Konoha's Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had lost all signs of life. He had used a forbidden technique at the cost of his own life in an attempt to kill Orochimaru, but had ultimately failed.
Once Minato realized the gravity of the situation, he immediately picked up a kunai and drove it into Orochimaru's throat. Beside him, Enma held the Kusanagi Sword and repeatedly stabbed Orochimaru.
Yet no blood flowed. It was as though the Orochimaru before them was no longer human. He simply stared expressionlessly at Minato.
Then, all at once, an unnatural flush spread across Orochimaru's face. His body began to mutate, as though something beneath his skin was writhing.
"Looks like this body has reached its limit as well."
Orochimaru muttered to himself. After splitting his soul, he felt intense discomfort. His soul and flesh were repelling each other.
When researching souls, he had once considered splitting a complete soul into different individuals. He had even worked out a specific method, but had never tested it.
Until the Reaper Death Seal just now had forced him to make a snap decision and split off a portion of his soul for the Shinigami to swallow.
But after doing so, the most obvious feeling was that he was no longer whole.
Under Enma and Minato's watchful eyes, Orochimaru, imprisoned by the rocks, suddenly began to glow white. Then a sphere of light drifted out from his body, taking on Orochimaru's form above his flesh.
"Orochimaru!" Minato glared furiously at him.
"Minato." Orochimaru, now in spirit form, floated in midair and looked down at Minato.
"Looks like you managed to keep your life."
With that, Orochimaru transformed into a streak of white light and flew straight into the sky.
As for the body he had abandoned, it had become bloated and