Kabuto Yakushi's true strength has always been enigmatic. At this juncture, there is little information about him engaging in direct confrontations at full capacity.
Nonetheless, his adeptness at deception and subterfuge is unparalleled, befitting his role as an elite, multifaceted spy.
As the sword pierced through Hiruzen Sarutobi's body, chakra surged along its blade.
The application of Palm Sage Technique at the sword's tip devastated the Third Hokage's left chest, shattering his internal organs.
Hiruzen gazed in astonishment at the blade siphoning his life force, a profound sense of helplessness permeating his being.
"With such a grievous wound, even miraculous medicine offers no salvation," he mused.
After all, medicine merely stimulates cellular activity and potential; it doesn't heal but rather invigorates.
A direct assault on a vital point transcends recovery capabilities.
Absent a unique constitution, survival is implausible.
In this dire moment, Orochimaru exulted, "Foolish old man, perish alone."
Nearby, Shimura Danzo found himself impeded by entangling serpents, unable to intervene.
"Have all efforts been in vain? Must we return to the beginning, amplifying casualties and destruction?" he pondered, gazing skyward.
"Is destiny truly so elusive? Or is there an unseen force orchestrating these events?"
Surveying the devastation, fatalities were minimal, yet injuries abounded.
Medical-nin were overwhelmed, with Mizuki occasionally stepping in to assist.
Such an outcome seemed shaped by a series of chance events, yet largely driven by human nature.
Talent remains constant regardless of circumstances; geniuses shine, while mediocrity persists.
Heroes often emerge battered, and the underappreciated frequently lack merit.
Such is the world's reality.
"Then what am I?" Mizuki often questioned himself.
Was the mediocrity of his past life truly so easily disrupted by transmigration?
With the prophesied child, Naruto Uzumaki, at the forefront, it wasn't yet his time to shoulder the world's burdens.
The path from knowledge to tangible power is narrow, often exhausting.
"However, surrender isn't an option."
Three years remained—a window wherein much could be accomplished.
As Mizuki contemplated, the battle between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru reached its climax.
Hiruzen's vitality waned rapidly; even continuous medicinal intervention proved insufficient.
The souls he had ensnared began to retract as his energy diminished.
Observing this, Orochimaru's joy was palpable, his body gradually regaining sensation.
For Hiruzen, this was a harrowing realization.
Recognizing the futility of killing Orochimaru, he resolved to seal all the ninjutsu he had imparted to his former student, condemning him to a life devoid of jutsu.
"Farewell, Orochimaru. So this is what death feels like," Hiruzen murmured, his consciousness fading.
With those words, his eyes closed, his body collapsed backward, never to rise again.
"Damn you, old man! Return my ninjutsu!" Orochimaru bellowed.
Due to the Reaper Death Seal's effect, his hands lost their vitality, turning ashen and decayed.
The severing of his soul induced excruciating pain, causing Orochimaru's screams to resonate, audible even to Mizuki in the distance.
"Indeed, Kabuto seizes opportunities astutely, while Konoha's forces falter at critical moments," Mizuki reflected.
With the Third Hokage's demise, his shadow clones dissipated.
Konoha had lost its most formidable defender.
Simultaneously, Orochimaru's reanimated First and Second Hokage were sealed, significantly diminishing his combat prowess.
Now, grievously wounded and nearly depleted of chakra, Orochimaru risked being overwhelmed by Manda's potential backlash.
"Kabuto, how long will you dawdle?" Orochimaru, suppressing his agony, commanded.
"Apologies, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto's voice emanated from beneath an Anbu mask.
He slowly extracted his sword from Orochimaru's body.
"Discard that repugnant mask and prepare to depart."
Kabuto removed his mask, discarding it, then utilized the blood on his sword and Orochimaru's arm to initiate a summoning jutsu.
Recognizing the urgency, Orochimaru acted swiftly. "Summoning: Ten Thousand Snakes Formation!"
An overwhelming multitude of giant snakes surged forth, engulfing the battlefield and assailing all pursuers.
"Kabuto, let's go," Orochimaru urged.
"What about the snakes?" Kabuto inquired.
"They no longer concern me. Do you believe I can still control them?" Orochimaru retorted impatiently.
Heeding Orochimaru's words, Kabuto refrained from further questions, assisting him as they fled.
Several colossal snakes cleared their path, detonating upon encountering formidable resistance, their explosions facilitating their escape.
The Sound Four converged, shielding Orochimaru as they retreated.
In his frenzy, Manda, alongside Orochimaru, expended nearly all chakra to summon the serpents, plunging the scene into chaos.
With few allies present, the ensuing disorder hindered any organized pursuit.
Orochimaru's desperate strength rendered him nearly unstoppable.
However, this was also his most vulnerable state.
Devoid of ninjutsu, severely injured, and nearly chakra-depleted, Orochimaru was perhaps at his weakest.
Seizing the moment, several elite Root operatives, prompted by Shimura Danzo, initiated their pursuit.
"Do you think you can escape unscathed amidst the Third Hokage's death? It's not that simple," Danzo mused.
This confrontation far surpassed the original events in scale.
Konoha suffered greater losses, and Orochimaru's faction fared no better.
The Sound Four, having relied on their cursed seals extensively, were exhausted.
Orochimaru's condition was more dire than previously depicted, his combat capabilities severely diminished.
Only Kabuto retained full strength, and even their escape remained uncertain.
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