The scene on the Sky Screen finally froze upon the ruins of Konoha. Only two living entities remained: Uchiha Hoshi and her Companion Honkai Beast. All others—whether Zombies or smaller Honkai Beasts—had vanished under the onslaught of her companion's final attack.
Shortly after, the image faded, and the Sky Screen went dark.
Senju Tobirama: "Monkey, are you still alive?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Lord Second... thanks to the protection of my subordinates, I managed to survive."
Onoki: "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Truly, the good die young while the scoundrels live for a thousand years."
Senju Tobirama: "Hmph. Ignore him. I only have one question: Do you know the Reanimation Jutsu?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Lord Second, you mean... I understand!"
The Third Hokage, who had been fleeing Konoha in a state of utter despondency, suddenly felt a jolt of spirit. The heavy air of senescence surrounding him lifted as he grasped Tobirama's intent.
The Reanimation Jutsu—the Edo Tensei—was a Forbidden Jutsu recorded in the Scroll of Seals. It was a technique capable of summoning the dead back to the world of the living. However, because the jutsu was deemed too sinister, it had been forbidden by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. Consequently, no one had dared to master it; even Hiruzen had never cast it.
Yet, relying on his memories of perusing the Scroll of Seals over the years, he had the formula etched in his mind. With his experience, a few practice runs would be enough to manifest the technique.
Senju Hashirama: "No! This Ninjutsu is too evil. It must not be used!"
Senju Tobirama: "Brother, Konoha has already been destroyed! If we don't act now, the disaster will only spread! Do you want to see the last embers of Konoha extinguished forever?"
Orochimaru: "The Reanimation Jutsu? That is indeed a Forbidden Jutsu capable of changing the status quo. Hehe... I'm actually quite curious: Can the legendary God of Shinobi defeat this powerful First Herrscher?"
Deidara: "What do you mean? Orochimaru, you know this jutsu? Is it powerful? How does it compare to my art?"
Orochimaru: "Hehe... this is a powerful Forbidden Jutsu developed by the Second Hokage himself to summon the dead. You tell me: is that powerful?"
A: "Summoning the dead? How is that possible? How can such an absurd Ninjutsu exist?"
Orochimaru: "Who knows how the Lord Second researched it? I was struck with awe when I first saw it. I never imagined Ninjutsu could be developed in such a way. Truly, the mysteries of Ninjutsu are infinite!"
Senju Tobirama: "Kid, you seem to know your stuff."
Orochimaru: "Hehe... I am nothing compared to you, Lord Second."
Watching the scrolling text on the Sky Screen, Uchiha Hoshi began to ponder. So far, everything was on the right track.
Through the Sky Screen, she had shown the Ninja World how Zombies and Honkai Beasts were formed, and she had introduced the concepts of "Herrscher" and "Honkai." She had even given them a vague understanding of Honkai Energy.
However, it was still just that—a vague concept. It would be difficult to trigger a Second Honkai Impact or manifest a second Authority using only this level of Mind Power.
More importantly, there was at least one—if not more—high-level schemers who had yet to speak. The Sage of Six Paths and his brother, Black Zetsu, Otsutsuki Kaguya, and any other Otsutsuki potentially hiding on this planet. These people hadn't made a sound.
Uchiha Hoshi had the means to protect herself, but ultimately, while the Herrscher of Reason's growth ceiling was high, her current floor was low. Aside from a few Mangekyo Sharingan abilities, she hadn't mastered much else. If the Sage of Six Paths abandoned his pride and chose to assassinate her from the shadows rather than face her head-on, she might very well end up "capsizing in a shallow gutter."
Even if she could retreat her consciousness into her Core to survive, it didn't mean she could rest easy. It seemed it was time for the Sky Screen's second broadcast.
At this moment, the discussion on the screen shifted from the bickering of the Senju brothers to Hoshi's origins.
Orochimaru: "I believe this Herrscher of Reason has obtained the power of a certain deity, which is why she is so formidable. And that deity must be an exceptionally powerful one!"
Hidan: "A deity? Aside from my Lord Jashin, all other gods are false gods!"
Senju Tobirama: "There is too little information to judge. Monkey, how soon can you summon us?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen: "Lord Second, forgive me, but I haven't spent much time practicing Forbidden Jutsu. I don't know the technique well. And as you know, casting this jutsu requires a Sacrifice..."
Senju Tobirama: "Idiot! Just find some bandits. Summon me first; what you need is my brother's strength, not mine. My sacrifice can be anyone. Do you understand?"
Bandits across the Ninja World: "???"
Wait, if they saw that correctly, did Senju Tobirama just mention a "sacrifice"? Was it the kind of sacrifice they were thinking of?
Suddenly, bandits currently in the Land of Fire felt a chill on their necks. They didn't dare linger, packing their bags and fleeing their mountain hideouts immediately. The Land of Fire was far too dangerous: first, a monster appeared who could wipe out Konoha, and now a dead man wanted to use them as ritual fodder. Is there any justice left in this world?