New Body

Whoosh!

The Adamantine Staff became incredibly thin, yet still over three meters long. As the Third Hokage charged and swung it, it was like a giant millstone cutting through the forest, causing countless trees to break and fall.

The only good news was that the First Hokage was a bit dim-witted; he calculated that Orochimaru definitely wouldn't dare to unleash Hashirama Senju's full fighting power.

It cannot even exceed the strength of the manipulator, otherwise it will inevitably go out of control.

Under such constraints, he knew exactly what methods the First Hokage could use.

"Drink up..."

Dodging the First Hokage's thrown ninja tools with lightning speed, Sarutobi Hiruzen extended his staff again and suddenly struck his opponent's body from about ten meters away, using his wrist to send him flying to the side.

The Body Flicker Technique, and the now-thickened Adamantine Staff swung out with full force, smashing towards Orochimaru's body.

Bang!

"Hit!" the elephant exclaimed joyfully.

From facing danger to counterattacking, this series of Taijutsu movements flowed smoothly and powerfully, like a thunderclap, giving the enemy no time to react.

Even an Elite Jonin Lord Hokage wouldn't last three rounds against a Hokage at his peak...

Click--

"How is that possible! What is that thing?"

All the spectators were instantly stunned. Orochimaru did not dodge, but merely took two steps back, using his body alone to withstand the Third Hokage's full-force attack.

He was like a white hedgehog, his entire body bursting with ferocious spikes.

The Third Hokage had a large gash slashed across his cheek, and his abdomen was also pierced halfway through; blood was involuntarily flowing from the corner of his mouth.

If it weren't for his years of combat experience allowing him to react instinctively and avoid vital points, he probably would have been killed outright.

"Bones? Bloodline Limit Corpse Bone Pulse?" The Third Hokage's eyes widened, bloodshot.

The Adamantine Staff shattered several bone spikes and pressed down on Orochimaru's shoulder, but ultimately failed to break through his defenses.

The hard periosteum was ruptured, but it was healing at an extremely rapid pace. "This body is..."

"Hehe..."

"Sarutobi, retreat!"

The Enma's warning alerted the Third Hokage. Before another wave of bone spurs erupted, he disregarded the worsening of his abdominal wound and abruptly pulled back to create distance and avoid the new piercing attack.

Shikotsumyaku - Ten Finger Nukes!

Orochimaru raised his hands, and his bones shot out like bullets.

The Third Hokage quickly ducked, simultaneously using the Enma as a shield in front of him, but ultimately a finger bone still pierced his left shoulder, leaving a bloody hole. "Aaaaah..."

"Hehehe... how much longer can your old body hold out?" Orochimaru retracted some of his bones, laughing wickedly and arrogantly.

"How pathetic. You, who were once so powerful, are no match for me at all."

"This young body is truly perfect." He tore at his face, revealing a completely unfamiliar boyish face with white hair and two red dots between his eyebrows.

The group from Konoha who were preparing to destroy the Barrier were stunned. "Who exactly are you?"

Meeting the Third Hokage's incredulous gaze, Orochimaru laughed loudly, "Of course I am Orochimaru. I have already achieved immortality by replacing bodies with younger ones, while you are probably going to die here today."

"To make sure you die with regret, it's better if I use this face." He touched his face again to restore it to its original state. "That way, you might remember more things before you die."

"Do it!"

Seeing the Third Hokage in a precarious situation, Danzo and two Root ninjas retreated slightly and unleashed their full power in Ninjutsu attack on the Four Violet Flames Formation.

Wind Release: Vacuum Wave!

Wind Release: Wind Cutter!

Multiple powerful Wind Blade almost joined together, continuously striking the Barrier wall.

The Barrier, which withstood the fierce attack, nearly collapsed; its surface showed severe dents and deformation, yet it barely managed to remain intact.

The Third Hokage inside didn't hesitate this time. With his Shikotsumyaku physical defense, plus the two Impure World Reincarnation Hokage, he simply couldn't fight alone.

Even with the Reaper Death Seal, it's still difficult to get close to the bone forest-like wall of copper and iron.

He turned and unleashed the same Wind Blade at the distorted Barrier, timing it perfectly. The Barrier's defensive limit was broken, and it dissipated instantly with a "pop."

The four Impure World Reincarnation ninjas' chakra was severely disrupted, leaving them frozen in place, unable to move.

"Third Lord, watch your back!"

The Anbu's warning came too late; Sarutobi Hiruzen revealed a clear opening when using his Wind Release.

The Second Hokage's shattered body had been restored. He leaped over and spat out Water Needles, which pierced the Third Hokage's back solidly. Water Release: Heavenly Weeping!

"Protect the Lord Hokage!"

All the ninjas swarmed forward. Danzo led the Root Member towards Orochimaru and immediately ordered, "Take Hiruzen and leave first. This rescue mission is complete. We'll discuss dealing with Orochimaru later."

The Anbu naturally obeyed completely, quickly evacuating the heavily injured Third Hokage. Danzo and unleashed a large number of Wind Ball, Wind Release: Vacuum Orb.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Air balls repeatedly struck Orochimaru, shattering his periosteum and injuring his flesh, but the wounds healed rapidly in the blink of an eye, as if nothing had happened.

Orochimaru smirked, his chakra surged wildly, and the surrounding earth began to crack outwards from him.

The Dance of the Seedling Fern!

Countless sharp bone spikes tore through the ground, shattering the entire environment.

Only when the Root Member faced the full-force attacks of the Corpse Shikotsumyaku did they realize just how terrifying this Kekkei Genkai was; even getting close was a luxury.

Just as the Danzo used his Wind Release to enhance his longsword, forcefully slashing and severing a small section of bone, allowing them to stagger back to their feet.

Crash... Orochimaru stomped through the ground, his right hand unleashing a massive Spiral Spear Flower, his entire body spurting out bone spikes as he charged like a heavily armored monster.

His smile remained undiminished. "Although this fighting style is utterly devoid of artistry, we've finally managed to get a few test subjects, so you can all enjoy the experience."

Boom!

A few minutes later, amidst the chaos of the underground battlefield, Hyuga Eishi, controlled by Kabuto, approached Orochimaru. "They've already escaped my senses. You let Danzo leave so easily; don't you want to offend Konoha too much?"

"You're asking too many questions, Dou."

Orochimaru tilted his head and glared at him with his snake eyes. Even though they were far apart, Kabuto, who was controlling the Edo Tensei Body, felt himself breaking out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, Orochimaru didn't hold it against him this time, and smiled, "Never mind, I'm in a pretty good mood today. Danzo... maybe he can still play some unexpected roles, who knows..."

Danzo, whom they were discussing, was currently fleeing at a rapid pace, or rather, retreating.

His right arm was wrapped in bandages, and his right eye was not visible.

The fight with Orochimaru was brief, yet he sustained minor injuries; this trip can be considered a complete failure.

However, seeing how advanced the other party's technological achievements were, he began to consider collaborating with them.

Suddenly, several missiles came flying from the bushes not far away, and a Sharp-beaked Strange Bird appeared out of nowhere in the sky, swooping down.

The ground began to tremble, and then the enormous centipede burst through the Root Squad, twisting its body and ramming headfirst into them with a deafening roar.

A loud bang echoed across the Half-Mountain Plain, and three figures emerged from the dust. One of the slightly lagging Root Member was covered in blood, most of his outer garment stained crimson.

Swish, swish, swish!

Six people appeared in total, one in front and one behind, surrounding Danzo's team in the middle, with multiple Rinnegan firmly locking onto their figures.

Six Paths of Pain, reporting for duty!