In Naruto with the Flame-Flame Fruit

Holidays always fly by. After a week of rest in the village, they were once again back on the battlefield.

Danzo, that shady bastard, really was a master of the game. When it came to slinging mud, no one did it better.

News had spread like wildfire through the Sunagakure ranks: Chiyo's grandson had assassinated the Third Kazekage, and Chiyo herself was suspected of plotting to seize the Kazekage seat. The rumors even reached Sunagakure, thousands of miles away.

Although Chiyo still technically held command, her authority had taken a serious hit. Many began to distrust her. And with certain individuals manipulating the war effort from behind the scenes, the entire strategy fell apart, leading to one defeat after another.

Naturally, Orochimaru, as the commander of the Konoha front lines, wasn't about to let such a golden opportunity slip by.

All-out assault!

Both Konoha and Sunagakure massed their forces at Kikyō Pass. A great battle was about to erupt.

...

When Kiyosuke and the others returned to the main base, the atmosphere was suffocating—like the calm before a storm. They all knew it: the big one was coming.

Combined, the forces gathered at Kikyō Pass numbered in the tens of thousands. This would be the decisive battle.

Thanks to Danzo's handiwork, Chiyo's hold on command had been severely undermined. Even her younger brother, Ebizō, had been affected. The two siblings knew the village wouldn't let them hold command for much longer. After all, they had their own motives for launching the attack on Konoha.

Veterans of the last two wars could see the signs—Sunagakure was on the decline. If they didn't risk it all now, their defeat would be certain. So, they chose to go all in, betting everything on this battle at Kikyō Pass. If they lost...

Then Sunagakure would be forced to withdraw from the Third Great Ninja War entirely, left only to turtle up and defend. Any notion of future offensives would be out of the question.

...

Early the next morning, Konoha's main camp was already on the move. Kiyosuke and his unit were fully geared and ready.

Returning from a mission, Shinku stood among the Konoha formation, poised for battle.

Opposite them were the vast ranks of Sunagakure, led by Chiyo and Ebizō.

Konoha's commander for this battle: Orochimaru.

Chiyo, once the flower of the ninja world, had aged visibly. She looked across the field at Orochimaru and said,

"Orochimaru—you've done quite well for yourself. I heard that brat Tsunade left Konoha. What a shame. Her presence would've made this war far more interesting."

During the Second Great Ninja War, Chiyo's poisons had been a nightmare for Konoha. But then Tsunade—the bane of all poisons—rose to prominence, neutralizing her toxins and dramatically reducing Konoha's casualties.

But this time around, Tsunade wasn't here. Konoha had suffered heavy losses due to poisoning. Even though Orochimaru and his team of medics had managed to produce some antidotes, it had come too late. Many had already died.

"Even without Tsunade, your Sunagakure still isn't a match for Konoha," Orochimaru replied coldly.

"But what about you? Has Sunagakure run out of ninja? You're so old, and yet still out here on the battlefield. Sarutobi-sensei is already thinking about grandkids."

Don't let his usual cold demeanor fool you—Orochimaru knew how to throw shade when needed. If Jiraiya had been here, the trash talk would've gone even further—he probably would've roasted Chiyo about her age while dancing in a minefield.

Chiyo snorted. Lately, the scandal of her grandson assassinating the Third Kazekage had kept her overwhelmed and on edge.

She never imagined her sweet little grandson had grown strong enough to pull that off.

But she believed it—believed that Sasori truly could have killed the Third Kazekage. His talent was terrifying. Though she didn't know how he managed it, the timing matched. Sasori disappeared around the same time the Kazekage did. That alone said enough.

Voices in the village were already rising against her leadership. A few old allies were still holding those voices down, but that wouldn't last. No matter the outcome of this battle, she would have to return to Sunagakure and retire.

And to think, she didn't even get to see her grandson again… That was the most painful part.

She spoke.

"Orochimaru, that cowardly old fox Sarutobi sure played this well—sending a venomous snake like you to lead the charge. After this war, I wouldn't be surprised if you're nominated as the Fourth Hokage. Sarutobi Hiruzen should be stepping down soon, don't you think?"

"Sarutobi-sensei's still in his prime. If even you haven't retired yet, how could he?"

Just then, a crimson flare shot up from the rear of the Konoha lines.

Orochimaru's face darkened instantly.

Chiyo grinned, waved her hand, and barked, "Attack!"

With her command, the solid ground erupted. Golden sand surged upward like a glittering tidal wave, rushing toward Konoha's forces.

"Is that… gold dust?!"

Without hesitation, Orochimaru performed a massive wall of earth shot up to block the golden torrent.

He immediately summoned a massive purple serpent.

It was his personal summon: Manda.

Manda was in a foul mood, as always.

"Tch. Orochimaru. You've summoned me to a damn battlefield again?"

No kidding.

If it wasn't dangerous, why would I even need you?

"Manda," Orochimaru sneered, "you can eat anyone on the field except Konoha's forces."

"You said it. It's been a while since I had a proper meal!"

Manda's eyes gleamed with bloodlust. Twisting his massive body, he slithered around the earth wall and surged into the ranks of Sunagakure, jaws wide.

In one bite, he swallowed over a dozen stunned shinobi.

A young ninja with short brown hair saw this and instantly moved—manipulating gold dust into the shape of a massive hand, trying to grab Manda.

But Manda dodged with ease.

"So this is Sunagakure's Magnet Release. Unlike the Third Kazekage's iron sand… this is gold dust." Orochimaru's gaze fixed on the young man manipulating it—Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage.

Without hesitation, Orochimaru leapt from Manda's head and charged straight at him.

Chiyo might be dangerous, but Rasa posed the greater threat to Konoha. If left alive, he could very well become the next Kazekage.

As Orochimaru dove into the chaos, Shikaku remained behind to coordinate the troops.

He immediately split off a unit to deal with the puppet corps led by Ebizō approaching from the rear, while the rest held the front lines.

"Charge!!"

"Kill every last Sunagakure bastard!!"

"For Konoha!!!"

Konoha's shinobi surged forward, with Kiyosuke among them.

"Flame Jet!"

"Blazing Vortex!"

"Great Fire Blast!"

"Fire Lance!"

Attacks rained down—every strike taking another enemy life.

"Scorch Style!"

A sharp, familiar voice rang out.

A scream followed.

Kiyosuke turned just in time to see a Konoha ninja shrivel into a dry husk between two flaming orbs.

There was no question who was responsible.

He turned to see Pakura and grinned.

"You just couldn't wait for our date, could you?"

"No," Pakura replied coldly. "I'm here to kill you!"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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