Giant Snake's Pupils!

"History always repeated itself in astonishing ways." Seeing this scene, Nagato could not help thinking of Xia Yuhe by Daming Lake back then. No, wait... of Yamato at Heaven-Earth Bridge!

Back then, Yamato had used counterfeit Wood Release to create a counterfeit Hiruko, disguising himself as a counterfeit Sasori, only to be exposed by Master Kabuto in a single move. That was how the saying came about.

And now, the real Sasori had arrived!

"Hmph!" He easily dodged the chakra blade's edge, then nearly kicked Kabuto's last meal out of him with one blow!

"Urgh!" Kabuto swallowed his last meal back down. As he struggled to rise, five chakra threads had already attached themselves to his limbs and chest!

—Human Puppet Art: Silk Performance!

The barbs on Sasori's left fingertips hooked backward, and the chakra threads pulled Kabuto upright through the air. At the same time... Sasori raised his right hand, where a poison-coated dagger spun in his palm!

Konan said, "This move seems to carry traces of Deva Path Pain!"

Nagato said, "Did Sasori improve it after his defeat in the desert? Not bad at all."

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Just as Kabuto was about to be disemboweled, snake hands shot across from the far end of Heaven-Earth Bridge and caught hold of him!

"That technique is...!"

"Ah, there is no mistaking it." Nagato's lips curved into a languid smile. "He has arrived!"

At either end of the bridge, two Kage Level shinobi engaged in a tug-of-war with Kabuto as the rope!

"Aaargh...! My lord! Don't worry about my life—kill Sasori!"

"Small fry, shut your mouth!" Sasori said coldly, firing the dagger from his palm straight at Kabuto's chest.

At the critical moment, the snake head coiled around Kabuto's waist spat out a Haku blade, knocking aside the dagger. With a nimble swing of its head, it severed all five chakra threads in one stroke!

"The Kusanagi Sword..." Sasori had no choice but to give up, watching helplessly as Kabuto was dragged out of sight by the snake hands.

The wind rose. Eyes in both the open and the shadows turned toward the far side of the bridge...

A man stood in the wind, his long hair fluttering. His black-and-Haku robes, golden vertical pupils, purple eyeshadow extending to his nose, and blue-green magatama-shaped earrings gave him an evil charm and a grace, beauty, and seductiveness that surpassed even women.

In the world of Hokage, who else could it be but Orochimaru?

The snake hands retreated into his sleeves. He turned his gaze slightly and asked in a hoarse voice, "Kabuto, are you all right?"

Filled with guilt, Kabuto clenched his hand into the soil. "I'm truly sorry, Lord Orochimaru! I was the one who suggested acting as bait to lure Sasori out, but I never expected I would only end up causing you trouble!"

Orochimaru smiled and spoke unhurriedly. "Actually, this outcome was within my expectations. I did not stop you because I wanted you to clearly see the gap between yourself and the strongest shinobi."

"Sometimes, once we shinobi make a wrong decision, there is no turning back."

Yakushi Kabuto reflected painfully on his mistake. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru! I will definitely learn from this lesson and be of greater use to you!"

"Hey, are you done with that nauseating prattle?" Sasori urged impatiently.

Orochimaru turned to look at him, his smile becoming inscrutable. "Sasori, you are still as impatient as ever. Let me guess why you came."

"The disappearance of the Third Kazekage from Sunagakure was your handiwork, was it not? You turned him into your finest Human Puppet, then could not wait to come looking for trouble."

Orochimaru strolled forward with a smile. "Very well. I am somewhat interested in that body of yours, which can still move freely after abandoning flesh and blood."

"You bastard, you are as infuriating as ever." Sasori lowered his gaze. "But unfortunately, I am not the one who came looking for trouble with you today."

"Hm?" Hearing this, Orochimaru stopped in the middle of Heaven-Earth Bridge.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Three black shadows swept out from the woods and came to a stop beside Sasori.

"You have worked hard. Leave the rest to me."

Behind him, Yakushi Kabuto's expression changed drastically. "Sasori brought helpers too?!"

Before leaving the stage, Sasori stared deeply at the third Pain on the field... Even though its eyes and hair color had changed, and its face was now decorated with Black Rods!

He could still recognize at a glance that it was the Third Kazekage puppet he had abandoned!

"You..." In the end, Sasori said nothing and retreated into the distance.

"Then let me see just how far your art can surpass mine when we begin from the same starting line!"

"Lord Orochimaru, the situation is bad. We should retreat first!!"

Kabuto called out anxiously. Sasori alone was troublesome enough; with these three mysterious helpers added to the mix, even with his near-worshipful faith in Orochimaru, Kabuto did not think Orochimaru could gain any advantage in this situation.

But Orochimaru seemed not to hear the cries behind him. He stood still, staring intently at Deva Path Pain in front. "I remember you. You are that child from back then..."

Deva Path Pain stepped forward. "Mr. Orochimaru, it has been a long time. It is rare that you still remember me."

"Heh heh, yes. I never thought you were still alive, but what surprises me even more is... slurp~!" Orochimaru's long tongue licked at his lips, while an intense light burst from his vertical pupils. "The Rinnegan is actually on you!"

"Right now... I am filled with curiosity about your body!"

"Boom!!" A powerful Haku storm erupted from Orochimaru's body, making Heaven-Earth Bridge tremble without end!

"I truly! Truly want to investigate it!!"

As his words fell, Orochimaru burst forward in an instant, reaching for Pain's eyes!

—"I'll be taking the Rinnegan!!!"

Facing the fierce wind rushing toward him, Deva Path Pain closed his eyes. "You really are impatient."

Whoosh!

At such close range, the sudden force blocking him made Orochimaru's expression change sharply!

"I suppose I will have to make you suffer a little first."

Deva Path opened his eyes and extended a hand.

—Shinra Tensei!!

"What...!?"

The oncoming impact twisted Orochimaru's entire face...!!!

"Aaaaaaaaaah...!!!"

All the railings of Heaven-Earth Bridge were blown away. Orochimaru's body spiraled backward, crashing into the forest at the bridge's other end.

Sasori covered his face with one hand and sighed in amazement. "The scale of that move... is greater than before. He truly held back when fighting me."

"Hah!" Orochimaru exerted all his strength and finally stabilized himself, his face filled with shock and uncertainty. "What... was that just now!?"

"Lord Orochimaru!!!" Worried for his safety, Kabuto ran to his side.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Pain's Three Paths crossed the water and landed before them.

"Kabuto, stand back."

"But..."

"Are you going to defy me!"

Orochimaru looked back. The sudden killing intent in his eyes made Kabuto shrink back. "I-I... understand!"

Orochimaru turned his gaze forward again. Amid his grim expression was an excitement he could barely restrain!

"Heh heh, will I die? Even so, I want to uncover the secret of the Rinnegan!!"

He crossed his hands before him and bit his thumb...

—Summoning Technique!