In a valley in the Land of Rivers, Orochimaru smiled at the two standing before him. But though his lips curved, his pupils were filled with caution. From their brief clash earlier, he already knew just how terrifying their power was.
Nagato stood with his arms crossed, face full of disdain, while Zetsu spoke with regret.
"I thought you were a smart man.
After all, you were willing to betray Konoha for your own ambitions.
I wouldn't even hold your identity as Kazuyama's sensei against you, because I thought you'd see the bigger picture.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru, you chose the wrong path."
Black Zetsu's deep voice carried a hint of killing intent. Their plan was moving forward, and though there had been some obstacles, overall it was going smoothly. He had expected to find a suitable candidate here, but Orochimaru's refusal only irritated him.
Nagato was even less forgiving. To him, Orochimaru was no stranger—back when he was just a child, this man had been the one to suggest killing him, Yahiko, and Konan.
Such a butcher—Nagato had always wanted to cut him down. And to make it worse, he was the teacher of that bastard Kazuyama. That alone was enough reason to want him dead.
Orochimaru: Right, right. Either way, I deserve to die, don't I?
Nagato: No! It's because you're Kazuyama's teacher! A teacher like that has to be scum!
Orochimaru: …Not much damage, but a hell of an insult! That kid was already like that before he met me! What's that got to do with me?
"Hmph, are you two finished yet?"
"Orochimaru, die! All filthy snakes must die!"
Another voice suddenly rang out, making Kazuyama's eyes widen.
That voice… No way. He's here too?
Indeed, the familiar voice belonged to Sasori of the Red Sand.
Now, standing before Orochimaru were not only Nagato and Black Zetsu, but also Sasori.
For Orochimaru, the day had become truly remarkable. First he was cornered by Nagato and Black Zetsu. After a short fight, he was completely suppressed. Even summoning Manda had no effect.
What he didn't realize was that the moment Manda appeared, someone else had set their sights on him. Someone who despised snakes to the extreme—and hated Orochimaru even more. Without hesitation, they struck.
At first, Orochimaru tried to stall. But before he knew it, a horde of puppets surged forward, along with a storm of iron sand. He froze.
Iron Sand? That's the Third Kazekage's technique!
Immediately, he was forced into a clash with the puppets. Only when Sasori himself appeared did Orochimaru realize the truth—his opponent wasn't the Third Kazekage, but the puppet-wielding brat before him.
He had no idea why this boy hated him so deeply, but if the fight was already happening, he wasn't going to stand there and take the hits. What he didn't know was that the hatred came entirely because of his precious disciple.
Then, as if things weren't bad enough, Nagato and Black Zetsu reappeared mid-battle. With enemies pressing him from all sides, Orochimaru had no choice but to summon again.
But when Manda appeared, Orochimaru was momentarily stunned.
Wait… what the hell? Damn snake! Why didn't you lift me up in style? Why did you just show up beside me? Where's my grand entrance?
He was Orochimaru, after all. Without spectacle, wouldn't others look down on him? But soon, he understood why.
"Hehehe… I wondered who it was. Looks like today is full of old friends.
A pity for the Land of Rivers, though."
At that moment of tense standoff, Manda slowly opened his mouth—and Kazuyama stepped out.
He smiled down at the three below, his entire body radiating overwhelming fighting spirit.
The instant Orochimaru saw his disciple, he smiled as well. That little brat… No wonder Manda hadn't dragged him up. The Reverse Summoning had brought Kazuyama along.
So Manda had delivered his message after all. Good! Now he could take revenge!
With that thought, Orochimaru opened his mouth and spat out the Kusanagi Sword, taking it in hand as he prepared for battle.
When Nagato and Black Zetsu saw Kazuyama, their expressions shifted sharply. One grew angrier, the other more solemn.
"Kazuyama…"
"Good. Kill him!"
Without hesitation, Nagato unleashed Banshō Ten'in. Countless massive boulders came crashing down toward Manda's head.
Manda stared at the rocks larger than himself, his heart going cold.
"Why me? Is he trying to smash me to death?"
Kazuyama laughed and flickered out of Manda's mouth.
"Manda, go help my sensei. I've got an old acquaintance to catch up with!"
"Tagitsuhime! Come!"
Two radiant lights, one deep blue and one crimson, burst into being. Kazuyama had already been gathering Senjutsu chakra back in Ryūchi Cave, and now he unleashed it all.
Sage Mode! Titan Python!
Tagitsuhime! Red Snake!
Two massive serpents materialized on the battlefield, each dwarfing even Manda.
As Kazuyama clashed with Nagato, Sasori once again moved against Orochimaru.
"Iron Sand World!"
"All snakes must die! Orochimaru, I'll kill you, then I'll kill your disciple!"
"Die!"
Iron Sand rained down, forming countless sharp spikes aimed directly at Orochimaru.
Sasori manipulated the Third Kazekage with one hand while sending out puppet strings with the other. Behind him, a scroll unfurled, releasing an endless tide of puppets onto the field.
"Oh? It's been years. You've grown, haven't you? No longer the cowardly brat who quaked on the battlefield."
"Hehehe… Wind Release! Great Breakthrough!"
Orochimaru mocked him, then spat out a fierce gale that blasted away the Iron Sand.
The Kusanagi Sword extended in an instant, lashing toward Sasori's head.
"Orochimaru! I'll kill you!"
If Sasori had been furious before, he was now completely unhinged.
With a tearing sound, his cloak ripped apart, and Orochimaru's snake-like pupils narrowed.
"You turned yourself into a puppet body…"
"Boy, you've made me look at you differently!"
Sasori's upper body was exposed, revealing his puppet core. Countless hidden mechanisms whirred to life as he transformed into a war machine, his firepower fully unleashed.
"This is eternal art!"
"Orochimaru! Come! Let me kill you and offer you as the perfect sacrifice for my art!"
Orochimaru's expression turned grim.
"These kids today… unbelievable. Each one more monstrous than the last."