The Third Hokage, with a calm and relaxed demeanor, asked,
"Has the Sand Village truly broken the alliance and betrayed our trust? Should I consider this an act of war?"
Orochimaru, still disguised as the Kazekage, replied with a smirk of amusement.
"Heh… Alliance? Trust? They're nothing more than tools to make your enemy lower their guard. Today, Konoha will burn—along with you."
"Starting a war will not solve anything," Hiruzen answered sternly. "We can still work out our differences through negotiation. War brings only devastation to both sides. Reconsider this path."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly.
"Do people truly become peace-loving fools once they grow old? Or is it just you, Sarutobi-sensei?"
The word sensei made the Third Hokage's eyes widen with recognition.
"I see… so it's you, Orochimaru. When I had the chance, I should have killed you. Letting you escape was the greatest mistake of my life," he said with regret.
Orochimaru sneered.
"Heh… Your foolishness has dragged the Leaf into decline. And now—I have won."
He tore away his mask, revealing his true face.
"I thought I taught you better. Until the battle is finished, you have not won," Hiruzen said firmly.
Orochimaru smiled wickedly.
"Then let me finish it… by killing you, sensei!"
But before he could strike, Orochimaru froze, trembling slightly.
"I thought I would feel joy killing you… but I didn't realize I still had a heart capable of sadness."
He stabbed his own hand, a tear slipping down his cheek. Wiping it away, he sneered.
"Finally… I feel better. I was so tired, even tears began to fall. Don't you find that funny?"
He released Sarutobi and stepped back, preparing to fight.
"What do you truly want, Orochimaru?" Hiruzen asked.
"I don't know what I really want… but right now, I want you dead." Orochimaru flung the Hokage's hat aside.
"It seems I have no choice but to fight you," Hiruzen said as he gently set the hat down.
Orochimaru smirked.
"It's been so long since we've fought. I hope you can still entertain me before you die, old man."
The two rushed forward. The Third Hokage struck first, hurling a shuriken. In midair, he multiplied it with Shadow Clone Jutsu, sending dozens of blades flying. Orochimaru countered with a summoning—the Impure World Reincarnation.
From the coffins emerged the First and Second Hokage.
Hiruzen's heart sank. To see his predecessors desecrated this way filled him with sorrow and fury.
He fought with all his might, unleashing every jutsu he knew, but the First's Wood Release proved troublesome. Wooden tendrils bound him tight.
"I cannot break free… very well. Enma!"
The Monkey King appeared, transforming into a staff and shattering the binds. Armed once more, Hiruzen clashed directly with Orochimaru. Orochimaru, growing impatient, summoned the Kusanagi blade, making the fight even fiercer.
But Hiruzen's age weighed heavily. Each time he destroyed the Hokages' bodies, they regenerated. He could not drag the battle on.
Orochimaru mocked him.
"Old age has left you fragile, sensei. Meanwhile, I grow younger every day."
He tore off another disguise, revealing a youthful face.
"So… you've completed that forbidden jutsu," Hiruzen said bitterly.
"Hahaha! All thanks to my test subjects. Ten years of suffering since I left the village—worth it," Orochimaru laughed.
"And this," Hiruzen spat, "is why I never chose you as Fourth Hokage. Your twisted ideology. How many innocent lives did you slaughter for your so-called immortality?"
Orochimaru smirked.
"Looking at you now—old, weak—I'd say my path was better. All I need is a young, strong vessel to master every jutsu."
Hiruzen's eyes hardened.
"You mean… Uchiha Sasuke."
"Yes," Orochimaru hissed. "That boy is my future. But not yet. When the time is right." He reverted to his original face, grinning. "Remember this regret, sensei—even in death."
With a snap of his fingers, the First Hokage unleashed another Wood Release, vines ensnaring Hiruzen. The old Hokage barely survived with Enma's help, but his body was failing.
He knew the battle could not last.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Two clones appeared. Together, all three began the Reaper Death Seal—a suicidal technique that would claim his own soul to seal his enemy's.
The First and Second Hokage pressed the attack, battering his weakened body. Blood filled Hiruzen's mouth, but he endured. At last, the Reaper's hand pierced his stomach. With a final surge, he seized the First and Second, their souls dragged out before their bodies crumbled to lifeless husks.
"You treat even your subordinates' lives so lightly," Hiruzen gasped.
"What subordinates? Worthless pawns! Just die already!" Orochimaru barked, though unease clouded his eyes.
Hiruzen's chakra burned out. His summons vanished in smoke. Yet he would not die alone.
"Enma!"
The Monkey King returned as a staff. With his last strength, Hiruzen lunged at Orochimaru.
Orochimaru unleashed snakes to bind the weapon, but Hiruzen pressed forward, grabbing his shoulder. From Hiruzen's stomach, the Reaper's hand emerged—clutching at Orochimaru's soul.
Orochimaru's face twisted in terror. He sent the Kusanagi flying with his fingers, aiming at Hiruzen's back. Enma intercepted, but the blade was too fast. It sliced through his hand and pierced Hiruzen's body.
Still, the Hokage held on, eyes blazing with unyielding resolve. The Reaper dragged Orochimaru's soul inch by inch as both master and student struggled desperately to kill each other.
Then—
The rooftop cracked apart. A hand burst through, followed by a figure pulling himself up.
A young boy stood there. His crimson eyes glowed with a fearsome, ominous light.