Naruto: Eat this fruit and we will be brothers

Orochimaru's Deception

The Skin Peeling Jutsu, one of the strongest disguise techniques, allowed Orochimaru to rip off Rasa's face and wear it as a mask.

Disguised as the Fourth Kazekage, Orochimaru barked orders at his minions.

"Kabuto, gather intelligence on that 'Wild Man of Sunagakure.'"

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied, adjusting his glasses. But deep down, even he could tell Orochimaru was shaken by his earlier encounter with Qi Hai.

Once ready, Orochimaru donned the Kazekage's signature conical hat, concealing his sinister smirk.

"It's time to continue the plan," he muttered, heading toward the sand ninja camp.

Suspicion Arises

The disguised Orochimaru approached the gathered Sunagakure forces.

"Prepare to move out!" he commanded, his voice perfectly mimicking Rasa's.

"Yes, Lord Kazekage!" Maki responded without hesitation.

"Wait!" A familiar voice interrupted.

All eyes turned toward the source—Qi Hai.

Orochimaru's eyes narrowed.

"Qi Hai, for the sake of Sunagakure, let this matter go," he said, maintaining the façade of the Kazekage.

Qi Hai, however, was unmoved. Step by step, he closed the distance, a chilling smile playing on his lips.

"Let it go? The people of Sea Lord Hill are unburied. Is that what you mean, Orochimaru?"

His voice dripped with menace, and the weight of his words silenced the murmurs around them.

Orochimaru's Cover Blown

"W-What?!" the other sand shinobi exclaimed, confusion and unease spreading through the ranks.

"Qi Hai-sama, what are you saying? This is Lord Kazekage!"

Qi Hai ignored them, summoning his Sea King Sword, the blade glinting ominously in the light.

Orochimaru knew his cover was blown.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

Dozens of snakes shot out from his sleeves, their fangs aimed directly at Qi Hai.

But the attack struck nothing but water—Qi Hai had already dissolved into a water clone.

"Water Clone Jutsu? No… there's no chakra…" Orochimaru's sharp mind raced to comprehend the impossible.

Orochimaru's True Form Revealed

Orochimaru's instincts screamed at him to flee, but Qi Hai was faster.

With a burst of speed, Qi Hai's Sea King Sword slashed across Orochimaru's chest, leaving a deep, bloody gash.

"Who are you, really?" Orochimaru hissed, his voice laced with pain and curiosity.

But Qi Hai didn't answer. Instead, he unleashed his next move.

Gonggong's Wrath

"Water's Wrath: Gonggong!"

An enormous vortex erupted from Qi Hai's body, pulling everything into its spiraling depths.

Caught in the maelstrom, Orochimaru could only watch as the water ripped apart his clothing, skin, and even his hair.

Above the vortex, a majestic figure materialized.

A towering, blue-armored deity with an imposing presence hovered in the sky. In its hands was a blade identical to Qi Hai's, exuding an overwhelming aura of divine fury.

The deity's eyes opened.

With a single motion, it drove its sword into the heart of the vortex, unleashing a devastating wave of energy.

"Gonggong's Final Rage!"

The ground shattered, leaving a 30-meter-deep crater filled with churning seawater.

Orochimaru's Escape

Qi Hai scanned the area, his senses heightened by Observation Haki.

"He's still alive," he muttered, sensing Orochimaru's fading presence.

Badly injured, Orochimaru was fleeing for his life. His body dissolved into countless snakes, each slithering away in different directions.

Qi Hai's frustration boiled over.

"Coward!"

He thrust his fist forward.

"Sea Beast's Fury!"

A colossal, oceanic beast manifested from his punch, crushing many of the escaping snakes.

But Orochimaru was a master of survival. One lone snake managed to escape, slithering into the shadows.

As it disappeared, Qi Hai's resolve hardened.

A Vow of Vengeance

"Damn snake," he growled. "You're on my list now."

Qi Hai turned back, his mind racing.

I'll find you, Orochimaru. One day, I'll drown your lair and crush your experiments.

With that promise, he set off to rejoin the others.

A Grim Revelation

As Qi Hai approached the camp, he heard anguished cries.

"Lord Kazekage!"

"Lord Rasa… he's dead?! How could this happen?"

The scene was chaotic.

Sand shinobi surrounded the lifeless body of the Fourth Kazekage. His face had been stripped away, leaving a horrifying, faceless corpse.

"Damn that Orochimaru! He must have ambushed him!" someone shouted.

Qi Hai's heart sank. It's true… Rasa is dead.

For all his plans to defeat Rasa himself, this outcome left him hollow.

Among the mourners, Temari and Kankuro clung to their father's body, tears streaming down their faces.

Irrational as it seemed, Qi Hai felt a pang of guilt.

Rasa, I didn't wish for it to end like this…

Gaara's Silent Grief

Gaara stood apart from the others, staring blankly at his father's corpse.

Just days ago, he had finally begun to feel the warmth of acceptance, the fragile beginnings of a familial bond.

But now, that hope was shattered.

Wordlessly, Gaara approached Qi Hai and leaned against him, seeking silent comfort.

Qi Hai rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, his expression unreadable.

The other shinobi looked on, their faces etched with despair.

Sunagakure's Darkest Hour

First, the mysterious disappearance of the Third Kazekage.

Now, the assassination of the Fourth Kazekage.

The losses were staggering, leaving the village on the brink of collapse.

For the shinobi of Sunagakure, one question loomed above all else:

Does our village still have a future?

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