Chapter 88: All In

The true strength of Kabuto Yakushi was always a mystery. At this point in time, there was practically no reliable record showing him fighting an opponent head-on with full power.

Yet his skill in executing covert maneuvers and pulling the wool over others' eyes was masterfully done. No wonder he was known as a versatile elite spy.

Before them, chakra surged through the blade that skewered flesh, channeling Mystical Palm Technique energy into the tip, reducing the organs in Hiruzen Sarutobi's left chest to pulp.

Hiruzen stared in shock at the sword that had stolen away his vitality as helplessness began spreading throughout his body.

"Even the most powerful life-saving pills would be useless against wounds like these," he mused.

After all, medicine wasn't about real healing—it was about stimulating vitality, pushing cells to their limits. A direct attack on vital organs exceeded anything that could be restored. Without some special constitution, recovery was truly impossible.

Faced with such a reversal, Orochimaru couldn't suppress his glee: "Die already, you accursed Third!"

Meanwhile, not far away, Danzo Shimura found himself unable to get close due to Manda's relentless harassment.

"So after coming this far, we're back to square one? Pointlessly piling up casualties and destruction?"

The artificial Jinchuriki lifted his gaze toward the sky.

"Does this world truly hold something unpredictable like fate? Or is there some unseen force pulling every string?"

Looking around at the battlefield's devastation, while not many were dead, there were plenty of injured lying about. The Medical Ninja on site were overwhelmed, occasionally receiving assistance from Mizuki.

Such an outcome appeared to result from several seemingly random twists, yet mostly driven by human willpower. Forget the poetic nonsense about history's grand course—truly great people remain extraordinary no matter the circumstances; genius will always shine through. Those who never rise above the crowd are simply ordinary—no amount of environment or opportunity can change that. There may be heroes who fall before reaching their peak, but those who claim misunderstood talent are usually just failures. This world has always been mercilessly realistic.

"So then… what exactly am I?" Mizuki sometimes wondered. Was an ordinary man from a previous life truly able to slide by so easily after being reincarnated? Naruto Uzumaki, the destined child, had already set a nearly impossible standard. At least for now, the world's safety wasn't his burden to carry. Besides, turning knowledge, theory, and intelligence into real power was a painfully narrow road—one that often left him drained.

"But it's still not time to give up."

Three years remained—more than enough time to achieve plenty.

While Mizuki was lost in thought, Hiruzen and Orochimaru reached the battle's climax.

Hiruzen's physical strength was rapidly fading. Even with constant attempts at mending his wounds using medicines, the damage came too quickly to repair. The Shinigami's blade he had summoned also began to slowly retreat as his focus waned. Seeing this, Orochimaru couldn't hide his grin as feeling returned to his body.

For Hiruzen, however, the sensation was anything but pleasant. Realizing he wouldn't manage killing Orochimaru, he ceased hesitating and instead focused on controlling the Shinigami incarnation's knife for the sealing technique in one decisive strike.

"Although I cannot kill you, I will still reclaim and seal away all the ninja techniques I have taught you. You shall scream in agony, unable to wield any jutsu ever again." The Third's consciousness grew hazy. "Farewell, Orochimaru. So... this is what death feels like."

With that, he slowly closed his eyes and fell backward, never to awaken again.

"You damned old fool! Give back my techniques now!" Orochimaru shouted furiously. As the Dead Demon Consuming Seal took effect, his hands gradually lost their living luster, turning grayish and decaying.

The pain of having his soul severed caused Orochimaru to cry out in agony. His tortured screams were clearly audible even to Mizuki in the distance.

"Hmm, should I say Yakushi Kabuto has perfect timing, or that the Konoha ninja missed their opportunity?"

As The Third passed away, several shadow clones dispersed as well. Konoha had lost its greatest warrior. On Orochimaru's side, the Immortal Bodies of the First and Second Hokage were sealed away, drastically reducing his battle readiness. Worse yet, Orochimaru was severely injured and greatly weakened—Manda might even betray him at that very moment.

"Kabuto, how much longer are you going to dawdle?" Orochimaru, enduring intense pain, ordered.

"My apologies, Lord Orochimaru." Indeed, Yakushi Kabuto's voice emerged from beneath the Anbu mask. Saying that, Kabuto slowly withdrew his sword from Orochimaru's body.

"Take off that disgusting mask and get ready—we're leaving."

Kabuto tore off his mask and threw it aside, then began performing ninja techniques together with Orochimaru using blood from the sword and Orochimaru's arm.

Orochimaru himself understood the urgency of the situation and dared not delay. [Myriad Snake Array]!

Countless giant snakes were summoned forth, surging forward like a tidal wave, completely overwhelming the pursuing enemies.

Then he used Kuchiyose no Jutsu to summon even more giant snakes, which launched frenzied attacks in all directions.

"Hurry, Kabuto!" Orochimaru anxiously urged.

"What about Manda?" Kabuto asked.

"Forget about it! Do you think I'm capable of controlling it right now?" Orochimaru impatiently replied.

Upon hearing Orochimaru's words, Kabuto stopped talking further. He immediately supported Orochimaru's arm and ran outward. At the same time, several giant snakes acted like guards clearing the path; whenever they encountered strong opposition, they self-detonated without hesitation, creating violent explosions that cleared obstacles ahead. Meanwhile, the Sound Four also moved closer, shielding Orochimaru as they withdrew under fire.

Desperate and cornered, Orochimaru poured nearly all his remaining chakra into summoning countless serpents, alongside Manda, turning the entire battlefield into chaotic pandemonium. With hardly any allies left—only a few key individuals remained—the organization found it difficult to effectively pursue Orochimaru. In a desperate gamble, Orochimaru displayed a power no one could easily resist.

However, this moment also marked Orochimaru's most vulnerable state—nearly incapable of using any jutsu, grievously wounded, and almost depleted of chakra. It might have been the first time in his life that Orochimaru felt so utterly drained and helpless.

Just then, several powerful Root operatives began pursuit under Danzo Shimura's silent command.

"Trying to make a desperate breakout during the chaos of The Third's death? You think escaping will be that easy?"

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