Chapter 54 Orochimaru: The Script is Broken!
A massive explosion rang out as a summoned giant snake crashed through the walls. Just as Yakushi Kabuto activated the Temple of Nirvana Technique, the audience in the stands fell asleep in waves. The entire arena became deathly silent, while true killing intent erupted in the VIP seats.
"This is the end, Sarutobi-sensei."
Orochimaru tore off his Kazekage Mask, revealing a pale face. With a smirk curling on his lips, the Kunai in his hand was already pressed against the Third Hokage's throat.
Simultaneously, four Ninjas from Otogakure rushed out. They were Orochimaru's guards, the Sound Four—Tayuya, Jirobo, Sakon and Ukon, and Kidōmaru. Shedding their Anbu disguises, they swiftly charged toward the four corners of the VIP platform.
Below the stands, Uzumaki Naruto, still holding a handful of sunflower seeds, saw his pupils shrink suddenly.
All of this was within his expectations—or rather, within the plot.
[They're here! Those four lackeys of Orochimaru!]
Naruto's gaze swept across the four rapidly moving figures, and his thoughts immediately appeared on the heavenly curtain.
[They're about to open that Four Violet Flames Formation, aren't they? That's a very sturdy barrier!]
[Once that purple box traps the Old Man inside, it'll really be like beating a dog behind closed doors... Er, saying that about the Old Man seems a bit impolite, but these guys definitely have some skill.]
Despite the urgency of the situation, Naruto's brain, spoiled by the system, habitually began its artistic commentary.
[Especially that flute-playing Tayuya. Tsk tsk, although she has a foul mouth and a short temper, she plays a mean flute. If I could get her to sit down and play me a private lullaby, that would be quite the treat.]
[And that spider-man called Kidōmaru. If those six hands were used for shibari... even if not on himself, tying an enemy into that shameful M-shape and hanging them from a tree—that scene would be very interesting!]
Naruto let out a regretful sigh in his heart.
[What a pity, these guys are all stubborn fools who only live to serve Orochimaru. Once this barrier opens, it'll be hard to even get in to save anyone. I can only watch the Old Man get beaten up inside...]
However, before his thoughts could finish, a sudden change occurred.
"Heh, a treat?"
A wild voice came from beneath the tiles of the VIP seats, its tone laced with excitement. "Since you want to listen, I'll have these guys play you a song of screams!"
Boom!
At the four corners of the roof, where the Sound Four were about to land, four explosive tagsuddenly detonated!
This was the welcome gift the Goddess Alliancehad prepared for them long ago!
Rushing to the easternmost side were Tayuya and Sakon and Ukon. Just as the two were about to land and form hand signs, they felt the roof beneath their feet turn soft, the sensation slippery and viscous.
"Ninjutsu: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands - Infinite Version!"
Crash!
Countless thick, brown arms surged out from beneath the tiles, each ending in a gaping mouth. In the center of the snake swarm, Anko Mitarashistood out prominently in her fishnet trench coat.
At this moment, she licked the Kunai at the corner of her mouth with the tip of her tongue, her dark gold vertical pupils flashing with excitement.
"I heard... that stupid brat of mine wants to hear a flute solo? And even wants to see some 'double the happiness'?"
Anko grinned and slammed her hands together.
"Then let me eat all of you circus performers up!"
[Ultimate Secret Technique: Twin Snakes Death - Modified: Feast of Snakes!]
The massive Chakra instantly swallowed Tayuyaand Sakon while they were still in mid-air. Before Tayuya could even bring the flute to her lips, she was entangled by over a dozen giant snakes and bound into a contorted position.
Meanwhile, on the western side.
The running Jirobo only felt the sky go dark above him. He looked up to see a girl with hair in buns and shining eyes—Tenten.
"It's you, right? That big fat guy who can absorb Chakra?"
Tenten held a scroll larger than herself. This was something she had rushed to create overnight based on Naruto's casual mention of a 'Blue-flame Gatling.'
"Naruto-kun said your body would look great if it were turned into a sieve... I think so too! This is a live-fire test for the Black Silk Special Ops Uniformreward!"
"Feel the art! Space-Time Ninja Tool: Metal Storm!"
Da-da-da-da-da-da!
Countless Kunai and senbon, accompanied by Tenten's laughter, poured out from the scroll in a dense torrent that not even a mosquito could fly through.
"Earth Release: Earth Shore Ret..."
Jirobo's defensive Ninjutsu was only half-finished when it was forcibly bored through by the massive volume of Ninja tools. Every second, hundreds of Kunai slammed into his earth wall and shattered, followed immediately by a second and third wave!
This was pure firepower suppression achieved by throwing money at the problem!
To the south and north, the situation was even worse.
Kidōmaru had just spat out spider silk when he was pinned in mid-air by sudden ice spikes. Haku, wearing a Battle Maid Outfit with a cold smile on his face, used Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals to block all of Kidōmaru's paths of retreat.
"Please do not struggle. This is the shibari Naruto-kun... no, the Master envisioned. Although I don't quite understand it, I will do my best to fix you into that shape."
Kurenai Yuhi stood nearby, tapping her fingertips as red flower petals drifted down. The remaining stragglers didn't have time to resist before they fell into the genjutsu she created with blank expressions.
In just five short seconds.
The Four Violet Flames Formation and the so-called strongest Sound Four were completely wiped out by this group of female Ninjas, who had been lying in wait and were hyped up by the system rewards, before they could even shout a single line!
In the center of the roof.
Orochimaru still held his hostage, but the smile on his face gradually froze.
He looked at his subordinates scattered all around.
And in the middle of those miserable bodies, those women were excitedly gathered together, as if... fighting over the credit?
"I finished this one first!"
"Nonsense, my snake bit it first!"
The wind blew, and the scene was somewhat awkward. The Konoha Crush, which should have been tense, had turned into a one-sided slaughter of the Sound Ninjas.
Standing below, Naruto looked up, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.
[Uh... where's the barrier? Where's the big purple box I was promised?]
Naruto rubbed his eyes, looking at the Third Hokage who, instead of being trapped, was looking around with a bewildered expression.
[No... this plot isn't right! Orochimaru's subordinates are way too weak! Did they forget to take their medicine before leaving? They couldn't even hold a gate!]
[When did Anko-sensei and the others become so fierce? That move just now with the thousands of snakes... why did it feel even more evil than Orochimaru himself? And Tenten, what was that? A machine gun? Is the Ninja world allowed to have such cheating items?!]
Orochimaru's vertical pupils contracted slightly as a sense of absurdity washed over him. His plan, which he had meticulously crafted for three years, had just... withered away at the hands of this group of women who had appeared out of nowhere?
"...Konoha has truly given me a surprise," Orochimaru said hoarsely, his voice carrying a hint of gritted teeth.