The three Orochimaru clones were startled and quickly dodged back.
Boom!
A massive crater formed where they had just stood, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading across the ground.
"Tsunade, you're still as hot-tempered as ever..." Orochimaru's deep voice echoed through the ruins.
He hadn't expected her to attack without warning.
"Lord Orochimaru, I warned you this might happen," Kabuto sighed. "Negotiating with her was always a long shot."
Tsunade swiftly shrugged off her jacket, her eyes burning with fury.
"Wait, Tsunade," Orochimaru rasped, his golden eyes narrowing. "Don't you want to see Nawaki again?"
Tsunade froze in place, her expression shifting.
"Yes... you long to see them again, don't you? As long as my hands are healed, I can grant your wish."
Orochimaru's voice dripped with temptation, attempting to reel her in.
Tsunade took a shaky breath. "It's true—I miss them more than anything. But their memories are carved into my heart."
She suddenly lifted her head, her gaze sharp and unwavering. "And right now, what I want more… is to kill you!"
"Damn it." Orochimaru scowled. "The negotiations have failed!"
Tsunade surged forward with terrifying speed, her fist smashing down.
Boom!
The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, toppling nearby buildings.
"What monstrous strength... One direct hit, and I'd be dead!" Kabuto muttered, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
Still, he couldn't hide a glint of excitement in his eyes. "But to clash with one of the Legendary Sannin... it's an honor."
He took a step forward, summoning a Chakra Scalpel in each hand. "Lord Orochimaru, allow me to go first!"
Orochimaru smirked. "Still eager to prove yourself, Kabuto? Fine—do as you please."
Kabuto's lips curled into a grin as he dashed toward Tsunade.
---
The rustling of leaves grew louder in the dense forest.
Suddenly, a figure flickered into view.
Sasuke stood shirtless, his muscles thick and bulging with unnatural power. His arms, resembling steel cables, flexed as he clenched his fists.
He strode toward a massive boulder, effortlessly plunging his fingers into its surface. With a simple lift, he hoisted the massive rock over his head.
Boom!
With a casual toss, the boulder crashed through dozens of trees, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
As the dust settled, Sasuke exhaled. His once-enlarged muscles slowly shrank, returning his body to its normal, lean form.
"Hah… The Celestial Forge Style truly is a force to be reckoned with," he murmured.
His mastery of the Celestial Points had reshaped his strength—his raw power now surpassed even Tsunade and the Raikage, making him one of the strongest shinobi alive.
Suddenly, he narrowed his eyes.
Four figures were rapidly approaching.
"The Sound Four… So Orochimaru finally sent them after me?"
A smirk crept onto Sasuke's face.
---
Kidomaru sneered as he stepped forward. "Sasuke-sama, you're coming with us."
Sakon crossed his arms. "Lord Orochimaru wants to see you. Don't make this difficult."
Sasuke tilted his head. "Oh, I'm coming to see him… But before that, I need to deal with you."
The Sound Four exchanged glances and smirked.
"Jirōbō, go have some fun," Sakon ordered.
The massive Jirōbō stomped forward, grinning. "With pleasure."
As he lunged, Sasuke simply flicked his wrist.
Boom!
Jirōbō was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground and coughing up blood.
"You fat pig, you're useless!" Tayuya scoffed.
Blood trickled from Jirōbō's lips as the Curse Mark spread across his skin. His hair grew longer, his body darkening as he activated Curse Mark Level 2.
"Earth Style: Earth Prison Dome!"
A massive stone barrier shot up from the ground, sealing Sasuke inside.
Jirōbō grinned, licking his lips. "Now, I'll drain his chakra until he's helpless."
From inside the dome, Sasuke sighed.
"This pathetic trick?"
Boom!
With a single punch, the stone prison shattered into rubble.
"What?!" The Sound Four's eyes widened in shock.
Before they could react, Sasuke vanished and reappeared in front of Jirōbō.
His hand clamped around the giant's throat.
Jirōbō struggled, but Sasuke's grip was like an iron vise.
Suddenly, his body withered as Sasuke absorbed his Earth Style Chakra.
Jirōbō's limbs fell limp. Sasuke tossed his lifeless body aside.
"Pathetic. Too weak."
The remaining three panicked.
"We're in trouble!" Tayuya gritted her teeth.
"Four Purple Flame Barrier!" The Sound Four instantly surrounded Sasuke, erecting a blazing purple barrier.
But in an instant, Sasuke vanished—Body Replacement Technique!
He reappeared before Kidomaru.
Boom!
A single light punch shattered Kidomaru's defenses, rupturing his organs.
He collapsed, lifeless.
"The second one," Sasuke muttered.
Sakon panicked and slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Summoning: Rashomon!"
A towering demonic gate erupted from the earth, shielding him.
But Sasuke's Chidori Light Blade sliced through both Rashomon and Sakon in a single stroke.
Blood sprayed as Sakon collapsed in two.
Tayuya played her flute, attempting to trap Sasuke in an illusion.
But his Sharingan flared.
"You call this genjutsu?"
Tayuya's vision went white—then black. She fell unconscious.
Sasuke turned, ready to finish her—
But his eyes sharpened.
Without hesitation, he activated Flying Thunder God and vanished.
---
Tsunade continued her relentless assault on Kabuto, her strikes shattering the terrain.
Kabuto dodged skillfully, occasionally countering with Chakra Scalpel.
"Damn it!" Tsunade growled. "This slippery bastard keeps avoiding a head-on fight!"
Shizune suddenly sprang into action.
Whoosh!
A volley of poisoned needles shot toward Orochimaru—
But Kimimaro stepped in, his bone blade deflecting every needle.
"Tch, I almost forgot Tsunade had a pet dog," Orochimaru sneered. "Kimimaro, dispose of her."
Kimimaro shed his cloak, drawing a bone sword.
Shizune tensed, preparing for battle.
Meanwhile, Tsunade landed a powerful blow, sending Kabuto crashing into the dirt.
He gasped, quickly swallowing a Soldier Pill to restore his energy.
"You damn—!" Tsunade lunged.
"Now!" Orochimaru hissed.
A gleaming Kusanagi Blade shot from his mouth, aiming for Tsunade's back.
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune screamed.
Just as the blade was about to pierce her—
Boom!
Orochimaru was sent flying.
Tumbling across the battlefield, he quickly steadied himself, his golden eyes narrowing.
Sasuke stood between him and Tsunade, his foot still raised from the kick.
"...Sasuke?"
Orochimaru's expression darkened.
The prodigy had arrived.
And he wasn't the same as before.