Takeshi's intelligence, strictly speaking, was not inferior to that of Kakashi and the others.
What he lacked was only the ability to analyze intelligence.
Combined with his knowledge of the later Shippuden storyline, this led him to adopt the simplest and most direct approach in battle.
After linking together all the recent events he had encountered, Takeshi naturally realized something. Without explaining the situation to Hikari, he suddenly raised his head and activated the Flying Thunder God to leave his current location.
By the time Hikari withdrew her gaze from Sasuke in the distance, Takeshi had already vanished without a trace.
"Where did he go?"
Hikari, with a lollipop in her mouth, looked completely at a loss.
...
"Is this really a good idea? This is a forbidden jutsu that plays with souls. Ever since Sarutobi-sensei took office, it's been strictly prohibited from being used."
Orochimaru looked a bit surprised at the Scroll of Seals Takeshi had brought him. After learning the reason for his visit, the playful expression on Orochimaru's face deepened.
He couldn't have misheard, could he? The dignified Fifth Hokage was actually asking him to demonstrate Edo Tensei—this utterly inhumane forbidden jutsu—in person.
Takeshi's answer was very simple: "This is all for Konoha."
That answer, that expression—it couldn't be mistaken. The other party was absolutely Danzo's trueborn son.
Orochimaru had already lost count of how many times he had marveled at the similarities between Takeshi and Danzo.
Unconsciously, a thought arose in his mind:
If Sarutobi-sensei had seen this disciple clearly earlier on, would the one sitting in the Hokage's seat have been himself instead?
It wasn't that Orochimaru harbored ambition for the Hokage position, nor had he abandoned his dream of researching everything.
This was just a disciple's competitive instinct.
Two geniuses—inevitably, one would compare who stood higher.
"You should know, to perform Edo Tensei, living people must be used as sacrifices..."
"There are plenty of death row prisoners to choose from. You only need to promise me that after mastering this jutsu, you won't use it recklessly."
Takeshi also understood the risk of letting Orochimaru learn this jutsu, but he was desperate to resolve the troubling question in his mind.
"Hehehe..."
Orochimaru showed great interest in examining the method of Edo Tensei, but gave no definite answer.
"Orochimaru, promise me."
Hearing Orochimaru's cold laugh, Takeshi frowned slightly, urging him to respond.
"And if I do promise? Words have no binding force."
Orochimaru couldn't even be bothered to glance at Takeshi. At this moment, he was absorbed in flipping through the other contents of the Scroll of Seals.
He had wanted to study the Scroll of Seals for a long time, but most of his energy had been consumed by other research, leaving this desire unfulfilled.
Now that Takeshi had delivered it to him, of course Orochimaru would seize the opportunity to study it thoroughly.
"I believe you'll keep your word. After all, we were both taught by the same teacher."
Takeshi pressed down on Orochimaru's hand as he tried to roll the scroll, his eyes locking onto this dangerous serpent that could easily spiral out of control.
Such terrifying pressure... this sense of danger, it even surpassed that of Sarutobi-sensei...
Shaken by Takeshi's unrestrained aura, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly and unwillingly pulled his gaze from the Scroll of Seals, finally sparing some attention for the man before him.
Seeing that unyielding resolve in Takeshi's eyes, Orochimaru no longer resorted to vague words. Instead, he gave a solemn promise:
"As you wish, Fifth Hokage-sama."
With Orochimaru's promise secured, Takeshi wasted no time. Under his arrangements, death row prisoners were quickly sent into the secret laboratory, and the materials representing information on the Setsuna Organization were also prepared.
"Edo Tensei!"
As Orochimaru completed the hand signs, vast amounts of dust surged onto the death row prisoner's body. Amid his screams, the dust gradually formed into the figure of Setsuna.
Once the final speck of dust settled, Setsuna's consciousness began to return.
"That damned Yōwan, I..."
Instinctively, Setsuna spoke Yōwan's name.
Yōwan?
Takeshi's ears keenly picked up on this unfamiliar name.
Was this yet another unknown Uchiha?
"No... you're that evil Shimura brat..."
Slowly twisting his neck, Setsuna finally took in everything before him.
He instinctively tried to use his dōjutsu, but Orochimaru had already set restrictions on him. Moreover, this version of Edo Tensei hadn't undergone any modifications—the strength Setsuna could display was only twenty to thirty percent of what it had been in life.
"I see... so this is the Edo Tensei created by that innately evil Tobirama..."
Having once fought against Tobirama, Setsuna quickly understood the situation.
"Uchiha Yōwan... is he your collaborator? Both you and he have been deceived by Uchiha Madara, acting as his shadows in the living world."
Takeshi bluntly voiced what was on his mind.
"How far has your plan progressed? The One-Tails, the Two-Tails, or..."
Setsuna's heart, which should have long since stilled, was suddenly thrown into turmoil.
This sinister brat actually knew Madara's plan?!
Orochimaru licked his lips.
How fascinating... it seemed his fellow disciple knew quite a lot.
"Come now, speak. Standing before you is the Fifth Hokage-sama, after all."
Orochimaru, with malicious amusement, lent Takeshi support, increasing his control over Setsuna.
"Yōwan and I have indeed been acting according to Madara-sama's plan. As for the tailed beasts, we've already collected seve—"
Setsuna's words cut off abruptly.
The sudden turn made Takeshi tense at once.
Even Orochimaru's expression shifted slightly.
"Madara-sama..."
Gnashing his teeth as he uttered Madara's name, the dust covering Setsuna's body began to flake away piece by piece.
"I am a proud Uchiha. Chosen by Madara-sama as his successor—how could I lose to that innately evil Tobirama twice—"
As Madara's image resurfaced in his memory, Setsuna's lips curved into a faint smile. After those words, his entire body collapsed quietly.
With a flash of blinding white light, all that remained before them was the death row prisoner's mangled corpse.
"This is truly..."
Orochimaru clicked his tongue in amazement.
It seemed this forbidden jutsu, Edo Tensei, still had many flaws.
"So, Fifth Hokage-sama—shall I continue refining this jutsu for you?"
After witnessing everything, Orochimaru left the decision to Takeshi.
"No need. The matters of the shinobi world should be resolved by the living. The dead need not interfere."
Takeshi's expression was somewhat complicated, but he still refused Orochimaru's offer without hesitation.
Their exchange hadn't been fruitless. Setsuna's last unsaid word had clearly referred to the Seven-Tails.
The situation seemed far more urgent than Takeshi had imagined.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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