Hashirama and Tobirama turned to face Orochimaru.
Then, almost regretfully, they shifted their gaze toward Sarutobi.
"It seems we'll be fighting you, Monkey," Hashirama said.
Orochimaru smirked. "What's the problem? The Monkey can take on both my brother and me at once."
But to face both the First and Second Hokage simultaneously… it wasn't so simple.
Sarutobi wasn't sure if he could handle it. Orochimaru alone was already a challenge—but with the First and Second Hokage added, the situation became far more worrying.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Outside the barrier, Yuichi was relentlessly slamming his Rasengan against the Four Purple Flame Formation.
Ripples spread across the barrier with each impact.
Cold sweat trickled down the faces of the four barrier users.
What's with this kid? Doesn't he ever get tired?!
How much chakra does he have inside him?!
This ninjutsu is terrifying. Without the barrier, just one of his attacks would have killed any of us instantly…
"Let's begin, Sarutobi-sensei!" Orochimaru hissed.
The bodies of the controlled First and Second Hokage trembled as if they might collapse.
But after taking a few stiff steps forward, they suddenly quickened their pace—rushing at Sarutobi.
Hashirama charged directly from the front, while Tobirama leapt onto the rooftop, circling to attack from above.
Their separation made it impossible for Sarutobi to decide who to deal with first. He froze, waiting for an opening—ready to respond at any moment.
While he hesitated, Hashirama was already upon him, his fist crashing down.
The clash of taijutsu began.
The First Hokage's strength, while not at full power in this state, was still tremendous. Sarutobi could suppress him in raw skill, but he couldn't afford to ignore Tobirama—or Orochimaru.
After only a few exchanges, Sarutobi's attention slipped.
Boom!
Hashirama's fist struck his face hard, and his kick sent Sarutobi flying like a cannonball.
As he tumbled through the air, Sarutobi sighed helplessly. "As expected of the First Hokage… still that same monstrous strength."
The Konoha shinobi watching outside the barrier were stunned.
Kage-level combat, even in a short exchange, was overwhelming.
Every strike and counter-strike cracked the air, each blow so fast that only afterimages remained.
"Is this… the battle of Kage-level shinobi?"
"Even in pure taijutsu, it's terrifying…"
"Lord Third…"
Sarutobi had just managed to get up when Tobirama dropped from above, kicking straight at him.
In a rush, Sarutobi blocked with both arms.
The heavy impact forced him back, sliding over ten meters before he stopped.
Now the First and Second Hokage stood side by side, staring blankly at him, lifeless puppets bound by Edo Tensei.
Sarutobi's breath came heavy.
He was old. Even in the opening stages, the battle was already pushing him to his limits. If this continued, he would surely lose. He had to find a way.
He raised his hands, forming seals at dazzling speed. His fingers blurred into shadows, and in the next instant, the technique was ready.
He inhaled sharply.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Fwoooosh!!
A torrent of flame roared from his mouth like a storm, surging straight toward the two Hokage.
Even the air itself trembled under its heat.
"Lord Third's ninjutsu… it's overwhelming!"
"His hand seals are so fast—unbelievable."
"As expected of the Professor of Ninjutsu."
The inferno swept forward, engulfing Hashirama and Tobirama in an instant.
But before the flames could consume them—
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
Crash!!
A massive wave burst forth, forming a semicircular wall of water that shielded them from the blaze.
"The Water Style of the Second Hokage…"
"To use this level of technique without any water source… only Nidaime could do that."
The Anbu were in awe of Tobirama's mastery.
But among the jōnin, several silently turned their gaze toward Yuichi.
After all, there was one other shinobi who could conjure such Water Style techniques without a water source—Yuichi.
And he was only a genin.
The flames and water clashed violently, spewing thick smoke into the air.
Sarutobi stopped his jutsu. Tobirama's Water Style had nullified it, and he knew better than to try and compete in chakra with these two.
Their chakra reserves were monstrous. To challenge them that way was suicide.
Glancing at Yuichi, still hammering the barrier with Rasengan, Sarutobi's mouth twitched.
Perhaps Yuichi's chakra rivals even theirs…
Only someone with Senju blood could spend chakra so recklessly. Any other shinobi would have collapsed long ago.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"
Another massive surge of water erupted, roaring toward Sarutobi.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Boom!
A great wall of stone rose, blocking the torrent. Sarutobi leapt atop it, staring down at the raging flood.
That boy… could it be that his Water Style rivals even the Second Hokage's?
He dismissed the thought. No matter how powerful Yuichi was, Tobirama's mastery was on another level.
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!"
Shhhhhhkkk!
A razor-thin water jet shot out like a bullet, cutting straight for Sarutobi.
He dodged quickly as it pierced through the earth wall with ease.
Few Water Style techniques could penetrate an Earth Style defense…
Crack! Crack!
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass echoed.
The barrier was breaking.
Yuichi, holding a massive Rasengan in his palm, stood outside with a calm smile.
"It seems my chakra lasts longer after all."
The Four Purple Flame Array was covered in cracks, ready to collapse.