Chapter 84: Seeking Help

Staring at the barrier gradually weakening and collapsing, the Artificial Jinchuriki stood frozen, almost unable to believe what he was seeing. Although he had long understood that a barrier like the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier had its limits, and the three Oto-gakure ninja maintaining it were no weaklings, they were still nowhere near the battle power of a Hokage.

Yet for it to be shattered so effortlessly by brute force exceeded Mizuki's expectations entirely.

"Now I've really gone too far. The butterfly effect shouldn't be this extreme, should it?"

As soon as Hiruzen had unleashed his extraordinary battle power, Mizuki already clearly knew—the Third must have used those pills he had secretly provided. He'd suspected something when the Third had asked about the pills' effects a month ago.

However, applying such large doses on a Kage-level ninja like the Third produced results that were absolutely shocking—completely different from the consequences experienced by Yamashiro Aoba, Gekko Hayate, and himself.

The greater the person being influenced, the more unpredictable the changes inflicted upon this world.

Even temporarily restoring the Third's aged body to its former prime resulted in an enormous ripple effect.

"That was a ninjutsu capable of challenging a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki? The peak of Five Elements advanced techniques—truly powerful enough to inspire fear."

Looking around as the Anbu began growing restless, waiting for the barrier to fully collapse before rushing forward to support the Third Hokage, Mizuki showed no intention of joining them. Instead, he quietly suppressed his chakra, observing how things would unfold. After all, this was merely a shadow clone; entering now wouldn't help since its battle power wasn't as strong as his original body.

Meanwhile, the Third, who had just fired off two [Great Gluttony Bullet Jutsu]s, was now recovering his strength. Even supported by overused chakra, the expenditure had been immense.

"The pill's effect isn't increasing anymore—it seems to be fading. Did I push too hard earlier?"

Enma, having just repelled attacks from the two former Hokage, stepped back and asked, "Hiruzen, how are you holding up? Are you alright?"

"Don't worry. I won't die just yet."

"But then what do we do next? As long as Impure World Reincarnation remains, they'll wear us down until we die."

"There is a way, but we've come too far now to turn back," the Third replied. At this point, dying soon anyway, he was resolved to kill Orochimaru before his end.

In a distant forest, Mizuki, who was treating Shino's injuries, suddenly looked upward and said, "Who's there?"

"It's me."

"This attire… So you're Shino's father, Shibi Aburame. Indeed, your family shares the same aura."

"Senior, why have you come here?"

Shibi nodded slightly. "I appreciate you looking after my son Shino..."

"You're too polite," Mizuki smiled. "His injuries aren't serious, mainly poisoned. Since removing poisons isn't my specialty, I'm relieved you've arrived."

"Leave this to me then."

"I still have another mission, so I'll take my leave first." With that, Mizuki quickly departed.

"That massive chakra fluctuation earlier... Has the One-Tail already appeared?"

The massive form of the tailed beast hadn't appeared yet, probably just a large leakage of chakra. However, it wouldn't be long now.

The ritual for transferring the One-Tail into a jinchuriki was inherently unreliable and extremely unstable. Even worse, besides Sand Release and Wind Release, Shukaku possessed another dangerous specialty: Sealing Techniques. This made the One-Tail not only the hardest tailed beast to seal but also the most difficult one to control.

Just as Mizuki sensed the chakra drawing closer, sand surged up ahead, and a giant monster appeared in his line of sight.

"Finally showed up, huh? Let me see what kind of creature you really are."

...

Orochimaru stared at the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier as it cracked and began to collapse, regretting for the first time that he had been too overconfident. He never expected such a massive flaw in what he thought was a perfect plan. Among all possible contingencies he had imagined, the breaking of this sealing barrier—an almost impossible event—was absolutely not among them. Inherited from Konoha and enhanced by his own modifications, this secret technique should have been much more powerful. Moreover, the Sound Four were no pushovers either. Although it wasn't impossible for a Barrier Technique to be destroyed by brute force, none of those capable could possibly be the old and frail Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Realizing things couldn't be salvaged anymore and seeing the Konoha ninja gradually arriving as reinforcements, Orochimaru began thinking about retreating.

With the village's main forces tied up repelling Suna's attack, it was best to withdraw quickly. Although he didn't personally kill the Third, he would die soon anyway—it wouldn't make much difference. Most importantly, he had already implanted the Cursed Seal on Sasuke Uchiha, meaning he had achieved all his objectives.

However, although Orochimaru wanted to leave, this time the Third Hokage had other plans.

"What's wrong?" called out Sarutobi's voice. "Has the situation become too much for you, Orochimaru, that you wish to flee again? Not this time—I won't let you escape."

Orochimaru frowned slightly. Deep down, he still held great respect and gratitude toward his former teacher, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Yet when he thought of how the once-great leader had grown old and complacent, abandoning his former ambition, clinging stubbornly to outdated ideals of the "Konoha spirit," and showing weakness in foreign policy, even making the rogue ninja Orochimaru himself feel embarrassed—he couldn't help comparing his current teacher to the legendary ninja hero of days past. The anger stirred inside him, an uncontrollable urge to kill this man who had defiled his childhood idol.

That was why, after capturing his greatest prize—Sasuke Uchiha—he risked everything to eliminate the Third Hokage as well.

But now, having boosted his power through kinjutsu, his former pride and confidence were returning.

"I originally had some time to play around with you, Sensei Sarutobi," he laughed coldly, "but looks like I'll have to save our next meeting for another chance. Unless, of course, you manage to survive this. Hahahaha~"

As he spoke, Orochimaru opened his mouth wide, slowly drawing out the Sword of Kusanagi. Deflecting several incoming shuriken, he controlled the First and Second Hokage to attack while simultaneously engaging the Shadow Clones sent forth by the Third in fierce combat.

After the destruction of the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier, the Sound Four found themselves in a desperate situation. Without hesitation, they activated their Cursed Seals, quickly organized themselves, and began resisting the attacks from Konoha's Anbu, sparing no effort to cover Orochimaru's retreat.

In the Konoha stadium seating area, Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy were standing amidst the fallen Suna ninja.

"Kakashi, what was that signal flare just now?" Guy said, asking.

"It was a distress signal from The Third."

"Distress? You mean The Third Hokage can't hold on anymore? Has Orochimaru become this powerful?"

<><><><><><><><>

Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!

~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!

<><><><><><><><>

~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!

~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!

patreon.com/Tansnovel

<><><><><><><><>