Hiruzen Sarutobi stared in pure disbelief. "How can your face be like this?"
"Could it be..." Hiruzen's voice trembled. This young face was not the Orochimaru he remembered.
"Hehehe! Indeed, this is the fruit of my quest for eternal immortality."
"However, I'm still more accustomed to my old face!!" With a grotesque peel of skin, Orochimaru reverted to his original, pale visage.
Orochimaru let out a long yawn. "I haven't slept in so long, I'm quite drowsy."
Suddenly, he slammed a kunai directly into the palm of his own hand. "There... much clearer now."
The Chaos in the Stands
As Kabuto's Genjutsu took effect, the vast majority of the audience slumped over in a forced slumber. Raizen looked at the two little girls beside him with a hint of surprise—neither Mirai nor Karin had fallen under the spell.
Several Sand Shinobi, hiding in the shadows, leaped out to surround the three of them. Down in the arena, Sasuke saw the threat and, ignoring the fleeing Gaara for a moment, sprinted back toward the spectator stands.
Kakashi tried to move to intercept, but several Sand ninja swarmed him. Nearby, Might Guy was also engaged. After just a few exchanges, Guy was surprisingly short of breath.
"Guy, are you okay?" Kakashi kicked a Sand ninja away, looking at his rival with concern.
"I'm fine, Kakashi! I'm the Blue Beast of Konoha! These small fries are no match for me!!!" Guy forced a burst of energy and took down an enemy, but his movements lacked their usual crispness. Kakashi frowned; something was clearly wrong with Guy's physical condition.
Meanwhile, Sasuke had reached Raizen's side and was already locked in a fierce struggle with two Sand Chunin. Raizen stood back, shielding the girls. It wasn't that he couldn't help, but Sasuke had insisted on handling the enemies himself to prove his strength.
"Papa, I can do it too." Four-year-old Mirai gripped Tōkijin.
The blade began to glow with a faint, pulsing purple light, vibrating as if it were thirsty for blood. As a demonic blade forged from the fangs of an ogre, it craved battle. Raizen thought for a moment and nodded. Mirai had his Flying Thunder God mark on her; he could intervene in a millisecond if needed.
With her father's permission, Mirai lunged forward, dragging the massive sword with surprising agility.
"Brother Sasuke, I'll help you!!"
Though tiny, her movements were a blur. She performed a powerful spring-jump, Tōkijin held high, and thrust it toward a Sand ninja who was flanking Sasuke.
"Mirai, what are you—" Sasuke dodged an attack, staring in horror at the little girl charging into the fray. "It's dangerous, Mirai! Get back, I've got this!"
He lunged to intercept her, fearing a tragedy, but before he could even take two steps, Mirai's blade had already pierced the Sand ninja's chest.
Sasuke froze mid-stride. The enemy he had been struggling with for minutes... was killed in a single strike by Mirai?
"How... how could this..." The Sand ninja looked down at the blade through his heart, his eyes wide. He had been sneering, ready to kick this "brat" away, but the sword had found his vitals before his foot even left the ground.
"You brat! Die!!!" The second Sand ninja, seeing his comrade fall, roared in fury and lunged at Mirai with a kunai.
"Don't you dare touch my sister!" Sasuke's speed exploded. He intercepted the ninja just before he reached Mirai, sent him flying with a heavy kick, and finished him off.
"Wow! Brother Sasuke, you're so cool!!!" Mirai pulled Tōkijin out. The blood on the blade was instantly absorbed by the demonic steel, leaving it pristine.
"Mirai, why did you come over here? That was incredibly dangerous!" Despite his shock at her feat, Sasuke's heart was still pounding with fear for her.
"I came to help! They were bullying you two-on-one, and I didn't like it," Mirai said matter-of-factly.
"Quick, get back to Uncle Raizen. You can't stay here, it's too dangerous. Leave the fighting to me." Sasuke grabbed her hand and led her back to Raizen.
Raizen stood there with a calm, proud smile. "Uncle Raizen! How could you let her leave your side? It's too dangerous!" Sasuke's tone was borderline accusatory.
"Hahaha, Sasuke, don't look down on Mirai," Raizen reached down and ruffled her hair. "My little girl is amazing, taking down an enemy like that. Truly my daughter."
Mirai beamed at the praise, her cheeks flushing a cute, rosy pink. It was hard to believe this adorable child had just heartlessly pierced a man's chest without blinking.
Sasuke's mind raced. He had fought those two for a while and knew they were capable, yet Mirai had ended one instantly. Was it true? Was a four-year-old stronger than him?
He shook his head, refusing to accept it. No way. I'm seven years older than her. It must be that sword! He looked at the Tōkijin. He had always thought it was a wooden toy she carried around; he never realized it was a legendary grade weapon.
"Raizen-kun, that sword is so sharp... aren't you worried she'll hurt herself?"
"Don't worry, Brother Sasuke! This sword would never hurt me." Mirai gave it a few experimental swings, the air whistling with the sharpness of her strikes.
"Hahaha!" Raizen clapped Sasuke on the back. "You'd better work hard, Sasuke! Mirai is going to leave you in the dust soon."
Sasuke shook his head stubbornly. "I don't believe it! Mirai is gifted, sure, but there's no way she's stronger than me right now!"
As they spoke, another Sand ninja saw them chatting and, feeling insulted that they were ignoring the battlefield, lunged at Raizen's back with a kunai.
"Papa, watch out!"
Before Sasuke could even process the movement, Mirai leaped. Tōkijin came down in a vertical arc. A thin red line appeared from the ninja's forehead down to his chin, and he collapsed instantly.
Sasuke stood there, jaw dropped, absolutely dumbstruck.
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