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As Jiraiya's words faded,
Sakumo and Orochimaru's pupils contracted sharply, but they had no time to react.
Behind Sakumo, a cold, indifferent voice echoed softly
"Reckless actions are always so tiresome. Sakumo, do you wish to choose death?"
The voice came so close it brushed Sakumo's ear. At some unknown point, Aizen had appeared behind him, calmly pressing a hand against his back.
In this moment, Sakumo's life and death lay entirely in Aizen's hands.
Cold sweat covered Sakumo's forehead as his breathing grew rapid.
Aizen's voice lingered in the air for a moment before Sakumo steadied himself. Glancing behind him, his gaze filled with determination as he spoke in a low, resolute tone
"Even in death, I'll drag you down to hell with me, Aizen!"
With that, Sakumo suddenly reversed his blade, White Fang, and thrust it into himself with all his might!
Shluk!
The sharp blade pierced his body as he aimed to impale Aizen behind him as well.
However, before he could complete his move, Aizen had already stepped back. Sakumo's effort failed.
The sharp White Fang now protruded from Sakumo's chest, blood soaking through his garments and spreading steadily.
His face turned deathly pale, sweat beading profusely on his forehead as he knelt weakly, barely able to support himself.
Seeing this, Orochimaru's expression darkened slightly as he rasped,
"Sakumo!"
Sakumo shook his head weakly and said,
"It's nothing."
He turned his gaze toward Aizen, whose expression remained calm. Straining to keep his eyes open, he spoke with a trembling voice
"I will avenge them, no matter what, Aizen."
Hearing this, Aizen shook his head slightly, his voice soft and disdainful
"If you think mere resolve can reach me, then you'll never be able to touch me—let alone exact revenge."
Having said his piece, Aizen appeared disinterested in the scene before him. He slowly walked over to Jiraiya's side, placing his hand lightly on Kyōka Suigetsu.
Crackle, crackle—
A vibrant blue electric current suddenly sparked across Kyōka Suigetsu. Jiraiya's body trembled with the harsh sound, his face contorted in pain as he collapsed powerlessly to the ground.
Only then did Aizen pull the blade out of Jiraiya's shoulder. He glanced at Orochimaru and said softly,
"Orochimaru, do you still wish to stay here?"
As he spoke, a gleam of cunning flashed in his eyes. His gaze shifted past Orochimaru to the war-torn Konoha behind him. With a quiet voice, he continued
"After tonight, Konoha's strength will be significantly diminished. Do you truly think staying here will help you achieve your ambitions?"
Hearing this, a flicker of thought crossed Orochimaru's serpent-like eyes. He did not answer.
Aizen, unperturbed, surveyed the battlefield briefly before adding,
"Take a good look. What can such feeble companions offer you? Join Las Noches, and I will give you what you desire most."
His words cast a heavy pall over the group. The others watched Orochimaru with worried glances.
Maintaining his blank expression, Orochimaru remained silent for a moment before replying in his raspy voice
"This is the village Sarutobi-sensei wanted to protect. I won't leave."
As Orochimaru finished, the tension among those present eased slightly. But Aizen's lips curled into a faint smile, his gaze locking onto Orochimaru.
The two silently stared at each other for a long moment.
Finally, Aizen turned and began walking away. His deep, magnetic voice echoed behind him
"If it's you, sooner or later you'll realize that the teacher you respect so much will become the greatest obstacle in your path. When that day comes, don't forget—Las Noches will always welcome you. I believe that day isn't far off."
As his words faded, Aizen's figure receded into the shadows.
Then, he paused.
Turning slightly, his eyes swept across everyone present. In a calm tone, he said
"One more thing let me remind you, this will be the last time I let you go so easily. Though it's regrettable, I look forward to our next encounter. I hope, by then, you won't be as pathetically weak as you are now."
"Goodbye, Konoha."
With a soft chuckle, Aizen's figure disappeared into the darkness.
The battlefield was in ruins—broken walls, charred earth, and deep craters bore testimony to a fierce struggle.
Whoosh!
Tsunade suddenly appeared beside Sakumo, her expression anxious as she called out
"Sakumo, are you holding up?"
By now, the injury on Tsunade's abdomen had fully healed, though her clothing bore a large tear.
Sakumo slowly opened his eyes, his face pale, and replied weakly,
"I'm fine. I didn't stab my heart."
Tsunade's face tightened as she began to heal him. Her hands glowed with a soft green light, gently enveloping Sakumo's wound.
Not far away, Orochimaru approached Jiraiya. The latter shakily got to his feet, his face dirty and his body covered in dust.
"Here, take this—medical pills."
Orochimaru tossed a bottle of medicine to Jiraiya, his tone as emotionless as ever.
Jiraiya caught the bottle but didn't take the pills immediately. Instead, his face clouded with despair. Bowing his head, he muttered
"This time… he's really left us, hasn't he?"
Hearing this, a complex expression flickered across Orochimaru's eyes. He said nothing, merely nodding lightly.
The five of them had joined forces to fight Aizen, yet the outcome was devastating.
Three were severely injured. Only Tsunade and Orochimaru emerged relatively unscathed for specific reasons.
But could Orochimaru truly accept this result?
No one knew the answer.
Under the cold night sky, Konoha was shrouded in a tense, murderous atmosphere.
The air reeked of blood, a grim reminder of the brutal clash that had taken place.
Amid the ruins of Konoha, Aizen's figure suddenly reappeared.
From a distance, a massive creature crouched with its back to him. Its enormous body stirred as it turned and sniffed the air. A bear-like face lit up with excitement.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The creature bounded toward Aizen, its heavy steps causing the ground to quake violently.
Standing before Aizen, it grinned widely, tongue lolling as it radiated pure joy.
Aizen smiled faintly and said softly,
"Well done, Kumamoto."
Hearing Aizen's praise, the bear trembled with excitement. Its fur quivered as its stubby, fluffy tail wagged furiously, like a delighted puppy.
Aizen gestured, and the bear calmed down.
"You brought the target, didn't you?"
A glint flashed in Aizen's eyes as he asked.
The bear paused briefly, then seemed to recall something. It hurriedly extended a massive paw.
When the bear's cushion-like paw opened, an elderly monk, battered and bruised, lay unconscious in its palm.