Fourth Hokage: Orochimaru Escaped-Danzo, Explain Yourself!

Sunagakure, Kazekage's Office.

Rasa sat behind his desk, holding the document from Kirigakure. His face was so gloomy it looked as if water might drip from it.

"Fourth Mizukage Kisame Hoshigaki... I've never heard that name before."

He looked up at the advisor standing across from him, Chiyo.

Grandma Chiyo's face was covered in wrinkles, and at that moment they were twisted into a frown.

"Something major has happened in Kirigakure. The Third Mizukage suddenly stepped down, and the newly appointed Fourth Mizukage is an obscure brat who's even openly allied with a rogue ninja organization... The waters behind this are far too deep."

Rasa fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Advisor Chiyo, do you think... this could be an opportunity?"

"An opportunity?" Chiyo narrowed her eyes.

"Exactly." Rasa stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the endless yellow sand. "Sunagakure has been under Konoha's thumb for years. If Kirigakure really has allied with the 'Akatsuki,' then the balance of power in the Ninja World is bound to change. Perhaps we could..."

"Fish in troubled waters?" Chiyo gave a cold laugh. "You're too naive, Rasa. If Kirigakure dares to do this, either they've gone mad or they're absolutely confident in their strength. Either way, we can't afford to get involved lightly."

Rasa turned around, a trace of resentment flashing in his eyes.

"Are we just going to stand by and watch?"

Chiyo didn't answer. She only sighed.

She thought of her grandson, Scorpion.

The boy had been missing for some time. Based on the intelligence about the Akatsuki's missions in various countries, he had probably joined the rogue ninja organization, Akatsuki.

If this incident escalated, would Scorpion get caught up in it too?

The air in the office seemed to freeze the instant Sarutobi Hiruzen asked his question.

Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato both looked toward the shadow in the corner. The atmosphere was oppressive.

"Danzo, answer me." Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was hoarse, with a slight tremor that was hard to detect.

Danzo slowly rose from the shadows. His one exposed eye showed no emotion; instead, it held a cold, mocking glint.

"Hiruzen, are you questioning me? Questioning why I exposed the heinous crimes committed by your most beloved disciple?"

"I..." Sarutobi Hiruzen was at a loss for words.

"Hmph." Danzo let out a cold laugh. His voice wasn't loud, but it pierced everyone's heart like a needle. "If I hadn't kept watch on him in secret, if I hadn't waited until the evidence was conclusive before reporting it, would you still have intended to deceive yourself?"

He took a step forward, staring Sarutobi Hiruzen down. "Or do you think that with Orochimaru's cunning, if I'd tipped him off too early, he would have stayed in the village obediently and waited for you to 'lecture' him? Hiruzen, your soft-heartedness is about to destroy Konoha!"

Every word struck home.

All the color drained from Sarutobi Hiruzen's aged face. His lips moved, but not a single word came out.

That was true. Given how much he favored Orochimaru, if Danzo had reported nothing but vague suspicions, he would most likely have buried the matter and spoken to Orochimaru in private.

And the only result would have been Orochimaru disappearing without a trace.

"Enough!"

Namikaze Minato's low voice cut off the confrontation.

His golden hair stirred slightly, and his blue eyes were icy.

"This isn't the time to assign blame. Third Lord, Teacher, Advisor Danzo, Orochimaru's betrayal is a fact. As Hokage, I hereby declare Orochimaru an S-rank Rogue Ninja and order the highest-priority manhunt!"

Just then—

BOOM—!!!

A tremendous explosion came from the southern part of the village. Even the windows of the Hokage Building rattled.

An Anbu Ninja appeared in the center of the office in an instant, his voice urgent.

"Lord Hokage, this is bad! The Secret Research Facility belonging to Lord Orochimaru in the direction of Death Forest has suffered a massive explosion. Flames are shooting into the sky!"

They were too late!

Minato's expression darkened completely.

"He's destroying all the evidence before defecting!"

"We can't let him get away!" Jiraiya roared, Chakra surging around him. "That bastard!"

"Move!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Minato set off with Jiraiya and Sarutobi Hiruzen. Their figures flashed, and they vanished from the spot.

Only Danzo remained in the empty office, the corner of his mouth slowly curling into a smile that no one noticed.

Deep in Death Forest, the entrance to the once-secret Underground Laboratory was now engulfed in flames.

Blazing fire and thick smoke surged into the sky, staining it an ominous dark red.

Three figures appeared at the edge of the inferno like ghosts.

They were Minato, Jiraiya, and Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had arrived using the Flying Raijin Technique.

And in the middle of the burning ruins, a tall figure was walking out at an unhurried pace.

He wore a Plain Research Robe, and his golden, vertical pupils looked especially eerie in the firelight.

It was Orochimaru.

He didn't even glance at the three who had arrived. He only extended his long tongue and licked his lips, a sickly look of satisfaction on his face, as if admiring his own handiwork.

"Orochimaru!"

Seeing his former most gifted disciple in this state, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his heart twist in agony. His voice trembled. "Why did you do this?"

Orochimaru finally turned to look at his teacher.

There was not a trace of guilt on his face, only the curiosity and pity of a scholar.

"Teacher, you still don't understand."

His voice was hoarse yet magnetic. "Life itself is fragile and imperfect. A ninja's life is laughably short. What I seek is the truth behind every Ninjutsu, and eternal life. What does it matter if a few fragile 'vessels' are sacrificed for that goal?"

"You lunatic!" Jiraiya trembled with anger. "Those were all our comrades from the village!"

"Comrades?" Orochimaru chuckled, his laughter especially grating amid the flames. "Jiraiya, you're still so naive. What you call bonds are nothing but delusions the weak use to comfort one another. Only power and eternal life are truths worth pursuing in this world."

"Enough."

Namikaze Minato's voice was as cold as ice.

A specially made Kunai was already in his hand.

"Orochimaru, in the name of the Fourth Hokage, I hereby sentence you for betraying the village. Surrender, and perhaps we'll leave your body intact."

"Hehehe... Lord Fourth Hokage?" Orochimaru extended his tongue and licked a scroll in his hand. "You three think you can stop me?"

Before the words had left his mouth, the ground beneath his feet exploded!

"Shadow Snake Hand!"

Dozens of sinister venomous snakes burst from underground, surging toward the three of them in a tide!

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen reacted with incredible speed. He formed Hand Seals and spewed forth a torrent of blazing flames that surged like a raging dragon, instantly burning the snakes to charred husks.

But the moment the flames erupted, Orochimaru had already disappeared.

"Don't even think about escaping!"

Jiraiya slammed both palms against the ground!

"Summoning Technique: Toad Mouth Binding!"

The ground instantly transformed into soft walls of flesh, forming a gigantic toad esophagus that swallowed up the entire area within a hundred meters in an attempt to trap Orochimaru inside!

"It's useless."

Orochimaru's disdainful laugh came from within the fleshy walls.

"Riiip!"

A sharp flash of sword light streaked past. The tough walls of the toad's stomach were forcibly sliced open, leaving a huge gash!

Wielding the Kusanagi Sword, Orochimaru leaped out through the opening!

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

He blew a powerful gust from his mouth, scattering the flames and smoke. His figure shot toward the depths of the forest like a bolt of lightning.

"You're too naive, Orochimaru!"

A golden flash appeared on his escape route without warning.

It was Namikaze Minato!

"Rasengan!"

A blue sphere of Chakra spun rapidly in Minato's palm, carrying the force to tear through anything as it slammed toward Orochimaru's chest!

Faced with an attack that fast, Orochimaru's pupils suddenly contracted.

In the blink of an eye, his neck stretched to an impossible length. His body twisted like a boneless snake, narrowly dodging a direct hit from the Rasengan!

But the Rasengan still grazed his shoulder, instantly shredding half his clothes and flesh!

"Ugh!"

Orochimaru grunted. The tremendous force sent him flying, and he crashed through several trees.

"It's over!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen appeared above him, his Hand Seals already formed.

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bomb!"

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb!"

The earth dragon and fire dragon intertwined, forming a torrent of lava that roared toward the fallen Orochimaru, blocking every escape route!

This was the pinnacle of Sarutobi Hiruzen's skill as the "Professor of Ninjutsu"—a combination technique!

"Teacher... you're still... so soft-hearted..."

Just as the lava was about to swallow Orochimaru, his blood-smeared face twisted into an eerie smile.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart lurched!

A tiny snake shot from Orochimaru's sleeve like a bolt of lightning. Its target was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen in midair!

The distance was too short, and it was too fast!

"Look out!" Jiraiya and Minato shouted at the same time.

"Thud!"

Fangs sank into flesh.

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his arm go numb, and he fell from the sky.

"Teacher!"

Jiraiya rushed over to catch him.

That brief opening was all Orochimaru needed!

"Earth Release: Subterranean Mirror Fish Technique!"

"Bang!"

Orochimaru dived underground, evading the torrent of lava.

Using the time he'd gained by dodging the lava, Orochimaru vanished completely into the darkness of the forest.

"Damn it!" Jiraiya slammed his fist into the ground, furious with himself.

Minato examined Sarutobi Hiruzen's injuries, his expression grave. "It's a special nerve toxin. We have to get him back to the village for treatment immediately!"

He glanced in the direction Orochimaru had disappeared, but in the end, he chose to protect his teacher first. Ever cautious, he had left a Flying Raijin Mark on Orochimaru.

A flash of golden light, and the three vanished from the burning scene.

Land of Fields, a dark and damp underground base.

Orochimaru stumbled inside, half his body mangled and his breathing weak.

"Cough, cough... Namikaze Minato... Jiraiya... and Teacher..."

He leaned against the cold stone wall, panting heavily, his eyes full of hatred and resentment.

"One day, I'll make you understand how insignificant everything you protect is compared to the eternal life I seek!"

He pulled several vials of medicine from his clothes and was about to inject himself.

Just then—

A faint voice echoed through the empty base without warning.

"Seeking eternal life... a fine ideal."

"Who?!"

The hair on Orochimaru's body stood on end. His golden pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints!

He jerked his head up and looked toward the source of the voice.

A strange, half-black, half-white Pitcher Plant-like Creature was slowly rising from the floor in the shadows of the base.

"But your methods are still incomplete."

Black and White Zetsu spoke slowly, its voice uniquely blending two different tones.

"My master is very interested in you."

"He says he can give you true eternal life, as well as... the secrets behind every Ninjutsu."

Orochimaru's breath stopped.

He stared intently at Black and White Zetsu and spoke hoarsely.

"Your master... who is he?"

Black and White Zetsu grinned, revealing an eerie smile.

"Uchiha... Madara."