The two coffins trembled, their lids slowly sliding open.
Bang! Bang!
The lids fell onto the rooftop.
Among the onlookers, several Konoha shinobi widened their eyes. A nameless dread rose in their hearts as they vaguely realized what this meant, their bodies trembling in fear.
"So… what are you planning to do, Sarutobi-sama—no, Third Hokage?"
From behind the coffins, Orochimaru's face was lit with excitement, as if he were admiring the finest artwork in the world. An overwhelming sense of satisfaction filled him.
Click.
Two figures stepped out of the coffins.
One wore red armor, with long black hair and cracks across his face like fractured porcelain.
The other wore gray armor, white hair, and bore the same corpse-like fissures.
Both had their eyes closed, motionless—like the dead.
"…It really is them."
"They're…"
"It's the First Hokage-sama and the Second Hokage-sama."
"It's actually them! How is this possible? They should be dead!"
The Konoha shinobi were horrified, voices trembling.
Jiraiya's face darkened, fists clenched.
Tsunade ground her teeth, rage blazing in her eyes.
The foreign shinobi looked on in confusion, sensing that the atmosphere among Konoha's forces had shifted dramatically.
Only Onoki looked nostalgic, his expression strangely complicated.
Naruto remained silent, watching calmly.
The two figures finally opened their eyes. At first they were vacant, but slowly, faint awareness returned.
"Long time no see, Monkey," said the man in red armor.
"Hah… you've really gotten old, Sarutobi," the white-haired man added.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at them, his expression heavy with emotion.
"I never imagined I'd meet you two again like this… what a tragedy."
"Regain your senses, First Hokage… Second Hokage!"
Cold sweat ran down Sarutobi's face, yet his posture grew steadier, fiercer. His fighting spirit surged.
"Impure World Reincarnation?"
Senju Tobirama turned his gaze toward Orochimaru.
"So this young man used a forbidden technique to summon us… impressive."
"In that case," Hashirama said quietly, "we'll have to fight you, Sarutobi."
Orochimaru stepped forward, pushing the coffins aside.
"Enough reminiscing. It's time to begin."
Holding a kunai etched with red talismans in each hand, he moved behind the two Hokage.
"Is war inevitable, no matter the era?" Hashirama murmured, his tone calm but heavy with sorrow.
"You talk too much."
Orochimaru plunged the kunai into their heads. The talismans merged instantly, white smoke rising from both bodies.
"…Their vitality is returning," Tobirama muttered.
Color slowly returned to Tobirama's body, his movements becoming sharper and more fluid.
Hashirama straightened as well, a powerful presence radiating from him, making everyone shudder.
"This feeling is like Uzumaki-sama…"
"No—it's weaker. Uzumaki-sama feels like a boundless ocean. The First Hokage feels restrained, lacking momentum."
"That's the drawback of Impure World Reincarnation. Their strength depends on the vessel. If the body is weak, their power is far below their peak."
"No wonder the God of Shinobi feels so different."
The Konoha elites discussed quietly.
First Hokage and Second Hokage fighting the Third—this sight filled them with indescribable emotions.
Memories, sorrow, and pain flickered in Sarutobi's eyes as he looked at his former teachers.
Then everything vanished—leaving only cold killing intent.
"Orochimaru, desecrating the souls of the dead is an unforgivable crime!"
"You should enjoy this, Sarutobi," Orochimaru sneered.
"The pleasure of hurting the one who once called you teacher—I made this especially for you."
Orochimaru formed seals.
Hashirama and Tobirama advanced.
Their steps quickened.
Hashirama charged straight ahead.
Tobirama circled wide, moving to the edge of the roof.
Boom!
Hashirama clashed with Sarutobi in close combat, his movements stiff and mechanical, and was quickly thrown back.
Tobirama appeared behind Sarutobi, but after a brief exchange, Sarutobi grabbed his ankle, spun, and hurled him away.
"They don't seem that strong…"
"Idiot. Impure World Reincarnation turns them into puppets. Their strength is limited by Orochimaru's control."
"So this is far from the true God of Shinobi."
Onoki snorted inwardly.
The real Senju Hashirama was dozens of times stronger than this.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Sarutobi exhaled blazing fire. The flames burned white-hot, the heat terrifying.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
Tobirama countered instantly, water erupting to block the flames.
"Water Style: Water Surge!"
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
A massive wave crashed forward, but a towering earthen wall rose to block it.
Water flooded the roof, forming a lake, with the wall standing like an island.
Hashirama dashed across the water.
Sarutobi leapt down, firing rapid fireballs like cannon shots.
Hashirama swatted them aside effortlessly and closed the distance in an instant.
Boom!
Sarutobi blocked with both arms but staggered back, then took a heavy punch to the face.
Hashirama kicked him hard in the abdomen.
Sarutobi flew like a rag doll, utterly battered.
"Still as terrifying as ever…" Sarutobi muttered, wiping blood from his mouth.
Suddenly, bubbles rose behind him.
A water dragon surged up, binding him and dragging him under.
"These two are the worst opponents to face," Sarutobi groaned.
He finally broke free, scrambling up an earthen wall like a fleeing monkey, his appearance utterly miserable—nothing like a Hokage.
Outside the barrier, the audience was stunned.
Hashirama and Tobirama were growing smoother, faster, more dangerous with each exchange.
-------------------------
For advanced chapters, visit patreon.com/Varnok