On the platform, in the VIP box.
Beneath the shadow of his conical hat, the disguised Orochimaru felt a jolt of shock, his eyes widening the instant Konoha ninjas sprang into action across the arena!
"Wha…?!"
For the first time, a tremor crossed the pale face hidden beneath the Kazekage attire.
His gaze swept over the upheaval engulfing the entire stadium—
Swift figures bursting from the once-panicked civilians, sleepy-looking noble attendants whipping out kunai, even the chunin supposedly keeping order turning their blades in unison, pouncing on the Suna and Oto spies scattered through the stands!
Roars and orders exploded from every direction—precise, swift, perfectly coordinated!
This was no hasty reaction.
It was a pre-meditated counterstrike!
A trap set long in advance, waiting for them to walk right into it!
"It seems…"
A short gasp escaped Orochimaru's throat. "The plan… is exposed?!"
Instantly his mind raced.
But how?!
How could Konoha have known in advance?!
Only his core subordinates and a handful of Suna higher-ups knew the details of the "Konoha Crush Plan"! Many Suna ninja themselves had received their specific orders only moments before moving!
Had Suna sprung a leak?
Or… had a traitor appeared at his own side?
No—now wasn't the time for such thoughts!
All this flashed through his mind in a heartbeat; Orochimaru jerked his head, gaze snapping to his side—
Almost the instant he turned,
Hiruzen Sarutobi also turned his face.
Two gazes crashed together mid-air!
The air seemed to freeze for a second.
"Lord Kazekage… no…"
Looking at the unnaturally stiff face of the "Fourth Kazekage" beside him, Hiruzen ground out each word:
"…perhaps I should rather call you—"
"—Orochimaru?!"
The moment those words fell!
Orochimaru's eyes widened to their utmost limit!
Even the shadow of his hat could not fully hide the shock that flashed across his face!
A thought so absurd struck him that it sent an icy chill racing up Orochimaru's spine.
'How is this possible?! The plan's exposure is one thing…'
'How could they possibly know I personally replaced the Kazekage?!'
This was no simple intelligence leak!
It meant Konoha knew not only the broad outline of the "Konoha Crush Plan," but possibly even the secret details of his meeting with Rasa and the substitution!
'Who?!'
'Who could see through it to this extent?!'
'Could it be… Kabuto…?!'
'No, impossible! Kabuto's loyalty is beyond question!'
'Then… what?!'
Countless thoughts detonated like thunder in his mind, yet only an instant had passed on the surface.
In the end, the shock on Orochimaru's face receded, replaced by… excitement.
"Heh…"
A low laugh spilled from his throat.
"Heh-heh-heh…"
The laughter grew louder, wilder.
Slowly he raised a hand and grasped the Kazekage's conical hat.
"To think you saw through even this, old man…"
Orochimaru's voice reverted to its true tone, dropping the act entirely.
His fingers tightened slightly.
"Looks like… this boring charade truly needs to end."
The harsh sound of tearing cloth rang through the VIP box!
He flung the hat aside; it spiralled through the air and tumbled off the platform.
Long black hair spilled free, his pale face fully bared to the sunlight, golden serpentine eyes glinting with cold, frenzied light, mouth stretched in a wide grin.
The disguise of the Fourth Kazekage was torn away by his own hand!
Orochimaru stood revealed!
Almost at the moment he ripped off the disguise—
From every shadow around the VIP platform, behind pillars, even atop the roof, countless figures in black bodysuits and animal masks surged forth!
It was the Anbu!
Not just one or two, but more than a dozen fully armed Anbu elites, tightening the ring and striking as one!
Their targets were clear: the Oto ninjas standing behind Orochimaru!
"Enemy assault! Eliminate them!"
The Anbu captain slashed his hand downward in a sharp signal.
In the next instant, a whistling storm of kunai, shuriken, and senbon filled the air!
"What?!"
"Protect Lord Orochimaru!"
Cries rang out beside the Snake Sannin.
Tayuya, Jirobo, Kidōmaru, and Sakon—the Sound Four—instantly dropped their disguises. They leaped forward, furiously deflecting the lethal barrage of weapons!
Hiruzen paid the underlings no heed. The chakra he had been quietly gathering finally erupted!
He rose to his feet, his Hokage cloak billowing violently despite the still air.
"Since you've decided to come back…"
Staring at the face that was both familiar and yet utterly alien, Hiruzen's voice held absolutely no warmth.
"—then you can stay here… forever!!!"
Standing at the center of the encirclement, Orochimaru glanced at the surrounding Anbu and Hiruzen, and chuckled.
"Heh-heh…"
He raised those serpentine eyes.
"You've truly given me quite the surprise, Sensei."
He tilted his head, sweeping his gaze around the roof. "But do you really believe these people—along with yourself—can keep me here?"
The plan was completely exposed; the collapse of Konoha had become a pipe dream. He no longer harbored any illusions of destroying the village today—but leaving? Orochimaru was confident that in the entire Ninja World, scarcely anyone could truly stop him from walking away.
The Third was old, and the Anbu, numerous as they were, were merely troublesome insects.
A smirk curved Orochimaru's lips as he prepared to speak again.
"And what if," a voice cut in, "you add me?"
The words were spoken calmly, yet they rang with perfect clarity over the din of battle.
The smile on Orochimaru's face froze.
He snapped his head to the side.
Leaning casually against a pillar of the VIP box stood one more person.
Tejima Shinichi was there, watching him…
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