Slayer: Look directly at the Seraph, standing on the sun

Zhang Hai didn't respond; he simply stared intently at Orochimaru, his anxiety and unease gradually building into immense pressure. Orochimaru smiled slightly, seemingly already aware of Zhang Hai's vulnerability.

“You’ve come to me for help, which means you’ve realized your predicament.” Orochimaru’s voice became even lower. “I can feel your anxiety. That unease makes you vulnerable, and the Konoha you rely on is no longer the powerful fortress you imagined.”

Zhang Hai's heart skipped a beat, a deep thought flashing in his eyes. He knew Orochimaru's words weren't entirely false. Konoha was indeed no longer as invincible as before, especially in this battle where they were attacked from multiple sides, Konoha's disadvantage was becoming increasingly apparent. He felt uneasy about Orochimaru's words, but he didn't refute them.

"You don't need to worry about Konoha's future anymore," Orochimaru continued. "If you really want to change all this, destroying Konoha will be your only option." His words pierced Zhang Hai's heart like cold arrows.

Zhang Hai's pupils contracted slightly. He didn't want to accept this fact, but he had to admit that this proposal might really be a solution to the current situation.

"Destroy Konoha?" Zhang Hai repeated in a low voice. Orochimaru's gaze pierced him like a sharp blade. "You know Konoha's vulnerability, especially in this great battle. Konoha's casualty ratio has reached three to one. The combined strength of the enemies has almost made Konoha's defenses crumble. If you abandon all of this and destroy Konoha, completely dismantling its foundation, everyone who has ever posed a threat to you will vanish before your eyes."

Zhang Hai closed his eyes, his heart filled with struggle. The responsibilities he carried, the promises he made to his teacher, to Konoha, and to all his former comrades and companions, made it impossible for him to easily let go of everything. However, Orochimaru's words were so real, so cruel, that they stirred up enormous waves within him.

"Orochimaru..." Zhang Hai's voice was low and complex, "Do you want me to abandon Konoha and turn everything to ashes?"

Orochimaru's lips curled slightly upward, a strange light gleaming in his eyes. "Giving up doesn't equal failure," he said softly. "If you have nothing, you can gain even greater power. You can choose to let go and start anew. The people you once cherished may no longer be worth sacrificing yourself for."

Zhang Hai's heart was in turmoil; he felt a fierce struggle within himself against his beliefs and emotions. Konoha was his former home, the place he had dedicated his life to; but now, Konoha's future seemed so fragile. Should he choose to give up?

"Are you prepared to face the consequences of all this?" Orochimaru's tone was provocative. "If you lose everything, I'll be here waiting for you. If you decide to leave, then there's no need to look back."

Zhang Hai stood before Orochimaru, seemingly overwhelmed by the immense pressure of his decision, barely able to breathe. His hands clenched tightly, his knuckles white. The few seconds of silence felt like an eternity. Every word Orochimaru spoke seemed to tear at the fragile parts of his heart, making him increasingly uneasy. Konoha, once so indestructible, was now so vulnerable.

“Give up…” Zhang Hai muttered to himself, his eyes gradually becoming vacant.

He began to reflect on himself and consider his choices. Should he truly abandon Konoha, abandon those past promises, and pursue greater power? Or should he persevere, despite facing endless sacrifices and crises? This choice filled the depths of his heart with intense contradictions and pain.

“Orochimaru, I…” Zhang Hai’s voice trembled slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. “I cannot abandon Konoha.” He suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining with determination. “I cannot let Konoha fall into darkness again. I cannot let everything we fought for go to waste.”

Orochimaru chuckled, seemingly having anticipated this. "So, are you ready to face all challenges? Including your own heart."

Zhang Hai took a deep breath, gripping the unintentional knife tightly in his hand. He felt that familiar power rise from the depths of his heart once more. He knew he wasn't perfect, and he might lose a lot, but he could never let his teacher's tragedy repeat itself. His path was already set, and no matter how difficult the obstacles ahead, he would not give up.

"I'm ready." Zhang Hai's voice became firm again, as sharp as a blade.

Zhang Hai landed amidst ruins, the air thick with the stench of blood and the stench of rotting corpses. Beneath his feet lay shattered earth, surrounded by massive rocks and fallen trees; the entire battlefield was filled with an oppressive and unsettling atmosphere. Mist hung in the air, the traces of battle visible in every corner, the heavy atmosphere making it almost impossible to breathe. Everywhere lay fallen bodies; some wore the uniforms of Konoha ninja, others were soldiers from Kirigakure. Many had perished, their blood mingling with the mud, forming a filthy sea of ​​blood.

Zhang Hai frowned, his gaze sweeping across his surroundings. His Sharingan instantly activated, its powerful eye force allowing him to see further and in greater detail. Countless corpses lay scattered on the ground, mostly Kirigakure ninjas. He slowly approached a corpse, examining it closely, a question forming in his mind. The Kirigakure ninjas were fighting so fiercely; they shouldn't have paid such a high price for a single battle. Clearly, this battle wasn't simple; there must be a more powerful force manipulating it from behind the scenes.

"What's going on?" A sense of unease welled up in Zhang Hai's heart. He felt that this war was far more complex and dangerous than he had anticipated. He knew that there must be some powerful force behind the enemy controlling everything, and that force was a threat he could not ignore.

He withdrew his gaze and began walking towards the center of the battlefield, a figure involuntarily appearing in his mind—Bai. That person always left a deep imprint on his heart; whether on the battlefield or in thought, she always occupied a part of his consciousness. Zhang Hai's pace quickened; he knew that Bai might be in danger.

Meanwhile, on the distant battlefield, the fighting in Kirigakure intensified. The Konoha ninja were clearly finding themselves in a difficult situation; Kirigakure's offensive surged like a tidal wave, and the Konoha ninja were powerless to resist. Fugaku stood on the command platform, observing the changing battlefield with a grave expression. His eyes showed not panic, but calm and thoughtful consideration. Konoha's situation was dire; Kirigakure's overwhelming advantage prevented them from retaliating for the time being.