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"Over there!"
Jiraiya's Sage Mode was no joke—he quickly pinpointed Orochimaru's location.
"Don't think about running!"
Just as Jiraiya prepared to give chase, the previously silent Third Kazekage suddenly sprang into action.
No matter the state, a ninja's body was inherently fragile. Jiraiya had no choice but to evade the Third Kazekage's Sandfall Attack.
The Third Kazekage, renowned as the strongest Kazekage, quickly recognized Jiraiya—a prodigy who had risen to prominence during the Second Shinobi World War. Back then, Jiraiya was just a struggling ninja barely able to survive under the legendary Hanzo of the Salamander.
"Hey, brat, I'm being controlled by that bastard Orochimaru. If you want to live, scram! The curse he placed on me is meant to stop you from chasing him."
The Third Kazekage, proud as ever, wasn't one to beg for mercy. But alas, times had changed.
Jiraiya was now among the T0-tier powerhouses of the ninja world.
Though Jiraiya longed for peace in the ninja world, it was peace centered around Konoha. He didn't care much for shinobi from other villages.
He paid no heed to the Third Kazekage's words—after all, this was just a dead man walking.
However, due to the Edo Tensei technique, Jiraiya knew his current opponent was indeed troublesome.
But as the saying goes, "A wise elder is a treasure."
"Deep Elder Sage, can sealing techniques work on an enemy that can't be killed?"
The green-skinned, elderly toad sage, Fukasaku, who had been silent until now, carefully observed the situation.
"Yes, this resurrected individual's composition is sustained by numerous jutsu formulas. Applying a sealing technique will restrict his movements."
"I see."
Receiving confirmation, Jiraiya nodded seriously and charged forward.
"Foolish brat seeking death."
Annoyance flashed in the Third Kazekage's eyes. However, since he was being controlled by Orochimaru, his mood was already foul, so he refrained from using lethal force, continuing to attack Jiraiya with Magnet Release: Iron Sand Rain Shower.
But Jiraiya was prepared. With a swift turn, he unleashed Sage Art: Needle Guardian.
This technique used Yang Release to rapidly grow hair, enveloping himself in a dense, thorny armor that both protected and countered attacks. Its versatility and strength were unparalleled.
Though the Third Kazekage's technique was fearsome enough to pierce through a ninja's flesh, the Sage-enhanced Needle Guardian far surpassed its previous strength, allowing Jiraiya to close the distance instantly.
"What?!"
The Third Kazekage was momentarily stunned but quickly instinctively activated his versatile Magnet Release to counter Jiraiya.
With no time to waste, Jiraiya disregarded potential injuries and, upon reaching the Third Kazekage, immediately executed his sealing techniques.
"Sealing Technique: Four Symbols Seal!!!
Sealing Technique: Five Elements Seal!!!"
Though they appeared unassuming, these two seals could incapacitate even a tailed beast.
The ferocious Magnet Release abruptly froze, like a depleted battery, before dissipating entirely.
"Damn it… I was subdued so easily…"
Jiraiya ignored the defeated Third Kazekage's lamentations and called out loudly to Uchiha Itachi nearby.
"Uchiha Itachi, keep an eye on the Third Kazekage's Edo Tensei. I'm going after Orochimaru."
"I understand," Itachi acknowledged the order.
Having witnessed the grand battle moments ago, Itachi didn't believe he could take down a monster like Orochimaru.
After all, the Mangekyō Sharingan couldn't be used indefinitely.
However, considering Sasori, who had acted alongside Orochimaru, Itachi found him disappointingly weak.
(Sasori: Is it my fault?! You're the one who doesn't fight fair!!! Ambushing me like that, you little punk #$@&)
With Sasori captured, they already had a wealth of intelligence to extract. This wasn't considered negligence, especially since the jinchūriki hadn't been in their possession—it was simply faulty intel.
As Jiraiya departed, the battlefield fell silent.
Though immobilized, the Third Kazekage could still slightly move his head. He gazed at Uchiha Itachi's familiar attire and clan crest.
"Uchiha, huh? Being summoned through Edo Tensei has brought me face-to-face with some truly detestable individuals."
Unmoved by the Third Kazekage's words, Itachi regarded him as nothing more than a dead man.
At this moment, Rasa and Chiyo approached, their expressions complex as they looked at the incapacitated Third Kazekage lying on the ground.
Itachi stepped forward, raising his blade impassively. "Both of you, please restrain yourselves."
His concise words caused the two former powerhouses of the ninja world to pause at a distance.
Though the merger between Konoha and Suna was underway, years of animosity remained tangible. In this sensitive period, the former Sand leadership couldn't afford any reckless actions.
Though 99% of his abilities were sealed, and he had even lost basic chakra perception, the Third Kazekage could still tilt his neck slightly.
Looking at the two familiar figures before him, the Third Kazekage was momentarily stunned.
"Rasa? Chiyo?"
But Itachi's earlier demeanor revealed a significant issue to the Third Kazekage.
One knows one's own affairs best. Compared to Konoha's abundance of talent, Suna's pool was pitifully shallow. If a new generation were to choose a Kazekage, only two candidates in Suna were capable of succeeding him. One was Rasa, his disciple whose abilities were similar to his own. The other was Yagura, a rare bloodline user with Scorch Release.
If considering the older generation, aside from Chiyo, there were no other viable candidates.
Seeing that Chiyo wasn't wearing the Kazekage's ceremonial robes, it was clear that the Fourth Kazekage must be one of these two younger individuals.
"Rasa, are you the Fourth Kazekage?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Rasa hesitantly nodded, shame evident on his face.
Glancing at the humbled Rasa, the Third Kazekage pieced together the full picture of Suna's decline.
Again, one knows one's own affairs best. Suna had many issues—not just poverty. Even during his lifetime, there were numerous problems. Though his disciple Rasa possessed abilities similar to his own, he was ultimately not the same caliber as the strongest Kazekage.
Another defeat? That was the Third Kazekage's thought at this moment.
But so be it. Given Suna's poverty and Konoha's usual attitude, compensation was out of the question—they were so poor they practically ate sand.
Amidst his swirling thoughts, the Third Kazekage sighed deeply and softly asked,
"How is the village?"
Seeing Rasa nod, the Third Kazekage smiled with relief.
Suddenly, a flash of light illuminated the area. The Third Kazekage's Edo Tensei body began to dissolve, revealing the soul within.
Watching the Edo Tensei fade once again as he let go of his attachments, the Third Kazekage wore a serene smile and gave his final words.
"Rasa, don't blame yourself. You've done well."
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