Looking at the bandits surrounding him, Orochimaru remained composed.
"Do you have any last words?" The metal-masked man scanned the area, trying to determine if there were only these three little devils.
Unfortunately, he couldn't perceive Sarutobi due to his level.
"Haha." Orochimaru looked at the masked man with a caring expression, giving him a thumbs-up before suddenly pointing downwards!
The masked man's eyes turned cold as he shouted, "Kill!"
The surrounding bandits swarmed in. Being samurai-minded, they mostly relied on their swords and didn't use shuriken or other tools.
Orochimaru and the three of them remained unfazed. Just as the robbers were about to strike, the three revealed detonating talismans on their shirts and shouted in unison, "Explode!"
"This isn't good!" The masked man was caught off guard, and with a loud bang, fire and thick smoke engulfed the surrounding robbers.
As the smoke cleared, several lifeless bodies lay on the ground, while others were writhing in pain and covered in blood.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya emerged calmly from the nearby grass. It was evident that the one who detonated earlier was a clone!
"Damn it!" The masked man gasped violently, so furious that he wanted to use these expendable pawns to wear down Orochimaru. Little did he know that Orochimaru had seized the opportunity to eliminate these weaklings!
The remaining twenty or so bandits were trembling with fear. They were ordinary people who had never witnessed such a gruesome scene.
Tsunade felt nauseated, almost vomiting at the sight. Jiraiya, on the other hand, seemed unfazed externally, but his rapid breathing betrayed his unease.
The two young children were deeply disturbed by their first encounter with bloodshed. Is this what it means to be a ninja? Are they destined to face such a brutal reality in their future? During the war years, did every ninja above Chunin level struggle to survive amidst the corpses of others?
"Stay focused, our teacher is watching us!" Orochimaru's fearlessness brimmed with excitement in his veins.
The corpses on the ground emitted a faint red light, which was absorbed into Orochimaru's body, invigorating his chakra. But Orochimaru paid it no mind.
Having experienced the agony and despair of death, Orochimaru refused to be intimidated by these gruesome scenes.
"You've never witnessed bloodshed, have you?" The masked man sneered as he charged towards the three of them. "Die, you bastards!"
The remaining bandits rallied their spirits and joined the assault.
In that moment, the masked man cried out, "Earth Style: Earthen Spikes!"
Countless sharp spikes erupted from the ground, targeting Orochimaru and his companions.
This was a ranged ninjutsu, and the robbers in proximity suffered the brunt of the attack!
They were impaled like skewers, blood gushing from their wounds. Some were left hanging on the spikes, their entrails trailing on the ground as they wailed in helpless agony before meeting their demise. Nearly all of the bandits in the vicinity perished under the onslaught of this ninjutsu!
"Watch out!" Orochimaru's focused mental power allowed him to predict the trajectory of the earthen spikes, deftly evading the assault.
Jiraiya's hair swiftly grew to shield his body, but he was still grazed by a few spikes, causing him to groan in pain and cough up blood.
Tsunade smashed the spikes with her fists, sustaining minor scratches.
Sarutobi, observing from a distance, contemplated whether to intervene or not. As he witnessed Orochimaru's relentless efforts, he hesitated whether to join or not.
"Go!" Orochimaru swiftly dashed out of the spike-infested area, sending a white snake flying with a flick of his hand.
The masked man, fatigued from his previous actions, swung his giant sword to intercept the incoming snake.
"Ninjutsu: Snake Shadow Clone!" Orochimaru swiftly formed the hand seals, causing the white snake to multiply into a dozen identical snakes that launched an assault on the masked man!
"Damn it!" The masked man was caught off guard, slashing and dispatching many snakes. However, the remaining snakes coiled around him, biting relentlessly!
"What? How is this possible!" The young ninja was astonished as he found himself unable to dodge the Hidden Shadow Snake Hand at such close range, instantly becoming ensnared.
"Just a swift little ninja!" Orochimaru's shuriken severed the young ninja's throat, blood gushing out as he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
"Little brother!" The armored man lying on the ground, his mask gone, cried out, struggling to rise.
Determined, he consumed a blood-red pill in one gulp, fixing his gaze on Orochimaru. "You killed my brother. You must die!"
A crimson light flowed into Orochimaru's body from the fallen ninja. Orochimaru took a deep breath, his excitement intensifying!
He sneered, "From the moment you became bandits, or rather, ninjas, you should have realized that an untimely death was inevitable!"
The armored man wordlessly retrieved his oversized sword, emanating a tragic chakra.
"Lightning Style: Plasma Explosive Blade!" The armored man bellowed, his body sparking with lightning as arcs of electricity enveloped his metal armor and massive sword, exuding a fearsome and powerful aura!
"So this is your last-ditch effort? But even with that chakra pill, you can't defeat me!" The smile on Orochimaru's face did not waver, projecting a cruel and malevolent image under the electrifying glow!
Meanwhile, Tsunade and Jiraiya had successfully defeated all the robbers. Suddenly, a voice echoed from behind, "Illusion: Fox's Illusionary Heart Technique!"
Tsunade and Jiraiya felt a momentary daze, their minds clouded.
Realizing the danger, Tsunade bit her tongue forcefully, forcing herself to form a seal.
"Got it!" Trembling, Tsunade steadied herself. Just as she let out a sigh of relief, she noticed a fierce-looking woman restraining the still-dazed Jiraiya with kunai!
"Watch out!" Tsunade hurriedly kicked Jiraiya, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike that instead left a gash on her own shoulder!
Jiraiya, though unsteady on his feet, saw Tsunade standing in front of him. Despite the tear in her clothing, revealing a red-stained, snow-white shoulder, she remained resolute!
"Damn it!" Jiraiya's heart roared!
Why am I so useless? Why do I need the Senju Princess to protect me?
Outwardly carefree, inwardly Jiraiya resolved to become stronger, shedding his self-righteous façade in favor of a determination to overcome his weaknesses!
"Thank you, Tsunade." Jiraiya silently stood before Tsunade, facing the ninja before them with eyes filled with determination.
"I won't be a burden any longer!"
*****
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