This Konoha Crush Plan was something Orochimaru had been planning for a long time. He combined the forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure, all to give his teacher a more dignified death.
Hiruzen Sarutobi has grown old. He has been in that position for too long. Similarly, he has changed. He is no longer the spirited Third Hokage. He has become a decrepit, senile, and incompetent old Monkey.
Orochimaru couldn't bear to see his teacher continue like this, so he decided to personally see him off.
And so, the Konoha Crush Plan was officially implemented.
The ninjas from Sunagakure and Otogakure who had already infiltrated Konoha had begun their operation. They released Orochimaru summoning beasts Orochimaru had given them, and giant pythons appeared in Konoha, wreaking havoc on the Konoha's buildings.
Konoha's Anbu also began their operation after the attack started.
On a rooftop, the Four Violet Flames Formation stood erect. A guy wearing Anbu mask didn't even glance at the brightly lit barrier and charged straight at it.
After a scream, he was burned to ashes.
"Hiss, what a terrifying barrier."
His colleagues behind him could only watch from a distance, not daring to approach.
On the other side, after seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi was in danger, Might Guy also wanted to rush towards the Four Violet Flames Formation, but was stopped by Kakashi beside him.
He shook his head at his friend.
"Kai, that barrier can't be destroyed from the outside, and besides, they only get such a small salary a month, why risk your life?"
Guy, who had already broken free from Kakashi, stopped after taking a few steps. He realized that what Kakashi said was absolutely right, and he couldn't find any reason to refute it.
He simply followed Kakashi around, observing what he did and then copying him.
Kakashi was a master of coasting, easily dispatching two Sound Ninja who tried to approach, and then headed towards his subordinates' location. As for sending him to save the Hokage? That was definitely out of the question.
Kai also saw through Kakashi's intentions and joined him in dealing with the nearby small fry.
Neither of them had any intention of rescuing Hiruzen Sarutobi.
" Naruto, where are Sasuke and Hinata?"
Kakashi paused slightly upon seeing Naruto, noticing a large group of Uchiha members surrounding Naruto. What were they doing? Going to rescue Hiruzen Sarutobi?
"They went after Gaara; they said they wanted to challenge him."
"Okay, is there any danger?"
"Don't worry, Kakashi, Itachi went after them just now, he'll keep an eye on them."
Hearing Fugaku's words, Kakashi finally felt completely relieved. At the same time, he was also a little curious about Naruto. He seemed completely calm, and even knew all along that Konoha would be attacked. Could it be...?
Kakashi dared not think any further. He found himself increasingly unable to understand Naruto, and could only follow behind Naruto to see what he was up to.
Naruto wasn't thinking about any of that; he was just about to watch a good show.
Within the Four Violet Flames Formation, Hiruzen Sarutobi was looking at the person before him with a complex expression. After tearing off the disguise, Orochimaru revealed his true form. Upon seeing who it was, Hiruzen Sarutobi's old face twisted with complicated emotions.
This was once his prized student, but now he had turned against him. How could he not feel heartbroken?
He made a mistake back then, and I let him go because I was soft-hearted. But now? He's staring at me menacingly, a sharp sword pointed at my throat, ready to take my life at any moment.
Orochimaru's actions were like stabbing Hiruzen Sarutobi in the heart, chilling him to the bone.
I never imagined that the disciple I had trained for so long would turn out to be such an ingrate.
" Orochimaru, I never expected you to do this. I should have..."
Orochimaru didn't want to listen to Hiruzen Sarutobi's rambling about the past anymore. All he wanted now was to personally send his teacher off and give him a dignified death.
" Teacher Sarutobi, you're too old. Your time has long since passed."
"Hmph, further words are useless. You want my life? Not so easy."
"Hehe, teacher, if you have any last words, say them now. Don't let waiting become a regret."
Orochimaru sneered, looking at the old and frail Hiruzen Sarutobi before him. Memories of the past kept flashing through his mind, eventually turning into a tear that fell down his cheek.
Hiruzen Sarutobi also saw the drop of crystal-clear liquid, which silently dripped onto the roof tiles.
Orochimaru just... cried? Was it for this old man?
Hiruzen Sarutobi was puzzled. He wasn't sure if he had misread the situation, but the current situation was irreconcilable, and there was no room for maneuver between the two of them. This battle was inevitable.
The two fell silent, relentlessly attacking each other as if doing so could erase their displeasure.
" Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet ".
A grotesque, brownish-yellow dragon head emerged from the floor and flew towards Orochimaru, leaving a brown trail in its wake.
"Combined Ninjutsu: Earth Dragon Flame Flow."
That wasn't all. Hiruzen Sarutobi Hand Seals again, fusing two different elemental Ninjutsu together. An earth dragon, accompanied by flames, charged towards Orochimaru with an aura of annihilation.
Orochimaru quickly dodged, recognizing the considerable power of this composite Ninjutsu. As Hiruzen Sarutobi's student, how could he not know his teacher's signature technique?
However, such Ninjutsu cannot hit him; he has legs and can run away on his own.
"Teacher, how many more times can you use this Ninjutsu?"
When his first plan failed, Hiruzen Sarutobi decisively abandoned his idea of killing Orochimaru with Ninjutsu. He was no longer the Shinobi Hero he once was; the effects of physical aging were too obvious to ignore.
Neither my physical strength nor my Chakra is what it used to be.
" Summoning Technique: Enma."
After a puff of white smoke, Enma appeared, standing in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, arms crossed, and questioning Hiruzen Sarutobi.
" Monkey, who's our opponent this time?"
But when he looked over, he turned back to Hiruzen Sarutobi with some uncertainty to confirm.
" Monkey? Are you serious?"
Others might not know, but he, Enma, did—he knew about Orochimaru standing before him...
"Alright, Enma, stop trying to persuade me. My mind is made up; I'm going to clean house today."
"Sigh, well, I hope you won't regret it."
Orochimaru Hiruzen Sarutobi wields his Adamantine Staff, while Orochimaru wields his Kusanagi Sword; a fierce battle between the two is about to begin.
"Oh? What do you mean by regretting it? Tell me about it."
A young boy's voice broke the tense atmosphere, causing the two to turn around and see a familiar face.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up when he saw the person who had arrived; he had guessed correctly, this guy was indeed coming.
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew this person all too well. His pupils contracted sharply, first in shock, then he hurriedly spoke:
" Naruto, get out of here! It's not safe here!"