The world of Naruto had its fair share of amusing characters.
Jiraiya was one.
Naruto was another.
And without a doubt, Killer Bee was yet another.
Though each of them could be serious and formidable in battle, their everyday personalities leaned toward the goofy and eccentric.
The Eight-Tails had long since grown accustod to Bee's antics and chose not to bother explaining the significance of the Sage of Six Paths to him.
Besides, even if he wanted to explain it now, he wouldn't have the chance.
Because the Fire Release: Heavenly Prison technique didn't just seal chakra, it also severed the connection between Bee and the Eight-Tails entirely.
Orochimaru employed the sa strategy once more.
After sealing Bee's chakra, he retracted the Truth-Seeking Orbs and restrained him using Wood Release.
---
"Bee!!"
The Fourth Raikage let out a furious roar, pushing forward in an attempt to rescue his brother.
Boom!
But before he could reach Orochimaru.
A Susanoo stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
A single Susanoo would have been too slow to keep up with the Raikage's speed.
But with five of them, the playing field was even.
---
Whoosh!
Orochimaru turned slightly in Raikage's direction, raising a hand.
A Truth-Seeking Orb condensed at his fingertips.
Then, without hesitation, he launched it forward.
---
"Damn! This isn't good—"
"Lord Raikage!"
"Big bro—!!"
Everyone present realized the danger, but it was too late.
BOOM!
A massive explosion erupted, shaking the entire battlefield.
The ground itself shattered.
The sheer force of the Truth-Seeking Orb disintegrated stone, dirt, and debris into dust.
The very air trembled under the intensity of the blast.
A blinding white light followed, so bright that it forced everyone to shield their eyes.
---
"Damn it… that bastard…!"
Bee clenched his fists in rage, his body struggling to move.
But he had been struck by the Truth-Seeking Orbs earlier.
His body hadn't recovered yet.
And on top of that.
His chakra was still sealed.
"Quit struggling."
Orochimaru barely spared him a glance.
Without looking back at the battlefield, he summoned another giant python and began leaving with Bee in tow.
This ti, no one pursued him.
---
Powerful.
Terrifying.
Unstoppable.
That was Orochimaru in the eyes of everyone present.
Even Pain found himself montarily taken aback, his Rinnegan reflecting shock.
There was no doubt.
This was true Six Paths-level power.
Though the Truth-Seeking Orbs didn't create explosions as large as a Tailed Beast Bomb, their destructive capability far exceeded one.
Just how powerful had Orochimaru beco?
---
"Orochimaru… what kind of power do you have?"
Kakuzu couldn't hide his astonishnt.
He was certain, if that Truth-Seeking Orb had been directed at him, he wouldn't have even had ti to revive.
Every single one of his five hearts would have been erased instantly.
"A power that surpasses the limits of bloodline abilities," Orochimaru answered casually.
He had no intention of explaining the concept of Six Paths power to Kakuzu.
Kakuzu let out a small breath.
"…What a terrifying man."
Of course, he hadn't expected a detailed answer.
After all, no shinobi would freely disclose all their abilities, especially not to temporary allies.
And truthfully did Orochimaru even need allies?
---
"This is nothing. Let's go. Sealing the Tailed Beasts is the priority."
Orochimaru didn't waste any more words and began leading the group away.
---
"…Is it really okay to kill the Raikage?"
Konan's voice carried a hint of concern.
Publicly eliminating a Kage could trigger an international crisis.
If that happened, nations would unite in condemning Akatsuki.
And the world would soon be drenched in blood.
Unlike Pain, who had experienced the full horrors of war, Konan still hoped to avoid such extres.
Orochimaru's response was dismissive.
"Don't worry. He's not dead."
Konan's eyes widened.
"Not… dead?! How is that possible?"
She had seen the radius of the explosion.
She had felt the overwhelming destructive force of the Truth-Seeking Orb.
There was no way the Raikage could have survived.
Was there?
---
"There's no need to be so shocked, Konan."
Pain's voice cut in.
"Don't forget, there were still five Wood Clones present."
Konan suddenly understood.
---
The Fourth Raikage—Alive.
Yes, he had survived.
And not just him—Darui and Nozomi were alive as well.
Why?
Because at the exact mont the Truth-Seeking Orb detonated, Orochimaru's Wood Release Clone positioned itself in front of them.
The Raikage's Lightning Armor provided partial defense.
Darui and Nozomi had been far enough away from the explosion.
And Susanoo clones, combined with their own defenses, had absorbed most of the impact.
But make no mistake.
They had barely survived.
When the reinforcents from Kumogakure arrived, they found the three of them half-dead.
And as they surveyed the utterly devastated battlefield.
The sheer level of destruction sent chills down their spines.
"How strong… is Orochimaru?"
"…Terrifying. Even Raikage-sama was."
No one dared finish the sentence.
---
Capturing two Tailed Beasts at once.
An impossible feat for most.
For Orochimaru?
It was just another mission.
From the mont he sensed the Fourth Raikage approaching, he had been waiting for Killer Bee to arrive.
He had known exactly how it would unfold.
Because if the Raikage was in trouble, Bee wouldn't just sit back and do nothing.
Even though they weren't biological brothers, their bond was stronger than blood.
So Orochimaru had waited.
And in the end, he hadn't needed to wait long.
---
Deep within a hidden cave in the Land of Rice Fields, the Akatsuki gathered once more.
It was ti to extract the Tailed Beasts.
---
"Two at once?"
Juzo let out a low whistle.
"Kakuzu, your efficiency is getting ridiculous."
"Yes," Sasori added. "And if I recall correctly, these two are among the strongest Jinchūriki."
Kakuzu's expression remained indifferent.
"I didn't do much. Orochimaru handled it alone."
Juzo chuckled.
"Figures. With that technique of his, even if the Jinchūriki went all out, they wouldn't stand a chance."
"Alright, enough talk."
Pain's voice was firm.
"Everyone, focus on sealing the Tailed Beasts."
"Understood."
And thus—
The month-long process of extracting both Two-Tails and Eight-Tails began.
---
One month later.
In the depths of a remote mountain, the Gedo Statue slowly sank into the earth once more, its work completed.
Six figures in black cloaks remained.
And before them, two nearly lifeless Jinchūriki.
Yet, as Yugito lay there, gazing at Orochimaru, disbelief filled her weakening eyes.
"…Why?" she whispered.
"Why… did you save ?"
***
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