103. Fragile Soul!

Konohagakure Village.

Shihouin Naraku and Orochimaru stood facing each other!

Though both were smiling as if having a casual conversation, an invisible murderous aura spread between them.

The atmosphere grew increasingly cold, as though everyone had suddenly been transported to a frigid winter landscape, causing involuntary shivers.

Yakushi Kabuto and another Sound ninja stood silently behind Orochimaru. They had no right to speak, only to witness the confrontation unfolding before them.

They understood perfectly that their chances of leaving Konohagakure alive today depended entirely on the outcome between Orochimaru and Shihouin Naraku.

The surroundings were deathly quiet. A pin dropping would have echoed like thunder. Suddenly, Orochimaru smiled and announced, "The Third Hokage of Konohagakure is dead! He died by my hands!"

Shihouin Naraku frowned. This news wasn't particularly surprising.

When he noticed that Orochimaru remained completely unaffected by the Reaper Death Seal—unlike in the original timeline—Naraku knew something unexpected had occurred during the duel between Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru. That unexpected factor was most likely Kaguya Kimimaro, who had also been inside the barrier.

In truth, it was already impressive that an elderly man on the verge of retirement had fought Orochimaru so fiercely.

Especially considering that in the original timeline, Sarutobi Hiruzen had nearly succeeded in sealing Orochimaru.

In this battle, Sarutobi Hiruzen had faced Orochimaru, the reanimated Senju brothers, and Kaguya Kimimaro all by himself.

Even though Kimimaro might not have been the strongest among them, he could still prove decisive at critical moments—such as shielding Orochimaru from a fatal attack.

So the current outcome wasn't entirely unexpected.

Upon hearing the news, Shihouin Naraku remained silent, but Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, and the other Konoha shinobi who had just arrived were stunned by the announcement of the Third Hokage's death. They stood in shocked silence.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had led Konohagakure for many years as the Third Hokage, and his sudden death left everyone disoriented.

Nobody knew what to do next.

"Why, Orochimaru? You tell me the Third Hokage is dead..." Shihouin Naraku maintained his grip on Kurikara, his pupils calm and steady. "Do you expect me to cower and step aside for you?"

"Hehehe..."

Orochimaru extended his long tongue and licked his lips. He seemed surprised that Naraku's expression hadn't changed at all after hearing about Sarutobi Hiruzen's death.

"What do you think, Naraku? We haven't seen each other for many years. How do you like this gift from your teacher? Without that stubborn old man clinging to the position of Hokage, from today onward, you could become the new Hokage."

"How does this sound... Fifth Hokage Shihouin Naraku?"

"Hehehehahahaha..."

Orochimaru laughed triumphantly, his words clearly intended to provoke.

Although he appeared to be discussing their teacher-student relationship, he made it sound as though he had killed Sarutobi Hiruzen specifically to clear the path for Shihouin Naraku.

In reality, he was trying to turn the other Konoha shinobi against Naraku!

"Oh, right," Orochimaru said, as if suddenly remembering something. With a sinister smile, he added, "Would you like your teacher to help eliminate these troublesome witnesses? We can prevent the news from spreading!"

Before finishing his sentence, Orochimaru suddenly attacked.

"Hidden Snake Hands!"

Orochimaru raised his arm and instantly summoned several large snakes, which lunged toward Shihouin Naraku.

"Hmm?"

Shihouin Naraku stood perfectly still, while the other Konoha shinobi looked confused. Could their superior actually have some secret connection with Orochimaru?

But strangely, the giant snakes summoned by Orochimaru didn't attack at all. Instead, they immediately retracted back into Orochimaru's sleeves, as if they had encountered a natural predator!

Orochimaru looked down in shock. He truly hadn't expected this outcome.

The giant snakes, which should have obeyed his commands to attack Shihouin Naraku, were actively resisting his control. What was happening?

"Look out!" 

Yakushi Kabuto yelled in warning, but in the next instant, Orochimaru felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. With a sickening snap, his arm—along with several severed snake heads—fell to the ground in pieces.

Such incredible blade speed!

"Since Orochimaru-sensei claims this was all for my benefit," Shihouin Naraku said with a smile, casually swinging Kurikara, "then stay and teach me how to properly ascend to the position of Hokage."

"After all, Orochimaru-sensei does have experience in this area—albeit experience in failure."

Beads of sweat appeared on Orochimaru's forehead. He clutched his severed arm stump with his remaining hand as waves of excruciating pain flooded his mind. He nearly screamed from the intensity.

Something was terribly wrong!

This pain felt completely abnormal!

It was just a severed arm—an injury Orochimaru normally wouldn't be concerned about. He had numerous methods to recover from such wounds, yet now he was experiencing agony so intense that veins bulged from his forehead.

The pain seemed to penetrate deep into his bone marrow and very soul!

Of course, Orochimaru couldn't know this was the special ability of Kurikara—a Zanpakutō specifically designed to affect souls!

Although Shihouin Naraku had slashed Danzo multiple times in their previous battle, Izanagi had allowed Danzo to reset to a state where he hadn't received any damage.

So while the Zanpakutō's ability had worked then, it hadn't posed a significant problem for Danzo.

Later, when fighting Sunagakure's army, those ninjas couldn't withstand even a single strike from Shihouin Naraku's sword. They died instantly, making the sword's effect on their souls irrelevant.

These previous battles were entirely different from the current confrontation with Orochimaru!

Orochimaru's soul and spirit were already fragile and unstable due to his Living Corpse Reincarnation technique and various forbidden jutsu.

So after being slashed by Shihouin Naraku, Orochimaru immediately sensed something catastrophic happening to his soul.

Even if his severed arm were reattached or regrown, it would be useless.

Because the soul fragment connected to that arm had been cut off and shredded by the Zanpakutō!

This was the true horror of the Zanpakutō!

"You bastard! What kind of blade is that?!" 

Orochimaru clutched his wound, roaring hoarsely through his pain. His usual composure had completely vanished.

"Oh? You have good eyesight."

Shihouin Naraku felt no obligation to answer. He lowered his stance slightly before rushing toward Orochimaru.

As the powerful wind rushed past him, Orochimaru clearly sensed death approaching.

"Kabuto!"

"...Yes!"

Yakushi Kabuto truly didn't want to face Shihouin Naraku, but with Orochimaru nearly killed by a single sword strike, he had no choice but to fight. Otherwise, they would both die here in Konohagakure.

"Swish!"

Yakushi Kabuto dipped his hands in Orochimaru's blood and quickly formed hand seals.

"Damn it! Too late!"

"Kusanagi Sword!"

Orochimaru opened his mouth wide, and a sharp blade suddenly emerged from his throat. The moment it appeared, the sword rapidly extended to more than ten meters in length!

"Clang!"

Sparks flew!

The blades collided violently. Orochimaru swung his head, sweeping the elongated Kusanagi sword in a wide arc, attempting to slice Shihouin Naraku in half.

Shihouin Naraku held Kurikara horizontally to block, the blade slightly tilted, then pressed down hard with one hand!

"Boom!"

The ten-meter-long Kusanagi sword was instantly forced downward by tremendous pressure, causing Orochimaru to involuntarily lurch forward. Seizing this opportunity, Shihouin Naraku drew back his sword and lunged forward, gripping Kurikara tightly as he slashed with ferocious intent!

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