Snap!
Orochimaru, hands clasped together, once again summoned the coffins of the First and Second Hokage through his jutsu.
Clang!
As the coffin lids fell to the ground, the First and Second stumbled out.
Shinji's earlier guess was correct: Orochimaru had either improved the Impure World Reincarnation jutsu in advance or used special sacrifices.
The sacrifices Orochimaru used to summon the First and Second were indeed extraordinary.
The two corpses used as sacrifices had undergone modifications in his laboratory, soaked in transformation fluid, but ultimately failed to withstand the Cursed Seal experiments.
Because they had been modified before death, the strength of these corpses far exceeded that of ordinary humans. While they couldn't compare to the White Zetsu clones infused with the First's cells and the Divine Tree's essence used during the Fourth Great Shinobi War in the original timeline, they were still far superior to typical sacrifices.
This was why the Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the First and Second summoned by Orochimaru this time were significantly stronger than those during the Chunin Exams in the original timeline.
"Young man, you should know when to stop!" the First said, somewhat displeased to find himself still in the Hidden Leaf Village.
The Second also glared coldly at Orochimaru. "Do you think we're truly powerless against you? Don't forget, I created this jutsu!"
Faced with the imposing presence of the First and Second, Orochimaru felt a flicker of unease, but his experience kept him steady. He wasn't intimidated and smiled. "Both of you, I only want Uchiha Sasuke. Bring me that boy, and I'll leave the Hidden Leaf."
The Second's furrowed brow relaxed slightly. "An Uchiha, huh? So he's your target?"
The First asked, "What do you want with that boy?"
Orochimaru smirked. "That's not your concern."
The First continued, "If you're after his eyes, I suggest you reconsider. His Sharingan's dojutsu power is already exhausted. Even if you take them, they'd be of little use."
Having spent a lifetime entangled with Uchiha Madara, the First's understanding of the Sharingan surpassed most. He had long noticed that the Uchiha boy resembling Madara had already depleted his Sharingan's dojutsu power.
Orochimaru's expression darkened. "That's not something you two need to worry about!"
With that, he formed hand signs, activating control over the First and Second.
Under the jutsu's influence, their expressions turned vacant, their faces quickly becoming cold and indifferent.
Swish!
Swish!
The First and Second darted forward, one after the other, charging toward the nearby shelter.
Ding-a-ling-ling!
Moments later, a piercing alarm rang out from the shelter!
Inside the shelter:
Hearing the shrill alarm, Sasuke's expression shifted. "What's going on?"
Sakura, standing nearby, quickly stood up. "I'll go find out!"
Before Sakura could take a few steps, a member of the Anbu rushed in and said, "It's Orochimaru! The Impure World Reincarnation bodies of the First and Second have breached the shelter!"
"What!?"
Everyone gasped in unison.
Haku and Karin exchanged a glance before heading toward the exit.
The Anbu blocked their path. "What are you doing? There's a defense team outside. Just stay here!"
Haku replied, "We can help!"
The Anbu gave a faint smile. "The Hidden Leaf hasn't reached the point where we need children on the battlefield. Besides, news of the attack has already reached the village. The Hokage is on his way!"
Hearing that the Third Hokage was personally coming, Haku and Karin reluctantly stood down.
The Anbu pointed to the warning light on the wall. "Stay here and wait calmly! If that warning light comes on, escape through the secret passage behind you. Do not come forward!"
With that, the Anbu turned and left.
"The Hokage Grandpa's coming?" Naruto said eagerly. "I'm gonna team up with him to take down that Orochimaru jerk!"
Sakura grabbed Naruto. "You stay right here! You'd only get in the Hokage's way!"
"Having to hide here is so frustrating!" Naruto muttered under his breath.
Ryuzetsu spoke up. "When we came in, we passed through several checkpoints, each guarded by shinobi. Even if the enemy wants to reach us, it won't be that easy."
Sakura nodded. "Yeah, as long as we wait for the Hokage to arrive, everything will be fine!"
It made sense, but Sasuke couldn't help glancing toward the passage ahead, a faint unease stirring in his heart.
Rumble!
At that moment, a loud roar echoed from the passage ahead!
The sound was so intense that it drowned out the piercing alarm.
Then came a barrage of crashing sounds and cries of pain, growing closer and clearer by the second!
"This—"
Sakura, who had been brimming with confidence moments ago, was now at a loss.
"They're here!"
Chino, speaking quickly, stepped in front of the group, slicing her wrist without hesitation to let blood flow.
Ryuzetsu shielded Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura, retreating backward.
Shinji had instructed them to protect Naruto and Sasuke, so even knowing the enemies were the First and Second Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, they didn't back down.
Haku and Karin exchanged another look, then took positions on either side.
Seeing Haku, Karin, Chino, and Ryuzetsu step forward, Sakura and Naruto were deeply moved. Naruto, in particular, wanted to join the fight.
Ryuzetsu劝道, "Don't you want to protect your teammates? Take Uchiha Sasuke and get out of here. We just need to hold them off for a little while until your Hokage arrives. We'll be fine!"
Before she finished, Chino, at the forefront, was already clashing with the Second's Impure World Reincarnation body.
Seeing this, Ryuzetsu shoved Naruto toward the escape passage.
Outside the shelter:
The Third Hokage, clad in battle gear, arrived with a team of elite Anbu.
Looking at Orochimaru standing outside the shelter, the Third's emotions were complex. "Today, I'll correct the mistakes of the past with my own hands!"
Orochimaru smiled. "-sensei, can you still manage that now?"
The Third slowly raised his hands, beginning to form seals. "You seem to have grown quite a bit over the years. Let me, your -sensei, personally test how far you've come!"
With that, the Third completed his seals.
Poof!
In a puff of white smoke, a robust monkey emerged.
The Third said solemnly, "Enma, I'm counting on you!"
"Orochimaru, huh?" The summoned Monkey King Enma paused before continuing, "I knew this day would come eventually."
Orochimaru tilted his head back, slowly spitting out a sharp sword from his mouth, gripping it tightly. The battle was about to begin.