The power sealing Orochimaru's soul was growing weaker and weaker.
"Looks like heaven isn't on your side." Orochimaru grinned.
The outcome of this tug-of-war was already plain to see.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had fought a grueling battle, and his chakra had long since run dry. He had no strength left to finish this sealing jutsu.
On top of that, Orochimaru's sword thrust had almost wrung the last breath out of him.
"What a shame. I can't take you with me." Hiruzen Sarutobi let go.
Orochimaru's soul finally returned to his body.
Just as he was inwardly breathing a sigh of relief, the Shinigami brought his blade down, severing the souls of his hands.
"But I won't let you use those ninjutsu to harm Konoha again."
As those words fell, a sealing formula appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's abdomen.
Orochimaru's hands would remain locked away forever, along with Hiruzen's soul.
With the sealing complete, Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed his last.
He slowly closed his eyes, looking at Orochimaru's twisted face. In a haze, he remembered the clean-cut boy brimming with talent from all those years ago.
With both hands crippled, Orochimaru had no way to escape.
Fortunately, his subordinates arrived in time and dragged him away.
Word of what had happened there only reached the others later.
Xuan Zhe had no desire to get involved in the feud between Orochimaru and Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But when he thought about Hiruzen Sarutobi dying just like that, a line sprang unbidden into his mind-where the leaves danced, the fire would burn on.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's death cast a pall over all of Konoha.
The finals, originally scheduled for the next day, were pushed back a full week.
The various factions all expressed their understanding and said little else.
Minato Namikaze became the Fifth Hokage and personally arranged a