The Chakra Cannon had the power to obliterate the moon but its material composition was naturally not very strong.
No matter how sturdy it was, it stood no chance against a Truth-Seeking Orb.
How terrifying was the Truth-Seeking Orb?
In the original story, even Minato's custom-made Flying Thunder God kunai was instantly shattered the moment it made contact with Obito's black rods which were merely extensions of the Truth-Seeking Orb.
Even Susanoo would be blown apart if caught in the center of its explosion.
So how could Kumogakure's Chakra Cannon possibly withstand such a devastating attack?
As the cannon was reduced to a pile of useless scrap, the Fourth Raikage was furious.
This weapon had been Kumogakure's last source of pride and it had been destroyed so effortlessly.
Although the explosion didn't completely obliterate it, the cannon was completely unusable now.
The Fourth Raikage had always known that Orochimaru was powerful.
He had known that Orochimaru could fly.
But the problem was—
No one in Kumogakure could fly.
Even if they could, no one could withstand Orochimaru's attacks.
Not even him.
Watching Orochimaru hovering in the sky, his chakra wings flickering with energy, the Fourth Raikage felt an overwhelming urge to punch him to death.
But even that was impossible.
Above, Truth-Seeking Orbs had transformed into an impenetrable shield, covering Orochimaru's blind spots.
"Fourth Raikage, surrender."
Orochimaru's lips curled into a playful smile.
"If you resist, you'll only be sacrificing your subordinates for nothing."
Shinobi.
Some feared death, and some did not.
But in this profession, those who did not fear death far outnumbered those who did.
The Fourth Raikage was not the type to fear death—if he was, he would never have become a shinobi in the first place.
Orochimaru knew that neither his own life nor Bee's life would be enough to force the Raikage into submission.
If he wanted to force a surrender, he had to do what he did with Rasa, threaten the entire village.
And sure enough, after hearing Orochimaru's words, the Fourth Raikage hesitated.
The army surrounding them was overwhelming and unstoppable.
He didn't care about himself but his subordinates…
"Damn it… even Raikage-sama can't…"
"Lord Raikage…"
"Is there really nothing we can do…?"
The Kumo shinobi looked up at Orochimaru, who could launch a devastating attack at any moment, their nervousness and despair growing.
They had originally planned to rely on the Chakra Cannon to hold the line and protect Kumogakure's final defenses.
But now…
Their plan had completely failed.
And Orochimaru had destroyed it so casually.
"What… what was that sphere?!"
"Why was the explosion so powerful?!"
"And that shield… it's completely impenetrable!"
The Kumo shinobi had finally realized the truth.
Against Orochimaru in his Six Paths form, those without Super Kage-level strength couldn't even stand, let alone fight.
For the average shinobi this was a battle beyond comprehension.
"Raikage… are you still hesitating?"
Orochimaru's faint smirk never wavered.
"Kumogakure is already surrounded on three sides."
"Your trump card has been destroyed."
"If I take you down and launch just a few Tailed Beast Bombs into your village…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
But the Fourth Raikage understood.
Kumogakure wasn't just shinobi, there were civilians in the village as well.
If he was defeated, and Tailed Beast Bombs were launched into the village, followed by a full-scale invasion, Kumogakure would be completely annihilated.
BOOM!
Before he could make a decision, the two tailed beasts had already arrived at the outskirts of Kumogakure, controlled by Pain.
Meanwhile, the clone army commanded by Danzo had finished eliminating the last scattered Kumo shinobi and had also begun closing in on the village.
The pressure surrounding them was now unbearable.
As the Fourth Raikage hesitated, Orochimaru landed on the ground, using a Flying Thunder God Kunai as his marker.
Without saying a word, he summoned a coffin.
"This is…?"
"No… No way!"
"It… It's the previous Raikage?!"
"Father?!"
The Fourth Raikage was momentarily stunned.
Then, his rage erupted.
"Bastard!! Orochimaru, I'll kill you!!"
Whoosh!
In a flash, the Fourth Raikage disappeared moving so fast that only an afterimage was left behind.
The Third Raikage… reincarnated through Edo Tensei?!
At that moment, the Fourth Raikage's mind reached its own conclusion.
Orochimaru must have been the one who killed his father.
Impulse overpowered reason, he would make Orochimaru pay.
Old grudges and new hatred.
Settled in blood.
Yet, just as his fist was about to strike, a massive figure blocked his path.
"Son, don't be reckless!"
"Father… you…?!"
The Fourth Raikage, known for his unyielding toughness, suddenly felt his emotions spiral out of control.
"The Third Raikage, due to some special circumstances, I cannot control your mind."
Orochimaru spoke casually.
"Take your time and talk. I'll be outside… waiting for your decision."
Without waiting for a response, Orochimaru vanished from the scene.
---
Is Edo Tensei an evil jutsu?
No.
Its reputation as an evil technique came only from the fact that it required a human sacrifice.
Aside from that, Edo Tensei was an incredibly useful ability.
Not only could it reduce casualties in war, but it could also reunite the living with their deceased loved ones.
Now, letting the Third Raikage and the Fourth Raikage settle their unfinished matters this was the current situation.
---
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
At Kumogakure's western front, countless figures landed behind the two tailed beasts.
"Orochimaru, how's the situation?"
A clear voice called out.
Hearing it, Orochimaru slowly turned.
Four figures had arrived.
Tsunade.
Mikoto.
Minato.
Sakumo.
Their gazes first landed on the two tailed beasts, then turned toward Orochimaru.
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"It's over."
"Over?"
Tsunade was momentarily stunned.
"You mean… Kumogakure surrendered?"
Yes.
For Kumogakure, there were only two choices—
1. Surrender.
2. Be annihilated.
As a Kage of a great nation, the Raikage could only choose the first option.
"Then prepare the troops."
"We're taking over Kumogakure."
Minato and Sakumo were still in disbelief.
But their doubts lasted less than an hour.
Because soon, the Fourth Raikage arrived.
With Bee, his bodyguards, and his secretary at his side.
He walked directly up to Orochimaru.
And said—
"Orochimaru… you win."
***
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