Inside the Hidden Leaf Village, chaos had already erupted.
The moment Shigeo appeared within the village, he immediately noticed that this attack was not following the plot he knew from the original Hokage storyline.
In addition to the hundred Sand ninja and dozens of Sound ninja launching their assault on Konoha, there were also two other figures standing atop the Hokage Rock, observing the entire village.
Both wore Akatsuki cloaks, yet Shigeo didn't recognize their faces.
They each wore a yaksha mask—one red, one black.
One carried a biwa on his back, while the other had a red drum strapped to his waist, holding two bone sticks that looked like drum mallets.
Shigeo noticed them but did not approach.
Since he had stayed in Konoha at the personal invitation of the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, he would remain by the old man's side. That way, when Hiruzen finally gave him a task, he could repay the favor immediately.
Part of his reason for staying today was also because of Tsunade-san's face—figuratively speaking.
Of course, if his friends were in danger and he happened to be nearby, he would lend a hand.
Just like now—when, as he passed through the main street, a massive fireball shot across from the other side.
Its target was Ichiraku Ramen, owned by Ayame and her father.
Without hesitation, Shigeo used Suiton (Water Release) to intercept the incoming flames.
Ayame and her father ran out from the shop and, seeing him standing protectively in front of their stall, their faces lit with relief.
Ayame stepped forward a few paces, looking deeply at him. Many words trembled on her lips but never came out. In the end, they turned into a gentle smile.
"Thank you. You'll come back to visit me often, right?"
"Yeah." Shigeo nodded lightly. "Go now. Take your father to the shelter."
"Okay!" Ayame nodded firmly and pulled her parents away from Ichiraku.
Nine years had passed since they last met. Ayame had grown into a fine young woman—more beautiful than ever.
After dispersing the fire release, Shigeo turned sharply and headed toward the Third Hokage's location.
On a massive beam above the village, the Sound Four had already activated their Ninpō: Shishienjin (Ninja Art: Four Violet Flame Formation).
Inside the blazing barrier, Orochimaru and Sarutobi Hiruzen were locked in combat.
With a single Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique), Shigeo appeared just outside the barrier. Without saying a word, he sat on the edge of the roof beam, silently watching the battle below.
That quiet action and unreadable expression made both Orochimaru and Hiruzen feel a chill in their hearts.
Though Orochimaru had long acknowledged Shigeo as his superior, he knew the man never truly accepted him. Even when Orochimaru used Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu) to help him secure victory against the Five Great Villages' alliance, Shigeo never formally recognized him.
This time in Konoha, Orochimaru had sent Kabuto to sound him out—but all he got in reply was a single noncommittal "Hmm."
So which side was he on this time—Orochimaru's, or the Third Hokage's?
Unease gnawed at Orochimaru's heart.
The same tension stirred within Hiruzen. He feared that Shigeo's resentment toward him might cause him to refuse his third request.
Either way, he had to gamble—that somewhere deep down, Shigeo still cared for Konoha.
He would bet that the man wouldn't destroy the village out of personal hatred.
Perhaps, if luck favored him, Shigeo might even help.
But until he had exhausted his own strength, Hiruzen would not play that card.
Meanwhile, Shigeo had already guessed the old man's intentions.
Since Hiruzen hadn't spoken up upon seeing him, it meant this "third favor" had not yet reached the point of desperation.
No problem. He could wait.
So he sat quietly on the edge of the roof, the robes of the First Ink Shadow fluttering in the wind, his hat casting a shadow over half his face.
He drew up one knee and rested his chin upon it, watching the two combatants inside.
Their gazes met for an instant, then both combatants turned back to focus on each other.
Inside the formation, Hiruzen unleashed the Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique)—from one thrown shuriken, dozens multiplied mid-air.
"Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu)!"
Orochimaru clapped his hands in a seal. Two coffins rose from the roof, blocking the incoming attack.
When the third coffin began to emerge, Hiruzen quickly used a sealing technique to force it back underground. Even so, the first two coffins had already opened—revealing the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, and the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The ANBU surrounding the formation gasped. It was them?!
"Long time no see, Sarutobi," said Hashirama calmly.
"Yes, it's you… you've aged, Sarutobi," Tobirama added.
This was not a reunion anyone desired, but those summoned through Reanimation had no will of their own. They were puppets under the summoner's control.
"Never thought we'd meet again like this. Forgive me," Hiruzen said, his face tight, fingers trembling slightly.
If he were to call for Shigeo's help now—could the man even enter the barrier? Could he fight against two Hokage-level opponents?
If he unleashed his Tailed Beast power, then yes—he could probably crush them both with ease.
These thoughts swirled through Hiruzen's mind, yet he still didn't play his trump card. He continued facing all three alone.
Meanwhile, that trump card—Shigeo—sat outside, watching with calm amusement, one brow slightly raised, body relaxed.
At that moment, Shigeo was analyzing the situation. If he were in Hiruzen's place, what were his odds?
The answer was clear—one hundred percent victory.
First, this barrier couldn't contain him; Kamui would let him come and go freely.
Second, he would never waste time battling the First and Second Hokage. He would strike directly at Orochimaru, the caster of Edo Tensei. Once Orochimaru died, the summoning would collapse.
Moreover, his Jinton (Dust Release): Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu (Detachment of the Primitive World), Jiton (Steam Release): Bakuhatsu no Jutsu (Explosive Release), Fūton (Wind Release), and sealing techniques would all make short work of this battle.
Orochimaru, before him, had only one fate—death.
But for now, he was merely an observer.
The ANBU surrounding the violet flames were tense, but useless—they couldn't even breach the barrier.
Inside, Orochimaru had already driven Edo Tensei control kunai into the necks of the two resurrected Hokage. Their cracked, lifeless faces gradually regained the color of living flesh, and the battle resumed.
They clashed in fierce Taijutsu (Body Technique) combat first, their movements fast as lightning—punches, kicks, sweeps in close quarters.
After separating, Hiruzen quickly switched to ninjutsu.
"Katon (Fire Release): Karyū Endan (Fire Dragon Flame Bullet)!"
"Suiton (Water Release): Suijinheki (Water Formation Wall)!"
A torrent of water rose, blocking the fire and forming a defensive ring. Then, Tobirama followed up—
"Suiton (Water Release): Suishōha (Water Shockwave)!"—launching a counterattack.
Hiruzen responded with Doton (Earth Release) to block the flood.
The battle between Kage-level shinobi was beyond the imagination of ordinary ninja.
Every technique—its speed, its power, its chakra expenditure—was something no regular shinobi could hope to match.
(End of Chapter)
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