As Orochimaru performed his jutsu, the next moment, a coffin swiftly emerged from the Kuchiyose formation.
"Edo Tensei!"
"What kind of jutsu is that?"
Hearing the Forbidden Technique's name, Boruto was shocked, while Kawaki looked confused. But seeing Boruto's reaction, he knew this wasn't an ordinary ninjutsu.
"I heard Dad and Sensei say it's an absolute Forbidden Technique that can resurrect the dead!"
"A Forbidden Technique that resurrects the dead? Couldn't that bring back your mom?"
"It's not the same! Dad said it's a Forbidden Technique that defiles the dead. It not only requires sacrificing a living person's life but also taints the soul of the deceased, making it extremely dangerous. It absolutely shouldn't be used carelessly. Besides, that kind of resurrection can't even be called a true revival."
Boruto couldn't imagine the horrific sight of his mother being revived via Edo Tensei, forced to obey Orochimaru completely. He couldn't accept it, and neither would his father!
"Your father? Otsutsuki Naruto? He knows a lot about Edo Tensei?"
"What he said is true. However, in dire situations, extraordinary measures are needed."
"Besides, this Forbidden Technique isn't something just anyone can learn or use…"
Boruto's explanation made Orochimaru even more puzzled. He felt Boruto somehow understood him and all of Konoha better than Kawaki, which was suspicious.
"Who are you going to Edo Tensei?"
"You'll see soon enough."
Orochimaru patted the coffin beside him. The lid opened, revealing the figure inside.
"The First Hokage!"
"Who?"
Kawaki, like a rookie soldier, wasn't well-versed in Konoha's history.
"The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama!"
Honestly, Boruto hadn't expected Orochimaru to go this far.
With so many powerful deceased ninjas in history who could match Gyūki's strength, Orochimaru chose to revive one of the strongest—a ninja dubbed the 'God of Shinobi'!
Of course, Orochimaru wasn't messing around.
There were reasons for choosing to Edo Tensei Hashirama. First: with Hashirama's power, except against Naruto, he could guarantee 100% success in capturing any Bijuu or Jinchūriki.
Second: Hashirama wasn't particularly merciful toward non-human creatures, having captured all the Bijuu in the past. Asking him to capture Gyūki again shouldn't be an issue.
Lastly: when Kakashi mentioned the memory issues with Sarada and Sumire, Orochimaru grew suspicious. In Konoha, performing Forbidden Techniques for verification was difficult.
Now, having left the village and sensing the oddity between Boruto and Kawaki's identities, he wanted to revive the dead to testify and verify if his own memories were distorted.
Edo Tensei Hashirama opened his eyes, regaining consciousness.
"I'm… Edo Tensei'd again?"
"Hashirama-sama, long time no see."
"You? Orochimaru?"
Edo Tensei Hashirama instantly recognized Orochimaru. Though Orochimaru's appearance had changed significantly, his chakra hadn't, so he couldn't hide from Hashirama.
"It's me."
"Hahaha! We meet again!"
"But this time, only I'm Edo Tensei'd? Seems like there's trouble again." Hashirama grinned widely, hands on his hips.
Facing the 'violation' of Edo Tensei, he wasn't angry; Hashirama was always tolerant. Though he didn't particularly like the Forbidden Technique, he wouldn't blame a junior ninja.
Indeed, even Orochimaru was just a talented junior ninja in Hashirama's eyes, and Hiruzen's student.
"There's indeed a little problem, and we need your help," Orochimaru smiled.
As expected, the First Hokage was the easiest to talk to, the most understanding. Though he couldn't fully control Hashirama, he didn't need to worry about Hashirama threatening him.
Simply put: Hashirama could defeat Orochimaru, but it wasn't likely he'd crush him unless he truly intended to destroy Konoha…
"Trouble? I don't mind helping."
"But since you're still alive, Naruto and Sasuke should be too, right?"
"With those two, is there any problem they can't solve?"
At the end of the Fourth Ninja World War, even the Sage of the Six Paths acknowledged that Naruto and Sasuke surpassed him to some extent, even defeating Otsutsuki Kaguya. With those two guarding the ninja world, what problem couldn't be solved?
If even they couldn't handle a major issue, could an Edo Tensei'd Hashirama solve it?
"Otsutsuki Naruto and Otsutsuki Sasuke? They—"
"Wait… what do you mean Otsutsuki Naruto and Otsutsuki Sasuke? Weren't they Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke? When did they change their family names?"
Hashirama was confused, his face full of questions. He couldn't understand why Naruto and Sasuke, perfectly fine, suddenly changed their surnames.
Even if it was marriage, shouldn't it be Hyuga Naruto or Haruno Sasuke? Besides, with their power, who'd dare demand they marry into their wife's family?
Was the Hyuga Clan tired of living?
Hashirama's words shocked not only Orochimaru but also gave Boruto and Kawaki hope.
"Hashirama-sama, you still remember Dad and Sensei? Your memories haven't been altered?!" Boruto asked excitedly.
In the loneliness of being forgotten and hated by the world, he desperately wanted to find another ally whose memories weren't distorted, even if they weren't alive!
"Who are you?"
"I'm Uzumaki Boruto, my father is Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Oh! Naruto's kid? He's already got a child? And this big—good, good, good…" Hashirama was delighted.
No wonder this blond kid looked increasingly familiar. After all, there weren't many blond ninjas in the ninja world.
"Great! You really remember Dad; your memories haven't been altered!"
"Kid, hold on, explain slowly. What's this about memory alteration? What's wrong with Naruto?" Hashirama grew more confused, asking calmly and seriously.
At the same time, Orochimaru received a definitive answer.
The Otsutsuki Naruto and Otsutsuki Sasuke in his memories were indeed different from the Naruto and Sasuke in Hashirama's Edo Tensei memories!
Between him and Hashirama, one of their memories was wrong! Considering Hashirama was just Edo Tensei'd, with his soul previously in the Pure Land protected by the Sage of the Six Paths, the likelihood of his memories being altered was low. This strongly suggested Orochimaru's own memories were the issue!
"Let me explain."
"But first, confirm again: does Hashirama-sama have memories of Uzumaki Jigen and Uzumaki Code?" Orochimaru asked proactively, preparing for final verification.
"No… wait…" Hashirama instinctively denied, but his body suddenly stiffened, his consciousness and memories seemingly affected and distorted. His answer became unclear.
"Uzumaki Jigen? Uzumaki Code?"
"Something's off; I feel like I've heard those names somewhere."
"I remember! Uzumaki Jigen, the Fourth Hokage's son, right?"
"I seem to have forgotten a lot… but it's slowly coming back."
"Damn, my consciousness is a bit messed up…"
Edo Tensei Hashirama clutched his head, frowning as if enduring mental torment, like someone with long-lost memories suddenly recalling fragments. But these memories clashed harshly with his original ones, causing chaotic and painful consciousness.
"What's wrong? His condition's off…" Orochimaru frowned, sensing Hashirama's abnormality.
The contradictory responses confirmed Hashirama's memories were starting to falter. Remember, even Madara's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan Genjutsu couldn't shake Hashirama's will. This was almost certainly not Genjutsu!
"It's Omnipotence altering Hashirama-sama's memories!"
"What?"
Boruto continued: "A kind of Divine Technique unleashed by an Otsutsuki. And Omnipotence's effect is ongoing. Like Amado, even if you notice memory issues, it won't take long before the power forcibly corrects them!"
Boruto deduced the reason for Hashirama's oddity.
Freshly Edo Tensei'd Hashirama had intact, normal memories, which is why he recalled Naruto and the others' true identities. But Omnipotence's ongoing effect, like a mental force field enveloping the world, forcibly corrects any recovered or anomalous memories.
Like Amado, who realized his memories were altered but needed to watch a truth video daily to maintain normal consciousness.
Hashirama was undoubtedly affected by Omnipotence now, his memories gradually being altered and twisted.
Indeed, even as strong as the God of Shinobi, without Six Paths-level power, he couldn't resist Omnipotence!
In other words, it was already remarkable that Hashirama's Edo Tensei memories weren't immediately altered upon revival.
"Divine Technique?"
"Ongoing memory correction? Such a terrifying power exists?"
"Incredible!"
Orochimaru was shocked yet thrilled. A Divine Technique surpassing ninjutsu, bloodline networks, even Mugen Tsukuyomi—how could he not be excited?
Science and power truly had no limits!
"What's incredible? If Hashirama-sama's memories get distorted too, it'll be a huge problem!"
Boruto couldn't grasp the research obsession of a mad scientist like Orochimaru. He only worried that if Hashirama became an enemy, what could they fight with?
Boruto knew Hashirama's power was second only to his father and teacher. With his and Kawaki's current strength, they weren't even enough to fill the gaps in Hashirama's teeth!
Hearing this, Orochimaru realized the core issue. An unaltered Hashirama was a reliable ally and 'tool,' even if not fully controllable. But if his memories were altered, seeing Boruto as the enemy Otsutsuki Boruto, it'd be a disaster. He might break free from control and kill Boruto on the spot!
After all, the stronger someone's conviction and will, the less likely they'd doubt their perceptions and goals. An altered Hashirama wouldn't share Orochimaru's 'spirit of doubt.' In short, Hashirama Edo Tensei couldn't stay near Boruto.
"Hashirama-sama, this is a Bijuu tracker. My clone will accompany you to pursue Hachibi. Can you capture it?"
"Could Hachibi threaten the village? No problem, I'll be back soon."
Though Hashirama's memories were slightly chaotic, recognizing Orochimaru was fine. He gladly accepted the request, heading off with Orochimaru's clone to capture the Hachibi Jinchūriki.
As for success? Joking aside, even in the worst condition, missing 999 arms, Hashirama could easily capture the Hachibi Jinchūriki.
Thus, after temporarily sending Hashirama Edo Tensei away, Orochimaru turned back to Boruto and Kawaki.
Boruto had exited Kāma Phase One, his face pale but still holding up.
"Letting Hashirama-sama chase Hachibi in that state—will it be okay?"
"Don't worry, my clone's with him. If anything goes wrong, I can cancel Edo Tensei instantly."
Though he didn't know why Boruto and the others wanted to capture Gyūki, securing it first wouldn't hurt. Orochimaru wouldn't mind more research material.
"Let's talk about that Divine Technique you mentioned."
"What do you want to know?"
"That Divine Technique is the main cause of everyone's memory changes, right?"
"Correct!"
"You said even if someone notices memory issues, the power forcibly corrects their memories and cognition?"
"Yes! Even if you notice something's wrong now, it won't take long before your memories are corrected, and you'll forget or ignore all anomalies."
Boruto explained, which was why he hadn't told Orochimaru everything initially. It'd be futile.
Soon, Orochimaru would forget it all. Finding a way to truly break Omnipotence was the most effective cure!
"Is there a way to break this Divine Technique?"
"No. Sensei and we are still searching…"
"Then, is there a way to temporarily mitigate this power's correction?" Orochimaru asked tirelessly.
He didn't believe there was a perfect power without weaknesses!
"There is. Amado uses a daily truth video to remind himself, while Kashin Koji is forcibly controlled by Sensei's Genjutsu. Those seem to be the only two temporary methods…"
"Physical cues and mental control? I see…"
Orochimaru nodded, pondering. If he couldn't find a way to resist Omnipotence's ongoing memory correction, all the truths he now knew would be forgotten.
Orochimaru couldn't accept being continuously controlled and manipulated.
"So, as long as there's Genjutsu surpassing Mugen Tsukuyomi, it might resist Omnipotence's memory changes?"
"Impossible! Sensei's Genjutsu is the strongest in the world, and even his can't eliminate its influence, only forcibly control the target. Is there a Genjutsu master stronger than Sensei?"
A Genjutsu master stronger than Sasuke? How could that exist?
Sasuke could only continuously control Koji. Once the Genjutsu was released, Koji's memories would be altered by Omnipotence. Boruto didn't think anyone could outdo his teacher.
"Otsutsuki Sasuke? Or Uchiha Sasuke? He's indeed very strong, but in Genjutsu mastery, he's not necessarily the best in the ninja world."
Orochimaru spoke while preparing.
He quickly drew two Kuchiyose formations on the ground, pulling out personal data materials and two White Zetsu sacrifices.
"You're going to?"
"Perform Edo Tensei again."
"Who else are you reviving?"
"Someone stronger in Genjutsu than Uchiha can only be an Uchiha ninja."
"Huh? You're reviving Sensei's clan? Who exactly?"
"Of course, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui. It's been so long since I saw Itachi-san; I miss him so much…" Orochimaru grinned, barely restraining himself from licking his lips.
Boruto and Kawaki exchanged glances, neither choosing to interfere.
They could see Orochimaru was genuinely trying to counter the Divine Technique's effects. They had no reason to stop him, and gaining another ally with restored memories would be invaluable.
In no time, Orochimaru prepared the new Edo Tensei ritual.
"All set."
"Come forth, my beloved Itachi-san!"
"Edo Tensei!"