According to the current understanding of the omnipotent medicine's efficacy and side effects, at the age of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, surviving such a large dose was almost impossible.
Yet, at this critical moment, that didn't matter. Without hesitation, Hiruzen drew the potion and injected it all into his arm. Instantly, a warmth surged through his body, spreading with his bloodstream.
"Is this the effect of the medicine? Incredible power... If only there were no side effects, how wonderful that would be!"
Even the Third Hokage knew this hope was unrealistic. The medicine's potency was extraordinary, but to believe the side effects could be erased entirely was naïve. The world offered no such easy salvation.
As the medicine took hold, Hiruzen felt as if he were reborn from within. Organs long weakened by age began to regain vitality, and his withered, thinning skin started to glow faintly with renewed life.
"This feeling... the vigor of youth has returned."
Dodging an incoming attack from the shadows, Sarutobi Hiruzen sprang back, preparing himself.
Orochimaru, who had been watching in secret, sensed something was wrong.
"Damn old man, what have you done?" Although the person before him was the same, his aura was undeniably different.
"Orochimaru," Hiruzen said calmly, "you have learned much in Konoha, but there are still things you don't understand. Today, I will show you the pride of this village."
Quickly forming the hand seals, Hiruzen performed a summoning jutsu and called forth Enma, the Monkey King.
"Long time no see, Sarutobi," Enma greeted, sensing the seriousness of the situation. "Looks like we'll be fighting side by side again. But… what's wrong with your body?"
The spiritual contract between master and summon allowed Enma to feel the change in Hiruzen's chakra and body.
"This power… did you use a forbidden technique?" Enma asked.
Hiruzen shook his head. "No. But it's close."
"How is that possible?" Enma was puzzled. The curse seal that Orochimaru placed had not been lifted, and even the Monkey King could sense the strain on Hiruzen's body. Forcing such power from his aging form could only be achieved by an extraordinary method.
"Hiruzen, Orochimaru has returned," Enma said grimly. "He also used Edo Tensei to summon the First and Second Hokage."
"So that's how things stand," Hiruzen nodded. "No wonder it's come to this."
"But such a forbidden technique must have severe consequences, right?" Enma pressed.
"Of course," the Third Hokage replied decisively. "But it's a price I'm willing to pay."
"Understood. Then let's begin." Enma transformed his staff into its full form.
The Third Hokage grasped the staff, then turned to Orochimaru, who lurked in the shadows. "Let us revive the old teachings."
He placed Enma's staff aside, formed hand seals rapidly, and shouted, "Katon, Doton, Katon!" (Fire Style, Earth Style, Fire Style!)
The combined ninjutsu was unleashed with incredible force. The earth beneath twisted into a dragon shape before being engulfed in a massive fireball, turning the surrounding area into scorched wasteland. The impact shook the barrier around the battlefield but held firm.
On the other side, Orochimaru stared in disbelief. "How is this possible? Given your current condition, how can you perform such a powerful jutsu?"
Having been Hiruzen's student, Orochimaru knew the Third Hokage's power in his prime. This combination approached that legendary strength.
"There are many things you do not know," Hiruzen said, "but I will show you, one by one."
The First and Second Hokage, summoned through Edo Tensei and unable to access their full power, were struck directly by the blast. Trees summoned by the First Hokage's Mud Wall technique withered and burned. Their bodies, sustained by the undead nature of Edo Tensei, gradually recovered from the damage. The cursed seal's dark markings faded from the Second Hokage's arm, allowing the ANBU outside the barrier to finally assess the true state inside.
"That terrifying ninjutsu was performed by the Third Hokage. Truly, he is the strongest Hokage of legend," an ANBU agent remarked.
Mizuki listened quietly and shook his head internally. If he didn't know better, he might believe it. The younger generation simply did not understand what the highest level of power truly looked like. In terms of raw ninjutsu talent, no one in the world could match Sarutobi Hiruzen at his peak. His mastery of the five elemental chakra natures was unique—aside from rare bloodline limits, no one had ever fully mastered all five.
Judging from combat experiences three years later, the secret forbidden techniques, bloodline limits, and more—though enhanced by chakra—were still fundamentally ninjutsu. Magic was something else entirely.
Orochimaru, having narrowly escaped the Third Hokage's combined ninjutsu assault, eyed Hiruzen carefully.
"I see… what forbidden technique did you use?" Orochimaru asked with a sly smile. "But no matter the power, the side effects must be enormous. How long can your old body sustain this?"
He ordered the First and Second Hokage to close in on Hiruzen, renewing the assault to overwhelm him.
"It won't last long," Hiruzen replied grimly. "But it's enough to defeat you."
The Third Hokage split off two shadow clones and engaged the two predecessors in fierce battle once again.
Meanwhile, at the frontline medical station, support finally arrived for the injured medics and Mizuki, who was escaping through the dense jungle canopy.
"It's too late. I haven't sensed the tailed beast's chakra yet."
Though the mission seemed low-risk for a few genin, Mizuki couldn't be certain. Haruno Sakura had just entered the third round of the Chūnin Exam and defeated Dosu Kinuta. Moonlight Gale and Dosu were not yet dead—luck would decide their fates.
Such butterfly effects were neither too large nor too small. Among Konoha's twelve surviving shinobi, there were roughly three strengths, two weaknesses, and one disabled. Mizuki wouldn't be surprised if one or two fell in battle. After all, Rōshi almost became disabled. Comrades sometimes faltered; not everyone could follow the brave to the end.
As Mizuki advanced, he suddenly sensed movement ahead.
"Shino Aburame?"
On a giant tree branch lay the young insect-user, unconscious but alive.
Now that Mizuki had spotted her, he couldn't ignore her condition. It would be disastrous if she died unexpectedly. Time was still on their side. Seeing Shino, he presumed Gaara and the others were not far off. Proper treatment could save her.
At the same time, Sasuke Uchiha stared desperately at Gaara, whose appearance was becoming more monstrous by the moment. Completely losing his human form, Gaara was now a tanuki-like creature of sand raging wildly among the trees.
Visit patreon.com/Morgansenpai to get 30+ chapters