Pain could sometimes make a person more clearheaded and rational.
Orochimaru, for instance, had chosen to use pain to drive the reluctance from his heart.
Seeing Orochimaru like this, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly remembered when Orochimaru's inhumane experiments had been discovered. Hadn't he been much the same back then?
Back then, he had hesitated for a moment out of consideration for their bond as teacher and student-or, one could say, because he had grown old and weak.
It was precisely that moment of hesitation that had allowed Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, to seize his chance and successfully defect from the village.
Thinking about it now, Orochimaru at this moment was just like Hiruzen Sarutobi back then.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi felt moved that his student had not completely lost his humanity after all, he decided that this time, just this once, he would properly fulfill his duty as a teacher.
Since he could not persuade Orochimaru, he could only-kill him!
Presumably, Orochimaru felt the same way...
Having made up his mind, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand and tore off his Hokage robes, revealing a combat uniform with the character for "fire" embroidered on the back.
Though he was old, his gaze remained sharp.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi once again showed something of the bearing he had possessed as the Shinobi World's Shinobi Hero.
Seeing his stance, Orochimaru extended his inhumanly long tongue and licked his lips.
"Old man, have you finally made up your mind?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "As your teacher, I was at fault for raising a student like you. In that case, let me put an end to everything!"
Orochimaru gave a cold laugh. "Hehe, what a coincidence. I want to end everything too!"
Just then, Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly glanced sideways at the same time.
Sasuke,