Note: If you want the continuity of this story consider to join Pãtreon/Flokixy to access advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update
Pay one time and unlock the full story and Future Chapters from the Shop
Two teleportation portals lit up in the arena, interrupting the standoff between the two sides.
One side consisted of Guy, Kakashi, and Genma Shiranui.
The other side was Baki and Kabuto Yakushi.
Kakashi and Guy instantly Shunshin'd¹ to block the front of the portals.
Kakashi knew that the moment Naruto appeared via teleportation was when he would be most vulnerable to attack; he had to guard against it.
Guy moved because Kakashi moved.
From the portals, a shadow clone pulled Sasuke out, while Naruto carried Gaara.
"Gaara!" Baki exclaimed in disbelief.
Kakashi's nose, even more sensitive than Kiba's, caught the scent of fish and seawater, and noticed the water stains on several of them. Combined with his understanding of Naruto's abilities, he had already roughly guessed where the fight took place.
This kid actually threw Shukaku of the Sand into the sea!
Naruto tossed Gaara to Kakashi, turned around, and re-entered a portal, reappearing on the spectator stands two seconds later.
Jumping onto a rooftop, he was going to see the Third.
Naruto actually could have just left Shukaku in the sea and ignored it, then opened a portal from outside the barrier into the barrier to save the Third.
But what after saving him? Be resented by the Third for a lifetime?
The Third wanted to die in battle.
The First Hokage was severely injured in his battle with Madara, then held on for a period before dying.
The Second Hokage died in battle while holding off enemies during a war.
The Fourth Hokage died in battle during the Nine-Tails' rampage.
As the Third, who had served as Hokage for the longest time, he didn't want to die an uneventful death of old age.
Moreover, Orochimaru was the deepest thorn in the Third's heart.
This student was what the Third considered the greatest mistake of his life.
When a student makes a mistake, it means the teacher taught incorrectly. The mistake should be borne by the teacher, not by classmates and friends.
That's why the Third had sent Jiraiya away.
Konoha couldn't enter a state of full evacuation just because of a battle that hadn't even happened yet.
So the Third dispatched the Anbu to various parts of Konoha, leaving only a few in the vast arena to relay messages was sufficient.
The Third believed that with Guy, Kakashi, Asuma, and others, plus himself, they could ensure the safety of the entire arena.
A ninja's worth is determined by his death.
The Third also wanted his death to be valuable, to use his death to awaken this somewhat decadent Konoha.
Therefore, Naruto could save anyone, even Kaguya if he wanted, but he absolutely could not save the Third. Saving him would be to negate his actions, not giving him the chance to correct his own mistakes, not allowing him to realize his self-affirmed value.
Mentioning Kaguya was merely an example.
Even if someone like the Third were saved, he would likely die in bed from regret and self-blame.
Jiraiya understood the Third. That's why, upon hearing of the Third's death, he leaned against the wooden post he was tied to as a child, smiling amidst his sorrow, reminiscing about the past.
Naruto also understood the Third. That's why Naruto went to tease Shukaku.
But old man, I may not interfere with your battle, but that doesn't mean I can't join the battlefield.
Looking at the Third and Orochimaru engaged in a soul tug-of-war, Naruto touched the Kusanagi Sword at his waist.
Uncle Snake, you gave me a sword with an entrance skill, so I'll return to you a shuriken with an exit skill.
Not reciprocating courtesy is unseemly; it's a traditional Chinese virtue. Don't be polite.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Four shadow clones surrounded Naruto.
He extended his hand, and a turquoise Rasengan appeared.
Turquoise represents calmness.
He had to be calm, or the technique would explode.
The clones began to pour chakra into it.
"Ooommm..."
The turquoise Rasengan developed white edges like a shuriken.
This technique was just that weird; no matter what color the Rasengan was, the shuriken shape that appeared was always white.
"What's that!?"
"Is the Rasengan being infused with a nature transformation?" Kakashi pondered.
The people in the standoff in the arena were attracted by the sound. Only Kabuto, while everyone was distracted, used a Substitution Jutsu to escape.
The Third, lacking strength, could only choose to use a blade to sever the souls of Orochimaru's hands, taking away all of Orochimaru's ninjutsu.
The Third looked at the continuously cursing Orochimaru, then at Naruto who was mouthing something to him, and smiled.
[Perhaps only this child is right.]
[Unfortunately, this child doesn't have the Will of Fire. Forget it, I'll leave it to Jiraiya. This old man also wants to be willful for once, hehe.]
The Third died with a smile, without any pain, because the painkiller's effect hadn't worn off yet.
If Naruto hadn't already fixed the Rasengan's color, it definitely would have changed now. [Old man, I understand you, but have you ever understood me?]
The Sound Four dispersed the barrier, supporting Orochimaru whose hands hung limply, warily eyeing the sphere in Naruto's hand.
"Go!" Orochimaru gritted out.
"Yes." The four no longer hesitated, carrying Orochimaru and leaping into the air.
I was just waiting for you to jump.
One of the shadow clones crouched in front of Naruto, grabbed his waist, and assumed a throwing posture.
Naruto's execution of this technique was even worse than the Crown Prince's first attempt; he was too young, and his training time was insufficient.
The Crown Prince could use it the first time he formed it. Naruto currently needed four shadow clones plus his main body to suppress it, and the stabilization time was only about two seconds; after two seconds, it would explode.
"Bang"
Naruto was thrown towards them: "Orochimaru, this is my return gift."
"Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!"
"Block him!" Orochimaru also sensed the terror of this technique; his current self absolutely could not be hit.
"Yes!"
Kidomaru and Jirobo began to defend.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Jirobo spat out mud from his mouth, which gathered into a wall.
"Spider Bind!" Kidomaru spat out a spider web.
Naruto detonated the Rasenshuriken and pulled on the steel wire in his hand.
The shadow clone hesitated for a moment before tightening the steel wire.
This was why Naruto was unwilling to fight alongside shadow clones. Coordinating with shadow clones was even worse than coordinating with Sasuke. What a mess!
Naruto, having landed, tore off the spider silk from his body and popped an ice cube into his mouth.
I'm not an idiot, why should I just watch you guys run and not give chase.
He ignored the two Naruto clones in the sky defending against the Rasenshuriken; they were doomed.
"Boom... Vrooom..."
The Rasenshuriken exploded, enveloping two of the Sound Four. Tiny wind blades began to cut.
The white vapor escaping Naruto's mouth was dispersed by the gale.
Pushing off the ground with one foot, Naruto began to accelerate.
In two seconds, he caught up with Sakon/Ukon and Tayuya, who were carrying Orochimaru.
"Stop him!"
Sakon/Ukon stayed behind, the curse mark on their body beginning to spread as they entered a splitting state.
"Get lost!" Naruto drew his Kusanagi sword and used the "Summer Hime Eight Slashes"¹¹ he learned from Yae Sakura.
With the speed boost, he directly bisected Sakon/Ukon, who hadn't even finished splitting.
Continue accelerating.
Kabuto Shunshin'd from the side to Orochimaru, supporting him and starting to run: "Tayuya, you stay behind!"
Tayuya gritted her teeth, took out her flute, placed it to her lips, and began to play: "Demonic Flute: Phantom Sound Chains!"
Demonic your ass! Naruto kicked Tayuya flying with a thump, sending her crashing through several houses.
My chakra flow rate is so fast right now even I can't stop it myself, and you still want to control me? Go grab an eye with Tsukuyomi first and then try again.
Continue chasing. Kabuto controlled two corpses to block Naruto, but they were still kicked away.
Seeing the skill's duration was about to end, Naruto took out a brick.
"Eat brick, Orochimaru!"
He threw a brick at Orochimaru.
"Thwack"
The brick smashed against the back of Orochimaru's head and shattered.
Naruto grinned. You stabbed my heart, I crack your skull. This exchange isn't a loss!
The fox spirit, without Naruto needing to say anything, was already helping Naruto block his chakra.
Naruto stood in place, taking out an apple and starting to munch on it due to the pain.
He was waiting for Kakashi, wanting to ask him if he was blind.
Can't even keep an eye on Kabuto. Is that a Mangekyo Presbyopia Eye you have?
But the one who arrived wasn't Kakashi, but another presbyopia patient, Sasuke.
He was also in the arena and hadn't kept an eye on Kabuto either.