The first to awaken were the jōnin.
As they opened their eyes, they looked around in confusion.
I… wasn't I already dead?
At that moment, Danzō glanced at Hiruzen.
Although he didn't want to admit it, Hiruzen was definitely the one who could make these people obey right away.
After all, the prestige Hiruzen had accumulated over the years was no joke. More importantly, these people had not experienced the Night of the Clan Massacre, so they held no hostility toward him.
Hiruzen took a deep breath and stepped forward.
"Everyone… it's been a long time."
The familiar voice made the reanimated shinobi turn toward him instantly.
"It's the Third Hokage!"
Excitement rippled through the group.
Someone quickly asked, "What's going on with us?"
Hiruzen sighed. "Everyone, I'm sorry to have disturbed your souls… but right now, Konoha needs your strength once more to protect it!"
He then began explaining Madara's existence and what he had done.
Of course, Danzō interrupted at the most inappropriate moment.
"Damn it! The Uchiha actually betrayed Konoha?!"
"Hmph! I knew those arrogant people were nothing good!"
"Don't worry, Lord Third, we won't let those Uchiha do anything to Konoha!"
"That's right! Now that we can protect Konoha again, we'll wipe out those ungrateful Uchiha!"
…
In an instant, the reanimated shinobi were filled with righteous fury.
When choosing people for the Reanimation Jutsu, Danzō had picked those who had willingly given their lives for Konoha in the past.
Now, hearing that Konoha was in danger, they didn't need to be controlled—they would unleash their full power against Madara and the Uchiha.
Seeing this, Hiruzen smiled in relief.
Danzō then spoke. "Alright, prepare to summon the Six Hokage!"
At his words, everyone's attention turned to the six most prominent coffins in the center.
"This… this is!"
"Lord First and Lord Second?!"
"Lord Sakumo is dead too?!"
"Lord Minato actually became the Fourth Hokage? But how did he die? Was it also that Madara's doing?!"
"These two… are Uchiha?!"
The group was once again shocked.
Because their deaths spanned different eras, some separated by decades, the only Hokage they all knew in common were Hashirama and Tobirama.
This alone was enough to make them uneasy.
Just how strong was this Madara if even past Hokage had to be summoned?
At that moment, the six within the coffins slowly opened their eyes.
"This is… the Reanimation Jutsu?"
The first to react was its creator, Tobirama Senju.
He quickly scanned his surroundings before frowning deeply.
"You've even reanimated me… and big brother!"
His gaze shifted sharply to the living—Hiruzen and Danzō.
"So it was you, Monkey, and Danzō… has a crisis struck Konoha?!"
Then—
"Ahahaha… things are lively here, huh?"
An untimely laugh rang out—it was Hashirama, curiously taking in his surroundings.
"Oh, it's you, Little Monkey. You've gotten so old!"
He looked at Hiruzen and Danzō with a face full of childlike curiosity.
Tobirama's expression darkened. "Big brother, be serious!"
With so many people watching, he didn't want Hashirama's true nature to ruin the awe of his "Asura reincarnation" title.
"The Reanimation Jutsu, huh?" Minato extended his hand, feeling its sensation.
Then he turned to Hashirama and Tobirama. "Lord First, Lord Second—it seems we've been revived in this world."
"Hm?" Hashirama tilted his head. "Who are you?"
"Uh!" Minato froze, then turned proudly to the person behind him.
"This is my wife, Kushina."
"Oh! Kushina!" Hashirama suddenly lit up.
"So young and already Hokage—you must have had a peaceful village!"
Hahaha…
Minato scratched his head. "Well… I wouldn't say peaceful. I died pretty early…"
"I see!" Hashirama rubbed his chin in understanding, then looked at Hiruzen. "No wonder Little Monkey is still alive. Hahaha…"
Hiruzen's face sank. Was that supposed to be a jab?
Hashirama then looked at Minato with regret. "So young and already dead… how did it happen?"
Minato looked a bit awkward but answered, "Well… during the Nine-Tails' rampage, I…"
After hearing the explanation, Hashirama's eyes widened.
"Huh? You had to sacrifice your life to seal the Nine-Tails?"
But then he realized what he'd said and quickly laughed.
"Ahaha… well, actually… I… hahahaha…"
His awkward laughter filled the chamber.
Minato's embarrassment grew.
Among the reanimated shinobi, whispers began.
"Doesn't the First Hokage seem… different from the stories?"
"Yeah… he seems a bit… slow?"
Some veteran shinobi frowned at this. The First Hokage really didn't match his reputation—whether in personality or demeanor.
Sakumo and the others stood silently aside, having no intention of joining the Hokage's conversation.
Shisui occasionally glanced at Danzō's right eye—he could feel his own ocular power there.
"Danzō…"
Shisui closed his eyes. He knew his right eye was completely gone.
Hearing the murmurs, Tobirama's face darkened further.
He gave Hashirama a sharp glare. "Big brother, act serious!"
He then turned to Hiruzen and Danzō, ignoring Hashirama.
"Monkey. Danzō. You dared to use the jutsu I forbade. What happened to Konoha?!"
His overwhelming aura burst forth, striking fear into everyone present.
Hiruzen and Danzō both broke into cold sweats.
No matter how many years had passed, Tobirama's pressure still gripped them.
Hashirama quickly jumped in front of Tobirama, rubbing his hands in a placating gesture.
"Now, now, Tobirama—don't be so harsh on the youngsters. And back then, I told you not to research forbidden techniques…"
"Shut up!" Tobirama snapped.
Hashirama's mouth hung open before he lowered his head in dejection. "So humiliating…"
His authority was gone in an instant.
Still, the questions had to be answered.
Hiruzen took a deep breath and began explaining the events before and after the Night of the Clan Massacre.
The moment Tobirama heard that Madara had destroyed Konoha and left, his fists clenched.
"Uchiha again… truly an inherently evil clan…"
Before he could continue—
"Tobirama!"
Hashirama's aura flared for the first time as he spoke sternly.
"Don't say that. There must be some misunderstanding we don't yet know."
(End of Chapter)
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