"Third Hokage, grab my shoulder, I'll take you out of this barrier!"
After Li Chuan finished speaking, his hands once again rapidly performed hand seals for casting.
The Third Hokage hesitated for a moment upon hearing this, but ultimately placed his hands on Li Chuan's shoulders.
He did indeed want to perish together with Orochimaru.
Firstly, to make up for the mistake he made due to a moment of soft-heartedness back then, and secondly, because if they didn't perish together, the result today would be his death, and Orochimaru would lead the Edo Tensei First and Second Hokage to wreak havoc on the entire Konoha Village.
However, if there was a chance to escape this barrier, he would still choose to save his life first.
He wasn't afraid of death. If he was, he wouldn't have actively stepped forward as the bait when he and the Second Hokage were surrounded and attacked by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, willing to die for the Village without any hesitation.
Just like how he had done many things against his will for the sake of the Village's interests.
It was just that there were still many things in the Village that hadn't been arranged properly. The next Hokage hadn't been appointed yet, and Danzo's side hadn't been properly dealt with. After fighting until now, Danzo and the Root Ninja hadn't appeared at all, and he knew that Danzo couldn't escape responsibility for today's matter.
In the event that Danzo became the next Hokage after his death, with Danzo's personality, the peace in the Village would be broken.
He didn't object to some of Danzo's methods, and would even clean up after him, but the position of Hokage must be held by someone who stands in the light.
This was why he didn't choose Orochimaru back then, but chose Minato. In fact, Jiraiya was more suitable, but he was unwilling.
Moreover, after today's incident, Konoha's vitality would be greatly damaged, and other Ninja Village would definitely be eyeing them covetously. His existence could continue to deter them, so if he could live, he would still choose to live first.
There would still be opportunities to deal with Orochimaru in the future.
On the other side, Orochimaru raised his hand as if to stop them, but ultimately lowered it.
He was clear about Li Chuan's strength. Now that Li Chuan had intervened, it was unlikely that he could keep the Third Hokage, and to be honest, he was also very wary of the Third Hokage using Soul Reaper Seal.
In the end, deep down, he had always been saying that he wanted to kill the Third Hokage and destroy Konoha, but was that really the case?
He was born an orphan, and after graduating from the Ninja school at the age of six, he became the Third Hokage's disciple along with Jiraiya and Tsunade, gaining rare friendship and teacher-student affection.
Later, after seeing too many deaths in the war, especially the deaths of Tsunade's lover and younger brother, he had the idea of researching the art of immortality no matter what.
In addition, he served as Danzo's guard in Root for a period of time, and was influenced by Danzo's many dark ideas.
That was why the subsequent events of snatching children from neighboring Villages, establishing secret laboratories in various places, and conducting various human experiments occurred.
As for the Third Hokage not choosing him but choosing Jiraiya's disciple Minato as the Fourth Hokage, although he had resentment in his heart, it wasn't to the point where he hated his teacher to the point of wanting to kill him.
On the contrary, after leaving Konoha, he could shed all restraints and truly study various forbidden techniques without any scruples. He still had to thank the Third Hokage for this.
Today's Hidden Leaf Village Destruction Plan was firstly to plant a cursed seal on Sasuke, and seize Sasuke's body in the future, and secondly, to unite with the Sand Ninja to destroy Konoha as much as possible, weaken the power of the Sand Ninja and Konoha, and cause the "windmill" of the entire Ninja World to turn.
It was impossible for Konoha to be destroyed. With Jiraiya around, and with the hidden Danzo and Root's Ninja, it was impossible to win with the power of the Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja alone. He even killed the Fourth Kazekage of the Sand Ninja.
As for killing the Third Hokage, it was less about killing the Third Hokage and more about wanting to show this teacher his research results over the years, so that the Third Hokage would understand that his art of immortality was not a fantasy, but had already succeeded.
These things had basically been completed now. With Li Chuan rescuing the Third Hokage, he didn't seem to need to stop him anymore.
It was just that what he didn't understand now was whether Li Chuan, this Prince, suddenly taking action to rescue the Third Hokage, and the somewhat deliberate reminder just now, was really to save the Third Hokage, or to save him, which made him a little confused.
"Didn't even stop me, does he understand what I mean, or did he not want to kill the Third Hokage in the first place?"
When Li Chuan Apparition with the Third Hokage, he discovered that Orochimaru was actually standing there without taking any action, nor did he intend to let the Edo Tensei First and Second Hokage take action, and he was also secretly surprised.
"Hokage, are you alright!"
Outside, on the roof with golden tiles, after Li Chuan and the Third Hokage's figures appeared, the Anbu guards guarding outside the barrier immediately surrounded them.
The Third Hokage gasped slightly:
"I'm fine, how is the Village now?"
Chakra is a combination of physical and spiritual energy. He was sixty-nine years old this year, his body was aging, and his taijutsu and Chakra reserves were far inferior to those in his prime. After that battle just now, the Chakra in his body was almost exhausted.
The masked Anbu Ninja reported:
"Large numbers of Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja have invaded the four gates of the southeast, northwest, with the southern gate having the strongest offensive. There is also a giant summoning beast, a three-headed snake, wreaking havoc, but fortunately Jiraiya has arrived and stabilized the situation.
There are also many hidden Ninja from other Villages destroying things in the Village, and all the Jonin are going to intercept them."
Anyway, although the overall situation is relatively severe, under the powerful strength of Konoha, it has gradually gained the upper hand, and it will not be long before it can defeat these invading Sound Ninja and Sand Ninja.
Of course, some casualties are inevitable.
"Hokage!"
At this time, at the Chunin Exams venue, all the Sand Ninja and Sound Ninja who had been hiding among the villagers and launched attacks were also eliminated. Even Maki, the strong leader of the Sand Ninja, was defeated and Bet over by Kakashi and Might Guy.
"Consider yourselves lucky this time, let's go!"
Orochimaru, controlling the Edo Tensei First and Second Hokage, coldly snorted and left a sentence, then led the Sound Ninja Four to escape out of Konoha Village.
The Sand Ninja's Jinchuriki did not riot in the Village, and the Third Hokage was always thinking of perishing together with him, and he couldn't figure out whether Li Chuan, this Prince, was an enemy or a friend.
Most importantly, the big snake he summoned couldn't stop Jiraiya for long. He didn't want to see Jiraiya, that was a guy who made him feel very annoying.
"Don't even think about leaving!"
At this time, the leading Ninja of the Anbu guard team saw Orochimaru escape, and immediately wanted to chase after him angrily, but was stopped by the Third Hokage.
"Don't chase, go support the others first, defeat the Sand Ninja, and reduce the Village's casualties."
The Third Hokage was very clear that if they concentrated their strength to kill Orochimaru at this time, not only would they likely not be able to kill him, but they might also be plotted against by Orochimaru. It was better to be more stable and preserve their strength, and first solve the Sand Ninja, this ally.
This could also save some reputation, and also possibly take this opportunity to completely make the Sand Ninja lose the ability to oppose Konoha.
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