OberonLA
patreon
Mastermind of the Akatsuki 376
🕑 Added 2025-04-16 16:00:10 +0000 UTCChapter 376: Edo Tensei
After two hours of rest, Gaara and Naruto stepped onto the arena.
Everyone in the audience was familiar with their names.
Naruto was a well-known figure in Konoha, beloved by the villagers. His performance in the previous matches had showcased overwhelming strength, making him a top contender for the championship.
Gaara was no different. His fight with Lee had demonstrated power far beyond that of an ordinary ninja.
Any ninja with a discerning eye knew that neither of them were mere Genin. This Chūnin Exam was, in truth, a battle between future Jōnin.
The average audience, however, didn’t care about ninja ranks.
They only cared about the spectacle, how dazzling the jutsu were, how thrilling the fights could be. They wanted hard-hitting action and flashy ninjutsu that made their tickets worth the price.
The moment they stepped onto the battlefield, Naruto and Gaara locked eyes, both preparing for combat.
Having already clashed in the streets of Konoha and the Forest of Death, they had a solid grasp of each other’s abilities. They knew that holding back even a little could lead to defeat.
With the referee’s signal, the battle began. Naruto took the initiative, forming a hand seal, Shadow Clone Jutsu! Dozens of clones filled the arena, swarming toward Gaara like a tidal wave.
Gaara tightened his gaze. He wasn’t skilled in sensory jutsu and couldn’t tell the real Naruto apart from the clones.
In that case, there was only one option: destroy everything at once.
Sand surged through the air, forming a violent sandstorm. In an instant, Naruto’s clones were swallowed and erased, vanishing in puffs of white smoke.
But just then, Gaara’s instincts screamed at him, danger!
Without hesitation, he activated his Sand Armor. A split second later, he felt a violent spiral of chakra above him, Rasengan!
A chakra sphere the size of a basketball came crashing down on his head. The Rasengan’s destructive power was immense, strong enough to shatter rock.
It tore through Gaara’s Sand Armor with ease, nearly striking his real body. If not for the flowing sand rushing in from other parts of his defense, he might have been seriously injured.
Using the impact force to retreat, Gaara fixed his gaze on Naruto. After witnessing the Rasengan’s power firsthand, he decided to stop attacking. Sand Release was strongest in defense and sealing, there was no need to take the offensive.
Naruto, too, held back for a moment, searching for an opening. His chakra reserves were still abundant, but Rasengan couldn’t be used recklessly. It was an A-rank technique, not difficult to learn, but difficult to master. For Jōnin-level ninja in Konoha, learning Rasengan wasn’t impossible. But aside from the Fourth Hokage, only Jiraiya actively used it.
The reason was simple: despite its raw power, Rasengan came with a price.
It consumed an enormous amount of chakra and placed immense strain on the user’s arm. Even with Naruto’s physical resilience, he couldn’t afford to spam it in quick succession.
As the battle entered a stalemate, the Konoha barrier team sighed in relief.
The sheer scale of the battle was beyond what they had expected. Just maintaining the barrier to keep it from breaking was already a challenge.
After several minutes of probing, the fight escalated. Both Gaara and Naruto abandoned their initial caution, unleashing their full strength in an attempt to end the match.
As the battle grew fiercer, they inadvertently let their guard down, beginning to draw upon the power of Shukaku and Kurama.
The moment traces of Tailed Beast chakra filled the air, the Third Hokage frowned. A bad feeling settled in his heart.
"Why… are they using their tailed beast powers in this battle?!"
Was this part of Orochimaru’s plan? Thankfully, he had made his own preparations.
Now, all that was left was to wait, until Orochimaru made his move.
---
Meanwhile…
Disguised among the spectators, Rasa and Orochimaru exchanged a glance.
A nod.
After half a month of preparation, it was time.
Konoha Crush, begins.
---
At the outskirts of the village, Oto-nin forces launched their assault.
Sound ninja struck down the Konoha sealing team maintaining the barrier.
Then,
BOOM!
Gigantic serpents, summoned from the Ryūchi Cave, crashed through Konoha’s outer walls, rampaging through the streets.
The deafening sound immediately drew the attention of Konoha’s forces.
In moments, an ANBU operative appeared before the Third Hokage.
“Hokage-sama! The village is under attack by unknown ninja! Judging by their headbands, they appear to be from Otogakure!”
The Third Hokage glanced at him calmly.
“Have Jiraiya and the Konoha Defense Forces already moved to intercept?”
“Yes! They are heading to the battlefield now.” The ANBU hesitated before asking, “Do you have any further orders, Hokage-sama?”
The Third Hokage shook his head.
“No. Stand by for now… I have my own plans.”
Dismissing the ANBU, he turned to Byakuya and Sasori.
With a slight bow, he apologized, “Forgive me, you two. Konoha is under attack. I likely won’t be able to continue hosting you. Once we drive them out, I will return to accompany you.”
Byakuya frowned and asked, “Hokage-dono, the attackers are from Otogakure? I remember that’s just a small village. How do they dare attack Konoha?”
The Third Hokage let out a bitter chuckle.
“From what we know, the one who founded Otogakure is none other than my wayward student, Orochimaru. This attack… is his way of seeking revenge against me.”
“I see…”
Byakuya nodded before saying, “Do you need my help? I don’t usually get involved with anyone besides the masked man, but Konoha and Amegakure have a close relationship… I could make an exception.”
The Third Hokage shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, Byakuya-dono, but there is no need. This is a matter between me and my former student so that Konoha will handle it.”
Compared to Byakuya’s casual attitude, Sasori was far colder. He fixed the Third Hokage with an impassive gaze and said icily, “Hokage-dono, you should be more careful. Orochimaru’s plan won’t be that simple. The attack on the village may just be a diversion, the real threat has yet to reveal itself.”
Just as Sasori finished speaking,
Orochimaru and Rasa moved. In a blur, they appeared behind Gaara and Naruto.
Rasa cast a genjutsu on Gaara, severing his control over his body and allowing Shukaku to take over once more.
Orochimaru, meanwhile, struck Naruto’s seal, disrupting it.
Moments later, Gaara’s body swelled grotesquely as Tailed Beast chakra engulfed him.
Partial Transformation, no, full Tailed Beast Transformation. In the blink of an eye, Gaara was no longer a boy, he was a colossal beast standing dozens of meters tall.
Panic erupted in the stadium. Countless spectators, realizing the imminent danger, began scrambling to escape.
And then, a flute played.
The eerie melody carried a genjutsu with it. One by one, the ordinary citizens collapsed into unconsciousness. The remaining ninja, witnessing the scene, paled.
They no longer cared about fighting Orochimaru, the priority now was evacuating the remaining audience members. As the chaos unfolded, Rasa and Orochimaru approached the Third Hokage.
While issuing orders for the evacuation, the Hokage cast a sharp glance at the approaching figures.
Orochimaru, he recognized instantly.
But the other man…
Orochimaru removed his kasa, revealing a youthful face with a smirk.
“Sensei, it’s been a long time. Do you like the gift I’ve prepared for you?”
“Orochimaru…!” The Third Hokage gritted his teeth. But then, as he took in his former student’s appearance, his expression shifted to shock. “Your face… What have you done? Did you use that forbidden technique?”
Orochimaru smiled and nodded.
“Second Hokage-sama’s technique truly is remarkable. I’ve freed myself from my former, frail body. I have achieved eternal life.”
His golden eyes gleamed with amusement. “What do you think, Sensei? Interested in working with me? You can shed that old, decaying body and start anew.”
The Third Hokage’s eyes turned steely. “I have no interest in such twisted jutsu. A ninja must accept the cycle of life, birth, aging, illness, and death. Seeking eternal youth at any cost is nothing but folly.”
He paused, then exhaled deeply. “My greatest regret… was not killing you when I had the chance.”
He leveled his gaze at Orochimaru, voice unwavering. “I will correct that mistake today.”
Orochimaru’s smirk twitched. “…Oh? So you still think you can kill me?”
His expression darkened, his grin turning sharp. “You’re old, Sensei. Do you really think you still have what it takes?”
Before the Hokage could respond, Orochimaru unsheathed the Kusanagi no Tsurugi.
With a flicker of motion, he thrust it toward the Third Hokage’s heart.
But the Hokage was already prepared.
Shedding his Hokage robes, he revealed his shinobi gear, he had anticipated this battle from the very beginning.
While the Third Hokage and Orochimaru clashed, Sasori turned to Rasa, his expression unreadable.
“So, you finally showed up,” he said flatly. “I knew you’d try something the moment I left the village. I expected you to attack Suna… but instead, you teamed up with Orochimaru to strike Konoha.”
Rasa stepped forward, his tone calm.
“I considered taking back the village directly, but if I didn’t deal with you first, even if I reclaimed the Kazekage position, my rule would never be stable.”
His eyes narrowed. “As long as you live, I can never truly be Kazekage.”
Sasori let out a soft scoff.
“…Then let’s see if you can kill me.”
With a flick of his wrist, a summoning scroll unfurled.
Puppet Technique: Red Secret Technique, Performance of a Hundred Puppets.
As the smoke cleared, dozens of puppets stood ready for battle.
Rasa sneered. “Hundred Puppet Performance? Hmph… Puppetry is useless against Magnet Release.”
His chakra surged. “I’ll show you what death feels like.”
In an instant, they vanished, choosing a battlefield of their own for their life-and-death duel. Though they were both technically Byakuya’s subordinates, this was no mere act. Both Rasa and Sasori genuinely intended to kill each other. Both sought to prove they were the stronger one.
---
Meanwhile, Byakuya stood in place, watching as battle erupted around him.
The Third Hokage and Orochimaru.
Rasa and Sasori.
…And yet no one paid him any attention.
Despite being the strongest ninja present, he was utterly ignored.
For a moment, he felt… out of place.
With a sigh, Byakuya shifted his gaze, his eyes landing on Shukaku. The moment their eyes met, Shukaku stiffened.
His fur bristled. Then, he panicked.
Grabbing Naruto, he hurled him toward the Forest of Death, before bounding after him.
He had zero interest in fighting Byakuya.
Right now, he just wanted to settle his score with Kurama. Not face that monster. Shukaku had never seen Byakuya fight, but instinct screamed at him, this man is dangerous. If they actually fought, he wouldn’t just lose. He would die.
As Shukaku fled, Byakuya stood there, watching. Left alone once more.
For the first time in a long while, he felt… awkward.
Byakuya glanced around before using the Body Flicker Technique to appear beside the Third Hokage.
“Hokage-dono, I’m here to assist.”
A moment ago, the Third Hokage had been putting up a strong front. But after several exchanges with Orochimaru, failing to gain the upper hand, he was forced to confront reality.
He was old. His stamina and chakra reserves were no longer at their peak, and his combat instincts had dulled after years of peace.
Though he could still suppress Orochimaru, he no longer had the strength to defeat him outright.
Seeing Byakuya appear, he immediately seized the opportunity.
“Byakuya, let’s take Orochimaru down together. Once this is over, Konoha will pay you handsomely.”
At Byakuya’s sudden arrival, even Orochimaru flinched for a brief moment.
Then, he sneered.
“Byakuya-dono, this is a personal matter between me and Konoha. Surely Amegakure has no reason to interfere?”
Byakuya looked at Orochimaru and said, “I don’t particularly care about your master-disciple feud. But… Hokage-dono did say he’d pay a lot.”
Orochimaru’s golden eyes narrowed.
“Byakuya, I can also pay you a lot. Have you considered joining my side? Konoha and Amegakure are on good terms now, but who’s to say it’ll last?”
His voice dropped to a whisper. “I’ve heard rumors that the Daimyō of the Land of Fire is dissatisfied with Amegakure… He may even be planning to act against you.”
The Third Hokage stiffened at that. His expression tensed as he glanced between Byakuya and Orochimaru, uneasy.
If Byakuya did switch sides, he would not be able to hold out for long.
Byakuya’s strength had become legendary in recent years. Some even whispered he was on the verge of becoming the strongest ninja in the world.
The Hokage had confidence in defeating Orochimaru, or, at worst, taking him down with him.
But if Byakuya joined the other side?
…There would be no fight.
It would be an execution. A long silence stretched between them.
Then, Byakuya slowly spoke.
“Orochimaru-dono, your offer is tempting.”
Orochimaru’s lips curled into a smile. “But I’ll have to decline.”
The smile froze.
Byakuya continued, his tone casual. “I’m not particularly interested in money. It doesn’t have much value to me.”
Of course, the real reason was much simpler. Orochimaru’s funding came partially from Akatsuki.
Which meant that, technically, he would be getting his own money used to bribe him. That was just too ridiculous. Even pretending to consider it would be absurd.
Orochimaru let out a long sigh.
“What a shame, Byakuya-dono…” His expression darkened. “In that case… I’ll have to send you and Sensei to the Pure Land together.”
Before his voice had even faded, he clapped his hands together,
And three coffins emerged from the ground behind him.
