Orochimaru's expression turned dark and ominous.
He had believed he thoroughly understood Kirito's personality and temperament, convinced that Kirito wouldn't interfere with the plan to bring Konoha to its knees. But what he hadn't anticipated was that Kirito's sudden change of heart would be swayed by something as mundane as money.
Orochimaru glared at Kirito, his face clouded with frustration.
When Kirito agreed to help the "old monkey" Sarutobi Hiruzen resolve the crisis, his body transformed into a streak of golden light, moving to the barrier surrounding the arena.
Before Kirito could act, Orochimaru's voice rang out, laced with urgency.
"Kirito, you can't do this. Have you forgotten what I told you that night—what I said to you in earnest?"
Kirito frowned, his expression hardening.
Orochimaru, noting the subtle shift in Kirito's demeanor, thought he might still have a chance to sway him. But as he prepared to speak further, Kirito's thoughts simmered with irritation:
You have some nerve. After whispering those endless monologues in my ear that night, now you want to brainwash me?
Without waiting for Orochimaru to finish, Kirito's figure grew colder. He slowly raised one hand, his fingers lightly grazing the gray-purple barrier of the Four Purple Flame Formation.
A brilliant golden light surged from his palm, and a thin crack spread across the barrier like a spiderweb. Within seconds, the once impenetrable shield shattered like fragile glass.
The four Sound ninjas maintaining the barrier spat blood simultaneously, their bodies convulsing as if struck by an unbearable force. Their faces paled to an ashen gray, and the cursed seals they had been using to sustain the barrier dissolved into nothingness.
Realizing his protective barrier had been destroyed with ease, Orochimaru's expression wavered, a mixture of shock and uncertainty.
In contrast, Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes gleamed with hope. Tears welled up as he gazed at Kirito. Despite Kirito's unpredictable nature and frosty demeanor—his tendency to disregard even the Hokage—his immense power was undeniable.
Hiruzen, drained from battling the reanimated First and Second Hokages, now had a precious moment to recover his chakra.
But Orochimaru wasn't done yet. His voice dropped to an icy pitch, laced with menace.
"Kirito, do you truly intend to side with that old thief, Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
Kirito met Orochimaru's glare with his usual calm and indifference. He shrugged and said, "I don't want to, but the old man offered too much. Sorry, Orochimaru. Business is business."
Orochimaru's scowl deepened, his frustration boiling over.
"Enough nonsense!"
With a sharp clap of his hands, Orochimaru performed a series of hand seals, commanding the reanimated Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju to attack.
The First and Second Hokages turned to Kirito, regret in their eyes.
"We have no choice," Tobirama said coldly. "Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation compels us."
Hashirama, on the other hand, regarded Kirito with curious enthusiasm.
"It's been a while since I've had a good fight," he said, a nostalgic smile crossing his cracked face. "This reminds me of my days in Konoha. A shame my opponent isn't Madara... but you'll do."
Orochimaru sneered.
"Save your reminiscing for the afterlife. Attack!"
Hashirama and Tobirama lunged at Kirito. Tobirama struck first, wielding a kunai infused with water chakra. His movements were so swift that the watching ninjas could barely follow them.
But against Kirito, master of the Flash Fruit's light-speed abilities, Tobirama's attacks were futile. In a golden blur, Kirito sidestepped the assault effortlessly.
Before Tobirama could react, Hashirama summoned several wooden clones, encircling Kirito. The air filled with the sound of rushing fists as the clones attacked in unison.
Kirito, unperturbed, raised his arm. His body blurred as he struck with precise, golden arcs, reducing the clones to splinters.
Unfazed, Tobirama leapt forward.
"Water Style: Heaven's Cry!"
A spray of high-speed water needles erupted from his mouth, aimed directly at Kirito.
But just as the needles seemed about to pierce him, Kirito's body dissolved into scattered points of light. The needles passed harmlessly through.
In the next instant, the light reformed into Kirito, now standing unharmed before the reanimated Hokages.
Hashirama chuckled.
"Incredible! To see such power in someone so young... What a shame we can't fight at our full strength."
Tobirama nodded solemnly, impressed despite himself.
"Your abilities are extraordinary, Kirito. This light-based technique is unlike anything I've seen."
Kirito smirked faintly but said nothing. In a flash of golden light, he bypassed the Hokages entirely, reappearing in front of Orochimaru.
Realizing the danger, Orochimaru frantically weaved signs.
"Yamata no Jutsu!"
With a deafening roar, Orochimaru's body transformed into the eight-headed serpent, Yamata no Orochi. Towering over the battlefield, the monstrous snake bellowed, shaking the ground beneath its massive bulk.
But Kirito remained unfazed. He leapt forward, his leg shimmering with light as he delivered a devastating kick to one of the serpent's heads.
Boom!
The Yamata no Orochi was sent hurtling backward, demolishing buildings as it crashed to the ground. One of its heads exploded on impact, and Orochimaru, now bloodied and battered, reverted to his human form.
Orochimaru coughed violently, blood dripping from his mouth. Yet his eyes burned with a mix of rage and desperation.
"You betrayed me, Kirito... so don't blame me for what happens next."