"Someone from the Hidden Leaf?"
Chiyo glanced at Ethan, who had just walked up beside her, puzzled by the boy's presence. Why did the atmosphere on the battlefield seem to shift as soon as he appeared? Was it just her imagination?
When Ethan stepped onto the battlefield, the Konoha ninjas immediately stood a little straighter. Even Kakashi felt that no matter how dire the situation became, it was no longer a problem. Even if he collapsed from exhaustion, Ethan would be there to clean up the mess.
With Ethan here, he could go all out without any reservations.
Although Kakashi's strength had increased significantly, and under Ethan's guidance, he had managed to lessen the strain from his Sharingan, combat habits formed over many years couldn't be changed overnight. He still habitually tested his opponent's strength first, then adjusted his strategy accordingly.
Aside from using Kamui at the beginning to destroy the barrier and quickly rescue Gaara (after all, even the most troublesome barriers had physical anchors, and Kamui happened to counter those), Kakashi hadn't used his Mangekyo Sharingan again.
As for Susanoo, although he had mastered the ability to activate it with a single eye, to be honest, this technique still placed a heavy burden on him. If he used the full-body Susanoo even once, he'd fall into a weakened state where he could no longer fight. So unless it was absolutely necessary, he had no intention of using it.
But with Ethan's arrival, Kakashi felt he no longer had to hold back. Even if using Susanoo rendered him temporarily useless, it wouldn't matter. Ethan was here.
"That kid came too."
Orochimaru glanced at Ethan in the distance, his gaze narrowing. He had a deep impression of Ethan. After all, that boy had once caused him considerable trouble.
He had originally thought someone like Ethan would eventually be driven out of Konoha by those old geezers. He had even considered luring Ethan to his side. After all, Wood Release was a power he had long desired.
However, what happened later went beyond his expectations. Tsunade had handled things better than he anticipated, even going so far as to deal with Danzo. Orochimaru wasn't sure if Ethan had pushed her into making that decision, but judging from the intelligence he later gathered, Ethan had played a critical role in that event.
More importantly, Ethan was later promoted to Jonin by exception, removed Koharu and Homura, and became the Hokage's advisor.
"What an exceptional young man."
Ethan had not only remained in Konoha but had risen to power. Although Orochimaru felt some regret, he quickly let it go. Compared to Wood Release, what he currently desired more was the Sharingan.
Uchiha Sasuke was his target.
He had been biding his time, waiting for an opportunity to strike, and finally that chance had come. But... things didn't go according to plan.
Sasuke had awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan?
When his attack was blocked by Susanoo, Orochimaru was stunned. He hadn't expected that Sasuke, who had remained in Konoha, would develop such formidable strength. Should he praise him as a true Uchiha genius?
What was even harder to accept was that Hatake Kakashi had also awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan. Was it really that easy to awaken? Or was Konoha secretly mass-producing them? (Ethan: Want Shisui's Mangekyo Sharingan? Comes in a pair!)
Or perhaps, because Danzo had been eliminated, Kakashi and Sasuke got something from him?
Even if Orochimaru racked his brain, he couldn't guess that both Sasuke and Kakashi awakened their Mangekyo Sharingan thanks to Ethan, and could now wield them with ease.
"Still, do you really think one more person can change anything?"
In the past, if Orochimaru sensed danger, he would have retreated immediately.
But Uchiha Sasuke's strength had exceeded his expectations. If he didn't act now, he wouldn't get another chance. His move today had already alerted the enemy. Would Konoha ever allow him another opportunity?
He had to take Sasuke today. He didn't believe someone like Kakashi could stop him.
As for Ethan, who had once caused him trouble... that boy's Wood Release was strange, but as long as he was prepared, Ethan wouldn't be able to stop him either.
Looking at the situation, the biggest obstacle was Sasuke himself, who had mastered Susanoo.
"Hehehehe, such an excellent body... I want it more and more."
"I'm afraid I can't let you have your way."
Orochimaru looked over to see Kakashi still firmly blocking his path.
"Kakashi, even if you've awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, you still can't stop me."
"Well, I have to try."
At that moment, Kabuto Yakushi suddenly appeared.
"Lord Orochimaru, leave this one to me."
"I'll leave it to you, Kabuto. I trust you won't disappoint me."
Just as Orochimaru was about to bypass Kakashi and go after Sasuke, a terrifying surge of chakra erupted from Kakashi.
"I won't let you pass!"
A torrent of blue chakra surged from him, then rapidly formed into a giant skeletal torso. Its left arm raised high and smashed down toward Orochimaru.
"This is..."
Orochimaru was once again shocked. While it was surprising that Sasuke had awakened Mangekyo and used Susanoo, he was at least a pure-blooded Uchiha, so it made sense.
But Kakashi?
Stunned, Orochimaru quickly leaped back to avoid the strike, increasing the distance between them. He looked toward Kakashi, his expression becoming grim.
Covered in Susanoo's blue chakra, Kakashi now had virtually no weaknesses. No ninjutsu could penetrate the shield of Susanoo.
Meanwhile, Kakashi could attack freely.
"Truly astonishing, Kakashi."
"If it surprises you, I must be doing something right."
"No, no. You're doing far more than that. This is beyond my imagination."
Orochimaru found it all the more interesting. Kakashi, not of the Uchiha bloodline, had not only awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan but could also use Susanoo with just one eye. He desperately wanted to know the secret behind it.
At the same time, he realized that things had become very troublesome. With two enemies who had mastered Susanoo, his chances of taking Sasuke were almost zero.
Not to mention...
He had noticed long ago that the area around the battlefield was covered in flowers. It was clearly that kid's Wood Release. It seemed he was gradually closing in, laying down a domain-like trap.
It wasn't just Orochimaru who noticed. Sasori, Deidara, and even Chiyo, who was tending to Gaara, had also realized it.
Unlike Orochimaru, the others didn't know what these mysterious flowers were. Only Chiyo had a slight suspicion that it was Ethan's technique. When he approached her earlier, he had gently dropped a yellow rose beside Gaara. After it touched Gaara, she could feel his condition slowly improving.
"Are you the support sent by the Hidden Leaf?"
"Yes."
It was not strange that Chiyo had guessed correctly. As an elder with vast experience, she could deduce many things from the surrounding clues.
This young man likely held a high position in Konoha. The way the other ninjas looked at him, plus the fact he could unleash such a large-scale jutsu silently, clearly indicated his strength.
"Konoha... truly does have an abundance of talent."
She had always been dissatisfied with the Sand Village's increasing dependence on allies. In her opinion, the Sand should rely on its own strength. After experiencing several major wars, she had no faith in so-called allies.
But now, she somewhat understood why the Sand's leadership made such a decision. Compared to the talent-packed Hidden Leaf, the new generation of the Sand was lacking. Even if they wanted to solve their own problems, they couldn't.
Still...
"Just you alone?"
"I'm enough on my own."
Ethan took another look. Sakura, Sasuke, and Naruto were teaming up against Sasori and Deidara. Kakashi was dealing with Orochimaru. The battlefield had been divided in two, and Konoha's side had been forced to split their forces. If he hadn't arrived, things would have undoubtedly gone poorly.
Even though both Kakashi and Sasuke could use Susanoo, facing opponents of Orochimaru, Sasori, and Deidara's caliber would still be difficult. Their Susanoo hadn't yet reached the perfect form.
Just as he thought this, something changed on Kakashi's side.
The giant skeletal torso began to transform. Flesh, muscle, and armor appeared, and the blue Susanoo changed from half-body to full-body form. The complete Susanoo wasn't just a fully armed giant. It had wings and could fly freely, using all the ninjutsu its wielder had mastered.
"Kakashi's finally going all out? He actually mastered the perfect form."
Ethan had originally been considering what flashy technique he should use to end the fight.
Now, it seemed there was no need. He just had to stand there and give Kakashi the confidence to fight at full strength.
"What is that!"
Deidara, standing on his clay bird, was completely distracted by Kakashi. At that moment, Sasuke below also stopped holding back and went all out.
A fully armored purple half-body emerged. Though not the complete form, Sasuke's Susanoo wielded a bow and arrows.
"Amaterasu! Kagutsuchi!"
(To be continued.)