Orochimaru chuckled darkly, his voice dripping with mockery as he addressed the Third Hokage.
"Can you feel it, Sarutobi-sensei? The joy of breaking the resolve of someone who once looked up to you. I've prepared this moment just for you. Enjoy it."
With those words, the eyes of the First and Second Hokage sharpened, their movements now mechanical and void of warmth. They lunged toward Sarutobi with the relentless precision of puppets.
Satoru, leaning lazily against a tree formed by Hashirama's Wood Release, watched the battle unfold with casual interest. Orochimaru's disregard for him was amusing, if not predictable.
"He's saving me for dessert," Satoru thought, a faint smirk on his lips. "Too bad he might bite off more than he can chew."
Still, Satoru couldn't help but marvel at Orochimaru's twisted ingenuity. "Turning your teacher's mentors against him? That's some next-level pettiness. How does someone like this even keep taking students? I'd drop out of his class in a heartbeat."
The fight between Sarutobi and his resurrected predecessors raged on. The Third Hokage unleashed a powerful Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet, sending searing waves of fire toward the approaching Hokages.
For a moment, it seemed the attack had worked, but then Tobirama's calm voice echoed through the smoke.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall."
From thin air, an enormous torrent of water extinguished the flames, leaving the audience outside the barrier in awe.
"Unbelievable!" one of the Konoha ninjas gasped. "He summoned water out of nothing!"
"This is the power of the Second Hokage," another whispered in disbelief.
Orochimaru observed the exchange with satisfaction. "As expected of the founders of Konoha," he murmured. "Even in death, their power is extraordinary."
Satoru, still unmoved, tilted his head slightly. "This is impressive and all, but something's off. Their strength isn't what it should be. Did Orochimaru botch the ritual, or is it the quality of the sacrifices?"
As Satoru mused, Tobirama formed another set of seals. "Water Release: Water Colliding Wave."
A massive surge of water crashed against Sarutobi's hastily erected Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, reshaping the battlefield into a swampy arena. The Third Hokage struggled to maintain his footing amidst the assault.
Then, Hashirama made his move. With a commanding seal, he activated Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence.
Massive trees erupted from the ground, quickly encircling Sarutobi. Thick branches ensnared his arms and legs, rendering him immobile.
"It's over, Sensei," Orochimaru taunted, walking toward the restrained Third Hokage. He drew the Kusanagi Sword from the mouth of a serpent, its blade gleaming ominously.
"Now do you see? Without an heir, Konoha faces ruin. This village can't survive the death of its Hokage."
Satoru, watching from the sidelines, rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "The old man's in trouble. Can't let him die before I get my answers."
Without hesitation, Satoru flicked a few shuriken toward the branches binding Sarutobi. The projectiles sliced through the wood with precision, freeing the Hokage.
Sarutobi immediately leapt out of danger, landing on a nearby platform. He glanced toward Satoru, surprised.
"You…" the Third Hokage began, his voice a mix of suspicion and gratitude.
Satoru shrugged casually. "You looked like you could use a hand."
Orochimaru's gaze snapped to Satoru, his expression darkening. "I thought you were smarter than this," he hissed. "Interfering only makes you a target."
Satoru yawned theatrically, waving off Orochimaru's threat. "I figured if I stayed quiet, you'd finish your plan and start monologuing. That'd be boring. And honestly, your little predator-prey philosophy? It's a load of crap."
Orochimaru's pupils narrowed dangerously, though he stopped short of attacking. "You're more troublesome than I anticipated," he muttered, his voice laced with annoyance.
Sarutobi, now free, looked at Satoru with a mixture of wariness and curiosity. "You're not a Konoha ninja, yet you risked exposing yourself to help. Why?"
Satoru's grin widened. "Let's just say I have my reasons. But I'm not a fan of seeing the old man who runs the show go down so easily."
"Old man?" Sarutobi echoed, half-amused.
Satoru ignored the question, turning his attention back to Orochimaru. His relaxed demeanor remained unchanged, but his pale blue eyes sharpened as they locked onto the rogue ninja.
The tension in the barrier grew as Orochimaru's annoyance gave way to intrigue. "You're an enigma, Satoru," he said, gripping the Kusanagi Sword tightly. "But I wonder… how long can you keep that confidence?"
Satoru's smile never wavered. "Why don't you come find out?"
The battle raged on, the fates of Konoha, its Hokage, and the enigmatic Satoru all hanging in the balance.