Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Want Morkel’s Body! Successive Hokage!

Naruto had grown immensely powerful, but due to always being under Morkel's wing, he lacked real combat experience. Letting him venture out on his own to train would be beneficial.Before he left, Morkel placed a chakra mark on Naruto's palm and warned him, "This chakra will only activate when you're on the brink of death. Be careful when you're out there."Naruto nodded confidently, grinning, "Don't worry! I'm the most reliable!"With that, he dashed off excitedly.---In the Land of Fire – Konoha VillageKonohamaru's squad was patrolling the streets, keeping watch for any suspicious activity. Suddenly, they noticed three mysterious figures in black cloaks approaching the village."What are those people doing here in those cloaks?" Konohamaru shouted.The cloaked figures were none other than Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke, who were slowly making their way toward Konoha. However, Sasuke seemed dazed, his eyes glazed over—he was under an illusion.Startled by the shouting, Orochimaru turned to face the children. With a flick of his wrist, he used Shadow Snake Hands, easily knocking the entire squad unconscious.Ignoring the fallen squad, the three continued toward the abandoned Uchiha compound. Upon arrival, Kabuto turned and asked, "Master Orochimaru, what exactly are we doing here?"Orochimaru held up a strange-looking mask and answered calmly, "We're here to retrieve the sealed hands of the Third Hokage from the Shinigami, and release the souls of both the Third and Fourth Hokage. It's the first step in reviving the previous Hokage."With Sasuke's help, they found the hidden entrance to the Uchiha family's underground shrine. A cold, dark passage led them into a massive ancestral hall where a stone tablet stood tall, etched with ancient symbols and flanked by Uchiha crests.Orochimaru motioned to Kabuto. "Prepare the ritual," he instructed.Kabuto quickly carved a circle of dense talismans into the floor, as Orochimaru placed the White Zetsu body—given to him by the masked man—at the center as the offering.Then, Orochimaru donned the Shinigami mask, obtained from the Uzumaki clan, and began the ritual.He let out a cry of pain.From his body, a spectral Shinigami emerged—terrifying, immense, and clutching a massive sword in its mouth. Kabuto broke into a cold sweat.Even though he had seen the Shinigami during his previous experiments with Impure World Reincarnation, standing so close to it made his heart pound with fear."The Shinigami doesn't seem happy today," Kabuto muttered nervously.Unfazed, Orochimaru guided the Shinigami to draw the sword and slice open its own stomach.As the blade cut through its belly, swirling souls escaped from the Shinigami's body. Among them was the soul of the Third Hokage's hand—once sealed away. Orochimaru's severed arm regenerated before their eyes.However, something was wrong."The Fourth Hokage's soul isn't here," Orochimaru murmured in confusion. "Could he have been rescued already?"Though puzzled, he didn't dwell on it. With his arm restored, he immediately formed a hand seal."Impure World Reincarnation!"Kabuto assisted by opening the mouth of the White Zetsu host. "We're ready, Master Orochimaru!"Orochimaru, knowing that the Shinigami demanded a price for its power, had devised a plan. He would abandon his own body and transfer his soul into the White Zetsu host, tricking the Shinigami in the process.In a dramatic moment, Orochimaru opened his mouth, revealing a writhing white snake—his true form."Whoosh!"The snake lunged toward the White Zetsu.But just as it was about to enter, the Shinigami stretched out a giant hand and seized the snake mid-air!In his snake form, Orochimaru was terrified.He had accounted for many risks in his plan, but never did he imagine that the Shinigami would act directly. No wonder Kabuto had said it looked angry earlier—perhaps it was due to the missing Fourth Hokage's soul?"Master Orochimaru!" Kabuto shouted in panic.But the Shinigami didn't destroy Orochimaru. It simply gripped him tightly for a few moments—seemingly as a warning—then vanished into thin air."Whoosh!"Freed, the snake form of Orochimaru wasted no time and slithered quickly into the open White Zetsu host.Moments later, the Zetsu transformed into Orochimaru's appearance once again. He had succeeded in taking over the body.Orochimaru lifted his shirt and looked down at his stomach. A dark, ominous palm print remained where the Shinigami had grabbed him. It was proof that he had come dangerously close to death.Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, he muttered with a shiver, "That was way too close... I almost got taken by the Shinigami!"Kabuto, still shaken, asked, "What went wrong? Did we make a mistake during the ritual?"Orochimaru shook his head. "How should I know? I'm not calling that thing again. Never again!"As they caught their breath, the Impure World Reincarnation ritual was finally complete. The forms of the four Hokage took shape, rising from the earth in the form of the dead White Zetsu host.The Second Hokage opened his eyes first. "Impure World Reincarnation again? At least this time I've retained my will!"He turned to Orochimaru, his eyes narrowing. "You again? Are you trying to destroy Konoha once more?"Orochimaru smiled slyly. "This time, I need your help... to deal with a younger generation from Konoha."The Third Hokage stepped forward. "I sealed your hands using the Shikigami Fuujin, yet you still came back and used that forbidden technique again. I should've been harsher with you before."He paused, then added, "Wait... The person you want us to face—is it Morkel?"Orochimaru nodded sincerely. "That's right. Morkel has become terrifyingly powerful... even Madara couldn't defeat him in his reanimated form. I had no choice but to summon you all."The Fourth Hokage, puzzled, asked, "Morkel? I don't know that name. Is he really that strong?"The Third Hokage replied, "Extremely strong. He's the third person since the First Hokage capable of using Wood Style... and his version of it may even rival the First Hokage himself."He added with a soft smile, "You may not know this, but he's also a close friend of your son, Naruto."Hearing this, the Fourth Hokage's expression softened with surprise. "Naruto has such a strong friend? That's wonderful."The Second Hokage folded his arms and scowled. "So, we were resurrected just to fight a kid? Orochimaru, you've really fallen far."Then he glanced at the First Hokage and asked, "Brother? Why are you so quiet?"But the First Hokage remained still, eyes dull and spiritless.Orochimaru stepped forward. "To be honest... the First Hokage's power is too immense. I was afraid he'd break free from my control, so I sealed his consciousness."The Second Hokage exploded with anger. "What?! You erased only his mind?""You should've done that to me instead! You do realize that I created this technique, right? With my full will, I could break free easily!"His chakra flared wildly, releasing intense pressure that made even Kabuto tremble.But after a moment, he calmed down and sighed. "Wait a second... How are you even suppressing me?"Orochimaru chuckled and said, "The body you're using contains cells from the First Hokage. You know what that means—his Sage Body is the perfect restraint."The Second Hokage clicked his tongue in irritation. "You really are a devious snake."Orochimaru said nothing in response. His goal was clear: to defeat Morkel and take his body for himself.He turned to the Hokage and commanded coldly, "Let's go—Successive Hokage!"