Hiruzen's pupils suddenly contracted, his expression turning grim as he stared at the two coffins.
"This jutsu… you actually…"
He hadn't expected Orochimaru to be so bold—actually using a forbidden technique to summon the deceased First and Second Hokage!
But since Orochimaru was already set on destroying Konoha, using a forbidden jutsu to summon the dead was nothing unusual.
"Hehe… Sensei, a special gift prepared just for you."
Orochimaru licked his lips, letting out a sinister laugh.
Bang! Bang!
The coffin lids suddenly flew open.
Amidst the swirling dust, two figures slowly stepped out.
On the left stood a man with long black hair flowing like a waterfall, a gentle expression on his face, clad in layered red armor—it was the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!
On the right stood a man with silver hair and red eyes, a cold and stern face, clad in layered blue armor—it was the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama!
The dust gradually fell from their bodies, revealing forms constructed by Edo Tensei.
Their gazes were vacant, as if they hadn't yet understood what was happening.
Senju Hashirama moved his wrist, looked at his body, then glanced around, his brows slightly furrowed.
"Tobirama, it seems we've been awakened by some strange method."
Senju Tobirama scanned the surroundings before finally fixing his gaze on Orochimaru.
"You used Edo Tensei to summon us?"
"Yes, Second-sama," Orochimaru replied with a smile. "I summoned you to help me deal with my teacher."
"Monkey, is this your disciple? It seems he has gone down the wrong path."
Senju Tobirama spoke to Hiruzen, his tone carrying the sternness and disappointment of an elder.
He hadn't expected that the disciple taught by Monkey would harbor thoughts of destroying the village.
Just how had he been teaching his students?
"First-sama! Second-sama!" Hiruzen's voice was hoarse, filled with guilt and pain.
"This disciple is incompetent, allowing the village to fall into such a state, even disturbing the rest of the two predecessors…"
"So you're Monkey!" Senju Hashirama realized belatedly. "You've grown so old!"
"Brother!" Senju Tobirama snapped in dissatisfaction.
At a time like this, his older brother was still so unreliable!
Senju Hashirama chuckled awkwardly and said no more.
"Now is not the time for apologies," Senju Tobirama analyzed calmly. "This jutsu controls our actions. Although our will remains, our bodies will obey the caster's commands."
He tried to mobilize chakra to break free, but discovered his body was completely unresponsive.
It seemed Orochimaru had already taken precautions against them.
Senju Hashirama also felt the forced restraint, the smile on his face fading as he turned serious.
"Using the dead in such a way…"
"Didn't I tell you not to research this kind of jutsu back then?"
He suddenly remembered—this technique seemed to have been developed by Tobirama.
Back then, he had explicitly forbidden it…
Senju Tobirama: "…"
"Let's end the small talk here, esteemed former Hokage," Orochimaru formed hand seals, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Please give my beloved teacher, the Third Hokage, a proper welcome!"
As his voice fell, Hashirama and Tobirama simultaneously assumed combat stances!
The next moment, under Orochimaru's control, their bodies launched fierce attacks!
Senju Tobirama struck first. Even though Edo Tensei couldn't fully restore his original strength, his combat instincts and mastery of Water Release remained terrifying.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
A massive water dragon formed out of thin air, roaring as it charged toward Hiruzen!
At the same time, Senju Hashirama was forced to clasp his hands together, immense chakra surging.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Countless thick trees surged forth, not only restricting Hiruzen's movements but also working with the water dragon to strangle him!
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Hiruzen unleashed ninjutsu attacks while simultaneously using the Summoning Jutsu to call Enma for assistance.
The Edo Tensei bodies of the First and Second Hokage, under Orochimaru's control, attacked their chosen successor.
Hiruzen gradually fell into a disadvantage; it wouldn't be long before he was defeated.
This was the farewell ceremony Orochimaru had prepared for Hiruzen!
At that moment, two figures arrived at the battlefield from afar.
"That is…" Senju Tobirama frowned tightly. At a glance, he recognized that person using the Water Dragon Bullet—it was himself!
Edo Tensei!
In this timeline, he and his brother had actually been summoned by Orochimaru through Edo Tensei.
And the one they were fighting was Hiruzen!
For a moment, he couldn't understand what was happening.
Why would Orochimaru mercilessly attack Hiruzen? What kind of change had occurred in this timeline?!
Beside him, Uchiha Izuna stared intently at the Edo Tensei Tobirama with his Sharingan.
"Heh, Senju Tobirama, I didn't expect to see that annoying face of yours in this timeline too!"
He gripped the tachi at his waist, looking eager to fight.
Since he couldn't bully an old Tobirama, going after an Edo Tensei Tobirama should be fine, right?
Even if his brother found out, he probably wouldn't say anything!
"Hey, Senju Tobirama," Uchiha Izuna tilted his head, speaking playfully, "see that? In this timeline, you seem to have been turned into a puppet on strings."
"Tsk tsk, how ugly!"
Clearly, seeing Edo Tobirama being controlled by Orochimaru delighted him greatly.
That kid Orochimaru did well—worthy of being Renya's disciple!
Whether that was true in this timeline didn't matter.
Just the fact that he controlled Senju Tobirama was enough for Izuna to approve of this timeline's Orochimaru.
Senju Tobirama's face darkened as he said coldly,
"The me and my brother in this timeline are being controlled by Edo Tensei. Now is not the time to dwell on this—we must stop their battle!"
"Stop it? Of course we should."
Uchiha Izuna interrupted him, his ninja blade already half-drawn.
"But before that…"
His crimson Sharingan locked onto the Edo Tobirama below, who was coordinating with Hashirama's Wood Release while forming hand seals to cast another Water Release jutsu.
"I need to test that guy first!"
Before his words even fell, he instantly defeated the Sound Four responsible for maintaining the barrier, then arrived at the center of the battlefield, pointing his tachi directly at Edo Tobirama.
"Senju Tobirama!"
Orochimaru, who was controlling the two, was momentarily stunned.
"Sharingan… Uchiha?"
Aside from Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Sasuke, he had actually seen a third Uchiha clan member!
Hadn't the Uchiha clan already been wiped out?
"Uchiha Izuna, you're not dead?!"
Seeing the suddenly appearing Uchiha Izuna, Senju Tobirama looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Wasn't this guy supposed to be dead?!
What kind of joke was this!
Back then, he had used Flying Thunder God Slash for a sneak attack—even if Izuna didn't die, he should have been gravely injured.
Later, he had confirmation from Madara that Izuna had died from his severe injuries!
But now, how could he appear here?!
And without any signs of aging…