Oonoki ultimately left.
He had no choice but to retreat.
Judging by the immense aura and killing intent erupting from Orochimaru, this junior who had just emerged on the ninja world stage had already earned the qualification to converse with him as an equal in both strength and resolve.
Perhaps even stronger than himself.
The pronouncements used to fool some political simpletons were, as Orochimaru said, nothing but empty words.
Having failed to suppress Orochimaru in terms of strength, staying any longer would only serve to add to Oonoki's embarrassment in front of his juniors, and it was uncertain whether the Hidden Stone Village would lose a Kage with a kekkei tōta.
With a deep glance at Orochimaru, Oonoki, his face ashen, turned and flew back towards the Hidden Stone Village without a word.
His own village had already lost its Four-Tails Jinchuriki; the issues of the Land of Demons should be left for Konoha to worry about!
…
"Teacher, Kurama said that old man has ill intentions, why did you let him leave?"
"With your strength, keeping him here shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"At worst, I'll have Kurama lend me more power, and I'll help you defeat him!"
Kushina, clenching her little fists, glared angrily at Oonoki's receding small figure.
Orochimaru gently shook his head and reached out to ruffle the little girl's hair.
"It's not time yet!"
"Oonoki's displayed strength is far greater than what you see. This body I possess only has half of its original power. If I were to take him down, the mission in the Land of Demons would likely be put on hold."
"The threat of Mōryō is far greater than the impact of a single Hidden Stone Village on the ninja world."
Just as Orochimaru had said, as the acknowledged prodigy among the Third Kage of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Oonoki's strength was naturally not solely supported by a Dust Release technique that required a long charging time.
Considering his feat of withstanding Madara Uchiha's "Heavens' Prismatic Dust" with Gaara's help during the Fourth Great Ninja War, Orochimaru admitted that with his current strength, besides finding a way to evade it, his outcome would likely be no better than Oonoki's.
Of course, there were also some reasons Orochimaru couldn't easily articulate for letting Oonoki go.
Konoha's new generation had not yet grown, and most ninjas from the same era as the Sannin were focused on raising the next generation. Eliminating Oonoki at this time would inevitably trigger the Third Shinobi World War.
But Madara Uchiha was not yet dead. If the ninja world were to fall into chaos, and he and Black Zetsu found a suitable opportunity, disrupting the historical progression that Orochimaru knew, future events might spiral out of Orochimaru's control.
Orochimaru felt that his methods were still lacking compared to Black Zetsu, who had schemed for thousands of years. Once he lost the advantage of omniscience and omnipotence, it would be difficult to continue operating with the same ease as he did now.
Furthermore, the Four-Tails was already in his possession, so letting Oonoki go was not a major issue.
"Oonoki's life and death involve too many factors; Teacher also has his own considerations."
"You are still young, you don't need to worry about these adult power plays for now."
"Let's go!"
Kushina pouted but obediently led her squad, continuing their advance towards the center of the Land of Demons.
…
"Miroku, your power originates from the same source as mine, we are bound by life and death!"
"Cast aside your human prejudices and join me!"
A seductive voice, like an illusion, echoed in the priestess's mind. Miroku reached out and clasped the bell hanging on her chest, shaking her head with resolute determination.
"Mōryō, as a priestess, guarding your seal is my sacred duty!"
"The power to seal you was passed down to me by my mother. After the Konoha ninjas re-seal you this time, I will pass this destiny on to my children in the future!"
"You are a demon, and I am a priestess who protects humanity. Even though the essence of our powers is the same, I will never forget my mission!"
"You should give up!"
"Even if it means sacrificing everything the priestess lineage possesses, you will never escape this seal!"
Miroku's resolute words fell, and Mōryō fell silent for a moment before erupting into a wild, maniacal laughter.
"Protecting humanity?"
"Hahahahaha…"
"How ludicrous!"
Mōryō's evil voice grew increasingly high-pitched, and a chilling aura seeped out from the seal before Miroku, subtly revealing the silhouette of a twisted purple tentacle.
"Have you forgotten who awakened me from my slumber?"
"It was you humans yourselves!"
"For thousands of years, I had even given up the thought of escaping the seal, but who would have thought…"
"Hahaha…"
"That human with similarly evil power, in his desire to awaken the sealed power within himself, indirectly lent me a hand…"
"Is this how the humans you protect treat the sacrifices of your priestess lineage? Do you feel no hatred in your heart?"
"Those humans, filled with greed and desire, are not worthy of your protection."
"Unravel the final seal and join me!"
"Then, together, we shall show this world the earth-shattering power possessed by a priestess and a demon who have been interdependent for millennia!"
Miroku bit her lower lip, clutching the bell in her hand tightly. The sweat trickling down her forehead was instantly dried by the chilling aura Mōryō exuded through the seal.
But her eyes were filled with unwavering resolve.
"Delusional!"
"A mission is called a mission because when the priestess lineage accepted the destiny of guarding your seal from our ancestors, they never considered whether there would be any reward."
"No matter how greedy humanity in the ninja world becomes, there will always be righteous individuals emerging continuously."
"Just like the Konoha ninjas who are currently arriving, they, like me, possess the deepest love for this world in their hearts."
"Mōryō, you dream if you think you can shake the mind of a priestess with such words and then destroy the ninja world with your evil power!"
Mōryō let out an enraged, wild roar, and the evil aura surging from the seal became even more torrential.
"Foolish!"
"Miroku, listen to the dying wails of your subordinates!"
"They… met this fate because of your stubbornness!"
"Do you feel no guilt in your heart?"
"Release me, or everything in the Land of Demons will turn to dust before those ninjas arrive!"
Mōryō's threatening words echoed in Miroku's mind. Just as it said, the sounds of the fierce battle outside the altar had become increasingly weak compared to before.
Those loyal guards had fulfilled their duty to protect the priestess to their last breath, sacrificing their lives.
Miroku's heart trembled, and a hint of sorrow appeared in her resolute eyes.
"My people…"
"I…"
Mōryō sensed Miroku's current state and was instantly filled with elation. Just as it was about to press its advantage and tempt the kind-hearted girl into releasing it, the sounds outside the altar suddenly became chaotic.
"Wind Style: Rasengan!"
A steady, calm male voice rang out, accompanied by cheers from the surviving guards, and another sharp cry outside the altar.
"Damn demon, take this punch!"
"Rumble!"
The ground trembled, and the attendant guarding the altar outside stumbled in with a look of pleasant surprise.
"Priestess, the Konoha ninjas have arrived!"
"It's Lord Third Hokage's disciple, one of the Sannin, Lord Orochimaru, who has personally come with his disciple."
"The Land of Demons is saved!"
Miroku's eyes instantly turned red.