Scarlet Justice - ep. 42
"After Burner II"
[Chuunin Exams: Crushing the Leaf 2]
The Hokage and Midori stand side by side up front. Luna stands behind them, and then Shikamaru and I bring up the rear, evenly spaced. I'm not entirely sure what my older sister is thinking, but I'm going to trust her like I said I would.
"Man. I wonder what she wants kids like us around for...and...we've got a combat maid, now? I wonder when I stepped into an anime..."
Shikamaru is complaining as usual, but he seems focused on the fight ahead. He's paying attention to everything going on. From what I've seen, he's very capable of making quick decisions and formulating plans quickly without the luxury of time, as when he figured out the plan to create a barrier and stalled long enough to help thwart it. Midori must be counting on that much...I wonder where her confidence comes from, though.
The wall of trees ahead parts as Hashirama and Tobirama walk forward. Orochimaru follows behind them, making them stop as he arrogantly presents himself to our group.
"Well, I thought I felt something off. The bitch herself has arrived," Orochimaru sneers.
"I'm looking forward to the day I won't have to deal with you any more," Midori says just as dismissively. "It's coming very soon, and I'm going to enjoy it immensely."
"Spoiled little brats like you should remain quiet."
"Know your place, trash."
"Have you come to help the little old man?" Orochimaru says mockingly. "Perhaps you're planning to give him a bit of service afterwards? Don't worry...you can shack up with all the dirty old men you want in hell."
"I would call this side of you refreshing if it weren't so vulgar," the Hokage says with surprise. "Does something about this woman irritate you?"
Thinking on it, his composure has changed a fair bit from earlier. When it was just us and the Hokage, he was supremely confident. Now, Midori's very presence is setting him off. Is it simply fear, or something else that runs deeper? Or...is this the one she was talking about all that time ago? The human who had brought ruin to her world...if that's the case, then it explains their hostility towards each other.
"I know the answer," Midori says with a cruel smile. "He just can't get it up unless I stomp on him a bit. Isn't that right, boy?"
Orochimaru growls before opening his mouth wide, a snake emerging from it. The snake then opens its mouth and produces the handle of a double edged sword, which Orochimaru then draws.
"Kusanagi...he seems to be serious this time, then." The Hokage draws blood from his thumb and makes handseals before slamming his palm to the earth. "Summon: Monkey King Enma!" In a burst of smoke, a large monkey with long, unkempt white hair appears. His tail is long and he dresses very much like a shinobi of the village, even with his own Leaf headband in black. He wears a shirt with tiger stripes on it, closed by a red sash.
"Tch, so it's finally come to this! You should have done this a long time ago, Hiruzen!" the monkey yells fiercely. His expression changes as he notices Midori. "You're...what are you doing out here? You're the Crown Princess, aren't you?"
"It's been a while, Lord Enma," Midori says respectfully.
"Heh. You haven't changed much at all, have you? Very selective in who you show respect to...but I could never hate something like that. So you've joined this little party, too. Not sure about the maid or the two midgets. They with you?"
"My lover, my imouto, and her comrade in order."
"Ah, got it. Sorry 'bout that, was just wondering."
"Hmhm. It's no trouble."
Enma gives us a respectful nod and we all nod back. Even with his rough sort of speech, I can tell that he's powerful and well-lived. "I've been telling this idiot Hokage for years that he should have offed this creepy brat."
"Be at ease, my lord. We shall correct our past mistakes. I...have been too relaxed when it came to this garbage myself."
"I wouldn't be so hard on myself if I were you. All the mechanics are more complicated in your case, especially with that goon Manda running around," Enma says. "But...well, I've said it enough times by now. And I'm not seeing things, am I...those are the Senju brothers in front of us."
"Yes," the Hokage says.
"It ends today," Enma growls. "Hiruzen, let's get this done once and for all!"
"Of course! Transformation: Adamantine Staff!" Enma transforms into a large black bo-staff, and the Hokage holds him behind his back in a stance.
"I'll be sure to end all of you...and just for that little talk earlier, I'll do the rich bitch last," Orochimaru says menacingly.
"You're just talk. Go ahead and fucking try it," Midori says.
"Show them no mercy, First Hokage!"
Hashirama makes handseals and all of us are on guard.
"Bringer of Darkness!" At his command, the area is plunged into complete darkness.
"Is this it?" I hear Midori say. She sounds unamused. "He seems to want to go after our most vulnerable members first, because this darkness is nothing. Sweethearts, huddle in. Lili, help guide us."
"Yes," I say immediately. I grab Shikamaru by the shoulder and pull at the back of Luna's dress, bringing them close to me.
"Hell of an opening move," Enma comments.
"Indeed," the Hokage says. "I should be fine on my own, Enma. I think you should protect the others."
"There's no need, sir," I say.
"No need?" Shikamaru says, incredulous. "I think we need all the protection we can get, with this genjutsu up and three combat monsters ready to tear us apart...just saying!"
"Be patient, Master Nara. Miss Lilith has something in mind," Luna assures him.
"Ugh...and another thing. Ma'am, what exactly are you doing here?"
"Lady Midoriko asked me to assist her. I was ready to stay by Mistress Emi's side earlier, but she said that she needed me as soon as Miss Lilith called out. I don't know what exactly my role might be, but I am always ready to serve."
I focus on my seal and think of the person I need in this moment.
"Let our strength combine to create the strongest shield...in order to protect all things precious to us. Chaotic Bulwark!"
Aoko immediately appears and I can sense her form circling around us, moving around over and over to create a dome that contains myself, Shikamaru, and Luna.
"What's happening?" Shikamaru asks.
"You are safe now, young sir."
"Ah? Who's that? Man, there's no way I can keep up...what a damn pain..."
"I serve Princess Lilith, and will do so with all of my strength. Please count on me. Princess, thank you for calling on me. It seems the time has come, and this old enmity will be extinguished. Those who threaten our kingdom and existence must be stopped," Aoko says confidently. "As our Empress wills it!"
"Thank you, Aoko. Lend me your strength in this struggle," I say to her.
"As I breathe, my will is also yours. This Chaotic Bulwark will stand against even the demons of hell themselves."
"Oi...I'm surrounded by chunnis..."
"Pipe down," I say to Shikamaru. "I'm nervous, too." I can 'see' what's happening, and this is high speed, high level combat. Midori and the Hokage are navigating through the dark easily using their extra senses, with Orochimaru stationary and the reanimated Hokage rushing ahead.
"Our priority is removing the two lords from the battlefield," Midori says.
"Is there anything you have in mind to do that?" the Hokage asks.
Midori blocks a punch from Hashirama, sliding backwards. It's an impact that makes me wince just hearing it...incredibly powerful, but Midori shrugs it off like it's nothing. "Yes, but it's risky. I can do something to remove the souls, the only problem is...they might be shattered as a result."
"Shattered?" the Hokage repeats.
"Yes. Destroyed completely."
"Do we really want to do that?" Enma asks.
Midori easily sidesteps an attack from Tobirama and plants an explosive tag on his back. It explodes, blowing him apart...but to my shock, he's continuing to move. I can feel that his form is coming together again, somehow...the smell of graves and ash earlier is strong.
"We might have to at this point. These bodies are capable of continuous self-repair, allowing them to fight without end. It's just like something Tobirama would make..."
"Another option was suggested by young Shikamaru," the Hokage says. He barely avoids a kunai strike from Hashirama, but dispatches him a moment later with a swipe from his staff. "If we can destroy the control tags implanted in their heads, their personalities will return. Then we can gain further insight from the lords, and turn this battle around for good."
"And of course, you have a final option. Isn't that right, Sarutobi..." Midori's tone is accusatory.
"Yes. I do."
"Don't let this idiot do things his way, Princess," Enma says. "I know exactly the technique you're talking about."
"Yes, it's that one," Midori says. She sighs before kicking Tobirama away firmly. "As I said, I'm here for your sake. You're not going to do something so reckless, Sarutobi."
I can only guess that this is some sort of self-sacrificial technique they're speaking of. Hopefully I never have to see it in action...I really do like this old man, and want to see him well at the end of this strife.
"We've conferenced long enough, I think. It's time to end this little genjutsu game." Midori loosens the straps on her heels and steps out of them. Holding them in one hand, she tenses her legs and springs forward, easily flanking the First Hokage before he can react. Her fingers, coated in wind chakra, pierce through the man's side like a hot knife. She uses her other hand, holding her heels by the straps, to make a half seal.
"Release."
The darkness covering the area is erased immediately. Tobirama fires a jet of water from his mouth that slices through his brother as Midori body flickers away, retreating towards the Third Hokage. She flips her hair as Hashirama recovers from his 'wound.'
"Luna."
"Milady." Aoko undoes her dome before shrinking and wrapping herself around me protectively. Luna unrolls a scroll, placing her own shoes into the middle and taking Midori's from her. They're sealed away and Luna then has the scroll disappear in a puff of smoke.
"There's also the problem of the caster," Midori continues casually. "I assume we're going to kill him, Sarutobi?"
"..." He pauses before steeling himself. "If I should falter, take the initiative. It has to end," he says.
"So grave. Mutual death...you're thinking it, aren't you?" Midori places a hand on his cheek. "You live with pride, Hiruzen Sarutobi. But don't try to throw yourself away. There's still lots to learn from you, and you still have to choose the Fifth properly. Make it a proper ceremony this time, yes?"
"Midoriko..."
She smiles tenderly. "I want you to watch over my dear Lili for a while longer. And of course, everyone should be able to enjoy their retirement properly, mm? Life might begin at sixty five rather than forty."
"Heh. You might be right about that."
She nods and pats him twice on the cheek before refocusing. "Now that we understand the options in front of us, we'll make our moves. Be ready."
"You don't have to tell me twice!" Enma's voice booms out. "Let's paste this sick brat!"
Midori draws her fan, opening and waving it a few times. "Yes, let us do so." I see her eyes move back and forth, scanning the field and everything around her. Orochimaru looks slightly annoyed, but thinks he's in control still. The Hokage is tense, but ready. Shikamaru is nervous, but observing quietly. And Luna is as calm as ever, her body relaxed as she looks straight ahead at Orochimaru.
I have a feeling I know what we'll be doing. But let's wait for our orders first.
"We're working towards sealing the two lords," Midori says out loud. "With that, they'll at least be out of the way while we focus on today's biggest target."
"You shouldn't discuss your plans out loud like that, you spoiled bitch!" Orochimaru taunts. "If you think those brats and that fat sow are going to be enough to serve as a distraction, you've made a tragic mistake. Old man, you should talk them out of it before I wrap them up in bamboo and make some appetizers for Manda."
"Orochimaru..."
"Or...a better idea. I take the little redhead with me after I beat the defiance out of her. She should make for a good servant, and a useful tool. I already had one toy, but she's broken now and has to sit in her box until Kabuto can put her back together properly. Imagine, the sister of the haughty princess, brought low...made into nothing but a cheap doll for my amusement." He smiles at me, and I feel my skin crawl. "Of course, if you just give up and join me now, I can make you an esteemed leader in my forces. Yes...all the carnage and destruction you could ever want. Fights to the death every day if you so desire..."
"Go fuck yourself," I say to him.
"Haha...you've certainly inherited that nasty attitude, at least."
"I'm not some mindless killer you can manipulate by promising chances to murder people. For one of the Three Shinobi, it's clear you're not very observant," I say to him.
"Kobayashi, what the hell?! We don't need him even more pissed off!"
"Fucking shove it," I say to Shikamaru. My blood is boiling. "Saying that he wants to break me, to make me into his doll...to strip me of my dignity. To make me bow at his feet, to be nothing but a tool. I've known him less than an hour, and I already want him dead. He can break all of my limbs if he wants to, I'll crawl on my belly and fucking bite him to death."
"Lili...be calm. I know how you feel."
I listen to Midori and try to calm down. "You're right...I'm sorry. I just..."
"Lost control. It's only natural..."
It feels like the earth beneath me is shaking. This pure, murderous intent...it's flowing out from Midori and filling the air around us. Orochimaru's composure breaks for a moment before he focuses again.
"...because I'm pissed off, myself. You will never touch my Lili, you wretched trash. Because you're going to die today. I promise you that." She stomps the ground once. "Formation!"
We get to our places, forming a line next to her.
"Shikamaru, follow Luna. Luna, Protection Two," Midori starts.
"Got it."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Lili, move in. Hit fast. Don't worry about the killing stroke, just give him hell," she says to me.
"Understood!"
"Aoko, do all you can to act as her shield. Absorb impact until you can't open your eyes."
"As you will it, Empress!"
"Sarutobi, Enma! We're taking the two Hokage head on. Let's put our backs into this."
"Let's go!"
"Alright, Princess. We're ready to go!"
"Advance!" Midori shouts.
The Hokage weaves seals as we take off. Midori claps her hands before planting them on the ground. A series of seals spreads out from her fingers before being sucked upwards into them again, coiling around her arms and manifesting as snakes that are as dark as the night sky.
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!" The Hokage breathes a stream of flames out that form into a massive dragon. It races forward before splitting itself into three more dragons, each attacking from a different angle.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" Tobirama counters with a barrier of water, stifling the flames immediately as they come in. Hashirama makes a familiar set of seals, and trees again erupt from the earth to try and trap us.
I accelerate in a wide arc to my right as the attack goes towards the old man and Midori, and focus on closing in on Orochimaru. He's using a snake from his mouth to hold onto the Kusanagi, intending to use the wood attacks as an opening to strike my sister. I won't allow it.
"You stupid brat. I told you..." He extends his free hand and I can feel it coming. All I have to do is hold him down, right?
"Keep your eyes open, you fossil. Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" I punch forward and counter his wave of snakes with my own.
"!"
"Go!" I yell.
"Here it is!" Shikamaru threads his shadow through mine and subsequently through that of the snakes tangled against each other to reach Orochimaru, holding him in place.
"Worthless."
"Not quite..." Luna runs around us and accelerates with her stocking-clad feet, drawing her butterfly knives from the holsters on her thighs.
"Water Dragon Missile!"
"Slow." Luna body flickers past the dragon as it crashes into the ground behind her and moves in a blur, bringing her knives across her body. "Faultless Blade, Style One..."
Orochimaru moves Kusanagi to defend.
"Banishing Fang!" The impact sends a rush of wind by me.
"Holy shit! She's a gorilla maid!" Shikamaru yells. "Oh, man...! Where are all of these girls coming from, and why are they all so terrifying?!"
"Forgot about me already? I would cry if I didn't want to erase you, serpent boy."
Midori jumps through the canopy of trees and down towards the occupied Orochimaru, her fingers on one hand formed into a blade.
"Try dying, trash."
"Guh...!"
"True: Blade of Wind."
Luna jumps out of the way as an invisible blade of wind cuts Orochimaru apart horizontally. He looks shocked for a moment before flashing a mocking grin as snakes extend from his upper and lower halves, pulling his body back together quickly.
"It'll take more than that, you bitch!"
There's no way this man can be called human anymore, can he? He seems to be just as hard to kill as the two Hokage, even if he is flesh and blood.
"Shift," I call out as Shikamaru releases his shadow. The scent of wood reaches me, and I quickly evade the trees rumbling back towards our group as Orochimaru escapes. The amount of wood keeps increasing, and we jump together until we're on top of the mass that has reached halfway up the stadium walls. Midori reaches my side with Luna and Shikamaru, and the Hokage slices his way to the top with Enma.
"He's not going to make it easy," the Hokage comments.
"Obviously not. I don't think he has any other corpses prepared...but it's never good to assume anything," Midori says. It might be that he has prepared a corpse of the Fourth Hokage as well, and if that's the case...I don't want to think about the nightmare that would be. "Regardless, this is what we're dealing with right now. Wood Release is strong enough to be used both offensively and defensively at the same time. The Second Hokage's Water Release can come out of nowhere, in line with his skill while living."
"So what do you suggest we do, Princess?" Enma asks.
Midori thinks for a moment before nodding. "There's something we can do, but it will require us to engage Orochimaru again. I have something I need to test...let's retreat together towards the first opening. Lili, can you use the second stage?"
"I can, Midori-nee."
"Excellent. Luna, keep an eye on Sarutobi and Shikamaru. We're starting." The five of us run along the mass of wood until we find an area where we can drop down towards the stadium floor. "Get ready," she says to me. I nod and prime my chakra for the second stage of the chakra mode.
"Even these trees won't be able to stand up to it..." Midori makes a seal with her free hand before breathing in sharply. "Great Fire Annihilation."
The flames that stream from between her lips blossoms into a truly massive firestorm, engulfing all of the plant life that fills the stadium. But it seems like she's not finished...she makes another seal and pounds on her stomach before sucking in as much air as she can.
"Drilling Air Bullet!"
She exhales a massive burst of wind that stokes the flames already present, turning them white hot as they consume the wood spread through the area. As the wind slices a path down the middle of the field, it blows away the resulting ash, sending it up in clouds that start to settle back down slowly.
"W-wow," I stammer out. It even managed to get the Hokage...but as I suspected, they've already begun to reconstruct themselves after that devastating attack.
"Primed!" Midori calls out.
"Primed!" I call back, activating the chakra mode.
"Only a moment, my love. Forward!"
"Yes!" I accelerate towards the two Hokage as I feel Orochimaru slithering up from the earth, engaging my sister. I charge ahead and shoot past Tobirama with a max speed body flicker as he weaves seals, just missing his massive wave of water as it appears out of thin air. Hashirama jumps at me as I arrest my slide, and I take off laterally to dodge his monstrous punch. It buckles the ground inwards and creates a massive crater...I have to stifle the panic that wants to take over - just one blow and it's over for me. I can't hold this form for too long, either. But I trust Midori, and I'm going to follow this plan through.
Tobirama launches multiple water dragons that I burst past as Hashirama calls forth more trees to give chase. They rumble and crush his brother in the process, but again, he's already starting to regenerate and uses a water jutsu to slice through the trees as I jump out of the way.
"Lord Enma! I'll need half!" Midori calls.
"Got it, kid! On my way!"
"Lili, shift down!"
"Yes, ma'am!" I shift the chakra mode down a stage and continue weaving through the attacks of the lords. I can hold this form for much longer, but I'm not out of the woods yet. Midori races towards me, carrying a staff in her hands. Lord Enma has cloned himself, then?
"Not sure about going up against the Kusanagi...I'm good to go against whatever you can name, but that blade is gonna leave me real sore," I hear Enma say.
"I'll try and save you some pain. I just need to confirm something important," Midori replies. "Here we go."
Hashirama turns his attention towards Midori as she moves in, launching another wave of trees at her. I slip away from Tobirama and note that Orochimaru has emerged from the earth nearby. Midori spins her staff and shreds through the roots and branches as they come for her. Enma wasn't kidding, was he...that staff must be like diamond, then.
"Aoko, think you can chew on a hit for me?" I ask the woman wrapped around me securely.
"Just say the word, Princess."
"Here we go, then. Decoy time." I accelerate towards Tobirama and get into melee range. He draws a kunai and I draw one in response, clashing with him. He moves his foot as I expect and Aoko tightens around me as I let his kick come in, slamming into my chest and sending me flying backwards. The impact is unmistakable, but the pain is nonexistent.
"Aoko, are you alright?" I ask as I slide to a stop.
"More than fine, Princess. You concern is a blessing, but it will take more than that to bring me to heel. The First Hokage's strength, though...it's another matter."
"Seems that I chose well," I say with a wry smile. Tobirama's clash with me means that Midori has slipped by him, attacking Orochimaru directly.
"Now! Nyoibo, extend!" She stops on a dime and the staff extends outwards quickly. Orochimaru curses and brings his blade up to block the attack, but just barely as his sword rests against his head.
"Grrah!" Enma roars and from here I can see the staff shaking a bit. An arm then suddenly grows from the staff and reaches for Orochimaru, barely missing as he retreats. The two Hokage rush at Midori and intend to engage her in taijutsu.
I can do something about it...one more to this party, then.
"To my aid! Extend and bite...Chaotic Movement!"
"Flow!" Crim's voice sounds as he extends towards Hashirama, grabbing onto the back of his armor.
"Return!"
"Flow!" Crim yells as he tenses before contracting, pulling Hashirama off his feet and tossing him back behind us. I quickly retreat back to Midori's side, and we then body flicker backwards to meet with our comrades again. Orochimaru is resetting again himself...his chakra levels have definitely decreased from what I can tell.
"I see it now. Lord Enma, I beg your forgiveness for the pain I caused you," Midori says sincerely.
"It's nothing, kid. Just gonna smart later...so, what'd you figure out?" Enma says.
"I want to make sure everyone's listening. This will be of use to all of the members here," she replies. We all nod as she looks at us. "Then I will begin. If you recall, the talisman were meant to give Orochimaru complete control of the lords after he summoned them. This means that he's consciously controlling them as he is while suppressing their personalities. It means that he needs to have some concentration when he's operating them...and all of that has a limit, no matter how gifted a shinobi one might be. As much as I despise saying it, Orochimaru is definitely a gifted child."
"..." I have to admit that much as well. It's possible that in another world, he would have been the old man's successor...
"While trying to stop attacks directed at himself, he either has to concentrate completely on the corpses to have them intercept, or stop what he's doing and defend, leaving them to pilot themselves. He can only do so many things at one time," Midori explains.
"There was something else, wasn't there?" Enma asks.
"Yes. I'm sure that Sarutobi has noticed it himself."
The Hokage nods. "These two have formidable strength, but...they haven't been revived at their full power."
"..." I want to ask if they're kidding, but it's probably not the case. It's not terribly out there, and just means the stories of Hashirama single-handedly building the foundations of the Leaf with his techniques are the truth. Terrifying, but true all the same.
"We've been dealing with cheap knockoffs the whole time?" Shikamaru says with disbelief. "This stopped being funny a long time ago..."
"Is it because of the talisman?" I ask, looking out at the field. Orochimaru isn't doing much moving, and neither are the two Hokage. They must be wary of us now. "If the techniques are just being used automatically, it might be that they're just generic attacks in comparison to what the lords did in life."
"Yes, that's certainly it," Midori says to me. "Along with their personalities, there's a degree of power that comes from knowing your own techniques. Unsuppressed, they could potentially have access to their entire repertoires. However...that requires loosening the control over them. This is one complication of Edo Tensei."
"So we're dealing with imitations...and they're under Orochimaru's complete control as of now. Which means that we need to divide his attention while attempting to seal the movements of the revived lords," the Hokage concludes.
"That's exactly it. And we're spoiled for options as it is. I have the technique ready," Midori says as the snakes around her arms flick their tongues out. "Let's apply pressure on both ends and do our best to seal them away."
"They're moving," Luna points out. I can see Hashirama and Tobirama advancing.
"An opening large enough to seal them won't be easy to create...but I can do it."
Midori looks at me with realization. "Lili, you shouldn't."
"The more time we waste, the more our advantage shrinks. And with that...there are more chances that we get hurt. If I have the power to end this quickly, I should make use of it."
"...alright. But don't go too far. Please."
"I promise I'll come out of this fine. Keep believing in me, as you have from the moment this started, Midori-nee!"
"Yes." She steels herself. "Focus your fire on Orochimaru. I'll engage the lords. Go!"
Midori tosses her staff into the air, and it disappears into a cloud of smoke. Enma returns to his normal size as a staff in the Hokage's hands. The five of us charge across the field, ANBU watching over us as silent guardians in the stands above.
Hashirama makes seals rapidly, sprouting a mass of trees and roots that surge towards us. Tobirama follows with a water technique, creating a massive wave of water that is meant to swallow us up.
"Not this time! Earth Wall!" the Hokage yells. He spits out a mass of earth that immediately forms into a high and strong wall, forcing the trees over and around it, and parting the incoming waters.
"Shikamaru!" I yell.
"I'm there!" He stops right at the edge of the wall's shadow and holds a seal. Everyone else advances at full speed. There isn't much time...we have to strike hard and fast in the given window. It will be my first time using that technique, but now's a good a time to experiment as any other...right?
Right.
Midori kicks off a branch and shoots right at Hashirama, parrying a punch while shoving her left hand through his chest.
"Secret Art...Night Viper Sealing."
The darkness of the seal spreads across Hashirama's body before forming into black snakes that wrap around him at every angle. He stops moving and falls to the ground immediately.
"Guh...!"
"Lord Sarutobi!" I call out. He's being pressured by Tobirama and is getting worn down...in his old age, that staff must be heavy. Luna accelerates ahead, dodging a mass of snakes as Orochimaru keeps her at a distance. He makes seals and a burst of wind appears at his back, threatening to blow Luna away.
It has to be now. Even if the cost is high.
I surge my chakra to the point where my body is shaking, the chakra mode pushed to its highest point as I call on it in a rush of electricity.
"Lili!" Luna cries out.
I draw two kunai before pushing chakra into my legs, tensing as lightning surges outwards. The longsword Kusanagi levitates in the air, and with his free hand Orochimaru sends it towards the Hokage as the latter fights off Tobirama.
"Dammit! Hiruzen!" Midori yells.
"White Snake...Sage Technique!" I yell. And in a violent flash, I move. "Jakyou Messenga!"
I move faster than I ever have before, in a torrent of destruction. A full speed, dynamic two armed slash as I encounter my target, ripping through him and to the other side as my arms come down in front of me. I slide to a stop on my heels, my breath leaving me and my chakra shroud disappearing.
"You...snot-nosed little bitch...!"
Maybe not enough to kill him...but more than enough to put an end to this madness. I turn to see that the sword has fallen well short of its target, and an explosion goes off that obliterates the left side of Tobirama's body as the Hokage falls back. It's enough...it's our win.
Midori dashes ahead and sweeps Tobirama off his remaining leg as he regenerates, then slams her right hand into his chest. The black snakes appear to bind his movement, and he goes still.
"I should have known you would have some sort of ridiculous seal," Orochimaru growls. "Damn you..."
"That's just how it is," Midori says. We group together, the five of us surrounding Orochimaru. He bears the X-shaped cuts from my last attack, and though I feel weakened from the heavy use of chakra, I can still move around. Luna takes a stance, her twin knives crossed together above her head. Shikamaru is ready to use his family jutsu. Midori stands with her arms crossed, and the Hokage catches his breath with Enma back in his true form at his side.
"It would be nice if you surrendered," Luna says. "But if not, you shouldn't worry. I have plenty of experience taking out garbage already..."
"Hilarious," Orochimaru says smugly. "What a funny joke. Why not look around you...while you were busy dealing with me, chaos has spread across the village. The Leaf is crumbling. With my soldiers from the Hidden Sound, and those from the Hidden Sand, I've already etched my mark here. And I'm not going to leave without the ultimate prize...I'm going to take the old man's life, and there's not a thing any of you can do about it."
"If he wants to die so badly, then we'll let him have it!" Enma yells. "Like I keep saying, we should have killed him a long time ago. Let's correct that mistake, here and now!"
"I've resolved to put an end to this by any means," the Hokage says. "Your crimes cannot be forgiven, Orochimaru."
"Oh? You think you're justice? How cute. As long as I still stand, I'll gain the upper hand on you, old timer. Perhaps not at this moment, but soon..."
What can he do in this situation? The best move would be to retreat and fight another day...that was what he must have done the last time he and the Third clashed. It must have been hard to strike down his former student, even if...
But he has a point. The longer we're here, the more damage might be done to the village. Is it worth that?
"The village will be fine. We can rebuild the buildings...letting you go, though. That would be a big mistake. Sorry, but even if it a pain to choke the life out of you, I'm ready to do it on command," Shikamaru says. A fine answer, and the one that I will go with myself.
"I'd rather not soil my hands with your filthy blood," Midori says. "But this is a good excuse to get rid of you once and for all, Orochimaru. Not just you, either..."
"?" What does she mean by that?
"I know you've been waiting for an excuse to call him out. He's tough to handle, isn't he? But it's perfectly fine if you do it, and allow us to settle every score at once."
"Him?" the Hokage asks.
"The one known as the strongest colossal snake," Aoko says from my left arm.
"The great menace!" Crim shouts from around my right arm. "Manda!"
Orochimaru smirks at that. "Kukukuku...so you understand, then. The old emnity between you both, I know of it. I'm sure he'll be all too happy to swallow you up, little princess. And once you and your band of troublemakers are safely in his belly, I'll grant death to the denizens of Leaf as a bonus."
"I won't let you do such a thing," the Hokage says. "Your ambitions end here, Orochimaru!"
"Sorry for the wait, everyone!"
"?" A cloud of smoke forms, and someone appears out of it. It's a tall man in a red vest, with geta and wild, bushy white hair. A strange headband with horns poking out of it. And a pose that reminds me too much of Rock Lee. "Now that we've beaten back the invaders, it's time! Mount Myoboku's one and only, the incredible, stupendous, magnificent Toad Hermit, Jiraiya!"
"An endless parade of idiots," Orochimaru says. "And the ringleader finally appears."
"Hah! You've got the same bad attitude as always, Orochimaru. I'm putting an end to your reign of terror!"
"It seems you're the same as ever, Jiraiya," Midori says. Jiraiya breaks his silly pose and takes note of my sister.
"Oh, so you're responsible for this mess," he says with a smile. "I figured sensei wasn't going it alone...and I mean help that's so easy on the eyes is a blessing in itself." He makes 'observations' of Luna while she's focused on keeping the snake man in place, to say nothing of his ogling of Midori. An open pervert, then...?
"We're going to get rid of this guy, since he's clearly not going to come along quietly. Mind helping? The next phase is about to begin, even if he doesn't want to admit it," Midori says.
"You gonna finally take me up on my offer?" he asks.
Midori smiles. "It's the same answer as always. I must decline."
He sighs. "Well, always worth another shot, right? Okay, let's get into it...I've got things I need to make up for myself, when it comes to this fellow..."
Orochimaru has caused everyone trouble, it seems. This may very well be the only solution, the only thing that's fair. Death for every crime that he's committed.
We have to end this here.
There's a tension as Shikamaru starts to extend his shadow towards Orochimaru. If we can seal his movements quickly enough...but I remember what was said just now.
"Shikamaru."
He looks at me and I nod.
"You're all insane. Every single one of you," he says.
"It might be so," I reply. "But being ordinary doesn't save the day...does it?"
"..." He drops his hands and sighs. "No. It never did."
We all jump back and huddle towards Jiraya. Orochimaru swiftly swipes his thumb through the wound on his chest while Jiraiya bites into his thumb. They rapidly weave seals. Their hands hit the ground at the same time, and they stare hatefully into each other as chakra builds.
"Summoning Jutsu!" they roar in unison.
And as we're covered by a massive cloud of multicoloured smoke, the next phase begins.