Orochimaru's Confidence

The continuous succession of unexpected events caught both the Konoha and Sand Hidden ninjas off guard.

Especially that massive, tanuki-like monster standing in the forest, its entire body covered in purple seal patterns!

The Konoha ninjas couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness for Lord Orochimaru, otherwise we would have suffered just like the Sand ninjas."

As they said this, they felt a sense of schadenfreude.

After all, the Sand ninjas had just taken a direct hit from that monster, resulting in heavy casualties.

On the Sand Hidden side, Chiyo's face was filled with fury. After taking a deep breath, she shouted, "Rasa, what do you think you are doing?!"

Only then did many notice the person floating beside the monster, and the Sand ninjas, in particular, were all stunned.

"Is that... Lord Kazekage?!"

Rasa couldn't help but reach up and rub his forehead. "That idiot!"

He was already regretting bringing the Jinchuriki out.

There had already been strong opposition in the village to him becoming Kazekage, and now, due to his repeated blunders, the village had lost a significant number of ninjas. If those who opposed him seized this opportunity, they would definitely use this incident to attack him!

Although the recent mistake was caused by the Tailed Beast, since he was the one who brought the Jinchuriki out, he had to bear the responsibility for everything.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously glanced at Chiyo on the ground.

He had worked hard to win this old woman over, and he could not afford to let a rift form between them because of this.

I must make up for this as much as possible! The best way is...

Rasa did not respond to Chiyo's questioning, instead turning his gaze toward the Konoha ninjas.

The best way to make up for all of this was to win the war!

He silently compared the combat strength of both sides.

Konoha had Orochimaru, and there was also that brat who had disrupted his plans; neither was easy to deal with.

But on the Sand Hidden side, there was him, Chiyo, and the One-Tail Shukaku!

Three against two—the advantage was his!

"All issues can be discussed later; for now, let's win this battle."

Deliberately avoiding Chiyo's fiery gaze, he gave his response before looking at Bunpuku, who was atop Shukaku's head, his tone stern. "This time, don't mistake the enemy again!"

Bunpuku didn't speak, merely lowering his head further.

Shukaku, however, looked completely indifferent. "Got it, got it. I already told you, don't order me around!"

In its eyes, aside from the Sage of Six Paths and Bunpuku, all humans were the same; if they died, they died.

However, seeing that Bunpuku seemed to care, it put in a little more effort.

Its body suddenly crouched low, and Shukaku flattened itself against the ground as sand began to pour from its arms.

In the next second, the earth before them transformed into a sea of sand.

Yellow sand surged forward like a sandstorm, rushing toward the Konoha ninjas.

Seeing this, Rasa pressed his palms together. "Magnet Release: Gold Sand Cube!"

The gold sand surged, eventually condensing into a massive cube in the air, flying toward the heads of the Konoha ninjas.

Having lived through the eras of four Kazekages, Chiyo understood what Rasa was thinking, but for now, she had no choice but to cooperate.

With a sigh, she leaped into the air, and a sand cushion gathered to catch her.

As her ten fingers moved, the puppets behind her immediately followed suit.

The Sand Hidden launched another attack, and this time, the three strongest individuals in the village were the ones striking!

Noisy murmurs began to rise on the Konoha side.

Many started to panic; after all, they were facing the Fourth Kazekage and a monster, and that old woman's strength was formidable as well.

"Lord Orochimaru..." Someone turned to look at Orochimaru, only to see him staring fixedly at the monster.

"The One-Tail Shukaku, eh? It truly lives up to its reputation as a Tailed Beast. What a fascinating power." Orochimaru's face was full of admiration, his greed undisguised as he couldn't help but lick his lips.

He was naturally aware of creatures like Tailed Beasts.

Before this, he had even quietly infiltrated the Cloud Hidden village, attacked the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and obtained a portion of the Eight-Tails' cells while it was rampaging.

He could ignore the massive chakra of a Tailed Beast, but the near-immortal nature of these creatures was something he could not overlook.

Immortality had always been his greatest pursuit.

The Konoha ninjas tensed up, sweat beading on their foreheads.

The ninja who had spoken earlier received no response and was about to ask again.

Just then, a figure appeared abruptly.

Sen Chisato used the Body Flicker Technique to arrive beside Orochimaru. "Teacher, aren't we leaving yet?"

"Do not worry. While creatures like Tailed Beasts are terrifying, they are not impossible to deal with," Orochimaru said in a raspy voice, his tone filled with confidence.

"However..." He glanced at the Konoha ninjas behind him and added, "Ordinary ninjas are no longer qualified to participate in a battle of this level. Let them retreat."

Sen Chisato nodded, then looked at the ninja beside him. "Still not leaving? Did you not hear my teacher's words?"

"Yes! I understand!" The ninja was stunned for a moment before nodding immediately.

"Retreat!"

At the order, the Konoha ninjas retreated rapidly.

Seeing this, Rasa, who was hovering in mid-air, hesitated for a second before finally setting his sights on the retreating Konoha ninja troop.

"Don't even think about leaving!"

With a wave of his hand, the massive Gold Sand cube immediately changed direction and flew toward the Konoha ninja troop.

"Teacher, what should we do now?" Sen Chisato assumed a combat stance and asked, appearing anxious.

"Heh heh, it is no matter. An attack like this is simple to deal with." Orochimaru remained full of confidence as his hands quickly formed seals.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

The formula spread rapidly across the ground, and a large cloud of smoke billowed up, within which a massive black shadow writhed continuously.

"Orochimaru, what kind of trouble have you stirred up this time? Are the one hundred human sacrifices ready?" The moment it appeared, Manda began demanding its tribute.

But Orochimaru was stunned. "What is going on here?"

At this moment, Manda's body was covered in wounds, many of which were deep enough to expose bone, and it was nearly severed into several pieces.

However, there was no time to dwell on such things. Orochimaru pointed a finger and said, "Manda, stop that Gold Sand cube!"

"Heh heh, remember to prepare the sacrifices next time, and your..." Before it could finish, Manda, who had been gradually stretching its body, froze.

Turning its head, it saw that it was indeed that fellow who played with Gold Sand.

Without another word, Manda immediately canceled the summoning and returned directly to Ryuchi Cave.

Orochimaru, who had suddenly plummeted from the air, adjusted his body and landed steadily on the ground, his brows knitting slightly. "What is the meaning of this?"

Orochimaru could not quite figure it out.

It was one thing that Manda was so severely injured, but why did it look as if it had seen a ghost upon seeing Rasa?

At this moment, Sen Chisato, standing to the side, sheepishly raised his hand. "Um, Teacher, I summoned Manda earlier."

"So that is it." Orochimaru nodded slowly, his expression gradually darkening.

This was troublesome.

He had originally intended for Manda to cover the Konoha ninja troop's retreat and then summon Rashomon to withstand the One-Tail's attack.

But now that Manda had fled, his entire plan was in disarray.

Seeing that the sandstorm was already upon them and the Gold Sand cube was crashing down under Rasa's control, Orochimaru said decisively, "I will handle the trouble in the sky."

Sen Chisato also grew serious. "Leave the front to me!"