Reaper Death Seal

"Monkey, you don't mean..." the Second Hokage said, his expression tense.

He knew the Third Hokage well. Judging by his expression, he had likely already resolved to die.

The Third Hokage let out a long breath, then looked at the burning village below, a trace of guilt welling up in his heart.

"It seems I truly am a useless Hokage!"

"Konoha doesn't have many sealing ninjutsu. I may have to trouble the First and Second Hokage!"

The Second Hokage's assault didn't lessen in the slightest, but his words clearly faltered.

"After you use that move, you'll die too!"

The Third Hokage remained silent for a long while, finally uttering only four words: "For Konoha!"

With that, he retreated, unleashing three ninjutsu in quick succession to briefly restrain the Second Hokage.

Crossing his hands: "Shadow Clone Technique!"

Bang! Bang! Two more clones appeared beside him.

The three figures scattered simultaneously. Now, the only one left with combat power was the Second Hokage.

His main body charged directly at the Second Hokage.

As for Orochimaru and the First Hokage, the clones would be enough to handle them.

He grabbed the Second Hokage's shoulder and said softly, "Master, I'm sorry!"

The Second Hokage turned his head, not wanting to look at him, but the kunai in his hand, beyond his control, plunged into his chest.

The Third Hokage immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

He endured the pain and roared in a low voice.

"Forbidden Jutsu Secret Art: Reaper Death Seal!"

Suddenly, the sky and earth darkened, and from afar, the sound of ghostly wails could be heard.

Behind him, a Shinigami, holding a short sword in its mouth and prayer beads in its hand, suddenly appeared.

In the distance, across the street from Ichiraku Ramen.

Wu Di looked at the semi-transparent Shinigami in the distance, his heart filled with complex emotions.

Although the Third Hokage's reign was the darkest period in Konoha's history, he couldn't deny that he had indeed sacrificed a lot for the village. To die like this seemed a bit of a waste.

"The outcome hasn't changed after all..."

He sighed deeply and raised his hand to rub his temples.

Turning, he returned to the small shop.

Above the rooftop, the Shinigami's arm pierced directly through the Third Hokage's chest and grabbed onto the First and Second Hokage.

"Monkey, I've caused you trouble!"

At this moment, the Second Hokage's body finally regained control.

He looked at the Third Hokage with a dejected expression, his heart filled with immense sadness.

He was the Third Hokage's teacher and also the previous Hokage.

Looking at the prosperity of the village now, he knew the Third Hokage must have gone through immense hardship.

He was very proud to have such a disciple.

The only regret was that it had to end in such an awkward situation.

"Hiruzen, you've done very well!" he managed a weak smile.

The Third Hokage coughed lightly, a trickle of blood escaping his lips, and said softly.

"Teacher, please just call me Monkey. I'm more used to it!"

"Monkey... I'm sorry..."

As the words fell, the Second Hokage's soul was directly taken by the Shinigami and swallowed into its belly.

Watching the Shinigami chew, a pang of bitterness rose in the Third Hokage's heart.

Then, looking at the First Hokage.

Half of his soul had already been extracted.

Unlike the Second Hokage's sentimentality, he always maintained a touch of chuunibyou, even with half his soul extracted.

He looked at the Third Hokage with a face full of sorrow and said unwillingly, "It's all your fault, you damn monkey, you got me all excited."

"I really want to see for myself what that little shop you talked about looks like!"

The Third Hokage spoke with a casual air.

"It's just a gambling shop called Invincible Scratch-off."

"Gambling!"

Upon hearing the word, the First Hokage's eyes lit up.

His heart felt as if it were being scratched by a cat's claws, and he immediately inquired, "Is it another new way to gamble?"

"Yes," the Third Hokage nodded gently.

The First Hokage's face contorted, making him even more regretful.

"Gambling is my absolute favorite! Monkey, I hate you to death!"

"I can't die in peace without personally experiencing the thrill of a scratch-off ticket!"

The Third Hokage chuckled softly as he looked at the First Hokage's soul being pulled away.

"Don't worry, your granddaughter visits often!"

"What? Tsuna? Her luck..."

The First Hokage seemed to have something more to say, but his soul was already entering the Shinigami's mouth.

The Third Hokage turned back and said gravely, "Wait for me, I won't be long before I join you!"

As the souls of the First and Second Hokage departed, the effect of Impure World Reincarnation was immediately nullified.

Revealed within were the corpses of two Sound Ninjas.

They were Koto and Dosu, who had participated in the Chunin Exam.

The Third Hokage glanced at them but paid them no mind.

After sealing both of them, the chakra within him was nearly depleted.

Furthermore, the time for the Shinigami's appearance was drawing to a close.

He had to seal Orochimaru before the Shinigami vanished.

Thus, clutching his bleeding chest, he steadied himself and, with all his might, controlled the Shinigami's massive hand as it reached for Orochimaru.

Orochimaru cried out in terror, "Teacher, don't seal me, please don't!"

The Third Hokage smiled faintly, his expression complex.

"You were once my most promising disciple."

"When I discovered you breaking the rules, I merely let you leave the village."

"It's all my fault for being too soft-hearted back then, which led to today's disaster."

"Speak! Why did you destroy Konoha?"

The piercing pain made it difficult for Orochimaru to breathe.

The Shinigami's hand delved into Orochimaru's body, searching frantically.

The Third Hokage coughed up blood, his vision blurring.

"Could it be... this is the end?" he murmured, unwilling to accept it.

Seeing this, Orochimaru suddenly felt invigorated, the fear from moments ago vanishing as he let out a ferocious laugh.

"Old man, you're finished! Let's see how you can seal me now!"

"Today, I will make all of Konoha pay for you!"

The Third Hokage coughed up more blood.

In his current state, he likely had no way to seal Orochimaru!

He gritted his teeth and made a compromise.

"Since I can't seal you completely, I'll seal your ninjutsu!"

He changed his hand seals, and the Shinigami's short sword immediately descended.

Orochimaru's soul was severed in two!

Watching his soul drift away, Orochimaru roared in despair, "No!"

He looked down to see his arms had turned a deathly gray and could no longer move.

"Old man... you... die a horrible death!"

Orochimaru roared, then anxiously looked at the individuals controlling the Four Violet Flames Formation, shouting.

"Quick, get me out of here!"

Following his shout, the Four Violet Flames Formation immediately dispersed.

Kabuto Yakushi, who had been entangled with Kakashi and the others, also rapidly withdrew from the battle.

The five of them, working together, escorted Orochimaru, fighting and retreating.

After using the Reaper Death Seal, the Third Hokage's life was at its end.

The Jonin did not continue the pursuit; they all rushed over and surrounded the Third Hokage.

The Third Hokage looked at the blurry faces around him, a slight smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

A leaf drifted down from the sky, and he smiled weakly.

"Perhaps, this is Konoha..."

His gaze grew darker.

In a haze, he seemed to hear someone shout, "Get out of the way..."

"I'm leaving, people of Konoha, take care..."

His vision went completely dark, and his ears seemed to grow much quieter.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly heard a heartbeat.

"Thump!"