keep dodging, dragging out as much time as possible.
Manda's enormous body crashed across the battlefield, its sheer size wreaking havoc with every movement. In his reckless advance, he strayed too close to Pain's position, his tail whipping down at him as though swatting a mere insect.
Pain's eyes flashed coldly. Without expression, he raised his hand.
"Shinra Tensei! (Almighty Push!)"
BOOM.
The gravitational force hurled Manda across the battlefield, smashing him into the ground and crushing an unfortunate Konoha shinobi beneath his body.
Seeing Manda sent flying, Enma immediately stopped retreating. His hands flew through seals with lightning speed. In less than two seconds, he roared:
"Fūton: Daitoppa! (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!)"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he watched Manda get blasted away. He cursed under his breath.
"Damn beast! Did he not realize that was Pain—the leader of Akatsuki? He's gotten arrogant, thinking this is still the battlefield of the Great Ninja Wars. Hmph, if he dies, so be it."
Manda had always been defiant, causing Orochimaru endless headaches. Many times, Orochimaru thought it would be better to kill him and contract a more obedient serpent. But for now, he still needed Manda's power—without it, he might not be able to overcome Hiruzen. Especially not a Hokage determined to lay down his life to correct past mistakes.
Hiruzen pressed his palms together, his old frame brimming with chakra once more. His voice rang with fury:
"Orochimaru! Feel the wrath of your master!
Kombināto Ninjutsu: Doryūka Enryūdan no Jutsu! (Combined Technique: Earth-Dragon Flame Stream Bullet!)"
One clone weaved Earth Style, transforming the ground into flowing mud. At the same time, Hiruzen himself unleashed Fire Style, igniting the mud in a blazing torrent, multiplying its destructive power severalfold.
Orochimaru slipped between the fiery streams with serpentine ease, unbothered as he prepared his counterattack. Venomous serpents slithered from his sleeves, lunging at Hiruzen with snapping fangs.
"Ninpō: Sen'ei Tajashu! (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!)"
Hiruzen leapt back, working in tandem with his Shadow Clones. Together, they unleashed a barrage of techniques.
"Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu! (Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!)"
"Raiton: Raibodan no Jutsu! (Lightning Style: Thunder Bomb!)"
"Combined Ninjutsu: Raiton-Suiryūdan! (Lightning Water Dragon Bullet!)"
The Third Hokage's might was truly terrifying. With nothing but his own strength, he had once saved Konoha during the Great Ninja Wars. Rising as Hokage after the sudden death of the Second, he earned the title of "Professor of Ninjutsu," mastering over a thousand techniques, his power enough to pressure entire nations.
The battle between master and disciple raged on, shaking Konoha to its core.