"Edo Tensei!"
Only after repeatedly confirming the control talismans did Obito Uchiha use the technique.
As the hand seals were completed, the sacrifices before him were wrapped in fragments of paper and slowly transformed into two figures—the Third Raikage and the Second Raikage.
After successfully reviving them, Obito immediately implanted control talismans into their minds and tested the effect.
"Where is this? Didn't I die at the hands of Kinkaku and Ginkaku?"
After regaining consciousness, the Second Raikage scanned his surroundings. When he tried to activate Lightning Release Chakra Mode, he found he couldn't gather chakra or move at all.
"Second-sama, didn't you die? I died too—so how are we alive again?"
The Third Raikage frowned, then looked at Obito and asked coldly, "Kid, did you revive us?"
"This should be the Second Hokage's Edo Tensei," the Second Raikage said. "Looks like he's the one who revived us."
Bang!
Before he could finish, the Second Raikage clenched his fist and attacked the Third Raikage. The Third Raikage punched back. Their fists collided, crackling with lightning, and the shockwave flipped a table ten meters away.
"Damn it—my body isn't under my control!"
The Second Raikage struggled to regain control, but it was futile. Seeing this, Obito nodded in satisfaction and continued forming seals.
"Looks like the control talismans work fine. Next, I'll prepare more Edo bodies."
As he finished, coffins rose behind the two Raikage, sealed them inside, and sank underground.
After that, Obito prepared Edo bodies for the Second Tsuchikage, Second Mizukage, and Second Hokage. This time he didn't test them, directly implanting the talismans. With help from White Zetsu clones, collecting tissue samples was easy.
Among the First Kage, only Senju Hashirama still had preserved tissue; the others had long turned to ash.
"Next are Senju Hashirama and Uchiha… Madara."
Obito turned and took two specially prepared White Zetsu. The other Kage used slightly enhanced clones capable of near-living strength, but for Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, he cultivated fused clones—each made from four White Zetsu merged together.
The stronger the sacrifice, the closer the revived power was to life. Madara and Hashirama were closest to the Sage of Six Paths in their time, so Obito prepared the strongest sacrifices for them.
Obito's research on Hashirama Cells was limited. With help from Tobi and the White Zetsu main body, he barely managed to create two four-clone fusion sacrifices.
These were the best he could prepare.
However, Obito didn't fully understand Edo Tensei. During their deal, Danzo had deliberately concealed a crucial fact: anyone proficient in Edo Tensei could potentially break the caster's control.
Obito was unaware of this flaw. Danzo had intentionally hidden it.
"Edo Tensei!"
Paper fragments wrapped the special White Zetsu sacrifices and gradually formed two figures. Seconds later, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama appeared before Obito.
"Next, I just need to implant the talism—"
Before he could finish, Senju Hashirama suddenly opened his eyes and threw a fierce punch at Obito.
Boom!
The punch passed through Obito's body and slammed into the ground, blasting a crater twenty to thirty meters wide. Cracks spread across the underground cavern walls as rocks and dust fell, threatening collapse.
Obito's heart tightened. He quickly tried to assert control with Edo Tensei, but found he had lost control over both Madara and Hashirama.
"Space-time ninjutsu? It didn't feel like I hit anything. My body passed straight through yours. Such a technique exists now?"
Hashirama's voice emerged from the dust. Before Obito could react, another familiar voice sounded behind him.
"That's the Mangekyo's ocular technique, Hashirama."
Madara walked up beside Obito, displeased as he examined his cracked body. Though revived in his youthful form thanks to the sacrifice, the Edo body felt numb, stiff, and devoid of sensation.
"Why is it Edo Tensei? Where's Nagato? Why wasn't Rinne Tensei used as planned?"
After speaking, Madara glanced at Obito with his Sharingan and continued, "Don't think you can control Hashirama and me with Edo Tensei. This level of restraint is meaningless to me. Before learning forbidden techniques, didn't you consider how dangerous they are?"
"Madara's right. I thought the one summoning me this time was that person, so I attacked instinctively. Good thing you dodged. Haha."
Hashirama recalled his past miserable experiences. Feeling no restraints after revival, he struck instinctively. If Madara had been standing there, he would've been sent flying.
"There's been a change in the plan, Madara. The shinobi world is close to being swallowed by a nation called the Sand Federation. I revived you to strengthen our forces."
Obito explained the situation. With Hashirama present, he avoided mentioning the Eye of the Moon plan, but Madara could already guess it wasn't going smoothly.
"Madara, what's the plan? And you also received the Sage's—"
"Shut up, Hashirama!"
Madara snapped coldly. If he didn't stop him, Hashirama would blurt everything out.
"Alright… fine." Hashirama obediently stepped aside.
Obito knew this wasn't the time for details. He selectively explained, emphasizing Konoha's imminent destruction and its absorption into another power.
The words made Hashirama fall silent before asking, "What did you say? Konoha is gone, and it joined a nation called the Sand Federation?"
"That's right, First Hokage. The one executing this plan is your granddaughter Tsunade. She severely injured her teacher Hiruzen Sarutobi, led Konoha into the Sand Federation, and sold over a thousand Konoha shinobi who might oppose her decision during the war."
Hashirama frowned slightly. "I don't believe Tsunade would do that. Her love for Konoha is second to none…"
"If you don't believe it, go find out yourself," Obito said. "Konoha is nearly gone anyway."
"I would've checked regardless," Hashirama replied. "Madara, let's discuss that matter after I return. And don't go looking for Hyuga Mirai alone. That guy is terrifying."
Thinking of endless days of farming, Hashirama shuddered. That fear was why he attacked the moment he felt unrestrained.
That kind of life was true hell.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Hashirama knew he was in an underground cavern sealed by Obito. To get out, he had to break through with Wood Release.
"Damn it, Hashirama!"
Madara cursed as the cavern collapsed. He had to activate Susanoo to avoid being buried alive.
Shortly after Hashirama left, a blue Susanoo emerged from underground. Once on the surface, Madara dispelled it.
Obito used Kamui to appear beside Madara. With Hashirama gone, they could finally discuss the Eye of the Moon plan.
"Where's Nagato?" Madara asked.
"He's still with Akatsuki," Obito replied. "He plans to unite Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and several smaller villages against the Sand Federation. The First Hokage was right about one thing—Hyuga Mirai is hard to deal with."
Born from the Hyuga branch family, freed from the Caged Bird, awakened an ocular power beyond the Byakugan, gained Tsunade's Wood Release and Sage Arts, and even repelled Nagato's Rinnegan with Wood Release.
Akatsuki had already collected six tailed beasts, but progress stalled because White Zetsu couldn't find the Three-Tails.
"He's capable," Madara said calmly. "But once I'm fully revived, no one will be able to stop me."
He didn't find Hyuga Mirai particularly troublesome, nor did he plan to follow the so-called Sage of Six Paths' method. He would never team up with Hashirama. He trusted only himself.
Hashirama might not fall for Obito's manipulation, so the Sage's power on him wasn't worth preserving. Once revived, Madara would take it himself.
"Have White Zetsu and Black Zetsu come find me."
Madara ordered the White Zetsu clone, then headed for the Land of Rain as Obito described.
Though the revival plan had a small mishap, Madara found it more interesting. There was still room to salvage the Eye of the Moon plan—such as the so-called Otsutsuki.
(End of Chapter)