Amid the chilling sizzle, the Second Hokage's face contorted in pain.
This sudden change shocked Orochimaru.
He hadn't given such a command.
But he quickly noticed…
The sealing tags controlling the dead's will were being eroded by the power of that light.
In other words…
"Tsun… ade."
A low voice came from beneath the cross.
Tsunade froze.
The First Hokage had stopped struggling. His eyes, no longer lifeless and dull, held a trace of helplessness and affection, as if he were truly alive again.
"As your grandfather, I've caused you trouble."
"Grandfather…"
Tsunade stared at her grandfather, tears streaming down her face.
Years of pain and grievance…
Poured out uncontrollably in that moment.
When the First Hokage was alive, she was still a princess.
But after him…
Her loved ones died one by one.
The great Senju clan was left with only her.
"They've really regained consciousness," Orochimaru said, stepping back, his face grim.
Why did he need to control their minds?
Because he couldn't fathom the techniques of the First and Second Hokages.
"Don't let this man escape, Tsunade!" the Second Hokage's voice rang out sharply.
Tobirama Senju still clung tightly to Tsunade's cross, his Edo Tensei body disintegrating as if scorched.
Yet his gaze at Orochimaru burned with suffocating killing intent.
Even Orochimaru…
Felt a chill race from his feet to his mind under that gaze.
"Edo Tensei was a highly dangerous jutsu I created unintentionally," Tobirama said coldly to Orochimaru, speaking to Tsunade. "Realizing its danger, I halted its development and sealed it as a forbidden jutsu. But if further refined, its destructive power would be unmatched."
Tobirama was inwardly cursing Hiruzen Sarutabi.
He'd repeatedly warned him to keep the forbidden jutsu sealed.
Yet not only did this enemy learn of it, but he summoned them to fight Tsunade.
"Don't say that, Lord Second Hokage," Orochimaru said, attempting to regain control while chuckling softly. "I deeply admire you and aspire to inherit and perfect all your jutsu."
"Hmph, save your effort," Tobirama scoffed.
He saw through Orochimaru's actions.
"Tsunade's power is something even I've never heard of, and it's devastating to Edo Tensei. Our restored consciousness is proof. You think you can control me again? Tsunade, ignore us! The collapse of our Edo Tensei bodies is irreversible. Kill him now!"
As he spoke…
His body had disintegrated halfway, the parts touching the cross charred black.
As he said…
Holy Light had destroyed the jutsu's structure.
Complete collapse was only a matter of time.
Tsunade wiped her tears.
Then—
Her eyes snapped open!
"Orochimaru!"
Her furious voice thundered.
"Are you ready to die?"
Orochimaru forced a strained smile.
But before he could speak…
A massive cross, blazing with divine light, came crashing toward him!
Boom—!
The earth shattered.
He barely dodged, but Orochimaru's scream echoed.
Just a graze, and his entire arm was severed.
With no fighting spirit left, Orochimaru was no match for Tsunade's wrath. Rather, he was filled with dread.
"What kind of training gave you this power?!"
Enduring the agony of his severed arm, Orochimaru formed seals with one hand, shouting in frustration.
He was supposed to have the upper hand!
But now, he was losing inexplicably.
Even Tobirama had said…
He, who created countless jutsu, had never heard of this white light, yet it countered Edo Tensei and amplified Tsunade's monstrous strength beyond anything before!
He'd sacrificed so much for power, forsaking sleep and morality, only to be outdone by a washed-up gambler?
"Tsunade, he's used a clone jutsu. His real body's underground," Tobirama called out, sitting beside Hashirama.
"Correct," Hashirama nodded. "He's fleeing east."
Their bodies were steadily disintegrating, but without sustained Holy Light damage, the process was slower.
Orochimaru's face grew uglier.
His own summons were betraying him.
"I won't let you escape!" Tsunade swung her cross, striking the ground eastward with devastating force.
With a thunderous roar…
A vast swath of earth was upheaved.
Orochimaru screamed, flung from underground.
"Not bad," Tobirama said, seemingly satisfied.
"Haha, praise from you is rare," Hashirama laughed proudly. "Worthy of my granddaughter."
"But that weapon, and that white-light energy…" Tobirama mused, his gaze cautious. "I've never seen such incredible energy. It's as if it holds indescribable power, like…"
"Like the sun," Hashirama finished.
He looked up at the blinding sun in the sky.
Warm, dispelling shadows.
He'd been worried about Konoha's future, but seeing Tsunade, his concerns eased. The next generation had grown.
Their bodies were nearing complete dissolution.
"Why haven't you finished him?" Tobirama's tone held unease.
Though Orochimaru was being pummeled…
And utterly miserable…
He kept fleeing, getting farther away, now barely visible, only the earth's tremors and roars echoing.
"Tobirama," Hashirama said, his half-dissolved hand weakly patting Tobirama's shoulder. "We're the past. Worrying is pointless. Not causing trouble for Konoha and the next generation, like earlier, is enough."
"Brother…"
Tobirama turned, seemingly exasperated.
His brother was as carefree as ever.