Chapter Three: The Collapse of the Village Hidden in the Leaves

Orochimaru appeared in the Hidden Leaf Village without the slightest attempt at concealment, putting the entire village on high alert.

Kakashi emerged from the shadows, his face half-hidden behind a mask, the one visible “dead fish” eye clouded with worry. “To expose himself so openly, and to face the Third Hokage directly—Orochimaru has come fully prepared.”

Kakashi knew all too well the terror that was Orochimaru—not only had they once fought side by side, but they had also stood as enemies. Whenever Kakashi faced Orochimaru, his combat strength felt halved, and cold sweat would bead on his forehead.

A person’s shadow, a tree’s name—the horror of Orochimaru was deeply etched into everyone’s heart.

“Third, can your body really endure this?” Kakashi glanced at the aging form of the Third Hokage, a flicker of concern passing through his solitary, weary eye.

...

Hiruzen Sarutobi gazed at the smiling figure of his former disciple in the field. Once upon a time, this disciple had been the most promising inheritor of his legacy.

But the deaths of those around him had changed that disciple, leading him astray.

Now, it was too late for words.

“Orochimaru!” Hiruzen declared, voice heavy, “Today, I will cleanse my house!”

With a sweeping motion, the white Hokage cloak was cast aside, revealing the Third’s battle attire beneath.

Sarutobi was ready to fight.

Orochimaru shook his head. “Sensei Sarutobi, you’ve grown old, but I am still young.”

He tore off the human-skin mask to reveal his true face and considered, for a moment, whether to further reveal the true nature of his current body—but decided against it. The side effects of Edo Tensei were too great at this stage. There was no need to make a spectacle of himself.

“Kill!”

Sarutobi’s body flashed, and he charged at Orochimaru. The two began to probe each other with taijutsu.

Aside from a select few, no one took Orochimaru’s “invasion” too seriously. After all, the village still boasted the Third Hokage, Danzo, the three great clans of Ino-Shika-Cho, the Hyuga, the Aburame, the Inuzuka, the Sarutobi clan... Though not at its peak, the village’s strength was formidable.

No one believed Orochimaru could shake such power.

But Orochimaru had never underestimated the Hidden Leaf. In all his memory, this was a village capable of creating miracles; to hold back was to court disaster.

He had a series of plans in motion, and as he clashed with the Third Hokage, those plans began to unfold.

...

While the eyes of the village were fixed on Orochimaru, the Sand Village made their move. Following the command of the “Kazekage,” they coordinated with Orochimaru to assassinate the village’s upper echelons.

Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, weakened by age and slow to react, fell in the first wave of assassinations.

The world had changed.

Not only did the Sand move, but Kabuto Yakushi began his own actions as well.

The village’s upper echelons were numerous, responsible for major decisions and the proper functioning of administration, but their combat strength was not high.

When Kakashi and the other elite ninja received news of the assassinations, they rushed to provide support. But blocking Kakashi’s path stood a young man with glasses—Kabuto Yakushi.

And it wasn’t just Kakashi—each of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, the Hyuga, the Aburame, the Inuzuka, the Sarutobi... all found themselves confronted.

And among those blocking their way were formidable foes, some who had already died—Guren, Jugo, Gaara, and members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist—none of them weaklings.

Just as everyone began to sense that things were turning dire, a humming sound swept through the village. The Third Hokage and Orochimaru had taken their battle to the rooftop, and a barrier of purple flames rose around them.

The Four Violet Flames Formation was activated.

The Third Hokage stood atop the eaves, breathing heavily—he truly was old, exhausted after only a short bout. He gazed at the encircling purple barrier, sorrow filling his eyes.

“Would you really kill your own teacher?”

With that, the Third Hokage performed a summoning jutsu, and a mighty, awe-inspiring monkey appeared.

“Sarutobi, why have you summoned me?”

The Monkey King looked first at Sarutobi, then, seeing Orochimaru, his expression turned grave. “So, it’s come to this after all.”

Sarutobi nodded. “Join me in cleansing our house. This time, we will not hold back.”

The Monkey King bared his fangs in a savage grin. “I’ve been waiting for this! Since you grew old, it’s been too long since we fought together.”

With a thundering “bang,” the Monkey King transformed into the indestructible Adamantine Staff, becoming the Third Hokage’s weapon.

Facing Orochimaru!

The surrounding ninja, seeing the Third summon the Monkey King, knew their Hokage was giving his all.

Orochimaru was sure to lose.

Once their hands were free, Guren, Jugo, and the others would be no match at all.

“All we can do is hope those in the upper echelons can hold out a little longer...”

Yet, before they could breathe a sigh of relief, a new change brought despair. Four yellow coffins rose around Orochimaru.

“Bang!”

The lids crashed open, and four figures stepped out, stunning everyone.

The First Hokage, the Second Hokage, the White Fang of the Leaf, and Hanzo of the Salamander!

“Sensei Sarutobi, your methods remain impressive, but mine have grown stronger.” Orochimaru smiled.

In his previous life, he had summoned only the First and Second Hokage, and though he ultimately succeeded in killing Hiruzen Sarutobi, the price had been too great.

He could not afford carelessness this time.

Moreover, unlike the incomplete First and Second Hokage, the White Fang and Hanzo retained nearly all their strength.

Let’s see how you turn the tables this time.

“Go—cripple the Third Hokage!” Orochimaru commanded, his voice cold.

...

As everyone despaired at the impending doom of the Hidden Leaf, Danzo finally realized the tide had turned.

Orochimaru’s strength was beyond anything he had anticipated.

“The Hidden Leaf must not fall!”

Danzo, who had done countless dark deeds for the sake of the village, was also prepared to sacrifice himself if necessary.

He touched his bandaged arm. Was it time to use that power?

Beneath the wraps, along with his right eye, were eleven Sharingan transplanted by Orochimaru himself.

“The moment Orochimaru kills the Third, I’ll strike from the shadows!”

At that instant of the Third’s death, Orochimaru would surely drop his guard. After all, no one could remain unmoved after killing their own teacher.

Danzo would seize that moment to attack and become the ultimate victor.

“But I can’t just watch the entire upper echelon be wiped out.”

He had watched with cold eyes as the first group of high-ranking officials died—for among them were those who could prevent him from becoming Hokage.

With them gone, no one could stand in his way.

But not all could die; the village’s operation depended on those people.

“Go—protect what remains of the upper echelon,” Danzo ordered his Root operatives.

Then he rose, preparing to make his way to the battlefield between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru, waiting for his chance to strike.

But just as he stood, someone appeared before him, blocking his path.

“I hear you have quite a collection of Sharingan?”

The newcomer wore the Uchiha clan’s attire, twin Sharingan spinning in his eyes.

An Uchiha? Danzo’s expression grew grave.

“Oh, you don’t seem to recognize me,” the figure said lightly. “No matter. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Shin Uchiha, and I too have quite a few Sharingan.”

Shin Uchiha smiled, a chill beneath his words, and took off his hat—revealing a head covered in Sharingan.