"Agh…" The moment Third Hokage was entangled by Woods, the Chakra in his body was devoured madly, causing him to make a painful sound.
"Utilizing Chakra as the life force for trees!"
"Could this be the legendary Wood Release employed by the esteemed First Hokage of Konoha, renowned for bringing peace during tumultuous times?"
A group of Anbu members gathered nearby, their astonishment evident as they witnessed the awe-inspiring skills of the First Hokage's formidable Wood Release ninja.
"Hehehe, Sarutobi-sensei, you've finally been caught," Orochimaru grinned, surveying his handiwork and relishing in the Third Hokage's embarrassed countenance.
"Hmph! Don't get too carried away, Orochimaru! Summoning: Monkey King: Enma!"
Boom!
An enormous ape materialized, revealing itself as the revered summoning creature entrusted to the Sarutobi lineage and used by the Hokage.
"Is that Orochimaru?" As the Monkey King emerged, a look of astonishment crossed its face as it glanced at Orochimaru. Then he said, "Sarutobi, it truly is disheartening. What caused you to spare him back then?"
"Anyway, Monkey King, stop talking and transform!" Sarutobi Hiruzen had no intention of engaging in an argument with the Monkey King. Even now, he carried a hint of regret. In the beginning, when he discovered Orochimaru's inhumane experiments, he had shown leniency due to his compassionate nature. Today, he found himself in such a passive predicament.
"Understood~ Transformation!"
With a resounding bang, the Monkey King transformed into a staff and found itself gripped firmly within the Third Hokage's hand.
"Hey, the situation has finally become a little more interesting." Orochimaru suddenly raised his head, expelled a snake from his mouth, and withdrew a sword from within the snake's jaws.
"The Kusanagi sword...? Let's go, Monkey King!"
"Be cautious, even in my current state, I cannot withstand the might of the Kusanagi sword!" The Monkey King cautioned.
Clang!
The iron rod clashed with the Kusanagi sword. With that, Orochimaru swiftly realized something amiss with the Third Hokage.
"What's the matter, Sarutobi-sensei? You appear quite fatigued~ the Wood Release has depleted a significant amount of chakra," Orochimaru sneered.
"Despicable...!" Hiruzen said with gnashed teeth.
The Third Hokage made another leap, only to be intercepted by the First Hokage and Second Hokage.
"I must find a way to end the Impure World Reincarnation, or else our attacks are in vain... Furthermore, I am unaware of Naruto's whereabouts... Naruto!?"
The Third Hokage cast a casual glance, originally hoping to gauge the situation on the training field, but instead caught sight of Naruto standing outside the perimeter of the Four Violet Flame Formation, nonchalantly folding his arms.
Naruto waved his hand in greeting.
Orochimaru also noticed the Third Hokage's movement and spotted Naruto.
"Hee hee hee, Naruto-kun is truly remarkable. Did you manage to subdue the One-Tail so swiftly?" Orochimaru said while judging Naruto's current state.
Fortunately, I am currently within the protection of the Four Violet Flame Formation. No matter how formidable Naruto may be, even if he activates the Nine-Tails mode, it is unlikely that he will breach its barriers. With this thought, Orochimaru felt a sense of reassurance.
"Yeah, So I came to see the situation on your end," Naruto-kun nodded. He added, "However, Orochimaru, you don't appear to be very formidable. Despite battling for so long, even with the assistance of the First Hokage and Second Hokage, you still haven't resolved it. Are you just putting on a show?"
"Hee hee hee, it pains me to admit it," Orochimaru responded with an indifferent smile. The reason for his prolonged delay was merely to savor the experience of facing the Third Hokage.
"Naruto! Are you collaborating with Orochimaru?!" Upon hearing Naruto's words, it seemed that the Third Hokage had long been aware of such a situation. Even if one insisted that Naruto had no affiliation with Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi would remain skeptical, unwavering in his conviction.
"No, Grandpa, why do you think that? Orochimaru is a traitor. As a ninja of Konoha, how could I collude with a traitor?" Naruto shook his head, disappointment etched across his face as if he were deeply saddened by being doubted by someone he trusted.
"Hee hee hee..." Orochimaru observed Naruto and then shifted his gaze to the Third Hokage. It was no wonder the Hokage had been deceived by Naruto. If Orochimaru hadn't known the true situation, he would have been truly fooled by Naruto's act.
"You… You didn't collude with Orochimaru?" Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly hesitated.
"If you don't trust me, you can ask Orochimaru if I've been involved in his plans. At this point, there's no need to conceal anything," Naruto's statement caused the Third Hokage to cast a suspicious look at Orochimaru.
"Naruto-kun did not participate in my plans, nor did we have any form of communication," Orochimaru nodded, thinking, "Even without me saying it, Naruto-kun has already seen through everything. Furthermore, I've only made a deal with Naruto-kun; it's not a collaboration."
Orochimaru knows that Naruto's most formidable aspect lies not in his physical strength, but those eyes that seem to see through everything. As long as any secret comes under Naruto's gaze, Orochimaru feels that it has been exposed.
Orochimaru even suspected that the reason why Naruto didn't stop him was because he wanted to use him to achieve some goal.
But it doesn't matter. Anyway, no matter what Naruto wants to do, in the Four Violet Flame Formation, he can't interfere with him.
"Alright," Hiruzen acknowledged. He understood that Orochimaru was not one to engage in falsehoods, and if he asserted that there was no collaboration, then it meant there was nothing untoward transpiring.
This revelation secretly relieved the Third Hokage. As long as Naruto had not colluded with Orochimaru, it meant that Naruto did not harbor any intention of betraying the village. The Third Hokage could now focus on attempting to save him.
"However, Naruto, where did you learn that ninjutsu from? Also, have you fully mastered the power of Nine-Tails?" This is what Sarutobi Hiruzen is more worried about. If there is someone in the dark teaching Naruto, then that person's intentions are questionable.
"Sorry, Grandpa, I can't explain this to you. As for the power of Nine Tails, yes, I have completely mastered it," Naruto said, thinking, "I can't tell anyone my secret. As for finding someone to take the blame? Forget it as it's meaningless. Moreover, no one is worthy of taking the blame, not even Jiraiya."
Naruto... Why won't you tell me? I am your Grandpa, the Third Hokage!" Sarutobi Hiruzen exclaimed, his confusion evident. He pondered, "Why does Naruto keep things hidden from me? Why does he lie? Why doesn't he trust me?"
"Am I not supposed to be, the person, closest to Naruto?"
Suddenly, the sound of air being torn apart echoed, and a voice that felt incredibly familiar reached the Third Hokage's ears.
"Don't you already know the answer, Third Hokage?"
"This voice... Could it be... Minato?!" Sarutobi Hiruzen stared in shock at the figure that had appeared before him, unable to forget the face of the person he thought he would never see again.
"Fourth Hokage?! How is this possible? Could it be the Impure World Reincarnation... No, wait, this is a living person!" Orochimaru exclaimed, his fear evident. He searched through his knowledge of all known ninjutsu related to resurrection in his mind but found none that matched the circumstances.
Then, a wave of excitement washed over Orochimaru as he regarded Minato, seeing him as a valuable treasure.
"The art of resurrection is truly captivating," Orochimaru muttered, his tongue darting out in anticipation.
Observing Minato's discomfort, he quickly distanced himself and made his way toward Naruto.
…