Immediately.
Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama both activated the [Impure World Reincarnation Release].
They broke free from Sarutobi's Clone Technique control.
At this point, their resurrection was practically complete.
Of course, Hashirama's and Tobirama's strength remained only at peak Kage level and mid-Kage level respectively—far below their prime.
This is also due to the inherent flaws in this incomplete [Impure World Reincarnation Technique].
"Esteemed Lords," said the Sarutobi Clone, "my chakra reserves are nearly depleted as well."
"After this, everything depends on you two..."
With a regretful sigh, the clone gave his final farewell.
"Rest in peace."
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, I'll definitely protect this village!"
Hashirama stepped forward, patted the monkey's shoulder,
And made this solemn promise.
"Thank you..."
Saying so, Sarutobi's clone exploded into a burst of smoke and vanished away.
Thus, the last remnant of the Third Hokage in this present world disappeared entirely.
Hashirama frowned slightly, sighing emotionally:
"Ahh! In every era, war seems inevitable!"
Just then,
Before them both,
Tsunade, supporting Jiraiya, finally retreated to this location.
At this moment, seeing those two familiar figures from her memories suddenly appear, Tsunade couldn't help but feel sudden joy.
"Grandfather! Is it really you?"
Tsunade immediately dropped Jiraiya whom she'd been supporting,
Rushed over, and hugged Senju Hashirama.
Hashirama blushed slightly, looking bewildered.
Then, upon observing this familiar silhouette and that signature golden hair,
He gradually overlapped this present-day Tsunade with the petite young image in his memory.
Realization dawned and he became delighted too:
"Little Tsunade!"
"Never thought you'd have grown up this much too?"
"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you right away. Haha!"
Hashirama scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly—utterly lacking the usual dignity of Ninja God.
So much so that Tobirama beside him shook his head repeatedly.
Tsunade let go of Hashirama, staring at his silly grin.
She now completely confirmed, this truly was her beloved grandfather!
Only he could be this cutely awkward.
Meanwhile,
Not long after,
Many nearby Konoha shinobi gradually recognized the pair as well.
They couldn't help showing excitement:
"That person is...?"
"The First Hokage Lord?!!"
"And the Second Lord too?!!"
"How can this be? Our previous Hokage Lords have returned from death? Come back to save the village?"
"Unbelievable! This is incredible!"
"Hope is back!"
Indeed, under such desperate circumstances,
What people needed most was something to hope for.
These two resurrected former Hokage Lords were undoubtedly their very last hope.
...
"Truly... our First Generation Lord?"
Jiraiya, lips dry from shock, asked disbelievingly.
"And you are?"
"I am the disciple of Sarutobi-sensei: Jiraiya."
"Oh! You carry traces of natural energy and Great Toad Sage's aura. It seems you've mastered the Sage Mode too."
"A monkey isn't so bad after all. They even molded such an outstanding disciple."
Hashirama's eyes lit up as he looked at Jiraiya and praised loudly.
"Nowhere near it... I've still got a long way to go before I'm anywhere near excellent..."
Jiraiya smiled modestly.
He definitely couldn't afford to act slovenly in front of this First Hokage.
Besides, this was Tsunade's grandfather!
He mustn't leave a bad impression...
"Brother, cut the pleasantries short for now."
"This really isn't the time for casual chat..."
Tobirama Senju urged.
"Oh right! I completely forgot. Sorry about that."
Tobirama: "Such formidable spiritual pressure. Those enemies probably cannot be dealt with in our current condition..."
"The opponents truly aren't simple!"
"Could match Madara at his peak!"
"All these years later... Has another extraordinary genius emerged from the Uchiha Clan?"
Hashirama raised his eyebrows slightly while murmuring thoughtfully.
And involuntarily remembered a familiar face...
...
After pondering for a moment, Hashirama seemed to reach a decision.
He waved cheerfully at an Anbu ninja nearby:
"Hey! You over there, junior, come here for a second!"
At that moment, Yamato wearing a mask hesitated slightly.
Then immediately stood up and ran over.
(At this time, his codename within the Anbu was [Tenzo], but for everyone's convenience, we'll continue calling him by his name Yamato.)
"Sir! Reporting for duty, First Hokage!"
Yamato stammered nervously while greeting respectfully, his heart pounding excitedly.
Meanwhile, a strange feeling of familiarity and warmth stirred within him.
Hashirama: "Young Tsunade! Is this young man your descendant?"
Tsunade: "Huh? No! I'm not even married yet..."
Hashirama exclaimed in disbelief:
"You've grown up so much, and you're still unmarried?!"
"Grandpa!"
Tsunade pouted affectionately.
She definitely wouldn't dare throw one of her usual tantrums in front of Grandpa!
"Alright, alright, let's drop that topic for now."
"I sensed a very familiar aura from this child. Does he have any connection with the Senju Clan?"
Hashirama chuckled and quickly changed the subject.
"I..."
Yamato found himself speechless, unsure how to explain.
At that moment, Jiraiya immediately stepped in and explained:
"First Hokage, [Tenzo] is one of the village orphans. From childhood, for certain reasons, he was implanted with your cells through experiments."
"He survived the process and thus gained both your cells and Wood Release."
Hashirama suddenly understood:
"Oh! So that's why!"
"No wonder it felt so familiar — I was sensing my own chakra signature."
"Never expected something like this happening..."
"But actually, that's perfect."
"Junior ninja, would you mind helping me out?"
Looking directly at Yamato, Hashirama asked warmly, his gaze filled with anticipation.
"Whatever the First Hokage asks, I will surely cooperate!"
Hashirama: "May I borrow your body for a while? I'll try my best to be gentle. Hope you don't mind..."
Next, without hesitation, he immediately agreed.
"I would consider it an honor to protect the village and be used by the First Hokage himself. Let alone just borrowing his power—even if it meant sacrificing my life, I wouldn't refuse!"
"Grandpa, what are you doing? ..."
"I've got an idea. I'm planning to give it a try."
"Otherwise, even with our combined strength, we might still not stand a chance against those enemies."
Hashirama's expression darkened, instantly discarding his usual childishness as he replied solemnly.
Tobirama: "Older brother, do you have confidence?"
Hashirama: "Not really... But we've got to try, right?"
"Girl, give me that necklace!"
"Eh? Okay!"
Tsunade hurriedly removed the necklace from her neck and handed it over to Hashirama.
This very necklace had been bequeathed by Hashirama himself—an heirloom pendant filled with immense chakra energy!
It had been specially reserved by him as a protective item for his beloved granddaughter.
Inside it contained not only a massive amount of chakra sealed during Hashirama's lifetime but also [Sealing Technique] powerful enough to suppress Tailed Beasts.
However, only someone bearing the Senju bloodline or possessing Wood Release abilities could fully utilize its powers.
Unfortunately, back then, he'd left too hastily to explain to Tsunade how to use this pendant.
So Tsunade had simply treated it like an ordinary sentimental keepsake...
And ironically,
this necklace had now remained at just the right moment to serve its true purpose again!
...
In truth, Hashirama knew well that relying on his current state alone wouldn't be enough.
To win—to defeat their enemies—
he had to restore his full former strength!
The next moment,
after completing all preparations, Hashirama wasted no time getting started.
He placed the chakra-infused crystal pendant onto Yamato's body.
"Whoosh——"
Then, his Impure World body rapidly crumbled into a large cloud of dust,
wrapping and completely covering Yamato, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground.
At the same time, the crystal pendant emitted a dazzling glow, releasing massive waves of chakra, pouring them directly into Yamato's body.
Just like that,
in a short while,
a brand new, vibrant body brimming with power and overwhelming pressure—the reincarnated form of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—reappeared.
Instantly, a terrifying aura erupted from the new Hashirama's body—doubly stronger than before!
Just sitting there, he caused everyone nearby to shudder involuntarily, instinctively stepping backward half a pace.
"Gulp——"
Jiraiya moved his throat, swallowing hard, sweat pouring from between his eyebrows.
So this was the true might of the [Ninja God], the legendary figure feared across the land?
Was this person still even human?
Are you kidding me?!
"Phew——"
"It seems like it worked!"
Hashirama opened his eyes and reined in his immense aura.
Standing up from the ground.
This was what he'd planned all along.
His own soul, Yamato's body infused with Hashirama's cells, along with the massive stores of chakra within the necklace.
Together, they wouldn't quite reach his peak form—but they were enough to unleash 80 to 90% of his original power!
That should be enough to handle this mess!
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