Chapter 27: The Shocking Tathagata Divine Palm! Is That the Holy Master!?
“I never thought I’d have to show you this side of me!”
In his complete One-Tail form, Gaara locked eyes with Hinata, speaking slowly.
“I never imagined… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUzdSdPLslX
I’d be beaten so badly I couldn’t even fight back! 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rO2IZNjXx
Die!!”
With a furious roar, he whipped his massive tail.
BOOM!
The entire arena was instantly demolished!
The deafening explosion threw every faction present into complete chaos.
The Leaf side was beyond busy— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFRSSNdqCsc
fending off invaders, defending against the One-Tail’s rampage, rescuing ordinary people caught in the genjutsu, sending teams to suppress the tailed beast, and keeping reinforcements ready for the Hokage at all times.
The invaders were only slightly better off. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcui0wvzAC
They only had to deal with the Leaf shinobi… and the One-Tail.
Looking at the pandemonium outside, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLrk1W4NB2
both Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned at the same time.
“What a mess.”
Orochimaru’s expression was extremely displeased.
The Sound Four’s barrier was powerful, yes— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡziYFx1yOtC
but it wouldn’t hold up against a direct tailed beast attack. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHt9so7znJ8
If the One-Tail went berserk and targeted this place, he wouldn’t be able to keep Hiruzen trapped.
Hiruzen, meanwhile, was also deeply unhappy.
This Chūnin Exam was being hosted by Konoha. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vV6Z5f6yt
For something like this to happen… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNXWP0Zvsn0
Who knew how many spectators would end up dead or injured? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJAbDIjZkFy
Most of those audience members were ordinary civilians!
If even a daimyo died here… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2ukZ30ii4
the consequences were unthinkable.
So neither Orochimaru nor Hiruzen felt like wasting words anymore.
“Hahaha…”
Orochimaru suddenly started laughing. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTVjIRXzck
At the same time, tears welled up in his eyes for some reason.
“Are you so happy you’re crying?”
Hiruzen gave a cold smirk.
“Or is it… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUD1sq6D94
killing your old teacher actually makes you feel a little sad after all?”
“No…”
Orochimaru stabbed the kunai that had been pressed against Hiruzen’s throat deep into his own palm.
“Ah~”
He yawned casually, as if nothing happened.
“I’ve been so sleepy since earlier… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknnNGUzUF8
Finally feeling awake now.”
“I knew it would be like this…”
Hiruzen snorted coldly.
Orochimaru didn’t reply. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyNzNHknqk
Instead he released Hiruzen, slowly walked a few steps away, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrjP8i4HPmN
then turned back to face him.
They stared at each other for a moment.
Then Orochimaru spoke.
“To fight you again like this… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVNMX6ehGP
Sensei~”
Hiruzen didn’t bother with more talk. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm9OHzsb40k
With the One-Tail wreaking havoc below, he had no time for nonsense.
He formed hand seals and attacked.
“Ninjutsu: Tile Shuriken!”
With a flick, countless roof tiles transformed into deadly projectiles, raining toward Orochimaru.
But Orochimaru dodged them easily.
“Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!”
Orochimaru extended his tongue— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKlKNSiwXJI
which instantly turned into a giant python lunging for Hiruzen’s throat.
It did bite him… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQwpAZQnpH
but only a substitution log.
Orochimaru froze for a split second.
And in that instant of hesitation— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuz0G4b4MM
Hiruzen’s counterattack arrived!
“Earth Release: Earth Flow River!”
The bricks beneath Orochimaru’s feet turned into a raging mud torrent, sweeping him downward.
“That’s all you’ve got, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY2ignWOwOB
Sarutobi-sensei?”
Orochimaru laughed as he formed seals again.
But before he could complete the technique, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNiPmdlto5
Hiruzen’s next attack was already there.
“Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!”
A massive dragon head burst from the rubble, firing a barrage of earth bullets at Orochimaru.
“Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!”
At the same time, Hiruzen exhaled a roaring flame dragon from his mouth.
Fire and earth combined in a devastating assault.
A miserable scream echoed— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAD16DxzDXn
then Orochimaru vanished.
“Stop with the boring theatrics.”
Hiruzen glanced outside, growing even more anxious.
Once he felt he’d tested enough, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAwLwjLwKK8
he stopped holding back.
“Impressive as always~”
Orochimaru emerged from the pile of tiles.
“But you’ve underestimated me, haven’t you? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalBzk4jXAf
Did you really think techniques of that level could kill me?”
“You haven’t changed at all. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNgqMeC5m1j
Still as unpleasant as ever.”
Orochimaru smiled at that. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPrsxcOT51
Then he looked down at the chaos below and felt a surge of irritation.
“Let’s stop playing around, shall we? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDo0GiR4uK
This isn’t some ninja academy ninjutsu class.”
“You’re right.”
Hiruzen gave a small smile, then casually tore off his Hokage hat and robe.
Underneath was a full set of Hokage battle attire.
Orochimaru did the same, discarding the Kazekage robe to reveal his usual outfit.
This time, neither wasted any more words.
They charged straight into battle.
Hiruzen threw several shuriken, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjMTKMuN7Dz
then flashed through hand seals.
“Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!”
The shuriken multiplied into a storm of blades flying toward Orochimaru.
At the same moment, Orochimaru finished his own seals.
“Summoning Technique: Impure World Reincarnation!”
Three coffins burst up from the rubble, blocking the shuriken barrage.
But the third coffin was barely visible before Hiruzen slammed it back down.
Bang…
As the lid fell, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGQBO8woc4
two extremely familiar figures stepped out.
“Now… how will you handle this, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqLBBxglIl
Sarutobi-sensei? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJcKb3IY5C3
No… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9SLix1pjPk
Lord Third Hokage~”
Hiruzen’s body stiffened involuntarily as he looked at them.
“It’s been a long time, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhIAkZiNwG
Sarutobi.”
“You’ve gotten old too, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKfnH45cpI
Hiruzen~”
“I never thought I’d meet the two of you brothers again under circumstances like this. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIx30jXcuFi
I’m… truly sorry.”
Hiruzen took a deep breath. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4gBJNbKGG8
“Get ready. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmPdfh2KAGT
Lord First Hokage! 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡylteTuSe1O
Lord Second Hokage!”
……
“It’s started, huh?”
Byakuya casually dispatched another invader while keeping an eye on Hiruzen’s situation.
When he saw Orochimaru use Impure World Reincarnation and Hiruzen starting to struggle more and more, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhl2pSpmXoV
his brows furrowed.
“Looks like the old man really doesn’t have any more cards left. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRMasCLsP7
I have to step in now. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MSZfy8y94
Otherwise, once he uses the Reaper Death Seal, it’ll be too late.”
With that thought, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZvt9SIf220
Byakuya stopped hesitating.
He directly activated a “Tathagata Divine Palm” item from his system inventory.
……
At the same time—
Hiruzen was gripping the transformed Adamantine Staff from Enma, panting heavily as he faced the two legendary Hokage.
“This won’t do… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0SgBxpDZW
This won’t do at all… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UFWw331IB
No matter how much damage I deal, they just regenerate immediately. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtk8onJ66gW
There’s no way to win like this…”
Hiruzen felt utter despair.
No matter how gravely he injured the First and Second Hokage, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTfqm3lo3BY
they recovered in moments. 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ11V4SdDZ
Their chakra seemed limitless.
His own… was running out fast.
Feeling the little chakra he had left, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WeQSylooZ
he finally made his decision.
“If it’s come to this… then I’ll have to use that technique…”
Just as Hiruzen steeled himself—
He suddenly sensed something and jerked his head upward.
High in the sky… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtVKGS52Fa
a colossal golden palm had appeared.
It was descending slowly, unhurried, straight toward them!
And with its approach came an overwhelming, bone-chilling pressure— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPCwyz5qw7S
growing stronger with every inch it drew closer.
“What… is that!?”
Hiruzen was completely stunned.
Orochimaru saw it too.
And the shock and panic in his heart were even greater than Hiruzen’s.
Because… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVL98UQxfN
he felt that massive palm was coming straight for him!
And no matter how he tried to dodge— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8BbOoiNk13
he had the terrifying feeling he wouldn’t be able to escape it!
“What kind of ninjutsu is this!? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lMMWpWKe7
It’s so terrifying… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxHhdyyOnO
It’s giving me the strongest sensation of death I’ve ever felt!”
Orochimaru’s pupils shrank to pinpoints.
In all his life, 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNT0T76u2D2
this was the most powerful ninjutsu he had ever witnessed!
“Who… is doing this!? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTI1W2gkIN
Whose technique is this!? 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0baxmZMxck
Could it be…”
Suddenly, Orochimaru remembered the red-haired woman he’d encountered not long ago.
And the intelligence he’d gathered from Konoha— 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡefjl24oUiO
that woman belonged to some organization… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uo58JzO9J
whose leader called himself the Holy Master.
“Could it be… 6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJy1j8qIWP9
the Holy Master has finally made his move!?”
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