Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at that receding figure, then lowered his gaze to the chaotic clan compound below.
His chest felt blocked by something, a sweet taste rose in his throat, and a froth of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
Puff--
"Lord Hokage!"
Several ANBU operatives clustered around the edges scrambled to support him.
At the corner of the roof, Naruto crossed his arms, a hint of a smile pressing at the corners of his mouth as he watched the scene below like a play.
I used to think that coughing up blood from pure rage only existed in jokes, but I never thought I'd actually get to see a live one.
To be fair, though, Hiruzen Sarutobi's ideological awareness is way worse than Itachi Uchiha's. Itachi wiped out his entire clan without even blinking an eye, and only frowned when Pain made him scratch a line across his forehead protector.
Now look at this guy, how did he actually start spitting blood?
Didn't you hear his son Asuma talk about it? This is called reaching a higher level. Saints aren't supposed to be tied down by all those petty things like love and affection; they're supposed to dedicate themselves heart and soul to everyone.
Right, Orochimaru?
That patch of shadow on the roof wriggled, and Orochimaru emerged silently from the edge of the eaves.
He didn't walk out; he grew out.
"You did this?"
His voice still carried that hoarse tone.
Naruto chuckled.
"Nothing to do with me, it was done by Sachima. Oh, sorry, it was Asuma."
Orochimaru stared at the Naruto before him, his expression less than pleasant.
The very moment something happened to the Sarutobi Clan, this face was the first thing that popped into his head.
Half a month ago, Naruto had