Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu!

Faced with his teacher's fury and questioning, Orochimaru not only showed no panic—he let out a low, pleased laugh.

He raised a hand and lightly touched the fine crack on his cheek with pale fingers, the motion as gentle as caressing a lover's skin.

"Heh heh heh... Originally, I was planning to wait a little longer and give you an even bigger 'surprise,' Sensei. I didn't expect this mask to still be imperfect. When my chakra erupts at full force, little flaws like this appear... But since you've noticed, Sensei..."

Orochimaru's voice carried a twisted pride and a need to show off.

He seized the edge of that pale, androgynously handsome adult face of his, then slowly tore downward!

Riiiip—

The human-skin mask was torn away completely.

What was revealed was a young, delicate, even somewhat boyish face!

Even more horrifying was that as the mask came off, Orochimaru's body also began to shrink slowly, like a ball leaking air!

The ornate daimyo robes that had originally fit him became loose and baggy. He casually tore them off, revealing the close-fitting black combat clothes and white robe underneath.

In just a few short seconds, that sinister and cunning "Orochimaru of the Sannin" vanished. In his place was a "boy" who looked no more than fourteen or fifteen, thin of build, yet whose eyes still carried that chilling, uncanny evil!

"This... ?!" Outside the barrier, Yamato, who had been staring intently at the situation inside, froze in shock the instant he saw Orochimaru's new appearance!

This was...

Rejuvenation?!

Inside the barrier, Hiruzen Sarutobi's pupils contracted violently as if shaken by an earthquake, and the color drained from his face in an instant.

He stared fixedly at the "boy" before him, whose features vaguely held the shadow of Orochimaru in his youth,