Orochimaru Unmasks Himself

The man shook his head, a trace of wariness flashing through his eyes.

"What did you say?! Orochimaru wants to kill Lord Hokage?"

"That's right. That guy is one of the most terrifying ninja in the shinobi world. Even if we join forces, we might not be able to defeat him!"

The man sighed, his eyes filled with worry.

"Damn it! So that guy is Orochimaru. No wonder he's so strong!"

"Orochimaru?! You know him?!"

Upon hearing Zhi Ge's words, the ANBU agents all showed a hint of surprise.

"Hmph, do you take me for a three-year-old?! I may not know why he wants to harm the Hokage, but I've certainly heard of the Legendary Sannin! Don't worry! I definitely won't let him succeed!"

Zhi Ge clenched his fists tightly, anger flashing through his eyes.

"Don't talk nonsense! Orochimaru is dangerous. I suggest you leave while you still can!"

"That's right, don't provoke Orochimaru! I advise you to leave too! Don't let him catch you!"

Seeing this, the ANBU agents all urged Zhi Ge to leave. They did not want him to throw his life away!

"You don't need to say another word. I must protect Lord Hokage!"

Zhi Ge snorted coldly, unmoved.

Seeing that Zhi Ge refused to listen to reason, the ANBU agents could not help but grow anxious!

"That brat is utterly ungrateful!"

"Even if he's the strongest rookie, he's far too arrogant and has no respect for his elders. Someone like him will suffer sooner or later!"

"Exactly. He's treating this like a game! Orochimaru's strength is infinitely close to Lord Hokage's!"

"Hmph! Are you done talking? Instead of wasting your breath here, why don't you think of a way to save Lord Hokage?!"

Zhi Ge glared coldly at the ANBU agents, a fierce glint flashing through his eyes!

The ANBU agents froze, then lowered their heads and said no more.

"Grandpa Hokage! Hurry up and break the barrier! Zhi Ge is coming to save you!"

Zhi Ge shouted loudly!

"Nonsense! Zhi Ge, hide quickly! It's extremely dangerous here!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi could not help but frown and roar.

"Hahaha! How amusing, Teacher! Have you truly gone senile, or is Konoha Village really so lacking in talent? A dignified Hokage actually needs a genin to come to his rescue! Hahaha!"

After seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction, Orochimaru threw back his head and burst into laughter.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face turned livid as he stared coldly at Orochimaru.

Faced with his once most prized disciple, even in this situation, he still could not bring himself to strike a killing blow.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi had no intention of retreating. He looked coldly at the ANBU agents. "You few, protect Zhi Ge! Children are the village's future! Leave the life-and-death matters to this old man!"

As soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi finished speaking, he removed his Hokage robe, revealing the combat uniform beneath.

Orochimaru's eyes lit up at Hiruzen Sarutobi's actions. Then he shouted, "Good! It seems Teacher truly intends to fight me to the death! In that case, I'll deal with you, old man, first!"

As soon as Orochimaru spoke, his body transformed into a giant snake and lunged at Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Although Hiruzen Sarutobi was already old, his strength remained terrifying!

Moreover, he possessed immense combat experience!

Orochimaru alone could never be his match!

"Hahaha! Old man! Die!!"

A cruel smile hung on Orochimaru's lips as his enormous tail slammed toward Hiruzen Sarutobi's head.

Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly swung the kunai in his hand to block it!

"Boom~~~"

A thunderous crash rang out as Hiruzen Sarutobi was sent flying, smashing into the wall!

Having landed a blow, Orochimaru pounced again.

Hiruzen Sarutobi rushed forward with his kunai in hand!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The two fought fiercely, neither gaining the upper hand!

"Orochimaru really is formidable. It looks like Lord Hokage is in for a hard battle today!"

After watching their fierce clash, the ANBU agents' expressions darkened.

They knew that with Orochimaru's strength, it would be nearly impossible for him to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi easily!

"Fire Release! Great Fire Annihilation!!!"

As the giant snake charged at him again, Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth and unleashed his ninjutsu!

Flames instantly engulfed the entire floor!

Orochimaru immediately retreated!

The flames exploded beside Orochimaru, directly burning the giant snake he had transformed into to death!

"Haha! Old man, so this is all you can do!"

Orochimaru sneered as his body emerged directly from the snake's corpse!

"Don't get too cocky!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gave a cold smile. The kunai in his hand danced rapidly, and a powerful offensive surged forth!

Orochimaru kept moving and evading, but Hiruzen Sarutobi was simply too strong. No matter how many tricks Orochimaru had, they were useless!

At last, one of Hiruzen Sarutobi's thrown blades pierced Orochimaru, striking him squarely in the abdomen!

"Pfft!"

Orochimaru's face turned pale as paper, and his body tilted before collapsing to the ground.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was stunned. He had not expected his attack to be so powerful!

"Orochimaru, it's not too late for you to surrender!"

"Haha! Old man, don't try to provoke me! Such a simple move cannot hurt me at all!"

Orochimaru grinned viciously, madness gleaming in his eyes.

Then his body turned into a puddle of mud and vanished from where he stood.

Hiruzen Sarutobi took a deep breath, a sorrowful expression appearing on his face. "Damn it! It was a Substitution Jutsu!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Orochimaru appeared behind Hiruzen Sarutobi.

His face was filled with malice, and his pale yellow eyes were fixed tightly on Hiruzen Sarutobi.

An eerie chill radiated from Orochimaru as he said coldly, "Teacher, I advise you to surrender. Otherwise, you'll die a miserable death!"

"I will never surrender! Not unless I'm dead!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was filled with resolve. He had already made up his mind!

"Then go die! Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!!!"

Orochimaru's body shot forward. With one hand raised, countless small snakes burst from his sleeve and rushed straight at Hiruzen Sarutobi!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression changed, and he hurriedly swung his kunai to fend them off.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi was old, and his body was weakened. There was no way he could completely block so many small snakes.

"Damn it! Earth Release! Earth Dragon Technique!!!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi roared and directly unleashed his Earth Release ninjutsu.

A mountain of earth suddenly rose from the ground and charged toward Orochimaru!