[Elaina: "Group Leader, it's not true, is it? Kumoko, she..."]
Although she hadn't been in the Chat Group for too long, If a group member suddenly died, Elaina felt a bit sad. Kumoko had always been the first one to liven up the atmosphere, and everyone was quite familiar with her.
[World's No. 1 Princess: "Don't worry, Elaina, Kumoko will be fine. Her avatar hasn't dimmed yet, has it?"]
[Elaina: "Is that how it works?"]
Elaina subconsciously looked at Kumoko's avatar; it seemed to be still lit up.
In the God of Destruction Realm, Beryl watched the contents of the Chat Group.
She had an agreement with Evil God D, so she wasn't worried about Kumoko.
Even if something really happened to Kumoko, Evil God D would retrieve her.
Unlike the original work, where Evil God D's interaction with Kumoko was almost playful.
Now, with the agreement in place, judging from Evil God D's serious expression during their previous transaction, even if Kumoko ultimately failed to become a god, at most her evaluation would just be a bit lower.
Evil God D was not currently concerned with Kumoko, but rather with Beryl behind Kumoko.
Therefore, Kumoko's existence could only be said to pique Evil God D's interest slightly in her leisure time, and that was all.
It sounded quite frustrating for Kumoko.
There was no rush regarding Kumoko's matter; she'll probably reappear on her own soon enough.
[World's No. 1 Princess: "@Uchiha Sasuke, what are you doing now?"]
[Uchiha Sasuke: "Orochimaru and I are on our way to the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple. He wants to retrieve his hands, which were sealed within the Shinigami, before setting out to revive Uchiha Madara."]
[World's No. 1 Princess: "Isn't Uchiha Madara's body with Black Zetsu? Do you have confidence?"]
[Uchiha Sasuke: "Orochimaru said he would figure something out."]
In the Naruto World,
Led by Orochimaru, Sasuke and his Team Taka arrived near Konoha, roughly the same location as in the original work.
On the towering cliff, Sasuke looked down.
In the distance, Konoha Village was brightly lit.
"It's so peaceful, but it doesn't belong to me."
Sasuke's gaze shifted slightly to a certain spot on the edge of Konoha.
That was the Uchiha clan's territory, relocated after the Nine-Tails attack.
In the dark night, there was no sign of life, appearing strikingly out of place with Konoha's prosperity.
"Do you still feel emotional seeing Konoha again?"
Orochimaru walked to Sasuke's side.
The scene Sasuke had shown earlier with his Mangekyo Sharingan revealed that during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he had brought Sasuke and his companions to this very spot, and Sasuke had similarly gazed out at Konoha.
"Perhaps, but it doesn't really matter." Sasuke no longer had much attachment to Konoha.
After a sigh, Sasuke glanced at his left arm, where Karin was constantly rubbing against his arm, making Sasuke quite speechless:
"Karin, that's enough, let go of my hand."
"Mm, Sasuke, Sasuke, en en..." Hearing Sasuke's serious words, Karin released his hand.
After watching the Naruto storyline, Sasuke also vaguely understood why Karin was so dependent on him.
An accidental rescue during the Chunin Exams?
He wasn't Karin, and he didn't want to think too much; he'd just let things take their course.
His primary goal now was to complete the Chat Group's world mission and resurrecting his parents and clan members.
"Sasuke, before choosing to transplant Senju Hashirama's cells, I suggest you transplant some of Karin's cells. Senju and Uzumaki are distant relatives, and Karin has a very pure bloodline of the Uzumaki Clan."
"This might allow you to reduce the danger when transplanting Hashirama cells later."
"Yes, yes, whatever cells Sasuke wants, I can give them all!"
Karin raised both hands in agreement. Let alone a little bit of cells, she could even swap cells with Sasuke.
"We'll talk about this later," Sasuke said after a moment of silence, "Orochimaru, didn't you say you were going to retrieve your hands? Shouldn't we hurry?"
Not long after Sasuke finished speaking, the figures on the cliff disappeared into the night sky.
The rustling sound traveled from the mountain cliff to the forest behind.
At the Uzumaki Clan's temple.
Orochimaru found the Shinigami Mask and began to release the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.
Sasuke took out a scroll and casually threw it on the ground.
With a "poof," the scroll's smoke disappeared, revealing 5 seemingly dead White Zetsu.
As for how the White Zetsu came to be.
Simply put, they were White Zetsu hidden by Uchiha Madara before his death, which he hadn't had time to tell Obito and others about.
They were like his private stash.
So, Sasuke learned the location of Uchiha Madara's White Zetsu from the Chat Group and conveniently took 5 unactivated White Zetsu.
As in the original work, Orochimaru, with his superb technique, successfully exploited a bug in the Shinigami Mask's abilities.
The Shinigami could only slowly disappear in a state of innocence and helpless staring.
"As expected of White Zetsu's body, it's truly resilient." Orochimaru grinned and raised his hands, clenching them.
"Sarutobi-sensei, I wonder what expression you'll have when you see me with my hands back. I'm truly curious!"
Orochimaru laughed sinisterly, then formed hand seals.
He slammed his right hand down on the ground.
"Edo Tensei."
Wails and howls rose and fell, one after another.
The First Hokage, Second Hokage, Third Hokage, and Fourth Hokage appeared before everyone's eyes.
However, the next moment.
Before the four Hokage could regain consciousness.
Coffins rose behind each of them, quickly enclosing all the Hokage except for the Third Hokage.
"Hehe, with the strength of the First Hokage, I wouldn't dare release him casually." Orochimaru said with a grin.
After the coffins were sealed, three of them slowly sank into the ground.
At this moment, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, had regained consciousness.
"Long time no see, Sarutobi-sensei, hehehehe~"
The Third Hokage's muddled consciousness had not fully cleared when he heard a familiar voice.
"Orochimaru!"
"That's right, it's me. Surprised?"
Orochimaru didn't mock him, just subtly curved his lips,
"Sarutobi-sensei, your proud Dead Demon Consuming Seal has been broken by me. In other words, you died for nothing."
"Orochimaru, you..." The Third Hokage's face contorted, as if he was about to attack Orochimaru.
"That won't do." Orochimaru formed a hand seal, interrupting the Third Hokage's attempt to cast a jutsu.
"Damn it... I can't move my body." The Third Hokage glared at Orochimaru, "I truly regret not killing you sooner."
"That's truly a pity." Orochimaru didn't care at all, his snake eyes narrowing, "There's no medicine for regret in this world."
"What do you want to do to Konoha!" The immobilized Third Hokage could do nothing but glare ferociously.
"It's not that I want to do anything to Konoha, but my disciple Uchiha Sasuke feels that Konoha shouldn't exist."
"Disciple... Sa-Sasuke!?"
The Third Hokage's gaze followed the direction Orochimaru indicated, and he saw the members of Team Taka, as well as Yakushi Kabuto.
And standing at the very front of these people was a young man quite familiar to the Third Hokage.
Although he had changed greatly from before, the Third Hokage could still vaguely recognize him.
"Are you Sasuke?"