Soon after, Sarutobi interrupted Orochimaru's words.
"Why are you doing this?" he asked, his tone laced with both confusion and regret.
Was it my neglect that led Orochimaru down this path?
Had he failed to give his student the attention and guidance he needed, resulting in this abyss of ambition?
Across from him, Orochimaru let out a low sneer at the question.
"Why?" Orochimaru repeated mockingly.
"I want to master all ninjutsu and uncover all the truths of this world."
He tilted his head slightly, a wicked smile on his face.
"The first person to mix blue and yellow together called the new color green. I just want to do the same thing."
"If blue represents chakra and yellow represents the mind, then green becomes ninjutsu," Orochimaru continued, his tone growing more fervent.
"It's like creating infinite variations of colors. There are tens of thousands of ninjutsu in this world, but to master all of them, to uncover every truth..."
He trailed off, his gaze hardening.
"It takes time—a long, long time—to achieve all that. And this fleeting life of flesh and blood is simply too short. Too hollow.
"Even the title of Hokage means nothing once you're dead. It's over. Only immortality can give me the time I need to achieve it all."
Sarutobi stared at his former student, stunned by his obsessive declaration.
I never realized how deeply consumed he was by this desire.
Still gripping Orochimaru's soul, Sarutobi felt his strength faltering, the toll of the technique weighing heavily on his aging body.
His gaze lingered on Orochimaru. A trace of hesitation flickered across his face.
Should I give him another chance? Sarutobi wondered. Perhaps he's just too extreme, too persistent... but maybe there's still hope.
Nearby, Satoru stood apart from the scene, paying little attention to their conversation.
Instead, he was focused on the inexplicable malice he had sensed earlier during the engagement.
This isn't just dissatisfaction or anger... It's something far darker.
His pale blue eyes scanned the crowd outside the barrier, searching for the source of the sinister aura.
Finally, his gaze locked onto a particular ninja—one who seemed oddly indifferent to the safety of the Third Hokage.
Unlike the others, this ninja displayed no emotional response to the unfolding events.
And that aura... it's definitely coming from him.
Satoru frowned slightly, holding his chin in thought.
Who is he? And why does he feel so familiar?
Meanwhile, Sarutobi made his decision.
With a sigh, he spoke slowly, his voice resolute.
"It seems I won't be able to pull out your entire soul," he admitted.
"But this is where your ambitions end."
Hearing this, Satoru glanced skeptically at Sarutobi.
Won't? Or don't want to?
He studied the old Hokage critically.
He hasn't been wounded by the Kusanagi blade. He should still have the strength to finish this. But once again, he hesitates.
Satoru let out a soft sigh and adjusted his bandages. His black robe swayed in the wind as he stood lazily, observing from a distance.
If that's his choice, there's no need for me to interfere. Everyone meets their end eventually, anyway.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, laughed coldly, his voice dripping with defiance.
"Impossible!" he snarled.
"My ambition will not stop here!"
He glared at Sarutobi, refusing to accept defeat.
Sarutobi's expression hardened.
"You've become consumed by your obsession with ninjutsu," he said firmly. "And for that, I will impose the most fitting punishment."
His grip on Orochimaru's soul tightened.
"I will take all the ninjutsu you've mastered."
Orochimaru's face twisted in shock and panic as he realized what Sarutobi intended.
"What did you say?" he asked, his voice trembling.
The realization hit him like a thunderclap.
Is he planning to seal away my ability to use ninjutsu?
Between them, the Shinigami loomed ominously, raising its blade high.
The cold glint of the sword reflected in Orochimaru's wide, panicked eyes.
"No! Stop!" Orochimaru shouted desperately.
But his plea went unanswered.
The Shinigami's blade descended, severing one of Orochimaru's spectral arms. The blue soul fragment vanished into the seal controlled by Sarutobi.
Orochimaru stared at his hands in disbelief.
"My hands..." he whispered, his voice hollow.
His arms fell limply to his sides, lifeless and useless.
Sarutobi smiled faintly, his exhaustion evident.
"Your hands are no longer of any use," he said calmly. "Without them, you cannot perform ninjutsu. And without ninjutsu, your plan to destroy Konoha ends here."
Orochimaru's face twisted in rage.
"You old fool!" he roared. "Give me back my hands!"
But Sarutobi remained resolute.
"This forbidden technique is irreversible," he said. "Your ambitions are finished."
Satoru watched the exchange, his expression unreadable.
"Well, that's one way to do it," he muttered, his pale blue eyes calm.
Sarutobi turned to him, smiling faintly.
"I'll leave the rest to you," the old Hokage said, his tone filled with trust.
Satoru raised an eyebrow, confused.
Leave it to me? Don't assign me tasks without my consent. I'm not exactly someone you can rely on.
He sighed inwardly, deciding to play it off.
Maybe if I stay quiet, they'll forget about me.
Meanwhile, outside the barrier, a disguised ninja observed the scene with an intense gaze.
That presence... and those eyes... It's him.
The ninja's lips curled into a smirk.
The one Black Zetsu has been searching for.
Years ago, orders had come from Black Zetsu to locate a ninja with a mutated Rinnegan. After keeping tabs on Uchiha Sasuke, they had suspected this mysterious figure might appear during the Chunin Exams.
And now, they had found him.
The disguised ninja retreated into the shadows, activating a unique jutsu.
"Ninja Art: Mayfly Technique."
In an instant, they melded into the earth and disappeared without a trace.
This ninjutsu allowed the user to merge with the earth, plants, and other natural elements, moving at high speed while cutting off all traces of their presence.
The ninja moved swiftly, carrying the vital information to Black Zetsu.
>>>>>
Complete Story available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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