As Orochimaru formed hand seals, a surge of chakra emerged, landing on the death row inmate kneeling before him.
Then, it could be seen.
The ground where the inmate was kneeling suddenly started to ripple like flowing water. The dirt on the ground slowly spread upwards along the inmate's body, bit by bit, climbing and enveloping him.
The death row inmate showed an extremely terrified expression.
Knowing one would die is one thing.
Watching death approach right before your eyes is another.
This brought immense fear to the inmate.
"So this is the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu…"
Not far away, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu all stood together.
"It truly is a cruel ninjutsu."
"Using a living human life as a sacrifice."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression was serious.
"That's why the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu cannot be used recklessly. It must be under strict supervision, and each use must be handled with utmost caution."
Soon, the dirt completely covered and submerged the inmate.
A new figure appeared.
"Light?"
"Where is this?"
Short white hair, spiked up like a hedgehog. A white fur collar, resembling the pelt of some kind of fox or perhaps a canine, slightly different in shade from the hair.
The person was dressed in a black ninja bodysuit.
Outside was a deep blue battle armor. His gaze was sharp.
The moment he opened his eyes, he immediately scanned his surroundings.
"Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu? Who are you?"
Senju Tobirama frowned deeply.
This jutsu was developed by Senju Tobirama, but that didn't mean he liked others using it on him.
"Tobirama-sama, I am the Fifth Hokage of Konoha, Orochimaru."
"Hokage?"
Orochimaru nodded.
"Yes, my sensei is Konoha's Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Then, Orochimaru looked in Sarutobi's direction.
"Sarutobi-sensei, the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu has been successfully completed, you may come over now."
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other three walked over.
"Tobirama-sensei."
The four of them respectfully greeted Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama looked at each of them.
"Hiruzen?"
"Danzo?"
"Homura?"
"Koharu?"
"You've all aged this much? It seems a long time has passed. Why did you use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to revive me? I remember this jutsu was classified as forbidden."
Orochimaru and the others immediately looked toward Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Tobirama followed their gaze to Hiruzen as well.
Hiruzen sighed.
"Tobirama-sensei, if we had any other choice, we certainly would not have done this, nor dared to disturb the dead. As Hashirama-sensei said back then, this is something that should not be done."
"But the truth is, we have no other option."
Tobirama furrowed his brow even more.
"Explain."
Hiruzen said, "After you sacrificed yourself, Tobirama-sensei, we returned to Konoha. Over in the Hidden Cloud Village, Kinkaku and Ginkaku were quickly subdued by Hidden Cloud."
"The First Shinobi World War ended."
"The shinobi world entered a brief period of peace."
"But then, Hanzo of the Rain Ninja Village triggered the Second Shinobi World War."
"In that war, Konoha suffered heavy losses."
"The Second Shinobi World War lasted for many years."
"And now, the Third Shinobi World War has broken out again, with Hidden Sand Village temporarily allying with us in Konoha."
"But Konoha is simultaneously facing attacks from Hidden Mist Village, Hidden Cloud Village, and Hidden Rock Village."
"We can't hold on any longer. Even the Fourth Hokage has already sacrificed himself."
"If this continues, Hidden Mist Village and the others won't even give Konoha the chance to surrender."
"They plan to completely crush Konoha."
"That's why we had no choice but to use the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu to awaken you, Tobirama-sensei."
Hiruzen lowered his head.
After a long pause.
"I understand."
Tobirama's anger at being awakened eased a little.
Even in death, Tobirama still cared about Konoha.
"Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Rock Village, and Hidden Mist Village are jointly attacking Konoha? It's reached the point where Konoha is on the verge of being destroyed? These ninja villages are truly ruthless!"
Tobirama turned to look at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru, you're the Hokage of Konoha now?"
"Yes."
"I'm not going to ask you why Konoha's situation has gotten so bad just yet. Briefly explain to me how dire Konoha's current situation really is."
"Understood."
Orochimaru spoke slowly, without much pressure.
After all, he didn't feel responsible for Konoha's current state. He had just taken over, and before he became Hokage, Konoha was already a mess.
"Our Konoha's ninja forces have dwindled to less than ten thousand."
"Meanwhile, Hidden Cloud Village has over twenty thousand."
"Hidden Rock Village has close to twenty thousand."
"Hidden Mist Village has over ten thousand. However, the elite ninjas of Hidden Mist are unique. A few years ago, a very special Great Blacksmith appeared in their village, crafting many unique ninjatō."
"They named them 'Zanpakuto.'"
"With just one Zanpakuto, a Jonin can instantly rise to become one of the top elite Jonin."
"In summary, one-on-one, Konoha may no longer be able to hold off any of these ninja villages."
"Our Konoha has a certain advantage in top-level ninjas, but it can't compensate for the overwhelming numerical disadvantage of our regular ninjas. Defeat is only a matter of time."
Tobirama's expression turned grim.
The situation was worse than what he had initially imagined.
"Do you have detailed written reports?"
Orochimaru had already prepared for this and quickly handed them over.
Tobirama took the documents.
The documents contained clear numerical comparisons:
Hidden Cloud Village — Top-level Ninjas: Fourth Raikage, Killer B.
— Regular Ninjas: Approximately 22,000.
Hidden Rock Village — Top-level Ninjas: Ōnoki, Roshi.
— Regular Ninjas: Approximately 18,000.
Hidden Sand Village — Top-level Ninjas: Chiyo, Pakura, Rasa.
— Regular Ninjas: Approximately 11,000.
Hidden Mist Village — Top-level Ninjas: Yagura, Biwa Juzo, Fuguki Suikazan, Kurosuki Raiga, Ao, Hozuki Izumo, Hoshigaki Kisame (Stable Rock Team).
— Regular Ninjas: Approximately 15,000.
"Does Hidden Mist Village really have that many top-level ninjas?"
The comparison was so stark that Tobirama couldn't help but be skeptical.
"Tobirama-sama," Orochimaru explained, "Under normal circumstances, most of these individuals from Hidden Mist Village wouldn't count as top-level ninjas. Without considering the factor of the Zanpakuto, only Yagura would qualify."
"However, the Zanpakuto has given them a tremendous boost."
"Even though one-on-one they don't reach the level of true top-level ninjas, the Zanpakuto's abilities are very special."
"It makes them far stronger than other ninjas."
Tobirama continued reading.
Next was Orochimaru's list of the Zanpakuto:
Biwa Juzo, Blue Rose Sword, Ice Blade, possesses Ice Release abilities.
Fuguki Suikazan, Water Dragon Possession, Blood Blade, ultimate Water Release control abilities, capable of manipulating blood.
Kurosuki Raiga, Lightning Blade, Thunder Swords, capable of using Kage-level Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
Ao, Sword of the Darkness Flame, Fire Blade, capable of using Kage-level Fire Release Ninjutsu.
Hozuki Izumo, Thunder God's Rage, capable of using Kage-level Lightning Release Ninjutsu.
Hoshigaki Kisame, Sword of Wisdom, can absorb all Ninjutsu and has its own consciousness.
Ameyuri Ringo, Nikkari Ao'e, Stiffening Blade, can cause paralysis.
Mashiro, Cold Dome, the second Ice Blade.
Then there was a dividing line.
Kaguya Neko, Kiriichimonji, Unhealable Blade, inflicts wounds that continue to bleed and take over ten days to heal.
Dragon-Bone, Demon Sword, specific abilities unknown.
These are the known Zanpakuto crafted by Uehara Soma, totaling nine in all.
However, in reality, Uehara Soma has crafted many more ninja tools:
Third Mizukage's Skeleton Emperor.
Uehara Soma himself uses God's Hand, Pioggia, Zudomon's Hammer, and Peach Hermit Garden Box.
A total of fourteen ninja tools.
"What's the situation with Ameyuri Ringo and Kaguya Neko?"
"Ameyuri Ringo is a young ninja with considerable Zanpakuto abilities, but her own strength has not yet reached the level of a top-tier ninja. As for Kaguya Neko, he's a rogue ninja from Hidden Mist Village."
Tobirama's eyes flickered.
"Hidden Mist Village managed to produce such a remarkable talent?"
Tobirama had always looked down on Hidden Mist Village.
In the early days, Konoha was overwhelmingly dominant. Even though Tobirama was killed by the people from Hidden Cloud Village, it was only due to being outnumbered and because they used the Six Paths ninja tools.
Without Uehara Soma, Hidden Mist Village's strength would be far from what it is now; it would be lacking by a long shot.
Tobirama closed the documents in his hands.
"Given this situation, for us in Konoha to get through this crisis, reviving just me with Impure World Reincarnation is completely insufficient. This body can't even display a quarter of my strength while I was alive."
"We would need to reincarnate at least four or five more people to have a chance."
"Have you thought about the candidates?"
This statement brought a slight joy to Orochimaru's heart.
The fact that Tobirama could say this indicated his approval of Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu under these circumstances.
In other words, he could use Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu openly and without reservation.
Orochimaru then took out another list.
"Lord Second, here are the ninjas from Konoha's history who have passed away but are relatively powerful."
Senju Tobirama took it and saw his name and Senju Hashirama's on the list.
Then there were:
Sarutobi Sasuke.
Uchiha Madara.
Uzumaki Mito.
Uchiha Kagami.
Dan Kato.
Sakumo Hatake.
Might Duy.
Minato Namikaze.
Kushina Uzumaki.
…
Most of these names were unfamiliar to Tobirama.
Orochimaru continued, "Not all of these people can be successfully revived with Impure World Reincarnation. For example, Minato Namikaze. Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu can only summon souls that reside in the Spirit World's Pure Land. Minato Namikaze's soul has already been swallowed by the Shinigami."
Tobirama replied, "Uchiha Madara shouldn't even be considered. Even if he were to be reincarnated, he wouldn't fight for Konoha, and there might even be side effects. By the way, what is the current situation of the Uchiha?"
Tobirama had never felt at ease regarding the Uchiha Clan. Setting aside Madara's actions against Hashirama, Tobirama generally disapproved of most members of the Uchiha Clan. Kagami was one of the few people he recognized and approved of.
Orochimaru responded, "There are no major problems with the Uchiha Clan at the moment."
Tobirama nodded and continued, "As for my elder brother Hashirama, let's not consider him for now. He may not necessarily agree with the idea of reincarnation, and it would take quite some time to persuade him."
Then, Tobirama looked at Hiruzen. "Hiruzen, I leave your father to you. After reincarnation, convincing him shouldn't be a big issue, right?"
Hiruzen quickly shook his head. "No problem."
"Hiruzen, when did Kagami die?"
Kagami and Hiruzen, among others, were all disciples of Tobirama, but they were significantly younger than Hiruzen. If he appeared on the list, it was likely that he had met an untimely end.
"During the First Shinobi World War, we were ambushed by Hidden Cloud Ninja for the second time, and Kagami unfortunately perished."
This was somewhat inconsistent with the Will of Fire. Where leaves dance, fire also gives rise to endless possibilities. The Will of Fire emphasizes the spirit of sacrifice for one's juniors.
According to reason, Kagami shouldn't have sacrificed himself so early. Just like Tobirama, who chose to sacrifice his older self rather than let his disciples fall behind. However, since so much time has passed and Konoha's situation is as it is, Tobirama didn't ask further.
"Fifth Hokage, please introduce me to the situation of Dan Kato and the others."
"Yes." Orochimaru nodded. "Dan Kato is skilled in Spirit Transformation Jutsu, capable of taking lives from a thousand miles away. There are basically no means to limit Spirit Transformation Jutsu, but the only downside is that the original body is a weakness while using the technique."
"Sakumo Hatake excels in sword techniques and is very strong."
"Might Duy is extremely proficient in Taijutsu."
"Minato Namikaze is skilled in Flying Thunder God Jutsu."
"Kushina Uzumaki is the second host of the Nine-Tails."
"..."
...
"Chakra Smelting Technique!"
"Breath Forging Method."
"Sage's Polishing Technique."
The eyes of the new intern blacksmiths sparkled with excitement. This was a forging technique they had never encountered before—no, they had never even seen anything like it. Soma displayed it so directly, with no intention of hiding anything.
"Chief-sama, it's magnificent."
"If that Great Blacksmith from back then had been as selfless as Chief-sama, Forging Island might not have declined."
A long spear appeared in Soma's hand. It was a single molded piece, entirely jet black, emanating a faint ethereal glow. Soma tossed the spear toward Arafuni, who quickly caught it.
All the blacksmiths hurried over to take a look. Soma glanced at the translucent panel in front of him.
"2999!"
"Only 1000 reputation points left until I reach 4000."
"Even if Chukichi doesn't have that great of an opportunity to perform, getting me 1000 reputation points from crafting the Soul Reaping Sword shouldn't be too much of a problem."
---
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