Orochimaru and Namikaze Minato were remarkably alike in certain ways.
Neither came from a prominent clan. Both were genius ninja who had made names for themselves at a young age, and both could be considered direct successors of the previous Hokage.
Whenever a talented younger ninja emerged in the village, they would inevitably be compared to the two of them—and anyone else would pale in comparison.
And now, the two stood on opposing sides.
Kushina's fate had erased the last trace of hesitation in Minato's heart.
If they were going to fight, then it would be to the death.
The rain grew heavier and heavier, beginning to affect visibility. The dense curtain of rain blurred everything in the distance.
"Orochimaru." Minato's voice was low, suppressing an unprecedented fury.
Orochimaru merely chuckled. "Minato, is that the attitude you should have toward the Hokage?"
Minato replied expressionlessly, "In my heart, you are no longer the Hokage."
Mockery surfaced on Orochimaru's cold, hardened face. "Is that so? You think victory is already yours?"
"Because of the trap Shikaku set for you? I already sent him to hell ahead of you."
Minato froze briefly, his expression changing drastically. "What did you do to Shikaku?!"
Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Nara Shikaku intended to rebel. What do you think I could have done to him?"
"Don't worry. I'll send you to meet him soon enough."
Crash—
The only sound left was the torrential downpour, making the suffocating silence all the more oppressive.
Minato vanished from where he stood, streaking through the rain and appearing behind Orochimaru in an instant.
Dense Chakra gathered and spun in his palm, condensing into a high-density sphere of Chakra.
Without the slightest hesitation or restraint, Minato drove the Rasengan straight at the back of Orochimaru's head.
An attack this swift was impossible