"At last... at last, I'm going to succeed.
With the Senju bloodline and this summoning ritual, I'll obtain supreme power.
Then Konoha, the Hokage—all of them will be nothing!"
Orochimaru lay amid the rubble, struggling to lift his head.
The wound in his chest made every breath feel like a blade cutting through him, yet he still gritted his teeth and spoke:
"You... can't escape... Konoha won't let you go..."
The boy glanced back at him and sneered.
"Escape? Why would I run? Once the ritual is complete, I'll be the strongest.
If Konoha sends one, I'll kill one. If they send two, I'll kill them both!"
He turned away, no longer paying Orochimaru any attention, and looked at Tsunade on the altar.
"Little girl, stop struggling.
It's an honor for you to become a sacrifice for my power."
Tsunade glared at him fiercely, biting her lips until they bled, but she could not make a sound.
The two Chunin stood nearby, vigilantly watching their surroundings.
Though victory was already in their grasp, they still did not dare let their guard down.
Just as despair set in—
"Boom!"
A cloud of thick smoke erupted around the altar without warning!
"Who's there?!" The two Chunin went on alert at once.
The boy spun around, his face darkening.
"Who is it now? Are you people ever going to stop?!
Do you all think this place is your own backyard or something?!"
Smoke filled the air, obscuring everyone's vision.
From within the smoke came an outrageously arrogant voice that pierced through the haze—
"Of course it's the invincible, all-powerful—Lord Jiraiya!"
The voice was loud and flamboyant, filled with smugness that made one want to punch him.
Tsunade's eyes widened abruptly.
Orochimaru was stunned as well, even forgetting to wipe the blood from the