Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

Sarutobi Hiruzen had yet to realize the true identity of the so-called "Kazekage." Why would the Land of Wind, an ally of the Land of Fire, betray them and align itself with the obscure Sound Village?

At this moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen was still trying to reason with the "Kazekage," his tone calm and firm. Perhaps Konoha's tradition of "talk-no-jutsu" was an inherited trait?

"We, the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, have already signed a treaty, haven't we? War will only bring harm to both sides..."

"You're right, but... Sarutobi-sensei, what does that have to do with me?"

"..."

Hiruzen's eyes darkened. He had finally recognized the person behind the disguise. Orochimaru tore off the veil—along with the false skin—revealing his pale, snake-like face.

"Orochimaru..." Hiruzen's voice was heavy with anger, regret, and sorrow. He had once considered this man his most gifted student, yet here he was, a traitor standing before him. Meanwhile, chaos erupted across Konoha as the Sound and Sand forces rampaged through the village.

The mighty Hidden Leaf, once the strongest village, now resembled a helpless, battered woman, mercilessly violated by its so-called allies.

Puchi—

A kunai stabbed deep into flesh, the sickening sound of muscles tearing filling the air. Blood dripped from Orochimaru's kunai like a crimson stream. He withdrew the blade from his own palm, an eerie smile playing on his lips. No one knew what thoughts ran through his mind at that moment, but he chose not to end Hiruzen's life immediately.

"The Shishienjin (Four Purple Flame Formation) has been deployed. There's no turning back now, sensei. It's just the two of us... it's been a while since we've had a moment alone like this." Orochimaru licked his cracked lips and slowly walked toward Hiruzen, as if nothing had happened.

Outwardly, the Third Hokage remained composed, but inside, a chilling realization gripped him. He had been trapped within this barrier for some time now, yet aside from a few ANBU, no reinforcements had arrived. That fact alone spoke volumes.

Genjutsu?

Kabuto understood the situation well. His large-scale illusion techniques were effective, but any skilled jōnin could break free from them. Kakashi and Guy hadn't even fallen under its effects, yet they were still shouting, as if trying to convince themselves:

"We believe in the Third Hokage! Our priority is to protect the civilians!"

Thus, instead of aiding their leader, the two elite jōnin engaged in battle against the invading forces.

At that moment, Jiraiya leapt from a tree branch, landing on the battlefield. It was time to deal with the summoned snake.

Boom!

A massive toad crashed down from the sky, slamming onto the giant snake's head. The two colossal summons began a fierce struggle. Seeing Jiraiya join the fray, the Konoha shinobi rallied and fought alongside him.

Back inside the barrier, Orochimaru sneered as he tossed several kunai toward Hiruzen, testing him.

The Third Hokage, dressed in his ceremonial robes, carried no weapons. After all, who would have expected to be ambushed in their own village? But for a man renowned as the "Professor of Ninjutsu," that was hardly an issue.

He swiftly formed hand seals, manipulating the surrounding debris. Tiles and rubble rose into the air, spinning at high speeds—"Kawarake Shuriken" (Tile Shuriken).

Orochimaru ignored the projectiles, his mouth stretching unnaturally wide. His long, slick tongue shot forward like a chameleon's, but in mid-air, it transformed into a black snake, fangs bared as it lunged for Hiruzen's throat.

Poof!

The Third Hokage instantly crumbled into a mud figure—"Doton: Tsuchi Bunshin" (Earth Clone Technique). His real body emerged behind Orochimaru, his hands forming another sequence of seals.

"Doton: Yomi Numa" (Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld).

The ground beneath Orochimaru turned into a deep, murky bog, swallowing him whole. From the swamp, a towering "Doryūdan" (Earth Dragon Bullet) emerged, its gaping maw launching a barrage of hardened mud projectiles.

Hiruzen followed up with a burst of fire—"Katon: Endan" (Fire Release: Flame Bullet). The fire-infused mud bombs rained down on Orochimaru, engulfing him in flames. His agonized screams echoed within the barrier.

"Enough pretending. This isn't your trump card," Hiruzen stated coldly. He knew Orochimaru far too well.

As expected, Orochimaru chuckled, unfazed. "Then allow me to show you something more entertaining, Sarutobi-sensei."

He clapped his hands together, and two wooden coffins materialized at his feet.

Hiruzen's eyes widened in alarm as a third coffin began to rise.

Without hesitation, he formed rapid hand seals, using his chakra to disrupt the summoning before the third coffin could fully emerge. His face twisted with fury as he pointed at Orochimaru.

"Edo Tensei (Impure World Reincarnation)... So, it was you after all! The Hyūga Clan incident—it was connected to you! I suspected as much and allowed them to escape, hoping to lure you out. I never expected you to reveal yourself so soon."

Long before this moment, Sarutobi had ordered Tenzō to keep an eye on the Hyūga Clan after receiving reports of suspicious activity linked to Edo Tensei. His original plan had been to use the situation to both eliminate a faction within the clan and bait Orochimaru into revealing himself. Though the latter had happened, it wasn't in the way he had anticipated.

The two coffins creaked open. Hiruzen's breath caught in his throat as he beheld the resurrected figures of the Shodai Hokage and Nidaime Hokage.

Before they could regain consciousness, Orochimaru swiftly embedded control talismans into their heads.

"This vile jutsu... You've fallen so far, Orochimaru..." Hiruzen muttered bitterly. His chances of victory were slim—no, he would likely die here.

His gaze shifted. The Four Purple Flame Formation was nearly impossible to breach from the outside... But the barrier had four casters. If he could eliminate even one—

Orochimaru scoffed. "You blame me? This technique wasn't my creation—it was the Nidaime Hokage's! Are you insulting him?"

He smirked as he took a step back. "Besides, haven't ANBU and Root been researching Edo Tensei for years? They simply failed where I succeeded. Times have changed, sensei. The real power now lies in technology."

A small snake slithered away from his sleeve as he spoke.

Hiruzen had no time to argue. He disappeared in a flash, reappearing near one of the Oto-nin maintaining the barrier—a kunoichi wielding a flute. Without hesitation, he unleashed a barrage of attacks—flaming mud orbs, lightning-enhanced whirlwinds, and water dragon missiles.

Victory was within reach. He could break free—

CRACK!

A heavy impact shattered the roof tiles beneath him.

A masked figure in a black cloak appeared within the barrier, wielding a polished crowbar. His muscles swelled, covered in emerald-green scales.

Hiruzen barely had time to react before the figure swung the crowbar, disrupting his elemental attacks.

"Raiton: Senpū Kiba!" (Lightning Release: Whirlwind Fang)

The sheer force of the blow sent Hiruzen flying back to Orochimaru's side. He crashed to the ground, kneeling as he gasped for breath.

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