Chapter 281: Dead End
Accompanied by deafening explosions and scattering chakra fragments shooting everywhere, that pitch-black sphere containing ultimate destructive aura let all witnesses instantly recognize this technique.
The already tottering Four Violet Flames Formation completely disintegrated before this overwhelming power, transforming into drifting purple light points that dissipated into nothingness.
The cold smile on Orochimaru's face completely froze, a bead of cold sweat uncontrollably sliding from his temple. Though he seemed to have glimpsed an earth-shattering secret, right now he couldn't feel any joy whatsoever.
Because this meant his painstakingly planned core objective of seizing the Nine-Tails jinchuriki had already completely failed.
Could it be... he really had to temporarily abandon Naruto Uzumaki and activate that final backup plan? An unwilling thought rapidly circled in his mind.
Under everyone's shocked gazes, Menma's figure slowly descended from midair, landing on the shattered rooftop. The mask on his face blocked all emotion, but those eyes gazing through the holes and the bone-chillingly cold killing intent radiating around him like substance locked precisely onto Orochimaru.
That killing intent was so intense—everyone clearly felt his undisguised, towering rage toward Orochimaru.
"..."
On the other side, though the Third Hokage temporarily relaxed from not needing to perform the Reaper Death Seal, the heavy feeling in his heart only increased.
Impossible... this is absolutely impossible... he repeatedly warned himself internally. Minato already died, sacrificed to seal and protect Konoha... I even personally arranged their funeral, watched them being buried with my own eyes...
However, once doubt arose about a certain "established fact" deep inside, all kinds of previously ignored details would uncontrollably emerge, magnify, impacting rationality's dam like a rolling snowball.
The Third Hokage's gaze locked firmly on Menma's back. Though the hair color was different... this build... and the killing intent radiating now... really was too similar to that "Yellow Flash" on the battlefield who made enemies flee in terror...
Spiraling Strife Sphere... that technique, judging from its energy form, was clearly an advanced version of Rasengan with extremely high similarity.
And the Flying Thunder God Technique... that level of space-time forbidden jutsu absolutely wasn't secret lore that could be easily obtained from black markets through money or resources. That was Minato's unique signature!
Moreover... a powerhouse with strength surpassing Kage level like "Menma" seemed to appear from thin air with no prior signs.
With the power he displayed, if he'd existed long ago, it would be impossible to remain completely unknown throughout the ninja world...
A speculation he both longed to verify yet was terrified to verify wrapped around the Third Hokage's heart like vines.
Menma had no idea about the Third Hokage's complex surging emotions behind him. For him, Orochimaru's invasion of Konoha this time was already blatantly making an enemy of his identity's overt purpose.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The controlled Impure World First Hokage moved first, forming seals with both hands as tremendous chakra poured into the ground beneath. Instantly, countless thick tree trunks burst through the rooftop bricks, crazily winding toward Menma!
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Almost simultaneously, the Impure World Second Hokage also completed his seals. Violent water flow manifested from nothing, transforming into a massive wave that with the surging Wood Style from left and right formed a pincer attack sweeping toward Menma!
BOOM—!!!
However, centered on Menma, including the Third Hokage not far behind him, they were enveloped by an invisible barrier. Whether violent water flow or resilient Wood Style, the instant they struck this barrier, they seemed to hit an invisible meat grinder—water spray was forcibly pushed away while Wood Style branches were ground inch by inch by incomparably sharp force, turning to powder!
This power seemingly manipulating space was actually just Menma constructing rapidly rotating Wind Style chakra into an all-angle defensive barrier.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Just then, Orochimaru's cold voice came from the side. He'd merged into the Second's Water Style aftershock, using water momentum as cover to suddenly strike. His arm mutated into several hideous venomous snakes lunging for Menma's neck!
SQUELCH—!
However, the instant the snake heads touched that invisible wind wall, they exploded on the spot, transforming into a blood mist! This Wind Style barrier wasn't merely for defense—the wind blades flowing on its surface were themselves deadly weapons!
Menma didn't even turn his head, merely casually raising a hand. A wind blade shot out, instantly slashing Orochimaru's figure into two halves!
But the severed body transformed into scattering water flow—just a water clone used for probing and interference.
Menma didn't care about this. Because under the surging Water Style wave cover, two barely noticeable purple marks had already quietly illuminated beneath the First and Second Hokage's feet.
Around Menma, the phantoms of the Southern and Northern Sage Immortals had unknowingly appeared. Two Nine Masked Beasts proficient in sealing had completed jutsu placement while taking advantage of chaos.
Purple sealing formation light suddenly blazed! Powerful binding force instantly wound around the First and Second Hokage's Impure World bodies, firmly fixing them in place, unable to move even a fraction.
Having lost continuous chakra output, the surging Wood Style and flooding waves rapidly receded and disintegrated.
Menma stepped forward, just like handling other Impure World bodies before, forming seals with both hands, preparing to temporarily seal these two previous Hokage.
Pitch-black sealing runes spread again, crawling over both Impure World bodies. Finally, those talismans deeply planted in their necks used to control consciousness completely separated under sealing power's impact.
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju's eyes instantly regained clarity and spirit.
Hashirama stared blankly at this mysterious person wearing a fox mask with deep aura before him. This was completely different from his expectation of the Third Hokage stopping him.
"...Though I don't know who you are," Hashirama showed a somewhat apologetic yet hearty smile. "But we've caused you trouble. Thank you."
This thanks included both gratitude for this person acting to protect Konoha and appreciation for helping him escape the humiliation of being controlled and find rest.
"Very powerful sealing technique mastery," Tobirama Senju analyzed keenly. "Could you be a descendant of the Uzumaki Clan?"
"So you're Mito's clansman," Hashirama's smile became even warmer upon hearing this. "Hehe... looks like Konoha's future is in your hands too."
"Elder Brother!" Tobirama couldn't help frowning and shouting. "We haven't completely confirmed this person's specific identity and intentions! Don't draw conclusions lightly!"
"Hahaha! Don't get so worked up, Tobirama!" Hashirama laughed loudly. "Someone who acts to protect Konoha at this time absolutely won't be peace's enemy! I trust my intuition!"
"...Sigh." Tobirama helplessly sighed, no longer arguing with his elder brother. Instead he turned his gaze to the Third Hokage with complex expression nearby, saying seriously, "Monkey! Next time we meet, I hope the interval isn't too short! And don't die meaninglessly!"