Just then, Sarutobi Hiruzen heard a voice from behind him!
"Flying Thunder God Jutsu!!!
Third Hokage, long time no see!
I'll be damned!!!"
Sarutobi had no idea an attack was coming!
Caught completely off guard, he couldn't react in time.
A Rasengan slammed into his back with brutal force…
The impact sent Sarutobi flying dozens of meters!
Scrambling to his feet, battered and bruised, Sarutobi felt the weight of his severe injuries.
But right now, he couldn't care less about the pain… His trembling gaze locked onto the figure standing before him in disbelief!
"Mi… Minato?!"
"Oh? I'm surprised the great Third Hokage still remembers a common ninja like me, Minato Namikaze! I really ought to thank you for all the 'care' you've shown my son over the years!!!"
Minato's words hit Sarutobi like a punch, filling him with shame.
At the same time, his mind reeled with horror. Minato was supposed to be dead—how was he standing here now?!
What the hell was going on?!
"Minato!!! Don't forget you're the Fourth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf!!!"
"Fourth Hokage?! The Fourth Hokage is dead! You made sure of that, didn't you, Sarutobi?! Today, you're done for, Hiruzen! Not even the Sage of the Six Paths could stop me—I said it!!!"
Sarutobi stared at Minato, utterly shocked…
He couldn't believe those words had come from Minato's mouth!
Was the old Minato truly gone?!
Hahaha…
What a mess I've made!
Have I really been wrong all these years?!
Thud!!!
While Sarutobi was still staring at Minato, a golden chain suddenly whipped out and slammed into him, sending him flying once again!
"What the hell are you staring at?!
Is there a problem with what my husband said?!
I really ought to thank you, Third Hokage, for all the 'care' you've given my son!!!
My boy was despised, bullied, forced to eat expired food—all thanks to you, Third Hokage!!!
You've got the nerve to stare at my husband?!
Come on, let's settle this one-on-one!
Step up!!!"
Pfft…
Sarutobi spat out a mouthful of blood, staring in disbelief at the foul-mouthed woman before him…
"Kushina…"
Then, footsteps approached from another direction.
When Sarutobi saw the two new figures, his pupils shrank!
"Fugaku Uchiha… Mikoto Uchiha…"
"Long time no see, Third Hokage!"
Surrounded by these five people, Sarutobi's heart sank like a stone.
It wasn't just the fact that he was on the verge of death that crushed him—it was that no one had come to his aid!
Sure, his son Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy were out on missions with their teams—that was understandable.
But what about Kakashi? The Anbu?!
What about Danzo's Root?!
Koharu? Mito?
Why wasn't anyone here?!
Kakashi, of course, didn't show up. He'd already learned a lot from Hirofumi. Though his father hadn't revealed the full truth about his own death, Kakashi had pieced things together…
So, while he felt a pang of sadness for the Third Hokage's downfall, he didn't intervene. In fact, he'd rallied the entire Anbu, ensuring not a single operative went to Sarutobi's aid.
As the Anbu captain, he had that kind of pull…
As for Koharu and Mito, those old fossils had long since gone into hiding. And Danzo? That guy was probably hoping Sarutobi would die!
After all, if Sarutobi was gone, Danzo Shimura would be the prime candidate for the next Hokage!!!
Strangely, the other major clans stayed quiet too. At most, they sent a few ninjas to help evacuate civilians…
The Hyuga clan had completely shut their gates, acting like whatever was happening had nothing to do with them!
Looking at the chaos unfolding in the village, Sarutobi thought back to everything he'd done. If he'd stopped the spread of those rumors, if he hadn't let Sakumo Hatake take his own life…
If he'd been stronger, if he hadn't let Hizashi Hyuga die needlessly…
If he'd saved Shisui Uchiha's life, if he hadn't let the Uchiha clan be wiped out, if he hadn't driven Itachi away…
If he'd properly protected Naruto Uzumaki…
Would things be different now?!
Injured and sprawled on the ground, Sarutobi's mind raced like a slideshow, replaying his life. As a young boy, he trained under his teacher.
Later, in a time of crisis, he took on the role of Hokage.
With the help of his friends, he'd brought peace to the Hidden Leaf with his iron will and strength…
The first half of his life was glorious!
But the second half… his eyes had been clouded by power!
Was this really still him?!
Was this really the Sarutobi Hiruzen known as the Hero of the Ninja World?!
I was wrong!!!
I've been wrong!!!
Cough, cough…
Sarutobi coughed up another mouthful of blood.
Orochimaru watched the scene with cold indifference, stepping closer to Sarutobi.
"Teacher… are you satisfied with the grand exit your student has prepared for you?!
This flourishing tree has some problems. The withered branches must be cut away so the new buds can thrive!
Teacher… leaving as the heroic Third Hokage of the Hidden Leaf—you should be pleased with that, right?!"
But at that moment, Sarutobi, as if experiencing a final burst of strength, grabbed Orochimaru's ankle tightly!
"Orochimaru!!! As your teacher, I'm proud to have taught a student like you!!! Among my three students, in my heart, you've always been the most outstanding!!!
But!!! I'll never allow anyone to destroy the Hidden Leaf!!!
So… come with your teacher to hell!!!
Reaper Death Seal!!!!"
Orochimaru panicked at the sight!
"Damn it!!! Old man, have you lost it?!"
"Hahaha!!! I'm not crazy!!!"
In an instant, the Reaper appeared behind Sarutobi…
But just then!
Cough, cough…
Footsteps approached.
Hirofumi Ito strolled over casually.
"Hey, Reaper guy? This ain't your business! Scram!!!"
The Reaper locked eyes with Hirofumi and instantly remembered the last time it had nearly been taken out by this kid!
Damn it, why's this brat everywhere?!
Am I, a Reaper, really having this much trouble just collecting a soul?!
Fine, I can't mess with him, but I can dodge him!
Hmph!!!
Scram? Fine, I'll scram!
Without a moment's hesitation, the Reaper vanished back to wherever it came from…
…