"It is precisely because I know war brings pain that I must wage war! Konoha's strength is a danger to Iwagakure!"
Ōnoki's views would not change because of a word or two from Hiruzen Sarutobi, just as he would never forget the humiliation Uchiha Madara brought to Lord Mu and him years ago.
From then on, he understood that true peace could not be brought by alliance agreements alone; true peace could only be forged through strength!
Just like Senju Hashirama, who used his own strength to make the Four Great Shinobi Villages acknowledge his ideals and reach a consensus.
If he had the strength of Senju Hashirama, there would be no Five Great Ninja Villages, only one: Iwagakure.
"Stubborn as a rock!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was enraged by Ōnoki's words. He extended his hand, and his adamantine staff spun into his grasp.
"If words won't work, then let's continue fighting!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi made up his mind: even if he couldn't kill Ōnoki, he would at least beat him to the point where he couldn't appear on the battlefield.
Bang—!
A spray of blood erupted from Ōnoki's chest. The bullet that pierced him struck the ground, leaving a deep crater.
"My apologies, I couldn't resist. Third Tsuchikage, you tried to kill me with Dust Release earlier. Did you not consider that I might use the same method to kill you?"
Orochimaru held a small, black, matte-textured pistol in her hand, the dark muzzle emitting a faint wisp of smoke, a satisfied smile on her face.
She was a very vengeful person. With an opportunity for revenge right before her, how could she not seize it?
This gun, one of her many trump cards, was designed for sneak attacks. She had been developing and improving it for many years, constantly increasing its penetrating power.
Unfortunately, due to Hiruzen Sarutobi's movements, Ōnoki instinctively flew up a bit, causing the bullet, which was meant for his head, to pierce his chest instead.
"I bloom in slaughter."
"Despicable and shameless!"
"Too despicable!"
"You Konoha Ninja are too despicable!"
The Iwagakure Ninja exploded at this sight, furiously wanting to rush forward and tear Orochimaru apart.
Jiraiya and Tsunade also hadn't expected Orochimaru to act so suddenly.
"Orochimaru, you..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi stared in astonishment at the Ninjutsu tool in Orochimaru's hand, one he had never seen before. Hearing her words, he found himself unable to utter the reprimand he intended.
Yes, Orochimaru was almost killed by a sneak attack from the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release. Why couldn't she retaliate in the same way?
"Despicable? You are clearly more despicable! It was your Third Tsuchikage who attacked Lord Orochimaru first!"
"It was clearly your Third Tsuchikage who ambushed Lord Orochimaru!"
"Iwagakure! You are the shameless ones for attacking Konoha!"
"Exactly! How dare you condemn Lord Orochimaru?!"
The Konoha Ninja shouted indignantly, not at all believing Orochimaru had done anything wrong.
The opportunity is now!
Orochimaru didn't hesitate, preparing to fire again, to kill Ōnoki, who had tried to kill her. If Ōnoki died, whether a leaderless Iwagakure would be attacked by the three great Shinobi Villages, that was hard to say!
Bang—!
The bullet grazed Ōnoki's body. Orochimaru's hand was pushed upwards by the extended adamantine staff.
"Retreat!"
Ōnoki clutched the wound on his chest, gave Orochimaru a deep look, and issued the retreat order, flying high into the sky to prevent Hiruzen Sarutobi from changing his mind.
"Hiruzen Sensei, why did you stop me? Don't you know that killing the Third Tsuchikage here would be most beneficial to Konoha?"
Orochimaru questioned Hiruzen Sarutobi, unable to understand why he had stopped her.
"Killing the Third Tsuchikage in this manner, what about your reputation in the Ninja World afterwards? The death of the Third Tsuchikage could lead to even more severe consequences."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was considering the aftermath of Ōnoki's death. On one hand, it concerned Orochimaru's reputation; he still wanted Orochimaru to succeed him as the Fourth Hokage.
On the other hand, if Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki died on the battlefield in a humiliating sneak attack, would Iwagakure not retaliate with all its might to avenge him and attack Konoha?
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