376-380

Chapter 376: Orochimaru 'Possessed by Aizen'

"Ah, that's right," Orochimaru said, casting a somewhat surprised glance at the Fourth Hokage before continuing. "Because Aizen and a young lady from the Uchiha clan were romantically involved, he frequently visited the Uchiha territory."

"Through this, he became acquainted with an Uchiha ninja named Itachi Uchiha. The two eventually acted as spies for their respective factions, keeping an eye on each other."

"Then, after a series of events, the Uchiha clan reached that fateful moment—rebellion."

The Second Hokage snorted coldly, "Fools. As expected, the Uchiha are an inherently evil clan."

Hearing this, Sasuke frowned deeply. Meanwhile, Hashirama chimed in from across the room, "Tobirama, how many times must I tell you not to speak of the Uchiha in such a way?"

"I'm speaking to this young man here," Tobirama said arrogantly, turning his head away with his arms crossed. "So, big brother, stay out of it."

When it came to the Uchiha, Tobirama never listened to Hashirama.

Orochimaru chuckled. "Oh, the so-called inherent evil—weren’t they pushed into that by you, Second Hokage?" He patted Sasuke on the shoulder, signaling for him to stay calm before continuing, "Your policies created these problems."

"For example, establishing the Konoha Military Police Force. It's easy for law enforcement to become targets of resentment, yet you deliberately isolated the Uchiha by assigning them to this role and exiling them to the village's outskirts, where the Police Force and the prison were stationed together."

"This only deepened the Uchiha's alienation from the rest of the village. During your lifetime, it wasn’t as pronounced because at least you knew how to balance harshness with kindness."

"But after your death, the Third Hokage and your other disciple, Danzo, only inherited the suppression part of your policy."

"The Uchiha were subjected to heavy-handed measures. Second Hokage, it was your policies and your disciples that pushed the Uchiha to the brink."

Orochimaru recounted the discussions he had with Aizen about the Uchiha massacre.

"Tobirama, how many times must I tell you not to underestimate the Uchiha?" Hashirama reprimanded his brother harshly after listening to Orochimaru.

Tobirama defended himself, "I was trying to prevent the rise of another Madara. While Sarutobi and Danzo's methods may have been extreme, they weren't wrong."

"Second Lord Hokage," the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, said with a moved expression.

"Not wrong?" Orochimaru smirked, almost as if possessed by Aizen, and began listing Hiruzen’s misdeeds one by one. "After the Second Shinobi World War, White Fang earned great renown and had a high reputation in Konoha—so much so that there was talk of him becoming the Fourth Hokage."

"Our esteemed Third Hokage allowed his old comrade Danzo, who also desired the position, to orchestrate a plot."

"Using the pretext of an S-rank mission, White Fang was given a no-win choice: either save his comrades and abandon the mission or complete the mission and sacrifice his teammates."

"No matter which choice he made, Danzo would use public opinion to ruin him."

"White Fang chose his comrades, and as a result, he was vilified. Even the comrade he saved turned against him. Disillusioned with the village, White Fang took his own life."

"The Third Hokage did nothing to stop this. In fact, he likely welcomed the outcome. Of course, neither he nor Danzo probably anticipated White Fang committing suicide."

"How ironic, isn't it? A ninja who achieved great feats during the Second Shinobi World War didn’t die on the battlefield but fell victim to the village's darkness."

"If White Fang had lived, his presence might have prevented many deaths in the Third Shinobi World War."

As Orochimaru finished, even he was surprised by his own words. Although he had grievances against the Third Hokage, he still harbored some lingering sentiment. When did he become so willing to fight for others' justice?

After hearing Orochimaru, Tobirama was furious and demanded answers from Hiruzen. "Sarutobi, is what Orochimaru said true?"

While Tobirama distrusted the Uchiha, he deeply valued his comrades. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed behind to confront the Gold and Silver Brothers, sacrificing himself in the process.

If what Orochimaru said was true, then Hiruzen's actions had crossed a line.

Even Hashirama and Minato couldn’t stay silent.

Hashirama angrily said, "Sarutobi, you've disappointed me."

Minato, filled with guilt and regret, added, "No wonder Naruto’s childhood was so miserable—struggling even to have enough food. I misjudged you, Third Hokage."

"First Lord, Second Lord, Minato, I..." Faced with their stares, Hiruzen was overwhelmed with shame.

Orochimaru pressed on. "White Fang was just the first; he wouldn't be the last. After him came countless others, like Hizashi Hyuga. Even Minato's son, Naruto Uzumaki, wasn’t spared from the schemes of my dear Third Hokage."

"It was all hidden from the public eye—until one person emerged. That’s right, Aizen Fujiwara."

"This was someone unlike any other—a man with no special bloodline or prestigious mentor. He rose from obscurity, possessing strength surpassing the Five Kage."

"He was also the first to see through the true nature of the ninja world. Unlike Madara’s despair-fueled Infinite Tsukuyomi, Aizen understood everything but preferred to stay uninvolved, avoiding trouble."

"When I first met him in the Akatsuki, I knew immediately."

"Had it not been for Hiruzen and Danzo's naivety in thinking they controlled everything—ordering Itachi and Aizen to annihilate the Uchiha, all while planning to eliminate both afterward—Aizen wouldn’t have acted."

"That night, Aizen retaliated decisively. He wiped out the Sarutobi and Shimura clans."

"Danzo didn’t care much for the Shimura clan, but Hiruzen? All his life's work, gone."

"Hiruzen had protected the Sarutobi clan during every crisis, even keeping them from participating in the Nine-Tails incident. Aizen was shocked by their numbers—a clan that hadn't weakened despite three world wars."

"Truly, Hiruzen treated Konoha as fuel to feed the Sarutobi clan."

Hiruzen, enraged, tried to retort. "Nonsense! During the Nine-Tails incident, my clan was wiped out by a mysterious figure!"

But halfway through, Hiruzen regretted his words. Didn’t this inadvertently confirm that he had indeed kept his clan out of the battle?

---

Chapter 377: Suigetsu’s Last Strike

"Enough with the unnecessary chatter," the Second Hokage interjected, cutting off Orochimaru and Hiruzen's conversation. He shot a disappointed glare at Hiruzen, his voice tinged with frustration. "Orochimaru, after that long-winded tirade, are you telling me you only spoke to ridicule this old man and my two inept disciples?"

"Of course not," Orochimaru replied with a sly grin, casting a mocking glance at the shamefaced Sarutobi Hiruzen. "I simply wanted to show all of you what kind of monster my dear teacher, Sarutobi-sensei, has brought into the world of Konoha and the shinobi."

The Second Hokage furrowed his brow in thought, remaining silent for a moment. Finally, he spoke in a low, grave tone.

"Indeed, Sarutobi and Danzo were overzealous, selfish, and persecuted their fellow villagers. Had they acted this way while I was alive, I, as the Second Hokage of Konoha, would have dealt with them personally."

"But, at the very least, they never betrayed Konoha."

"A shinobi is supposed to sacrifice themselves. The Uchiha coup was an inevitability; their downfall was bound to happen."

"As a shinobi of Konoha, Aizen Fujiwara should have been prepared to sacrifice himself for the village. Instead, when the moment came, he harbored resentment, sought revenge, and slaughtered his comrades."

"A ninja like that—one with rebellion in his heart—"

"Even without the Uchiha massacre, for the sake of a mere Uchiha girl, he was willing to betray the village. Such a shinobi would eventually become another Madara."

"Konoha does not need such people!"

The entire room fell silent after those words. Sasuke furrowed his brows and glared at the Second Hokage.

Tobirama, noticing Sasuke's hostile gaze, responded with an equally sharp glint in his eyes. The tension between the two was palpable.

Just then, a sudden voice broke the eerie atmosphere. "Um, actually… it seems Danzo did betray Konoha."

Suigetsu, standing timidly near Orochimaru, raised his hand nervously.

Tobirama shot him a piercing glare, causing Suigetsu to shrink back in fear.

"What is this about Danzo?" Tobirama directed the question to Hiruzen.

"Lord Second, I… I am not entirely sure," Hiruzen stammered, though he had a faint inkling.

He recalled how Aizen had exposed the infamous "Konoha F4" during the Chunin Exams. Among the incriminating images, Danzo's right arm—grafted with the cells of the First Hokage and embedded with Sharingan from slain Uchiha—stood out.

Tsunade, with her temperament, would never let Danzo off the hook if she became Hokage.

Danzo, knowing this, would have undoubtedly taken drastic action—perhaps even staged a coup. If that failed, defection would have been his only option.

Sasuke confirmed their suspicions, his voice growing more intense as he spoke. "Danzo transplanted the First Hokage's cells and the Sharingan of the fallen Uchiha clan. Aizen exposed him to the people of Konoha. Fifth Hokage Tsunade issued an order to apprehend him."

"But Danzo fled, planning to make a comeback. Unfortunately for him, he underestimated Aizen's thirst for vengeance. Before Danzo could escape the village, Aizen caught him."

"Not long ago, Aizen handed him over to me. I killed him with my own hands."

Sasuke's tone escalated to a near roar by the end, his Mangekyou Sharingan involuntarily activating. The exhilaration of avenging his clan burned in his eyes.

"Those eyes…" The four Hokage froze momentarily, their gazes narrowing.

"Those aren’t ordinary Sharingan—they’re Mangekyou Sharingan, aren’t they?" Tobirama observed sharply.

Orochimaru stepped in, providing context. "This is Uchiha Sasuke, the younger brother of Uchiha Itachi, as I mentioned earlier. Aside from Aizen’s girlfriend, Uchiha Izumi, Sasuke is one of the last surviving Uchiha."

At this point, Orochimaru still didn’t know that Mikoto was alive.

"Sasuke?" Hiruzen studied the young man in surprise, failing to recognize him at first.

"An Uchiha, huh? Makes sense. Killed Danzo, no wonder he’s trouble," Tobirama sneered, crossing his arms as he eyed Sasuke with disdain.

Hashirama immediately scolded him. "Tobirama, how many times must I tell you not to speak like that!"

Tobirama merely snorted, ignoring his brother as he looked away in contempt.

Unfazed by their bickering, Sasuke turned to Hiruzen and demanded, as he had in the original timeline, the truth about the Uchiha massacre. He wanted to hear it directly from the Third Hokage.

Hiruzen, with no room to remain silent, confessed. First, he skillfully praised Itachi’s noble sacrifices, then reluctantly admitted the ugly truth behind the massacre, attempting to sway Sasuke back to Konoha’s side and abandon his quest for vengeance.

Perhaps it was the sentiment of a dying man—or perhaps the genuine hope for Konoha’s future. Whatever the case, despite his many failings in life, Hiruzen truly wished for the village’s wellbeing in this moment.

At the very least, he could not allow Fujiwara Aizen to have the last laugh.

Hiruzen’s words seemed to calm Sasuke’s fury, if only slightly. However, Sasuke remained troubled, turning to Hashirama and asking the same question from the original:

"First Hokage, I ask you—what is a village? What is a shinobi?"

"A village? A shinobi?" Hashirama rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

Sasuke continued, his voice filled with a mixture of bitterness and desperation. "My brother, Itachi… though used and manipulated by Konoha, still dedicated his life to protecting it. Even in death, he was proud to be a shinobi of the Leaf, sacrificing everything for the village."

"He massacred his own kin, gave his life for Konoha—what was it all for?"

"I want to know: the shinobi who allowed this outcome, the system that accepted this—what are they?"

"Your answer will decide what I do after learning the truth: whether I avenge my brother, or…"

Before Sasuke could finish, Tobirama exploded with rage, his temper reaching its limit.

"You dare even consider revenge against Konoha, you wretched Uchiha brat?!"

Tobirama’s hand rose slightly, two fingers ready to unleash his power. A violent surge of chakra radiated from him, forming a tangible wave that shot toward Sasuke.

Team Taka panicked, and Orochimaru immediately began forming seals to restrain Tobirama with the Edo Tensei technique.

But before Tobirama’s attack could escalate further, an even more massive chakra presence flared to life.

"Enough, Tobirama," Hashirama commanded.

The First Hokage’s chakra enveloped the room, neutralizing his brother’s outburst.

Meanwhile, Minato stood frozen in place, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion.

As for Hiruzen—the so-called "Professor" and "God of Shinobi"—he clutched his chest in panic, looking as though he might faint at any moment. Anyone unaware of the context might have thought he was having a heart attack.

Chapter 378: Wood-Style Clone, Overpowering the Third, Facing the First

“Oh my, oh my, isn’t this our so-called ‘strongest in history’ Third Hokage? Why do you look so terrified?”

Sensing the oppressive aura of the First Hokage, Tobirama realized his elder brother was genuinely angry. Just as he prepared to rein in his chakra, an abrupt voice interrupted the tense atmosphere, making it even heavier.

From within Sasuke's body, several wooden tendrils emerged, resembling White Zetsu’s form, intertwining and gradually shaping into Aizen’s figure.

With a casual wave, Aizen released a surge of chakra that surpassed Tobirama’s and clashed directly with it.

“Hmph, just a mere Wood-Style clone dares to…” Tobirama, intent on testing the clone’s strength, increased his chakra output.

However, the moment his chakra met Aizen’s, he felt like it was sinking into an ocean—vast and unfathomable. This man seemed even more terrifying than Madara. In Tobirama’s eyes, only his elder brother could contend with such a force.

The others were similarly dismayed.

This monster had grown so strong.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, both shocked and enraged, could only watch, his face twisted in fury.

“A Wood-Style clone?” Hashirama Senju stared at Aizen’s figure with a complex mix of admiration and surprise.

Having entrusted his wife to Aizen in the past, Minato Namikaze was the first to recover from his shock. His voice trembled with anticipation, “Aizen, how are you here? How is Kushina?”

The only ones remaining composed were Orochimaru and Sasuke, standing silently with solemn expressions, as if convinced Aizen’s clone wouldn’t harm them.

As for Suigetsu and Jugo, who had “betrayed” Aizen, they were petrified.

Suigetsu, in particular, was so terrified by the chakras of the First and Second Hokages that his body began to dissolve into water. He muttered incessantly, “We’re doomed… we’re going to die…”

In their clash, Tobirama’s chakra was soon overwhelmed by Aizen’s clone, forcing him backward as his feet sank into the ground.

The entire underground chamber, once a sanctuary for Madara, shook violently, threatening to collapse.

Just as Tobirama was about to be overwhelmed, Hashirama intervened. Releasing an even stronger chakra than Aizen’s clone, he separated the two.

Clap, clap. Aizen’s clone applauded, smirking. “As expected of the First Hokage. Truly worthy of the title ‘God of Shinobi.’ Unlike the so-called ‘strongest in history,’ our Third Hokage here is ridiculously weak.”

“You bastard…” Hiruzen gritted his teeth. “Why are you here?”

“Apologies, but in the eyes of the strong, the weak have no place. Even as just a clone, Third Hokage, you’re pathetic—perhaps the weakest in history. Maybe the ‘strongest’ title comes only from the fact that you’re the only Hokage to use Fire-Style. That’s the only thing unique about you.”

Ignoring Hiruzen, Aizen turned to Minato. “Minato, we meet again. Rest assured, I’ve kept my promise. Kushina is doing well (though she’s my wife now). Recently, I even brought her to meet Naruto. Mother and son have reunited.”

“Currently, with war raging everywhere, I’ve relocated her, along with my other wives and children, to a secure place. Even if Infinite Tsukuyomi is activated, it won’t affect them.”

Though he could have mocked Minato further, Aizen refrained. The man had suffered enough; granting him this sliver of hope was the least he could do.

Tobirama, wary of Aizen’s power, asked Minato, “Fourth, you know this young man?”

“Yes, he’s Fujiwara Aizen. Back during the Nine-Tails’ rampage, he used the Dragon Vein to travel to our time and, without altering history, saved Kushina,” Minato explained with a nostalgic expression.

“And my Sarutobi clan…” Hiruzen’s face darkened as he recalled something ominous.

Aizen chuckled. “Naturally, my main body eliminated them. During the Nine-Tails’ attack, while others fought to the death, your Sarutobi clan hid in secret underground bunkers. Blood-sucking leeches like that had to be dealt with.”

“What surprised me was that, even in the future, after my main body killed over two thousand of your clan, it was just the tip of the iceberg. In your era, your clan boasted over three thousand ninja. Combined, that’s more than five thousand—enough for an entire army.”

“That’s likely more than the combined peak strength of the Uchiha and Senju clans.”

“Leeching off Konoha’s resources like a parasite, the Sarutobi clan should be renamed the Vampire clan.”

“First, Second, and Minato, you should thank me. If not for me removing these pests, Konoha wouldn’t be Konoha anymore. It might as well have been renamed Sarutobi Village or Vampire Village.”

The room fell silent as everyone absorbed Aizen’s words. Even Hashirama, Tobirama, and Minato were taken aback by the Sarutobi clan’s corruption.

“Five thousand ninja… unbelievable…”

Hiruzen’s face twisted with rage and shame, his voice trembling.

As he prepared to charge Aizen’s clone recklessly, Hashirama stopped him. “Wait, Hiruzen. You’re no match for him. I understand your anger, but you were in the wrong first.”

Turning to Aizen’s clone, Hashirama continued, “And even if you destroy him here, it’s just a clone. It won’t affect his main body.”

“…I understand, First Hokage,” Hiruzen grumbled, reluctantly stepping back, fists clenched.

Hashirama studied Aizen closely. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such an exceptional younger generation. Young man, I don’t sense my cells in you, yet you can use Wood-Style. Truly remarkable.”

“Can you tell me why you’re here? Do you, like the young Uchiha behind you, seek answers from me?”

(End of Chapter)  

Chapter 379: Orochimaru Sees Another Green Hat

"Maybe you should call me your grandson-in-law; that might be more appropriate. I didn’t come here intentionally." Aizen’s clone turned to look at Sasuke, who was frowning deeply, his face dark with anger.

“Sasuke, it seems Itachi ultimately chose you after all. He didn’t follow my request to see Mikoto one last time.”

“Still, the outcome isn’t bad. Now, it looks like you’ve learned everything. My efforts to protect you and save you countless times weren’t wasted.”

“Tch.” Sasuke clenched his teeth and turned his head to avoid meeting Aizen’s clone’s gaze, resisting the urge to act impulsively.

Having transplanted Itachi’s eyes and been guided by his brother’s wisdom, Sasuke was no longer as hotheaded and reckless as before. He had regained the composure and insight he displayed during his fight with Deidara in the original storyline.

Aizen chuckled playfully and continued speaking to Hashirama. “This stepson of mine seems to have trouble recognizing his limits. He loves challenging people way out of his league. To keep his mother and half-sister from being heartbroken, I left a Wood Clone with him.”

“So that’s how it is. Sasuke is your stepson, huh? No wonder you intervened when Tobirama showed killing intent earlier,” Hashirama said, rubbing his chin. The usually dense man displayed a knowing smile that all men could understand.

He then asked, “But why did you say you’re my grandson-in-law? What’s that about?”

“It means your granddaughter, the Fifth Hokage Tsunade, just like Sasuke’s mother, Uchiha Mikoto, also married Aizen,” Orochimaru answered, clearly surprised himself.

He’d thought that Aizen’s antics in the Akatsuki—flirting with Konan right under Pain’s nose—were already outrageous enough.

Later, there was Pakura.

But who would’ve guessed? Even Tsunade and Mikoto had been charmed by him long ago.

It now made sense why someone like Aizen, who never took on students and knew Sasuke was bound to betray him, would break his own rule and teach Chika ninjutsu.

Turns out she was his daughter.

Poor Jiraiya must be crying his heart out in the bathroom.

Aizen had always been known in the Akatsuki for his love of beautiful women. Now even Minato had entrusted Kushina to him. It was only natural that—

Realizing this, Orochimaru glanced at Minato again, his snake-like golden eyes filled with sympathy.

The lamb had been sent straight into the lion’s den.

“Um... Lord Orochimaru, is something wrong?” Minato asked hesitantly, feeling uncomfortable under Orochimaru’s gaze but forcing a smile.

“Oh, nothing. It’s just that I didn’t expect the Dragon Vein to have time-travel capabilities. That really surprised me,” Orochimaru said casually, shifting his gaze to Aizen. “Aizen, we meet again. I didn’t think it would be in such a situation. It seems you aren’t surprised by any of this.”

“That’s right, Orochimaru, we meet again. But I’m just a clone of the real me. None of this matters to me. The question is—are you still the same Orochimaru as before?” Aizen sighed lightly, a playful look in his eyes.

“What do you mean?” Orochimaru asked, puzzled.

“The part of you that Itachi sealed with the Totsuka Blade remains trapped in its drunken dreamscape. What stands here now is merely a special clone, like the White Zetsu clones, which persist even if the original dies,” Aizen said, confusing most of the group.

Orochimaru’s expression grew complicated. He turned to Sasuke. “Sasuke, it seems you’re close to understanding the truth.”

“What’s going on?” Sasuke frowned.

“It’s simple,” Aizen’s clone said, glancing at Jūgo and Suigetsu, who immediately looked away, too scared to meet his eyes.

Aizen smirked. “From Kabuto’s betrayal to Jūgo and Suigetsu handing you the scroll that can release the Reaper Death Seal, to Orochimaru’s revival—it was all within my real self’s expectations.”

With that, Aizen placed his hands behind his back, striking the pose of a wise sage as he half-turned away from the group.

“I once used the power of the Dragon Vein to traverse the history of the ninja world. From the Sage of Six Paths’ so-called creation of the world, to the Warring States Period, and the first three Great Ninja Wars.”

“I traveled through time hundreds, perhaps thousands of times, until the power of the Dragon Vein was exhausted. Hashirama, I even met you and Madara when you were young.”

“We’ve met before?” Hashirama recalled a moment from long ago—before the Hidden Leaf Village was founded, when he and Madara were still close friends. By the riverside, a young man and woman in black cloaks had passed them by.

His eyes lit up with recognition. “Could it be... you were the man by the river back then?”

“Big brother, you’ve met him before?” Tobirama asked, astonished.

The idea of “traversing the river of time and space” was so far-fetched that even he, the master of forbidden jutsu, had never conceived of it.

“Yes,” Hashirama nodded with a nostalgic expression. “It’s been so many years. Back then, Madara and I were still the best of friends...”

After a lengthy explanation, the group finally accepted Aizen’s time-traveling tale.

“If you’ve witnessed the history of the ninja world, why would you choose to resurrect Madara, the Ten-Tails, and aid in this chaos? You know how cruel war is,” Tobirama demanded.

“Are you certain that without us triggering the Fourth Great Ninja War, it wouldn’t have happened?” Aizen retorted, flipping the question back to Tobirama.

Tobirama fell silent. Though he didn’t want to admit it, he knew the Fourth Great Ninja War was inevitable, merely a matter of time. It was the unavoidable result of the current state of affairs and historical patterns.

Feigning an air of sage-like wisdom, Aizen said, “Tobirama, you’re not as naive as Hashirama, who believes mutual understanding alone can bring peace. You should know that the greatest force for unity is having a common enemy.”

“Ninjas don’t farm or produce; they survive by completing missions. They dream of peace yet depend on chaos to sustain themselves. This contradiction breeds war.”

“That’s just one factor. Geography is another. That’s why the resource-rich Leaf Village was repeatedly targeted in past ninja wars.”

“There are countless other reasons too.”

“Mutual understanding is nothing more than a dream. In the present day, peace comes from grand historical events, like this Fourth Great Ninja War, where the five great nations formed a joint ninja alliance.”

“But that’s just because they fought for their lives together and are now licking their wounds.”

“When the war ends, it won’t take long before conflict starts again.”

Aizen scanned the group meaningfully before forming a hand seal with a sly smile.

(Chapter End)  

*Chapter 380: The Death of Konohamaru Sarutobi*

"Alright, enough with the idle chatter. Everyone, my real body is waiting on the battlefield. If you don’t hurry, the Allied Shinobi Forces will be wiped out."

With that, Aizen’s Wood Clone disappeared in a flash from everyone’s sight.

“It’s gone. A Wood Clone doesn’t disappear unless it’s absorbed back into the original body. That just now…”

Tobirama suddenly tensed up and quickly moved forward to investigate.

“That’s your Flying Raijin Jutsu, Second Hokage,” Orochimaru said, spreading his hands with a smirk. “Did you see that, my esteemed Second Hokage? Just now, Aizen’s power—did you feel it?”

“He’s growing at a visible pace every moment. Combined with his vast knowledge of the shinobi world's history, his talent in ninjutsu, and his strength—it has likely far surpassed everyone’s imagination.”

“Even just one clone seems to have exceeded you. With Madara and the Ten Tails by his side, it won’t be long before the Allied Forces are completely wiped out.”

The Third Hokage clenched his fist. “If that’s the case, then we must get to the battlefield immediately.”

“No, no, Sarutobi-sensei. Under the constraints of my Reanimation Jutsu, your movements are restricted. If you want to go to the battlefield, you’d better clarify what you’re going to do,” Orochimaru said, forming hand seals.

“Madara is resurrected and has joined forces with Aizen. Can’t you tell the gravity of the situation?” the Third Hokage snapped angrily.

“I’ll listen to Sasuke. If he’s not satisfied, maybe I’ll control you all and destroy the entire Leaf Village,” Orochimaru said, a drop of sweat trickling down his forehead, emphasizing, “At such a critical moment.”

Even he was starting to feel anxious.

If Infinite Tsukuyomi succeeded, even he wouldn’t escape its effects.

But despite this, his curiosity about what Sasuke would ultimately decide was stronger.

At these words, Sasuke raised his head, facing the four Hokage with a haughty expression.

“Damn it…” The Third Hokage gritted his teeth, while the Second Hokage tried to forcibly break free, only to overestimate his strength and fail to move.

Finally, at the First Hokage’s insistence, everyone sat down to discuss the matter again.

As for the Fourth Hokage, his mind was elsewhere, preoccupied with thoughts of his son fighting alongside the Nine Tails on the battlefield.

No one knew what he was thinking.

---

Meanwhile, Aizen’s Wood Clone had already appeared on top of the Ten Tails, next to the real Aizen.

“What is it?” Madara and Obito glanced at the suddenly appearing clone, which gradually merged back into Aizen’s body.

“I see,” Aizen said with a faint smile as he absorbed the clone’s information. “So the backup plan I left behind has been preempted by someone else.”

“What do you mean?” Obito asked, dissatisfied, as Aizen had hidden too many secrets from him despite their partnership.

Aizen responded nonchalantly, “The First Hokage has been resurrected, along with the Second, Third, and your teacher, the Fourth Hokage. Kabuto, that guy, used part of his body to revive Orochimaru through Anko.

“And as luck would have it, my stepchild, Sasuke, got involved.” Aizen glanced meaningfully at Madara. “A descendant of the Uchiha who looks remarkably like your brother, Izuna.”

“Then Sasuke encountered Suigetsu and Jugo, who betrayed me. They used the items I sent them to retrieve—Orochimaru’s research on the Reaper Death Seal release—and handed it to Sasuke.”

“Now they’ve used that to resurrect the First through Fourth Hokage. They’re probably preparing to head to the battlefield as we speak.”

“In other words, the Allied Forces will soon receive reinforcements. One bad thing after another. Does the Leaf Village really have such an irresistible allure? Even Sasuke, whose entire clan was annihilated, has sided with them.”

Aizen shot a subtle glance at Obito and Madara as he finished speaking.

Obito, already wavering from his fight with Naruto, visibly trembled at these words.

Madara, however, looked elated, his excitement and joy practically spilling over.

Aizen continued, “But it doesn’t matter. They’re just a bunch of outdated relics from a bygone era. If they’re in the way, I’ll handle all four of them myself. There’s no opponent ahead of us that we can’t defeat.”

“No, leave Hashirama to me,” Madara interjected, seizing the topic. He had already begun scheming to steal Hashirama’s Sage Chakra, a critical step in his resurrection.

Hashirama’s revival—what incredible luck.

Madara couldn’t help but marvel at the timing.

“Then it’s settled. So, when are you planning to become the Ten Tails’ Jinchuriki?” Aizen asked Obito with a sly grin. “If you’re worried about the seal Madara placed on your heart, I can help—unless you’re afraid I might actually kill you.”

“Tch,” Madara scoffed at the remark, also turning to Obito with amusement.

Obito, naturally, wouldn’t trust Aizen enough to entrust his life to him. Stepping forward, he raised his right hand with a sigh. “No. Before I become the Jinchuriki, there’s something I need to confirm.”

“Wood Style: Cutting Sprigs Jutsu!”

The Ten Tails’ ten massive tails rose like claws, unleashing countless sharp branches that rained down like a storm, covering the Allied Forces.

“Ahhh!”

Amid endless screams, thousands of soldiers were pierced by the sharp branches in an instant. The branches absorbed their chakra and rapidly grew within their bodies, turning them into human pincushions.

---

At a critical moment, Konohamaru Sarutobi, the last male member of the Sarutobi clan, stepped forward. With a twist of fate and someone’s dark humor at play, he ended up on the battlefield, sacrificing himself to save Naruto from a fatal attack.

(End of Chapter)