In the midst of that strange laughter, the Kazekage suddenly spoke. "Teacher Sarutobi, you really have grown old. To think that you didn't recognize me even from this close... I'm truly surprised."
Hearing that low, slightly hissing voice, Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze sharpened. "It's you, Orochimaru?"
The Kazekage—no, he should now be called Orochimaru—let out a cold, sinister laugh. "So you finally recognized me? Then are you ready to meet your death?"
Instead, Hiruzen Sarutobi calmed down, returning to his usual composed tone. "I truly was careless. I never expected that after being hunted down in Konoha not long ago, you would dare to return so quickly. May I ask where the real Kazekage is?"
Orochimaru sneered and tore off the white cloth covering his face. "People often place too much faith in their own judgment. Once they resolve one troublesome matter, they fall into a blind spot in their thinking, and flaws naturally appear. That was what you taught me back then, Teacher Sarutobi! As for the Kazekage, you'll be able to meet him soon... in another world."
"So he really is dead." Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed softly, unsurprised by the outcome.
"When you defected all those years ago, I let you go out of weakness. It seems that was my mistake. But it's not too late to correct that mistake."
His tone was calm, yet it carried an extraordinary confidence. Though his body had grown old, the presence he had cultivated after standing at the pinnacle of the Ninja World for so many years remained. Once he grew serious, no one could possibly treat him as an ordinary old man.
"Lord Hokage!" Outside the barrier, several Anbu ninja crouched on the rooftop. Though their masks concealed their faces, the worry in their voices was unmistakable.
Inside the barrier, Hiruzen