Naruto 123

Even with the new technique waiting, Sarutobi still takes a beating from his enemies. The technique is slow to work, but Shodai and Nidaime are grabbed by Sarutobi’s clones, dispersing the darkness. The Death God then reaches through the clones and rips the very souls from the brothers, which dissolve to show the corpses of Zaku and Kin!! Enraged by Orochimaru’s attitude to his subordinates, Sarutobi tackles him head-on! The sword is knocked from Orochimaru’s hand and the Death God’s claws plunge into his stomach. But with a simple gesture, the sword stops in mid-air and rushes towards Sarutobi’s unprotected back as the Death God begins to tear Orochimaru’s soul from his body...

Chapter 124: "The Eternal Battle...!!"

Sarutobi takes the sword knowing the Death God will take his soul along with Orochimaru’s anyway, where they will fight forever in the Reaper’s stomach. Close to death, Orochimaru sees the Death God itself eating the souls it ripped out earlier and looking at him with hunger. Panicking, Orochimaru tries to kill Sarutobi and end the technique early to save his soul. The rest of Konoha is almost defeated, until Orochimaru’s giant snake is crushed by a giant toad! Jiraiya arrives with a flashy entrance to save Ibiki. Sasuke catches up to the Sand Siblings, but as Kankurou challenges him, Shino takes Sasuke’s place, demanding he continue to chase Gaara so he can have the match with Kankurou he was denied in the exams.