Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 310 Earth Dragon Immortal

Orochimaru twirled his sword, glancing around at his surroundings.

"Teacher, don't even think about letting the Sealed Class do anything secretly, or else... hehe..."

"Everyone, step back!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood rooted to the spot, his chest heaving violently. He looked at Orochimaru, at that pale, young face, and suddenly realized something.

Orochimaru's stamina, speed, and swordsmanship have all surpassed his. Not just his current strength, but his peak performance.

Genius! He once thought Jiraiya was the strongest of all his disciples. But now that position might be in jeopardy!

"Orochimaru, it's all my fault. I failed to teach you properly. I always thought you were smart and hardworking and didn't need much guidance, but I didn't realize that your mind had become twisted! I'm sorry, it's my fault, so let me correct everything."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was now preparing to unleash his ultimate move, getting completely serious.

At this moment, Orochimaru's body began to writhe, his voice began to change, and his aura rose accordingly.

This is Sage Mode!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly, and he tightened his grip on his hands.

Actually, this is not the complete Sage Mode; to be precise, it is only the first stage of Sage Transformation.

Orochimaru drew inspiration from Jugo and Shisei Aburame. Of the five elements of natural energy, he only took the earth element, which was also the part of his ninjutsu he was most proficient in, and it was also more in line with Ryuchi Cave.

By combining this with the Eight-Headed Serpent Technique, he developed the Earth Dragon Transformation. He only completed the first transformation, which greatly enhanced his physical abilities. He believed that as long as he completed the third transformation, he could completely transform into the Earth Dragon Immortal.

The magic techniques of Ryuchi Cave are too risky and too complicated. It is true that what suits you best is the best.

"Master, you're getting old. Let me leave. This time, I don't want things to get too ugly." Orochimaru completed his transformation, opened his golden pupils, and raised the Kusanagi Sword. The aura emanating from him sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the corpses on the ground, at the ninjas rushing to the scene, and at the fear of death and obedience to orders in their eyes.

He closed his eyes: "Make way, everyone."

"Hokage-sama!"

"Get out of the way!" Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted as he escorted Enma back to the Summoning Sanctuary.

It's pointless now.

After Orochimaru unleashed Sage Mode, he knew that unless they both perished, he would never be able to defeat this disciple who had surpassed him.

Unfortunately, even though Orochimaru already possessed such abilities, his heart no longer belonged to Konoha!

The ANBU reluctantly sheathed their weapons and slowly retreated. Orochimaru smiled, sheathed his Kusanagi sword, and turned to walk deeper into the forest.

"Orochimaru." Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice came from behind, hoarse and tired.

Orochimaru stopped in his tracks without turning around.

"From this day forward, you are no longer a Konoha ninja, nor are you my disciple, Hiruzen Sarutobi!"

"Expel me from the sect? Heh, I understand."

Orochimaru laughed loudly and disappeared into the shadows of the trees.

Just moments after he left, two figures descended from the sky and landed beside Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Seeing the corpses scattered on the ground and the dejected crowd, both Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado looked grim.

"Hiruzen, why did you let him go?" Koharu Utatane's voice was shrill. "Do you even know how many wrong things he's done over the years?"

"I know." Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't turn around; his face instantly aged ten years.

"You knew? You knew and you still let him go?" Mitokado Homura also questioned, "This is the latest intelligence we have. We have opened his basement. He was conducting human experiments on living people, colluding with ninjas from other villages, and stealing all of Konoha's secret ninjutsu."

He even intended to harm Tsunade and her child, and now he's defected. You, out of consideration for your master-disciple relationship, have released a tiger back into the mountains. Konoha will pay the price in the future!

Hiruzen Sarutobi stood there, staring in the direction Orochimaru had disappeared, motionless.

But he kept his anger burning inside, while his two old friends could do nothing but nag on and on.

"Shut up!" he yelled.

The two elders were also startled by his sudden shout. The rebuke ignited their anger, and they wanted to say something, but after exchanging a glance, they ultimately remained silent.

They figured it out.

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't not want to keep him; he simply couldn't.

Or rather, the cost of keeping Orochimaru was too high, too high for him to afford, and for Konoha to afford as well.

"How could this be? How could this happen!" Koharu muttered in disbelief.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned around and walked towards the Hokage's office building. No, perhaps he should go see Tsunade and her newborn child.

But he walked slower and slower, and suddenly felt very dizzy. The armor on his body was also very heavy, so heavy that it made it hard for him to breathe.

Soon, his vision began to blur, and finally his body leaned forward and he collapsed to the ground.

"Hiruzen, Hiruzen, what happened to you!" The two elders rushed forward in a panic, but they couldn't find any injuries on him.

Xiaochun, who was turning over in her room, quickly said, "Quick, pinch his philtrum!"

-

On the outskirts of Konoha, in a hidden underground base, Orochimaru entered to find a young boy already waiting there.

The boy, about eleven or twelve years old, was expressionless, holding a one-year-old baby in his arms. The baby was sleeping soundly, occasionally making a few murmurs.

"A." Orochimaru walked over and reached out to pat the boy's head.

The boy didn't dodge; he simply raised his head and looked at Orochimaru with his empty eyes.

"Sir, where do we go next?"

Orochimaru withdrew his hand and looked up at the outside of the base. There, the sky was cloudless, azure, and the sun shone brightly.

"Naturally, we should build our own village."

Young Yamato Tenzo nodded, hugged Jugo tightly, and followed Orochimaru, slowly disappearing into the sunlight. This was a rare opportunity for him to see the sunlight outside, and he felt that the sky was very warm.

-

Konoha Hospital.

Anko Mitarashi awoke from her coma to find herself lying in a hospital bed. She touched her neck and felt a burning mark on her fingertips.

The Heavenly Curse Seal was a mark left by her master before he left, which he said was a gift, but now it filled her heart with more hatred.

Hongdou sat up and looked out the window.

The sky outside the window was blue, the clouds were white, and the streets of the village were bustling with people, just like yesterday.

But some things are just different. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt a void in her heart.

Suddenly, tears welled up in her eyes: "Orochimaru-sensei, I hate you! Why...why didn't you take me with you when you left!"