The headquarters agreeing to let Naruto and Killer B go out was something Shinju could hardly believe.
After all, that guy Raikage had once tried to restrict even him.
But then Shinju thought again: he had already succeeded the title of Sixth Hokage — it was about time he started training the Seventh as soon as possible, so he could pass the mantle without worry...
Naruto's strength was sufficient, but having stayed by Shinju's side for so long, he lacked personal combat experience. Letting him out for some real-world training wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
After some thought, Shinju finally pressed a seal into Naruto's palm and warned him:
"This mark contains my chakra, but it'll only activate if you're on the verge of death. Once you're out there fighting, you must be careful…"
Naruto nodded. "Relax! You know me — I'm the most reliable guy there is! վ--0027ᴗ--0027 ի"
With that, he ran off, grinning with excitement.
...
Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
Konohamaru's squad was on patrol through the village streets when they suddenly spotted three suspicious figures.
"You there! The ones in black cloaks! What are you sneaking around for?" Konohamaru shouted loudly.
The three cloaked figures weren't strangers — they were none other than Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke, making their way toward Konoha.
However, Sasuke at this point had already fallen under a genjutsu, his mind clouded and unfocused.
The moment the kids yelled, Orochimaru turned around and unleashed a volley of Hidden Shadow Snake Hands. Within seconds, the three young ninja were knocked flat onto the ground.
After that, the trio continued on their way until they reached the old Uchiha clan district.
Kabuto looked around curiously.
"Orochimaru-sama, what exactly are we here to do?"
Holding a strange-looking mask in his hand, Orochimaru explained patiently,
"Of course, we're here to retrieve the arms that the Third Hokage sealed away with the Shinigami… and while we're at it, release the souls of the Third and Fourth Hokage as well."
"To revive the four former Hokage, this step is absolutely necessary."
Soon, with Sasuke's assistance, the two of them located the underground entrance beneath Naka Shrine, deep within the Uchiha compound.
Following the pitch-black passageway, they emerged into a vast underground shrine.
In the center stood a massive stone tablet engraved with mysterious writing, surrounded by the Uchiha clan's fan-shaped crests.
Orochimaru instructed Kabuto to act as his assistant. Together they etched countless sealing runes onto the floor and placed the White Zetsu sacrifice they had obtained from the masked man.
Then Orochimaru donned the Shinigami Mask taken from the Uzumaki Clan's mask temple — and began the ritual.
"Ugh—aaah!!"
With a cry of pain, the colossal spectral form of the Shinigami appeared, a short blade clenched between its teeth.
Cold sweat poured down Kabuto's back.
He had used Edo Tensei before, so he wasn't unfamiliar with dealing with death gods — but seeing it this close was an entirely different kind of terror.
"The Shinigami looks kind of pissed today! (≖╻≖;)" Kabuto muttered nervously.
Orochimaru ignored him. Controlling the Shinigami's movements, he took the blade from its mouth and slowly sliced open its belly...
As wisps of soul energy drifted out, Orochimaru regained his hands.
But then, a puzzled look crossed his face.
"The Fourth Hokage's soul… isn't here? Was he already freed by someone?"
Though he felt uneasy, time was pressing. With his arms restored, Orochimaru swiftly formed hand signs and shouted:
"Edo Tensei!"
"Shu-shu-shu!"
The souls of the Four Hokage appeared!
Dust swirled and wrapped around the White Zetsu bodies, shaping them into the four former Hokage.
As the summoning finished, Kabuto pried open another Zetsu's mouth and said,
"Orochimaru-sama, I'm ready."
Because summoning the Shinigami required a sacrifice, Orochimaru had planned to deceive death by offering his body as an empty shell — while his true essence escaped into the White Zetsu host.
The moment he heard Kabuto's cue, Orochimaru opened his mouth wide and expelled his true white snake body!
"Whoosh!"
The white serpent shot from Orochimaru's mouth straight toward the opened body of the White Zetsu!
But at that critical moment, the furious Shinigami extended its hand and instantly seized the white snake in its grasp!
White Snake: ヽ( ຶ▮ ຶ)ﾉ!!!
Before performing the ritual, Orochimaru had imagined countless possible accidents — but never this! He never thought the Shinigami would personally intervene!
No wonder Kabuto said earlier that the Shinigami looked unhappy!! Σ(っ °Д °;)っ
Somehow, Orochimaru felt that the Shinigami's anger had something to do with the Fourth Hokage's missing soul.
Beside him, Kabuto panicked. "Orochimaru-sama!!"
Fortunately, the Shinigami didn't actually harm him. After gripping the serpent tightly as a warning, it released him.
Moments later, the spectral image vanished.
"Whoosh!"
The terrified white snake darted into the White Zetsu body at lightning speed.
Within seconds, the body controlled by the white snake transformed once again — into Orochimaru.
Regaining control, Orochimaru lifted his shirt and looked down at his abdomen… where a massive, ominous handprint now marked his flesh — the spot where the Shinigami had grasped him!
Having dealt with the Shinigami countless times over the years, today Orochimaru finally understood its true terror.
Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, he trembled and said,
"That was close… my soul almost got taken away by the Shinigami! (｡í _ ì｡)"
Kabuto asked nervously, "Why did things suddenly go wrong like that? Did we mess up a step somewhere?"
Orochimaru shook his head.
"How should I know? What, do you expect me to summon it again and ask? Either way, I'm never dealing with that thing again! ㅍ_ㅍ"
As they spoke, the Edo Tensei of the four Hokage had completed.
The Second Hokage was the first to open his eyes. "So it's the Edo Tensei again, huh? This time my will's intact, at least!"
"Damn you, Orochimaru — are you trying to make me destroy Konoha for you again?! (ꐦ ಠ 皿 ಠ)"
Orochimaru chuckled.
"Nothing like that. This time, I want your help dealing with a younger generation from Konoha…"
The Third Hokage frowned. "I sealed your hands away with the Shinigami. And yet you still manage to perform Edo Tensei and commit evil… I really shouldn't have let you live back then!"
"And tell me — this person you want us to fight… it isn't Shinju, is it? ╰_╯"
Orochimaru nodded with feigned helplessness.
"That's right. Shinju has grown into something terrifying… even the Edo Tensei version of Uchiha Madara was defeated by him. I have no choice but to ask for help from you former Hokage. ╮(╯▽╰)╭"
The Fourth Hokage looked puzzled. "Shinju? Never heard that name before. Is he that strong?"
The Third explained, "Extremely. He's the third person after the First Hokage to wield Wood Release… and his power might already rival Hashirama himself."
"Also, he's friends with your son, Naruto."
Hearing that, the Fourth Hokage's eyes lit up.
"Then Naruto's lucky to have such a friend."
The Second Hokage crossed his arms.
"Reviving us just to fight a kid… Orochimaru, you've really lost your touch! (ꐦ°᷄д°᷅)"
"By the way, big brother, why are you so quiet?"
He turned to the First Hokage, who was standing there in a daze.