Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Rescue
Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock, his pupils constricting as disbelief filled his gaze.
The First Hokage!
A series of titles flashed through Jiraiya's mind as he stood frozen, grappling with the reality before him.
Senju Hashirama had always been a figure he aspired to and a goal to strive toward.
However, he never imagined meeting the famous First Hokage in such circumstances.
"Orochimaru... it seems you've perfected that technique."
Jiraiya said gravely, his once-shocked expression changing into a stern seriousness, and his astonished eyes became focused and resolute.
The Second Hokage's forbidden technique.
The Impure World Reincarnation.
Jiraiya had heard rumors in the past that Orochimaru had been experimenting with this technique—the one capable of summoning the dead.
However, it required a live sacrifice, and its uncertainties made it far too dangerous to fully explore.
"Yes."
Orochimaru replied with a faint smile, with his narrow eyes gleaming with a sinister light.
"Jiraiya, you should step aside quickly. You're blocking the First Hokage's path!"
Orochimaru taunted again, fully aware of Jiraiya's personality.
The more he pushed Jiraiya to back down, the less likely he was to do so.
"..."
Jiraiya's face grew even more solemn.
Without saying a word, Jiraiya's gaze remained fixed on Hashirama standing at the back of Orochimaru's group.
Jiraiya's entire demeanor was intensely focused, fully prepared for battle.
Hashirama stood at the end of the group. He observed the conversation between Orochimaru and Jiraiya and everything that was happening.
He moved forward slowly with a strong presence but didn't say or do anything. He stopped right in front of Orochimaru and looked at him coldly.
"Do you intend to use me as a weapon?"
He asked with his right hand clenched into a fist and swung it hard at Orochimaru's face.
The punch was delivered with a terrifying chakra, and it made a loud explosion when it hit Orochimaru in the cheek.
In an instant, Orochimaru's body was violently thrown off balance, crashing heavily to the ground erupted with another explosive sound.
The ground was shattered and cracked like a spider's web.
The scene unfolded in a heartbeat.
It was too late for anyone to react.
Orochimaru was already on the ground with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth when everyone snapped back to reality.
"You think you can use me?"
Hashirama's voice was laced with a chilling coldness.
The was even smoother and more effective than the previous one in the barrier.
"Orochimaru-sama!"
In an instant, cries of alarm filled the air.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
The Sound Four darted in front of Orochimaru, each face covered in sweat beads, but none of them flinched.
Orochimaru-sama was their faith.
They were ready to sacrifice their lives for Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama, you must leave! We'll hold him off!"
Kidomaru said with a grim expression. He greatly admired Orochimaru and couldn't bear to see him treated this way.
"Don't be so arrogant now that you're dead!"
Tayuya glared fiercely at Hashirama.
She felt scared, but her impulsiveness overcame her fear at this moment.
"Let him see the power of the Sound Ninja Four!"
Sakon's face was twisted with a fierce expression, and the fact that he could speak to Hashirama like that showed he was under tremendous pressure.
"This person must have weaknesses, and his need to absorb cells means he requires energy."
Jirobo added in a deep voice, seemingly the most relaxed of the four.
Buzz!
Buzz!
Buzz!
After the Sound Four finished speaking, black curse marks appeared on their faces.
These marks seemed to come alive, moving across their skin and eventually merging into a single pattern.
The next moment.
Their appearance changed drastically as they began to enter their cursed seal forms.
The skin of the four transformed into a dark red hue.
Kidomaru's six arms sprouted horns, his hair turned white, and he stood up, and the third eye on his forehead opened.
He looked ghastly, almost like an evil spirit.
Tayuya's pink hair grew longer, her eyes turned black, and pure white horns sprouted from her head.
She took out a flute.
Sakon and Ukon simultaneously entered the second stage of their cursed seal.
Their jaws became pointed, demon-like horns grew from their foreheads, their hair turned white, and demonic black horns emerged on their bodies.
Ukon's head, who had been facing away, also turned around.
Jirobo's skin developed numerous bumps, his brown hair grew long, and veins bulged on his face, giving him a formidable appearance.
In almost an instant, the Sound Four had all transformed into the second state of their cursed seals.
"This is your choice?"
Hashirama looked at the four in their cursed seal second state calmly. He could clearly feel that their chakra had become much stronger.
However…
The level of chakra they possessed was no match for his own.
"We will not allow you to harm Orochimaru-sama!"
The Sound Four shouted in unison.
After entering the cursed seal's second state, all fear had vanished from their hearts.
The surging power within their bodies made them feel invincible.
"No…"
Orochimaru struggled on the ground, still dazed from the punch he had received.
This was the most uncomfortable feeling for Orochimaru, and the last thing he wanted to sense was the smell of death.
"No…"
Orochimaru's voice was still weak. He never imagined he would be hit so hard by a single punch.
Swish!
Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Orochimaru.
With great speed, the figure helped Orochimaru up.
The person wearing glasses and a dark cloak was Kabuto, who had just retreated from the Chunin Exam venue.
"Orochimaru-sama, I'm here to save you!"
Kabuto seized the opportunity, assisting Orochimaru and swiftly retreating.
"We'll leave this place to all of you!"
Kabuto's gaze swept over the Sound Four and understood they might be sacrificed here.
Everything was for Orochimaru-sama!
Given the current situation, sacrifice was inevitable!
Swish!
After Kabuto spoke, he forcibly assisted Orochimaru. He fled toward the gap in the wall created by the two giant snakes.
"No…"
Orochimaru's narrow snake eyes were filled with deep terror. He never expected that trying to deal with Jiraiya would turn into this situation.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone