At the fortress battlefield, every spectator outside the arena collectively held their breath.
No one had expected a third-party force to suddenly intervene, and at such a critical moment.
The Fourth Raikage could rely on the all-around defense of Lightning Release Chakra Mode to withstand Kazuhiko and Tsunade's attacks head-on.
Meanwhile, Tsunade's current state left her unable to deal with Orochimaru, who had suddenly attacked from behind.
Shisui and Fugaku both turned their gazes in that direction.
"An S-rank rogue ninja, Orochimaru!"
"At this distance—"
Fugaku's eyes flickered as he began considering an escape route.
With the Fourth Raikage and Orochimaru joining forces, they could only endure for now.
Killer B, in his Tailed Beast form, broke free from the Sharingan genjutsu. The Tailed Beast Ball in his mouth was rapidly taking shape.
"Tsunade has nowhere to evade. This strike will surely take the Hokage candidate's life."
With no one interfering, C stabilized the chakra-thread sensory network once more. He prioritized relaying news of Orochimaru's appearance to A, the Raikage, while mobilizing the nearby Kumogakure ninja units to prepare for a fierce assault.
Kazuhiko used Phantom Body Flicker to arrive at the edge of the battlefield, silently watching everything unfold before him.
Even with his speed, he would not make it in time to rescue her from this distance.
The scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan in his left eye was suddenly swallowed by white, turning into a flawless white pupil.
Everything within his sight became crystal clear.
Kazuhiko locked his gaze onto Orochimaru's head.
The space around Orochimaru silently began to twist and spread. Ripples invisible to the naked eye formed a vortex, instantly engulfing Orochimaru.
It was Kamui—the Mangekyō ocular technique Kazuhiko had never revealed to anyone!
Orochimaru's movements stalled.
The sudden spatial ripples made every hair on his body stand