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“Orochimaru actually learned Edo Tensei!” Kushina remarked with surprise. She knew how difficult the technique was to learn.
Shin possessed Konoha’s Scroll of Seals, which contained all of the village’s forbidden jutsu, including Edo Tensei.
Kushina had even tried to learn it once but failed. Even with Shin’s personal instruction later, she couldn’t master it. For Kushina, Edo Tensei seemed even harder than the Flying Thunder God Technique.
“Don’t underestimate Orochimaru. He’s very capable,” Shin told Kushina.
Orochimaru was indeed brilliant. Most people could study Edo Tensei their entire lives and never learn it. He truly deserved the title of genius.
“However, Orochimaru’s Edo Tensei is still somewhat crude. The reanimated First Hokage isn’t that strong.”
Shin looked at Hashirama Senju, sensing his power. The reanimated Hashirama could only utilize a fraction of his original strength, probably less than a tenth.
——
“First and Second Hokage, I must apologize for the offense.”
Orochimaru held kunai etched with restraining seals and plunged them into the backs of Hashirama and Tobirama Senju’s heads.
Given their loyalty to Konoha—Orochimaru had to control them completely to ensure they would fight Hiruzen wholeheartedly.
“Orochimaru, I never thought you would become like this,” Hiruzen said sorrowfully.
His most prized student had become his enemy.
“Sensei, do you really have time to talk right now?” Orochimaru sneered coldly.
Did Hiruzen think a few words could stop him? That was wishful thinking. Having come this far, Orochimaru wouldn’t back down. His determination couldn’t be swayed by Hiruzen’s pleas.
Hashirama’s Wood Release, Tobirama’s Water Release, and Rasa’s Gold Dust techniques simultaneously assaulted Hiruzen.
Now, Hiruzen faced four opponents—three reanimated Kage and Orochimaru himself.
“Hiruzen Sarutobi is finished. He’s dead meat. Absolutely no hope…” Shin watched the scene unfold. Hiruzen probably wouldn’t even get the chance to use the Reaper Death Seal this time.
“Yeah, I agree. Hiruzen is definitely done for,” Kushina concurred.
“But what I find most amusing are the expressions on the Suna ninjas’ faces.” Shin glanced towards the Suna ninja, who had ceased fighting. They stared dumbfounded at the reanimated Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
——
“How could this be?” Baki, the elite Jōnin from Sunagakure, stared wide-eyed. Their Kazekage—was dead? Killed by Orochimaru, their supposed ally?
“Captain Baki, what do we do now?” Some Suna ninja asked Baki, who was now their acting commander.
Baki fell silent.
Continue fighting Konoha? He knew instantly that Suna had been used by Orochimaru. And Orochimaru had killed their Kazekage, even reanimating him to desecrate his soul. Unforgivable!
“Help Konoha! Attack the Otogakure ninja!” Baki decisively ordered.
The Suna ninja immediately stopped fighting Konoha and turned their attacks towards the Otogakure ninja. The Konoha ninja, understanding the situation, tacitly stopped engaging the Suna ninja as well.
——
Kakashi Hatake arrived with Sasuke, having just returned from Sasuke’s special training. He was stunned by the chaotic scene.
“Guy, what’s going on here?” Kakashi stopped Might Guy and asked.
“Kakashi, you’re finally back! No time for questions! Help us deal with Otogakure! And hurry, figure out a way to save Lord Hokage!” Guy urged anxiously.
Many Konoha ninja had tried to rescue Hiruzen but were blocked by the Four Violet Flames Formation. Touching the barrier meant being incinerated; they dared not approach.
Kakashi surveyed the surroundings, quickly grasping the situation. Seeing Orochimaru fighting Lord Hokage, he knew Orochimaru was behind this.
The First and Second Hokage… what’s going on?
He had many questions, but the urgent situation left no time for answers.
“Naruto?” Just then, Kakashi saw the unconscious Naruto and immediately rushed over to check on him.
Though Kakashi often seemed to favor Sasuke, he actually cared deeply for Naruto, the son of his late teacher.
“Sasuke, go eliminate the Otogakure ninja and the rampaging giant snakes,” Kakashi instructed Sasuke after picking up Naruto.
“Hn.” Sasuke glanced complexly at Naruto, then nodded curtly.
Though he had fainted later, Sasuke had witnessed the beginning of Naruto’s Tailed Beast transformation and his battle against Orochimaru.
Naruto, the dead-last he’d always looked down upon, possessed such power? Sasuke couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. It was normal to feel envious when someone you previously scorned surpassed you.
“Cough cough… Kakashi-sensei?” Naruto opened his eyes at that moment, looking at Kakashi holding him. Hinata, that girl, had been kind; her attacks weren’t severe, allowing Naruto to wake up now.
“Naruto, are you alright?” Kakashi’s face showed relief, though hidden behind his mask.
“I’m okay… Kakashi-sensei, what happened?” Naruto couldn’t help but ask.
“Naruto, just rest for now. Don’t worry about it.” Kakashi carried Naruto to a safe place, then set him down and joined the fight against the Otogakure ninja.
Otogakure was just a minor village. They had initially caused chaos because Sunagakure was assisting them, and they caught Konoha off guard.
Now that Konoha had reacted and Sunagakure had switched sides, the Otogakure ninja were quickly subdued.
The giant snakes summoned by Orochimaru were also slain by giant toads summoned by Jiraiya.
Yes, Jiraiya had returned. He hadn’t been far from Konoha, having recently tutored Naruto.
After leaving Konoha, Jiraiya felt uneasy and decided to return.
Jiraiya arrived at the site of Orochimaru and Hiruzen’s battle, his expression grim as he watched the fight unfold.
Orochimaru, plus the three reanimated Kage, were pushing Hiruzen back relentlessly. Hiruzen was already injured.
“Orochimaru! Are you really going to kill the old man?!” Jiraiya clenched his fists, roaring angrily.
“Lord Jiraiya, how can we get inside to help Lord Hokage?” Kakashi quickly asked Jiraiya.
“I don’t know.” Jiraiya shook his head with a sigh. He knew about the Four Violet Flames Formation. Although the casters—the Sound Four—weren’t strong, Jiraiya couldn’t break through the barrier.
The Four Violet Flames Formation was a simplified version of the Four Red Yang Formation, which could withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb from the Ten-Tails. Even the simplified version was incredibly durable.
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