In an instant, the entire village plunged into chaos and panic.
Villagers ran in all directions, screaming and crying as panic took hold.
Streets crumbled, houses collapsed, and clouds of dust filled the air, blotting out the sky!
The massive Nine-Tails loomed like a harbinger of destruction. Each step it took sent tremors through the earth, flattening buildings in its path.
Its chakra painted the sky blood-red!
Its nine tails lashed like blades in a storm, slicing through anything in their way.
Then, the Nine-Tails opened its jaws, forming a Tailed Beast Bomb. BOOM!
The bomb shot toward an empty training ground in the distance.
Despite the Nine-Tails' terrifying display, a closer look revealed it was only targeting uninhabited areas. The destruction was massive, but only a few villagers suffered minor injuries.
The Nine-Tails wasn't thrilled about this, but it had no choice—Minato Namikaze had given it strict orders.
Meanwhile, Kushina Uzumaki was wreaking havoc inside the village, her chakra spreading out to sense the villagers. From the Nine-Tails' chakra, she had seen the insults and mistreatment her son had endured over the years. She remembered the faces of every single person who had bullied Naruto!
This time, she'd make them feel pain!
We gave our lives to save yours, so it's only fair I come to collect today!
Orochimaru watched the scene unfold, a wicked smile curling on his lips.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
BOOM!
A massive snake—Manda—appeared in the Hidden Leaf Village!
"Damn you, Orochimaru! What do you want with me now?! I'm warning you—if you don't have a sacrifice I like this time, I'll eat you!"
Orochimaru knew Manda's attitude well. The snake had always been defiant, despite their summoning contract. Every time Orochimaru called Manda, it demanded a hefty offering—usually human sacrifices.
Just as Orochimaru was about to respond, Manda, who had been acting all high and mighty, suddenly coiled its body tightly.
"What the hell, Orochimaru?! What's going on?! Why's that freak Nine-Tails here?! And what's with those two Mangekyō Sharingan?!"
Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha had activated their Mangekyō Sharingan, their blood-red eyes locked onto Manda with an intense glare.
Fugaku stepped up beside Orochimaru.
"Looks like your summoning beast isn't very obedient, Orochimaru-senpai. Need a junior to teach it some manners? Susano'o!"
As he spoke, Fugaku summoned his towering Susano'o.
Seeing her husband take action, Mikoto didn't hesitate—she called forth her own Susano'o.
In an instant, two massive Susano'o figures loomed over the village, crushing countless houses beneath them.
Orochimaru's mouth twitched at the sight.
Manda, meanwhile, was genuinely terrified!
"Orochimaru! I'm your summoning beast, man! Let's talk this out—we're practically brothers, best buds! No need to sic a Susano'o on me, right? If you kill me, you'll be out a summoning beast!"
Hearing Manda's pleading tone, Orochimaru felt a rush of satisfaction.
Since signing the contract with Manda, he'd never felt this in control. The snake had always treated him like some small-time nobody it could push around.
But now? It was scared out of its scales!
Heh heh heh…
This felt good!
"Heh, Manda… Didn't you say you wanted sacrifices? That you'd eat me if they weren't up to your standards?"
"Huh?! When did I say that?! Orochimaru, have a heart! I'm a good snake! I don't eat sacrifices! And with our bond, how could I ever eat you?!"
"Heh heh heh… Manda, this is the first time you've ever spoken to me so nicely."
"Haha! Orochimaru, you don't get it—I love talking things out! I especially love chatting with you. You're smart, you talk nice, I'm a huge fan!"
Orochimaru could barely hold back his laughter. Who'd have thought Manda, who normally didn't care about anyone, would be this spineless now?
"Alright, Manda. I didn't summon you to cause trouble. If I wanted to mess with you, it wouldn't just be these few people. I brought you here for a job."
"A job?! What is it, Lord Orochimaru? Just say the word, and this little snake will handle it perfectly—neat and tidy!"
"Nothing much… Just go wild and cause some destruction. But… keep the killing to a minimum!"
"You got it, Lord Orochimaru! I'm on it!"
After giving Manda its orders, Orochimaru walked off alone, muttering to himself.
"My dear teacher… do you like the grand exit your student prepared for you? No worries if you don't… You're old now, teacher. You're not the ninja hero you once were. I'm looking forward to seeing you in your prime again… Heh heh heh…"
"Orochimaru!!!"
A furious roar echoed through the air!
With a whoosh, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, appeared before Orochimaru.
"Teacher, it's been a while! You've aged!"
Hiruzen stared in horror at the chaos unfolding—two massive Susano'o, golden chains dozens of meters long swirling nearby, and a colossal Nine-Tails rampaging on the village's outskirts!
"Naruto Uzumaki?!"
"Orochimaru! What have you done to Naruto?!"
"Teacher… I haven't touched Naruto. And today, you're surrounded by old acquaintances."
But Hiruzen wasn't in the mood to chat.
"Orochimaru! I won't let you destroy the Hidden Leaf! Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Tch! Summoning Jutsu: Triple Rashomon!"
Hiruzen's Fire Dragon Flame Bullet broke through the first Rashomon gate but was stopped cold by the second…